Cooking Up A Storm With Shivam Khajuria: Exploring His Love For Food And Homemade Flavours

“Kya Prem pehchaan paayega Anupama ke haathon ka swaad?” is a line used to advertise one of the recent popular episodes of Anupamaa. Prem is played by the good-looking, 20-something Shivam Khajuria, who is a foodie at heart and can instantly recognise his homemade food because of the ghar ka swaad.

My dietary preference: Non-veg! I’m a huge fan of home-cooked meals, whether it’s tender chicken or a hearty Indian thali.

First thing I have when I wake up: Hot water with a spoonful of ghee – old school but keeps me feeling great!

My breakfast is: A protein shake with banana and nuts – the perfect fuel to start my day.

For lunch I have: A home-cooked Indian meal – usually some delicious chicken, fresh veggies, and a comforting bowl of dal.

My evening snack: It depends on the mood – sometimes it’s dry fruits, sometimes a sandwich. I like to keep it balanced.

For dinner I have: Another home-cooked Indian meal – chicken gravy, veggies, and salad. Nothing fancy, but full of love.

My favourite desserts are: Milk cake and motichoor laddoo – can’t say no to these!

My fitness regime: Weight training 4–5 times a week. And mind training every second of my life – both equally important!

My favourite restaurants: Project Hum, Jimmy Boy, and Luuma House – I love trying new flavours and places.

My favourite cuisines: Indian (of course), Lebanese, and Kashmiri wazwan.

One thing I cook very well: Paneer bhurji and chicken masala – easy, tasty, and satisfying.

My favourite cook in the family: My aunty Shibi (she is a family friend) – she makes the crispiest bhindi and the best comfort food.

As a child my favourite food was: Paneer bhurji – clearly, some things never change!

Foods I consciously have and avoid: I always make sure to meet my macros – like my daily requirements of carbs, proteins, and fats. I also try to avoid anything too oily.

My idea of a romantic meal: By the beach, watching the waves, and ordering a nice pasta. Simple and perfect.

The weirdest food I’ve ever had: A fried scorpion! Yes, I actually tried it once!

My favourite food during the monsoons: Pyaz pakoda – there’s nothing like them with a hot cup of chai.

Food on the sets of Anupamaa: We all come together at lunchtime and open our tiffin boxes. It’s like being back in school – sharing our meals and funny stories, and of course, a lot of laughter.

Tip on food for readers: Eat home food. Control your portion sizes. Meet your macros. That’s all you need!

A simple recipe I can share: Creamy Paneer Bhurji – a comforting, easy-to-make dish that always hits the spot.

Recipe of Paneer Bhurji

Ingredients:

300 gms malai paneer

5 tablespoons oil

2 medium-sized onions (finely chopped)

1 big tomato (finely chopped)

2 slit green chillies (or as required)

1’ ginger (grated)

2 tablespoons thick curds

1 teaspoon gram flour

2 teaspoons coriander powder

2 teaspoons red chilli powder (or as required)

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon kasuri methi

Finely chopped coriander leaves (to garnish)

Salt as per taste

Method: In a bowl, mix together curds, gram flour, and powdered spices. Mix well and keep aside. Heat oil in a non-stick pan, add onions, green chillies, and ginger. Sauté on a low flame. Once the onions turn pink, add the tomatoes and salt. Sauté the tomatoes on a low flame till they are soft. Add the curd mixture and sauté continuously for 2–3 minutes. Add crumbled paneer and mix gently. Simmer for a few minutes till the paneer is well mixed with the onion-tomato mixture. Lastly, add some kasuri methi. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with roti.