Ep 2. Down Home

Aarti Party is a cooking show that features host Aarti Sequeira as she shares her love for food and cooking with her audience. In season 2 episode 2, titled "Down Home," Aarti takes viewers on a journey to the heart of Southern cuisine.

The episode begins with Aarti introducing the theme for the day, Down Home cooking. She tells viewers that she loves Southern food and that it reminds her of home cooking, where dishes are made with love and care. Aarti then shares that the Southern cuisine that she will be making today is inspired by her travels and exploration of the Southern food scene.

The first dish Aarti prepares is a classic Southern staple, fried chicken. She starts by marinating the chicken in buttermilk, a technique she learned from a Southern grandmother. Aarti explains that this helps to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with flavor. She then seasons the chicken with a blend of herbs and spices and coats it in a mixture of cornmeal and flour before frying it to crispy perfection. Aarti also shares her secret to making the perfect homemade hot sauce to accompany the chicken.

Next, Aarti moves on to a dish that is a bit more unexpected - a vegetarian gumbo. She explains to viewers that gumbo traditionally contains meat, but that she wanted to create a version that was suitable for vegetarians. Aarti starts by making a roux, a mixture of oil and flour that forms the base of the gumbo. She then adds in a variety of vegetables, including okra, bell peppers, and celery, before adding in vegetable stock and a mix of spices. Aarti then lets the gumbo simmer for around an hour to let all of the flavors meld together. She serves the gumbo over a bed of rice and tops it off with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

For the final dish of the episode, Aarti prepares a Southern take on a classic dessert, peach cobbler. She starts by slicing fresh peaches and mixing them with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg before adding them to a baking dish. Aarti then prepares the cobbler topping by combining flour, sugar, and butter to form a crumbly mixture. She then adds in buttermilk and vanilla extract and mixes until a dough forms. Aarti then tops the peaches with the cobbler mixture before baking in the oven until golden brown. She serves the cobbler with a dollop of whipped cream.

Throughout the episode, Aarti shares stories and tips about the different dishes she is making. From the importance of using fresh and high-quality ingredients to the little tricks she has learned over the years, Aarti's passion for Southern food shines through. Aarti also emphasizes the importance of embracing different cuisines and flavors, as she combines traditional Southern recipes with her own culinary influences.

Overall, "Down Home" is a fun and engaging episode that showcases Aarti's love for Southern cuisine. From the crispy fried chicken to the sweet and indulgent cobbler, the dishes are both comforting and satisfying. Aarti's infectious personality and passion for food make this episode a must-watch for anyone interested in Southern cooking.