On Sunday, short of other things to do, we went for breakfast in Thamel (where we waited 40 minutes to get muesli and a hot chocolate - after I was just about ready to walk out because we were going to be late!) and then took part in a cooking workshop with an ethical tour company called Social Tours (http://www.socialtours.com/).
Our objective is to learn how to make the Nepali meal of Dal Bhat. Actually it's really not hard and you could probably work out by disassembly. But for £6 per person we thought we might as well learn properly and have lunch while we're at it! There were 5 of us on the course, the 4 of us from IDF and another German traveller.
First job was to go and get ingredients. We strolled down another amazing Kathmandu street to the local grocer's. See here how many different types of lentils there are available!
(all photos courtesy of Alfie since my camera's battery was flat)
And vegetables of all shapes, including those (previously) prohibited in the EU!
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-08-1694_en.htm
Our objective is to learn how to make the Nepali meal of Dal Bhat. Actually it's really not hard and you could probably work out by disassembly. But for £6 per person we thought we might as well learn properly and have lunch while we're at it! There were 5 of us on the course, the 4 of us from IDF and another German traveller.
First job was to go and get ingredients. We strolled down another amazing Kathmandu street to the local grocer's. See here how many different types of lentils there are available!
(all photos courtesy of Alfie since my camera's battery was flat)
And vegetables of all shapes, including those (previously) prohibited in the EU!
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-08-1694_en.htm
We got back to the lovely little workshop (with nice gas hob and large wooden prep table) and our instructor taught us, in great English, how to prepare the pickle, tarkari (veg curry), dal (lentil soup) and bhat (fluffy rice) for this traditional meal, while we also learnt some more Nepali! I managed to avoid getting chilli in my eye but did splatter everyone with tomatoes as I tried to puree them using a pestle and mortar.
It was very hands-on (despite the photos) and great fun, so well worth doing! To crown it off, we enjoyed the delicious lunch with plenty of seconds for all. And we were given a recipe sheet to take away - so be warned, anyone I invite over for dinner when I get back!
Hmm... will it taste as good without the chilli? Otherwise I might have to forgo this treat and just have tartiflette instead :D
ReplyDeleteReminds me of Yak Yeti Yak! Look forward to you teaching me this one and more, you must have had some really great food there!
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