Luchee

01/03/2024

The last few weeks have been eventful for Luchee food Story. So a bit late in posting this. Let us once again meet at the Edible Routes Farm for another lavish spread and chatter. A farm walk. Let us together welcome the warm sun within the green all about.

Feb 25th we had a meet-up of minds to discuss books, good food and more. A meet up to meet face to face and chat. A two hour meet up rolled into five with lunch and lots of laughter. At a college fest food got sold out in a jiffy. Another meeting that culminated in something interesting to be announced soon.

In short lucheefoodstory has been keeping Swapan and me busy. I know it wouldn't have been possible without the benevolence of your love and your handholding.

14/02/2024

08/02/2024

The news today…… We have shifted this month’s pop-up venue from Anahata Farms, Sector 135 NOIDA to Nehru Park, Chanakyapuri.

Love is indeed in Feb’s air. Saraswati Puja and Valentine's Day both in the same month. For a B**g Saraswati Puja is V Day. Ankho se ishare karna and what not. Yellow is the mandatory colour. So saree, flowers adorning tresses, kurta, dhoti and what not. All Basonti yellow ... Uff….
Let us enjoy our V Day moments at Nehru Park.
Brunch
Meeting Time: 12:30
Connect with: Sharmila -- 9818482018

Join. Share. Bring your friends along. Avail group discount. Please book soon. Call / Whatsapp for any query

Some pictures of the previous picnic





☀️

04/02/2024

It is that time of the year when Moringa the super food starts to flower. Pick up that has dropped or pluck but just a few. Chew them raw. Saute them with a veggie as it is a bit bitter. Add a few in your regular soup.
You will get your nutrients as well as deliciousness.

03/02/2024

Love is in the air. And we are celebrating. What better way to celebrate than pet pooja. And your DDLJ moment.

Join me at this beautiful farm abuzz with bees, flowers and farm food. Munch farm fresh greens.





☀️

14/01/2024

Delhi weather forecast says after 16th weather will get sunny and 🌞 . What better way to celebrate than out in the farm with friends and family.
Farm fresh vegetables made into a sumptuous meal. Ask for a farm tour.

Contribution
Rs 1500 per person
Book for your family and avail delicious discounts
Children below 6 just walk in. Come play. Eat. And celebrate the beautiful farm and Sun.

12/01/2024

Dr Debal Deb needs no introduction for people in the development sector. A person who petitioned for safe keep of East Kolkatta Wetlands, who has been working to save sacred groves and rice varieties. A person whose book Beyond Developmentality is a Bible for many.

A year or so ago he published a compendium of Lost and rare biodiversity of Bengal. In that was a picture of Baunla Aloo (Picture2) to be eaten on Daak Sankranti celebrated on the last day Ashwin (month of Ashwin, which is from 15th Sept / 15th Oct usually).

I went to the market and saw this in a shop. 'Boudi methey aloo, nebey (root potato, do you want )' said the seller. I bought and made sabzi.

This is the high starch potato native to Bengal. There are several kinds of yams that one needs to eat during winters. Grown eating them. Continue to. Serve them at my pop ups and picnics too.

Join me on at 1: 00 pm Jan 21st at 3 North Drive, DLF Chattarpur Farms for a sumptuous lunch and to hear many such stories. DM me to know more.

04/01/2024

On Sunday 7th January (11.30AM onwards) join me for a unique culinary adventure.

Explore the incredible art of food foraging, discover how food can tell amazing stories and ward off the cold with the tantalizing flavours of Bengali cuisine with an expert.

All this as you relax amidst nature at Nehar Sahibi Farm (see the link below)

For those joining us from Dwarka Metro Station, a vehicle will be provided (6-8 people).

Also, don't forget your warm wear as we are experiencing some cold weather!

Don't miss out on this special foodie Earth Walk! Get in touch with me to register.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/q8MjZfEieTF1mQ1E7

01/01/2024

Delhi foodies ahoy! Join me on Sunday 7th January (11.30AM onwards) for a unique culinary adventure.

Explore the incredible art of food foraging, discover how food can tell amazing stories and delight in the tantalizing flavours of Bengali cuisine with an expert.

