I'm not sure why the need to draw a firm distinction between the two. I'm quite focused on lyrics if they're present and in a language I understand. I'm not fussed if they aren't.
If you find the music in some way engaging, that's enough. Denigrating other music as in some way lesser than your preferred genre is odd.
Aside from what's mentioned here already, Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything is a great resource. I'm not sure how much Indian food is in it, but the recipes are simple and followed by a long list of simple substitutions to make different variants.
I'm not sure why the need to draw a firm distinction between the two. I'm quite focused on lyrics if they're present and in a language I understand. I'm not fussed if they aren't.
If you find the music in some way engaging, that's enough. Denigrating other music as in some way lesser than your preferred genre is odd.