Katha's Indian Eats and Treats

24/07/2024

Well done and well deserved  sé Anār Renuka Morris.
If you have not visited this lovely Indian restaurant yet, make a reservation now.

We have made it into the Good Food Guide 2024 as 100 top local restaurants in the North West. 🙏🏽 (the only entry in Lancashire 😍)

https://www.thegoodfoodguide.co.uk/best-local-restaurant/best-local-restaurant-award-winners-2024

Starting a small business has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding journeys of my life. I am deeply grateful for the support of my family, friends, and community who have stood by me through every high and low. Your encouragement has fueled my resilience, helping me to push through the countless obstacles and doubts that come with entrepreneurship.

Every setback has been a lesson, every doubt a chance to reaffirm my passion. It's this passion that keeps me going, reminding me that the dream is worth all the hard work. Here's to embracing the journey, celebrating the progress, and never losing sight of the vision. Thank you all for being part of this adventure with me! 🚀💪

21/07/2024

It was a very special weekend. Dave’s sister got married.

Naturally, we did the catering (it was our first wedding catering).

So we drove down to Shoeburyness with half our kitchen!

We put together an Indian Vegetarian/Vegan spread. It was a relaxed, informal gathering with closest family and friends. The brides also exchanged garlands and fed each other ‘Shaadi ka Ladoo’. The weather was absolutely gorgeous so everyone was able to enjoy the day eating, drinking and chatting in their delightful seaside garden.

Dave as always was superb in his supporting role—serving, storytelling and clearing up afterwards.

All in all, a beautiful day from start to finish. Exactly how it should be. 💕

14/07/2024

We have done it. We finished our first Ultra Marathon. The enormity of it is yet to sink in. It was the toughest challenge I have undertaken in my life. There was no respite the entire course. But I managed to finish without feeling shattered. And not really walking funny today either. Dave did really well and is incredibly pleased that his training paid off.
Thank you to all of you for your wishes and your kind donation. It kept us going. ❤️


https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kathakoli-dave-2024?utm_term=6YVmamDeb

06/07/2024

Revenue wise not our best day at Preston Mela. But Dave is more disheartened than I am.

I was wondering why. After all it’s me who does all the backbreaking shopping, prep and cooking as well as planning and packing, so I should be upset.

But somehow today, instead of focusing on the leftovers, my mind is going again and again to the power of team work.

I had some of the best people helping me. Young Lucy who has come such a long way since her first experience at our pop up last year. You should have seen her decorating the stall, that too in the rain.

Gina, who is my rock. She was at ours for 7 am to help fry 80 pea kachoris!

Pop up debutants Angie and Melissa who learnt to toss Bhel and assemble Papri chaat like pros in no time at all. Plus, took on any and every responsibility that came their way.

Dave, of course, who passionately markets our food to everyone passing by.

As well as stall holders on either side of us, and .on.pani.puri who helped with putting our gazebo up this morning. And then came to our rescue when at the end of the day the crazy winds sent our properly secured gazebo flying (literally!).

I am also still taking in some of the heartwarming feedback we received for our food. From being taken down the nostalgia lane with familiar tastes, to being taken completely by surprise with flavours that pop in the mouth. Every comment answered the simple question, ‘why we do what we do’.

So thank you to everyone who supported us today. Including Preston Mela team who worked very hard to organise this event.

06/07/2024

Revenue wise not our best day at Preston Mela. But Dave is more disheartened than I am.

I was wondering why. After all it’s me who does all the backbreaking shopping, prep and cooking as well as planning and packing, so I should be upset.

But somehow today, instead of focusing on the leftovers, my mind is going again and again to the power of team work.

I had some of the best people helping me. Young Lucy who has come such a long way since her first experience at our pop up last year. You should have seen her decorating the stall, that too in the rain.

Gina, who is my rock. She was at ours for 7 am to help fry 80 pea kachoris!

Pop up debutants Angie and Melissa who learnt to toss Bhel and assemble Papri chaat like pros in no time at all. Plus, took on any and every responsibility that came their way.

Dave, of course, who passionately markets our food to everyone passing by.

As well as stall holders on either side of us (Irffys Street Food and Spot on Pani Puri) who helped with putting our gazebo up this morning. And then came to our rescue when at the end of the day the crazy winds sent our properly secured gazebo flying (literally!).

I am also still taking in some of the heartwarming feedback we received for our food. From being taken down the nostalgia lane with familiar tastes, to being taken completely by surprise with flavours that pop in the mouth. Every comment answered the simple question, ‘why we do what we do’.

So thank you to everyone who supported us today. Including Preston Mela team who worked very hard to organise this event.

06/07/2024

We have an assortment of scrummy street foods from different regions of India.

06/07/2024

We are ready with the scrummy-est food! Are you coming?

01/07/2024

Gina performed multiple roles last evening in preparation for Preston City Mela on Saturday.

She got trained in the art of stuffing and frying koraishutir kochuri (deep fried puffy bread with a spiced pea filling), a lip smacking treat from West Bengal.

Gina and I will be making these fresh on the morning of the mela. To be served warm with a finger licking baby potato curry.

