A couple of days back I was having a debate with my friend if Chicken tikka masala had its origins from India or from the UK? To my surprise when I even looked it up on Wikipedia it said the origins of this famous curry is “disputed” between Punjab or in one of the first Indian restaurants in Soho, London during the ’70’s! Also, did you know that Chicken Tikka Masala is like an all-time pub grub favourite among the English? Al...

We stopped around the corner in a by-lane from the main Nevsky Prospect (one of the main streets in St. Petersburg), trying to orient the arrow on Google Maps towards our hotel when a random guy speaking relatively loud seemed to be coming our way. My friend was so freaked out she literally scurried into Cherdak, this little restaurant that was right behind us. And, just like that we found our way to what was supposed to be a...

Lemon rice is one of my favourite rice preparations. The hint of lemon along with the dals (pulses) used for tempering make it simply perfect to go along with any side dish you choose to have. It’s really easy to make and here is the best part: you can use your leftover white rice to make a whole new dish!

Ingredients:

Rice (cooked white Basmati rice) 2 cups

Green chillies, chopped fine5

Fresh ginger, chopped fine 1 inch piece

Curr...

As Ken Hom went along his cooking demonstration at the Emirates Literature Festival 2013, I picked up these 10 top tips he mentions that his cook books don’t necessarily spell out on how to cook Chinese like a pro! Don't forget to check out the video (captured in action at the Emirates Literature Festival 2013) after the post: 

Here goes: 

1. In Chinese cooking, don’t add oil into a cool or semi-warm wo...

I was always intrigued by the name 'Yakhni Pulao' whether I saw it on television, in recipe books, on restaurant menus or online. It was just one of those dishes my family never wanted to try out because it only had 'meat and rice'. But, I think I knew a tad bit better. My 7th sense (that's my foodie sense) told me Indian mutton, Basmati rice and whole garam masala - mmmm, that surely doesn't sound like a 'just' dish to me. Th...

Who doesn't like things fried, right? They are crispy and oh so yummy! But, but, but....they aren't good for your butt :) That's right. Now one of India's all time favourite snacks is Dahi Vada, translated in English it means - fried lentil dumplings dipped in ever-so-slightly spiced yoghurt. It's usually served with a tamarind chutney and so you have some amazing sweet and tangy flavours happening in your mouth with every bit...

Anissa Helou’s book ‘Lebanese Cuisine’ claims to be one of the ‘most comprehensive and authoritative work on the subject’. I couldn’t agree more after going through the book. Lebanese cuisine is one of the most sought-after cuisines in the Arab world and most often people think that’s what Arabic food is all about! The cuisine has spread it’s fame to various parts of the world thanks to the thousands of Lebanese people who set...

A Recipe for life is an autobiography on one of the most famous Italian cooks known – Antonio Carluccio. Antonio particularly calls himself a cook (Chapter 1: A Cook is Born) and not a chef because, according to him a chef is a profession whereas a cook does what he does out of passion.

From a famous TV presenter, author and owner of the famous Italian chain restaurant ‘Carluccio’s’, Antonio’s journey over his 50-year career ha...

This is the most quintessential book you could ever own when it comes to everything based on CHOCOLATE! And I really do mean everything. If you are a true chocoholic or simply enjoy cooking with chocolate – then this book is a must-own. True passion is almost synonymous when it comes to Willie Harcourt-Cooze, also known as the ‘Chocolate Man’! With immense depth, passion and story-telling, Willie puts together a book that is n...

Sometimes just that one ingredient or cooking technique is enough to whip up an old-time dish into some dish totally snazzy in taste! That is exactly what the aromatic flavours of lemongrass did for a popular South-Indian dish called Chicken Stew. Coconut milk and spices make chicken stew a household dish in many South-Indian families. It is served with steamed basmati rice, porotta (famous layered flat bread of Kerala) or the...