Tuesday, June 2, 2009

NEWS FLASH: (June 2, 2009)

I WANT TO BE A DESI receives BRAVOFact funding
June 2: The short comedy film has received BRAVOFact funding. I WANT TO BE A DESI is the prequel to the short documentary, I WANT TO BE A DESI 2. Filming will commence in the summer of 2009. Stay tuned for further details...

Monday, April 20, 2009

NEWS FLASH: (April 20, 2009):
I WANT TO BE A DESI 2 has been selected to premiere at New York's Asian American Film Festival, taking place July 23-26 in Manhattan (www.asiancinevision.org). The filmmakers shall attend. Screening details will be announced in June.

Monday, February 2, 2009

I WANT TO BE A DESI 2
Official Trailer
Exclaim! magazine names SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE #1 Film of 2008


Canada's music magazine, Exclaim! has named Slumdog Millionaire the best film of 2008. The Indo-UK film, directed by Danny Boyle, is one of the favourites at the upcoming Academy Awards after capturing film award after award. Below is the capsule review while Exclaim's full list of the top five films of 2008 is available from their site.

Slumdog Millionaire
This Dickensian tale begins in the slums of Mumbai, India and spans 20 years. We witness the rise of a megalopolis and the maturity of orphan Jamal, who survives street life to grow into a decent young man. However, Jamal's older brother falls into the underworld, while Jamal searches for a beloved orphan girl. This harrowing fairytale is structured around the TV show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, with each question illustrating a specific point in Jamal's life. Dazzling visuals, electrifying bhangra rock and mesmerizing pacing perfectly complement the harrowing tales of these three slum dogs.
by Allan Tong



Saturday, January 31, 2009

Lesson #8:
Making A Perfectly Circular Roti

Photos by Dinesh Sachdev ~ Recipe by Mrs. Sachdev ~ Layout by Allan Tong

Step 1:

Put flour into a large bowl. Make a well in the middle then pour a stream of water into the center.


Step 2:

Use one hand to mix the flour and water together in a rotating motion from the center of the bowl outwards

until the dough is moist enough to be gathered into a rough mass.


Step 3:

Wet hands and continue until the mixture cleans the sides of the bowl and has become a non-sticky, kneadable dough, feeling elastic and silky smooth.Test dough by pressing it lightly with your fingertip. If it springs back, the dough is ready to be rested. (Resting is the last step and allows the dough to absorb the water.)

Rest for 30 minutes in warm climates (e.g. India) and 1.5 hours in cold climates (e.g. Canada). Cover with a wet towel so the dough does not dry out.


Step 4:

Divide the dough into plum-size balls.


Step #5:

On a lightly floured surface, flatten one ball of dough with your hand.

Then, using a rolling-pin, roll out the dough into a thin, round patty about 5 inches in diameter.


Step 6:

Roll from the center, turning the patty several times to prevent sticking. Try to make the edges slightly thinner than the centre.


Step 7:

Preheat a cast-iron “tawa” over medium heat.

Place the rolled dough on the palm of one hand and flip it over onto the tawa.

When the colour changes on the top and bubbles appear, turn it over.

When both sides are done, use kitchen tongs (“chimta”) to remove the roti from the tawa.


Step 8:

To puff up rotis press them with a clean kitchen towel after the first flip of each side.


Step 9:

Serve hot, either completely dry or topped with a small amount of “ghee” or butter.


Step 10:

Eat it . . . just like mama made it.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

How DESI are you?
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