An Indian meal

An Indian meal is different from your typical meal in the West, in that dishes are eaten in a particular order. In the West, we might put our protein and vegetables on the same plate. However, when I eat with my Indian family members, we start with a little dal and rice or flatbreads, then we proceed to one or two vegetable curries. Following this there may be a fish dish or a meat curry. We would then finish with a sweet palate cleanser such as fresh mango, when in season. So, we have lots of little portions — like Spanish tapas — over the course of the meal.