Chef's Spotlight: PRIAVANDA CHOUHAN of Desi Galli in NYC

PriaVanda Chouhan is a self-taught chef, always on the go and trying to get a good meal in with her busy schedule. Her motto is, "You don't have to sacrifice a good Indian meal because you don't have the time!" She is the owner of Desi Galli, a fast food Indian restaurant located in the heart of Manhattan. They specialize in healthy Indian "Street Eats" such as Kathi Rolls, Biryanis and Chaats.

We interviewed PriaVanda Chouhan about her career as a chef.

What was your earliest interest in cooking?

Growing up in our family home, I was always surrounded and exposed to food, although I was never trusted to cook. I was always the dishwasher or potato peeler. When my traditional Indian parents first met my in-laws, my father had a serious discussion with them. "Two things I need to tell you about my daughter. First one, she is very lazy with housework and secondly she cannot cook. So please do not be disappointed," he said. I was mortified! Since that day I had to prove my father wrong and turn around the families perception of me. Although I am still not the domesticated diva, I have mastered the kitchen and the inner kitchen goddess within me has been released. Today the running joke in our family is that I run our own restaurant.

Who were some of your career mentors?

Inspired by Rachael Ray's fast and easy methods for putting dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, I turned my home kitchen into a test kitchen, mastering a multitude of Indian recipes every day, and developing my own personal style of lighter, healthier, vegan and gluten-fee cooking without sacrificing flavor.

I am very fortunate to have an amazing family who has always been encouraging. My husband was the first to push me to follow this calling. My father & father in law were surprised by this adventure but they believed in me, and that motivated me to believe I can do anything I put my mind to. My mother figures in my life (mother, mother in law and sister) were ready to share their own recipes. My brother and brother in law were ready to be my guinea pigs. Without their support I do not believe we would have been able to accomplish what we have. Their belief and confidence in me were by no doubt the foundations for making me believe in myself, and release the chef that was hidden within me.

What culinary styles have influenced your career?

Being brought up in an Indian household, the colors, tastes and smells of Indian food have always fascinated me. The arrays of varieties available to me were limitless. I wanted to build on these childhood experiences yet bring something different. . I wanted to create a restaurant that offered healthier versions of the tradition Indian Street Eats without compromising on the taste.

What do you consider the most distinguishing features of your work as a chef?

My most distinguishing features of my work as a chef were creating the recipe for the gluten free kathi rolls. One in four of our customers have a gluten allergy and many would plead with me to create a gluten free option of our wonderful wraps. After about 6 weeks of trial and error, I had the perfect recipe using chickpea flour. One of our customers came in thanking us. She hadn't eaten a kathi roll in over 10 years and loved it.

What is your favorite meal?

I love snacking. I would rather eat 6 different appetizers and try more on the menu than just have one main meal. That is why we created this type of restaurant with Indian Street Eats. Our portions are perfect for snacking and a two or more items can make a meal.

Tell me a little bit about your restaurant for our readers.

Desi Galli in situated on 101 Lexington between 27th and 28th in the heart of curry hill. My husband and I created this restaurant to satisfy the Desi (Indian sub-continent diaspora) hankering for Indian soul food.

We specialize in Kathi Rolls or Kati Rolls (Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian) (like Indian burritos'), Vada Pav, Chaats (Bhel Puri, Pani Puri, Somasa Chaat, Biryani (Chicken/Lamb/Veg) and our newest edition our Galli Salad with a choice of: Chicken Tikka, Seekh Kebab and Paneer for the health conscious! You can wash our delicious food with Thumsup/Limca/Lassi's and end it sweetly with: Galli Kulfi, Rasmali and Gulab Jamun!

We also offer a variety of options for Vegan lovers. Our food is prepared fresh to order and is made right in front of you in our open kitchen.

Desi Galli is located at 101 Lexington Avenue at 27th Street. Call 212-683-2292 or visit www.desi-galli.com. They are open for lunch and dinner from noon to 11:00 pm. Takeout, delivery, eat-in and offsite catering are all available. Their dining room is also available for meetings with comfortable seating, free wifi, cell phone chargers and high-resolution flat screen televisions. For special events, please contact PriaVanda.

Photo: Courtesy of Desi Galli

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