Manav Gohil serves hot

Thursday, August 02, 2007
Television actor and anchor Manav Gohil speaks about his favourites. He also gives tips on how to serve food hot.

Are you a complete foodie or do you watch what you eat?
I'm a complete foodie.

Your favourite cuisine – Continental/Oriental/Indian/others.
It would be Thai, but I can have Indian food anytime.

What do your prefer - homemade food or outside food?
Definitely homemade food.

Your preference - vegetarian or non-vegetarian food?
Non-veg.

Drink that you like with your food?
No, I do not like to drink anything while having food.

Your favourite beverage?
I think it would be ice-tea or lassi.

Any hard drink that you take?
I like malt.

What about junk food?
I do not like junk food, but if there is no choice, I would settle for a freshly-baked pizza.

Your favourite fast food joint?
I visit Brio, which is in Stopper's Stop, Juhu, though not too frequently. It has a branch at Hypercity Malad. I like the sandwiches that they serve.

Organic Aloo or Batata Vada?
Batata Vada.

Favourite restaurant/eating place which you think is a must-visit by all and sundry?
I think it would be Thai Ban which is at Bandra. This outlet serves very good Thai food.

Your take on diet and health food.
I think that diets should be an integral part of daily life. You should keep track of what you are eating and when. For example, I avoid rotis and rice after 9 pm, instead I take subzi or dal or chicken.

What would be that one dish which you will not be able to resist?
I think that would be khichdi. In fact, I overeat whenever I am served this dish.

Could you share the recipe with us?
A: Serves 8
Ingredients

2 cups rice
1 cup toor dal
7-8 cups water
salt to taste
12 sp turmeric powder
1 sp jeera or cumin
6-7 curry leaves
For making a puree
2 tomatoes
2 onions
8 garlic cloves
8 pepper seeds
3 dry whole chillies
4 cloves
4 inches of tejpatta or bay leaves

Method
First, grind the ingredients of the puree in the mixer. Put rice and toor dal together in a bowl and wash it well. Take a small cooker and put it on the flame. Put some ghee into it. Once the ghee is hot, add jeera and let it turn brown. Then add turmeric powder and curry leaves to it. Now add the puree to it. Add salt and stir for five to seven minutes. Add the toor dal and rice to the mixture. Now add seven to eight cups of water to it. Then close the cooker and let it whistle 4-5 times. Serve it hot.