Of the many world cuisines that Americans have adopted or developed a taste for, Indian is perhaps one that can scare home cooks the most. The country is large and understanding the regional differences and achieving the complex flavors can be intimidating.
Anupy Singla wants to change that. The Chicago-based author and journalist has written a number of cookbooks, maintains a website, teaches classes at a variety of stores, and runs a food and housewares company called Indian as Apple Pie.
"I was born in India, but I was raised outside of Philadelphia, I live in Chicago now in the Midwest, and I am as Indian as apple pie. We grew up knowing that we were American first, but that we always had roots in India," says Singla.
Through her work online, in text, and interacting with other cooks, Singla's goal is to make Indian cuisine more accessible as well as less intimidating and less exotic. For her, Indian is home cooking that is for everyone no matter their background.
"The secret to Indian cuisine isn't in the slicing and the dicing, it's really all about the spices," explains Singla.
In addition to breaking down Indian recipes, Singla seeks to change the many misconceptions people have about Inidian cuisine - such as the myth of curry powder.
"Folks are not used to Indian cuisine because many people come up to me and say they don't like Indian food because they don't like curry powder. And I say that's fantastic...because [home-style Indian] does not use things like curry powder or shortcuts, but you'll find it's very easy to make at home," says Singla.
Anupy Singla lives in Chicago and is the author of several cookbooks, including her newest, Indian for Everyone. She also runs a housewares and food company called Indian as Apple Pie. She’ll be at Whole Foods Market on Milwaukee’s east side tonight at six for a cooking demonstration.
