VODKA ‘n’ PANI PURI

25th December 2008,  Merry Christmas 🙂

Note: I deleted the something interesting page and put it here…I guess this is easier :p

Strange Pairing :   VODKA ‘n’ PANI PURI

Yesterday, I was sitting with a bunch of friends at McDonalds somewhere in Bugis, Singapore. We bought a couple of magazines (year-end specials) to just recap what all  happened in 2008. Going through the magazine I came across an article – Vodka ‘n’ Pani Puri . Pretty interesting article, and I thought I would share it with all you guys (in a condensed way)….Here it is…

This is the culinary equivalent of the desi babu – gori mem hit jodi. He is street born and proud of a pedestrian bearing that makes him sharp, spicy and a survivor. She traces her heritage to snowy Russian Steppes, which make her cool, fluid and spirited. He is aspirational, and she is assimilative. You could’nt have found a more unlikely combination than pani puri and vodka.

The marriage, solemnised some years ago in five-star climes, was the creation of an F&B team seeking to tickle taste buds. I guess even they didnt imagine at that point of time that it would become a super-hit!

There are different versions of vodka pani puri.

A continental approach is to use cherry tomatoes and mozzarella cheese as filling, then dipped into the pani, and munched along with a shot vodka.

But the bestseller is the one in which the tangy pani is spiked with a liberal dash of vodka and spicy chaat fillings are used.  Sharpness of alcohol blends easily with tamarind water, causing a surprising impplosiion of tastes and flavors.

You might ask, what does vodka have that other spirits don’t? Why Vodka of all the spirits????

Perhaps because Vodka is a smooth operator. Its light and doesn’t have a strong odour. Rum is too robust. Whiskey is too male. Beer is all froth. Wine has too much attitude about its own taste, and doesnt lend itself to cocktail style mix and matches.

Whereas Vodka doesnt take away the essence of pani puri, but rather augments it. Vodka is an invader and a conquerer. Vodka always expands its horizon. No wonder if James Bond endorsed it.

Only when two flavours combine to create a kick that’s better than what you get from the individual foods does the pairing reach epicurien heights. Vodka Pani-Puri is one such combo.

I dont know if they serve it in any restaurant here in Singapore, but if they do please let me know for sure! I might buy you a few complimentary Vodka Pani- Puri mouthfuls!!