Tag: the fusspot

Fish Alberas

Makes 4 servings. Fish Alberas [uhl-bay-russ] is a signature dish of the Bene Israel; an Indian-Jewish community believed to have arrived in the 1st or 2nd century, after their ancestors were shipwrecked on the western coast of India. Influenced by Konkan cuisine and the Marathi tongue, the ‘al’ refers to ginger and the ‘ras’ refers […]

Indo-Thai Khow Suey

Makes 4-6 servings. Khow Suey or ohn no khao swè is a curry based noodle soup that is topped with a variety of condiments. Brought to the subcontinent during WWII by migrants from Myanmar (then Burma), no one Khow Suey is alike. Some are distinctly Indian, some reflect Pakistani influences, others stay true to their […]

Devil’s Food Cake

Makes a two-tiered 9 inch layered cake. There’s chocolate cake, and then there’s this chocolate cake; a heavenly creation that merits unwavering worship. Possessing a moist, airy crumb and a bitter-sweet creamy ganache—by some supernatural force—it is at once light and darkness. One bite will send your conscience into battle. Can something this good, be […]

Chicken & Couscous

Makes 4-6 servings. I discovered this dish when I was 18, exactly 18 years ago. Back then, it distinctly belonged to Southern Europe. Over time, it has evolved into a stateless island, influenced by all the lands that touch the Mediterranean Sea between Morocco and Turkey. Here, cinnamon is friends with saffron. Cumin hangs out […]

Sweet Curd Brûlée

Makes 6 servings. This Diwali, I played with fire and torched something sweet. My target? Sweet curd—or as it is better known, mishti doi. An intensely popular Bengali dessert, it is made by fermenting caramel-tinted, reduced milk. Traditional mishti doi does not contain cardamom, jaggery, or nuts—and is perfect, without the bells and whistles. In […]

Goan Chorise Chili

Makes 4-6 servings. One lazy winter evening, I was rummaging around in the fridge and saw some leftover rajma curry and day-old stir fried carrots and beans. Sigh. Then I spotted a chain of Goan sausages, and thought, huh, that stuff can zhuzh up anything. Thus was born my Goan Chorise chili. A one-pot wonder […]

Blue Velvet Cake

Makes a three-tiered 6 inch layered cake. You’ve heard of Red Velvet. She’s passionate and all the rage at parties. This is her introvert cool blue friend from another trend. Just like his more outgoing ruby peer; he too carries a buttermilk moistened crumb and background notes of cocoa. He too is sweet, he too […]

Bhog’er Payesh

Makes 4-6 servings. In Bengal, the humble rice pudding is synonymous with auspiciousness. From grand weddings and religious rituals to quieter personal milestones, a spoonful of payesh can transform any occasion into a celebration. Every Bengali has their own beloved family recipe. Comprising just a few choice ingredients, this one was passed down by my […]

Bengali Mustard Chicken

Makes 3-4 servings. As a Bong living in Bombay, I frequently crave Bengali cuisine. Especially during the festival of Durga Puja. And there’s nothing more quintessential to Bengal than a mustard based curry. However you choose to receive her, this golden goddess carries a sharp trident, ferociously poised to strike you in the nose. The […]

Basque Burnt Cheesecake

Makes one 8 inch cake. If you love a good flan or crème caramel, this effortless dessert is right up your alley. Those seeking the real deal—truth be told—this one’s more custard than cheesecake. In fact, with its silky texture, mellow vanilla notes, and bitter-sweet top, you’ll feel like you’re eating a firmly set crème […]