Brendan vs. the Food

Back in the States, Brendan hated Indian food. More specifically, he was intimidated by Indian food and said he hated it so he'd never have to eat it. I'm not sure he ever had a bite of tandoori chicken until he met me, and even then I had to drag him in kicking and screaming. My husband likes cheeseburgers and Snickers bars (he actually claims the latter is good for "energy" and "sustenance"). He's not so much of an exotic food fan.

Not surprisingly, Brendan's having a bit of a challenge eating here in India. First of all, he's reluctant to learn his basic Indian food terms. Knowing your paneers and paranthas really makes the ordering process a lot easier, but he doesn't want a lesson from me, nor does he want to remember that "aloo gobi" means "potatoes and cauliflower", which is something he actually likes. I'm not sure why this information isn't sinking in. Each time he looks over the menu it's like the very first meal. He'll claim he has no idea what to order because absolutely no dish is familiar.

"But honey, you like puri bhaji. Remember? You had it the other morning and really liked it. Why don't you order that?" I'll encourage him.

"I just don't know what anything is. I wish I knew what all this stuff was," he'll respond in defeat and push the menu aside. Then I'll order him the puri bhaji and he'll tell me he likes it.

The other problem is the meat. You can't eat beef in India because cows are sacred and people don't put them on menus. That's fine. We knew that already. But Brendan loves meat, so he's always ordering a chicken or lamb dish and thinking it'll be really good. When the dish comes out, it's never good. The chicken hasn't been stripped off the bone, or he can't identify what part of the lamb is actually in the sauce, or the whole thing tastes like rubber (which was actually what he said about his chicken masala last night. "This tastes like rubber."). I keep reminding him that many Indians are vegetarians and perhaps aren't experts at preparing meat for Western tastebuds. He doesn't want to hear that.

I'm hoping the food situation improves for poor Brendan. At least he's got me in the meantime.

-Sarah

Comments

That last line has so many meanings I can barely type 'cause I'm laughing so hard.

Thanks for this information. I get withdrawal pains if I don't have meat twice a day so visiting India is out of the question.

While my boyfriend is open to foods from a wide variety of cultures, he tends to question the thought process behind everything (why does the sausauge in this Taiwanese dish need to be steamed?) rather than just going with the recipe. I am frequently just asking him to trust me and believe that he'll like it...

Good luck with getting your hubbie to remember what he likes to eat!

Great, now I'm hungry.

If your budget allows, try and go 5-star every once in a while. The coffee shops of upscale hotels have tolerable sandwiches/soups/pastas (though you guys really seem to favor the backwaters judging by the places you are visiting - Bundi, Lucknow, etc so I don't know if there are any upscale hotels there). The prices are just plain robbery at these joints, but at least it will give your poor husband a break sometimes.

Ha, Brendan I'm on your side. I'll stick with the cheeseburgers and snickers. As for no eating meat, that's out of the question. Man's gotta have his beef. Tough it out Brendan, I'll be rooting for ya.

-John-

Currently I am eating a Newyork strip steak cooked in a garlic/salt paste (soaks in amkign it extra juicey) with tennesee whisky barbeque sauce. it is juicey and delicious. screw India. Meat RULES

I never get tired of hearing your travel stories...thanks for keeping us updated! Good luck on finding something palatable for Brendan (He's very lucky to have you)!

I bet kevin rose wouln't complain about the food or the company ;)

I've been to India, and I sympathize. But as a newlywed myself, I think maybe, just perhaps, y'all are setting a bad precedent by exposing each other's weaknesses in public. Be nice to each other. You're on the same team.

Order him a good lamb kabob next time and he should be a happier camper :)

Ugh. It pisses me off to read people giving them advice about their relationship. On how they should be nice to each other, talk about sex lives, and all that crap. This blog is suppose to be interesting and about what is happening on their trip. It seems like they have a great relationship. So people, please stop commenting nonsense to them. Thank you.

don't matter what kind or how exotic the food is...it still looks the same when it comes out the other end.

I really enjoy your stories. But it does not seem like to are having any fun. Has anything happened lately to make you happy.

as an indian...tho currently not living in the country...try chicken tikka masala! its practically the national dish in england. and without meaning to sound defensive, i am a real carnivore and love indian meat dishes! maybe u guys are just ordering the wrong stuff...?

ps on a more helpful note, try chicken vindaloo (spicy), chicken butter masala, murgh (chicken) palak - with spinach, rogan gosht - one of my fav mutton dishes....bon appetit!