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Gordon Ramsay — the celebrity chef known as much for his fiery temper as his prowess in matters culinary — is bringing back his popular show, Kitchen Nightmares, after nearly a decade. The show, which follows Ramsay as he tries to help struggling restaurants turn around their businesses, aired from 2007 to 2014. It was a ratings hit, and helped make Ramsay a household name.
The new season of Kitchen Nightmares will offer fans a fresh dose of culinary drama. Ramsay's mission to help restaurants will span across the US and UK this time, bringing his expertise to establishments in need on either side of the Atlantic. Each episode is dedicated to a single restaurant, allowing for in-depth exploration of their challenges and transformations.
While a pit-stop in India isn’t on Ramsay’s itinerary for the time being, we’re willing to bet that the Michelin-star chef would be more than wowed if he were to sample any of these dishes — provided they were well-made of course — from an Indian establishment. That is, if he hasn’t already — unlikely given his avowed love for desi food which he finds “complex, flavourful, and always a surprise”. (We love a man who can articulate just why he appreciates Indian food, as opposed to one who gets brownie points for tweeting a single word.)
Here, we’ve put together the perfect tasting menu for Ramsay:
Chicken Tikka Masala
Picture succulent chicken pieces, marinated in a heavenly blend of aromatic spices and creamy yogurt, meticulously grilled to achieve a perfect charred exterior while retaining their tender juiciness within. Once the chicken is cooked to perfection, it is gently bathed in a velvety tomato-based gravy, which imparts a rich and luscious texture to the dish. The harmonious combination of tangy tomatoes, fragrant spices, and the slight tanginess of yoghurt creates a symphony of flavours that would certainly leave Ramsay impressed.
Lamb Vindaloo
For those who love bold and intense notes, Lamb Vindaloo is nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. Originating from the coastal state of Goa, this iconic dish seamlessly blends slow-cooked tender chunks of succulent lamb with a tongue-tingling medley of spices, vinegar and garlic. The lamb absorbs the robust flavours of the spices, creating a tantalising symphony on the palate. The unique combination of fiery red chilies, aromatic cumin, tangy vinegar, earthy cloves and fragrant garlic infuses every morsel of lamb with a depth of flavour that is both complex and captivating.
Mutton Biryani
Aromatic, fragrant and rich, the Mutton Biryani is acknowledged as a culinary masterpiece with good reason. Fragrant spices, tender meat and perfectly cooked rice come together in the perfect proportion in each delectable bite. For this king among dishes, succulent mutton is marinated in a medley of spices, layered with fragrant basmati rice, and slow-cooked to perfection. Each mouthful is a harmonious combination of tender meat and perfectly spiced rice — an experience that is sure to win Ramsay’s approval.
Prawn Curry
When it comes to seafood, Ramsay’s discerning palate seeks dishes that showcase the freshness and delicate flavours of the ocean. In this regard, a delightful Prawn Curry is a shoo-in for captivating his taste buds. This dish combines the natural sweetness of fresh prawns with a vibrant curry sauce that sings with aromatic spices, coconut milk, and a hint of tanginess from tamarind. For a chef like Ramsay, who appreciates dishes that showcase the natural flavours of high-quality ingredients, Prawn Curry would be just the sort of preparation he’d devour.
Fish Moilee
Originating from the coastal regions of Kerala, this delicacy showcases the freshest catch of fish cooked in a luscious coconut milk-based gravy, infused with aromatic spices and curry leaves. Its delicate balance of flavours, the tender flakiness of the fish, and the aromatic nuances of the coconut milk gravy are an apt showcase for the culinary finesse of Kerala's coastal cuisine.
(Image of Lamb Vindaloo courtesy Stuart Spivack/Flickr)
