Cuisine of North India

Hosted by Alda Dyal-Chand with instruction from three Indian-born women (collectively known as the Sisterhood of Spices), Cuisine of North India presents a complete dinner menu that features chicken masala curry, pakoras with mint chutney, fried rice, navratan korma (a vegetable curry), raita (a yogurt-based salad), paratha (bread), gulab jaman for dessert, and chai. While the food may sound good, the camera often spends more time on the instructors then the dishes, some of which are not completely concocted onscreen (with cuts to previously prepared examples of certain steps). In all fairness, this low-budget looking production--with total sales proceeds earmarked to fund a school for poverty-stricken youths in India--was produced by volunteers; however, the previously mentioned qualms combined with Americanized shortcuts (including frozen vegetables and microwaving) make this a less than optimum choice, as either a cooking instruction video or an example of genuine Indian cuisine. Optional. Aud: P. (J. Williams)