Tarla Dalal - From Kitchen To Padmashree (Author, Host & Food Blogger From India)

At one time, it was being said, "If you want your daughter to get married, send her to Mrs Dalal's classes."

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

Born in Pune, India, Mrs Tarla Dalal moved to Bombay after her marriage. In 1966, she started cookery classes from her residence. Her classes became a phenomenal success, with a long waiting list of students wanting to join them. As a logical extension to cookery classes, she started writing cookbooks so she could reach out to more people. She has written a total of 170 titles, several of which have been translated into various languages like Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, and even Dutch and Russian!

In 2005, the Indian Merchant Chamber honoured Smt. Tarla Dalal as “Woman of the Year”. In 2007, Mrs Dalal was awarded the “Padmashree Award” – the biggest award an Indian can dream of achieving – for her contribution to the field of cooking. She is the first Indian to have been awarded in this category.

 

2. Which is your favourite cuisine and dish?

Tarla Dalal’s favourite cuisine is Indian, simply for the fact that it has so a vast variety of delicacies from different states of India. Her all-time favourite ingredient is paneer and so Paneer Tikki is one of her favourites!

 

3. Which restaurants/food joints would you recommend to food lovers?

With so many restaurants explored, Mrs Dalal loves to enjoy an evening at Punjab Grill, Copper Chimney and Spice Klub for Indian cuisine, Yautcha and Koko for Asian cuisine, Bay route for Lebanese cuisine and Quattro for Mexican cuisine.

4. What makes you appreciate a particular dish or a restaurant and talk about it on your blog?

From starters to the main course or from mocktails to desserts, as a food enthusiast, Mrs Dalal always looked for delicious, economical and quick options which are made with readily available ingredients.

 

5. Is there a dish you particularly associate yourself with?

As a quick and healthy snack, Mrs Dalal always served Thepla Paneer Wrap to her kids when they came home hungry. It is a fusion meal by itself. Traditional methi-mingled Gujarati theplas transform into an all-new treat when smeared with flavourful green chutney and packed with a peppy flavoured paneer and cauliflower mixture. The kids’ totally adored this wrap because of its unmistakable Indian influence.

 

6. Which is your favourite book and why?

“The Chocolate Cookbook” always had a special corner in her heart as one can easily rustle up in the kitchen to make a quick batch of tea time cookies to an extravagant cake to please the fussiest diner. Each one would love to be applauded for homemade chocolates and while dining too we never miss out on indulging in a chocolate-based dessert. Working with chocolate can be fun and you can try Chocolate Banana Cake for High tea, Chocolate Chip Cookies for kids’ birthday parties, Mocha Mousse Cake for get-togethers and a lot more.

 

7. What are your forthcoming plans?

Mrs Tarla Dalal continues to live through her work, in not just the kitchens but also in the minds of people all over the world. We stand by the faith that she is forever – not just as memories but also tangibly. She has left behind a legacy – not just to be remembered but to be continued. As a tribute to her, her son Sanjay Dalal and his team continue to carry forth updating food content on www.tarladalal.com and food videos on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Tata Sky on a timely basis ensuring that her culinary work benefits the coming generations as well. Together, let’s continue her work, her charities and her good spirit. Let’s make sure she lives on!

- Tarla Dalal (Website)

- Interviewed by Deshna Jain