Like a perfectly paired cheese and wine, Indian spices work in tandem
to bring harmony to your taste buds. Good Indian chefs are skilled
choreographers, synchronizing complimentary flavors, allowing the
star of the show‹the main ingredient to shine.
The culinary artisans at the Star of India have mastered
this delicate dance, creating uniquely flavorful dishes that will
make you a regular customer.
The Star of India menu features the best of Indian
cuisine, which has gained in popularity. It has remained relatively
ambiguous to most novice diners. A millennia old culture, Indian
cuisine has inevitably adopted dietary traditions and cooking methods
from foreign influences.
Long a vegetarian society, they evolved to incorporate some meat
into their diet, although Indian cooks respect Muslim and Hindi
beliefs, which prohibit beef and pork consumption. You will find
marinated and spicy lamb dishes, as well as memorable chicken and
seafood.
Muslims from Asia introduced some of the most notable
dishes. They brought leavened bread and the tandoor cooking method.
Indian rotis were merged with leavened breads to make Tandoori naans,
a well known appetizer or entrée accompaniment. Kebabs and
pilafs made their Indian debut and the notion of ending dinner with
a dessert gained popularity via Muslim influence.
When thinking of Indian food, many people automatically
think of curry,
kebabs, and tandoori chicken.
Granted, many of the food names are difficult
to pronounce for most native Westerners, so sticking by what they
know is a
safe bet, but mere intimidation should not prevent anyone from trying
something new on the menu now and then. At Star of India, the knowledgeable
and patient staff help diners make educated dinner selections.
An important thing to know about Indian cuisine is
the "curry powder" found in the grocery store aisle is
actually a combination of spices, and that in reality there are
dozens of curry styles and spice combinations. In India, curry is
an English word that means gravy. Traditionally, many curries contain
chile pepper, cloves, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, ginger
turmeric and nutmeg, among other spices.
Despite the numerous spices involved
in Indian
cooking, the finished product arrives perfectly balanced.
At Star of India,
the menu boasts plentiful, harmonious options, whether you
choose chicken,
lamb, seafood or a vegetarian dish. Some options include the
chicken tikka
masala, which according to the owner (Jack, who frequently
visits the
restaurant, making sure his patrons get the best dining experience),
is the
most frequently ordered item.
With good reason this dish
is a favorite, tender boneless chicken breast roasted
in a clay oven and cooked with a blend of creamy tomato
curry and spices will leave you craving more. Other
options include lamb Rogan Josh, boneless lamb cooked
with spicy curry sauce with onions, garlic, ginger,
tomatoes, and aromatic spices; and Bengan Bhartha, eggplant
roasted in a clay oven with peas, onions, garlic, ginger,
and tomatoes and served with or without cream.
Once you've tried a few new dishes, the "tried-and-true"
are available as a fall-back choice they are, after
all, tried-and-true for a reason. Star of India makes
a wide selection of kebabs, including chicken tikka,
seekh (minced lamb mixed with exotic spices and herbs);
booti (boneless lamb cubes); and fish. If you can't
make up your mind, try the mixed Tandoori grill, which
includes a taste of all their kebab choices.
Now, this is where it can
get a little overwhelming. Remember when I said there
are dozens of curries? Star of India offers six different
meat curry options, including korma (vegetables, cream,
cashews, nuts, raisins and spices); coconut delight
(a blend of coconut, cream, curry and exotic spices);
Saag (fresh spinach, broccoli, green onions, garlic,
ginger, tomatoes and spices); Jalfrazie (sautéed
vegetables, onions, garlic, ginger, fresh tomato sauce
and curry); Masala (spicy curry of onions, garlic ginger,
tomatoes and spices); Vindaloo (spicy tangy tomato and
curry sauce cooked with fresh herbs and cubed potatoes),
plus several vegetarian curries from which to choose.
An admitted beginner when
I entered Star of India, I was markedly more knowledgeable
upon the completion of my surprisingly delicate meal.
Star of India's owner, Jack, so graciously guided my
meal courses, first recommending the veggie samosa,
two lightly fried pastries (think phyllo), stuffed with
peas, potatoes and spices.
What I found surprising
about my dining experience was that even after
eating a good portion of food with a rich sauce containing
lots of spices, I
walked away feeling content, instead of floating away,
regretful of my
overindulgence. This was not by luck, but by design.
Many Indian spices have
curative properties that help prevent gastrointestinal
upsets and aid
digestion. From the soothing, tranquil atmosphere flavored
by exotic music
to the succulent entrees, dining at Star of India truly
is a harmonious
experience for mind and body.
Photos
by John Leonffu
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