Euro Food…Desi Style!

Fritters, chicken casserole, mashed potatoes… I love everything to do with Euro food. The creamy butter swirled into steaming mashed potatoes, topped with parsley and served with a portion of garlic bread straight out of the oven, is good enough reason for me to be on the constant look-out for that inexpensive, generous with portions, and sinfully delicious Euro restaurant. Before we go into the fine details of the concept of European food in India, one experience with ‘authentic European food’ made me realize one thing: I would never survive abroad.

 

Having lived in India all my life and never having travelled abroad, my exposure to foreign cuisine remains highly Indianised. Chinese food means the famous ‘Gobi Manchurian’ followed by Paneer or Chicken fried rice. It wouldn’t take a genius to figure out that ‘Gobi Manchurian’ practically is non-existent in China, as the word ‘Gobi’ is Cauliflower in Hindi. Almost all the ‘Arabian’ restaurants I have visited serve the famous ‘Quabsa’, which comprises of different types of meat, served on a bed of steaming, spiced-up, and buttered long grain rice; I absolutely love it. Although I am curious to know if the dish is served in the same manner in the Arab countries! I suppose it’s the same for foreigners visiting India. The popular Chicken Tikka Masala and the Rogan Josh that has made its way into almost every Indian eatery there is in Britain, is sure to take any non-Indian trying the same dishes in India by surprise. The blend of strong garam-masalas with generous helpings of desi ghee is something we have all taken for granted. Perhaps this is why, when I visited a famous French restaurant in Pondicherry and tried the quiche, followed by Tuna and mayonnaise salad, I was caught by surprise at the bland taste. Most people swear by it. Not me. Somehow I have never been a big fan of food that looks like a beautiful painting. The artful proportion of colors and portions, decorated tastefully before being served, makes me a tad uncomfortable. To each his own I suppose. I know many people who would disagree with me.

 

Anyway, coming back to my quest for a not-so-heavy-on-the-pocket Euro restaurant finally ended last Saturday when I stumbled across this little, college-goers hang out in Koramangala, Bangalore. The menu seemed appetizing, albeit simple and uncluttered. Too much choice often leaves me confused. I wisely decided to stay away from the Chinese section and stuck to Euro food; and I was not disappointed. A meal for two at a very reasonable Rs.421 included starters, which comprised of baby-corn fritters, served with a portion of salad and French fries. The main course was a simple Chicken burger (American I know!..but who cares, when it was this delicious), again served with French fries, lots of mayo and salad. I decided to go for the Italian Chicken, which had small but several pieces of chicken in a creamy mushroom and baby corn gravy. This was also served with a portion of garlic bread, salad and French fries. The generous portions sizes had me struggling half-way through the meal. But the promise of perfectly garnished chicken and mushrooms, polished off with a slice of garlic bread was too tempting. I knew, I would regret this later, but that’s what weekends are for right? Over-indulging. Having paid the bill, which didn’t make by wallet feel deprived, the only thing that remained was satisfying that annoying sweet tooth. Sometimes though, I think I have more than one sweet tooth…such is the craving. What would be better than to top it off with our very own Malai, Kesar Kulfi. After all, how can Desi-style Euro food be complete without a traditional Indian dessert?

 

P.S: When you know you’re going in for a heavy meal, try not wearing jeans. Sweat pants or pajamas are a good idea, if you’re planning to stretch that meal just a little bit, minus the feeling that your buttons will pop-out any minute!

Eid Biryani and Thereafter….

When the Maulvi announced the arrival of Eid, I jumped up and down in glee. Some of the best Biryani’s are made during Eid time. It’s usually the case of the aunties competing with each other to make the best Biryani that year. As for me? I prefer to be the judge on that day; it’s one of the most rewarding and satisfying experiences. Anyway, followed by the traditional kofta, roti and chai breakfast,I wolfed down a couple of those delicious Gulab Jamoons my mom sent across. The breakfast is usually ‘light’; we believe in keeping some room for the lunch!

 

Armed with a pack of Eno and some Moov I gingerly stepped outside. Why the ‘Moov’? Ahem… ‘Eid Mubarak!’ my neighbor aunty yelled from across the balcony. This was eventually followed by her hugging me thrice, followed by her daughters-in-law, her grandchildren, and her mother…phew! Hence the ‘Moov’.  A visit to some friends… more Sheer Khurma, Jamoon and the ritualistic hugging… and then? More ‘Moov’. One has to do so much for some Biryani! But I strongly believe that it’s totally worth it.

 

In all my life, I have had the best Biryani only twice. Yes, twice and at two places that couldn’t be more different from each other. For the first one, I paid Rs.45. Unbelievable isn’t it? Try as much, I cannot recollect the name of that little, non-descript place in Chikmaglur. I still remember the fine, non-sticky, perfectly spiced rice, with large chunky pieces of chicken. How I relished it. The waiter at the restaurant was amazed at how quickly I has polished it off, and that I actually managed to leave the plate clean enough to be reused (I sure hope they didn’t do that!). The only other place that cushioned the impact of the bill that followed was Samarkhand. A little heavy on the pocket yes…but for those who have tried the Dum Gosht ki Biryani they swear by it. Even before the Biryani was served, the wafting aroma announced its arrival. As the impeccably dressed waiter sliced open the flour covering, I rubbed by hands in anticipation. Long, aromatic grains of Basmati rice, loaded with rich, lean and marinated pieces of mutton. Now I am not a big fan of mutton, but those heavenly, melt-in-the-mouth pieces totally numbed by senses. If I was to write my will that day, I would have happily given everything away. Not an ounce of fat, not an annoying little bone. It was chunky, delicious mutton and rice all the way.

 

That’s reminiscing enough. Let’s get back to the Eid Biryani shall we? I am yet to find the third best Biryani ever, and I hoped this was it. The Biryani was served, along with that was the usual fare of Jamoons, Sheer Khurma, Salad and other sweets that were sure to harden the arteries. The rice and the mutton ratio looked good. ‘Let’s taste’, I thought, heaping some on to my plate. ‘Hmmmm… nice… good masala, decent mutton pieces as well’. After three generous helpings, a couple of Jamoons and other desserts later, I decided that nice as it was, it can be the fifth or fourth best Biryani I have ever had…maybe, not the third. I did not dare say this aloud though, especially not after three generous helpings of everything I could lay my eyes on. This would have ensured a boot meeting my backside, without doubt. All said and done, greed, with a good reason, is a sin in the eyes of every religion. The limitless gorging finally caught up with me that evening. I reached for the Eno and Rantac, just praying for my stomach to stop its summersaults! I promised myself, I would never ever be critical of the Biryanis I eat here on…this was my punishment. And dinner that evening? The humble curd and rice. Speaking of which, I would rate this curd rice a three out of…Ouch Ouch… Okay okay.. no more rating my food. Groan!