TIDBITS FROM ERINA PEREIRA

Favourite dish

I love Goan mango fish curry and rice with some saag (greens). Growing up, I enjoyed seafood almost every day in my mom’s kitchen.

Most-hated myths about Indian cooking

That it’s too hot, too oily, too fatty and bad for you. In truth, Indian food uses a variety of fresh vegetables and blended spices cooked in a multitude of ways that help retain their freshness and nutrients.

Favourite ingredient in cooking

I’ve been experimenting a lot with arbi (yams), sweet potatoes and truffle pâté, to create a gourmet experience out of nutritious and simple cooking methods.

Hobbies

Pilates, gardening and playing the piano —I’ve just started taking up lessons!

OLD-WORLD GRANDEUR From left: Erina Pereira with chefs Laxman, Faruk and Mayur; Frangipaani’s famed Indo-chinese chilli chicken dish