Ruta's update
Who wants to go to India in September 2010?
It's nearly July, which is usually when I begin planning my next Culinary Tour to India. I'll be taking a group in September 2010, exact dates TBD soon. We'll explore the western states of Kerala and Goa, each renowned for its own fascinating cuisine. And we'll end up in the cosmopolitan, intensely foodie mecca that is Mumbai. This itinerary has proven to be very popular, and I’ve jam-packed it with market visits, demos, restaurants and food, food, food. But we'll also make time for Ayurvedic massages and shopping. All in all, it promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip with a small, select group. So sign up now! Check out the itinerary on the Culinary Tour page and see what you've been missing on the Tour Photos page.
You've never seen a cooking school like this.
I've closed my cooking school in Rockridge to focus on a project I've been dreaming about for a while: a destination cooking school in Goa. If you haven't heard of this tiny state on India's west coast, Goa is a tropical paradise on the Arabian Sea. It was a Portuguese colony for five centuries, which played a prominent role in its amazing cuisine. Obviously, there's much to be done before we can don our aprons, but I think it will be worth the wait. To whet your appetite, click on the photo to check out the view from my (future) school.
5 Spices, 50 Dishes: got your copy yet?
"Simple but not simplistic" seems to be a popular recipe—5 Spices 50 Dishes is now in its second print run and is consistently a Bestseller in Amazon.com's Indian Cookbooks category. You can read some of the reviews—from the New York Times Book Review to local bloggers—on my Reviews page. To learn more about the cookbook or to order a signed copy, please visit the Cookbook page.
5 Spices on TV
KPIX Channel 5 interviewed yours truly on Eye On The Bay to talk about my cookbook. It was a ton of fun to be on the show, and I was in great company—they also interviewed Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. If you missed the segment, just click on the YouTube window to the right. And if you like, you can download some of the recipes featured on the show at Channel 5's website.
It's now official: Indian food is good for you
And that's coming from no less an authority than Prevention Magazine. In their article, they also featured six recipes from my cookbook - with new names that emphasize the numerous health benefits associated with the cuisine's spices, antioxidants and fiber content. In other words, it not only tastes good, it is good for you! This is a topic dear to my heart, and I'm so glad that it's finally starting to become widely known.
Turmeric makes it to Top 10 Superfoods List
Fitness Magazine gave Turmeric the #2 spot in their new Superfoods list - and a nice plug for my cookbook as well. Quoting from the magazine, Curcumin (the key ingredient in Turmeric) "may help prevent a variety of diseases, including multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers... For recipes, check out the book 5 Spices, 50 Dishes, by Ruta Kahate."
But which wine goes best with that curry?
Chances are, it's not that old standby, Gewurztraminer. With Indian food getting more and more mainstream, diners are eager to explore wine pairings beyond the obvious. To find out which spices warm up to which wines, Jon Bonné, Wine Editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, and Olivia Wu, noted chef and writer, met up with me at a local Indian restaurant. We spent three hours in a happy haze tasting, comparing and often tossing out conventional wisdom. The result? The Chronicle Pairing Guide: The secrets of matching Indian Food with Wine. Check it out; it's the perfect resource for anyone who loves both wine and Indian food.
Contact
Call 415-225-7898 or click here to send Ruta an email.