Authentic Indian: Cake Walk

by

Foodie Fish

This place does not even have curry!  That is just how different this Indian food is from what most people in America have experienced. 

What I’ve seen with almost everyone is they say they love Indian food, hate it, or have never tried it before.  I believe part of the reason why so many hate Indian food must be since people tend to only think of curry or Naan bread when they think Indian.  Or perhaps it’s because most Americans are limited to having Indian food from a cheap buffet that has the word “palace” or “jewel” in it to sound more exotic.  Well, if you want to try some real Indian, luckily there is Cake Walk. 

Plainsboro, NJ (where Cake Walk is located) has a pretty big Indian community.  Cake Walk is even neighboring an Indian food market and an Asian food market.  Cake Walk started out thinking that they were mostly going to sell cookies and cakes (hence the name) and maybe serve some Indian street/snack foods on the side.  But then, they realized that their savory menu became even more popular than the desserts menu since many people in the area did not have access to such authentic Indian food.  They later extended their menu to a variety of Indian snack foods and main dishes, including wraps and sandwiches.  Cake Walk is now teeming with business from many Indian immigrants and their families, and of course a few adventure-seeking epicureans like myself ;)

The menu can be intimidating for many new-comers.  There are no English translations for the items on the menu.  However, the cashier is now used to dealing with describing the dishes they serve to those of us who just want to try something new. 

Plain Dosa

They have a large selection of Dosas, which are pretty much thinner and bigger savory crepes.  They have the popular Masala Dosa filled with potatoes and other vegetables seasoned with a house blend of masala (a flavorful mixture of spices).   There is also the cheese cone Dosa (my personal favorite)  for those less hardcore Indian food eaters.  This Dosa, as the name suggests, is rolled into a large cone shape with shredded provolone between two layers of the paper thin Dosa.   Your Dosa will never lack in flavor if you are worried they sound bland, for every Dosa comes with their thin spicy lentil soup and coconut chutney.  The wraps are also good for those whose taste palettes are more accustomed to western food.  The wrap itself is soft and served slightly grilled on a Panini press.  Their wraps are like any ordinary wrap with lettuce, tomato, and a protein.  However, the protein here is a hearty serving of flavorful and often spicy meat or tofu-like cheese inside cooked in a traditional Indian style. 

Cake Walk’s snacks and appetizers are usually foods that you have never seen anything like before.  Many of the dishes sound strange, but they come out being quite satisfactory.  The vada is a savory fried lentil donut that is nice and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, just like anything deep fried well should be.  The lentils are consistent with the texture of the rest of the donut and it is salty without overdoing it.  For something lighter, they also have soft steamed rice cakes that come with a fragrant mixture of spices to dip the otherwise simple patty.

My personal favorite part of Cake Walk is their cookies.  I always get at least a half-pound of cookies every time I go (once a week) and enjoy some with their amazing chai tea (like a Starbucks chai latte, only with less milk and sugar and more exciting spices).  They have a wide selection of cookies baked fresh each day sitting in the window.  They have all sorts of shapes toppings.  However, all the cookies at Cake Walk are light, fluffy, almost like shortbread.  Some have candied fruit on top, some have chopped nuts, and some have a different spice inside.  You don’t feel bad about helping yourself to a few since they are so light, which is good because they can get a bit addicting!  One time I let my friend try one and she ended up finishing the whole box!

Your meal at Cake Walk will never lack in flavor, for every dish is a hundred percent homemade and a burst of contrasting flavors.  You can tell this Indian food must be good since many of my mom and sister’s Indian friends say that the food at Cake Walk is delicious and authentic.  Every one of my non-Asian friends who I have taken there has been converted to one who enjoys Indian food.  The only thing you have to worry about when going to Cake Walk is if you can handle the heat!

Fish Frenzy: Salsa Verde

by
Foodie Fish

I’m using the upcoming Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo as my excuse for all these blog posts on Mexican food. Although I will admit the talk of Mexican cuisine will probably never end (especially since a Mexican grill is replacing Ricky’s candy store in Princeton)! I forgot to mention that almost no Mexican dish works without the right salsa to go with it. Mexican food is all about the condiments, whether it is hot sauce or mole. My favorite thing on Mexican dishes is of course salsa! Here is a salsa Bill taught my to make that works with almost everything.

Simple Salsa Verde

Ingredients

· Tomatillos

· Garlic

· Lime juice

· Cilantro

· Sea salt

· Black pepper

· Roasted green peppers

Directions

First, pulverize the garlic in the food processor—but not all the way. Add the tomatillos and blend that together. Put all other ingredients into the food processor and season to taste. The secret to a great salsa verde is simply in the amount of garlic you put in. The tomatillos themselves have a mild taste yet creamy texture, so feel free to experiment with other spices and herbs!

