Gourmets for the blushing bride

Patrika

New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI) There is a memory attached toalmost every meal of ours ! Be it the Chinese dinner nibbledthrough while tensely fixing a marriage proposal, the homecooked ''baigan ka bharta'' made to celebrate the landing of ajob or the ''jittery'' gajar ka halwa a new bride prepares forthe first time for her in laws.

Known for making cooking/dining a special experience,celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor''s new book ''Wedding Collection''extends his take on gourmets for the blushing new bride.

Published by Popular Prakashan, the book introducesrecipes which, he hopes, will be an invaluable asset to thestart of a newly wed couple�s culinary journey together.

"This book comprises recipes from the exotic to theeveryday, traditional to trendy, ethnic to the eclectic... anall rounder kitchen companion and guide and a perfect gift tobe given to a bride or groom", says Chef Sanjeev Kapoor.

"The book involves dishes for every occasion likemeals for that romantic intimate occasion, easy-quick recipesto entertain friends and relatives and recipes to wow in-lawsand win over your partner''s friends,"adds Kapoor who hasbecome a household name through his famous cookery show ZeeKhana Khazana.

The Khana Khazana chef who has authored more than 100cookery books for all age groups has designed special packs ofbeverages, soups, salads, starters, vegetarian main courses,non-vegetarian main courses, rice and breads, dal and kadhi,pickles and chutneys, desserts in this book.

For Chef Kapoor, who debuted as a TV host in 1993 andhas been giving culinary lessons since then, the idea of foodin India is beyond the concept of just satisfying the hunger.

"There is much more to it. It is a symbol of love fora mother when she serves a plate of hot parathas to her kids.

It is a tradition when we offer halwa to idols on festivalsand of course a sense of achievement for a girl who islearning to make a chapati round," he says.

To add more cherished moments, the master chef hasrecently launched his own 24 hour food and lifestyle channelcalled ''Food Food''.

The channel will feature shows like ''Sanjeev Kapoor''sKitchen'', '' Firangi Tadka '', '' Sirf 30 Minute '' and ReadySteady Cook. Prominent personalities form the entertainmentand food industry such as Chef Chinu, Chef Harpal, Chef RakeshSethi, and more will feature as part of the varied offeringson the channel.

The channel whose brand ambassador is Madhuri Dixitwill be India''s first channel completely devoted to food, itshistory, its origin and much beyond.

"Indians have had a difficulty in connecting with thefood shows aired on foreign channels due to different cookingtechniques, unavailability of similar equipments, spices andvegetables.The channel will solely be dedicated to Indianfood, its history, its origin and the various techniquesinvolved," Chef Kapoor says.