'I am a complete chicken addict' - Sreejita Dey

Do you like to cook?
Yes, I love to cook and I can make a number of delicious chicken dishes.

Are you calorie conscious when it comes to food?
I am quite calorie conscious when it comes to food. Before I started working on Annu, I did care much about calories, but after working with my producer, who is also calorie conscious, I have started working out. In fact I love going to the gym, and I avoid sweets and cold drinks.

With what beverage do you start your day, coffee or tea?
Neither. I start my day with a glass of milk.

Any particular food that is a ‘must-be’ in your diet?
Before I started shooting, I used to make it a regular habit of drinking lukewarm water with lime juice and honey as it is good for health. But now due to my hectic schedule, I cannot follow it although I make sure I have a glass of Mosambi juice daily.

With such a hectic schedule, how do you manage to follow your diet?
Mostly my mom packs me with rice and sabzi. I mostly have my dinner at home, but if I can’t make it, then I just pick up a veg roll. I don't eat food on the sets because they use a lot of soda and it is very spicy and heavy.

As a kid, what did you usually like to see in your snack box?
I loved seeing noodles in my box when I was a kid. Nowadays I do not eat much of noodles as they are full of calories, but back then I used to be very happy to see noodles in my lunch-box.

Have you experimented with food, made any unique dish?
Usually at home, my mom makes vegetables with potatoes. One day I picked up mushrooms from the market and experimented. I made the dish with mushrooms, vegetables and potatoes and it turned out to be delicious. It was very unique.

Any food item you are addicted to?
I am a complete Chicken addict. I like any chicken dish, but moreover I love chicken chilly. It is one dish that is always there on my menu selection in any restaurant.

And any particular dish that makes your mouth water?
I love one of Kolkata’s famous dishes. It is made with potatoes with lots of masala. Lemon juice is then sprinkled on it which makes the dish really luscious. It’s called Aloo Kabli in Kolkata.

Any particular cuisine you’d like to try your hand at?
Mexican food.

Any food item you are allergic to?
I am allergic to prawns.

Any traditional dish recipe you would like to share with our readers?
Ilish Bapa. It is a dish made with fish and is really tasty. The fish is first marinated with all the masala and curd and then steamed, not fried, which is what makes it so yum.

Reporter: Ranjini Nair
Author: Melanie