Fish Frenzy: Bill's Tacos

by
Foodie Fish

This place may also be referred as “heaven”, for me or any other lovers of Mexican food. This place is a huge supermarket geared towards Mexicans, sort of like the Asian food market except it was created by a white man trying to make money. The point is, this place is great and it made me feel like a kid in a candy store! It was the perfect place to collect fresh ingredients for Mexican cuisine.

I was introduced to this wonderful place by my mom’s friend’s boyfriend Bill in Arizona. He was even more passionate about Mexican food than anyone I have ever known (including myself!) He would eat and cook Mexican morning, noon, and night if he had the choice. While we stayed at my mom’s friend’s house, Bill wanted to impress his guests by making his famous tacos (or what he calls the best tacos ever.)

BILL’s TACOS

These tacos are easy to make and they are perfect to prepare for a crowd.

Taco Filling

Ingredients

• High quality ground pork
• Canned black beans, strained and rinsed (or dried black beans that have been soaked overnight)
• Chipotle peppers, sliced
• Taco seasoning

Directions

1. Heat up a skillet on the stove, then put it on medium heat. Place the high quality ground pork on the skillet until browned, but not yet cooked all the way
2. Fill the skillet up with water to cover the pork
3. Add beans and peppers
4. Season the mix with roasted ground cumin, paprika, black pepper, and plenty of garlic powder. You could also season with store bought taco seasoning then add spices to your taste
5. Put the heat on low and let the mixture simmer for about half an hour

Preparation for Tacos

1. Slice tomatoes, roasted peppers, and avocado to put into your tacos
2. Shred Cojita cheese (which is almost like queso fresca
3. Pick leaves of fresh cilantro off of the stem
4. Heat up soft tortillas in wrapped in wax paper in the microwave or crispy taco shells on a piece of paper towel
5. Place all the vegetables and cheese in separate bowls
6. Put the taco filling in a separate bowl
7. Lay out the heated shells and you are done with a make-it-yourself taco bar!
   

Snacks Pre-Track

by
Foodie Fish

Well it is spring time, and in case you

didn’t know that means time for track in my case. The down side of track, however, is that you are hungry more often and have to worry about getting cramps on your run. Luckily, here are some of the perfect snack and breakfast ideas for right before your run:

1.) Yogurt coated almonds: This is a personal favorite of mine. I am addicted to these babies. They also just happen to be a terrific snack before you go on a 5 mile run. Almonds are packed with vitamin E, which is good for your eyes, and protein as well. As you may know, protein is very important for an athlete since it is essential for muscle development. Another provider of protein here is the yogurt. Not only is a sweet creamy layer that completely covers the almond adding to both texture and flavor, but it is also really good for you. It adds on to the energy intake, the amount of protein, and contains calcium as well. Certain exercises increase bone density, making getting calcium all the more important here.

2.) Odwalla/Cliff bars: I run on nutrition bars. Get the big, flavorful, part-organic bars such as Odwalla or Cliff. Odwalla bars contain no refined sugars, but plenty of flavor. The strawberry pomegranate one tastes like a smoothie. Odwalla bars are also a good source of antioxidants and beta-carotene. Cliff bars now come in great flavors such as carrot cake and white chocolate macadamia nut. Carrot cake tastes just like delicious cake batter, but it is also nourishing. It also has many vitamins, fiber, and protein. The white chocolate macadamia nut, along with many other types of Cliff bars, tastes just like a cookie. A great treat that won’t slow you down.

3.) Soymilk: I always start my day with a glass of milk. But Saturday mornings right before track practice just isn’t the right time. That is when I resort to soymilk. It is a little more filling since it has so much protein and tastes great on its own. It also doesn’t give you cramps!

4.) Banana: Potassium so important for your joint. It helps them operate more smoothly, so you don’t have to feel as though you have arthritis. Bananas are also one of the few foods that you can eat right before you run since they actually prevent cramps as opposed to causing them.

5.) Chocolate: Okay, so don’t start nagging me about sweets making you hyper and are not very healthy. Things that make you happy and boost your mood are automatically healthy. After all, 90% of illnesses are stress related. Chocolate is also one of the best sources of antioxidants. It happens to be good for both the heart and brain as well. I eat it because it gives me enough energy to keep going long and strong on 8-mile runs without filling up my stomach and giving me cramps.