Roti enews:: DECEMBER '06

1. SPECIALS FOR DECEMBER

Appetizer: Roti's Spiced Butternut Squash Soup - I introduced this recipe at the Tastes of India event in October and it was very well received, so I thought it would be ideal during our winter months. The spices include cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, ground red chili peppers, turmeric, paprika, cumin, coriander, garlic and ginger. The butternut squash and onion is prepared in a base of chicken stock and light cream. We then garnish with roasted parsnips and a kari leaf, and serve with a few slices of kabuli naan which is stuffed with golden raisins and cherries. $8.

Main Course: Badak Ka Vindaloo - Following last month's Goan special, we are offering a hot duck vindaloo. Firstly the boneless meat from Muscovy duck is marinated in malt vinegar, cracked peppercorns, cinnamon and cloves. They are then simmered in a sauce of onions, ginger, garlic, turmeric, coriander, chili peppers, cumin and cinnamon and then served with a topping of fried potato cubes. Like most dishes in Goa, it is generally eaten spicy-hot and we recommend that you order it as spicy as your palate will permit, although please remember that the Chef is quite happy to make a mild version of any of our dishes if requested. $16.

Vegetable dish: Mixed Vegetable Kofta - This mixed vegetable dish is made with peas, cauliflower and carrots. They are mixed with bread-crumbs and molded into balls with flavoring from chili flakes, dried pomegranate seeds, ajwain seeds and cilantro. The kofta balls are then fried and served in a creamy curry sauce. Their pleasantly crunchy exterior makes this a very enjoyable vegetable dish. $10.

Due to the great reception you gave our November specials, we will continue to offer them through the month of December, in addition to the new December specials. To remind you, the November specials were:

Appetizer:
Murgh Hariyali Kabobs - A tandoori chicken dish marinated in a mixture of yogurt, cilantro, mint, lemon juice, ginger, garlic and spices. $14

Main Course Lamb dish:
Goa Lamb Curry - Cubes of lamb are simmered in a sauce made with tomatoes, coconut milk, ginger, and spices that include chili peppers, coriander, cumin, turmeric and paprika. The dish is finished by adding malt vinegar. $16

Vegetable dish:
Lobhia aur Khumbi - A vegan dish made with black-eyed peas and shitake mushrooms $10

Coffee: Served in French press style right at your table. Decaffeinated coffee is also available. $5

Wines: Ca'na Celebration Rose. 2005 was their first release of Rose, produced from Contra Costa Cabernet Sauvignon for the Tamayo Family Vineyards. They produced a light refreshing wine to be enjoyed by the sophisticated wine drinker as well as the 'special-glass-of-wine-on-a-special-annual-occasion' wine drinker. $38 per bottle

Champom. A beautiful blend of Gosset champagne and pomegranate juice, with a few pomegranate kernels used to accentuate the lightness of this wine blend. $15 per glass

The October specials of Tandoori Scallops, Dhaniwal Murgh Korma, and Makai aur Khumb have been discontinued.

2. WINNER The winner of a complimentary dinner for 2 valued at $60 for the month of November '06 is: Marcus Chan (Chronicle).

CONGRATULATIONS, and please contin ue to add your business cards to the collection bowl at the front of the restaurant, and fill out the feedback forms in the guest check envelope after you complete your dining experience. This will insure your chances for future monthly draws of a Roti dinner for 2 valued at $60.

These complimentary dinner prizes need to be used within the month following the draw, so the November '06 winners should call in and reserve their table within the month of December '06. We will notify winners by phone as well as by adding their names to the newsletter.

3. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Please note that we will be closed on Christmas Day December 25 '06 AND New Years Day January 1 '07. We wish you all a wonderful and peaceful Holiday Season with your family and friends and we look forward to seeing you any of the other 7 nights a week that we are open for dinner.

4. RECIPE RELEASE Now that we are immersed in winter, a hearty bowl of soup is an ideal way to warm the body and soul. Click here to download the PDF file of Roti's Spiced Butternut Squash Soup and warm the hearts of those you love. To download the recipe for the Roasted Parsnips garnish please see below near the end of the newsletter.

5. INDIAN IMMERSION a. How many states comprise the Republic of India?
b. What is a chakra?
c. What is a tandoor?
(see answers below)

Indian cultural activities out and about town... in addition to Roti being the cultural experience of great Indian Cuisine in the West Portal 'Village':

• Ravi Shankar, the legendary sitarist and one of India's most esteemed cultural envoys, will be performing at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley on Sunday April 29 '07 at 7pm. See Cal Performances for ticket information.

6. ANNOUNCEMENTS On Friday November 3rd at the Nieman Marcus Red Tie Gala, we had a great time introducing thousands of guests to our Chicken Tikka, Boti Kabob, Chana Masala and Kashmiri Biryani. We also enjoyed meeting so many of our regular guests there. Thank you for your support. As the photographs to the left show, we were busy, but we clearly had fun doing it.

 

To send us your suggestions and comments for future newsletters, please email us at rotinews@yahoo.com . Please do not use that email to unsubscribe from the newsletter. The link at the end of this newsletter will be the most automatic, immediate, and effective way to unsubscribe.

We look forward to seeing you at Roti in the near future. Warm regards, Susan Gujral On behalf of our family, the Executive Chef and the great staff members of Roti Indian Bistro, West Portal.

Click here to download the PDF file of the Roasted Parsnips recipe which is the garnish for the Spiced Butternut Squash Soup.

Answers to Indian Immersion Questions a. India consists of 28 states, each with a substantial degree of control over its own affairs. There are also 6 less fully empowered union territories and the Delhi national capital territory, which includes New Delhi, India's capital. (Reference Encyclopedia Britannica Online).
b. A chakra is one of the seven centers of spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophy. (Reference Dictionary.com). It has a Sanskrit root meaning a wheel or a circle. The Indian national flag has a 24 spoke blue chakra (wheel) in the centre.
c. A tandoor is a cylindrical clay oven used in Punjab region, northern India, and Pakistan, in which food is cooked over a hot charcoal fire. Temperatures in a tandoor can approach 480°C (900°F). (Reference Wikipedia).