Indian Food Q: Is chicked saagwala relatively healthy?

[halik]

Anyone?

I can't seem to find any nutritional info on it... yet its soo tasty

 

[CanOWorms]

I would say that a lot of the Indian food from restaurants is unhealthy. They put a lot of cream, ghee (butter), oil, etc. in their foods.

 

[TheCrackedJack]

I'd don't really know, but then again I'd rather eat cow feces than Indian food :disgust:

Check google or something.

 

[Eeezee]

Indian food is generally unhealthy. Throwing a slice of lettuce on a cheeseburger does not make it healthy. Same thing works here, throwing some spinach in a fatty sauce won't change anything.

 

[CarlKillerMiller]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I would say that a lot of the Indian food from restaurants is unhealthy. They put a lot of cream and ghee (butter) in their foods.

This is very true, but in a lot of cases, a small amount of oil is used and yogurt is substituted for cream. Here's a quick couple of recipes for the dish, and they all look relatively ok. There's a reasonable amount of oil in each one, but it seems ok for the occasional night. Again, if you're looking for a recipe to use to cut weight, I dunno about this one.


1

2

3

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Ask them to make it with as little as cream, oil, etc. and as healthy as possible - they might fuss for a second or two, but tell them you won't blame them for how it tastes, they're afraid you aren't interested in something different. I've found that a lot of people really like indian food when it is more healthy than normal - it takes a lot of convincing to restaraunts when we cater for a party, but when they do it right, everyone leaves with comments about the food being really good and relaxing to eat, not leaving you with a heavy feeling when you're done.

 

[upsciLLion]

I would counter every assertion in this thread with the fact that Indian food does not stay in the body long enough to be unhealthy.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: upsciLLion
I would counter every assertion in this thread with the fact that Indian food does not stay in the body long enough to be unhealthy.

I would agree with your statement and add that with the above, you would have a red hot fiery ass.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Ask them to make it with as little as cream, oil, etc. and as healthy as possible - they might fuss for a second or two, but tell them you won't blame them for how it tastes, they're afraid you aren't interested in something different. I've found that a lot of people really like indian food when it is more healthy than normal - it takes a lot of convincing to restaraunts when we cater for a party, but when they do it right, everyone leaves with comments about the food being really good and relaxing to eat, not leaving you with a heavy feeling when you're done.

I don't think they make it on the fly. I bet the curries and what not are made ahead in advance so you have no way of changing the amount of oil, spices or heat they pack in the food.

If you have a restaurant prepare something for you in advance you would have that leverage to tell them the quantities or kinds of ingredients you desire otherwise I don't think you have much of a say in it.

 

[totalcommand]

Originally posted by: halik
Anyone?

I can't seem to find any nutritional info on it... yet its soo tasty

If you make it yourself it can be healthy.

As a rule, all indian restaurants that tailor to american clientele are overly greasy

 

[Linux23]

Originally posted by: upsciLLion
I would counter every assertion in this thread with the fact that Indian food does not stay in the body long enough to be unhealthy.

Well at least you get a nice colon cleansing.

 

[Perknose]

India is a huge country, with more languages and dialects than there are menu items on in an ambitious Chinese restaurant. Their cuisine is similarly diverse. I know and love many vegetarian (and meat) Indian dishes that use NO cream or ghee whatsoever, and yet are full of flavor and basic healthiness.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Wow, I'm Indian and this is the first time I've heard the word 'saagwala'.
I believe Punjabi food is supposed to be the best out of all the varied cuisines out here.

 

[gsethi]

Originally posted by: Perknose
India is a huge country, with more languages and dialects than there are menu items on in an ambitious Chinese restaurant. Their cuisine is similarly diverse. I know and love many vegetarian (and meat) Indian dishes that use NO cream or ghee whatsoever, and yet are full of flavor and basic healthiness.

Very True. Also, it depends on whether you are making at home or eating in a restaurant. Most North Indian restaurants in the US use too much oil/spices than what is normally used in a home cooking.

South Indian food, on the contrary, uses little oil and different kind of spices.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Indian food gives me gas. I love it.

 

[BarneyFife]

Just had Indian food for the first time a few months ago and I love it.

