Upcoming Sessions this Summer

 Curry Flavors is happy to conduct sessions  and offer you Indian cuisine classes in Jersey City 

Lesson 1 Beginner's Session:  26 July 2013, 10.00 a.m to 12.30 p.m
2 .5 hours

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Description: Beginner's Session will attempt to explain the fundamentals of Indian Vegetarian Cuisine. In it we introduce the basic concepts of Baghar or tempering and the role of some key ingredients that underlie the cuisine. Simple, uncomplicated recipes will be explored making it a winsome experience. To find out more, click  http://curryflavors.blogspot.com/2011/12/lesson-1-beginners-session.html

Lesson 2 Spice-Of-Life: 2 .5 hours TBD

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Description: Spice-Of-Life will attempt to demystify the spices that go into the Indian curry and provide the fundamentals of simple, everyday home cooking in India. Through Show and Tell, it will teach the essential cooking techniques required to learn this cuisine in a simple and effective manner.To find out more, click http://curryflavors.blogspot.com/2011/12/lesson-2-spice-of-life.html

Note: To fully understand the nuances of Lesson 2, taking Lesson 1, Beginner's Session is  recommended

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Lesson 3 Mumbai Magic: 2 hours (TBD)

Description: To capture the pulsating mood of the streets of Mumbai and celebrate the resilience of the Mumbai spirit, Curry flavors introduces the popular streetfood. Hors d'oeuvre/ tapas/ mezze/zensai…call it what you want, it’s the finger-licking, hugely satisfying, richly rewarding food-on-the-move.

Mumbai Magic will discuss recipes that you can replicate without the sweat and toil to make your menu a coveted conversation piece!

For details click on http://curryflavors.blogspot.com/2012/03/mumbai-magic-celebrating-street-food.htmlcontact: curryflavors@gmail.com

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaggieb/

Curry Kids 

Have a kid who loves to cook or one going off to college? Want to teach him/her some essential home cooking skills? Here is an ideal workshop to be held in the Summer.

For more details, email curryflavors@gmail.com

NEW! Curry Flavors Events:

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'Custom' sessions put together for small groups of friends to celebrate/ share an occasion. Birthdays, Farewells, Congratulatory get-togethers, any reason to spend an intimate afternoon with someone special. To find out more, click http://curryflavors.blogspot.com

/2012/02/commensaltity-special-bond-between.html

Dates & Menus are flexible. Weekends included.

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For details contact: curryflavors@gmail.com

Mumbai Magic: Celebrating Street Food

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaggieb/.  

The Lesson will feature : Vegetable Bhajiyas,Bombay Sandwiches, Chana Masala ( spiced chick-peas), Papdi-Chaat ( Crisps in tangy yogurt sauce) along with the sweet sour tamarind chutney and finger-licking cilantro chutneys.* and will discuss recipes that you can replicate without the sweat and toil to make your menu a coveted conversation piece. 

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaggieb/.  

Class will be hands-on, where you learn to assemble, arrange, stack and spice up appetisers. I will also share Retail Information: How to go Indian Grocery Shopping. Which brands to buy and from where ?
All you want to know about Indian Grocery Shopping ( but were afraid to ask !) 

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Click on the following links to see for yourself the popularity of this cuisine  

http://www.cnngo.com/mumbai/tags/mumbai-street-food

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 http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaggieb/.  

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/video/2012/mar/01/mumbai-best-street-food-video

*Menu's are subject to change due to availability of ingredients and/or at chef's discretion

The theme will be 'Bollywood', so everyone can dress up in an Indian outfit or embellishment: tunics, scarves, jewelry, slippers, bags etc.Enjoy the food in the ambient setting of Bollywood music

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaggieb/.  

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaggieb/.  

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Commensality, the special bond between people who eat together.

Commensality (n.) is defined as fellowship at table; the act or practice of eating at the same table.

(http://thinkexist.com/dictionary/meaning/commensality/).

In today’s world, it’s a dying practice, a forgotten ritual. Immersed in our busy, ‘individual’ lives, we can easily drift away from the ones we care most about. Those dinner time moments when we teased and played, when we shared our feelings and communicated are becoming part of a distant past. This is when today's malaise, loneliness and isolation can take root which is why it is so important to revive this old ‘tradition’ of commensality.

