Their products are so tempting that the chef in us could not stop at four items,” chef Doma Wong broke into a smile. She and her daughter Sachiko Seth of The Blue Poppy Thakali had been entrusted with creating dishes using American food products.
A meet-and-taste session was being held at the residence of the US consul-general Melinda Pavek to promote products imported from the US in the run-up to the US-India Agribusiness Trade Mission in Delhi (which concluded on April 25). And the mother-daughter duo served 10 items to the guests at the networking event.
Pavek helps Chef Doma Wong make momo
“We are educating consumers how best to utilise American ingredients in traditional Indian food as we think they are complementary,” said Rhiannon Elms, senior attache for agricultural affairs at the US consulate general in Mumbai. She had several suggestions on what she called “American food with desi flair” — turkey biryani, pecan or walnut in a momo, using sauce made of cranberries or blueberries in panipuri...
On the menu were fusion items like Fried Corn Cheese Momo with Wasabi Mayo, Sel Roti with Apple Kimchi and Cranberry Sauce, Roasted Duck with Smashed Cucumber Salad and Cranberry Doi. “My mom is very traditional but I am adventurous. Himalayan food is perceived as rustic. I wanted to do something to change people’s mind,” said Sachiko.
Shaphaley, she pointed out, is a Tibetan dish made out of chicken, beef or pork. “But today we made it with turkey. And it is never served with hummus. But since chickpeas were available here, we decided to make hummus,” she said. “Adding my chilli oil to the hummus gave it a twist,” said mother Doma.
Jaggery Walnut Pecan Momo, the most popular dish of the evening
With her parents Jim and Lannie Pavek in the audience, consul general Pavek introduced guests to the evening’s signature whiskey cocktail — a whiskey slush. “It is a recipe that my grandparents used to make for our large family gatherings. Family gatherings, whether they are at home or in a restaurant, are the same in India and the United States and around the world. Gathering over food and drink with those we love makes us happier and healthier,” she said.
She also lent a hand to Chef Wong make what was the runaway favourite of the evening — Jaggery Walnut Pecan Momo.
American Center director Elizabeth Lee was among those who were tasting the dishes. “The mix of Indian and US ingredients to make unique fusion food is magical. I loved trying fun and interesting dishes like Turkey Shaphaley, Fried Corn Cheese Momos and Cranberry Doi. The different ingredients pair together beautifully. Food brings people together, and builds strong relationships. I hope that more people can try these items from the US, and make our bonds stronger than ever,” she said.
India, said senior attaché Elms, was the 14th largest market for the US with imports worth almost $1.8 billion in 2023. “That includes cotton and wood.”
Pavek with (from right) Chef Doma Wong, Chef Sachiko Seth and Manisha Sangma
Walnuts, she pointed out, have been imported for decades in India, and Indian consumers also love US almonds. “Over the last few months, the import tariff has been reduced on a lot of products due to US-India negotiations at the G20 meetings. Cranberries, blueberries, apples... now they will be more affordable for Indian consumers. When the apple tariff was raised, it was really difficult for us to compete. Now Washington suppliers are shipping tonnes of apples to India. They are harvested in September and can be stored for a long time. We are also introducing turkey and duck,” she said.
Amit Lohani, founder and director, Forum of Indian Food Importers, had flown over from Delhi. “While almonds and walnuts are being imported for 15-20 years, American poultry products started coming three years ago. Though duck, turkey and chicken are available in India too, the imported birds are bigger — 2.5-3 kg, compared to Indian birds that weigh 800g-1kg. The meat is juicy and is certified as antibiotic-free. These qualities make them aspirational products, like Belgian pork and Norwegian salmon,” he said.
Lohani named India’s top three imports from the US as almonds, walnuts and chickpeas. Apples, too, would be in the top five, he said.