Chaat, chats and more

The Perfect Plate, run by Manju Shroff and her daughters-in-law, offers healthy and home-cooked food that are a treat for the taste buds

January 24, 2019 03:37 pm | Updated 03:37 pm IST

Pani puri with the spiced water stored in earthen pots

Pani puri with the spiced water stored in earthen pots

The first time I ate a raj kachori was during college at my friend Divya Goyal’s house. Since then I yearn for this particular dish more than the other chaat varieties I have eaten. So when I spotted the item on the menu at a chaat stall during an exhibition, I had to give it a try. The flavours were spot on and since then I have made it a point to stop at The Perfect Plate stall in whichever exhibition I vist to sample the home-cooked delicacies.

With chaat becoming very popular and featuring in most exhibitions, The Perfect Plate begun by Manju Shroff and her daughter-in-law Neha has been consistently offering tasty and hygienically prepared food. Though I’ve known Manju for many years, it’s only recently that I learnt about her culinary skills.

Manju’s expertise lies in her traditional food. Whether it is the chutneys, kachori or patties, she gives importance to quality. Fresh produce is procured every morning from the uzhavar sandhai and only limited quantities are cooked against orders. Those who help have been trained in hygiene and work with clean hands, which is so much better than disposable plastic slip-ons. Manju is conscious about not generating plastic waste and her stall is adequately stocked with biodegradable plates and cutlery. The spiced water for the pani puri is stored in mud pots, thus making sure the temperature is perfect unlike the biting cold of the refrigerator-stored water.

At one exhibition, I was looking for something wholesome for lunch. The methi thepla at her stall looked appetising but I was reluctant as I am not a fan of the aloo subzi served alongside. However Neha convinced me to try it and it was light and delicious.

Whenever we stopped by their stall, every serving of pani puri and dahi puri tasted the same. The ingredients are dished out in correct proportions and not just thrown together. As a result the sweet, the spicy and the sour come together perfectly.

A plate of perfect sev puri

A plate of perfect sev puri

It’s not just the attention to detail at Manju’s stall but also her smiling countenance that attracts customers. I have watched her give children extra helpings while the parents were waiting for their food. No matter how busy the stall is, she makes time to exchange pleasantries and chat about her food.

Manju has encouraged both her daughters-in-law to follow their interests. While Neha is more proficient in Continental and Asian fare, Arthi takes care of the desserts and has a separate kitchen for her prep and baking. They rotate their time in the kitchen depending on individual chores and responsibilities. Home enterprises help fulfill foodie interests by providing a variety of dishes in a healthy manner.

Info you can use

A regular home menu is available for a minimum of two people. The order must be placed the previous evening

Multi-course catering is available for a minimum of 15 people. This includes soups, starters, and tandoori, North Indian Continental and Asian dishes, chaat, desserts and seasonal ice creams

The Perfect Plate also takes orders for a Rajasthani thali

Orders must be placed 24 hours in advance

Special orders for individual dishes must be for a minimum of four people

For more details, contact Manju Shroff at 9344413006, Neha Shroff at 9944436151 or email theperfectplate2018@

gmail.com

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