“I have okra. What do I make?”

That was a text I sent to Pushpir back in 2015. He ran my favorite Indian restaurant (Guru the Caterer, still in operation today but under different management). We got to know one another and I would shoot him text messages when I had an ingredient so that he could guide me (also via text message) through an Indian dish using that item.

My family has a tradition of scratch-cooking Indian food once a week at our house, and it’s so, so delicious thanks to Pushpir.

And of course he helped us design one of our most successful sandwiches of all time, The Pushpir (which we just bid farewell to for the season). Boston lost Pushpir when he moved to India for new food journeys. Earlier this winter, he reached out and told me he was in town. We met up, COVID-style, outside and masked. It was so good to see him. 

We’re going to include a gift from Pushpir in our boxes next week!!! 

Pushpir has founded a company selling spices, pickles, chutneys, and more, and we can’t wait to share some of his products with you all. 

The first 250 meal boxes for 2- or 4-people ordered for Thursday 3/18 only will get a jar of Golden Milk Masala from Pushpir’s new company, Depth ‘N’ Green.

This spice blend is full of good things – stone-ground turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, star anise, dry ginger, nutmeg, cloves (and love). Shipped to us (with more than a bit of effort on the part of Pushpir, Jane, the United States, and India) straight from Mysore!

If you order for Thursday, here’s how Pushpir recommends making Golden Milk, either hot or cold.

Mix 1 teaspoon of the masala with milk of your choice in a small saucepan or pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 8 to 10 minutes until fragrant and flavorful. Strain the drink through a fine strainer into mugs. Add honey or maple syrup to sweeten it or enjoy it without. For cold golden milk latte let the above mix cool down and blend it with ice and enjoy. Golden milk can be made in advance and stored in your refrigerator for up to five days. Simply reheat it before drinking or blend with ice for a cold golden latte. Garnish with crushed pistachio and almonds.

And if you (or a friend) doesn’t need a meal box on Thursday, but still wants to explore Pushpir’s creations, you can purchase jars of the Golden Milk Masala along with lots of other goodies at Depth ‘N’ Green.

PS: To clarify what we mean by 2- or 4-person meal box, the following boxes are eligible for the gift if ordered for delivery of pickup on 3/18: Maple Celebration Box, Starter Box, Winter Seasonal Box, Breakfast Box, Classics Box, Mediterranean Box, Post-Meat Box, Vegan Box, and Gluten-Free Box. We have a limited amount of gifts, and only first 250 eligible boxes ordered will receive.