Diwali to be celebrated at Whole Foods in Minneapolis - spoiler alert...

If you are anywhere close to Minneapolis, MN, around Oct 22, 2011, you might want to stop by the local Whole Foods to get a cooking class and try the sample dinner...but if you are Indian, and read the description of what is being offered, not sure if you would be that excited...

"Traditional Festive Indian Cooking Class/Dinner Thandai – Nectar of the Gods made with sweetened milk, almonds and saffron. Onion Bhajias – the classic onion ring made the Indian way – with a chick pea tempura Nut Studded Chicken Korma  – A stunning entrée of creamy chicken in a korma sauce, generously dotted with dried fruits and nuts! Elaichi Pulao – Basmati Rice pilaf delicately scented with the queen of spices – cardamom! Aloo Fry – Spicy stir fry of cubed potatoes – a traditional Indian fare. Shahi Badami Burfi --  Almond fudge, A must have dessert/sweet that is relished and given away in gift boxes during Diwali..."

Someone's creative juices were sure in overdrive...

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Sanjeev Kapoor: the chef who's one in a million

Sanjeev Kapoor: the chef who's one in a million | Life and style | The Observer:

"The irony in India is that those interested in cooking are those who have the least need to do it. Most Indian middle class homes have both a full-time maid and cook. This means complicated architecture for new apartments, with two kitchens built into many designs: an open American kitchen for the owner and a closed-off Indian kitchen for the staff."

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Importance of food in world's religions

The status of food, at least in the developed countries, has been elevated form a basic necessity to an object of pleasure, to a sport, and to a series of interpretations by various cultures - witness the rise of the Cooking Channels. And now, there is a renewed twist on food - the spiritual twist...
Food in religion is nothing new - ancient religions incorporated certain practices about food in their rituals - not to eat certain types of food for a certain group of people, e.g. Jews or Christians, or to abstain from certain foods on certain days. Initially, there must have been a reason for these, as there were no methods of refrigeration and preservation of food - for example, not eating easy to spoil food items like dairy or eggs on certain days, fasting, vegetarianism, or not using stimulants - but over time, these were modified and became a way of life. Sharing or donation of food was incorporated into our rituals as well, and those practices continue to the modern day.
There is an initiative under way called Holy Kitchens, which examines the commonality of the role of food in world's religions. From their site, "Sharing food is as old as time itself and an inseparable part of the human experience. When we share food in a spiritual setting we imbue it with meaning that draws us closer to our creator and closer to each other. A simple dish of lentils becomes much more than a simple bowl of food. It becomes spiritual sustenance that elevates our consciousness..."


Interesting concept, and thought provoking...click here for coverage in the WSJ

Teaching Americans Not to Be Afraid of Cooking Indian Food

Teaching Americans Not to Be Afraid of Cooking Indian Food - India Real Time - WSJ

The popularity of Indian food is growing in the US - with more and more DIY products showing up in places like Whole Foods and a variety of people showing up on Food Network, with their versions of pure Indian and or the hybrid Indo-American dishes.


So will we see another Rachel Ray emerging from the Aarti Party show, with "Sloppy Bombay Joes"?

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The killer curry challenge – Eatocracy - CNN.com

The killer curry challenge – Eatocracy - CNN.com Blogs

No comments.

You try, you think you are invincible, you suffer.

Don't mess with this curry.

Desi supper clubs?

Indian supper clubs tickle the American palate - Hindustan Times

What a concept! We all have heard of the underground, impromptu dinners in closed down restaurants, but not really with a desi twist. Wonder what the liability could be, for someone who had extra spicy Bhartha? (remember the woman suing McDonald's for hot coffee burning her legs?)

But oh well...as long as it raises the awareness, its all good..