The wonderful products from Kitchens of India address two significant trends in American dining today: the desire for authentic, pre-made meals, and our unflagging taste for Indian foods. I first encountered their products at Anuga last fall and then again at the Fancy Food Show. The few ready-to-eat dishes that were prepared for me at those shows tasted as if they had been prepared in a fine Indian restaurant, which is exactly what their background is. The company, ITC Limited, operates what are arguably the finest hotels and restaurants in India, and this line of products is the result of their expertise. The ready-to-eat line includes many classic vegetarian and chicken-based dishes, as well as chutneys, curries, cooking sauces, and a frozen line offering complete meals including rice and Indian breads. I have just tested some of their newest products: Basmati Rice Pilaf with Vegetables & Nuts (Kashmiri Biryani), Basmati Rice Pilaf with Vegetables (Hyderabadi Biryani), and two desserts, White Pumpkin & Milk Pudding (Petha Halwa) and Yellow Lentil & Milk Pudding (Moong Dal Halwa). As you can tell by the Indian names, these dishes represent authentic dishes from varying regions of India. They are also absolutely delicious and couldn't be any simpler to prepare. Having a fondness for both Indian rice dishes and desserts, I was particularly excited about receiving these samples. The rice dishes tasted freshly made and the desserts were so luscious I had trouble sharing even though they are meant to serve four people. The products are all-natural, certified kosher and are perfect for vegetarians. This kind of product seems to be the direction the industry is going, and Kitchens of India has set the bar very high indeed. For more information, contact Liberty Richter at 973-338-0300 or visit www.kitchensofindia.com.