Chai, snacks and travel
Hello! How are you?
My book The Book of Chai is out in paperback this week. It also means a new lower price! Check it out on amazon here. The paperback copies will be on the website soon.
This time, I thought I'd tell you about the quintessential Gujarati pairing of Ganthia, Marcha and Chai - a mouth-wateringly delicious teatime snack from the scorching heat of the Gujarat villages. I was in Kutch a couple of weeks ago for Bapu's Ram Katha, and during the evening musical programme I went to see these fresh chillies being fried, ganthia being skilfully made and chai on the boil, all ready to be served to Bapu in the early evening golden hour of the desert - the 'Rann' of Kutch, Rann meaning desert.
And while the evening programme went on, I walked to the back of the audience to find these beautifully dressed ladies having chai as they were leaving - the tribal women of Kutch are known for their vibrant, colourful and heavily embroidered dressing reflecting their identity and artistry.
I write about this pairing in my book, but it's not a recipe I've mastered, or even learnt - so if you're in London and looking for some of these deliciously crispy chickpea flour crackers with your chai, my favourite place to buy them is a wonderful store called Jalsa in Wembley - where you'll find fresh dhokla, all types of ganthia (as there are many), hot sweet jalebi and more. It's all brilliant - so go wild!
Love, Mira x
