What I eat in a day (Indian in Italy)
When I was planning to move to Italy, two burning questions haunted me more than “Will my luggage arrive on time?”
What are Indians actually eating in this beautiful but spice-deprived land?
Where do they get their groceries without taking out a small loan?
Today, we’re tackling Question #1: what I actually eat in a day. Tomorrow we’ll get into grocery hauls, costs, and a few places where you don’t need to haggle for coriander.
Morning Fuel
Unlike my Italian neighbors who love to start their mornings with a cigarette and a shot of espresso (a stereotype, yes… but also, kind of true), I start mine with something far less glamorous: thyroid meds.
Once that’s done, I whip up the most un-Italian breakfast possible: scrambled eggs with onion and green chili, plus a slice of bread. It’s quick, spicy, and absolutely nothing like a brioche alla crema.
And, of course — tea. I have tested many, and the strongest one I’ve found is Yorkshire Tea in the red box. A massive 160-bag pack goes for around €12 on Amazon Italy. Pro tip: stock up, because nothing will test your patience like weak tea in the morning.
Lunch Time
For lunch, I keep it simple — either rice with chicken or a quick pasta. But here’s my trick for making Italian pasta taste like it has soul: always keep basil, peperoncino, and garlic in your pantry.
Finely chop them and let them sizzle in the oil before you add your sauce. Finish with more fresh basil. Voilà — it looks Italian enough but hits that flavor spot you’re craving.
Dinner Wrap Party
Dinner is my playground. My go-to? A wrap loaded with supermarket kebab meat (already cooked — zero stress cooking vibes). I throw in sautéed garlic, onion, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers, then mix in some fresh salad for crunch.
But the real star is the sauce: grated garlic in Greek yogurt with olive oil and salt. Creamy, garlicky, addictive. The kind of sauce you want to dip everything in.
Adjusting Tastebuds
Here’s the thing: over time, I’ve started to adapt to Italian flavors. But when I first moved? Eating out was tricky, and cooking at home felt like playing “Chopped” with half the ingredients missing.
It takes a while to figure out how to recreate “home” with what you find at Italian supermarkets. Spoiler: it’s possible. And I’ll be sharing a list of places soon where you can get all the spices and pantry heroes you need.
Stay tuned for: Esselunga Hauls + How Much Groceries Really Cost in Italy ✨