Gina was also our chief taster and hand model. And when a dish gets a thumbs up from Gina, it makes me very happy.

So whatever the weather, bring yourselves to Preston Mela on 6th July 2024; 11 am to about 3.30 pm. Visit our stall to try the heavenly Koraishutir Kochuri aar Alur Dum (limited portions) and other scrummy street foods from India.

25/06/2024

I cook, we eat and we run. Running brought Dave and me together. And it continues to be ‘our thing’.

This year we decided to take our love of running to the next level. We will be attempting our first Ultra Marathon on 13th July. Running 57 km on a testing, but scenic course in the Lake District. We have been doing all weather and terrain training since January, pushing our limit every time.

We are raising funds for two causes close to our hearts (please click link for details). We would be ever so grateful if you could spare just a pound to help us reach our target.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kathakoli-dave-2024?utm_term=JqVnJKypR

24/06/2024

See you at Preston City Mela!

23/06/2024

Kolkata Egg Roll at Preston City Mela. 6th July 2024, 11 am to about 3:30 pm.

Egg and chicken rolls are undoubtedly Kolkata’s iconic street food. The city of my birth where a piece of me still lives. But this food has significance beyond that for me.

I learnt to make egg rolls from our house help Shymal Da, who assisted at an egg roll stall in Kolkata for a while. I was only 12 at that time. He showed me how to safely drop a beaten egg with chopped onion, green chillies and seasoning on a greased frying pan. Then cover it with a soft roti, gently pressing it to allow the egg to coat the entire surface of the roti. Once cooked flip it, remove from pan onto a plate, line with finely sliced red onions, a drizzle of vinegar, tomato ketchup and chilli sauce (and cooked chicken, if using), and roll up tight.

A few years later in 1998, I set up my first food stall at our local Durga Pujo Pandal. I was 20. And my team comprised of a bunch of friends a few years younger than me—Madhu, Anu and Gutru. They are still my friends, probably more like family, and people I always have a good laugh with!

Madhu, Anu, Gutru all had specific roles on the day. One took the order, one helped with the wrapping and one collected the money, while I focussed on the cooking process. We sold out in no time! And made enough money to see us through the next few days of festivities.

Did I know then that I would run a food business for a living? Or that 25 years later I would make and serve egg rolls at my food stall in the UK at an event celebrating South Asian culture and heritage? Nopes. Does it fill my heart? Undoubtedly. 🥰

22/06/2024

Save the date. On Saturday 6th July 2024 we will be at Preston Mela in Moor Park; 11 am to about 3:30 pm.
As always our stall will offer lip smacking street foods from across India. As well as some Indian inspired flavours. Including this cardamon and chilli infused elderflower cooler that went down a storm last year. It is homemade, using elderflowers we gathered from local woods.

19/06/2024

It all starts with one ingredient in our kitchen. I saw in-season potol (pointed gourd) at the Indian supermarket and had to buy some!

Then naturally I had to showcase this humble vegetable that people often have a love-hate relationship with.

I made Potol Posto, a Bengali household favourite. The sauce is basically a paste made using poppy seeds, grated coconut and mustard seeds. Nigella seeds and slit green chilli tempering give another dimension to the flavour. It simple and subtle—but quite magical!

My aunty makes the best version. And always makes it for me when I visit them in Kolkata.

The rest of the dishes this evening (mung dal with vegetables, potato & spring onion stir fry, fish pakoras) followed as a way of using up scraps from the fridge.

01/06/2024

Apologies for the silence past couple of weeks. We were away on an adventure. We cycled from London to Paris with a group of friends. And had the best time.
Once in France, we rewarded ourselves with buttery, flaky, yummy pastry every day. In fact, for our free day in Paris after finishing the ride, Dave designed a food tour for us to enjoy some of the best the city has to offer.
We have been back a week and not a day has passed when we haven’t remarked ‘this time last week we were…’
So here’s what we have been reminiscing/craving all afternoon, having done a long run in Beacon Fell.

12/05/2024

Well, that went down well. Thank you, all. X

08/05/2024

Goda Masala. Quintessentially Maharashtrian aromatic spice blend containing over 15 spices and herbs. The flavour is complex with sweet undertones. It is magical and can take a simple dish to another level! We made a batch this afternoon to flavour our Bharli Vangi and Amti that feature in this week’s Friday Feast. Yummy!

03/05/2024

Update: Orders for this menu are complete. Thank you, everyone. See you next week.

Bharli Vangi. Aubergines are native to India and used in many different ways across the country. And the idea of stuffing a vegetable is also common in Indian kitchens. This Maharastrian version of baby aubergines stuffed with coconut, peanut and sesame paste, then cooked in a lip smacking, flavourful sauce is probably up there on the list of tasty things to make with aubergines. No wonder it features in our next week’s Friday Feast. We have 4 slots remaining. DM to book or for more information. Last orders 9 pm, Sunday 5th May 2024.

30/04/2024

Update: Orders for this menu are complete. Thank you, everyone. See you next week.

