Why does the halal cart/deli chicken over rice sometimes look like it has red dye?
Pic related, the red looks brighter in person. Whats the point?!
by b1nreddit
23 Comments
sandbagger45
Because sometimes they put red food coloring in it. My friend used to work in one and he said that’s they did.
GoingforIvey
Ha, I had this same question before. Apparently it is a tandoori spice mix. And natural tandoori spice mix has red in it due to the red chillies, but the modern cheaper stuff (that people buy in bottles as opposed to mixing their own) has red food colouring…
PocketRocketTrumpet
I thought I was seeing lobster for a moment
mraza9
Looks legit. Yum.
zxyzyxz
Because it does, it’s added red food coloring. Even for homemade chicken tandoori, it’s often added in.
lesterdent
When I bought a flat-top griddle for the backyard last year, this was the first dish I made on it. Tasted pretty authentic to me:
Does anyone know where to get the marinade? Would love to try it at home. Maybe Kalustyan’s?
NefariousnessFew4354
Spices.
loupr738
I don’t know what they use but when I use achiote paste it comes out like this. It’s probably a spice
AvatarofBro
Yeah, it’s red dye
QnsPrince
If your looking to eat natural and avoid additives and food coloring i would avoid most food trucks that look like this. Only because the economics of a food truck would lead me to believe most are using the cheaper dye than real spices. In reality almost any candy or grocery item contains the same things so why penalize a good affordable meal. I will say if you are ever in lic queens check out mando. By far the freshest ingredients ive ever had from a street vendor.
TeacherTmack
It’s common in that cuisine. They sells lots of the dye at international spots. I take some water and dye and pour it over my byriani cus it makes it look good lol. Everyone eats with their eyes, Americans are more tuned to fake coloring imo
vicvega88
It’s not dye! It’s the seasoning they use for the rice. That seasoning will stain your hands if you don’t use gloves when you drop it in the rice. It can also comes from the red sauce which is really hot.
Used_Nectarine6041
Watch out for bones in the Halal Guys chicken and rice, I almost choked on one recently!
P0stNutClarity
Was trying to decide what I wanted from lunch till now. This is exactly what I want. Thank you.
South_Night7905
Are you seriously expecting quality and natural food at a halal cart?
NYCFIO
Big tandoori guy; make it your normal; give it time, let it linger (yea, you have to)
the_honorableA
I figure it has to do with the seasoning
Most_Ad7701
It probably does have red dye. I’ve read a lot of recipes for chicken tikka masala for example that include red dye to give the chicken that bright red color.
girl_boss_baby
red40 chicken
Flowofinfo
Are you asking why do they use spices when cooking the chicken???
23 Comments
Because sometimes they put red food coloring in it. My friend used to work in one and he said that’s they did.
Ha, I had this same question before. Apparently it is a tandoori spice mix. And natural tandoori spice mix has red in it due to the red chillies, but the modern cheaper stuff (that people buy in bottles as opposed to mixing their own) has red food colouring…
I thought I was seeing lobster for a moment
Looks legit. Yum.
Because it does, it’s added red food coloring. Even for homemade chicken tandoori, it’s often added in.
When I bought a flat-top griddle for the backyard last year, this was the first dish I made on it. Tasted pretty authentic to me:
https://www.seriouseats.com/serious-eats-halal-cart-style-chicken-and-rice-white-sauce-recipe
Isn’t it white sauce and red sauce too?
Does anyone know where to get the marinade? Would love to try it at home. Maybe Kalustyan’s?
Spices.
I don’t know what they use but when I use achiote paste it comes out like this. It’s probably a spice
Yeah, it’s red dye
If your looking to eat natural and avoid additives and food coloring i would avoid most food trucks that look like this. Only because the economics of a food truck would lead me to believe most are using the cheaper dye than real spices. In reality almost any candy or grocery item contains the same things so why penalize a good affordable meal. I will say if you are ever in lic queens check out mando. By far the freshest ingredients ive ever had from a street vendor.
It’s common in that cuisine. They sells lots of the dye at international spots. I take some water and dye and pour it over my byriani cus it makes it look good lol. Everyone eats with their eyes, Americans are more tuned to fake coloring imo
It’s not dye! It’s the seasoning they use for the rice. That seasoning will stain your hands if you don’t use gloves when you drop it in the rice. It can also comes from the red sauce which is really hot.
Watch out for bones in the Halal Guys chicken and rice, I almost choked on one recently!
Was trying to decide what I wanted from lunch till now. This is exactly what I want. Thank you.
Are you seriously expecting quality and natural food at a halal cart?
Big tandoori guy; make it your normal; give it time, let it linger (yea, you have to)
I figure it has to do with the seasoning
It probably does have red dye. I’ve read a lot of recipes for chicken tikka masala for example that include red dye to give the chicken that bright red color.
red40 chicken
Are you asking why do they use spices when cooking the chicken???
Because it does 🤷♂️