Today’s class was all about Indian gravies! We learnt to use the Masala Blends from last week’s class, how to make basic Indian masala pastes and cook them into yummy dishes that you often see in North Indian restaurants.

India is a large subcontinent and each region has its own distinct cuisine and flavours. Quite a firm dividing line between North and South India. North Indian food tends to be richer using more nuts and dairy products in its curries and less direct spice compared to South India.

Staples in North Indian cuisine prep seems to be ginger, garlic paste, garam masala and tomato.

Back to class. We made a Makhanwala gravy also known as Makhni or Butter Masala, a Handi gravy (more brown) and a curry. The Makhanwala gravy was used to make Paneer Makhanwala and also a Chicken Makhanwala (same gravy different core ingredients). The Handi became a Soya Chunk and Mushroom Handi which could easily be replaced with Paneer or any vegetable. Then we made a North Indian style Chicken Curry-gravy can be used for Paneer also.

Also learnt a new Raita-a yummy Burhani Raita made with fried garlic and mint. Lastly we learnt to make a Missi Roti, a savory Indian bread made with Chickpea, Atta and Maida flour.

Tears were flowing due to the copious amount of onions that had to be chopped before class! Good practice of those knife skills and I am still a knife virgin!

We finally finished lunch at 2 and took our photos and ravenously ate them all up for a hearty lunch!

While we had lunch, 2 of our fellow students, Bavika and Vilinka shared some of their own home made lunch. Bavika shared her semolina idlis and coconut chutney (pic below-of whatever was left of it). It was absolutely yummy-move aside cycle walla!

Vilinka had a Kala Channa (Black Channa peas) savory stir fry that she brought from home too. Simple stir fry with tomato and some masala. Also yummy and healthy too!

Simple meals shared! The fellow students are coming to realise that I am on the hunt for authentic food and they are happy to share their dishes with me which is a great blessing!

We spent the afternoon making Chocolate cakes (eggless and egged) in preparation for tomorrow’s decoration class. I have been tasked to go early to class and prepare the ganache so better wrap this up and head out!