Daal (lentils)
was a staple food in our home growing up. We ate Daal at least once a week. First, it would fly solo with some rice and chapatti. Then, the leftovers served as a side to compliment other dishes for the remainder
of the week. It was like the dish that just kept giving and giving and giving. Reflecting back on those weekly Daal days, it was amazing how 1 cup of
daal could be part of our family meals for multiple days. A little sure went along way! Not
only in quantity, but also nutritionally. And all this for not a ton
of cash! I can see myself going
down the philosophical path on the karmic value of this staple Indian/Pakistani
dish, so I think I better stop myself before I begin to ramble and forget my
point. However, before I get to it, I also have to mention the numerous types
of daals and the variety of recipes that are floating in this ether. My imagination
can only ponder so far when I begin thinking about the regional differences and
then break it down further by city, then town, then village, then neighbor and faith.
It’s endless. All I know is I want
to try as many Daals as I can in my lifetime! This being said, I also want to share
the Daals I grew up eating, many of which I have yet to see in Northern
California Indian or Pakistani restaurants. So, in addition to serving up my favorite Daals when i pop open the café,
in July Chit Chaat Chai’ will also hold a 3-part cooking series on you guessed
it – DAAL!
The 3-part cooking
series will be held on 3 consecutive Thursdays beginning, July 12th,
2012 at 6:30pm in Oakland. Each class will demonstrate how to cook one of my
three favorite Daal recipes beginning with quick and easy Daal and ending with a
more complex Daal. In addition to sharing my three favorite Daal
recipes, each class will also discuss the medicinal benefits of the spices and Ayurvedic (a 5000 year old Indian veda meaning "the science of life") principles in relation to food, the seasons and our eating/cooking
practices. After the demo and interactive discussion we will sit down together and enjoy a meal in good
spirit! All are welcome to join, no matter what your skill level.
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