Where time stands still
Most Indians
growing up in the 80’s and 90’s are familiar with the distinct sound of Asha
Bhosle. Her unique voice reaches high notes effortlessly and her songs remain
popular to this day.
The songstress shares another completely different passion and it has to do with food. Here is a woman who has belted out a tune for countless Indian films. Who has sung at packed concerts all over the world and is considered the world record holder for her contribution to Indian popular music. When did she find the time to cook, let alone perfect well known Indian dishes?
For most Indian women, cooking is expected to be second nature. We may never want to step in to the kitchen but that’s often a choice they aren’t given. Perhaps this may have been the case with a young Ashaji (ji – is a term of respect Indians give to seniors). It wouldn’t be off the mark to imagine that she would have been expected to learn to cook before she was allowed to become a full-fledged recording artist.
The songstress shares another completely different passion and it has to do with food. Here is a woman who has belted out a tune for countless Indian films. Who has sung at packed concerts all over the world and is considered the world record holder for her contribution to Indian popular music. When did she find the time to cook, let alone perfect well known Indian dishes?
For most Indian women, cooking is expected to be second nature. We may never want to step in to the kitchen but that’s often a choice they aren’t given. Perhaps this may have been the case with a young Ashaji (ji – is a term of respect Indians give to seniors). It wouldn’t be off the mark to imagine that she would have been expected to learn to cook before she was allowed to become a full-fledged recording artist.
The Asha’s
chain of restaurants captures the essence of this Indian nightingale. Its
charming interiors are soothed by a hum of her music playing in the background.
Frequented by locals, Indians and foreigners, one can step in and step back in
time. Of course you must leave your calorie counter at the door.
 |
| Jheenga Jalpari |
Sample the Jheeenga Jalpari which consists of deep fried king prawns stuffed with cheese and prawn chunks coated with bread crumbs and served with sun-dried tomato chutney. Pure heaven in my opinion. Vegetarians can sink their teeth in to a delightful Kofta Kham Khatai, a crispy fried bottle gourd and potato hash patties, pan tossed with tamarind chutney, ginger and fennel. Now, it is completely out of the ordinary to use a bottle gourd as a starter, so you will be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.
Making a royal entrance is the smoked chicken or Bhatti Ka Chaap where a boneless chicken leg is marinated in a mix of spices and yoghurt and cooked in the tandoor. The waiter brings it to the table covered in a translucent covered dish and lets out the smoke and the wafts of flavours all at the same time.
Leave room
for the Chamandi Prawn Biryani. It has prawns cooked in a coconut cilantro
pesto with lemon juice and coconut milk. The Muscat Ghost was prepared by Asha
after a visit to Oman. One bite and the flavours literally burst in to your
mouth.
This is not a venue for a rushed meal. You need to take your time to savour the flavours and the effort that’s gone in to the preparation. The Calicut Gosht Biryani is made lamb, onion and yoghurt, spiced with cinnamon and star anise. Each dish is carefully crafted like a symphony playing in your palette. The house favourites like Dal Makhani are cooked overnight to achieve that right consistency.
“A great recipe is like an immortal tune, it happens but only a few times in one’s life,” says Asha Bhosle. It is believed that the singer has fed Indian film celebrities and dignitaries with her tempting biryanis. Her many awards for music include the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award and another for outstanding merit by the Dubai International Film Festival in 2014. She currently holds the Guinness World Record for ‘Most Recorded Artiste in the world.’
It would be a crime to skip dessert, what with its melt in your mouth Kulfi with Pistachios on offer. Other regulars like Gulab Jamun and Carrot Halwa are pale in comparison but they make the cut just the same.
Though I revisited Asha’s a whole decade later, I left feeling pleasantly full.
Asha’s currently operates in Manchester, Bahrain,
Birmingham, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.This is not a venue for a rushed meal. You need to take your time to savour the flavours and the effort that’s gone in to the preparation. The Calicut Gosht Biryani is made lamb, onion and yoghurt, spiced with cinnamon and star anise. Each dish is carefully crafted like a symphony playing in your palette. The house favourites like Dal Makhani are cooked overnight to achieve that right consistency.
 |
| Bhatti Ka Chaap |
“A great recipe is like an immortal tune, it happens but only a few times in one’s life,” says Asha Bhosle. It is believed that the singer has fed Indian film celebrities and dignitaries with her tempting biryanis. Her many awards for music include the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award and another for outstanding merit by the Dubai International Film Festival in 2014. She currently holds the Guinness World Record for ‘Most Recorded Artiste in the world.’
 |
| Asha Bhosle adds her touches to signature dishes |
It would be a crime to skip dessert, what with its melt in your mouth Kulfi with Pistachios on offer. Other regulars like Gulab Jamun and Carrot Halwa are pale in comparison but they make the cut just the same.
Though I revisited Asha’s a whole decade later, I left feeling pleasantly full.
For reservations in Dubai call: + 9714 324 4100
 |
| Kofta Kham Khatai |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i9YxZKnQeY
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