Episodes

  • Feast Of The East (Indians)

    Feast Of The East (Indians)

     The Real Food Podcast Season 2, Episode 1
    Aug 19 2019

    Feast of the East (Indians)-

    Named after the East India Company, the Catholic community of East Indians are native to Mumbai and have guarded their recipes of bottle-masala for decades. These spice-mixes are a blend of a long list of ingredients, pounded and packed into old beer bottles and can conveniently create complex flavours with minimum fuss. Bottle Masala is also a way the East Indians created a distinction between their cuisine and those of other Christian communities across India. Real Food takes us into the heart of this feisty community that loves to eat but doesn’t like sharing its recipes.

    Music by Josh Woodward
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    15 mins
  • Pulse Of The People

    Pulse Of The People

     The Real Food Podcast Season 2, Episode 2
    Aug 19 2019
    No one cares about dal, unless it makes the news for the wrong reasons. As the prices of tur, moong and urad see a shocking price increase, the governments of Maharashtra and Punjab are raiding traders for hoarding dal. But parochialism may be partly to blame – we’re so accustomed to a specific type of dal we’re willing to pay higher prices for imported dal rather than consider cheaper, local alternatives. In this episode, we explore dal and its colonial history, regional-emotional connect and the man-made substitute ‘dal analogue’. Music by Josh Woodward
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    16 mins
  • Chivda — From The Shahs To The Queen

    Chivda — From The Shahs To The Queen

     The Real Food Podcast Season 2, Episode 3
    Aug 19 2019
    The British phone-hacking scandal that rocked the UK a few years back uncovered an unlikely (and highly delicious) detail — that Queen Elizabeth II was furious about the police on duty at her palace polishing off her favourite snack — the Bombay mix! Whether the ‘Bombay mix’ in the UK or ‘Slangetjies’ in South Africa or ‘Bhuja Mix’ in Australia —the modest chivda is truly global. In this episode Vikram Doctor on the chivda, which is a tea-time nibble for some and a source of sustenance on foreign trips for others, but with its varieties and regional improvisations, it is truly a national and increasingly international favourite. Music credit Josh Woodward
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    13 mins
  • Great Coffee Made Easy

    Great Coffee Made Easy

     The Real Food Podcast Season 2, Episode 4
    Aug 19 2019
    Does it seems too hard to get a perfect brew right at home? Is there too much technology and process involved in grinding and brewing? Matt Chitharanjan from Blue Tokai Brewing Company says, “The thing about coffee is that you can make it as simple or as complex as you want”. Join The Real Food Podcast as it talks about coffee trends and demystifies the intricate details of the perfect cup of coffee. Music Credit: Josh Woodword
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    16 mins
  • Monsoon Foods Of Western India

    Monsoon Foods Of Western India

     The Real Food Podcast Season 2, Episode 5
    Aug 19 2019
    The first dark clouds and a drizzle sends us into raptures about chai and pakodas every monsoon. But is fried besan just a substitute for the lack of fresh vegetables? Have we forgotten the other foods that are also a part of the seasonal cuisine? One way of dealing with the monsoon is to stock up on the non – perishable food or is there another option. Vikram Doctor suggests we cook with what is naturally available nearby and save the pakodas for the occasional treat. Music Credit: Josh Woodword
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    16 mins
  • Stainless Steel Kitchens, Iron Clad Memories

    Stainless Steel Kitchens, Iron Clad Memories

     The Real Food Podcast Season 2, Episode 6
    Aug 19 2019
    Many of us would have seen old copper or brass vessels packed away at home and wondered why we don't use them anymore. While they have authenticity, most of these vessels were difficult to use as well as maintain. When an option came along that was easy to use, and even easier to clean, it's no surprise that everyone switched to using stainless steel. But is newer and simpler always better? Music Credit: Josh Woodward
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    17 mins
  • No #Acchedin For Gin?

    No #Acchedin For Gin?

     The Real Food Podcast Season 2, Episode 7
    Aug 19 2019
    Gin is one of the smoothest of all alcoholic drinks and supposedly the easiest to make. In India we have a history with gin since it was a favourite of the British Raj (which also led to the quinine infused tonic water, to help them fight malaria). However gin has never quite caught on in contemporary India, either because of its perception as a ‘ladies drink’ or due to a sheer lack of options. In this episode, Vikram Doctor traces the history of gin and looks at its possible renaissance as a ‘hipster drink’. Music Credit: Josh Woodword
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    15 mins
  • The Billion Packs A Month Biscuit

    The Billion Packs A Month Biscuit

     The Real Food Podcast Season 2, Episode 8
    Aug 19 2019
    Parle G is not only the largest selling biscuit in the world but is also synonymous with the category it represents. It is an affordable snack for the poorest, a weaning food for small babies and a dessert base for those looking for a nostalgia fix. Parle G was the unchallenged hero of the biscuit business and Britannia had to enlist the help of a super-villain to take on its might. In this episode of The Real Food Podcast, Vikram Doctor tells us the story of India’s most iconic biscuit brand. Music Credits: Josh Woodward
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    17 mins