Must Have Food in India, Part I

We have had some amazing food and dining experiences here. Here is my attempt to share some with you:

Mutton momos - Momos are Tibetan dumpling with a thin nearly translucent dough and a spiral top. We had may momos our week in Leh. However these were the only ones we went back for twice. Tibetan Kitchen, Leh

Anything Handi - A few times on this trip, we have come across such sublime food, that rather than go to yet another different restaurant, we will frequent the same place. In Jaipur, we ate at the Handi Restaurant twice and would have gone a third night if we had stayed longer. We knew this place would be great when the menu said "we do not sell in bulk." This Mughali's restaurant's specialty was the Handi mutton - mutton cooked in a clay vessel over a fire all day. The mutton was a soft as butter and bathed in a deep yet fragrant mouth searing gravy. Paired with their freshly made parathas (similar to naan but flaky), this may rank as one of the best meals we have had in India. The second night we had their assorted kebab plate. Numerous chicken and mutton all marinated, minced, and cooked over coals various ways. Amazing anyone can be vegetarian. Handi Restaurant, Jaipur

Gujarathi Thali - We rolled into Junagath after a 12 hour overnight "sleeper" bus ride hungry and feeling like I just worked a 24 hour ED shift. The hotel owner pointed us to a local thali restaurant. The word thali refers to a whole meal or eating experience with several different dishes. This is best done at lunch in a busy locals-filled restaurant. We ordered the "special thali" and sat at the last empty booth. Soon we were assaulted by several sunglass wearing men pouring endless bowls of delectable vegetable curries into 7 small stainless steel cups on our thali plate. Another man came with freshly made chapthis. Another came with rice. Another came with a chilled selection of desserts, giving the special thali its name. Each bottomless steel cup was better than the last. Not realizing that these men would continue to pile our plates with food until we told them to stop, we ate ourselves sick. We returned the next day for a more restrained lunch experience. I could only be vegetarian in India. Geeta Lodge, Junagath in Gujarat

Panki chatni - As a general rule, I always order anything steamed in banana leaves. These thin divine savory rice pancakes were steamed in a banana leaf and folded in quarters. The soft cake was scraped from the leaf by the server table side and topped with a spicy green chutney. Swati Snacks, Mumbai

Rose-Pineapple Ice Cream - Also at Swarti Snacks in Mumbai, this ice cream was the pink shade of an English cabbage rose mixed with whole red petals, smelled like tropical perfume, and tasted light, airy with the perfect balance of fragrance and tartness. Swarti Snacks, Mumbai

Frankie - Also in Mumbai, this was Indian fast food at its best. New York has the hot dog vendors, Mumbai has its frankie vendors. Its a thin chapthi filled with raw onions and a choice of egg, veg, or marinated chicken or mutton. So simple, yet so delicious! CST train station, Mumbai

Bebinca - After several weeks of the sticky sweet Indian desserts, we were happy to find the bebinca. This traditional Goan dessert is made with 16 layers thin cake and then steeped in a coconut-almond mixture. It's hard to describe, but I have found several recipes with will just make for you when I get home. Cavala Resort, Goa

More to come! Next is all about Kerala.

- Nisha