Have you ever felt curious to try a new type of food? So you work up the courage, go to the new restaurant, and sit down at the table. So far, so good. But then you open the menu, and you have absolutely no idea what anything is? I had that exact experience the first time I tried Indian food. I looked at the items, and couldn’t figure out whether I preferred tandoori, saag, or biryani. So I turned the page to the lamb section. I like lamb, I thought. But I couldn’t tell you whether I preferred Lamb Korma, Karahi Lamb, or Lamb Vindaloo. It took me a few tries, but soon I figured it out, and I am a die-hard Indian food fan. And now that Lakshmi Cuisine of India has a place in downtown Lakeport, you can experience the exotic, dynamic flavors of their food without feeling stressed because you accidentally ordered the Saag Aloo instead of the Saag Paneer. Here’s my primer for how to enjoy Indian food without worry.
To start: If you enjoy fried food (and we all do), begin with something from the appetizer menu. Most Indian restaurants offer a sampler platter, and Lakshmi in Lakeport is one of them. That will give you a taste of three different types of crunchy flavor: Vegetable Samosas (pyramid-shaped treats stuffed with goodness) and Vegetable and Chicken Pakoras (chickpea flour-battered veggies and chicken).
Now that you’ve curbed the edge of your appetite, it’s time to settle down and choose your main dishes. And yes, I say dishes because Indian food is best when you can enjoy three or four different plates of food. For the main course, I suggest starting by choosing the meat you would like. Usually, I select chicken and lamb. That’s a perfect start. Now the key is to choose how you would like the meat prepared. Do you want it hot and sizzling? Order Tandoori Chicken. If you prefer it in a sauce, you’ll have lots of choices. And if you look at Lakshmi’s menu, both chicken and lamb have similar sauces. For a deeply rich and flavorful sauce, order your meat as Tikka Masala (a smooth curry) or Korma (a cashew and raisin curry that is incredible). If you’re in the mood for spicy, Vindaloo. And just like that, your meat dishes are taken care of.
Now you’ll have to choose a vegetable dish or two because these dishes complement the main course and can stand on their own, too. Here are three great vegetable plates that will fill up your senses and stomach. Indian food is meant to be eaten with Dal Makhani, creamy lentils that always satisfy. You can also try Chana Masala, a garbanzo bean dish that is a personal favorite, or Saag Paneer, which is homemade cheese cubes sautéed in spinach.
Of course, no Indian food dinner is complete without the sides. Be sure to order rice, naan (I highly suggest getting garlic naan), and a few sauces for dipping things in: Raita (yogurt and cucumber), mango chutney, and achar (pickled vegetables).
Of course, with this much food, I suggest either taking a few friends or planning on enjoying leftovers, and Indian food makes incredible leftovers–it’s just as good the next day as it is at the restaurant.
So, you don’t have to stress about ordering Indian food–and once you figure out the pattern, you’ll be able to order with confidence at any restaurant. But I do highly suggest you try it out at Lakshmi Cuisine of India in Lakeport.
SAMPLE MENU
Appetizer: Mix Platter
Meat dishes
Chicken Tikka Masala
Lamb Vindaloo
Vegetable Dishes
Dal Makhani
Saag Paneer
Sides
Garlic Naan
Raita
Mango Chutney
Achar
185 N Main St, Lakeport, CA 95453
(707) 349-6100
