Thursday, February 28, 2008

‘Dawat E Kushi’ cooking demo at hubli by Mrs.Tarla Dalal


“Tarla Dalal” a culinary expert name so famous and so well known in India
needs no introduction by anyone. Under the banner of ‘Ladies Circle’, when we circlers decided to call Mrs.Tarla Dalal to Hubli, we were quite hesitant that she would accept our proposal to come to Hubli?

We coordinated with Mrs. Sapna Kamdar, nutritionist (tarladalal.com) with whose support and co-ordination this project would not have been possible. Yes, Mrs.Tarla Dalal was coming here for a cause. Ladies Circle No.45 comprises of wives of Round Table Hubli No.37. We are group of 14 Circles who give service to humanity. Whatever funds are raised goes to Charity. Over the last 10 years LC - 45 has done several meaningfull projects like building Classrooms, Kitchenette’s, Bathrooms and many educational projects to name a few.

Mrs.Tarla Dalal willingly accepted our proposal without any fee. Our
circlers enthusiastically started working towards this Mega project with all small detailing. Hubli being a small town the News of Mrs.Tarla Dalal classes conducted in Hubli was the talk of the town and was much awaited by everyone. Tickets were sold in no time.

On 17th Feb 2008 with little anxiousness a few bunch of circlers went to the
airport to receive her. Within minutes of her arrival her sweet & kind
nature made all of us comfortable. She stayed with us in our house. My joy knew no bounds and I tried my best to make her comfortable. We arranged for a typical South Indian Brahmin style lunch served on a banana leaf, which was enjoyed by all.


On 18th the day started with delicious breakfast at Chairperson Smita Dubeer’s house. Yummy Dosa’s & Idli’s with mouthwatering hot Sambar started
our day with a good note. Later in the early afternoon a programme on “Health – Small steps big rewards” was conducted by Dr.C S Patil in a school, where Mrs.Tarla Dalal gave a talk to parents and children on Obesity and Diabetes.


Several questions were asked by the children, very soon we could see a long queue of children standing to meet Mrs.Tarla Dalal and asking innocent questions. She was so touched by the innocence of the children. After a delicious lunch, we hurried to our Demo Venue, where we soon started off with the demonstration.


Lovely 4 Party cooking recipes were demonstrated by Mrs.Tarla. The audience too asked their queries, all in all the participants went home satisfactorily with beautiful memories in their mind.

All of us are great fans of her. Mrs.Tarla Dalal’s magnetic personality has
touched all our hearts and we are very thankful to her for all her efforts she’s put in to make our project a Grand Success. It is a lifetime remembrance for all of us Circler’s and to all the people of Hubli who got the opportunity of attending her live show.

Thank you very much, mam.

Jyoti Bidasaria
Ladies circle, Hubli


PANEER AND CORN QUESADILLAS

Preparation time: 20 minutes. Cooking time: 30 minutes. Makes 6

6 flour tortillas, recipe below

To be mixed into a stuffing
½ cup cooked corn, slightly crushed
½ cup finely chopped green, red and yellow capsicum
½ cup crumbled paneer
½ cup cooking cheese
1 green chilli, finely chopped
1 tomato without the pulp, chopped
Salt to taste

For the flour tortillas
¾ cup wheat flour (gehun ka atta)
1½ cups plain flour (maida)
4 teaspoons oil
½ teaspoon salt

Other ingredients
Oil for cooking

For the flour tortillas
1. Mix the flours, oil and salt and make a dough by adding enough warm water.
2. Knead the dough well and keep aside for 30 minutes. Knead again.
3. Depending on the diameter you require for the dish, roll out the dough into 150 mm (.6") diameter thin rounds with the help of a little flour.
4. Cook lightly on a tava (griddle) and keep aside.

How to proceed
1. When you want to serve, spread a little stuffing on one half of a tortilla. Fold to get a half moon shape and press well so that they stick. Cook on a tava (griddle) spreading a little oil on both sides. Cook until crisp.
2. Cut into pieces and serve hot.

ROSTI PIZZAS

Preparation Time: 15 minutes. Cooking Time: 15 minutes. Serves 8.
Baking Time: 20 minutes. Baking Temperature: 200°C (400°F).

4 medium potatoes
½ cup chopped onions
1 teaspoon finely chopped green chillies
2 cups boiled mixed vegetables (broccoli, corn, baby corn, etc.) cut into cubes
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ cup fresh cream (rich cream)
¼ cup grated mozzarella cheese
2 teaspoons butter
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

For the tomato sauce
4 large tomatoes
1 bayleaf (tejpatta)
4 to 6 peppercorns
½ cup finely chopped onions
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
2 teaspoons sugar
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon olive oil or oil
Salt to taste

Other ingredients
Oil for greasing

For the tomato sauce
1. Put the tomatoes in a vesselful of boiling water for 10 minutes.
2. Peel, cut into quarters and deseed the tomatoes.
3. Chop finely and keep the tomato pulp aside.
4. Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the bayleaf and peppercorns and sauté for a few seconds.
5. Add the onions and garlic and sauté for a few minutes.
6. Add the tomato pulp and allow it to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce reduces a little.
7. Add the sugar and salt and simmer for some more Time.
8. Finally, add the oregano and mix well. Remove the bayleaf and peppercorns and discard. Keep aside.

How to proceed
1. Parboil the potatoes peel and allow them to cool.
2. Heat a small non-stick pan, add the butter and sauté the onions and green chillies.
3. Grease a 250 mm. diameter baking dish and spread the sautéed onions and green chillies at the base.
4. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper and then grate the potatoes evenly over it.
5. Arrange a layer of vegetables over the potato layer and sprinkle salt, pepper and oregano over it.
6. Pour the tomato sauce over the vegetable layer and finally a layer of cream.
7. Top with cheese and bake in a pre-heated oven for about 15 minutes.
Serve hot.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Tarla's visit to "Wild Dinning"



The best escape route from the hassles of the city is the nearest hill station hoping for a nearer acquaintance with the environment. Nature has become a far cry in this bustling metropolitan. But there are places which still hold on to their soils and roots and make it a welcoming gesture for people looking for a respite.

On a quest to explore such venues Mrs.Tarla Dalal came across a very unique concept in Andheri on friday, 8th feb 2008. A restaurant which had a theme of forest and called wild dining…and as the name suggests it takes you to a ride through the jungle.



The entire restaurant takes you through the primitive settlement of the tribal with caves made of rocky walls; statues of wild animals and mannequin of cave men…even the waiters were dressed in khaki uniforms. The ambience of the restaurant flaunted the jungle look with sounds of roaring animals, chirping birds, elephants blaring .Rather than being scary they transformed you a bit closer to the nature in its raw form. Exactly how the owner, Mr.Sanjay Pratap had imagined while shaping up his dream into reality. Hospitable hosts, Sanjay and his wife joined along for this adventure and made it thoroughly enjoyable experience for Mrs. Dalal and me.



Even the food did not fail to impress us. We relished on a variety of delicacies ranging from starters, soups, followed by pizzas, nachos, main course, sweets and a variety of desserts. A round of tasting each and every dish left us totally satisfied and satiated. Mrs. Dalal rated the dishes 8 on a scale of 10 complimenting the chef for a wonderful dine.

It not only turned out to be a great expedition (which would cost you just somehwere bewteen Rs. 275 to 350/-per head) roaming the forest but the result was discovering a place close to the real home away from concretes and bricks.

I am sure all you foodies must have explored exciting places like this, do feel free to share your experieces with us...

Sapna Kamdar
Nutrtionist
www.tarladalal.com