Indian Food

[Vinca]

I've never made it, but found a recipe for Tandoori Chicken Skewers I want to try. I know rice is often served with Indian food, but that's out (diabetic carb issue in the family). Can anyone suggest any veggie dishes that might go with Tandoori chicken?

[Warpy]

1. Papadum

Those can be made from chickpea or lentil flour, still a carb exchange but higher in protein and more complex than the carbs in white rice.

You can buy the flours online.

Remember, diabetics can eat carbs. However, it's a balancing act between portion size and diabetic meds. The main thing to avoid when feeding diabetic friends and families are things with simple sugars in them, although they are allowed fruit exchanges on the diabetic diet.

[Tab]

2. Papadums you can actually buy in a box, spray with Pam and nuke

Instant accompaniement.

Can't help you too much with diabetic cooking - don't know the restrictions well enough.

Also consider Naan, which you can get a decent version of in stores now.

A lot of Indian food is served with chutney (British influence, I'm sure). I'm not a big chutney person myself, but various pickle relishes are popular.

Or serve it with soup. One of the best soups I ever had came from an Indian restaurant.

[Vinca]

5. Thanks! My husband has been cooking all kinds of things with chickpea flour.

He's the one with the type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, he's almost borderline diabetic and has it well under control, but he avoids wheat flour much of the time so this would be perfect.

[The empressof all]

3. Cauliflower

Since your protein will be dry you might want a veggie with a little moisture. I make this cauliflower dish several times a month. You don't need as much yogurt as the recipe lists and I do use non fat greek yogurt. I even substitute red curry paste for the dry spices for a bit more heat.

http://www.recipezaar.com/Curry-Yogurt-Roasted-Cauliflower-333956

If you want less fuss just take some cauliflower or even butter nut squash and spray with some olive oil and a sprinkle of curry powder. With the butter nut squash hit it with curry powder and a little cinnamon.

[Vinca]

6. That sounds good. We love cauliflower. I love Recipezaar, too! nt

[htuttle]

4. There are a few potato dishes I like with Tandoori Chicken -- also spinach works well

Aloo Jeera is one (potatoes, onions, peppers, cumin, etc...). Aloo Tiki is also good with it (fried mashed potato patties with cilantro and spices).

Also, we really like Saag or Sarson ka Saag with Tandoori-spiced meats. That's spinach, onions, garlic, ginger and peppers (with spicy mustard greens in the Sarson ka Saag kind). I usually have that over rice, but it would be good by itself, especially with a piece of naan or chapati bread.

[Vinca]

7. The spinach dish sounds good.

I'm afraid we don't eat white potatoes anymore. One of the great mysteries of diabetic eating is that sweet potatoes are better than white potatoes.

[htuttle]

11. There is an excellent canned version of 'Dehli Saag' from Jyoti foods

I know -- canned? But really, it's super good, it's organic and you can heat it in like 5 minutes. My local food store carries it in the aisle with the curry paste, etc...

If you like it with the tandoori chicken, then maybe take the time to make it yourself (although frankly, my wife and I eat the canned version pretty often since it's so easy).

[Vinca]

14. I'll look for it. If it's organic it's worth a try. Thanks. nt

[MagickMuffin]

8. basmati rice has a Medium glycemic index, which is what is used in Indian dishes

According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, basmati rice has a Medium glycemic index (GI) of between 56 and 69, thus making it more suitable for diabetics as compared to certain other grains and products made from white flour.

http://www.google.com/search?q=basmati+rice&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a


My hubby has discovered the perfect way to cook rice where he it doesn't clump together. He melts butter then adds the rice to coat the rice. Then he adds the water and brings this to a boil for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn off heat and cover for 20 minutes.

I'm about to post a thread dealing with diabetics and how they can control their sugar intake. Be sure to check it out, there is a lot of good info in it.

[Vinca]

9. Thanks. I'll have him check out the basmati rice. nt

[MagickMuffin]

10. I've posted my research about Alpha Lipoic Acid

this might be very healthful to him.

:hi:

I'll also post some more info on Indian dishes.

[MagickMuffin]

12. eleny posted this thread back in July. It has Youtube videos of Manjula cooking Indian recipes

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=236&topic_id=46322

or you can go directly to the Youtube page. She has several recipes, all vegetarian. But you could still serve some of theses veggie dishes with meat.

Paneer video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gkor7dW6DU&feature=user

Roti video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD4o_Lmy6bU&feature=user

Good Luck, Vinca:hi:

[spindrifter]

13. The Manjula videos are great!