Home Chefs Of Mumbai – Part 19 – Karishma Nanavaty

Lockdown.  Had it occurred 40years ago? What then? 

Most of us lived in joint families, cooking food was a regular thing to do but who cooked cheese-cakes or chocolate walnut fudge, or cakes with dripping sauces? Or ordered food from home chefs, to try out different cuisines. Machar Jhol of Bengal, Korma Biryani from the land of Nawabs, Kababs and Aadab, or fermented Bamboo shoots of Nagaland or any such food comas? Yes, work was of equal magnitude, no live-in helpers, people rarely went out unless there were festivals or family gathering. They consumed normal traditional food, but experimenting on strange recipes was never an option. Why would they? There was no social media to share their food creations, no Selfies for clicking different expressions, no artistic desserts, they ate quietly and moved on.

Today, although we live in a prison of fear, leave our home only if it is important, but most of us are adventurous in our kitchen, churning out new recipes, exploring the food stories of foodies. Look at the brighter side, we have adjusted after few claps, whistles and clanging of utensils from our balconies in chorus, and have used our time honing our talent, exploring and nurturing whatever we are good at - music, art or cooking.

And many professional have hung their regular career on a hook of anticipation and are concentrating more on their traditional food and sharing their cuisine with city folk. It is a win-win situation.

And why not? If you share your passion with your Mom and have her support, you make a great team and Karishma Nanavaty is at her best.

Karishma Nanavaty (of Karrylicious Kitchen fame) is a full-time psychologist by profession, now specialises in traditional iconic and authentic Parsi cuisines and as well as continental cuisines. 

Her recipes are passed down from generations which are handmade with lots of love and hence in every bite you feel the authenticity of flavour and taste. Some of their well known Parsi dishes are lamb chops, Salli chicken, prawn Patia, chicken minced pattice.  

The mother-daughter food journey started just recently in June 2020. Their main purpose of starting Karrylicious Kitchen was only to sell chocolate walnut fudge, because Karishma’s friends and colleagues used to relish on it. Then within two weeks, they started getting orders for Parsi cuisines and that's how it all began. 

Now it's been 3 months and they are very delighted to serve all the communities with their cuisines, which is so rare and all the personal appreciations keep motivating them, especially during these difficult times when safety and personal hygiene is of the prime importance.  

The best traditional food that one can enjoy is at the wedding and Karishma talks about the food that she enjoys.  

“The food spread was lavish with all authentic Parsi dishes and the memories do not fade even after years. Yes. There were three different types of chicken dishes, dry and gravy based, two different types of fishes, flavourful prawns, Mutton biryani, two types of mutton gravy and loads of starters and varieties of desserts. I felt as if I was in heaven. This was twelve years back and it was such a great feast.”

She is happy to share the recipe of her delicious Lamb Chops

1. Wash and clean 500grams lamb chops thoroughly. 

2. Marinate the Lamb chops with 1tsp Ginger Garlic paste 2 tsp red Chilli paste 1 tbsp Coriander and Dhana-Jeera powder  3 tsp Kashmiri red chilli, 1.5 tsp Turmeric powder  1 tsp Biryani masala.  

3. Let it rest for 2-3 hrs.  

4. In a pan, fry 2 large onions and some khada masalas . 

5. Add in all the marinated chops. 

6. Add salt to taste. 

7. Let it simmer for sometime. 

8. Add some water and pressure cook for 15-20 mins. 

Customers can place an order 48 hours prior, as they always buy fresh stock. All the dishes are hygienically prepared and packed.  Delivery is all across Mumbai. Delivery charge is as per actuals. No minimum order is required

you can contact her at 88791 32817

You can order food through Instagram handle at Karrylicious_kitchen