Royal Recipes Season 1 Episode 5 India and Empire

Royal Recipes is a cooking show that celebrates the recipes and menus of royal households throughout history, shedding light on the fascinating culinary traditions of some of the world's most famous families. In the fifth episode of season one, titled "India and Empire," the show's focus turns to the influence of Indian cuisine in the royal kitchens of the British Empire.

As the host, chef Michael Buerk, explains at the beginning of the episode, the British colonial presence in India from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century had a profound impact on the food culture of both countries. The episode explores how Indian ingredients, spices, and cooking techniques were gradually integrated into British cuisine, and how this fusion of culinary traditions produced some of the most famous dishes in modern British gastronomy.

The episode opens with a visit to a spice market in London, where Buerk meets a vendor who sells a wide range of Indian spices. Buerk notes that while many of these spices are now familiar ingredients in British pantries, they were exotic and unfamiliar to most British people just a few centuries ago. Buerk then travels to an Indian restaurant in London to learn how to make two classic Indian dishes: chicken tikka masala and prawn biryani. Both recipes are complex and require a range of spices and cooking techniques, but Buerk is up to the challenge and quickly gets to work.

Next, the episode explores the ways in which Indian cuisine impacted the British royal family's menus. Buerk visits Osborne House, the former summer home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, where he meets with a historian and learns about the royal couple's fascination with Indian culture. The couple even employed an Indian cook, Abdul Karim, who introduced them to a range of Indian dishes and helped popularize Indian cuisine in Britain. Buerk also visits Mughal Gardens, a replica of an Indian garden located in the English county of Surrey, which was built by British colonial officials who had lived in India. The garden features exotic plants and architectural features inspired by Indian culture, and serves as a testament to the enduring influence of Indian aesthetics on British design.

Finally, the episode takes a closer look at the iconic chicken curry, a dish that is now synonymous with British cuisine but has its roots in India. Buerk visits the Maharaja of Jodhpur, a royal figure in contemporary India, to learn how to make a traditional chicken curry using local ingredients and cooking techniques. The meal is served in grand style, with a range of other dishes including naan bread, dal, and rice.

Overall, "India and Empire" is a compelling look at the ways in which culinary traditions can cross borders and influence one another. Through a combination of historical anecdotes and mouth-watering cooking demonstrations, the episode teaches viewers about the rich flavors and cultural significance of Indian cuisine in both India and Britain.