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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 at 6:56 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Hello ALL
Welcome to my blog
I made the Butter Chicken, Bombay Aloo (the curry leaves wouldn’t be the same without them), Muttar basmati rice and some fresh broccoli from the garden last night for dinner. We all enjoyed each mouth of bliss. And because we didn’t go back for seconds, there was a little leftover for lunches today.
My husband got me a cooking class at Ayesha’s for Christmas which was a brilliant present. I really enjoyed my class with Ayesha, read my full review with photos here: http://www.examiner.com/review/ayesha-s-kitchen
Our daughter gave us an Indian Cuisine cooking class at Ayesha’s Kitchen for Christmas. We selected the Vegetarian Class and registered. In our wildest dreams we never expected the results that we got from the Saturday morning class.
Ayesha is very nice, a great cook and a great teacher. The recipes that we were taught were simple but powerful. The recipes mix of the food prepared complemented and balanced each other so well. Outside India, one of the most spectacular Indian dinners we ever have had.
My husband, just learning how to cook, is going to try today the recipes and we have company. That is how good of a teacher Ayesha is. We recommend her classes without any hesitation!
Gloria and Hugo Cardona
I took 2 classes this past weekend. What a delight ! I had so much fun the 1st day, I brought my fiancee and mom with me for the very next day class (I was fortunate enough that 2 people had cancelled their class and I was on the waiting list), so we all got to attend the class. I enjoyed learning cooking techniques and recipes. I mostly enjoyed sitting outside at a beautifully set table , cool breeze and the greatest Indian cuisine in Miami.
Thank you to Ayesha for a great day!!!!
My wife and I took the chicken vindaloo class. I surprised my wife for her birthday and surprised she was. It was a great experience and will definitely return for another. I would pay along for the food that we ate. It was superb.
My wife, who is from Ireland, first introduced me to Indian cuisine in 1982 and I have since fallen completely and totally for it’s rich flavors. I have taken six of Ayesha’s classes and have thoroughly enjoyed each one for all the same reasons mentioned in the notes below.
I have been asking my wife to invite all of her Irish friends over for an “Irish Night” dinner party featuring Ayesha’s Indian food and it finally happened last Tuesday with 14 guests. The menu featured a greeting of Mango Lassis (mine with Bacardi of course), poppadoms and Aloo Tikkas for appetizers with onion (my recipe), cilantro-mint, and tamarind date chutneys. The entree was Chicken Vindaloo with Jeera Rice, Squash Vegetable and homemade Nan Bread. I made Ras Malai for dessert. My intent was to present a variety of dishes, some common and craved, but also some which will not be found on any restaurant menu and that plan worked beautifully! All of the Irish guests, each one coming already hooked on Indian food, marveled at the tastes, aromas, and flavors which they said was as good as or better that the best Indian restaurant experiences of their past.
If you like Indian food, you must take some of Ayesha’s classes. When you do, realize that the secret isn’t just in the recipes. Pay close attention to process and technique as that is the basis of rich and authentic Indian food. You mayl never buy another Patak’s Vindaloo paste.
Ayesha you are the very best! Thank you for everything.
I took Ayesha’s Exotic Vegetarian Feast class last weekend. I have taken many of her classes and this new one was great. In this class, you learn to make Masala Masoor (a yummy lentil dish), Navratna Korma with an amazing rice to accompany it, a delicious cabbage salad, an super easy but delicious appetizer, and an easy dessert even a child can make. The flavors of Ayesha’s foods are amazing and her recipes are easily reproduced at home. You can easily see the time and thoughtfulness Ayesha puts into creating her recipes and preparing for her classes. She does a wonderful job sharing history and culture, as well as flavor. The meal was delicious and I can’t recommend Ayesha’s classes highly enough. Once you take a class from Ayesha, you’ll realize how many corners most Indian restaurants cut and how easy it is to make fresh, flavorful Indian food at home. Treat yourself. Your tastebuds will thank you!
My husband and I took Ayesha’s “Murg Makhani (Butter Chicken) and the Works” class last year, and since then, we’ve been telling everyone we know to TAKE THIS CLASS! Ayesha is incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Indian cuisine and has a warm personality that makes you feel immediately comfortable. Everyone in the class had a great time laughing and eating and learning together. Classes are small and intimate (there were just 6 of us in the class we took). The classes are geared to people of all skill levels. Even though some of the recipes are quite sophisticated, Ayesha demonstrates the recipe processes in an organized, step-by-step way that even novice cooks like myself can understand.
