Sanjha Chulha Food Exhibition
By Anubhav Sapra
Years ago, Marshall McLuhan aptly remarked world as a ‘global village’. Quite evident, as it is today, the seamless exchanges of ideas, culture, people and of course food, across borders. People have migrated from one region to another for various reasons. With them, travelled the food culture. This has also lead to the heterogenisation of food culture. And offcourse, its evolution. There seems to be no such thing as local food now, the food being eaten in one part of the globe is easily available in another part. South Asia is one region where eating habits in most of the countries shares a lot of commonality.
To promote the cross cultural collaborations between nine South Asian Countries, a movement titled “Sasian Journey”, has been led by the Asian Heritage Foundation and Self Employed Women’s Association, in collaboration with prominent NGOs of the region in engagement with the Smithsonian Institution, USA. They are hosting Lotus Bazar, the flagship market development package conceived for deserving artists, artisans, cooperatives and cultural enterprises through design let interventions. The Lotus Bazar has also on offer- South Asia’s first food festival- Sanjha Chulha, which literally means Common Kitchen. The festival has been curated by food critic and scholar Dr. Pushpesh Pant to promote the incredible variety of local and regional cuisines of South Asia showcasing the diversity of culinary art. The dishes are cooked by the in-house team of The Ashok Hotel led by the Executive Chef, Mr. Lumba.
The Menu from different countries are-
India:
- Murgh Rehana with Naan/Parantha
- Gulnar Biryani with Raita/Salad
- Dum Gosht Biryani with Raita/Salad
- Stuffed Gulab Jamun
Sri Lanka:
- Kukul Mas Curry (Chicken flavored with coconut milk, curry leaves, black pepper & Gigi paste) with Kaha Bhaat (Yellow Rice tempered with mustard seeds & curry leaves )
- Kukul Mas Curry with Pol Roti(Coconut Flavoured grilled roti)
Pakistan:
- Anda Keema Kaleji Naan/Parantha
- Soya Keema Kaleji Naan/Parantha
- Paneer Peshawari with Naan/Parantha
Afghanistan:
- Afghani Shorva (Thin Mutton preparation) with Afgani Naan
Nepal / Bhutan:
- Veg Thupka(Veg Stew topped with noodles)
- Veg Momos with Dip(Chilli Garlic)
- Chicken Momos with Dip(Chilli Garlic)
Bangladeshi:
- Sarson Maach (Mustard Flavored fish curry)with steamed rice
Dessert Menu
- Mishti Doi from Bangladesh
- Stuffed Gulab Jamun from India
- Tila Kufi from Indian Subcontinent
- Phirni from Pakistan
In the Evening the festival has nice combination of snacks, from 3pm to 7pm
- Samosa with Mint Chutney
- Fried Vegetable Wontons
- Chicken Momos with Dips
- Vegetable Momos with Dips
The festival is on till 31st March at The Lilly Pool Lawn at The Ashok, Chanakyapuri and entry is free.
