India is a very big country with many states. Each state is unique and has different kinds of food that the people there eat. In West Bengal, people eat a lot of fish, since the state is next to the ocean. In Tamil Nadu, people eat food called dosas and idli. I am in the Indian state Uttar Pradesh, in North India. Here, we eat a lot of dal (lentils), roti (flat bread like a tortilla), and chaval (rice).
Two of my favorite meals that I had in Varanasi were palak makka and dal makhni. Palak makka is a creamy spinach and corn dish that is served with rice or bread. Dal makhni is made up of lots of lentils and beans, kind of like chili. It is also eaten with rice or bread.
I loved both dishes immediately. Both were so flavorful and healthy.
I was also able to literally "feel" the food, because in India, it is very common to eat with your hands. Even dishes like palak makka and dal makhni, that are creamy, can be eaten with your fingers when paired with rice or bread. My host dad Ajay told me that it is nice to eat with your hands, because it lets you use all five senses when you are eating (sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste). I thought that was very poetic!
