I was talking with The-Soon-To-Be-Mrs. Culinarian the other night, and she and I agreed that April Indian has been The Plan's most successful month to date. We're both really quite upset to see it go. Every recipe was an unqualified winner, every flavor combination was different, our tolerance for spice grew exponentially.
That doesn't mean there weren't stand-outs among the bunch. The goat korma was the undisputed highlight of the month, bringing the key elements of flavor, authenticity, and unfamiliarity. The chicken vindaloo was a vinegary flavor riot, and the brightly colored green chile chutney tasted wonderful as it burned a hole through my tongue.
And I learned things, too! For example, mustard seeds, when heated in oil, explode violently out of the pan and become oil-covered, exposed flesh-seeking missiles. I got to play around with tamarind and discovered the local source for all things Indian and South Asian. Also, cayenne chiles are like toddlers with guns: small, but dangerous.
So yes, I'm sad to see it go. But as we say goodbye to April Indian, we also welcome May... well, I can't say it quite yet. But it will be a rollicking month that will include international dispatches as DC Culinarian goes abroad...