Bangladeshi Cooking with Afsari: Immersion Workshop

Bangladeshi cuisine, a rich culinary tradition found in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, is known for its aromatic spices and diverse range of fresh flavors.

When you meet Afsari, you will be delighted by her warmth and graciousness. Upon arrival, Afsari will serve her ginger spiced tea accompanied by a delicious snack of homemade samosas or pakoras along with a range of homemade chutneys, or chaat, a refreshing sweet, spicy, tangy mixture of crunchy puffed rice, chickpeas, fresh cilantro, yogurt, and tamarind sauce.

In her workshops, you will learn to create the complex, delicious flavors of Bangladeshi cuisine, and you’ll learn the art of handling the myriad number of spices at its heart. Afsari is a master teacher, and her clear and supportive guidance will give you the confidence to successfully make her recipes at home. This is Indian food like you can’t get at any restaurant.  At the end of the day you’ll go home newly inspired with all the recipes and a shopping guide to Afsari’s favorite food markets.

Menu

• Beef Biryani (Marinated Beef and Spiced Rice)
• A spectacular festival dish--spiced-yogurt marinated beef simmered until tender, then layered with cooked rice and whole spices, fried onions, fried potatoes, two different types of garam masala, fresh chiles, more whole spices, and baked with a drizzle of heavy cream, saffron, and rosewater.
• Acher Baingan (Spicy Fried Eggplants)
• A spicy fried eggplant casserole cooked with tamarind, tomatoes, onions, chiles, and assorted spices.
• Raita (Cooling Yogurt Condiment)
• A cooling yogurt and cucumber side dish made with fresh mint, a touch of brown sugar, and seasoned with chile and cumin powders.
• Vermicelli Pudding (Sweet and Milky Noodle Pudding)
• Toasted vermicelli, cinnamon, and cardamom simmered with milk, sugar, golden raisins, and almonds, then cooled until thickened.