 

[PHiuR]

Indian food is delicious for all you nay sayers.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Ask them to make it with as little as cream, oil, etc. and as healthy as possible - they might fuss for a second or two, but tell them you won't blame them for how it tastes, they're afraid you aren't interested in something different. I've found that a lot of people really like indian food when it is more healthy than normal - it takes a lot of convincing to restaraunts when we cater for a party, but when they do it right, everyone leaves with comments about the food being really good and relaxing to eat, not leaving you with a heavy feeling when you're done.

I don't think they make it on the fly. I bet the curries and what not are made ahead in advance so you have no way of changing the amount of oil, spices or heat they pack in the food.

If you have a restaurant prepare something for you in advance you would have that leverage to tell them the quantities or kinds of ingredients you desire otherwise I don't think you have much of a say in it.

I haven't come across an indian restaraunt yet that doesn't make it on the fly. I'm sure some basic ingredients are prepared ahead of time, but not so much that you can't vary the amount of spice, oil, etc. In fact, I'm always asked what level of spices I want

I live in the middle of nowhere, Indiana, and this is the food I find - would like to think that other places have the same or better.

Also, repeat after me - Indians are cheap and want money. My family and I always joke about closing times at restaraunts because as long as people are coming in, they'll be open!

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: gsethi

Originally posted by: Perknose
India is a huge country, with more languages and dialects than there are menu items on in an ambitious Chinese restaurant. Their cuisine is similarly diverse. I know and love many vegetarian (and meat) Indian dishes that use NO cream or ghee whatsoever, and yet are full of flavor and basic healthiness.

Very True. Also, it depends on whether you are making at home or eating in a restaurant. Most North Indian restaurants in the US use too much oil/spices than what is normally used in a home cooking.

South Indian food, on the contrary, uses little oil and different kind of spices.

Agreed on this - the north indian restaraunts around here will by default use that oil, cream, etc. and it *sucks*. Getting dishes with little or no cream/oil is the best, it'll be very healthy, all fresh and made just as you order, and will have a lot of flavor. I've taken friends to indian restaraunts before and the only reason I've heard for them not liking it is that the flavor is too strong - no other real issues, at least the way I was taught to order the food by requesting no/little cream/oil.

 

[maximus maximus]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Ask them to make it with as little as cream, oil, etc. and as healthy as possible - they might fuss for a second or two, but tell them you won't blame them for how it tastes, they're afraid you aren't interested in something different. I've found that a lot of people really like indian food when it is more healthy than normal - it takes a lot of convincing to restaraunts when we cater for a party, but when they do it right, everyone leaves with comments about the food being really good and relaxing to eat, not leaving you with a heavy feeling when you're done.

I don't think they make it on the fly. I bet the curries and what not are made ahead in advance so you have no way of changing the amount of oil, spices or heat they pack in the food.

If you have a restaurant prepare something for you in advance you would have that leverage to tell them the quantities or kinds of ingredients you desire otherwise I don't think you have much of a say in it.

I haven't come across an indian restaraunt yet that doesn't make it on the fly. I'm sure some basic ingredients are prepared ahead of time, but not so much that you can't vary the amount of spice, oil, etc. In fact, I'm always asked what level of spices I want

I live in the middle of nowhere, Indiana, and this is the food I find - would like to think that other places have the same or better.

Also, repeat after me - Indians are cheap and want money. My family and I always joke about closing times at restaraunts because as long as people are coming in, they'll be open!

Hey... wtf is your problem man? Had too much red bull this morning? Relax.
I dont agree with the part that Indians are cheap. I agree that they are frugal, but in no way cheap.

To come back to the topic, I think there is a great deal of difference in the food cooked at hotels and the food cooked at an Indian home. Just visit any Indian home and see how healthy the food is. AgaBoogaBoo, if you dont believe what I just said, you are always welcome to come to my house and try out some Indian food.

