Arabian knight

Pankaj Advani
The young billiards champion can snook but not cook

I am
An absolute vegetarian.

I begin my day with
A nice warm cup of tea.

MY breakfast IS

Cornflakes and a glass of fresh fruit juice.u00a0

MY Lunch IS

Generally a complete meal which includes roti, subzi and dal. Also curds and a bowl of salad is a must.u00a0
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My evening snack is

A fruit, green veggie sandwich and flavored milk.



My dinner is

Always light, this includes either soup or salad.

In sweets i like

Anything that has chocolate. My favorite sweet is a simple classic chocolate mousse.u00a0

My fitness regimen is

Working out at least five times a week, which includes strength training accompanied by a bit of cardio.u00a0

My favourite cook

Has to be my mom. She makes delicious palak paneer which I can't get enough of. She also makes the best pani puri.u00a0

I can cook

I am a very bad cook. Once I tried making tea in the microwave but it turned out to be a disaster.

My childhoodu00a0u00a0memory of food

Arabian food, since I was raised in Kuwait for the first five years of my life. I specially remember being fond of the cream cones.u00a0u00a0

My Sunday lunch is

Never on time. On Sundays I usually have junk food like burgers.u00a0u00a0
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My idea of a romanticu00a0u00a0meal

A simple meal; either Italian or Arabian cuisine.u00a0

My best diningu00a0u00a0friends are

Robin Uthappa, Ashwin and Rhea amongst others.u00a0u00a0u00a0
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My fridge always has

Cheese.

I can't resist buying

Chocolates.u00a0

I think I resemble

A cucumber.u00a0

I feel guilty afteru00a0u00a0eating

Junk food.u00a0u00a0

I always carry
All sorts of chewing gum with me.u00a0

My favourite...

Food: All foods starting with 'P.' Paneer and pani puri.

Comfort food: Chocolates.

Spice: I don't like spices.u00a0u00a0
Cooking appliance: Refrigerator. It's the easiest to access.u00a0
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Beverage: Fresh watermelon juice.

Poison: An energy drink but only sometimes since it has a lot of caffeine.

Favourite Restaurant

Copper Chimney
12-A, Lotus Court, Dr. Annie Besant Road/Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel
Tel: 24920505/24963333

Pankaj says, "Copper Chimney in Mumbai and Al-Shami in Dubai."

Copper Chimney has branches in Worli and Lower Parel serves vegetarian, non-vegetarian, north Indian and Mughlai cuisines.

Apart from serving soups and desserts as part of their buffet they also serve yummy chaat.

Their ala carte menu includes chicken bharta and kebabs.u00a0u00a0u00a0

They may be famed for their food and good service but a packed restaurant during lunch and dinner hours might kill the ambience that the place has to offer.

But the good news is that they do outdoor catering as well. So you don't have to sit in their packed restaurant to enjoy their delicious food.u00a0

Favourite Recipe: Hummus

Ingredients

One 16 oz can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans
u00bc cup liquid from can of chickpeas
3-5 tbsp lemon juice (depending on taste)
1u00bd tbsp tahini
2 cloves garlic (crushed)
u00bd tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil

Method

Drain chickpeas and set aside liquid from the can. Blend remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor.
Add u00bc cup of liquid from chickpeas. Blend for 3-5 minutes on low until thoroughly mixed and smooth.

Place in a serving bowl, and create a shallow well in the centre of the hummus.

Add a small amount (1-2 tbsp) of olive oil in the well. Garnish with parsley (optional).

Serve immediately with fresh, warm or toasted pita bread or cover and refrigerate.u00a0