Archives for May 2010
A Tale of Two Countries (That Want Credit for Chicken Tikka Masala)
12 May 2010 | Indian Culture | No Responses
Quick: what is the first dish that comes to mind when you think of Indian food?
Did you say chicken tikka masala? While many people would, what few realize is that the dish may not actually be of Indian origin. In fact, it has become the source of heated debate between two nations. This curry dish consisting of roasted chunks of chicken in a creamy, rich, lightly spiced tomato-based sauce may actually have originated in Glasgow, Scotland.
One man who lays claim to the title of tikka masala’s creator is Ali Ahmed Aslam, then-proprietor of Glasgow’s Shish Mahal restaurant. He alleges that when a British diner complained decades ago that his chicken tikka was too dry and requested gravy, he threw together a tin of Campbell’s tomato soup with a pinch of spices, unwittingly creating one of the first “fusion” dishes. Chicken tikka masala has become so popular in the UK that the Glaswegian government petitioned the European Union in 2009 to award the dish EU Protected Designation of Origin status–a move that would have made chicken tikka masala to India what Champagne is to Champagne, France.
And how do India’s most revered chefs feel about this claim? Outraged. Chef Zaeemuddin Ahmad of Delhi’s Karim Hotel, which was established by the last chef of the last Mughal emperor, says the recipe for tikka masala has been passed down in his family for generations. According to him, it is an authentic Mughali recipe, prepared by his forefathers who spent months traveling in the jungle and enjoyed roasting chickens with spices. Meanwhile, Rahul Verma, the leading expert on Delhi’s street food, insists that the dish is of Punjabi origin dating back forty to fifty years, and was likely the result of accidental discovery.
Another thing chicken tikka masala afficionados have a hard time agreeing on is the recipe. One study found that out of 48 different recipes, only one common ingredient was shared by all: chicken. But despite all the debate, the consensus between Scots, Indians and just about everyone else seems to be that chicken tikka masala is delicious. To see why two countries have exchanged vicious words over this dish, come to Bombay Spice and try it out! For an interesting variation, order our shrimp or beef tikka masala.
Honor Your Maata
4 May 2010 | Indian Culture | No Responses
Just like in America, families all over India celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May each year. to celebrate their mothers, known as maata in Hindi. Although this is a fairly new tradition for India, historically the country has long celebrated mothers, in various religious festivals. Durga Puja is a day devoted to honoring mother Durga, a Hindu goddess, and the day of Kali Ma is set aside to celebrate the eponymous Great Mother. A more secular festival is observed in Bombay and parts of southern India called the Festival of Pâthâre Prabhu. It is based on a legend about a mother whose children kept dying after only one year of living. Celebrants intend to honor her courage and soothe her grievance on this day. Although it is also referred to as ‘Mother’s Day,’ it has no relation to the modern holiday, now celebrated throughout India thanks to globalization.
Mother’s Day in India is quite similar to its American counterpart. Children present their mothers with gifts in the form of candy, flowers and cards. Sometimes they will prepare a special meal or go out to eat in order to give their mothers a day off from the kitchen. In a very ethnically and religiously diverse country, Mother’s Day transcends these boundaries, as everyone can relate to the idea of honoring the woman who has worked so hard to raise them.
Mother’s Day was founded in 1909 by Anna Jarvis, a particularly devoted daughter who wanted to honor her mother after her death. She succeeded in achieving national recognition for the holiday but soon became disappointed with its commercialization and began to regret its founding. She spoke out against those who did little more than send their mother a printed card, believing that mothers deserved much more than that. Make Anna Jarvis (and your own mother) proud this Mother’s Day by taking the time to recognize mom’s hard work. Treat her to a special meal at Bombay Spice, where we will be offering a complimentary appetizer of Bombay Chaat along with your meal. She’s certain to feel both satisfied and appreciated!