I cook 4 times a week and it is very very healthy. There is hardly any fat / cholestrol / sodium in our foods. For people who argue that our food is unhealthy, we use a lot of spices which are known to be good for the body. (background : ayurveda)

To let you guys know a little bit about Indian food, Indian food is generally made up of all components of taste, like sweet, sour, spicy, etc. etc. Indian food tastes best when served on a banana leaf.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
Wow, I'm Indian and this is the first time I've heard the word 'saagwala'.
I believe Punjabi food is supposed to be the best out of all the varied cuisines out here.

I'm just assuming the dish he is referring to is Sag Aloo.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: maximus maximus
I cook 4 times a week and it is very very healthy. There is hardly any fat / cholestrol / sodium in our foods. For people who argue that our food is unhealthy, we use a lot of spices which are known to be good for the body. (background : ayurveda)

To let you guys know a little bit about Indian food, Indian food is generally made up of all components of taste, like sweet, sour, spicy, etc. etc.

And therein lies its absolute brilliance for me. Basic fresh healthy ingredients suffused with layers of nuanced flavor. I love the benefits the marketplace of our new global village gives us.

I'm actually old enough to remember when the options for inexpensive eating out here in the Northeast were essentially Italian, Greek owned diners, blaaaand 'American' Psuedo-Chinese, and burgers -- no Mexican and no Indian, let alone Vietnamese, Moroccan, Cuban, Portugese, Thai, etc., etc.

I think the entire British Isles owes a deep debt of gratitude to their immigrant Pakistanis for rescuing their fast food culture from the dull stupor of unspiced over-boiled peas and fish.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: maximus maximus

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
Ask them to make it with as little as cream, oil, etc. and as healthy as possible - they might fuss for a second or two, but tell them you won't blame them for how it tastes, they're afraid you aren't interested in something different. I've found that a lot of people really like indian food when it is more healthy than normal - it takes a lot of convincing to restaraunts when we cater for a party, but when they do it right, everyone leaves with comments about the food being really good and relaxing to eat, not leaving you with a heavy feeling when you're done.

I don't think they make it on the fly. I bet the curries and what not are made ahead in advance so you have no way of changing the amount of oil, spices or heat they pack in the food.

If you have a restaurant prepare something for you in advance you would have that leverage to tell them the quantities or kinds of ingredients you desire otherwise I don't think you have much of a say in it.

I haven't come across an indian restaraunt yet that doesn't make it on the fly. I'm sure some basic ingredients are prepared ahead of time, but not so much that you can't vary the amount of spice, oil, etc. In fact, I'm always asked what level of spices I want

I live in the middle of nowhere, Indiana, and this is the food I find - would like to think that other places have the same or better.

Also, repeat after me - Indians are cheap and want money. My family and I always joke about closing times at restaraunts because as long as people are coming in, they'll be open!

Hey... wtf is your problem man? Had too much red bull this morning? Relax.
I dont agree with the part that Indians are cheap. I agree that they are frugal, but in no way cheap.

To come back to the topic, I think there is a great deal of difference in the food cooked at hotels and the food cooked at an Indian home. Just visit any Indian home and see how healthy the food is. AgaBoogaBoo, if you dont believe what I just said, you are always welcome to come to my house and try out some Indian food.

I cook 4 times a week and it is very very healthy. There is hardly any fat / cholestrol / sodium in our foods. For people who argue that our food is unhealthy, we use a lot of spices which are known to be good for the body. (background : ayurveda)

To let you guys know a little bit about Indian food, Indian food is generally made up of all components of taste, like sweet, sour, spicy, etc. etc. Indian food tastes best when served on a banana leaf.

recipes ftw?

 

[maximus maximus]

Originally posted by: Turin39789
recipes ftw?

most of the recipes are from my mom. she wrote them down in a notebook and handed them over to me.
Dal (or lentil soup), rice and roti (similar to pita bread) is my regular food.

I cook fresh cooked food everyday. No eating leftovers or preserving the food in the refridgerator.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: maximus maximus

Originally posted by: Turin39789
recipes ftw?

most of the recipes are from my mom. she wrote them down in a notebook and handed them over to me.
Dal (or lentil soup), rice and roti (similar to pita bread) is my regular food.

I cook fresh cooked food everyday. No eating leftovers or preserving the food in the refridgerator.

AgaBoogaBoo is Indian, AFAIK.