Indian Food 101: Little India - In Good Taste Denver

Denver offers a global buffet of dining experiences but exploring exotic new cuisines can be intimidating and, to put it delicately, hard on the digestive system. Happily one of our favorite places is a great place to explore the amazing world of Indian cuisine. Little India, with three locations, has been a local bastion of Indian Punjabi cuisine (northern India), with a smattering of other favorites like Vindaloo (spicy hot, from the south). Curry probably comes to mind when you hear “Indian cuisine,” but that is only the tip of the iceberg! There’s so much more than curry, and not all of the foods are “spicy.” Flavorful, yes, but not spicy hot or “weird.” Be brave, free your taste buds to wander and discover an exotic new world of flavors! Little India’s lunch buffet is, hands down, the best way to experience the cuisine. It’s also a great value for all you can eat.

Here’s our “How To” make the most of your Little India buffet experience:

You’ll need to make at least two trips to the buffet. Skip the salad and fruit at the front of the line. You can get that stuff anytime!

Trip #1:

Take two small bowls and ladle in dipping sauces: bright green cilantro and dark purple tamarind. Don’t overfill – a bit goes a long way! In another bowl, scoop in some chutney; a sweet and sour jam that’s a must accompaniment for meats. Take these bowls to your table and head back to the buffet. (Another dipping sauce is raita, cooling and milky white with carrot strips, that is a worthwhile accompaniment if you have a buddy to fill a third bowl!)

Trip #2:

Grab a plate and lay down a thin foundation of light and fluffy Basmati rice. This keeps the luscious sauces from mingling and spilling off the plate as you navigate your way through the crowded dining area to your table!

Place a small ladle-full of everything else possible from the buffet. Not too much, or you’ll fill up too quickly. Pace yourself, you can always go back for more!

Across the top, drape a few pieces of naan, pakora and tandoori chicken.

Return to your table. Devour. Repeat.

The buffet selection is ever-varying, but usually includes these Indian staples:

Tandoori Chicken: Bathed and basted in herbs and spice, then roasted to juicy perfection, the chicken is a lovely golden-rose color with plenty of flavor but nothing too strong or spicy hot. Served on a bed of sautéed peppers and onions… Slather some chutney for extra flavor. Hearty and homey.

Saag Paneer: A blend of spinach and cheese, deep green with lumps, it tastes so much better than it sounds.

Naan: This ultimate Indian comfort food is a soft pillowy bread brushed with ghee, a clear butter. It is almost impossible not to keep eating it solo. Perfect for scooping up saucy bites.

Pakora: Think veggies tempura… only this breading is made of spiced, perfumy chickpea batter. Served fresh and piping hot, tasty when dipped in any of the sauces or chutney.

Lentils: Curried, flavorful and smooth, don’t pass these up!

Butter Chicken: A bit rarer on the menu, this is a creamy luscious treat that refines what chicken can offer.

Alub Ghobi: Cauliflower never tasted or smelled so good! Golden rich, slightly lumpy and creamy.

End your meal with delicious rice pudding or mango pudding with fruit in it. I blend them in a bowl together- yum!

Dinner at Little India is more traditional, with entrée-size portions of one dish. This is great if you choose a winning dish, but a bummer if it is not what you fancied. That’s why the buffet is the perfect way to dip your toes in the wondrous world of Indian cuisine. We’ll explore that another time. Until then, feast at the buffet!

For a complete escape to the Indian sub-continent, enjoy Little India before or after watching some of our favorite movies set in India:

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