Because we had a Labor Day Barbecue to attend on Monday, my parents treated me to a birthday dinner Sunday night. Hey, I was born in England, so technically, it was my birthday at the exact time we celebrated… Not that I didn’t celebrate on Monday as well. Two birthdays are better than one.
Tell me if any of you have this problem: You’re such a good cook that you don’t normally like to eat out, because the entire time, you’re sitting there thinking, “I could make this better.” When I do eat out, I try to go to places that offer food I can’t easily make myself, such as Indian (like this past Sunday’s dinner) or Korean (think Hangawi in NYC) or Ethiopian, like my vegan Ethiopian post of a few years ago.
This weekend, we decided to try a new restaurant, called Clay Pit. Well it’s not really new, but it’s new to us. They have a separate section specifically for vegetarian items, so I was a happy camper. Plus, when I called ahead of time (to ensure that the vegetarian items could be made with oil, not butter), the manager told me that they can even change some of their non-vegan dishes to accommodate my needs if I so desire, such as leaving the cream out of the dahl. A lovely offer, but I didn’t even need to take advantage of it, as there were plenty of already-vegan options at my disposal. Sometimes it’s actually simpler if there aren’t; it’s easier to decide! That night, I went with Aloo Ghobi, a traditional Indian cauliflower-potato dish. However, since I’m not the biggest potato freak (I think they’re mushy and bland), I asked for mixed-veggie Aloo Ghobi instead.
Above, my no-potato Aloo Ghobi, alongside an order of roti bread. This was so good! You bet your socks I licked the dish clean (when no one was watching, of course). The whole-wheat roti bread was a perfect accompaniment for the saucy curry. Ingredients: whole wheat flour, oil, water, and salt. That’s it. Oh, it was so soft and flavorful… I must learn how to make this!
Curry close up. The veggies were cauliflower, zucchini, carrots, peas, and broccoli.
Oh my gosh that indian food looks so good!
and its easy to like such positive people as yourself 🙂
keep up the good vibes girl!
Aw, you’re so sweet Katie! Of course you have a billion friends all over the world!
And I also agree that little HEABlet is going to be one of the luckiest girls in the world!
That dinner looks awesome! I’m the exact same way, not to sound all presumptuous or anything :X but I cook really well! Even with baking, I really don’t enjoy restaurant or bakery desserts as much because I like my baking better. I think it’s also that we know EXACTLY what we want and another chef will never predict our tastes as accurately. So I do the same thing, when I go out, I order things I can’t or don’t frequently make. Indian is definitely in that category.
I also don’t like white potatoes! My family is your average meat and potato type, and are especially obsessed with things like potato chips or fries. Those are not appealing to me at all. And I still only eat baked potatoes if it’s the only thing available and I have really good toppings. My family thinks I’m craaazzzzzy but for me, it’s all about the sweet potato 🙂
I’m glad you had a great birthday weekend! Let the celebrations continue!
Your birthday meal looks fantastic. I love Aloo Gobi! 😀 Your mixed vegetable Aloo Gobi sounds lovely.
I fell the same way about going out to eat. Plus, I’m always nervous that the server or chef won’t understand what vegan means. I tent to just stick to salads when My family goes out, but I always prefer to cook for myself. Unless it is a vegan restaurant, or something like Chinese, Thai, or Indian (they almost always understand) and their diets are centered around veggies anyway.
That Indian food looks so good! I’m a HUGE lover of Indian anything. It’s such an amazing culture, and they make AMAZING food. I actually had Aloo Gobi last week for lunch. It’s my favorite dish, but then again, I’m a potato freak.
Hope you had a wonderful 2 day birthday experience (that sounds so extreme!)
*feel
oops
Happy Birthday Katie, my fellow Virgo. My birthday i tomorrow! I looove Indian food.. yum!
Aloo Ghobi is my FAVORITE! Well, after Baingan Bharta. I love me some eggplant. mmmm. And I would marry naan if I could. I’ve had many naan babies out of wedlock….
We are both very fortunate when it comes to having good friends. 🙂
Your birthday dinner sounded perfect Katie – I love the veg heavy Aloo Ghobi. So colorful, and I would dug right in with a big piece of that roti. Gosh, I love Indian food, and it’s been way too long since I’ve had it. 🙁 Need to work on that!
Thanks for your very kind shout-out. You know I love you bunches, and I’m cracking up at you calling your dad out for cutting off the top of your head. You’re so funny.
Happy to hear you had a wonderful birthday!
Indian food is my favorite!
Glad you had a good birthday!
The reason you get so many birthday wishes is because you deserve them! Readers engage with you because you are a wonderful, generous, kind and giving person yourself.
With restaurants, I don’t have a problem with them on the level of cooking skill (because I have none!) but more with the fact that I’m rather picky and have so many allergies and intolerances to consider! Your Indian meal does look lovely though.
Happy belated birthday and can’t wait to see dessert 😉
<3
~Jess~
xxxxxxx
Happy Birthday Katie! Hope you had a great one.
I love your dinner, Indian food is definitely my favorite. I love saag paneer and of course naan. I know what I want for dinner now. 🙂
Mmm saag! There’s a place in Philly that has the best saag. I miss that place!
I am glad you had such a nice birthday Katie! Your meal looks like it was delicious!
Oh my goodness that curry looks so lovely. I’m glad you enjoyed your birthday meal xx
Mmmm I love Indian food! Part of the appeal is that there is guaranteed to be something vegetarian that I can eat. And if you have any success with recreating the whole wheat roti, please share because I tried to once and it was kind of a fail 😛
Glad you enjoyed your birthday girl!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL ONE
You’re a Virgo, right? SWEET 🙂
Btw, roti and curried veggies would be my pick for birthday noshing too 😉
HUGGIES x10000
Happy birthday!!!!!! I didn’t check blogs yesterday so I missed it …. but it looks like you had a great time. Indian food is my fave for eating out!
Birthday dinners are the best! I am a little late, but I still want to wish you a Happy Birthday! Your blog is such a joy to read, and you deserve every bit of birthday excitement that comes your way. Also, Indian food = great birthday dinner choice.
Aww Caitlin, thank you! Your sweet words put a huge smile on my face :).