Photos by Co-host, Harsh.
HOST
CO-HOST
WHERE WE MET
Such a wonderful experience, and a great way to connect with fellow food enthusiasts. I didn’t cook for the meetup this time, but next time I’ll definitely try to cook something up!
Nikhil
Thank you so much for bringing so much good food, and even better thoughts and memories to fill the tummy and mind with. I loved everybody’s food, but dare I say ALL the desserts were at another level.
Mayukh
A heartfelt thank you to The Locavore and all who were there at the Hauz Khas venue. Each one of you was so much fun. I loved the food memories and the yummy food. So glad I joined the group
Archana
The potluck spread at the LFC community table, with tupperware, casseroles, and boxes opened up to reveal beetroot raita, dum aloo, chutneys, rice, cakes, curries, and more.
A member taking centre stage at the LFC, when the ‘Unlikely Friendships’ activity required pairs to create fun recipes with ingredients like laal saag and jaggery, or jackfruit seeds and raw mango.
The Paneer Bati and Sattu Bati pairing. A dish from Bihar and Jharkhand brought by member Mohini, these wholewheat dough balls are stuffed with fillings of spiced paneer and roasted gram flour, then baked until crisp. Served here with an Onion-Tomato Chutney.
MEET YOUR HOST
What does local mean to you?
Food means people, and the people make it ‘local’. Cooking is an act of love, and when approached earnestly, incredible food can come from anywhere. I strongly believe that the pursuit of ‘authenticity’ is the death of good cuisine. Every recipe comes from individuals with diverse life experiences. The legend of the Galouti Kebab being invented for Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula by his khansamas is a quintessential example of this belief. He loved kebabs so much he wanted to eat them even when he was old and toothless. Another instance is the textile mill workers in Mumbai, who craved something filling at the end of a long work day, mashed together leftover vegetables, and ate it with bread, resulting in our beloved Pav Bhaji. Every dish has a story worth finding out about.
One afternoon in Chennai in 2012, my family and I were jolted out of our afternoon naps by incredible tremors. An earthquake had occurred in Indonesia, with the aftershocks being felt in India. After the initial panic, we all evacuated the building. We stood in the parking lot and wondered what to do.
The sky was overcast, and tension was thick in the air, reminiscent of the time immediately before the tsunami of 2004. The tremors stopped as suddenly as they started. We gradually trickled back into our own homes.
The atmosphere at home was somber. We were all sitting solemnly at the dining table. Amidst this, my grandmother slowly ambled towards the balcony, looked up at the grey skies, and said, “Shall I fry up some bhajji?” Her sheer nonchalance cut through the tension leaving us dumbfounded before we all started laughing. The bhajjis were crispy and delicious.
Nungu or Ice Apple. It has a subtle flavour, very refreshing.
Wrapping apples in strips of cheese slices, as a healthy(ish?) late night snack.
Moving beyond monthly potluck meetups to unconventional food walks where we collectively try new places together and support local eateries.