Since taking the class, my husband has made the meal several times for dinner guests, and they are always so impressed! Everyone says the butter chicken is better than any they’ve had in an Indian restaurant, and we have to agree.
If you enjoy cooking or are just looking for something fun and different to do, I would HIGHLY recommend taking one of Ayeha’s Indian cooking classes. They also make wonderful, unique gifts. I bought the class as a birthday gift for my husband, and Ayesha emailed me a custom-made gift certificate. To this day, I think it’s probably the best birthday gift I’ve given him.
As someone accustomed to authentic Indian cuisine from New York City and
unable to find a decent Indian restaurant in South Florida for years, I am amazed with Ayesha’s cooking: the best I ever had! Her classes are excellent and we love the fact that she emphasizes in healthy cooking. We can’t wait to take more classes.
I just took one of the new classes called “Passage to South India.” It was fantastic. The class was based on a dough made from rice and lentils. With this dough we made stuffed crepes called “Dosas” and spicy pancakes that were all amazing. The side dishes were an excellent spicy and sour lentil soup, with a spicy green plantain vegetable. The coconut chutney topped the meal off perfectly. I really recommend this class!
Tonight I took Ayesha’s “Passage to South India” class and what a voyage it was! As usual, Ayesha was a delight and her class was festive, fun, informative, and yummy. Her method for making dosas is easy and all the food was delicious. Like all of Ayesha’s recipes, I’m sure these will be easy to replicate at home. Take one of Ayesha’s classes and your taste buds will thank you!
Dear Ayesha,
Just wanted you to know that my house guests came and I served Murg Makhani their first night here. I followed your suggestions and did some things in advance.. We had appetizers out on the deck of cashews, chicken pieces, flat bread and your Chutneys. The Murg Makkhani, mixed vegetables and Busmati Pilaf turned out better than I would have imagined and we ate it by candle and tiki torch light. They loved everything and I think it was the highlight of their visit.
Thank you Ayesha for being the inspiration for this wonderful meal and evening. I am hooked on Ayeshas’s Kitchen and Indian cuisine.
Love, Joan
My boyfriend, my friend and I loved Ayesha’s Indian cooking class very much. The day after the cooking class, I got to meet my boyfriend’s father who is indian. He loved the Sheera I made. It was such a brilliant idea going to Ayesha’s class and got to learn how to make healthy indian food and dessert. I really appreciate her cooking skills, the recipes she created and the food she made. Ayesha is the great host.
I encourage everybody who is interested in cooking indian food to attend her class. Indian food is not hard to make.
Ayesha is great! I took her classic Indian Curry chicken class in December 2011. It was fantastic, and I was hooked. That same month, I had the great opportunity to prepare for my Indian associates that were here in Miami visiting from Hyderabad India. They loved it, they said it tasted just like home! What a huge compliment! The class was super entertaining, informative and delicious.
Today I enjoyed the India Street Food class. It was fantastic..such wonderful flavors – from the chutney’s to the deliciously refreshing Ginger Limeade, there was no one disappointed in this class.
Ayesha – you’ve done it once again…thanks for your wonderful instruction and outstanding hospitality. See you soon!
Ayesha’s “Classic Cuisine” class was wonderful!! It was comprehensible to an avid cooker (my husband) and someone who does not know how to cook at all (me!). We had an excellent time since the moment we started in on the mango lassi when we arrived…
I would highly recommend it to anyone. A great and unique experience….and you get to top it all off with an incredibly delicious meal!!
I recently had the pleasure of taking my first class
At Ayesha’s kitchen. I attended “holiday entertaining.”
Ayesha is a very organized and enthusiastic teacher.
More importantly her recipes were EASY to duplicate at home.
I was able to prepare Hariyali shrimps, mint cilantro
Chutney , vegetarian puff pastries and MANGO LASSI’s.
I did all of it with my seven year old daughter. FUN FUN FUN!
She enjoyed
preparing the pastries all by herself! We all enjoyed eating
our Indian dinner this week!
I am looking forward to attending many more classes.
The starter spice packets simplified the process
For me…. Very affordable and a great idea.
