Bring on the carbs!
Brunch|February 13 , 2022
The traditional Indian meal was nutritious in its balance. But now, Middle India is opting for meat-and-carb overloads
VIR SANGHVI
Bring on the carbs!
One of the distinctive characteristics of Indian food has always been its balance. When we eat dinner, we usually eat at least three different items: one or two sabzis, rotis or pooris of some kind, dal, dahi (or raita), salad or kachumber, rice (perhaps) and if we are non-vegetarian, then some kind of meat, fish or chicken.

In this respect, we are very different from the West. Though the typical Western meal is supposed to consist of a starter, main course and dessert; the main course itself is always a single dish and these days, the starter is being abandoned. The focus will usually be on the non-vegetarian main dish with perhaps one or two vegetables on the side. There are exceptions like Italy, where there should be a parade of dishes at each meal: antipasto, pasta, main course etc. But these days, even Italians are often content with a single course when they are at home.

This distinction in how we eat has always played to our advantage. Many nutritionists will tell you that Westerners eat too much meat. In India, even non-vegetarians will not necessarily eat meat at every meal and many Indian non-vegetarians will have, at most, one meat dish at a meal. The dal, vegetables etc. will be accorded as much respect as the meat.

In the West, there is now a campaign to get people to eat more vegetables. This is proving difficult because, once you take away pasta and pizza, there aren't that many vegetarian options in most Western cuisines. In India, on the other hand, our vegetarian cuisine is even more sophisticated than our non-vegetarian cooking. And truth be told, most Indian non-vegetarians will not feel that they are being deprived if there is no meat in a meal. In the West, however, most people have to make a conscious attempt to go vegetarian and to cope with meat deprivation.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 13 , 2022 من Brunch.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 13 , 2022 من Brunch.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من BRUNCH مشاهدة الكل
Let's tri all the angles
Brunch

Let's tri all the angles

BFFs falling for the same girl, kidnap twists, murders, bromances. These 10 three-way love stories play with geometry and our feelings

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Should you Q up for this?
Brunch

Should you Q up for this?

Audi's luxury SUV, the Q8, has had a refresh. But a sleeker grille and headlight tech don't make up for what's still missing

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
How to plan a great escape
Brunch

How to plan a great escape

It's getting colder. It's already hard to breathe. Why not plan a winter vacation that's a world away but not too far away?

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Kababs, yes, but khandvi too
Brunch

Kababs, yes, but khandvi too

Mughlai cuisine has as many vegetarian dishes as meaty ones. A new translation of a 16th century manuscript shows how we ate, and why modern labels are pointless

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
I can be your hero
Brunch

I can be your hero

Gurfateh Pirzada, only afewroles old, is the green flag we didn't know we needed. He's learning from women. He wants to be more thana lover and a fighter. He's hoping we all do better. No wonder everyone's crushing on him

time-read
4 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Meet the export experts
Brunch

Meet the export experts

Khadi crop-tops in Spain, faux-leather hoodies in London, fairytale wedding gowns in the UAE. See how some desi labels are killing it on foreign shores

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Why we're all feeling Blue
Brunch

Why we're all feeling Blue

Coco Mellors's new novel is about grief, sisterhood, and of course, addiction and unlikeable women. How does she make it work?

time-read
4 mins  |
November 09, 2024
This week, we're...
Brunch

This week, we're...

Changing the momo game, listening to kids, starting a new business, and supporting pro waxxers

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Rohit Chawla
Brunch

Rohit Chawla

Photographer, artist, @RohitChawlaPhotography_

time-read
1 min  |
November 02, 2024
Congratulations, it's a goal
Brunch

Congratulations, it's a goal

Lakeside vows, pastel palettes, bayous, backyards and boats. These celeb weddings are what modern fairytales are made of

time-read
2 mins  |
November 02, 2024