03/31/2022
Xacuti paste is by far one of the more complex flavors I've ever worked with, and that was without even having its signature ingredient, white poppyseeds, on hand! I texted my friend from Goa, the southwestern state in India from which this chicken dish hails, to ask if it would be a waste to make it without them. He responded, in typical 30 year-old man fashioned, "I'm not sure, I can ask my mom though."
I decided that meant that he'd either never had the dish without them before, or it wasn't too noticeable when they were missing. My money was on the former, but I took the risk anyways.
It was certainly worth it, but I can't make the real deal.
Now I want to know, who would try Indian food that isn't as well-known in the United States as butter chicken?