Indian spices in the USA

GauhatiBoy

I have found an excellent source for Indian spice mixes here in the USA. These are very fresh and for the most part "right on".

Penzey's spices in Wisconsin sells curry mixes that are very good and actually (in my opinion) better than imports from India because they are fresher. They make garam masala, rogan josh, balti, tandoori, vindaloo and other mixes that won't disappoint you.

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penze...rrypowder.html

Nan and Curry

I also found a great Indian shop in my neck of the woods!

I live in Belmont, CA - about 30 miles South of San Francisco.

There is a shop in the little shopping center where Longs and Radio Shack are on Ralston and El camino. They have everything! Spices - whole and ground - frozen foods, various types of rice, etc. I was impressed how comprehensive their stock is! They even make fresh Biryani daily.

BTW, I forgot the name of it, but the shopping center is tiny so you can't miss it.

So if you are in this area - it is definitely worth a visit.

GauhatiBoy

TY Nan and Curry. I get spices sent from WI. Not even a decent Indian restaurant here. The only ONE in town has bland food and a performing belly dancer sometimes LOL Only went there one time.

Nan and Curry

Funny, I am not sure if you are Indian, but I have a few Indian friends here who tell me they prefer cooking themselves since Indian food served in restaurants here is so bland.

Actually, though, there is a small chain of restaurants named after my username: Nan and Curry. It is reasonably priced and I feel it is pretty good. However, not being Indian, not sure if Indians will approve!.......LOL

GauhatiBoy

I guess being too authentic isn't always best. What if Chinese restaurants here served dog meat

I'm a white boy who grew up in India.

Nan and Curry

Wow, you grew up in India - interesting. I am considering going there to teach if I could get a good arrangement. Also, have to confirm the security situation. Thanks to our leader!......LOL.

GauhatiBoy

Cool . . . teach where?

Nan and Curry

Not sure, being new to India, I was considering Bangalore/Bombay/ Goa?? I need to do my homework I guess.

I am looking for a place that is mellow far from the cities, but at the same time offers a nightlife, recreational activities, etc. Any suggestions? I am going to start a thread.

Thanks.

GauhatiBoy

I asked that because I wondered if you might be considering the boarding school I went to, Woodstock School in Mussoorie. It's an international school and it's in the Himalayas at about 7000 feet. That area is gorgeous.

Nan and Curry

Wow! Would this be a volunteer position or paid?, Also what are the students ages?

GauhatiBoy

I don't know about the volunteer vs paid

I think it's still 1st through 12th grade.

http://www.woodstock.ac.in/

edwardseco

My spouse insists that curry powder is a western invention and that each family does its own particular mixture of individual spices..

GauhatiBoy

In india there is no such thing as "curry powder".

The mixture of spices is different for each dish.

"curry powder" is maybe a best guess for Indian food.

Nan and Curry

Seems like a good school. Impressive site. I am wondering if it is a salaried position and what else goes along with it.

hfot2

At Roopak's spice shop on Ajmer Khan in Karol Bagh we were astonished to see lots and lots of spice mixtures on sale readymade in little bottles. The manager told us that we (and your spouse) are right to believe that each family used to make its own spice mixtures. And according to the manager that still happens in the countryside and small villages. But in the big cities, he says, women are too busy now for all of that, and they buy Roopak's masalas.

Of course, he said that – he sells the stuff. But we had dinner with some upscale Delhi friends; and the wife, who is the family cook (at least when her cook has the day off) agrees with the Roopak manager – though she buys some other brand. Also, we had dinner at the home of a not-so-upscale Delhi family, and both the mother and daughter-in-law say that they continue to make their own spice mixtures when they have the time – but somehow they never have the time any more.

Does anyone know of a spice shop like Roopak's in Colaba, Mumbai?