Tag Archives: South Indian cuisine

Ashleigh’s first blog!!

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Hi all!

This is my first blog, I don’t know why but I have been quite anxious about writing this as I have never written one before!

I can’t believe how real it now all seems! I am actually going to India for an AMAZING cause with an amazing team (who I have got to know over the training weekend in Beaudesert). I decided in January to take on this challenge, however, it has only just sunk in what I am actually doing and I AM SO EXCITED that I will be exploring life out of my comfort zone!! This is going to be a life changing experience and I can’t wait!

Although initially I was very nervous about this weekend because of not knowing many people and being in a new situation, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Considering I hadn’t met a majority of the team properly I felt so welcome (so thank you to you all) and I can’t wait to get to know everyone even more!

Since I arrived home on Sunday I haven’t stopped talking about the weekend to friends and family. Everyone who has visited my house has been shown the 5 rupees that I won. I love that new game =D although after, I had difficulty sleeping ha-ha! I am having withdrawal symptoms from the scrumptious, traditional South Indian food we ate over the weekend courtesy of the lovely Cathy =D I am thoroughly looking forward to introducing new foods to my palette!

Bizarrely, I have found myself thinking about the chart that was on the W.O.K every time I have visited the bathroom (I am blushing typing at this point). I haven’t managed to bring myself to actually check yet but the thought of the chart is in my head. The intention is there! By the time we go to India I should be able to check and talk about it openly. (As I get quite embarrassed at the moment)!!

I have spent most of today emailing and writing letters to various people to help with my fundraising. I have also been TRYING to convince my friends and family to abseil with me off an 80ft railway bridge over a river to tackle one of my newly found fears of heights. (Well I am not scared of heights but for some reason I seem to be scared of not having my feet on a secure surface and not being in control! I suppose a fear of the unknown really)!

I am still anxious about aspects of this new experience but that feeling is continually turning into excitement. I cannot wait to experience a new culture with new friends!

Thank you for reading my first blog =D

Ashleigh xx

A taste of South India

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In the UK there is no shortage of Indian restaurants. It has been said that the Chicken Tikka Masala  is now the national dish. Yet so few of the restaurants serve authentic Indian food. A very small number seem to serve food that is anything like as good as that you will find in India. Then try to find a good South Indian restaurant, you could be struggling. However Chennai Dosa could well be here to rescue you.

I love South Indian food, and so paid a visit to the newly opened Chennai Dosa in Stretford Mall, Manchester. It was a little bit of a drive, and on first arriving at Stretford Mall, I was a little disappointed. A wet, northern day and an uninspiring shopping mall. Yet in this a little gem with a taste of South India. We walked in to a restaurant that straight away made us feel like we were in the canteen style dining places of Chennai. It was a struggle to not say ‘Nandri’ instead of thank you. The menu has all the things we would want from a South Indian restaurant, and more than we could try in one sitting. Vadai, Uttapam, Paper Roast, Gobi 65 were all there. Non-veg options are available with the likes of  chicken 65 and the intriguing crab dosa. However, between us we had Masala Dosa, Poori Masala and idiyapam with veg kurma.

Masala Dosa from Chennai Dosa

The Dosa was very good, the masala inside was less spicy than in India, possibly to try and please the British palate, and we had some discussion on whether or not it was crispy enough. It was overall very good.

Poori masala from Chennai Dosa

 

The Poori were huge, wonderfully puffed up, and again served with masala.

The veg kurma served with the idiyapam tasted almost exactly like that served in the Doveton Hotel in Chennai, it was wonderful.

These delights alone would be enough, but it did not finish there. There has to be

A Gulab Jamun, hiding under ice cream

a dessert, for which we had payasam, pista ice cream and gulab jamun with ice cream. Of these the pista ice cream was the least exciting, being served on a stick and looking distinctly manufactured and bought in. The payasam was nice and authentic, the Gulab Jamun was heavenly.

So far, so good and with all of the items so far costing less than £3 each, very good value. Well, unless you compare it to India, then my Dosa cost at least  six times the normal price.

Overall then, a very enjoyable meal and at a reasonable price, what more could we ask for?

 

Delicious coffee, mid pouring

Coffee. We could ask for coffee. So we did, hesitantly, do you have coffee? Is it South Indian coffee? Yes, Yes is the answer, proper real south indian coffee, served as it should be in metal cups, you had to add your own sugar, but then, after a short time of mixing you have that wonderful sweet, milky, hot coffee that is the fuel to South India, a sweet nectar that lifts your spirits and energy. A wonderful coup de grace to finish the meal.

 

 

 

A great way to see a part of a culture is to eat their food. On Chennai Challenge team members get the chance to eat the food in India, with little chance of avoiding it. If you want to get an idea of South indian food, then go to Chennai Dosa. There are branches across the UK, so have a mini-immersion in a new culture, go and try some real food.