Curry Flavors Events has been launched to revive this spark.  It is an invitation to embark on a culinary journey to forge strong ties and add flair and flavor to your special moments.

Curry Flavors Events are sessions put together for small groups of friends to celebrate/ share an occasion. Birthdays, Farewells, Graduation, Congratulatory get-togethers, any reason to spend an intimate afternoon with someone special. 

These events are carefully tailored to meet food preferences, presentation style and group size. I discuss table settings, ingredients, cooking processes and conduct a full demonstration. Of course, everyone enjoys the lunch.

The all-important cultural insights session is enjoyed by all as I share some lesser known 'nuggets' of Asia.

If you are planning a special event, come talk to me and I will work with you to put together something that is unique and unforgettable.

 Contact me on curryflavors@gmail.com

Cultural Cognizance has made me the Reluctant Raconteur

What are the various flavors of Curry Flavors? Sure there are the ones that emanate from the zesty ingredients we use or those that ooze from the simple cooking processes. But to make Curry Flavors more experiential, more enriching and definitely more empowering, there are the cultural flavors that I introduce to each session.

What is the significance of a banana leaf within the Indian cultural ethos or why is the ‘haldi’ (turmeric) ritual significant on an Indian Wedding?

What is the true reason that makes the simple ‘bindi',  an Indian Woman’s concealed energy and why are the ornate head-to-toe jewelry pieces that an Indian bride wears, her currency to ultimate freedom?

Through story-telling and dialogue, Curry Flavors seeks to explore and unravel the true significance of some cultural elements. The universality of the themes will surprise you, so come for the food but stay for the awakening!

From My Curry House to Yours

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I have often been asked “Hey Anita, can you tell me about a good Curry House here in Houston?” Many of my Brit friends confess that whilst in Houston, they miss curry the most. In fact one of them even told me that she looks forward to going back to the UK because she can have curry!! That is so believable! Curry is so much part of the British Heritage that the Chicken Tikka Masala is considered Britain’s National Dish ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tikka_masala) replacing the humble Fish and Chips.

And an American friend told me that she was introduced to Curry only a couple of years back (!!!).”Imagine all those years wasted because I had not discovered Chicken Curry”, she groaned! To make up for time lost, she said she craves it all the time, even including it on the family Christmas Dinner.

So when I am asked to recommend a ‘good’ Curry House, I calmly tell them, “It’s in your own house!”

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I conducted the Spice-Of-Life Sessions last week to a full house. They were energetic and lengthy (remember no curry in a hurry!) as we went through the process in copious detail. The recipe and the spices unraveled themselves, revealing all those hidden therapeutic secrets held within. Who could think that bright yellow turmeric (curcumin) had the power to stave off deadly forms of cancer or that coriander could keep that blood sugar from soaring (anti-diabetic)? That capsaicin (chilly powder) actually released endorphins that gives us that OMG ! feeling. The list was endless: (http://www.doctormurray.com/books/the-encyclopedia-of-healing-foods/).

The vegetarian curry was no less popular. Just currying up some vegetables made them appetizing and finger-smacking! Paired with a dal, it’s the ideal protein- vitamin fix. No more boring salads, steamables and supplements when you could simply spice some vegetables up!

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No wonder Curry is addictive and oh-so-flavorful!!!

I went through the origins of Indian cuisine, tracing back its roots to Ayurveda, the ancient treatise on health and longevity. It never ceases to amaze me that more than 5000 years ago, men wandered the forests picking up herbs and fruits, eking out miraculously healing powers from them. http://www.bluelotusayurveda.com/nutrition_art.html . The philosophy that Food (not drugs) is Medicine resonates strongly when endorsed by modern research. It becomes food for thought!

The ultimate validation was when the Dr. OZ show on 20^th January recommended the Indian Diet to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. It was yet another reason to dig in!!!

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So, my friends, whenever you go grocery shopping, buy that bunch of spices and get started on converting your own house into your Curry House.