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Phil Lempert
PhilLempert
TODAY Food Editor
http://supermarketguru.com/page.cfm/367
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In this special weekly feature, TODAY food editor Phil Lempert brings you recipes “stolen” (with permission) from notable restaurants across America. See how much fun you can have (and money you can save) by cooking these dishes at home.
THIS WEEK: Prawns in Coconut Masala from Vij’s Restaurant Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
This week we bring you a delicious recipe made for sharing from a husband-and-wife team in Vancouver. Sometimes we all get a bit intimidated when trying out a new recipe — eating out is sometimes such an easier option ... especially when the ingredients are not ones that we are not entirely familiar with. But Vikram Vij and Meeru Dhalwala have made this delicious recipe a breeze. Prawns in Coconut Masala calls for ghee, a type of clarified butter common in Indian dishes. It has a nutty aroma that regular butter does not have. Using ghee gives this dish its fabulous flavor, but if you're really in a bind canola oil can be substituted. Vikram recommends pairing Prawns in Coconut Masala with a Pouilly-Fumé or Sancerre wine.
left/msnbc/Components/Photos/070110/070110_portrait_bcol_730a.jpg2715100000left#000000http://msnbcmedia.msn.com1PfalsefalseAbout the couple behind Vij's Restaurant: Vikram Vij was born in India and grew up in Amritsar and Mumbai. He studied Hotel Management in Salzburg, Austria, where he worked for several years before moving to Canada to work at the Banff Springs Hotel. He opened the original 14-seat Vij’s Restaurant in Vancouver in 1994. A certified sommelier, he loves wine and knows how to pair his innovations with great bottles from around the world.
Meeru Dhalwala, was born in India but moved to Washington, D.C., at a very young age with her parents. Prior to marrying Vikram and moving to Canada, she worked with various organizations on human rights and international development projects. She received her master’s degree in Development Studies from Bath University in England. Meeru joined Vikram at Vij’s in February 1995.
Vij's Restaurant opened with the premise that there’s no such thing as a typical Indian curry. Sourcing local ingredients and approaching traditional Indian dishes with exciting new takes, Vikram and Meeru have created a delectable showcase. Vikram says, “Our recipes, developed and refined over the past 10 years, are as close to our hearts as our marriage."
Prawns in Coconut Masala is served at Vij’s Restaurant for $12.50. The recipe is for a serving size of six.
Vij’s Restaurant
1480 W 11th Ave.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
604-736-6664
www.vijs.ca
Want to nominate your favorite restaurant dish for a "Steal This Recipe" feature? Just e-mail Phil at Phil.Lempert@nbc.com (or use the mail box below) with the name of the restaurant, city and state, and the dish you would like to have re-created. Want to know more about Phil and food? Visit his Web site at www.supermarketguru.com.