LIFESTYLE
When innovation reaches a point of stability, after all the hiccups and hurdles, it can be declared a trend - at least in the food business. But in some cases, it’s a big no-no!
Foie gras galoutis or maybe a kebab made with turkey? Is the Indian cuisine at the juncture of revolution? Hope not, say most chefs.
It’s not true that restaurants in India and across the globe haven’t tried their hands at creating Indian fusion food — what probably hasn’t worked for them is the fact that some tried to actually change traditional recipes that are held sacrosanct by the cuisine itself.
Ironically, Indian fusion cuisine does appear at not-so-haute restaurants and road stalls across the country — the Cauliflower Manchurian (or the gobi manjoori) is nothing but an attempt to create an Indo-Chinese dish. Then again, no recipes have been tampered with as this dish is absolutely original and was not derived from an existing creation.
Chef Vikram Udaygiri says that it’s criminal to try and change traditional recipes. “One cannot be forgiven for altering the recipe of daal makhani or a tandoori chicken. However, I do believe that innovation is the way ahead and there are different ways it can be followed. For one, presentation is one big step. If Indian food is visually presented in a more western fashion, it would definitely attract a lot of traction — in short, finesse in presentation would do our cuisine wonders,” he says.
Cumin, an eclectic restaurant, at Hyde Park, Cincinatti, has actually developed an Indo-Euro menu where, apart from a few familiar names, we also came across a rather unique recipe for Butter Chicken. Here, it’s made with pulled chicken, spiced tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and Serrano chilli (of Mexican origin) and served with basmati rice!
“We need what Auguste Escoffier did to French food. He was responsible for giving French cuisine a makeover, changing the traditional cooking methods to make it simpler. We need something like that with our cuisine as well,” says Vikram, adding, “For instance, Indians have become extremely health conscious and if the same recipe could be toned down, perhaps by reducing the volume of ghee or oil used, and yet retain the flavours, it would be beneficial for the cuisine to survive as well.”
In Bangalore itself, a few fine dining restaurants had played around with the way Indian food is cooked and perceived. The Masala Klub at Taj West End switched to olive oil for preparing its food — making the dishes mellow, less greasy and palatable by the non-Indian population. However, it does take a little adjusting to get used to a change like this.
The new restaurant at Hotel Ista, Pink Poppadam, which claims to be serving nouvelle Indian cuisine, too has received mixed feedback. Creations like the Blue Cheese Naan, Lobster Moilee, and Flambéed Rasmalai Baked Alaska. While it might sound very exciting, the idea of trying Lobster Moilee might not go down too well with some.
Executive chef of The Lalit Ashok, Nimish Bhatia says that one can play around with Indian ingredients as long as you don’t mess around with the balance.
“I’ve made a tikka with salmon that turned out fairly well. However, I had to tweak the spices according to the fish. But I can’t pass off a completely different recipe of a tandoori chicken and call it that. What’s most important it to be able to maintain the balance of culinary process. I remember I’d eaten something called Sushi Chaat in a restaurant in Delhi. They’d used boiled potatoes, chaat masala and wrapped them up in rice and called it sushi chaat — now that’s what I would call pure murder!” he says.
However, what most avant garde Indian chefs are open to doing is playing around with ingredients a little bit. For instance, cook an absolutely Indian vegetable curry using exotic greens. After all, isn’t that how broccoli made its way into your curries?
“I think even toying with a bit of meat is fine and beyond that, I don’t really know whether it’s safe to go overboard,” adds in Vikram.
However, experimenting with Indian foods isn’t a new concept in India. More than a decade ago, Olaf “Picasso” Niemeier, who was then the executive chef, The Oberoi, New Delhi, who is now the head chef at the fusion Restaurant in the SIDE hotel has been known to create edible art, literally. A few of his famous creations were the Chocolate And Rasmalai Terrine and even the Baked Spicy Pineapple Rasam where he gave a finish to the rasam but putting a puffed pastry over it and baking it! Did it work? It sure did.
In 1989, a man called Avatar Singh saw the immense potential behind Indian cuisine and decided to do something about it. So he set up Avatar’s, in California, where he dishes out creations like Punjabi Burritos. Yes, sounds a bit bizarre, but going by reviews, Avatar Singh seems to have everything going in his favour. Apart from regular North Indian cuisine, he also makes Punjabi Enchiladas!
Back home, we might be far from creating desi dishes with the NRI twist — but given time, we’re certain that Indians would be more adaptable to something that we like to call, zara hatke!
How bizarre is that?
If you think, when it comes to innovative foods, you’ve seen and heard it all, read this. The dishes mentioned below are all creations by chef Olaf Niemeier more than a decade ago!
