A Taste of Gujerat….
Last Summer we went to India on holiday. We were lucky enough to have three weeks – one in Kerala, one in Rajasthan and finally in Gujerat where my father comes from. It’s a huge state on the western coast and despite the fact that it has a huge coastline, the food is mainly vegetarian due to the influence of Hindusim. We stayed with my father’s family and the highlight really was watching my aunt and cousin cook. They found this incredibly bizarre but I learned a lot of new dishes – particularly my cousin Hetal’s Chai!
I’m delighted that I’ll be able to share some thoughts about Gujerat, Rajkot, my family and of course our recipes at The Vegetarian Cookery School in Bath. I’ll be teaching a Gujerati Thali course on course on 23 September. You can book online. It really is a wonderful place to learn. Read my Thai Cooking Day post for a flavour of what my course will be like.
…and a taste of everywhere else!
I’d also like to share some pictures of London’s first Taste of India festival which is on today and tomorrow on London’s Southbank. There are some fabulous stalls offering food from all over India. I ate so much last weekend but am ready to go back for more!
Breakfast of Bhel Puri and Pani Puri from Horn OK Please!
Busy prepping for the queues
Bhel Puri
Pani Puri
And then we played a bit of Carom at Carom Cafe. Imagine snooker but with these wooden discs.
Carom in play
Then I really fancied some South India Dosa – this one was using Tilapia…
My Tilapia Dosa from Bangalore Express in the making
My hubby fancied a Lamb Wrap so we headed to Moti Mahal…
This guys has his own spoon drumming technique worth a watch
Hubby's Lamb Wrap
After that it was time for my demo all about using Cardamom for Shrikhand Tarts and Barfi Truffles.
Me on Stage
And on to more food but by this time I had lost track of the order in a food daze!
Malaysian Roti in the making
Samosas
Malaysian Curries bubbling
More Samosas and Onion Bhajias
Lamb Bhajias
Masala Chips
Veggie Roti Wrap
Spring Rolls
and finally some Chai!
It was such a brilliant day chatting to all the traders and inhaling the amazing smells! More photos on my Flickr page.
The festival is open til 8pm today and from 11 til 6pm tomorrow. If you’re still not convinced watch this!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eINHVpTSgY]
Wishing I was in London to
Go. Your photos are making me so hungry. I am hoping to visit India soon. My friends are moving back there this summer.
I promise to write up my India travels soon. Have soo many pics to wade though still.
Oh wow, those look mouth watering! Will have to go to the next one for sure. Gorgeous pics.
Thanks. I think I’m gonna try my own dosa tonight
deeeelicious. my tummy is rumbling as i read your post and see the photos… and oh no, its only 11.15am!
Thank you and so sorry about your tummy rumbles!
Hi Uravashi…Lovely post…Being born in Gujarat (Diu) myself and brought up in Goa I relish the taste of Gujarat Cuisine..It has an array of quick bites and their Thali consist of delicious Dhoklas, Undiyo, Kadi, and many more..Wish I could join The Vegetarian Cookery School in Bath…….Grt!
Oooh we loved Diu – both times we went. My hubby stuck out like a sore thumb being 6ft 3 and white but my girls loved the beaches. We’re hoping to go to Goa next time
OMG my mouth is watering and my tummy is rummbling! My husband is gujerati and we were also able to visit there .. many years ago now. vege gujerati food is very unique and no one cooks it quite as well as my mother-in-law! sadly I’m not close enough to london to visit the food festival … Boohoo! hope you have a good time.
Come along to my class at vegetarian Cookery School in Bath? I’ll teach you and then you can surprise your mother in law 🙂
would love to but bath’s a bit far from Scotland!
You know what Urvashi? I think this festival sounds even better than the Chocolate one – shhhh! Glad to see you are doing a course at the V Cookery School.I loved the one I did there a couple of years ago and would love to come and yours – unlikely, but you never know.
Thanks. I was so full that day! Would love to see you at my class!