Chef Ajay Chopra
Chef Ajay Chopra
Managing Director
Zion Hospitality Pvt Ltd
I have truly enjoyed my monsoons in Faridabad, which is my hometown. I just feel it rains in an extra special way there! Monsoon for me is a beautiful time when the first rains bring that earthy smell which is so reminiscent of India. I have travelled the world but you don't get that beautiful, mitti smell anywhere!
The other thing is as soon as the monsoon hits, we want to put our kadhais on the gas ranges and start frying something: whether it's bhajjis, pakoras, vada pav, samosa. Anything fried will do! My food memories during the monsoons is having a hot cup of tea with crispy pakoras or roasted bhutta.
My approach to cooking has always been that people should be able to easily replicate chef recipes at home and that it should be wholesome (exception being deep-fried goodies, when there is good rainfall outside!) Monsoon is all about something steaming hot, something crispy-fried or something soupy. I have created these recipes keeping that in mind.
Bhutta or corn remains my favourite ingredient during monsoons. Eat it boiled, steamed, roasted, fried into a pattice, or even at mealtimes as corn kadi.
I love the rainy season wherever I may be in India, but like I said, being in Faridabad is the best. A lot of childhood memories are there… Barish ki masti kuch aur hi hai. Let your children enjoy the rains as only children can. Those memories go on to be the lasting ones!
