Chef Debu Saha's Nouvelle Indian Cuisine

Champagne and Indian Food

Many people ask me about pairing Indian food and wine and since it is time for New Year's celebrations, I thought I would make some suggestions for those of you who can't live without your bubbly.

For best pairing, I recommend a demi-sec like Pol Roger's ‘Extra Cuvée de Réserve’ Rich Champagne. Brought to you by our friends at Churchill Cellars (who also import Sula Wines from India) this is an excellent and affordable Champagne in the off-dry style.

The addition of a small dosage of sugar rounds out this Champagne and makes it a suitable companion for sweet, lightly savory desserts and spicy food.

For more thoughts on pairing wines (including Champagne) with Indian food, see this post by Shagun Megra on the Indian Wine Blog.

 

Last Minute Gifts for the Holidays

Here is an excellent gift idea for the Indian "foodie" in your life from Toronto gourmet shop, The Spice Trader... an Indian Starter Box filled with eight fair trade and organic spices, from cardamon pods to fenugreek, packaged in stylish green tins. This high-end stocking stuffer costs $54.50 but is worth every penny.

The shop also features certified organic sea salts, which can only be harvested in heritage reserves in three countries: New Zealand, Wales and France.

The Spice Trader is located at 805 Queen Street West or visit the Website at www.spicetrader.ca.

 

Christmas in India

Christmas always reminds me of my grandfather. I used to wait the whole year for this day. It was my special day with him and I will always remember it.

Every year my grandfather used to take us on a picnic. When I say "us", I mean a big group that included my aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, brother and sisters.

Grandfather would choose a place. Every year it was different. Sometimes it was a place full of natural beauty; other times a place with a great history.

Grandfather would pack a mini kitchen filled with his own spices and other produce. Often we would go to villages that were famous for their meat or vegetables, and we would buy our ingredients there instead of bringing it from the city.

The whole family would cook together, at the picnic spot, each one making a different dish to share. This was the time of year when everyone was together, sharing stories, playing together and (of course) eating wonderful food together.

 

Christmas Tasting Menu

Join us during the holidays and savour our Christmas Tasting Menu, which includes "Spicy Broccoli with mixed fruit korma", "Poached lobster claw with coconut crusted scallop in almond saffron sauce" and "Semolina lemon tart with maple syrup carmelized pineapple with raspberry couli".

We'll be closed December 24 to December 26, and open for dinner from December 27 to December 31.