World Food Thursdays

Country No. 34: Mauritius

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Taste Mauritius, Chez PK & B

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18/10/2017

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Attendees: Ben, Ellen, Maor, Poppy, PK, Becky, Kim, Lee, Calum, Eoghan, Zack (occasionally) (venue chosen by Maor)

£42 a head – more for our gregarious hosts who provided pre-starters and wine

 

Almost four years into the World Food Odyssey and we are still breaking new ground. Having recently succumbed to the joys of the supper club, a brilliant way of experiencing a lesser-spotted cuisine, it was time to smash the final frontier and have one of the gastronaughts host their very own World Food Thursday (on Wednesday).

 

With a much wider cast of characters there were limited options and we were lucky that Becky and PK stepped up to the plate and invited us all into their delightful home. At this point I think it’s fair to say that neither Becky nor PK have been hiding a secret history of Mauritian recipes they could draw on to inspire them to ascend the culinary heights so, with the help of Maor, they went one step further and invited Selina of Taste Mauritius in for a very on trend kitchen takeover.

 

Clearly wise to the fact that Selina couldn’t be expected to appreciate the tradition of pre-starters Becky ensured there was a fine spread of snacks and beverages laid out to welcome us on our arrival but before long we were all craving the real deal. We took our seats at the dining table and Selina emerged from the kitchen bearing the first of four delectable courses. Each course was immaculately presented and Selina shared a titbit of information about what were about to devour. It was at this point that Ellen decided she also had a titbit of information to share, announcing that, from April, there will be another World Food Baby joining the ever expanding collective.

 

This news was swiftly followed by an echo from the other side of the table.

 

Amazingly Poppy and Maor are also expecting an addition to the family*. All this excitement was too much for some and, perhaps feeling left out of all the baby celebrations, Zack emerged from his bedroom to join in the fun.

 

Zack presented a distraction from the gorgeous food, but also prompted some rather startling revelations…

 

1) Monsters and ghosts aren’t real

2) Lee is scared of the dark

 

One I could have predicted, the other was genuinely shocking.

 

Disruptions aside it was time to get serious and get stuck into the food. The first course comprised of a duo of Gajaks, Mauritian street food, deep fried parcels of joy, one containing lentils, the other aubergine. A perfect appetiser. Following the Gajaks was possibly the standout dish (rustically sliced Waitrose carrots aside), a pulled lamb roti. It was delicious, juicy and tender and every single person was caught mopping up the juices.

 

The main course was a traditional chicken dish, found in the home. Chicken braised in a spicy tomato sauce and served with fragrant rice and pickles. The fish alternative was equally delicious.

 

Finally, and with bedtime fast approaching, Selina returned bringing with her plates of caramelised pineapple and home-made coconut condensed milk ice cream. Stunning.

 

At the end of the meal, as customary, the draw was made for the next venue. With the influx of new attendees some people are still yet to choose a venue and so it fell to Eoghan to receive next month’s country. The first country to be randomly selected was…Ireland and it was unilaterally decided that the only way to properly celebrate WF Ireland would be to do so on location. Cue a scramble for phones to seek out the best flight deals.

 

Mauritian Facts:

There were so many…

• The dodo was native to Mauritius, until sailors arrived and introduced predators to the island wiping out the dodo population in less than a century

• Maor treated us to a history of the islands varied rulers, too numerous to list here suffice to say French and British influences have left their mark on the Mauritian way of life

• Mauritius won their first Olympic medal at Beijing 2008 in Boxing in the Bantamweight division. A bantam is a small chicken.

 

*WF Babies will take on all challengers in mixed 5-a-side. One sub allowed.