Homework Assignment

Good evening everyone!

I hope everyone is having a great start to their New Year!  Last night DJ and I took advantage of a New Years Eve date night and did my homework that was assigned for my Culinary Foundations class.  Our assignment was to go to an Ethnic, non-chain, restaurant that we had never been to before.  Omaha has many to choose from but I really wanted not just a place I had never been to before but a food I hadn't tried too many times.  So we decided on Indian.  I have only had it one other time and that was in Japan with my friend Anita who is actually from India so she helped me pick what to eat.  I am a self-proclaimed big wuss when it comes to spicy food.  Although I have graduated from a 0 in spice to a 1!

So we went to a place called Dhaba located off of 120th and Blondo for those of you that are local. It was a very cute little place that had tables that looked like you were under a thatch roof.  We had called to make reservations not realizing that they really were not necessary (we were the only ones there), granted it was at 5 PM.  More people came later, we were just trying to catch a movie too.  Now back to my story.  So we get there and ask if it is OK if we can take pictures of our table.  I tried to explain to them that I was doing a homework assignment but all they heard was I was writing something.  We had the best service and everyone that worked there came to our table to see if everything was good.  I finally got it across that I was a STUDENT and what my homework was.  I think they thought I was a reporter or something.  I was so relieved when they finally got it.

Our "Reserved" table (at the empty restaurant)

Our food was great!  Like I said, I am not one for spicy food so when I got it and could eat it and not have my nose run was great.  I did order for DJ and I a Mango Lassi to help with the spice and it was good too. I plan to try to make one at home after looking at the description in the menu, yogurt, mango puree and sugar. Yummy!  They brought to the table some Papadam, it was a crunchy chip with cumin and other spices.  It was nice and light but very tasty.  For our main dishes DJ chose a mixed grill plate consisting of Tandoori Chicken (my favorite) Chicken Tikka, Sheesh Kabab, and Tandoori Shrimp.  I tried all but the Tandoori Shrimp, it was bright red in color and I have learned from past experiences that if it is red I need to STOP!  I have to say that I think the Sheesh Kabab was my least favorite and it was from the goat meat, just too strong of a flavor for me.  It was served on a pan that is used for fajitas and it had grilled onions and peppers on it as well as the meat.  Over all really good.  Now I got some curry.  I love curry after being in Japan for so long.  The curry I got was called Dhaba Shrimp curry and it was cooked with coconut milk.  It had great flavor with the spice and then the sweetness from the milk.  I would get it again.  Both of us had it with a side of Basmati rice and then we couldn't not get a side order of garlic Naan bread to go with it.  I did like eating my curry with the Naan more than the rice.

Look at that steam coming off the plate!

My yummy Mango Lassi

If anyone wants to go and try this place out, let me know, we have already picked out what we want to try next!