RECIPE QUEEN - ROHINI RANA

BORN INTO THE ROYAL FAMILY OF AWAGARH IN UP AND MARRIED INTO THE RANA DYNASTY OF NEPAL, THE CULINARY ENTHUSIAST VENTURES BEYOND PALACE KITCHENS WITH HER SECOND COOKBOOK, SHOWCASING THE CUISINE OF THE REGION’S DIVERSE ETHNIC COMMUNITIES

- AMBER TIKARI

Following her successful exploration of the palace kitchens she married into, Rohini Rana returns with The Nepal Cookbook: 108 Regional Recipes, this time offering readers a glimpse into the cuisine enjoyed by the common people.

While Rohini comes from the royal lineage of Awagarh in Uttar Pradesh, her husband, former Chief of Army Staff General Gaurav SJB Rana, is part of Nepal’s distinguished Rana family and is the grandson of Maharaj Chandra SJB Rana.

“I was waiting for the launch of my first endeavour, The Rana Cookbook: Recipes from the Palaces of Nepal [published in 2021], which had been in incubation for 10 months during the COVID pandemic. While waiting for the world to return to normal, the idea of a second book germinated, and I started working on it,” says the seasoned cook, who took two years to collate the 108 recipes.

As an army wife, Rohini journeyed alongside her husband to various postings, including remote villages in Nepal. This allowed her to immerse herself in the diverse flavours and techniques of local, foreign and fusion cuisines. Her book celebrates Nepal’s culinary heritage, from the distinct influences of the Sherpas, Gurung and Tamangs in the mountains to the Tharus and Madeshis in the lush jungles of the Terai. Rohini’s curated collection features dishes like Rikikur (potato pancake), Newari Haans Ko Choela (barbecued tempered duck), and includes an entire section dedicated to the irresistible momos.

Launched first in India and then in Nepal, she believes there’s a strong audience for the cookbook on this side of the border. “Nepali cuisine is gaining popularity internationally, as well as among its neighbouring countries. The final chapter, featuring 20 different types of momo recipes, should appeal to everyone’s palate. Momos are very popular worldwide,” she tells HELLO! in a freewheeling chat.