Recipe Development Day at Kitty Party
Cooking has always transported me to a different world - one that I happily lose myself in for hours on end. For me, it's more than just a hobby; it is an essential part of my life.
Everyday when I cook, it's not that I use my measurement tools, everything is by estimation, but the recipe development days are different because while creating recipes for our participants, it's essential to provide specific measurements and instructions to make it easier for them to follow along.
Being Indian, I take pride in creating authentic Indian dishes. But that's not where my love for food stops. I also love exploring different cuisines and ingredients. I’m a stickler for quality ingredients as I believe it can elevate a dish to new heights.
In my approach to studying, creativity, and fashion photography, I dive headfirst into absorbing as much information as I possibly can. The moment an idea pops into my head, I spring into action. I scour the internet and listen to knowledgeable experts in the field, to get a complete understanding of the topic.
I take a day or two to let all the information sink in, and then I unleash my creativity to come up with something entirely new and unique. We all draw influence from somewhere, and I do not let external sources constrain my creativity.
The childish excitement and thrill I feel for developing recipes is unparalleled! Cooking is both a science and an art. Despite Indian cooking relying heavily on estimation, I approach my kitchen like a laboratory, using measuring cups and spoons to perfect each recipe through repeated trials.
Sometimes, I even look for a white coat to fully embrace the scientist persona in me during recipe development. I meticulously note down the measurements and proportions until I get it just right, and my partner always provides honest feedback to help me improve. Whenever I block off a day for recipe development, I know I’ll have a lot of fun in the kitchen.
The beauty of my recipe development process is that it's not just a solitary pursuit - my mom, my sister, my partner, and my friends are all involved in the journey. Sometimes, creating a new recipe can be lightning-fast, taking just a day, or it can stretch over several weeks with multiple development sessions until I'm proud of the final result.
My ultimate goal with each recipe is to make it enjoyable to anyone, regardless of their background or taste preferences. I have to think what would be the vegan version? What if someone is sensitive to spices? What alternatives can be used for the ingredients that are hard to find? Can there be a gluten free version?
At times, I find inspiration from different ingredients. Say, if I spot a batch of mangoes, my mind races with ideas for how to put a unique spin on them. It’s amazing how individual ingredients can influence the taste of a recipe and enhance it.
However, my partner isn’t too pleased with the aftermath. The kitchen ends up being a total mess, and cleaning up becomes a chore — yet it’s all worth it when I get to taste the delicious food I’ve made.
We're developing a recipe book filled with simple and delectable recipes, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, can relish them.
Interested in our Recipe Book? Register here and be the first one to find out when pre-orders go live!