Want Something Hot?

While I love my hot curries and enjoy a little 'bite' in them, too hot is never fun!

The common belief is that all Indian food is spicy. It is! The word however does not mean 'chilli hot'! The dictionary defines 'spicy' as 'having the flavor, aroma, or quality of spice'. Over the centuries, Indian cooks have mastered the delicate art of combining spices to create dishes that are the perfect balance of flavors. Spices are always used for their ability to enhance the primary ingredient in a dish. Too much of anything is therefore taboo in good Indian cooking! This especially applies to chillies. Not too much, not too little, just the right amount... like in these delicious foods from the four corners of India:

• Sorpatel from Goa in Western India
• Calcutta Kati Kabab Roll from Eastern India
• Chettinad Chicken from South India
• Achaari Murg from North India

_{Image © Photographer: Harrison Eastwood/ Getty Images}