It’s the first ‘NY Masala Mama’ get-together after the big write-up in Newsday and the mood is different. Yes, we have tasted fame but we are still the simple, grounded young women who met three years ago with the sole purpose of sharing recipes. There’s excitement in the air; there seems to be an increased sense of camaraderie amongst the Mamas. We are going to have our first photo shoot to take the Masala Mamas to the next level. YES, we have graduated! Lights, camera, action!!!
The kitchen is on FIRE… the Mamas get busy with their preparations, not only to be devoured but also to be dressed up and presented picture perfect for the photo shoot. Kalpana pours over the oven to heat her lentil and oatmeal tikkis (patties) while Jiya grills her masala cheese toast in the toaster oven. Ekta, Sonika, Sonia and Vandana are our brave warriors for the night demonstrating their culinary talents. Ekta whips up salsa verde from scratch with the most adorable tomatillos along with a refried bean and cheese dip. She points out that the refried beans are organic and pure vegetarian for our picky herbivores. Sonika prepares her spinach and mushroom pastry wheels and announces rather nonchalantly that it is her debut venture. Sonia deep-fries her mom’s most delectable tofu/cabbage spring rolls. Vandana obsessively begins to measure each piece of paneer, coating it in a chickpea batter before deep-frying the paneer pakoras. Madhulika and Shalini walk in just in time to offer the perfect antidote to the calorie heavy food: channa salad with pomegranate and corn salad respectively.
Betty and Harshi feverishly sample the delectable food while sipping the heavenly fresh watermelon martinis mustered up by Brooke. As we start to loosen up, the conversation flows with much laughter and cheer. Deepa ends the evening with a delightful demo/display of four ice cream pies all labeled by her eight year old daughter as: Nutty Mama, Sweet Sweet Mama, Milk-n-Cookies Mama and Chocolate Mama… a perfect ending to a great evening. We all go home looking forward to the next Masala Mama get-together. Pack-up and goodnight!
-Jiya
