East Meets NW

Anyone familiar with the DC blogosphere knows that approximately one out of every four DC blogs is dedicated to complaints about our nation's capital. Transplants from New York, especially, say that DC is boring, but I am completely baffled by that statement. How are they not completely overwhelmed by all there is to do around here? Do they need a fun starter kit? Here's one! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the International Club of DC. (No, I have absolutely nothing to do with its existence; I just like to present things.)

As part of my never-ending quest to learn to make every sort of cuisine on the planet, I attended the ICDC's Indian Cooking class at Heritage India on Wisconsin Avenue in Glover Park. Heritage India chef Sanjeev Tuli led a lively, sparks-flying demonstration of five courses. Strangely, he started off with a calamari appetizer, which is not exactly Indian by Heritage, but was sautéed with coconut and lemon for an Indian-fusion flavor. The squid was beautifully tender and delicate, even though I couldn't shake the "but this is Italian!" feeling....as I scarfed down my calamari.

Happily, the remaining courses were more authentically Indian: chicken pasanda (a light chicken curry in a creamy almond sauce, and the clear crowd favorite), vegetable dishes aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower)and bhindi masala (sautéed okra), and kheer (a sweet, wholesome-tasting rice pudding). Tuli even passed around curry leaves and curry powder to demonstrate the gap in aroma and flavor between the two. Tuli was dismissive of curry powder, saying that it is a "British invention" having nothing to do with Indian cooking. I personally love curry powder, but I had to admit there was a big difference between the two, and resolved to cook with curry leaves next time, just to mix it up a little.

Recipes were given out at the end of the three-hour class, but Mr. Tuli could not be reached for permission to reprint them here. Luckily for you, however, the ICDC is offering this class again on Sunday, September 3, from noon to 3. The class includes a demonstration, lunch with dessert, and recipes, and costs $39 for a limited time. I recommend you buy your tickets as soon as possible, as these classes always sell out.

Namaste, and happy cooking, DC!