Melting Pot - Indian Style

I feel truly blessed to live in a community that offers its residents so many wonderful amenities. The homes are distinctive, the schools are top rated, the parks system is extensive and it provides easy access to New York City.

But, there is an intangible quality I have come to enjoy and appreciate even more than all of the above. Our communities are culturally rich. This was so important to me when I moved from New York City to the suburbs and I continue to embrace it even more today.

As a Realtor, I assist a diverse client base to purchase and sell their homes. Understanding the nuances of their varying cultures is essential to my success.  For instance, in East Asian culture the kitchen must be equipped with a gas stove and an overhead exhaust (or hood).

Recently, I assisted Shanta and Kuri Korratiyial to sell their home.  Because it sold so quickly and efficiently, they told me they wanted to formally express their gratitude to me. I explained that it was only part of the job and therfor completely unnecessary.  However, I quickly realized I was insulting them if I didn’t accept their offer.

I thought long and hard about it and suggested the best way for them to express their gratitude would be to teach me how to properly prepare a traditional Indian meal. While I have dabbled in preparing Indian cuisine, I didn’t know the secret to making it so flavorful and how to properly prepare the spices.

They were delighted with my request and suggested we set a date. Cuisine and language vary greatly by region in India. Because they grew up in the southern region, Biryani was their top choice.  It can be made with Chicken, Beef or Lamb. We made Chicken Biryani, ate it together with a bottle of red wine and found the experience too enriching to keep to myself. 

So, I decided to pay my education forward for other equally curious culture seekers.  The recipe is attached for your convenience. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did-- Namaste