Dish-Houston

WITH HELP FROM DISH CONTRIBUTOR RUCHI MUKERJEE:

It was a perfect evening for Indian street food and chai as the weather reminded everyone of Mumbai's monsoons as guests gathered at the Kiran's Restaurant for the launch of Houston's South Asian Lifestyle Society Magazine, 'Lights Camera Action' Curry Digest, a series by the digital magazine's founder and editor, Ruchi Mukherjee, in which she will immerse viewers in Indian cuisine.

A kick start to the cool weather added some spice in our lifes as Chef Kiran Verma took us on a journey to India's diverse kitchen. Indian cuisine is not just limited to chicken tikka masala, samosas or saag paneer. It's cuisine is as rich as its culture. Her daughter Puja was on hand (who also plays the roll as General Manager of the restaurant) to host and dance. One of the things you will notice when you are experiencing Kiran's is the family atmosphere. Personally speaking it honestly feels as if you are being hosted in a friend's home.

Chef Kiran's event was to celebrate andkick-off Houston's Metro Cooking Show that featured a fabulous display of Street Foods of India, henna tattoos, of which DISH got 2!! Bollywood chic attire and Dhol beats. Guests were mesmerized by the elaborate spread of street food such as pani pooris, pav bhaji, gulab jamuns, samosas, lamb kababs, gazar ka halwa and the list can go on. Our personal tour guide of the evening was Dr. Sharma who is in charge of the more than 400 wines on the list at Kiran's. He gave the history of the menu, paired wines beautifully and shared the background of the Spice Road.