ABOUT
Chopping Club is a programme by Human Libraries (Liverpool), in which the communities at Bootle and Crosby libraries cook and eat together. Since the pandemic, these sessions have taken place online and guest artists are often invited to share recipes and practice. We are delighted to work with Human Libraries to host and bring together people from Birmingham and Liverpool through the work of artist Navi Kaur.
We have co-commissioned Navi to produce a new film as part of the exhibition, A simultaneity of stories-so-far which we will screen during April’s edition of Chopping Club. The recipe for this event comes directly from Navi’s grandmother, Budimom’s Chole, which we will cook together before sitting down to watch Navi’s film Mērā Ghar.
Directly translated into English from Punjabi as ‘my home,’ Mērā Ghar, presents intimate footage of family, faith and food shot during meal times and prayer times affording the viewer an insight into Navi’s grandparents’ selfless and modest lives. The work explores the sacred and interconnected nature of spaces such as the home, the land and the Gurdwara for Sikh communities, revealing the ritualistic nature of the quotidian and drawing parallels between the care, love and discipline employed when cooking, gardening and reciting prayers.
Everyone who comes along will also receive a free, limited edition recipe card made by Navi in collaboration with Liverpool based artist Sumuyya Khader. This event will take place on zoom (a link will be sent to attendees). It is free but booking is essential.
To book a spot, please email info@grand-union.org.uk include your postal address if you would like the recipe card edition posted to you, book by Thursday 8th April. If you need any assistance with setting up zoom, do let us know and we will support you to get it up and running.
RECIPE
The full recipe and instructions will be shared with those who book a place prior to the event. We will cook Budimom’s Chole together before sitting to watch Navi’s film. Budimom’s Chole is a warming and lightly spiced dish with a simple list of ingredients. Participants are weclome to prepare their ingredients ahead of time, or we can supply ingredients to those who need them local to Grand Union, Birmingham.
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 large onions
- 4 large tomatoes
- 2 cans chickpeas
- Fresh red/green chili – enough for ½ tsp chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 2 tbsp garlic paste
- 3 tbsp ghee or veg oil
- 1 tbsp tom puree
- 4 cardamom
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 3 tsp coriander powder
- 1.2 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp garam masala
OPTIONAL/Garnish:
- 1 red onion
- Bunch coriander
- Thumb of ginger
