We recently spoke to Pankaj Bhadouria, the winner of MasterChef India Season 1. Pankaj has written two more cookery books, Barbie: I am a Chef and Chicken from My Kitchen.
Below are a few questions we asked her:
What was the very first dish that you cooked and for whom?
From what I remember, the first was probably breakfast for my Dad. The dish was nothing but toast, butter and tea with a rose on the tray. I must have been eight or nine years old at that time so the memory is very precious to me.
What is the best cooking related memory you have?
I think my best cooking related memory is when I was cooking for the finale at MasterChef. I was very calm and not under any pressure at all! I think that not only prevented me from making any mistakes but also reflected in the food that I created that day and helped me win.
Tell us the go-to spice mix in your kitchen.
That would be the Kadhai Masala! Be it with potatoes, chicken, paneer, cauliflower, stuffed paranthas – I use it almost everywhere!
Share with us a secret that you think helped you become the first MasterChef of India.
It is difficult to say…maybe a lot of homework that I’d done over the years aided by the fact that I could work well within limited time or perseverance and not giving up under pressure. Also I would pay a lot of attention to what comments my competitors would get from the judges and made it a point to not repeat those mistakes myself.
Are there more books coming from your kitchen?
Of course, there are! Just wait for what is next to come!
Tag: Masterchef
6 Essential Spices from Masterchef Pankaj Bhadouria’s Kitchen
Straight from the kitchen of India’s first Masterchef, Pankaj Bhadouria, here is a glimpse of her book — The Secret’s in the Spice Mix. Now you’re just a teaspoon away from stirring magic in your pan with these 6 spice mixes you must have in your kitchen:
Greek Seasoning
Za’atar
Pizza Seasoning
Barbecue Sauce
Tawa Subzi Masala
Panch Phoron
So, what is the best kept secret in your kitchen? Tell us as we make our way to gastronomic heaven.