Taking orders for Friday Feast for delivery/collection on 10th May. It features typical homely fare which you’d be hard pressed to find at a restaurant. Please see photo for details and DM to place your order, or for additional information. Please note, foods contain allergens, including peanuts and sesame seeds.

Our May Friday Feast from Maharashtra is inspired by ex-colleague and friend Neeta Kamath. She is visiting her daughter in the UK. And we are hoping to meet up.

We didn’t interact much as colleagues. She worked in a different department, in another city. But we kept in touch on Facebook. And I am so glad we did.

Neeta is an instinctive and a fabulous cook. I have picked her brain so many times in the past few years while putting a menu together.

We chatted for over an hour yesterday. Naturally, our conversation drifted to food. Our excitement grew with the mention of every new dish. I am buzzing after that conversation. I can’t wait to cook them all. For now, a menu that Neeta approved.

27/04/2024

When I learnt to cook Italian.

We spent the last week in Tuscany. Our second time there. When we went 7 years back, I was hobbling about on my crutches having broken my foot while competing in a triathlon (which I still finished by the way.)

We went back to Lucca—one of our favourite places to visit. I was glad to be able to run on the city wall and climb up the tower for 360• views this time round. I also booked onto a Fish and Seafood Cooking Class at Chef Paolo Monti Cooking School.

Dave does the ‘Italian’ at home. And we had thought we would leave it that way to stop me from being a complete control freak in the kitchen. But this was too good an opportunity to miss. And having done it, I cannot recommend it highly enough. (https://www.cucina-italiana.com/)

Chef Paolo was absolutely fantastic. He is probably in his 80s with a wealth of experience and knowledge.

He took me through some of the basics and then we cooked some of the best fish dishes I have ever had. We smelled, we tasted, checked for textures as we cooked and enjoyed a feast afterwards.

And of course we chatted. He is well travelled and even remembered a few Hindi words. We compared notes on some of our favourite food markets and shared food adventures.

My love of cooking comes from my gran who can create magic out of the humblest of ingredients. And cooking with Chef Paolo was like being in the kitchen with my gran again. And I left his cooking school with a full heart—and tummy!

17/04/2024

And it’s a wrap. The group travelled to Delhi for today’s cooking demo—unlocking its spice cabinet, grinding aromatic masalas, cooking popular dishes and learning trade secrets.
Thank you to everyone who joined in the past few months. It’s been an absolute pleasure to share whatever I know with you all—as well as getting to meet & know you.
We will return with more group demos in the summer. But if you want a one-on-one demo curated just for you, please get in touch. Until then, happy cooking!

15/04/2024

We got featured in Lancs Live. Thanks to Susan Newton for approaching us to share our journey from first arriving in Freckleton 8 years ago to setting up our business in this lovely village. The support I have received from the locals, both professionally and personally, has been immense. 🙏🏽

"Before I knew it, I was smiling and talking about the weather with complete strangers!"

14/04/2024

Oh my god guys please visit and try their Baisakhi Special Makki Roti & Sarson Saag platter. It’s A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Exactly how I remember it from back home. I have checked, they have it on their specials menu this month.
After back-to-back catering jobs and 50+ hours weeks, I am finally having the time of my life. Shopping then good food. What else does a girl want. 🥰

14/04/2024

Shubho Naboborsho, everyone. Hope, happiness, peace & prosperity.

Many regions in India, including Bengal—where I come from, celebrate New Year today.

Marked by offering foods to the Gods, folk songs & dance, new clothes and a celebratory feast.

We had our feast yesterday. Our platter comprised all time favourites from Bengal. Mochar Chop (banana blossom croquettes), Maccher Kalia (fiery red fish curry), Kosha Mangsho (braised lamb curry), Basanti Pulao (fragrant pilau with a hint of sweetness), Luchi (puffy bread), Tomato & Date Chutney and Shondesh (sweets from Bengal). Lucky bloke Dave got to enjoy all of these in the special kansha (bell metal) serveware. I told him it’s usually mothers-in-law who offer this royal treatment to their sons-in-law.

As my treat, he has offered a shopping trip to Manchester today, finishing with a meal at Dishoom which I hear is serving up Baisakhi specials from Punjab!

10/04/2024

Eid Mubarak to those celebrating. Joy, peace and prosperity.

05/04/2024

Our second Indian Street Food & Snacks Demo this week. And we had a man in the mix!

02/04/2024

What better way to spend this gorgeous spring day than in the company of these lovely ladies trying their hand at finger licking Indian street foods and snacks.

01/04/2024

We did a little jig after this feedback from our Easter catering order. 😁

01/04/2024

We did a little jig after this feedback for our Easter catering order. 😁

31/03/2024

Happy Easter, everyone. 🐣
What’s cooking?
After fulfilling our catering commitment, we had just about enough time to dish up a pressure cooker Lamb Curry for our East-meets-West meal with friends. Done in less than an hour. Boom!

31/03/2024

Happy Easter, everyone. 🐣
What’s cooking?
After fulfilling our catering commitment, we had just about enough time to dish up a pressure cooker Lamb Curry for our East-meets-West meal with friends. Done in less than an hour. Boom!