THEME CUISINE
The
Parsi Platter By Sharmila Chand
P
arsi cuisine has varied influences, which includes the influences from Iran, Gujarat and Maharashtra. While rice forms the basis of Parsi food, lentils and curries too are common in this cuisine. The Parsi cuisine cannot be segmented as either vegetarian or nonvegetarian. The Parsi people can be said to enjoy a combination of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The Parsi people generally have a love for food and place emphasis on the nutrition value of the food. However, at
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the same time Parsi dishes are not compromised in terms of taste, and the distinct flavour and simple taste of Parsi cuisine are perhaps the reasons for its popularity.
The Tempting, Timeless Dishes The Iranian influence is being manifested in the meat and chicken dishes cooked with vegetables. Bhakras (a type of fried scone) and sadhnas (steamed rice pancakes), are traditional Parsi specialties. Both of them are made with toddy. Dhansak is
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another mouth-watering Parsi dish which can be construed as a potpourri of mutton, lentil and vegetables. Dhansak has a special relevance in Parsi culture. It is generally served on the third day after bereavement. It presents itself as a pureed mash made from three different types of lentils, meats and all the vegetables that are available in the kitchen. At the festival also dhansak is being served, but with brown rice — basmati browned gently with onions and with a dash of caramelised sugar — and served with lemon drizzled kachumbur of onion and tomato. Koimino patio, which is a sweet and sour prawn curry, and dhandal patio — a fish curry served with rice and lentils — are other delectable offerings from the rich gastronomic legacy of the Parsis. Chicken farcha or fried chicken, Patra ni machhi, which is a steamed fish steak marinated with mint chutney and wrapped in banana leaf, Sali murghi, which is a spicy chicken dish with finely fried matchstick potatoes, are among the many other popular delicacies from the Parsi cuisine. Apricot mutton or jardaloo ma gos is another must have Parsi delicacy with its blend of sweet sour richness. The khatta meeta, the sweet-sour
Dec-Jan ’14