This month of june has been very exciting indeed. Concocting july menu for my supperclub Casa Ali, developing content for Food4Thought and my birthday according to the Arabic lunar calendar.
Fifty years ago in Bombay, on the eve of 12 January, 15 Shaban Shab-e-Barat (the birthday of 12th Imam Mehdi whom I am named after) as well as the brightest moon of the year celebrated by the hindus – I was born! Lunar calendar days begin at dusk… so my second birthday of this year was technically the evening the super moon graced our skies!
I have been busy working on Food4Thought, a ‘digital walk’ that reveals a mix of locations and voices, inviting people locally from London and anywhere else in the world to discover the stories of some people running businesses in Lower Marsh. Its part of MultiWalks a motiroti project in which artists from London, Oslo and Regio Emilia are developing content for mobile apps as an alternative guided walk of their cities. Food4Thought is framed within Fantasy High Street and Waterloo Quater Food Festival. In this process I have met a host of really amazing people. Before you all are able to download your free app, there is still much of the post production to finish… wish me luck!
Apart from the above taking priority for this month, Casa Ali is pulsing away. I have been dreaming combinations and testing new recipes. The allotment is coming along nicely and if the weather gods bestow some sunshine for a few days in a row, I am hoping to start having the fresh produce making its way to my food gatherings. Beans and legumes as well as early potatoes – almost everything has had a late start. The plants are more confused than our wardrobes. Hopefully in a couple weeks time we will be able to start enjoying the work of the marvellous bees!
JULY Dates, bookings and menu
Friday 5th TICKETS + 19th July TICKETS 6.30 – 10.30pm Mixed menu
Saturday 6th TICKETS + 20TH July TICKETS 6.30 – 10.30pm Vegetarian menu
6 Course Mixed Menu:
Plantain, karela, cucumber, cherry tomatoes with toasted seeds || Courgette, black beans, prawn, mushroom and mint || Daal soup, tamarind, ginger and herbs || Salmon, plantain, butternut squash and toasted seeds || Rice, black beans and pomegranate seeds || Dessert: rice, strawberries, rhubarb and coconut milk
6 Course Vegetarian Menu:
Plantain, karela, cucumber, cherry tomatoes with toasted seeds || Courgette, black beans, avocado, halloumi and mint || Daal soup, tamarind, ginger and herbs || Mushroom, plantain, butternut squash, red cabbage and toasted seeds || Rice, black beans and pomegranate seeds || Dessert: rice, strawberries, rhubarb and coconut milk
I look forward to the day when Casa Ali menus get decided 48 hrs before the event, depending on the goodies available. So that I only whet your apetite describing the specially planned creation before hand and the rest remains a scrumptious surprise!