Also Ayesha recently hooked up a webcam that allows you to see the
meal being prepared on the stove without having to get up from your chair.
A novel idea.
Thank you Ayesha !!
I
I had the pleasure of taking another Ayesha class and it did not dissapoint!
Indian Street Food is a wonderful class, I learned 6 new recipes that I will use.
Great food and fun!
Dearest Ayesha,
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending one of your classes with some people from my Bible Study. Although I expected the experience to be good I did not expect what I experienced. WOW,You are a fantastic hostess and chef!! Your enthusiasm as you cook is contagious and the outcome simply DELICIOUS!!! The mixture of different materials and the combination of flavors and smells touched all my senses. I look forward to preparing this food at home for the delight of all.
Thank you pretty lady,
God bless,
Esther
I took this class as part of a group of friends. What a special evening! Ayesha, is not only a fantastic cook, but a fantastic teacher as well and her recipes are meticulously researched and developed. I especially enjoyed seeing and learning about the wide variety of spices used in the Indian dishes. We learned a lot, and the best part was eating the yummy food that Ayesha taught us to cook. She set an alluring table outside under the tiki hut–all was perfect. Thanks Ayesha–I’ll be back.
Great time and delicious food! Thanks again can’t wait to come back again!!
I took the vegan cooking class in February and I really enjoyed it. Ayesha took time to explain all the steps to creating each dish and she gave explanations about the spices used and some of their medicinal qualities. At the end of the class I, along with the other students, enjoyed a very nice meal that included a cucumber and chick pea salad, Indian basmati rice, spiced peas and potatoes, Rajma (red beans simmered in a delicious sauce), and a dessert made from cashews. I purchased some of the prepared spices that Ayesha had available because I’m was really impressed with these vegan dishes and wanted to try them at home. I highly recommend this class because, although I am not vegan (and quite a picky eater) and 7 others participating in the class were not vegans, the food was so good, in my opinion, that any meat eater or someone who wanted to try a healthier way of eating would definitely be satisfied and would most likely not miss meat because of how great these vegan dishes were.
Yet another amazing experience with Ayesha and the other “students.” This is my Class #2- Street Foods. The food was sooooo wonderful and we felt like we were in India- literally with the amazing tastes and flavors of chaat. While the actual learning and food were spectacular (I am still fantasizing about the Bhel Puri) …. The people we met made it priceless. Thank you again.
OPEN LETTER TO AYESHA:
Dearest Ayesha:
There are many times in life when one plans something subconsciously predicting how the event will turn out – or at least how it should turn out. At least for curious me, I had done a little research about you in your role at Ayesha’s Kitchen thus was confident that we would have a wonderful time learning new recipes while sharing precious time with precious women – (let me not forget Rey – for he too is very precious)that make up part our Bible Class fellowship. Yet, my predictions came short to what truly awaited us – really short. Wonderfully so!
Wow, a festival of exotic fragrances not only captivated my senses; but an explosion of seasonings; each unique though delightfully complementing each other would later permeate my taste buds. Little by little I realized we were amidst a Pro – a true Chef – as you thoroughly described each herb and season with the seriousness a Professor may manifest while describing a theory. I mean who would have ever told me that I would leave knowing that Hing, a resin that serves as a natural anti-flatulant and curry leaves is great for diabeltics and that turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, and that stops bleeding…..and can be also used as a facial masque! You were incredibly informative yet synchronized as a Swiss Watch; precise, detailed, exact!
And then the moment of truth presented itself….you invited us to sit “Al Fresco” welcomed by your lovely table which appeared as anxious to greet us as we were to join her. Joan led Grace, when a light breeze presented itself as if heralding the approval from above of what we were about to experience; perhaps coining the phrase of “A Family that Prays together – cooks together”…. and so we began. I was completely in awe….I am completely in awe! The meal can only be described as perfectly scrumptious. It would not be fair for me to focus on the Murg Makhani for that may diminish the impact I felt with the Bombay Aloo, Kachambar, Basmati and Seviyan Kheer. Each of them individually merit recognition…together they deserve a Standing Ovation! And you, the chef as well. I salute you and thank you for inviting us into your home and sharing a piece of India with us.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful gift of yours with us – may your enthusiasm and passion for food light the hearts of many for years to come!
