Rachel Allen’s India Connection!

Mumbai,India

Celebrity Chef Rachel Allen’s no fuss approach to cooking was evident on her show ‘Easy meals’ on TLC India and it was confirmed at the preview of Allen’s menu at the Sassy Spoon.  Sassy Spoon is hosting the Rachel Allen’s week from 13^th– 19^th June and this will culminate into a fundraising dinner on the 20^th.

The lunch experience started in a rather therapeutic way with the Virgin Lemon Grass cooler; it was a bit spa-oil like. The mint, the pomegranate, the cucumber in the drink just couldn’t stand up.  Then arrived the Carrot and Sweet potato soup with cashew and coriander pesto (Rs 365), it was clean with a hint of coriander.  The Pearl Barley salad with apple, almonds, pomegranate and scarmoza (Rs 365) was simple but quite a mouthful with different flavours and textures coming out of every ingredient and importantly they complemented each other.

The penne (RS 475) was again simple home-style pasta tossed in chilli and garlic, the roasted cauliflower and sliced water chestnuts induced some interest in it and lastly the Goat cheese , kale and pumpkin tart (Rs 475) was done to perfection, the filling was great and the tart shell  firm yet crumbly.  The overall meal was more ‘pan to plate’ style with little fanfare but with great ingredients. It would disappoint if you are looking at more artisanal and nouvelle preparations.  Chef Irfan Pabaney did mention availability as a limitation in using of ingredients like Irish Salmon, Irish bacon etc and hence local produce was incorporated as much as the gentle Indian touches to the menu. The meal ended with the Irish coffee meringue roulade (Rs 365), a slice of coffee mousse cased inside soft meringue. I missed the Irish whiskey in it, the only Irish coffee connection I knew of.

Chef Rachel Goenka from the Sassy spoon studied at the famous Ballymaloe cookery school in Ireland and was taught by Rachel Allen and it was good to see a teacher and the student join hands for a cause. The proceeds of the fundraising dinner (RS 5000 a head) with Rachel Allen on 20^th June at the Sassy Spoon will go to the Goal Foundation. A stand-alone restaurant taking a philanthropic initiative like this is commendable.

Spread the word!