KAHANI RASOI KI - SHWETA KAWAATRA

Shweta's thought for food

I begin my day with nimbu and honey in lukewarm water. Later, I go to the gym for half-an-hour of cardio and weight training.

After returning from the gym, I breakfast on milk and cornflakes or an omelette with two slices of bread.

In North Indian food, I am very fond of dal makhani, kathi kebabs and tandoori food.

I am a 90 per cent vegetarian; I rarely eat non-vegetarian food.

In non-vegetarian fare, I dig chicken and lamb. I have started eating fish recently. I eat prawns and other sea-food once in a blue moon.

My favourite food is my ghar ka khana. I like everything from karelas, and doodhi to tinda, arbi and bhee (lotus stem) — all the vegetables that are largely shunned by the world.

I prefer to carry food from home when I am shooting. My tiffin comprises one bowl of dal, curds, a dry vegetarian dish and two rotis. I eat rice only with something in a curry form like rajma or channa or kadi etc. I am more of a roti person.

In the evenings, I take a cup of tea with biscuits. Around seven pm, I generally bite into an apple. Once in a while, I do indulge in snacks served on the sets especially if there is idli sambhar or dholkas.

If I am not shooting, I like to have my dinner by 8 pm because it is good for one's digestion. Once in a week, I go on a carb-free diet. No rice or roti with my meals, that day.

If I feel I have put on weight and want to lose it, then I don't have any carbs in the night. Generally my dinner is soup, salads, a dry sabzi /gravy dish, a bowl of dal and two rotis.

I never have more than two rotis per meal.

I am very much a salad and fruit person.

I love all fruits; papaya, apples, pears and watermelon.

I prefer to have a fruit after my meals rather than a dessert. But I do binge on my bi-annual holidays. I like dark chocolates and brownies and homemade cakes.

I think you should allow yourself an occasional binge or it will become difficult to maintain discipline.

I like eating out once a week.

My favourite restaurant is Mainland China. I like to have a big bowl of soup followed with some healthy starters. I love Thaibaan in Bandra. I have been a frequent customer there for the last five-six years. I have a fixed order at Thai Baan — chicken in basil and vegetables in oyster sauce with steamed rice. The moment they see me, they know my order. I also relish the food at Peshawari and Urban Tadka. But getting a table at Urban Tadka is a minor feat.

In Delhi, the dhabas serve authentic north Indian food. Tandori rotis, dal, sabzis, lachhedar parathas and pyaaz — awesome.

From childhood, I find kati kebabs mouth-watering. In my school tiffin, my mom would pack churi (crumbled rotis mixed with white butter and sugar) for me.

My mom is a brilliant cook. My nani excels at making pinni, shakkar pada and matthis. I am very fond of chaat. In Delhi, I was a regular at Lajpat Nagar and Greater Kailash M block market. The chhola kulcha available on thelas is a foodie's delight.

My favourite cuisines are Thai, Chinese, Indian, Italian and Mexican. In Thai food, I like chicken in basil and vegetables in oyster sauce.

I cook sometimes. I can make nice ghar ka khana, tomato soup, curries, chawal, rajma, channe and all vegetables.

My husband, Manav, claims he can cook but I know better. He likes whatever I cook. A foodie, he prefers non-vegetarian food, and like me, is fond of Thai cuisine.

The first time I entered the kitchen, I was 12. I made pancakes since no one was at home. I burnt the pan and tried to wash it. When it wouldn't come clean, I hid it but the smell persisted. My mother was upset at the thought that I had lit the gas in her absence — bahut maar padi thi.

My favourite spice is coriander leaves.

My favourite kitchen appliance is the nonstick pan.

My favourite beverages are apple juice and coconut water.

Occasionally, I relish a peach schnapp/ Bloody Mary/ vodka. I give importance to good food.

I resemble a chilli; I am hot and I like spicy food.

If I am ravenous, I have a glass of milk at night.

When I am abroad, I turn into a full-fledged non-vegetarian because it is hard to get good vegetarian food. They even consider fish as a vegetarian meal. The vegetable stew is often made with chicken stock too. I do experiment with the local food at times as long as it doesn't emanate an odor. In America, Jaya restauarant New York serves excellent Thai food.

During summer, I have lots of water and nimbu pani. I carry satchets of iced tea with me.

I love going out in rains and feasting on pakodas and tea.

In Delhi, during winters, we would have lots of kanji. They bring back memories of gobi shalgam ka aachar and saag and makai ki roti.

For a romantic meal, Stax, Hyatt is ideal as it affords a lot of privacy. It is a perfect place for a candle-lit dinner. A Continental meal accompanied by a glass of white wine would complete the romantic picture.