Where do I even begin with Kansas City's own Chef Ameet?!
Kansas City foodies, globetrotting enthusiasts, dinner party hosts, and overall elevate-your-life one-experience-at-a-time devotees (hi, #me); local homestyle Indian cooking Chef Ameet Malhotra of Elephant Wings gave us one of the most fantastic events we have experienced right here in KC, quite literally at home!
I first met Ameet at an Open Belly Podcast event at Parlor KC in the East Crossroads pre-Covid, when events were happening to celebrate local chefs, visionaries, makers, and dreamers whose immigrant families, or themselves, had landed on the Kansas City culinary scene and delivered on some outstanding cuisines for us Midwesterners to thoroughly enjoy.
Since that time, Ameet and I stayed connected and finally found the opportune time to schedule a private dinner event amongst friends to enjoy his team's 5-course dinner that exceeded our expectations and brought the HEAT in more ways than one. I'm talking temperature-raising red pepper and cumin amongst pork, veggies, and chicken dishes, in addition to spicy conversation, humor, and, well, you get the point!
Let me also add in a personal note that one of my closest friends + colleagues and I had the privilege of traveling to Southern India in the year 2007 for professional endeavors. We explored Bangalore and surrounding regions learning the culture, history, cuisine, hospitality and SO MUCH more. It was a life-changing trip that would expand my eyes and heart even wider to the beautiful and rich traditions of the opposite side of the world that gave me so much insight into us all being the same. We are one, we are human, we all love LOVE, flavor, happiness, family, and the same dynamic qualities of life. That trip and those moments forever changed my palate for the spice of all aspects of life.
No dinner party kicks off without cocktails recommended by the Chef.
Welcome the Horsefeather, made up of J. Rieger's Kansas City Whiskey mixed with Ginger Beer, Bitters, and Lemon: It's the perfect pairing for the spice that's about to land upon your palate.
Course 1: Staartar
Bring. On. The. Kheema Flatbread with Citrus Mint Chutney! Just dive into that spice because the rest of the HOT night is ahead of you. This combo of naan plus a flavor profile that gave us all the anticipation for what was to follow was enough to push us over the Indian flavors full-fledged edge.
"You talk about the explosion of flavors in your mouth. You reminisce on travels of your past. We smile even more. You beg for the recipe and private instruction. You ask: How did you learn to cook this way? We share. And then the second course is served." -Ameet
Course 2: Soop
Green Pea Soup. Simple yet profound and flavorful and mild amongst a sea of spice and flavor elevation. This smooth bridge between Course 1 and Course 2 was one of my favorite courses of the night. For those who don't have the love of the "pea," revisit it, because I cannot get enough of this green veggie that is small but mighty and warms my heart and belly no matter what form it comes in.
Course 3: Salaad
Cilantro Shrimp with Jalapeño Lime Corn Salad. #NuffSaid. Expertly marinated and the perfect middle ground for the night's level of flavors, this bowl of bounty was absolutely one of the best to watch cook to sizzling perfection and layer into its natural and vibrant dinner party presentation.
Course 4: Dakhal
Pork Jalfrezi + Chicken Cumin Rice Bowl. BRING ON THE main space SPICE! A culmination of veg, protein, grains, and spices made for an insatiable sharing of plates from one side of the table to the other. The colors, the consistency, the quality of life; I mean SPICE of life! Getting pork and chicken to the precise level of heat you want is difficult to come by, and Ameet NAILED IT just in time to walk it out to the table for presentation and diving IN.
Course 5: Mithaee
Mango Pudding: The creme de la creme. The final show. The best of the (sweet) best! Can I add a beautiful green leaf to anything I serve and make it look as beautiful as Ameet's final course? No. The answer is no. THIS is exactly why having this ultimate, one-of-a-kind private chef experience in the comfort of your own home is memories in the making, and more adventurous than one might expect with the likes of multiple courses, cocktail pairing recommendations, and the unbelievable hospitality of Chef Malhotra from start to finish!!
"Strange to see how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody." -Samuel Pepys
Let me first confess that 1) I had no idea who Samuel Pepys was when I stumbled upon this meaningful quote and 2) no reconciling was needed for our circle of friends, who all have an appreciation for community, for good food, for memories made at home, and for EXPERIENCES.
Yet, it's another deeply resonating reminder of how inviting others into our worlds, and better yet our homes, to convene, communicate, and collaborate is one small step toward our huge initiative to come together without discernment.
Thank you to the amiable and talented Ameet for giving us some humor at the helm, some heat at the table, and some memories that will last stand the test of time for a bunch of KC foodies who love a good time together!