Up until about 2 years ago, Indian food had never touched my lips.  (And, no, I do not know a shortcut).   I had never had an interest/inkling to try Indian food … mainly because my dad always abhorred curry and I think it unduly influenced my taste buds. 

Growing up in Iowa, Indian food wasn’t exactly a staple.  Heck, you’d be hard-pressed to find Chinese food back in the day.  But as I matured, so did my palate.  Well, that and I became friends with Mithra Amaran, the classiest Indian chick this side of New Delhi.

Once we bonded, she would invite me over for dinner with her friends.  Inevitably, she’d make homemade Indian cuisine.  Once I got past my tongue constantly bursting in to flames because of the spices, I learned to like Indian food. Now, I practically beg her to take me out for Chicken Tikka Marsala or Shrimp Saag.   I’m actually headed to a groovy new Indian restaurant tonight!  Go figure.

I really found my love of Indian food while in England.  Across the pond, it’s referred to simply as “Curry”.  There’s a restaurant on practically every street corner.  Local pub.  Local fish and chip house.  Local Curry shoppe – dine-in or takeaway.

I still have to be careful when I wolf down Indian food, however.  There is some spice that literally goes right through me.  And as much as I enjoy it, I cannot be very far away from a bathroom immediately after consumption.  Yes, I know – overshare.  But if you ever go out to eat Indian with me and I have to leave immediately … you’ll know why.

Mithra cracks me up.  Not only does she order for me (since she knows exactly what I’ll like/dislike), she ensures everything is M-I-L-D.  It’s not a pleasant feeling having your face explode or panting through dinner because you’ve nibbled on the wrong thing.

A few weeks ago, we went out for Indian food and, as usual, it was PHENOMENAL.  She called the next night and asked if I was up for Round II.  I said, “For the love of God, Mithra – who in the hell eats Indian food TWO nights in a row?”

Without missing a beat, she said, “Uh, over one BILLION Indian people.”

Good one!  Naan for everyone!