Indian Spice Tour of Devon

Jen and Anupy at Fresh Farms.

Thankfully, the weather cleared up enough this weekend so that a friend and I could enjoy a spice and Indian cooking tour of Devon Avenue.

Anupy Singla, who wrote the my new favorite cookbook, “The Indian Slow Cooker,” was our guide.

We must have spent a good two hours in Patel Brothers alone. The bulk of the time was spent on aisle No. 1, where most of the spices are stacked in floor-to-ceiling shelves.

Mr. Patel explaining chutneys.

I was delighted to have Mr. Patel there to help answer some of our questions and make recommendations. We also met a local chef and learned that Patel Brothers supplies most of the area Indian restaurants (including Indian Grill – Chef Ram was shopping during our tour) and many of the area’s grocers. All except the neighboring Fresh Farms International Market, where there are competing brands sold, and a friendly rivalry between owners of the two groceries.

After some shopping and talking non-stop about food, I was ravenous. Anupy picked a perfect spot – Annapurna, where the five of us ordered so much food, we couldn’t fit it all on our table or, sadly, in our stomachs.

But good Lord, we tried. I’m still stuffed.