Lessons from Bollywood: How to Cook

Read, and learn!

Gajar ka halwa is the barometer for ma ka pyaar and stars get their high by dancing around a giant batata wada.

Clearly, Hindi films are obsessed with food.

Surprisingly, we don't see that much cooking in our movies. Yet whenever we do, it's memorable for all kinds of reasons.

We've picked up tips, recipes and all sorts of fun lessons from Bollywood on all things culinary to share with you.

 

Kaalia

Remember that Dummy's guide to omelette scene in Kaalia?

As Parveen Babi gamely demonstrates the first step of breaking the egg.

First, stare at the egg cluelessly for a few minutes.

Then, try to break it with a rolling pin.

Next, try to slice it like a potato using a knife.

Finally, when all fails, smash it against the forehead, congratulations, achievement unlocked.

 

Cheeni Kum

Dehradun's basmati rice, mutton cooked for 18 minutes, 25 seconds, five-six grams ginger and garlic, two teaspoons ghee, 10 teaspoons milk, two teaspoons red chilli powder, tons of saffron strands and, most importantly, NOT a single grain of sugar are the only ingredients you need to prepare the FINEST Hyderabadi Zaffrani Pulao in the WORLD, insists Chef Bachchan in Cheeni Kum.

 

Bawaarchi

If fairy godmother could make chariots out of pumpkins, Rajesh Khanna's Bawaarchi proposes to mix that resinous, strong smelling spice called heeng (asafetida) with suran (yam) to create yummy kebabs and slow cook raw bananas into exotic dumpukht.

The key is to make it sound good.

 

Wake up Sid

Having trouble finding a bakery at midnight to throw a last minute birthday surprise for your bestie? Do a Wake Up Sid.

Simply grab all the bread, butter and jam you can find in the kitchen -- spread, smear, arrange. And voila! Ranbir Kapoor's no-bake, homemade take on the red velvet cake is ready to roll.

 

Coolie

Amitabh Bachchan's French omelette aspirations in Coolie underscore his unprecedented skill at multitasking.

Like him, you too can catch up on your yoga and cook a storm in one go. Only we're not sure the end result is entirely palatable.

 

Cocktail

Cooking don't always have to be so stressful. It can be a means of relaxation too. Observe Deepika Padukone enjoy a glass of wine while preparing an elaborate lamb biryani.

 

Ajnabee

It's always nice to get a helping hand in the kitchen, yes?

But Kareena and Bobby Deol warn us about the mess that follows.

 

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak

Everybody can cook, said Chef Gusteau in Ratatouille.

While Juhi Chawla sure gets points for trying but we doubt even the rats of Paris have an appetite for her raw eggplant and burnt roti combo meal.

 

The Lunchbox

Ghar ki murgi dal barabar, goes a popular phrase in Hindi. Unless you're Nimrat Kaur in The Lunchbox who uses her excellent culinary skills to prepare delicacies for a complete stranger, who appreciates the effort and flavours unlike her careless cad of a husband.

 

Duplicate

Don't play with your food, yelled mommy.

Only just fool around with it, demonstrates Shah Rukh Khan in Duplicate.

 

Andaz Apna Apna

They key to a man's heart is through his stomach. As it turns out, it's the key to revenge too.

Like the time Aamir Khan settled scores with Salman Khan for feeding him kali mirch ke ladoo by adding 'julab' to his lunch spread of 'paaya, chicken, kebab.'

 

Dil To Pagal Hai

Madhuri Dixit and SRK whip up the recipe for romance and the result is almost instantaneous in Dil To Pagal Hai.

 

Chandni Chowk to China

Channel your inner Karamchand while grating carrots like a beta carotene conscious Akshay Kumar in Chandni Chowk to China.

 

Aisha

Who says you can't wear haute couture in kitchen? Bollywood's fashionista for all seasons Sonam Kapoor shows how to have your cake and eat it too.

 

Salaam Namaste

Kisi Se Na Kehna

And for all those who don't know the ABCs of cooking, home delivery is the next best option.

Deepti Naval gets all the help from family friend Saeed Jaffrey in passing off store-bought kachoris as her speciality.

 

Dil Chahta Hai

Too bored to cook or tired to learn? Aamir Khan has a solution for that too. Watch. Learn. Vomit.