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.
Happy late birthday! Two is better than one 😉
You sure like Indian food, don’t you? Because I don’t go out to eat often, it’s really interesting and fun for me to see what Indian food are out there!
Hehe yes I love Indian! Actually, I hadn’t had it in ages until the other day. Now I’m counting down the days til I can go back! Or maybe I should try my hand at making my own…
Glad you had such a great birthday Katie! That is great the new restaurant was a hit, I just love when that happens. Glad it was not the “hmmm, I could make this at home much better,” kind of place! 🙂
Happy (late) birthday!! I’m glad you got to go out and enjoy it!
I also suffer from “I could make this better” syndrome at restaurants. I’ve never put it together until now, but I think that’s why I also like to go to Indian/Thai/Asian restaurants…I can’t make that kind of food (yet!)
Hope your birthday WEEK is fabulous!
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY gorgeous lady! Looks like the perfect dinner to go along with the celebration…Indian food is one of my faves!
So glad you had an amazing birthday weekend!! 🙂
Katie,
I just watched a cooking show yesterday with a recipe for Roti. The woman is Indian and makes it in her own unique way, for more health benefits. If I’m remembering right, she used lentils (cooked) and spinach and one or two more ingredients and rolled them out and cooked them on a cast iron skillet. I DVR’d the episode, so if you’re interested let me know and I’ll watch it again and send you the exact recipe. Nicole
Oh wow, Nicole, that sounds delicious! I don’t want to trouble you… but if you’re ever bored and do end up re-watching it, I would love the recipe! 🙂
Curry’s the BEST!!
Oh my goodness, didn’t mean to send that so quickly! Anyway, back to waht I was saying..yes, curry’s the best. It’s possibly one of my favorite dishes (besides sushi!) You’re birthday dinner looks fabulous- glad it wasd a big hit!
And I’m the same way when eating out. Except maybe not that “I could have made this so much better” part..but at least “I could have made this so much healthier and still as good” 😛 So whenever I do eat out, it has to be something I’d never ever cook for myself…or at least rarely would.
That looks delightful. If only I could convince my parents to ever venture into Indian food. It’s ok, though. Italian with them for birthdays will do just fine. 🙂 Twice the celebration sounds like something we should all enforce.
Happy birthday Katie! The roti in restaurants is made in a super high-temp tandoor and often with leavening of some sort…but you can make it at home yourself very easily: http://www.manjulaskitchen.com/2007/03/21/roti-chapati-flat-indian-bread/
Thanks!! I am seriously going to get my roti-making on :).
You look very pretty– and not to mention that great looking meal, too :)!
Once again, Happy Birthday!!!! You lucky girl! Two back to back days of celebration! (That dinner looks fabulous by the way!)
Beautiful birthday dinner for a beautiful girl:)
Happy belated birthday, Katie! I admire your vegan-ordering skills. You always seem to know how to figure things out to suit your social life and eating preferances!
Indian food is the best 🙂 You have great taste.
Thanks, Alexis! Haha what can I say? I’m a food lover… there’s no way I am going to a restaurant and just ordering an iceberg salad! Bor-ring ;).
Oh no I didn’t send you birthday wishes…:(
…I was too busy eating your Bug-A-Boo bulgur pilaf, will this be an acceptable excuse???
*Happy Birthday* <3 <3
Happy birthday to my beautiful friend (albeit a couple days late)! May this year be the BEST ONE YET, because you totally deserve it!!
Indian food is almost always a good idea for vegan dining – it’s the one thing my boyfriend and I agree on when we go out to eat! There are so many vegetarian and vegan Indian food places here in the city that I can always talk him into it 😉
Oh dearest Ilana! I am sending you a comment in response to your college comment as soooooooon as I get a chance!!
What a pretty picture of you! glad you had a wonderful bday dinner 🙂