With kindest regards, Ana Maria
I had the pleasure of attending Ayesha’s Vegan Village class this past weekend.
I am not a vegan but I am interested in eating healthy meals that taste great. This class sure fit the bill! Easy delicious recipes that I know my friends and family will be thrilled with. I have taken several of Ayesha’s classes and can’t wait for the nest one. She makes it so easy and fun.
Ayesha has an incredible combination of charm and culinary talent. You are made to fell welcomed from the moment you arrive. Her instruction is fun and detailed. The food was delish! Definitely worth going back and learning some other Indian dishes. Thanks Ayesha! We had a great time.
Ayesha’s Classic Indian Cuisine class was given as a Christmas gift from my son-in-law, Robbi, to his family, mom,brother, aunts and cousin. And to my daughter, Joelle, and her sister, Mia!! Who knew? Some of his relatives had never even had Indian food before! I say all this because the entire experience from Ayesha’s kitchen, her teaching techniques, her information, and her wonderful sense of humor captured every one of us! Then there was the moment we moved outside to eat the best FOOD ever!!!!!!! OMG!!! Delicious beyond words!!!! Can’t wait till we can do another class!! Thank you so, so much, Ayesha!! Absolutely loved the entire experience!!!!
If you enjoy Indian food, do yourself a favor and get yourself scheduled into one of Ayesha’s classes today. My learning experiences began with a birthday gift from my wife (really for me?) and since then I have taken five of Ayesha’s classes and am signed up for a sixth. Each of those classes have been beautifully planned, organized, and executed up to and including the enjoyment of the results of her labors in the lunch that is provided under the shade of her chickee hut.
I was recently searching for a new recipe and found what looked like a nice recipe for Chicken Korma, one of my wife’s favorite restaurant choices. With what I learned in Ayesha’s classes I was able to choose an authentic recipe from the plethora of choices today (mostly inauthentic) and, substituting the techniques I learned in Ayesha’s Kitchen, the end result was superb. Again, do yourself that favor. Do it today!
I am very grateful for your wonderful ability to inspire your students to take the challenge of Indian cooking. Now that I have had some classes, I have my Indian cook books out and I am confident that I will be able to accomplish my goal and produce impressive results.I plan to take all the classes you offer, as I learn so much at each event. Thank you a million times.
I took Ayesha’s Exotic Vegetarian class this previous weekend… and this being my 8th class, I knew I would enjoy the lesson, would meet interesting people and have a wonderful meal under the tikki hut … all true. But I didn’t expect this class to be as exotic as it was! I had taken her 2 other vegetarian classes that I enjoyed tremendously; I’m not a vegetarian but would like to incorporate it more into every day eating… but this class taught me some truly exotic recipes – not like I’ve had before. So good! I’m excited to test them out on soon with some friends. Thanks again Ayesha for bringing your passion to teaching us!
LOVED IT! I am Indian and grew up eating Indian food my whole life in a family that cooked everyday! AND- I still was able to learn so much from Ayesha! I truly enjoyed her dynamic personaility and passion for cooking, and more importantly teach her students. It was great meeting everyone and I look forward to additional classes in the future. As a newly married woman and new to Miami, I definitely will use what I learned! And, of course, the food was delicious!
We moved to Miami over 25 years ago from New York City, and since thien we have been unable to find a good Indian restaurant in Miami. My family loves Indian food… so when I heard about Ayesha’s class it seemed like a good solution. This past weekend I took the “Dinner on the Spice Route – Spicy Tangy Chicken Vindaloo” class. It was wonderful! I can’t wait to prepare the dishes — the entire menu went together beautifuly. And the taste…. WOW!!! You can take the girl out of NYC but you can’t take her taste buds… and let me tell you Ayesha’s recipes are the real deal. Her instructions during class are terrific, with lots of helpful hints on time organization, food substitutions (for dieters or allergies) and presentation ideas. I am recommending her class to my friends, and look forward to taking her Vegetarian class in the future.