All this as you relax amidst nature at Nehar Sahibi Farm (https://www.instagram.com/nehar_sahibi_farm/ )

For those joining us from Dwarka Metro Station, a vehicle will be provided (6-8 people)

Don't miss out on this special foodie Earth Walk! Get in touch to register.

DM me to know more

09/12/2023

Dec 17th, 2023 Picnic at the park

Murgh Makhani Mille Feuille gave Chef Zareen Shaukat fourth spot at the World Tapas Competition 2023. So I too decided to make Tapas (snacky appetisers) for my picnic. Here are just 4 pictures. But there will be a dozen more tidbits.

So what are you waiting for. Join me on Dec 17th for food. Then walk . Again some more food. While away your time with good healthy food and adda.

Chalo chalein....

07/12/2023

It is that time of the year when outdoor beckons. Sunny. Warm. There is so much to do. Especially when you know your food is taken care of and you also know there is a tree expert who will walk you through to tell you stories about trees and the landscape they are rooted in.

So forget your Sunday cleaning. Wear your walking shoes. Wear your shades. Carry some drinking water and join us at one of the parks of Delhi (South) and while away your time.

Chalo chalein....

23/11/2023

Happy moment.

14/11/2023

My Dhanteras and Deepawali …

Ananda mela. As the name suggests it is a happy coming together of the community with food and other goodies. And of course, to sell them. Community bonding at its best. Usually, it is done as a prelude to Durga puja but in our pada or neighbourhood, it is celebrated at around Kali Puja (Deepawali). I had forgotten that I had promised to participate for the first time in my 60 plus years of life. Made sweet potato kheer and won 2nd prize. I enjoyed my two seconds of glory.

A message from Vijendra ( ) See you at 6:00 pm…. What!? Where!? Arrey aap bhi na….. Anaondo Mela mein participate karna hai aapko. Chalo banao kuch bhi. And this got me running around. Call to Sunil my trusted subziwala 30 times. Milk was boiled. Smiling Sunil delivered shakarkandi.

Kaushik (kb.clicks) got me samosa and asked. Ki baniyecho….Naam lekho ni keno… he proclaimed. Ripped a sheet from my notebook. Wrote রাঙা আলুর পায়েস – Rs 50 a plate and stuck it on the table.

Shyamla came with two dolchi full idli bater. And that bigggggg smile. Placed it on my table. Went scurrying for food. Fed me and fed herself too. Finally, some chai. We chatted. Laughed. And I got a gift too.

Anjanda helped me set up the table. Abhijit guarded the table while I was being interviewed by judges. Kaushik was disappointed – you could have got the first prize if only you had thought of a name for your dish. It is Rangakonok from now on…

As they say, community matters. As I grow older, I realise, how lucky I am to have a community that nurtures me. A sweet potato kheer or রাঙা আলুর পায়েস got a name Rangakonok in my menu

Lucky me. My days made. My two seconds of glory won. I had great food. Was pampered. What more can life ask for.

Shubh Deepawali. Shubh Bhai dooj.

07/11/2023

How do you cook your daals/ lentils? We always add some vegetable. The protein needs vegetables, said Baba. And that's why the chodchodi or bhaja with it? Perhaps....
Daals with khatta like chalta (elephant apple) or raw mango or any other seasonal khatta was never seasoned with ghee. It had to be oil -- mustard oil is what I like it with.
Baass.... Daal made

30/10/2023

Date: Nov 5th
Time:12 noon
Venue: C R Park, New Delhi

As the days are getting fragrant with Shiuli and dew drops wetting our feet with a slight nip in the air we start our lunches. This is the first one of this season.

While rolling nadoos ( bengali style coconut ladoos) and a sweet rolled in leaf, we will talk about the festivities gone by and the upcoming ones too.

Message me to know more

08/10/2023

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyIxkcXSg7K/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

08/10/2023

I am fortunate to receive all your love, friends. In just one day all places sold out.

06/10/2023

Come autumn. Kash (Saccharum spontaneum) flowers heralds homecoming of Durga. SHe will start her journey from Mount Kailash to reach her Mother's where she will be welcomed on Shashti (or the 6th day of Devi paksh).

