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Factual: Food & Drink

What's the one dish that holds a special place in your heart?

What's the one dish that holds a special place in your heart? Andi Oliver and her special guests are on a quest to discover the stories and science behind our favourite foods.

What's the one dish that holds a special place in your heart? Andi Oliver and her special guests are on a quest to discover the stories and science behind our favourite foods. From jollof rice to rice pudding, they'll unpack its secrets, from its earliest history to the chemical reactions that make it taste so good. With psychologist and nutritionist Kimberley Wilson popping in to give some scientific insight, Andi and her guest will share stories and food memories - and, of course, they'll tuck into the dish itself. All before leaving you with some top tips to perfect your own version.

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One Dish: Kala Channa with Asma Khan

Kala Channa with Asma Khan

BBC Radio 4 - One Dish, Kala Channa with Asma Khan

Magic beans! Asma introduces Andi to her family recipe for black chickpeas.

Magic beans! Asma introduces Andi to her historic family recipe for black chickpeas.

Cookbook author, restaurateur and chef Asma Khan is Andi Oliver’s guest, and she’s brought one of the most important dishes in her life to the table - kala channa. 

This stewed, spiced black chickpea dish from India is traditionally eaten in Asma’s family after fasting during Ramadan - although Asma prefers to start with a few samosas first.

Andi and Asma talk about the history of kala channa as an important crop in India, reflect on how access to Indian ingredients has improved over the past couple of decades, and reveal the difference using fresh garam masala can make to the dish. 

And Kimberley Wilson is on hand to explain the science of expanding ‘magic’ dried beans.
 
Asma also shares a great tip for building up the deeply flavoured layers of heat in her Kala Channa, and admits a surprising thing she loves to do with the leftovers.

Food Scientist: Kimberley Wilson
Food Historian: Neil Buttery
Producer: Lucy Dearlove
Exec Producer: Hannah Marshall
Sound Design: Charlie Brandon-King
Assistant Producer: Bukky Fadipe

A Storyglass production for BBC Radio 4

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