Rains…before time!

The surprising rains have surely brought a drop in the temperature and relief. We were waiting for it to arrive by the 10th of June but the sudden downpour is definitely amazing! Raindrops on leaves, the smell of the earth and everything beautiful and fresh…I thought monsoons were yet to arrive, but this is surely a nice change as I returned from my UK + Singapore trip, which literally had me me on my toes! And before I give you all my schedule for today…

Saturday, had me tied up in a meeting at office with Manish Tandon , CEO, Indian Cookery Pvt Ltd – my new company to rearrange my restaurant vertical regarding the positioning of Sanjeev Kapoor brand restaurants which includes Khazana and the The Yellow Chilli. Then, on Sunday, my family and I decided to make it as lazy as it could possibly be and spent all our time at home. Had some quality time relaxing at home with Alyona and kids and had Laksa for lunch. Then dozed off…these overseas trips surely makes one a little sleep deprived!

Back in action on Monday at Kolkata, the city of joy – where I began my day with an interview at the RED FM Studios around 11.45 am. By the time I got over from there, it was time for me to rush for the FoodFood Maha Challenge event which was scheduled around 1.30 pm at the Forum Mall at Elgin Road. Had an awesome time cooking up Fresh Dough Pizza, Prawn Balchao Golgappa and Mango Stewed Srikhand for the lovely and warm Kolkataites!

Also, have reserved my evening for Mishti Doi and Sandesh – just can’t miss these two when I’m here! And on my way back to the airport, have plans to check my upcoming TYC restaurant at Jessore Road, which is near the airport.

Besides all this, let’s welcome the monsoons with some recipes that absolutely go well with it like…

Corn Pakora

Masala Chai

Bhuna Bhutta

Till I write again.

Sanjeev Kapoor

Maha Challenge Roadshow! Maha success! Tomorrow in Mumbai

Even though it is a hectic week, I am determined to travel the way I enjoy best! By rail – in Shatabdi as I write this, on my way to Surat and enjoying the peace! Too much of air travel does get tiring but a train journey still has that bit of excitement attached for me!

Delhi and Noida events on May 6 – done – with a great turn out. Then, I spent Saturday in Kuwait where I launched the Khazana food range at their Lulu supermarket. Again a sea of very enthusiastic food lovers who enjoyed the demos thoroughly. Sunday was at home – time to put the feet up. From today something monumental is starting in my kitchens: trials for the The Yellow Chilli Cookbook that has long been on the anvil! My team of dedicated chefs is preparing the recipes for the home cook with the authentic TYC flavour! I think it is going to be an excellent collection of recipes.

Tomorrow, May 10, is a grand event of FoodFood Maha Challenge in Mumbai at Oberoi Garden City, Off Western Express Highway, Dindoshi, Goregaon (E). I will be demonstrating Fresh Dough Pizza, Egg Balchao Golgappe and Shrikhand with Mango. Be there 2 pm onwards and catch the buzz! I do hope to see a lot of avid cooks there! Registrations are going to happen on the spot.

Before I log off for the moment, let me share some recipes. These are especially for the vacationing kids who want yummy snacks, a different one, everyday!

Vegetable Bhakarwadi

Pyaaz Tamatar ka Bun

Lemon Garlic Chicken Burger

Till I write again.

Sanjeev Kapoor

Mango is king, tips to remain cool

Spent a good part of the day commuting to and fro Pune. Attended the Mango Fiesta at TYC Pune. The dishes are intriguing and you can have your fill of great new recipes with mangoes there (it is located at Lifestyle, Koregaon Park). I love this juicy king of the fruits and also know that they are enriched with vitamin A that is good for eyesight and also improves formation of healthy epithelium so that you keep away common infections. Enjoy the ripe ones as dessert, pickle the raw ones and better still boil a few raw mangoes, dilute the pulp with aqua, add a pinch or two of roasted cumin powder and black salt and cool down with a glass of chilled panna which will give the colas a run for their money. Our health gurus say with every mango you eat, drink a glassful of milk. Mango has sugars but no protein. Milk has the latter but not the former. So why not combine them, yeah, a mango milkshake is the best, for it will give your body the best nourishment for the summer.

It is also the gourd season. It is the time to bring home the pethas, laukis and tindas. They are fresh produce with high water content and if made the right way, make lunch and dinner substantial with curd and chapatis. Throw in a few cucumbers too as they are refreshing and cooling. Have them in a sandwich for breakfast, have them cut as batons for mid-morning munchies, have them in the raita for lunch…apply some cucumber juice on your face as a natural bleach and toner, place slices of it on your eyes to provide coolness. Wow, that’s a long list.

Recipes for summer could include Manpasand Lauki, Aam ka Panna and Cucumber Koshimbir.

More updates from Singapore later in the week.

Till I write again
Sanjeev Kapoor.