Mumbai Food: Get a taste of forgotten dishes

Kheema Matar

People can always be trusted to find ingenious ways to assert their identity. Some pick up arms and wage a war, while others try to invoke interest in their culture using engaging and inclusive methods. Take for example Soumitra Velkar, a home chef who offers authentic Pathare Prabhu meals through a WhatsApp broadcast group.

Soumitra Velkar

Velkar has teamed up with the Hungry Cat Kitchen, a central kitchen based out of Mahim, and together they will be hosting a delivery-only Pathare Prabhu feast over the weekend. On offer will be delectable dishes such as prawn pie made with prawns, peas and parbhi masala topped with cheesy mashed potato; kheema matar cooked with chunks of potatoes and peas and served with buttered pav; Pathare Prabhu chicken pulao with pineapple sambhare; and doodhi halwa cheesecake, among other dishes.

Chicken pulao with pineapple sambhare

Velkar stresses on the fact that the food he makes is different from other coastal cuisines, pointing out how Pathare Prabhus do not use coconut. "We also use of a lot of stewing and baking because of the confluence of our culture with that of the Portuguese," he says. "We are one of the original settlers in Mumbai and yet, not too many are aware of our cuisine. It's distinct and not many restaurants serve dishes from the cuisine. Our population is dwindling, and the recipes are beginning to get lost, so I thought of starting this to keep our culture alive," Velkar signs off.

On: August 4 to 5
Call: 9820928658 (to preorder for lunch and dinner slots)
Cost: Rs 300 to Rs 500

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