Indian Food

I don’t know why Indian food has to be so expensive. I know there are a lot of spices involved and of course, chopping and prep of all the ingredients.
Having tired to make the whole gamut at home several times, I know personally, that the purchase of the spices and measuring out of all the ingredients takes a hefty budget and full day of cooking.

But we’re talking restaurant prep here. They can buy in bulk and prepare in bulk, so what’s the big deal? I don’t understand why each dish that really only serves one person or two at the most should cost so much. We have never gotten out of an Indian restaurant for under $60 -80 for the two of us. Still, we love what can be done with a simple vegetable when it comes to Indian food! So, we keep going back.

Here are some of the dishes we like to order:

Samosas are gorgeous spiced lumps of cauliflower, potato, and spices wrapped in a tortilla-like covering and fried until golden and crispy. These are served with a variety of spicy sauces including; hot yellow curry, green mild herbs, and a hot sweet red sauce. Other appetizers might include skewers of lamb or spicy chicken, spicy garbanzo beans, or fried spinach in a crispy batter.
Naan bread is like a puffy wheat tortilla and usually made with garlic or ghee spread on top.
Mulligatawny soup means “Pepper Water” and is an English adaptation of a traditional spiced pea and lentil Indian peasant dish.
Dal is cooked yellow lentils in a broth and can be either mild or spicy.
Chicken Tandoor is marinated chicken in a spicy tumeric yogurt sauce and then cooked in a special clay oven. Don’t count on being able to recognize the pieces of chicken as they have a way of cutting up a whole chicken that makes it unrecognizable. This is usually served on a bed of onions, peppers, and lemon wedges sizzling hot!
Saag Paneer is my personal favorite. It is cheese curds sauteed with spinach, onions, and spices.
Chana Pindi is garbanzo beans, onions, peppers, spices, and tomatoes sauteed into a luscious, flavorful dish.
Vegetarian Korma Navratan is cashew cream with vegetables

The left overs make a wonderfully spicy snack the next day!

Sizzling Tandoor
409 Mendocino Ave
Santa Rosa, CA
707-579-5999

Sizzling Tandoor
1280 Healdsburg Ave #101
Healdsburg, CA
707-433-2954

(updated 2/29/12)