The Indian Pantry

Juli Sahni, cookbook author and Indian chef extraordinaire, will be here Wednesday, December 10th to teach a class on the seductions of Indian cooking. I can say "seductions," with Indian food, because more than almost any other cuisine, Indian food is intriguing, complex and mysterious. Every dish consists of many layers of flavor, a medley of spices and a range of textures. When I cook Indian food, I love how it fills my house with a spicy aroma that can make my eyes water. Learning to use spices properly, to create authentic curries and to maximize flavor using aromatics and infused oils takes some time, and a good teacher. Julie has had years of experience, including writing several cookbooks and owning two restaurants. Her class will have the atmosphere of a festive dinner party, complete with food, wine, and a shared table.

If you're tempted by all of this delicious sounding food, but can't wait until the 10th of December- have no fear. Leena Ezekiel, our "mistress of curries" will be here November 6th. Leena is a long-time teacher for In Good Taste, and is enormously popular. It's not hard to see why. Her infectious smile, wealth of knowledge and approachable teaching style are irresistible. Her November 6th class focuses on the different regional curries of India. The hands-on class features a menu of Daab Chingri (Large shrimp cooked with mustard in the water of a tender coconut), Madras Chicken Kari (Tender pieces of chicken thighs cooked in coconut milk and flavored with curry leaves), )Palak Daal), Yellow Mung Beans cooked with fresh spinach and flavored with mild spices and ghee, Idlis, (Steamed Rice and Lentil Batter Cakes) and creamy Raita (Cucumber and Yogurt Salad).

Join Leena for this adventure to India. It'll take you away from the cold November rain into the warm world of spices. And don't forget to save the date for Julie's class next month. It'll add a spark to your December!

Happy Eating!
-Josie