Chef Manish Mehrotra
Chef Manish Mehrotra
Culinary Director
Indian Accent Restaurants
Monsoons always bring a flood of childhood memories for me. The greenness, the aroma of the soil. Growing up was in Delhi and as kids with no internet support, unlike today, we really enjoyed nature. And we ate loads of samosas and pakodas and other hot, fried and yummy stuff. Tea wasn’t allowed, so it had to be Bournvita and Horlicks!
As then, even now, when it's really pouring outside I like to sit and watch the rain from my balcony. Yes, given the fast pace of life these days, it is a luxury sitting doing nothing just watching it rain, but I do try and make time… I like being at home for the most part, but once driving from Poona to Bombay I saw how pretty Lonavala looked in the rains. All green and fresh. I think anyone would enjoy being in Lonavala, too.
The Langda mango hails from where I do and I love using the raw Langda in my recipes during the monsoons. For UpperCrust readers I have created monsoon recipes which require very few ingredients. Like my favourite Arbi Bitterballen, a rather unique but very homely dish. I am sure you will love it. Enjoy! Food and the rains...
