Salad suggestions please...

MikeB

Hi all,

I've been living/volunteering in Bangalore for 2 months now with my girlfriend. We absolutely love it here and maybe a little bit too much. I love curry but unfortunately it doesn't seem to love me in return. I was diagnosed with a gallbladder infection today and a form of gallstones. Apparently caused by lots of cholesterol.

We don't really know how to cook Indian food and European ingredients cost a fortune so we've been dining out most nights. Masala dosas are also a regular occurrence. (If you're in the wheeler rd area try the ones at the small cafe at the bottom of rd ) The only problem with all this good food is the oil, fat and starch contents have caused my condition and I need to drastically change my diet in order to save one of my internal organs from being removed...

So on that note...anyone know of any good salad bars in Bangalore?

Many thanks,
Mike.

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anton

Umm... looks like we have another casualty to the ghee and spice duo.

Try:
Namdhari's Fresh
# 821, 20th Main, 8th Block, Opp Indoor Stadium, Koramangala, Bangalore
Phone 41103777, 41103778

There's a new outlet behind the Sony Service Centre on 100 ft Road, Indiranagar at the 12th Main corner, which may be closer to where you live.

Old India hands know the efficacy of starting off the day with a helping of papaya. The good ones are called "disco": seriously! Ask at the Nilgiri Fruit Associate on Brigade Rd. 20 quid a kilo is a fair price. Check for squashed overripe produce stashed surreptitiously at the bottom of the carry bag!

You'll still pay a premium for eating healthy at Salad Bars:
100 rupees buffet charge vs 30 rupees for the average dosa tab.

The Bistro, Cunningham Rd (sadly closed) had an excellent salad bar: clean and well refrigerated offerings. Watch out for the dressing: diving into the mayo has the same effect as diving into ghee! Stick to the vinaigrette.

Yup, the Wheeler Rd dosa was/is stellar: Rashmi Tiffin Room if I recall correctly.

jyotirmoy

I would go by anton's suggestion. Go to Namdhari's, buy ingredients, wash & clean the leaves well and make your own salad.
Outside the starred hotels I would be hesitant to eat green salads.

anton

I agree. But a friend fell prey to 5-star salad as well. As long as we are going by the washing route and being cautious, you need to wash the greens with a potassium permanganate solution and THEN toss your salad.

Here's a review of the salad bar at Namdhari's, but I'll try to recall one where I survived the ordeal of eating raw and cut veggies and fruit.

http://bangalore.burrp.com/establishment/review/21k_2x8

But I'm local, so the mileage may vary.

MikeB

Thanks for your swift replies.

I think you're probably right and the 'buy & wash' idea sounds like the safest option. Thanks for the tip on the potassium permanganate solution too...do they make one that tastes like salad dressing I've been looking but can't seem to find a lettuce anywhere...any suggestions?



Was at the hospital today and the doc just says to avoid oil...so he really meant curry I guess! He said I can still eat lots of other things but in my mind (and lots of online research) a veggie/salad diet is probably the best route to go down at the moment. Not that I'm saying my web educated mind is better than that of a senior surgeon but I like to follow my instincts

Many thanks for your help!

Mike.

federica

What about noodles with vegetables? Or Chinese food? Traditional South Indian food is also not so oily (without Papads!)...

Cooking at home would be the best option, I guess. Just be creative and mix vegetables (you can fry them in a non sticky pan without oil, just add some water). Clear soups with vegetables/potatoes is another option.

All the best for your health!

mirjamd

I agree with Federica that traditional South Indian food is not very oily. Sambar is not too oily for example, rasam is also a great thing without oil (but very spicy, so if that doesn't suit you, it might have reverse effect...). If you eat South Indian 'meals' they give you rice with a whole lot of extra's, so then you can pick and choose what you want to eat. And they come very cheap, around Rs. 30-50.
You can try Keralan dishes as well, like Avial.

In Chennai at least I have never seen a lettuce like your picture. Once in Spencer's Daily they had a plastic packet with the fenomenal amount of 3 !!! lettuce leaves in there . They looked a bit sad, so I didn't buy them....

puchoo

Think this one is called iceberg lettuce as far as Delhi goes. relatively easily available but restricted to top end grocers and not the local thela guy....

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federica

Cucumber salad, tomato salad, potato salad are better options than lettuce, I guess.

puchoo

I am not a salad guy but once in a while do end up having something, but only at home and its 99% this one :-

Luncheon meat
Tomatoes
Lettuce
Potatoes
Olive Oil
Herbs

..and i am done...

MikeB

Yeah I think I'll have to stick to South Indian meals. Have had a few since I arrived. Al very good. I'm also heading to Kerala for the final 2 weeks of my stay in India in Sept so I'll hopefully get some nice regional dishes too.

All this talk if food is making me hungry...I guess the lettuce hunt goes on :-)

Thanks,
Mike.

puchoo

Lettuce know how it goes... !

shashank.aggarwal

I though the picture above was cabbage ?

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federica

No, it's iceberg lettuce. The leaves are not smooth at the end as cabbage leaves would be. And if you touch cabbage it feels totally different, thicker and smoother but of course you can't see it on the pic.

By the way, cabbage gives excellent salad, too. Just cut it in very thin layers!

anton

Absolutely correct, on all counts.

Namdhari's and the new Gourmet Mall on MG Road stock it on a regular basis, but be warned: they cost an arm and a leg!