Indians may not always be very punctual themselves, but in order to be polite, always show up at the
appointed time for the dinner date, as you are the guest. Be sure to take off your shoes before entering their
home, it is respectful. They will offer you snacks, tea, and coffee, but refuse the first time, they will ask you
repeatedly and it is customary to not accept the first offering. Wait to be seated, and if you are a man, you will
be served first, lucky you, children afterwards, and unfortunately for the women, they usually do the serving
and eat later. Eating with your fingers is common, but always eat with your right hand, the left is considered
unclean. While utensils may on occasion be used, ask any Indian and they will insist that in order to fully enjoy
your food, you must eat with your fingers. Most Indians maintain that it is easier anyhow, to eat with ones
fingers rather than cutlery. Indian food is all about the senses, and to eat with the fingers invites a certain
sensuality that you don't get with a spoon or fork. The sense of smell is another very important and thought on
aspect of Indian food. One especially delicious and fragrant recipe is Chana Masala, a spicy, dish of Chickpeas, tomatoes, and an
interesting blend of Indian spices. My grandfather makes this for me often, and it's usually served with chole
bhature, a type of fried bread that is popular with a lot of Indian dishes, as a relief to the heat. Another relief
to the heat is, sometimes, chutneys. They are generally spicy but like the apple mango chutney, some can be
sweet. Indian food without chutneys is in esscence, incomplete. For desert you may have Seviya Kheer, a
lovely sweet pudding, mainly of milk, almonds, and seviya. With it you may enjoy some Indian spice tea,
something I enjoy daily because it is delicious! The spices commonly included are, cardamom, cinnamon,
ginger, fennel seeds, peppercorn, and cloves, however I have never tried it with peppercorn. Sus riakal!
(picture from Martha Stewart)