El encontrarme en la clase de cocina de la India, de Ayesha, ha sido un placer, dado que implica en un primer momento conocer las especies y sus propiedades, luego Ayesha cocina y mas tarde degustamos los platos preparados. Ha sido un almuerzo muy agradable por su calidez, en compañía además de todos aquellos, que estamos interesados en este arte…
After taking several of Ayesha’s classes, I decided to make an investment in a VitaMix. My family uses a blender in our home on a daily basis for protein shakes and smoothies. Unfortunately, we usually end up replacing that blender every year because it can’t hold up to the daily use. After considering the cost of replacing my blender so frequently, I decided that a blender with a 7 year warranty was well worth the investment. Little did I know at the time, this machine would ultimately save me money in other ways. I use my VitaMix so much more frequently than I ever used my old blenders. I can easily whip up batches of dips and sauces that were previously too hard to make with a blender that was not powerful enough to produce the right consistency. Ayesha’s Butter Chicken sauce now comes out perfectly every time! I can make my own almond and cashew milk, flours and fruit and vegetable juices for a fraction of the price of buying it at the store. As a family, we are healthier because we now get the whole, raw food in our meals, packed with all of the nutrients our bodies need. I can’t thank Ayesha enough for introducing me to this incredible machine. Her partnership with VitaMix saved me money on the initial investment, qualified me for free shipping and several free items, and best of all, gave me a discount on my next cooking class with Ayesha! If you want to take advantage of these benefits, use Ayesha’s code 06-005873 when placing your order with Vita Mix.
I went to Ayesha’s class this past weekend with my mother and sister. As someone who is new to the world of cooking I was a little unsettled about our impending date. Boy did things change when I met Ayesha! She is a darling woman who is an incredible chef and she taught us how to make her delicious cuisine in a simple and easy to understand way. It was a lovely afternoon and I am looking forward to attending again or even hosting an event wher she comes with food demonstrations. 5 stars all the way!
It was so nice to meet you yesterday. I had a wonderful time learning about your breads and making them. You are a wonderful teacher and most of all you made it fun. You really love what you do and it really shows in the effort you put forth in your classes.
I look forward to taking more of your classes and learning more about Indaian food.
I’ve always been addicted to Indian food, but now I’m officially addicted to Ayesha’s Kitchen! Thanks to her brilliant recipes, I can have this incredible cuisine whenever I please. She has a unique ability to teach what have always seemed to me, complex recipes, in a way that is simple and easily repeated at home in my own kitchen. Her menus are creative and fantastically flavorful. You leave her kitchen with a stomach that is pleasantly satisfied, knowing you will be back again, anticipating the many more recipes you have yet to learn.
My daughter took me to a vegan class as a gift for my birthday. The class was fantastic, and the food was delicious! Would definitely like to do this again. Since I live in Pennsylvania, I will have to build it into my vacation plans!
Looking for a unique and thoughtful gift? Buy a masala dabba from Ayesha, add spices and-presto-a great gift for anyone who likes Indian food. For that extra special person, you can add an Indian cookbook to get them started (at least until Ayesha publishes her own book–hint, hint!). I’ve done this 3 or 4 times already and it is always a big hit.
I had to rearrange our pantry shelves in order to house all of the Indian spices, beans and staples from the cooking classes I’m attending with Ayesha. My Italian foods are objecting mightily as they fear they’ll be downgraded to second place, which I’ve assured them won’t happen. This is great fun!
What a fantastic way to spend an afternoon! I had a great time learning about Indian spices and cooking in the classic curry class. It is a definite must if you are a fan of Indian food.
AWESOME! I was looking for something different “to do with the chicken” for dinner. I found a professional, knowledgeable and fun cooking class. Indian food is delightful and flavorful. I highly recommend Ayesha’s Kitchen to all who love to cook and who is looking for a pleasant and truly enjoyable experience. May God continue to Bless Ayesha’s spatula!!!
My boyfriend and I had a great time at the Butter Chicken class. We can’t wait to make this meal for our friends! Ayesha is very knowledgeable about Indian cuisine and her friendly, fun personality made everyone in the class feel at ease. We’re looking forward to taking more classes with her in the near future.
So far I have taken three classes, Butter Chicken & The Works, Vegan Fare Class, and Holiday EnternainingClass at Ayesha’s Kitchen. The experiences have been unique and exquisite. Ayesha makes Indian cooking seem fun and easy. I enjoyed all of my classes and am looking forward to continue taking more of her classes. The food was delicious!
I had so much fun at the Vegetarian class. I learned so much about Indian food and spices. Ayesha is high energy and a great cook. I look forward to the next class – already in the planning stages!