Why did Bollywood director, producer and choreographer Farah Khan come all the way to Chennai to launch Sharmila Ribeiro’s cook book Everyday Love ? This was the topic of discussion among the guests assembled at Savera, and the theories put forth are many. Probably because both of them have three kids, or maybe because they are related? The guessing game goes on till Khan takes the stage and introduces the author.
“Sharmila and I have been best buddies since the age of six. We went to the same school, same class, and since then, over the past 45 years, never lost touch. My visits to Chennai are either to meet Sharmila or for professional reasons,” Khan says.
Whenever she visits Chennai, Khan says she makes it a point to taste all types of South Indian tiffin. Her favourite is podi dosa .
“As a kid, I was introduced to mouth-watering Goan delicacies, such as prawn curry and vindaloo, and also to idli and dosa at Sharmila’s house; I attribute my excess weight to her family,” she giggles.
The launch was organised by The Duchess Club. Everyday Love has chapters dedicated to dips, sauces and spreads, breakfast, lunch box, bread and soup, after-school snacks, cold drinks and homemade fast food.
Khan, who has written the foreword for the book, says the 110 recipes put together are simple and follow a do-it-yourself approach, which makes them ideal for cooking along with children.
She says children must be given a chance to taste food from various cuisines, and one of the best ways to do it is by travelling. “We take our children on vacation to different countries, and recently we had been to Japan; while they all ate Japanese, I was looking for Indian restaurants there.”
“We have completely done away with desserts at home. If guests come over, they better bring their own dessert,” she laughs, going on to say that kids are under pressure to eat junk and the challenge is to make them eat vegetables.
“I pack only vegetarian lunches to school for my nine-year-old triplets (2 daughter and a son). We have shifted to almond milk and started using ghee for cooking,” she says. Khan’s advice is to go local, and eat seasonal. “Fruit and vegetables we eat need not be the exotic ones or imported ones. Guava, papaya and banana suit everyone’s budget,” she says.
Though she goes on a health trip for weeks and sticks to careful diet ahead of her shooting schedule, once on the sets, she eats what is served.
“Most delicious unhealthy food is eaten on the sets,” she says, adding, “Food restrictions while on the sets is impossible for me. There are other pressing issues to handle and I don’t wish to get stressed worrying about what I have to eat. Size zero is not desirable any more, size 16 is,” she chuckles.
Everyday Love is available for sale online and is priced at ₹899. Website: www.sharmilacooksforkids.com
