SUBCONTINENTAL CUISINE. Harpreet Singh, owner of Food of India at Oakwood Mall, shows off some of his authentically flavored menu items.

Need some spice in your life? Consider a special trip to Food of India at Oakwood Mall to experience authentic Indian cuisine with a Midwestern touch. Harpreet Singh, who came to the United States at age seven and moved to Eau Claire at age 17, was raised on Indian food. Even before recent studies – such as one from Harvard’s School of Public Health – announced, “Spicy foods may help you live longer,” Singh had a particular vision. 

As a young entrepreneur serving the public, he wanted to provide a tasty and unique ethnic menu to the Eau Claire community when his restaurant first opened in September 2014. More importantly, his goal was to further promote a healthful diet by serving spices carefully blended into his menu’s selections, which feature free-range chicken with no added hormones or preservatives. One result of Singh’s efforts is the creation of the signature dish Mango Chicken Curry. If you’re more veggie-minded, however, there are numerous mouth-watering vegetarian dishes such as Aloo Mutter, a curry casserole (made with peas, potatoes, and cauliflower in a delectable gravy), lentil dishes, and more.

My own preference on the menu is Spinach Palak Paneer made with cubes of cottage cheese in a smooth, tasty sauce. In fact, I’ve actually driven to the mall just to buy it with what’s served that day. I’ll also get a side of naan (flatbread), which is the best I’ve ever had. In addition, the Mango Smoothie, made with organic yogurt prepared the night before, is extremely refreshing.

The ability to mix together specific proportions of selected spices is what distinguishes this Indian food from other places that serve spicy ethnic dishes. It took dedication and skill, which led Singh to conduct research on foods that included a visit to a local health food store about products. In addition, he was trained by a five-star chef who first worked at the business and felt “serving food was a kind of blessing” that contributed to good health.

It was only natural (pun intended) that Food of India would use organic products, which are more prevalent in some Indian foods. In addition, items on the menu needed to be affordable so customers could not just try them, but buy them and perhaps incorporate them into a healthier diet. Non-GMO products used in large amounts are spices and basmati rice that come from wholesale Asian food distributors who get food directly from India.

“We only serve food in our restaurant that we’d serve in our own home,” Singh explained. In addition, “All dishes contain five ingredients: turmeric, ginger, cardamom, cumin, and black paper.” Garlic, a favorite of mine that’s always in my kitchen, is also used at times. Without question, Singh believes that certain spices can improve health.

Actually, if one rolls back the centuries to look at earlier home remedies of many Asian cultures, spices were believed to have healing properties. For example, turmeric was credited as reducing arthritic pain and toothaches. Holistic health coach and nutrition educator Paula Martinac wrote an entire article in Healthy Eating on “The Benefits of Indian Spices” and mentions ginger root to help digestion. In addition, her article identifies a pharmaceutical journal whose research concluded that coriander seeds help in diabetic therapy because of the stress relief it offered.

It’s best to discover what’s written here for yourself by visiting the restaurant. However, I’d like to explain why I wrote that this is authentic Indian cuisine with a Midwestern touch. Free sauces are offered so individual customers can choose how spicy they’d like their food. Cool, huh? Also, you can feast your eyes on the marvelous buffet by searching for “Food of India Eau Claire” on Facebook.

Either way – be prepared to become hungry.

Food of India • Oakwood Mall food court, 4800 Golf Road, Eau Claire • (715) 829-9921