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The Taste of India
Lansing, Michigan |
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| The Asian Indians of Michigan come from different regions of India. They are from different cultural and social backgrounds, representing different religions, classes, and languages. They are Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Parsees, and Jews, speaking 16 languages or one of 225 dialects. This diversity is also reflected in their foods. One of the most distinctive aspects of Indian food is the preparation and combination of spices that makes this cuisine unique; cooked with meats or vegetables, the dish is memorable. Whether or not they are vegetarians, vegetables are an extremely important part of the Indians' diet. In mid-Michigan, many of the Indians who have come since the 1960s are professionals. At that time, a generic Indian food was available in restaurants, which often seved foods proprietors believed Americans wanted. Today, more and more restaurants and caterers serve the foods of their regional origins. We are fortunate to have one of these catereres at the National Folk Festival. Uma Patel left her home in India some twenty years ago for Lansing, where she has lived ever since. She enjoys a reputation as a good cook and since 1996 has provided several local restaurants with her Indian pastries and samosa. In this way she began her catering. |
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