Review: Mandira's Kitchen BBQ Box
Forget burnt bangers - Sophie Farrah tries out a brand-new Indian BBQ box...
I know I am not the only one who has been delighting in the sunnier weather we’ve had of late. Good weather means picnics! Rosé! And of course, the beloved barbeque.
Us Brits love a barbie, but let’s be honest – the formula remains mostly the same – burgers, a few burnt bangers, and maybe a bit of halloumi if you’re lucky.
So, if you’re looking to spice up your outdoor menu this spring/summer (and seriously impress your guests) then the new, Indian BBQ box from Mandira’s Kitchen is a must.
A BBQ box with a difference
Based in Surrey, Mandira Sarkar runs this award-winning artisan business that specialises in fabulous Indian food and experiences. Every dish comes with a personal story – from Mandira’s mother’s kaju chicken to the best kaali dal from a little place in Amritsar.
This brand-new BBQ box is called ‘Angare’, meaning embers, and takes its inspiration from the aptly named Gulli Kebabiyan (or ‘Lane of the Kebabs’) which runs beside Delhi’s famous Jumma Masjid, where the descendants of chefs to Mughal royalty produce some of the best-grilled meats in India.
Vegetarian delights
That’s not to say that this box is for meat-eaters alone, oh no.
Catering for veggies at a barbeque can be quite a challenge, but Mandira’s box of spiced delights means it couldn’t be easier.
There are options to suit vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, serving two or four. I went for the pescatarian choice myself – I love the flavour of fish grilled on the barbie but I’m always quite nervous to try it at home, for fear of getting it horribly wrong, so this presented a perfect opportunity…
Mandira’s samosas are somewhat legendary so I was thrilled to discover that they come in every box – and they didn’t disappoint.
A perfect nibble whilst the barbecue is heating up, they were crisp, packed with flavour and perfectly spiced, and came with a generous pot of delightfully sweet and sticky tamarind chutney. And then, the chargrilled feast began…
Our review
JA Skelton
First up was the paneer malai tikka - delicately marinated paneer kebabs (paneer is a type of firm, Indian cottage cheese) that crisped up beautifully on the outside but stayed deliciously soft on the inside and melted in the mouth.
I could have happily eaten a dozen of them.
The sliced and marinated aubergines (khatta meetha baigan) also crisped up nicely and tasted wonderfully sweet and sour.
More delicious veg came in the form of corn on the cob (masala bhutta) with a beautifully spiced sauce for basting – a barbecue classic with an Indian twist. And then, the star of the show - kolapata maach - aka fish in banana leaves.
Pre-wrapped, these just needed chucking on the barbeque, no preparation required, and the result was so delicious – a beautifully cooked boneless fillet absolutely bursting with mouth-watering Indian spices and just the right amount of heat.
A barbecue isn’t a barbecue without lots of lovely side dishes and the box has got this covered too.
We loved the potato salad – this usually bland, stodgy dish has been given the Mandira makeover involving a delicious spice blend and lots of Greek yoghurt.
There was a huge tub of beautiful, bright pink beetroot and walnut raita and a lovely big fresh naan bread too.
My other favourite dish, along with fish, was the chana chaat salad – a beautifully fresh, light and vibrant mixture of chickpeas, pomegranates, grapes, special spices and lemon juice – it tasted like summer in a bowl.
And just when we thought all the flavour-filled fun was over, out of the box comes a tub of MK mango and cardamom gelato - silky smooth, heavenly sweet and totally delicious.
I think it’s important to mention that should the great British weather let you down, all the dishes in the box can also be cooked conventionally in the kitchen.
We served everything at once, but you could also definitely stagger and serve in courses if you’d prefer.
Either way, the whole experience was a flavour-filled feast, and no faff either - leaving you plenty of time to catch up with friends and family and share delicious, fresh, beautifully spiced food that seems to suit sunny weather so well. And thankfully, not a burnt banger in sight!
£60 for 2 people, £110 for 4. Boxes can be ordered online by Wednesday, ready for a weekend BBQ and delivered to any UK Mainland address or collected from Mandira’s Kitchen at Silent Pool in Surrey; mandiraskitchen.com
