The satisfaction of a perfectly placed letter, the delightful ‘aha!’ moment when a challenging crossword clue finally reveals its answer – these are the thrills that keep us coming back to our daily word puzzles. But beyond the simple joy of completion, some clues offer a deeper dive, expanding our horizons and even our appetites. For avid solvers, every difficult crossword clue is an invitation to learn something new, whether it’s an obscure historical fact, a piece of geographical trivia, or an exploration into global cuisine.
Food-related clues, in particular, have a unique way of doing this. They don’t just test our vocabulary; they often test our knowledge of world gastronomy, our culinary curiosity, and sometimes, our ability to recall a specific dish from a vast and vibrant cuisine. It’s not uncommon for a particularly evocative crossword clue to send us scrambling for a recipe, or at least a good meal! These brain teasers transform the grid into a culinary map, prompting us to explore flavors and techniques from distant kitchens.
Recently, a rather exquisite crossword clue caught the eye of many solvers: a query for a “yogurt-braised Indian entree.” This isn’t just any dish; it’s a masterpiece of Indian cooking, a testament to the power of slow, deliberate preparation and the ingenious use of staple ingredients. The crossword clue itself paints a vivid picture: the creamy, tangy embrace of yogurt transforming a primary ingredient into something extraordinarily tender and flavorful. It immediately transports you to a fragrant Indian kitchen, where spices mingle and rich aromas fill the air.
Imagine a dish where meat – often lamb, sometimes chicken – is meticulously marinated in a rich mixture of fresh yogurt and a symphony of aromatic spices. This isn’t merely a flavoring agent; the yogurt acts as a natural tenderizer, its lactic acid gently breaking down tough fibers and ensuring every bite is melt-in-your-mouth soft. The braising process then slow-cooks this marinated delight, allowing the complex flavors of ginger, garlic, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and perhaps a whisper of cardamom or clove, to deeply penetrate the protein. The result is a gravy that is both rich and surprisingly light, with a characteristic subtle tang that perfectly balances the aromatic spices. It’s a dish renowned for its luxurious texture and profound depth of flavor, a truly comforting and celebratory meal.
Such a specific crossword clue pushes us to think beyond common knowledge. It invites us to explore the nuances of regional Indian cooking, where techniques like yogurt braising have been perfected over centuries, yielding dishes that are both hearty and refined. For those unfamiliar with the dish, it’s a brilliant introduction to a culinary staple often found at celebratory feasts, served proudly alongside fragrant basmati rice or warm, fluffy naan bread to soak up every last drop of the exquisite sauce. Tackling such a crossword clue isn’t just about finding the right word; it’s about appreciating the culinary artistry it represents, a reminder of the vast world of food knowledge that a simple word puzzle can unlock. It reminds us how much there is to learn, one challenging crossword clue at a time. The satisfaction of solving it is only rivaled by the thought of savoring the dish itself.
Available Answers:
KORMA.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: 1122-25 NY Times Crossword 22 Nov 25, Saturday