Tandoori marinated rack of lamb served with dal kandhari sauce and sauteed apples
Duck and potato benarsi with coconut milk cappucino thyme flavoured petit duck confit and cranberry samosa
Tandoori coconut parfait
Meet Yashvardhan Dalal, Haryana batsman who scored 426 runs in an innings in CK Nayudu Trophy
Pakistani TikTok star Minahil Malik's dance video goes viral amid MMS leak controversy, watch
Gujarat: 38 injured in collision involving bus, two vehicles near Ambaji
MSMEs will get collateral free term loans scheme of upto Rs 100 crore through..., says FM Sitharaman
Rashmika, Samantha, Nayanthara, Tamannaah: Meet top South actresses
Will Hania Amir-Fahad Mustafa’s romantic drama return for Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum season 2?
New Maruti Dzire vs Old Maruti Dzire: Engine, specs, safety compared
Meet man, son of rickshaw puller, cracked UPSC in 1st attempt at 22, currently posted in...
AUS vs PAK Live Streaming: When and where to watch Australia vs Pakistan 3rd ODI live in India?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk becomes world's richest man, enters exclusive club of Rs...
Meet man, Elon Musk’s 'right-hand man', known for re-shaping Tesla, set to lead...
Calculated Risk: Exploring Iran's motives behind alleged Donald Trump assassination plot
Meet Jan Zelezny, Neeraj Chopra's new coach and current javelin throw world record holder
Do you wake up tired? Here's how to fix it
Canada ends fast-track visas for foreign students, know how will it affect Indians
'BJP-RSS want to destroy Constitution, we will keep protecting it': Rahul Gandhi in Jharkhand
'Jab Congress mazboot hogi, desh…' PM Modi's scathing attack on Aghadi bloc in Akola rally
Ajay Devgn says Ranveer Singh talks 'RUBBISH', Kareena Kapoor has all the...
Meet man, who used his pension money to build bridge for his village, he is from...
This was world's largest Eagle which went extinct 500 years ago, was found in...
Ratan Tata disliked this food, ate only this ice cream made by…
Gautam Gambhir to be sacked? Report indicates India coach could lose Test role if...
Bridal beauty routine: 6 essential skincare tips for a perfect wedding glow
IND vs SA: Sanju Samson goes past MS Dhoni, Rishabh Pant to achieve this massive T20I feat
CBSE Datesheet 2025: CBSE class 10, 12 timetables expected soon at cbse.gov.in
What is saree, petticoat cancer? From causes, symptoms to prevention, all you need to know
This is world's largest building 'shaped like chicken', has bonita huts, wave pool, is located in...
'More civilised than...': Viral video captures Japan's Nara deer bowing back at woman, WATCH
Nitin Chauhaan suicide case: Actor's wife breaks her silence, says he wasn't getting work due to...
Candyman star Tony Todd passes away at 69
Tesla shares skyrocket post Donald Trump's win, Elon Musk's wealth soars beyond USD 300 billion
'Agastya needs to...': Natasa Stankovic reveals how she co-parents son with ex-husband Hardik Pandya
Ananya Panday wears mom Bhavana Pandey's 21-yr-old suit by Rohit Bal, see VIRAL photos
Pakistan: 20 killed, 46 injured in explosion at Quetta railway station in Balochistan
PM Modi pays heartfelt tribute to Ratan Tata: 'Reopening of Taj Hotel after 26/11 attacks was...'
At UN, India lashes out at Pakistan for spreading 'falsehood' on J-K
Amitabh Bachchan calls grandson Agastya 'shaana', reveals how he used his name to get…
Grammy Awards 2025 Nominations: Beyonce leads, Taylor Swift follows closely; here's FULL list
Meet man, who is friends with world's richest people, ex-husband of Bollywood star, he is...
West Bengal: 3 coaches of Shalimar Secunderabad Express derail near Nalpur station
Delhi-NCR update: No relief from pollution as AQI continues to remain 'very poor'
Viral video: Little girl's adorable dance to 'Ghani Bawri' wins hearts online, watch
Meet woman, sub-inspector's daughter who cracked UPSC exam in first attempt, Tina Dabi is her...
IND vs SA: Sanju Samson equals Rohit Sharma's massive feat, becomes Indian batter with most...
IND vs SA: Sanju Samson's century guides India to 61-run win over South Africa, lead series 1-0
DNA TV Show: Loudspeaker controversy erupts ahead of Maharashtra Polls
Another masterstroke by Mukesh Ambani, set to challenge Haldiram, Britannia
IND vs SA, 1st T20I: Sanju Samson creates history in Durban, becomes first Indian player to....
Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli make heads turn in Mumbai, watch
J-K: Police recover bodies of two village defence guards killed in Kishtwar terror attack