Secret Ingredient At Ekta
Posted by Foobooz on December 4th, 2008
David Snyder learns it’s the ingredients that are the special ingredient at Ekta.
“Garam masala,” Bhattarai cited when asked about the ingredients in the dishes I ate. This spice blend is very common in Indian cuisine. But what is unique about Ekta’s, I learned after some gentle prodding, is that Bhattarai makes it from scratch by blending more than 10 different components, including coriander, black and green cardamom and star anise. “It’s hard,” Bhattarai told me, “but it brings real good flavor and good taste.”
The Magic Powder [City Paper]
250 E Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Related Tags: David Snyder, Ekta, Fishtown, Indian
December 4th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I thought it was standard practice for Indian chefs to make their own Garam Masala.
Maybe that’s why philly has so many mediocre Indian spots.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Of all the Indian food I’ve enjoyed in/around Philly, Ekta’s stands head and shoulders above even Tiffin’s. The spice just jumps out at you, alive, distinct wonderful components of the Masala. I don’t taste such an explosion of spices in Tiffin’s food. I find it a bit bland in comparison.
Don’t get me wrong, though, Tiffin is very good, creative and instrumental in the growth of Indian cuisine we are experiencing!