Thursday is thali night in Prague's Beas Dhaba Restaurant. Thali is the perfect Indian invention which allows you to savor several dishes at the same time. It consists of a number of curried vegetables, relishes, raita (yogurt with cucumber), papadam (paper-thin crisp flatbread) and rice. Traditionally, it's served in small metal bowls arranged on a round tray. Beas Dhaba restaurant has put this feast of flavors on its menu every Thursday.
Vegetarian Indian thali — Photo courtesy of Marianne Crone
If your mouth is on fire from too much spice, don't reach for water or beer. Raita, fruit or anything sweet, a spoonful of sugar or a sweet lassie, will do the trick. Finish your meal with 'chai,' a brew of tea, cold water, milk and sugar or sweetened condensed milk. This concoction is brought to boil and stewed for a long time.
Beas Dhaba is 100% vegetarian: no eggs, no fish and no meat. Chefs from North India prepare their favorite dishes that will also please your carnivore friends.
Indian pakora — Photo courtesy of Marianne Crone
Did you know that no such thing as 'curry' or pre-packed curry powder exists? This is a British invention. Spices are blended in certain combinations. They're freshly ground in mortar and pestle. The well-known garam masala is in fact a combination of cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, cumin and peppercorns. That's why homemade curries or masala never taste the same.
