New York Kati Roll Company: A Narrative

Any time we embark on a travel journey, the first thing I fancy about is what will I be eating? It took me a while to accept that being in a different country, I will not be at the liberty of sampling food which have a home style flavour. However after some time now; albeit after a long hiatus of cribs, acceptance and complaints I have become more open-minded to world cuisines and look to sample all of them. I enjoy Spanish Tapas, Mexican Qesadillas, Turkish Dolmas, Japanese Sushi and Kimchi sauce, New York Falafel Sandwiches, Chinese Bubble Tea with the same passion and zest as I love food from Konkan and other regional geographies of India. I think we all take our time and space to adapt to a new a new environment and dwell into the quagmires of the pleasure and displeasures it brings along.

Apart from Konkani, another regional cuisine which I have been fascinated with is Bengali cuisine. The dominant reason being the ample doses of stories about Bengal which I have been fed upon by my father since I was toddler barely learning the ABC's. My father holds a philosophy which is so dear to his heart and I feel a strong desire to relinquish and demystify it on this blog. He always felt and still feels that Konkanis have a closer association with Bengal region because we had our habitat on the banks of Saraswati river in Bengal region. Later owing to migration, all Konkanis migrated to the Konkan region now. Quite ironical though some of closest friends are from Bengal region. I also found quite a lot of similarities between lot of Konkani and Bengali dishes. Begun ar Karela Bhaaja, Shukto, Paanta Bhaat, Aam Tok, Aloo Chorchori, Payesh to name a few.

I am also quite to open to experimenting now and like to sample and relish cuisines from different regions without any bias of taste. I was citing once to P that I am big fan of Kati Rolls and want to try and make it some day. He informed me about this quaint place in Greenwich village (Near McDougal street), New York called The Kati Roll Company. You can also check their site here. Most of our friends love this place and they say that this comes closes to Indian flavours and I think I agree with that. When we visited this place last time around, I was simply blown over by the taste of their rolls. Simple. Tasty. Biteful of flavours. One of its kind.

The place welcomes you with an array of Posters from Bollywood. I clicked some snaps and posting them without permission (the flash plonked on couple of pictures, forgot to turn off the flash - you see my food was inviting me and I was greedy, but is still worth a post and all that I have). What caught my eye was their unique menu. Its funny and creative come to think of it. The place is run by Bengali speaking individuals and you can get your Kati custom made to suit your taste buds. I sampled Egg Roll and Paneer Roll. Though I must say I prefer their Egg rolls and Paneer rolls to Chicken and Shaami rolls. The taste was nice, cheesy, well cooked roti and the succulent filling added to the charm (I took a bite from P's). We both loved the place. Its quite close to New York University owing to which the place attracts lot of student population as well.

One gets a very nostalgic feel when you sit on the sturdy wooden bench, admire the Bollywood poster and Shammi Kapoor smiling at you at Kati Roll Company. What better ending than a happy tummy and mouthful of Indian flavours.

Ganesh Pooja in India: A Memoir

(Ganesh Pooja Memoir was just too huge a post. So thought of posting it separately. Special thanks to my friends S and N from Goa who were kind enough to share their pictures from their personal family collection. I appreciate their enthusiasm in sharing the rich culture and local festivities with the rest of the world)

While I was cooking, I tried to recall the wonderful moments I've spent at Udupi & Goa, my two native places helping my granny and other aunts, elder ladies prepare Modak, Karanji, Phodi. It also took me back to the gigantic Ganpati processions we used to yearn to visit and see in Goa and Mumbai.

All the major places of celebration in Metro, have Saarvajanik Ganpati. This concept of mass celebration was initiated by famous social worker Lokmanya Tilak. Gigantic sized statue of the lord is placed at a central point of vicinity in the town/ city/ metro. The Ganpati's here are kept for worship for around 7, 11 or 21 days. One famous example of this community style celebration of Ganpati would be Dagdusheth Ganpati at Pune, Maharashtra. While in Goa, we never had Ganpati at our home, we used to rejoice visiting all the Saarvajanik Ganpatis. I used to regret that we never had an opportunity to invite the Lord to our place. Here below is a picture of Mass Ganpati Immersion held by the banks of Betim River, Panjim - Goa.

In Konkani custom, the intial day celebration is known as Teyi/ Vainaa Pooja. This day holds symbolic significance for married women and we mark the celebration with Decorative Coconuts or Vainaa which are offered to married ladies once pooja is performed. This is also called as Gauri Pooja.

On the main day, the place of worship is decorated with Maan-tav (konkani term for an elevated decorated plank full of fruits, vegetables and things which Lord loves which is elevated at 1 feet distance from the Lord's idol) or Maatholi (Goan konkani term for the elevated decorated plank). As kids we used to spend hours together helping uncles and elders build the Maan-tav. I used to love handing over the fruits and pondering why Lord needs so much of fruits. Mom's answer was simple, "Lord has a big appetite". I smile today thinking of all the funny moments we used to enjoy during festivities.

