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 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