Thanksgiving

The American holiday is such a feast that it usually makes sense to wear stretchy pants since undoubtedly you will be having seconds of pumpkin pie after having seconds of turkey and all the trimmings.

We celebrated the holiday in London’s Covent Garden at an outstanding Indian restaurant, Moti Mahal.

We did miss the camaraderie of family and friends but so enjoyed this meal!

Just opening the menu and reading the stories was transporting….

Started with a passion fruit Lassi (traditional Punjabi yogurt-based drink) and an Indian beer, King fisher.

Then came the salad course, a platter of fresh vegetables. Meant to be chopped, then sprinkled with spices ground by mortar and pestle, and topped with freshly squeezed lemon juice.

The mains were Prawn Rogan, Tikka Makhani with Naan and a potato-aubergine side dish.

So excited, didn’t take a photo until we had ‘tucked in’ already!

For dessert, Mango Malai Kulfi, or Indian creamy popsicle!

To top off the meal, I was invited into the kitchen. Met the head chef (he also teaches cooking classes in the restaurant but they are booked solid until next Spring) and got to see how Naan is made, fascinating.

Flattened dough is placed on a damp ‘pillow’ and slapped against the side of a 500 degree clay oven. As soon as the water evaporates, the bread is done. Long handled ‘bread seekhs’ are used to grab the cooked Naan and pull it out of the oven.

Same type of oven as used for Naan but this one is kept at 500 degrees via charcoal (expensive in London) and is used to infuse a smoky flavor to kebabs and other meats.

The traditional clamp grill or ‘thattee’ is an ancient technique. Moti Mahal is apparently the only restaurant in town using this type of grilling method.

Incredible meal with a quick tour and lesson --- a real treat on a special holiday!