Of Pav Wadas and Pav Bhaji and all things yummy

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May 1 – Maharashtra Day, Labour Day (wonder why a holiday if it is “labour’day!) and also a day off. Needed this time off to keep my feet up for a while as next week is choc a bloc with travel plans – Delhi, Bahrain and then a holiday in Spain.

The show at Bangalore (Bengaluru) was a success: I made something new using prawns marinated in Thai Red Curry wrapped up in tender chicken slices. Turned out well and hope to put the recipe on site for you. I think all those who love to cook need to keep their creative juices flowing otherwise life becomes bland. The other day I was riffling through a magazine and came across a pic of bite sized pav wadas served skewered with a toothpick. Well, it is amazing what a little change in presentation can do. I liked the idea. That reminds me, pav wada is ‘the’ food of Mumbai and as a tribute to Maharashtra Day today I am going to share my favourite Maharashtrian dishes with you.

My association with Maharashtra is since childhood, Bombay being my f

ather’s hometown. At least every four year (hometown LTC) we used to come to Mumbai and get a taste of Bombay. (It wasn’t Mumbai then.) From a very early age my taste buds got accustomed to the tastes of urban Maharashtra, from Batata Vadas to Bhakarwadi, from Pav Bhaji to Poha, from Misal to Modak. Now as even my mouth begins to water let me share some recipes with

you.

Missal Pav, Pav Wada, Pav Bhaji.

Gorge on these and enjoy a good weekend.

Sanjeev Kapoor.

Yesterday was probably a day that I will remember for a long long time. The formal launch of The Yellow Chilli in Ahmedabad. It is likely that I underestimated the love for food that Amdavadis nurture! I was overwhelmed by the media’s enthusiasm in covering the Press Conference yesterday afternoon. I was impressed by the way my team had things working like clock work all through the day. I am sure there were many a tense moment behind the scenes, the creases smoothened out by Rajeev Matta (COO), Saurabh Saxena and Jahid Inamdar. Thanks all and kudos to you. I am sure there were around seventy media persons who addressed their queries and answering them took more than a couple of hours! A short rest period and then it was time for the evening party which was graced by eminent personalities of Ahmedabad. I had a chance to have extensive conversations with Mr Vimal Ambani, IG, DGP and Commissioner Police, Mr Chonas of Havmor, representatives from Zydus, and columnist Esther David.
The food? Well, we had the tables really spread out! Most of the menu items were presented and the sweet tooth of Ahmedabad was truly and magnificently pampered with Chocolate cake, Mango cake, Gulab-e- Gulkand, Fruit jelly, Badam Halwa.

As visions of such great desserts come before you, let me share some more desserts here.

Mango souffle, Chocolate Mousse, Very low fat brownies.

Off now for the live demonstrations at The Kitchen Show (I am in Bengaluru!)…

Sanjeev Kapoor.

Time off, Launch of The Yellow Chilli – Ahmedabad

Hi this is going to be a short note as I am on holiday with family…a long pending one. We had been wanting this break, albeit too short, ever since the kids finished their exams.

Have been travelling a lot and the day after that is 28^th April, Wednesday will be in Ahmedabad at The Yellow Chilli, 1st Floor, Heritage Square, Opposite Atlanta Tower, Gulbai Tekra, Ahmedabad – 380 015 for the opening and press conference.

This is the first The Yellow Chilli restaurant in Gujarat, with distinction of being the first pure vegetarian restaurant of this chain. With a capacity of a hundred covers and a private dining area of twenty covers, The Yellow Chilli promises an exciting and different menu with an exotic buffet to be laid out daily. All in all a culinary delight not to be missed. Keeping my fingers crossed.

The press conference is in the day only for media post which there is an exotic buffet. In the evening an exclusive Page 3 party only for the who is who of Ahmedabad. They say it is the preparation that counts and it is so true…even a pilot checks all readings before take off! I am sure my COO and good friend Rajeev has his fingers on the pulse!

May will be exciting on www.sanjeevkapoor.com. We have salads, kiddie recipes (for kids and adults, cooked by kids!), chatpati chaats and mango in its various moods …loads and loads of foods that are appropriate for summer eating.

But April should also end with good food, right?

Cucumber with Chicken and Fresh Red Chillies

Paan Kulfi

Sweet Mango Chutney

Till I write again

Sanjeev Kapoor.