India has gifted the world with numerous iconic playback singers, but today, we dive into a feast with one such gem from the Indian music world. From belting out over 2,000 songs in various languages to owning multiple restaurants, this singer has made us sway to her melodies and savour her culinary delights. Yes, we are talking about the legendary Asha Bhosle, who started singing at the tender age of 10 and, at 91, still exudes the same energy to sing, cook, and thrive as an entrepreneur. Here’s what our CFO, Kamiya Jani, relished at Asha’s in Dubai with the legendary singer herself.
Inside Asha’s Restaurant: A Culinary Adventure With Kamiya Jani And Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle welcomed us into her famed restaurant’s kitchen, donning her chef coat and toque with pride. As she guided Kamiya Jani through the culinary sanctum, Asha shared her love for Sindhi Saibhaji and her passion for spices. She revealed that she has restaurant outlets in London, Kuwait, Manchester, Birmingham, Bahrain, and Qatar. The global love for Indian cuisine, especially biryani, has been a driving force behind her culinary ventures. During their chat, Asha expressed how wearing her chef attire makes her feel special, adding another feather to her multifaceted cap.
The Journey Of Asha’s Restaurant In Dubai
The brainchild behind the restaurant chain is Asha Bhosle’s son, Anand Bhosle, who resides in Dubai. His affection for his mother’s homemade delicacies inspired him to open these restaurants worldwide. Asha’s restaurants primarily serve her own recipes, seamlessly blending her playback singing career with her passion for cooking. Ashaji’s culinary prowess became so renowned that no party felt complete without her culinary touch. She has learned various regional dishes on her travels, from Peshawari dal to different biryanis, and even momos from actress Mala Sinha. Even now, she loves cooking for her family and guests, ensuring every meal is a memorable experience.
What’s On The Menu: A Sunday Brunch With Asha Bhosle
From the famous Peshawari dal to yakhni pulao, a spread of aesthetically pleasing and hearty dishes graced the table. Ashaji mentioned how visitors keep coming back for the palak chaat on the menu. Her yakhni pulao and dal are crowd favourites, drawing guests repeatedly. These dishes are part of the new menu, ‘Live like a Maharaja!’ Asha shared that when she cooks Peshawari dal at home, she simmers it for three days on a sigdi, imbuing it with rich, deep flavours.
This Or That: A Culinary Quiz With Asha Bhosle
Kamiya Jani challenged Asha Bhosle to pick her favourites from a list of Maharashtrian dishes. We discovered Ashaji’s love for misal pav and her preference for solkadi made by her. She generously shared her age-old recipe for this refreshing, traditional digestive drink from Maharashtra. Asha loves kanda bhaji (onion fritters) and kothimbir wadi (coriander fritters). When it comes to pickles, she swears by her homemade nimbu ka achar (lemon pickle) and mirchi ka achar (pickled chilli). As she continued to cook her beloved dishes while humming her favourite tunes, we concluded the delightful Sunday brunch at Asha’s in Dubai.
For more insights and delightful interactions with Asha Bhosle, watch the Sunday brunch episode on the Curly Tales YouTube channel now!
Cover Image Courtesy: Internal
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