As the daughter arrives, festivity begins. Dhaak that membranophone instrument of Bengal and Assam will welcome Uma, better known as Durga. ...... Then on the 10th day she will leave to join her husband Shiva. So regale and rejoice the little time she spends with us.

Eat. Dress up. Savour the moment. Exchange gifts and wishes. Visit homes. Meet friends.

Durga Pujo will be super exciting for us this year. Wait for more updates

Some pictures from past events have been put in this post.

23/09/2023

Anantjeet https://www.instagram.com/drawkaurys/?hl=en made this for us. She came home. Spoke to us. And then made this lovely poster. We are overwhelmed. We love it. And we know you too will.

We are storytellers. We are at that age when people retire with a book, wine/ whiskey, and some loud gossiping. We too do that. But we love to eat, tell stories to anyone who cares to hear our stories, make them write through our workshops. I run a home kitchen, do home food pop-ups each month, where I connect my cuisine with climate, culture and people's stories.

In short like most Bengalis our lifeline is good storying. We just completed some Coffee Table Books for G 20. We write for children and adults. We write voices of change. We develop documents for INGOs too. This is Shhabda

Through Luchee, I am trying to bring to table recipes that are getting lost. Recipes that are not fusion but traditional and that are slowly gradually slipping into oblivion.

We also love to travel. We walk through our lovely city not only the oft beaten path but also to places not oft explored and taking people to rural India from where our food comes from.

See how aptly Anantjeet has captured us. Wish the little girl luck. Wish us luck too. Let us connect. Let us create a happy, lively, cheerful tomorrow.

16/09/2023

We are a small home kitchen. We organise a pop - up each month -- Summertime -- second Sat dinner (March to October) and winter time second Sun brunch (Nov to Feb end)

We endevour to cook rural Bengal food (I sort of know a bit) that we are losing from our plates. This loss is creating several issues. 1 --nutritional loss 2-- biodiversity loss 3-- and most importantly as demand decreases of these super foods the small and marginal farmers lose their income.

A chalta (1) tree will be cut as the farmer can sell it for 50 paisa or even lesser, a piece. So where is the money? She would rather use that space for something else like GM mustard. A karounda (3) bush with its sharp spikes planted as boundary wall protection to ward off the unwanted will replace metal mesh that will need replacing after a few years. Parwal (4) and karol (6) both seasonal vegetables will have no takers too.

Biodiversity and nutrition are intertwined. These are nutrition for the poorest of the poor. Urban poor are fast losing the art of cooking and eating these. And if they forget who will cook for us?

My pop-ups offer these dishes. I aspire to make these and teach them too, to house-helps, which I do. Would like to do more. Cutting a Chalta is a fine art. So is scooping kakrol. And cutting and deseeding karounda.

So let us all come together to regale in this vast canvas of cuisine that we have. Let us celebrate our biodiversity. Let us talk good food.

Luchee food story is not here to just cook but to tell stories of food, nutritional elements and of course celebrating the marginalised.

Oh yes... the Awadhi twist comes from my Naklau, the city I grew up and still go ga ga about. And the food I grew up with. So 'authentic' well.... I do not know. But twist yes like chutney of Bengal usually has roasted and grounded panchphoron sprinkled with, while in Lucknow Ma always made sure it was saunf. So I do saunf. There are various such twists in my food.

Your thoughts please.

I am a terrible photographer. So pardon me. Hum toh aisye hain bhaiya

26/08/2023

Khao piyo maast raho.... eat drink and be merry.... That's what a community is all about. Happiness is the priority number 1. More happiness is that bonus we seek.

So today I am sharing with you my happinessessssss......

Wait to know more ....... yes you guessed it right Sept 2nd dinner at WTC

24/08/2023

After huge success in Delhi, we bring to Gurgaon, food of Kolkata uber rich that was influenced by the Armenian diaspora. There will be equal numbers of vegetarian as well as meat dishes. These lost and forgotten recipes have been put together by me, after extensive research.
I will talk about the food and its history too.
If you like good food I know you will go back happy.