Ganpati idol is bought from the vendor, traditional Ja-gaan-ta, Shanka-vaadya is performed and the lord is ushered in. There are two Arathi (konkani term for prayers and hymns offered to the lord) sessions which takes place one in the noon and another one during the night. After Arathi, there are three Keli paan (term for plaintain leaf) which have food laid out on it. These are also called as Devaa/ Parbey Paan, and is offfered as Naivedyam (term for holy home cooked food offering) to lord. We make Khotte/ Hittu (Rice dumplings steamed in Jackfruit leaves), Tomato Saaru-Sheet (Rice-Rasam: a soupy curry of lentils, coriander leaves, tomatoes and spices), Phodi (5 types of vegetable fritters), Modak (steamed dumpling stuffed with Jaggery and spices), Karanji/ Nevri (semi-circle savoury sweet stuffed with Semolina and Cashew nuts), Poori (deep fried Indian flatbread), Usal (white peas cooked in Coconut and spices), Patrodey (a pin wheel roll of Calocasia leaves smeared with Rice-Chilli paste and steamed and served), Koshambari (light salad), Payasam (Vermicelli Indian sweet dish) and the main prasad - Godu Phovu (Flattened rice treated with Jaggery, Coconut and Spices).

Some traditional konkani houses have the concept of Mool Ghar. Individuals who come under this clan, have their traditional homes where the Ganpati is worshipped; during festivities they come together as families and worship the Lord together. These houses are huge and belong to the family legacy. This is also a good opportunity to meet long lost cousins, aunts, uncles and loads of Pan-chaa-rika (famous konkani term for gossip and chit-chat). :)

The festival food is a banquet and we used to enjoy eating the food as kids and even as teenagers and adults. Once Arathi is done, everyone enjoys the festival food and Parbey Paan food is partaked by youngest kids from family. We used to keep Ganpati for a single day at my Granny's place however some individuals keep the Ganpati idol for 1.5 days, 7 days and some even 21 days. I do know the logic to this however presume there is some rationale and science behind this. Post second Arathi, which generally happens at mid-night we used to head to the local Ba-ye-ee (konkani term for well) in the vicinity of our house and immerse the Lord's idol. The lord is ushered with traditional Jagaanta vaadya, Shankavaadya, Ghantaa vaadya. The well where the idol is immersed is prayed and blessed and then the idol is immersed in the well. This marks the end of the Chaturthi festival.

I always have a lump in my throat when the idol is immersed. Its a good bye to the Lord only with a promise that we would meet him again next year and celebrate the festival with songs of praise, food, crackers and lots of love.

Ganpathi Bappa Moryaa!!! (Praise the lord)

Flan @ Mexican Flavours

Right from childhood I have been a foodie and associate many of the beautiful places I have travelled to with F.O.O.D. Yes! That is right, Food is what makes me smile, rejoice long lost moments, enjoy life and takes me to cloud nine without any doubt.

Fairly recently, I sampled this dessert termed as Flan. The dish is one of the signature dishes of Mexico. Its very similar to Pudding and has a creamy taste. Flan is eaten with great elan and pride by fellow Mexicans. Be it Fried Beans, Mushrooms Wraps, Seared Cactus simply washed down with abundant helpings of Blue Agave Tequila. It is one place where nature is in its best form and the time spent is certainly something one can relinquish for years to come!!

Amen to the good life, love and companionship!!!

Blossom Tea @ San Francisco

"San Francisco itself is art, above all literary art. Every block is a short story, every hill a novel. Every home a poem, every dweller within immortal. That is the whole truth." ~ William Saroyan

During our recent trip to San Francisco, one of our very close friend, R took us to a very quaint restaurant - The House of Nanking. The restaurant located on Kearny Street (between Jackson St. and Columbus Ave) is a quaint, tiny, no frills restaurant. The finest part of this restaurant is the space is hardly two-room setup, the place has stacked boxes of pantry within the eating space and around the cash register. The ambience is very rustic. Lights are dim and give you a feel of the old-world charm.

We found this amazing drink there known as the Blossom Tea. Served in large beer mugs with abundant helpings of warm water, the tiny blossom blooms as time passes and within half an hour, there is a mighty jasmine blossom staring in your face. One of the best things I have experienced in my culinary journeys thus far. The tiny plant oozing out bathing happily in warm water is truly a sight to see. I checked with my friends later and came to know that the Chinese Blossom Tea - Blossoms are available at Chinese grocery stores like Lion.

Welcome Spring!!!!

(SOPT IT: Spot a chipmunk couple hidden in the photo :)))

Finally!!!! Spring has arrived!!! Its bright and sunny!!!

Birds and flowers coming in from everywhere!!!

There is chirp, rustling and a little bit of zing!!!

Spring is "IN" my friend!!

Jalapeno Cheese and French Wine

"The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for" goes Allan K. Chalmers.

There are times when we all get busy with the day to day affairs. From cooking breakfast to cleaning, work, lunch, shopping, errands to run, office duties, conference calls, meetings, hurry curry dinners. Stop!!! Are you taking your me-time for yourself and your loved ones!!! Today P and I enjoyed our sweet me-time with some exotic french wine and yummy Jalapeno Jack Cheese picked by P himself. The taste was amazing. We threw in some crackers for extra punch and the evening was some. Aptly accompanied with some soft numbers to be concluded as a "wonderful evening".