Potato patties and red cabbage

Lets call it a Black & White Rice Pudding!

By coincidence, Casa Ali’s first lunch of 2013 and the Chinese New Year, both were on 10th February. A few days before the gathering, I dreamt guests were waiting around as I returned from my grocery shopping. Anxiety dream some would say! I am a good planner though, all was in hand and there was nothing to worry about. The menu was published three weeks in advance and all the dishes were about ready… save the red onion purée I concocted just 24 hours before the event.

And then a little crisis in the kitchen. Having poured the agar blended ingredients in moulds the night before, grilled aubergine layered over with creamed spinach crusted with baked Tuscan spelt, the morning greeted me with an unstable looking form. The mixture for my patties was a little too soft and had to renegotiated. These were the surprises that took more time than allocated for. Sebastian my housemate has happily taken on the responsibilities of a sous chef. He was busy laying the table and decided to origami the serviettes. On the prompt of google gods he followed the illustrated instructions but his Windows 8 decided to throw a wobbly. I got him to taste the revised version of the patties, he approved, took his shower freshened up to meet,  greet and mingle. While I continued cooking there was a knock on the door. Two of my lovely guests arrived half an hour earlier. For once, the London Overground was running like clockwork. Quick greetings whilst still plating the starters, I realised I still had to shower. Lucy and Viki had travelled all the way from North London and were profusely apologetic for being early. “We could have gone for a stroll or waited at a Starbucks had it not been for this rain”. Good that the Starbucks menace has not arrived in my neighbourhood yet. Anyways they were eager to help with the preparation. Sebastian got them folding the napkins in no time! Having had my power shower, change of clothes followed by proper hugs we sat around chatting and garnishing till Bhajan arrived from east of the city. Tina and Poppy were delayed by an hour, stuck in traffic coming from Brent. Gathered around the table people held dear their earliest of memories from Somerset, Bedfordshire, India via Kenya, Pakistan and Romania… whilst Mexico via United States sent her apology on FB as jet lag had got the better of her.

Great joy as always to see continents merge across the table in one room. Different languages, tastes, the commonalities despite vast cultural differences. I love creating spaces of safety where questions can be asked without judgement, thoughts are shared, eyes rove and friendship blossoms. I wanted to know in earnest how the guests would describe to their friends the kind of food they ate. We debated between ‘fusion’ and ‘international’ cuisine, someone suggested Art Food or Food Art – can’t remember which. My cousin said “food with the Mehdi touch”(my middle name), but she would say that… after all she is family! Viki christened my pudding as Black and White Rice Pudding – and I love it! Its descriptive and has room for adding other colours into it. I wanted to flip video the lunch. Did I get around to doing it? No! I barely managed to grab some shots of the dishes. I shall post it as soon as it is edited. However a new Casa Ali ritual was born. Using a purpose-built ring light, I took portraits of all guests. Transience of as powerful an act of sharing food together dissipates even faster living in a megalopolis like London. These images will continue to refresh our memories as will the joint drawing created for Casa Ali by the friends .

A big THANKS to all for bringing their beautiful energies, open and engaging minds and LOVE!

Coming up this week

VALENTINES SPECIAL DINNER 

14th Feb: 6.30 – 10.30 pm  London SE25, address dispatched with confirmation of tickets

Valentines menu of seven courses @ £32 per person + a special portrait session for the guests + a foot massage. Four guests only.

MENU

  • MIXED LENTIL SOUP WITH CRISPED GINGER AND TOASTED SEEDS
  • SEARED PLANTAIN, SPICY BEETROOT WITH KIWI
  • POTATO PATTIES, RED CABBAGE AND LABNE
  • SCALLOPS, MUSHROOMS, PUMPKIN, LOTUS ROOT
  • MEAT BALLS, ORANGES, PUMPKIN SEEDS
  • RICE WITH POMEGRANATE SEEDS
  • CANDIED CARROTS, ICE CREAM AND NUTMEG
  • + A SURPRISE …WHAT EVER TAKES MY FANCY ON THE DAY

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PLEASE NOTE

Casa Ali gatherings will take place first and third week of each month, four times in a month, on fridays and sundays. The courses will change according to what is seasonally available. Below is the pattern so it’s easy for you to plan your visit in advance.

Friday evenings 6.30 – 10.30 pm Mixed menu of vegetables, fish and halal meat.

Sunday afternoons 12.30 – 4.30pm Vegetarian menu.

Then there will be special ones too.

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