My life on a plate: Deepika Padukone spills the beans

Editor’s note: “Tell me what you eat, I’ll tell you who you are,” famously quipped the wise 19th century gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin.  A witty epigram we at Firstpost have taken to heart. And who better to kick off our quirky new questionnaire than the always ravishing Deepika Padukone: an international gourmand who adores idlis, dim sum, and likes her lobster served in the wilds of Africa. Break that fast I have a glass of hot water first thing in the morning. My favourite coffee is: South Indian filter coffee, but when I’m travelling I have Nescafe My breakfast usually is: anything South Indian: upma, dosa, poha. When travelling, I have an English breakfast of either 2 or 4 egg white omelet with sausages. My favorite kind of bread is: freshly-baked soft white bread. And the best bakery in town is: local stores around my house. Anyone who has fresh bread Lunch Platter When I lunch at home: When I’m back home from travelling, I love to have Maharashtrian varan. It’s a simple yellow dal with spiced potatoes. Or even rasam and puliodare. I’m a big fan of South Indian food. My favourite place to lunch out: Since I love Mediterranean food I like Olive in Mumbai or Sunny’s in Banglore, where my favourite dish on the menu is a tossed salad  and steamed fish with grilled vegetables and mashed potatoes. [caption id=“attachment_13473” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Actress Deepika Padukone loves Mediterranean food. The Olive in Mumbai or Sunny’s in Banglore are her favourite spots. Vijay Mathur/Reuters”]  [/caption] Snack break If I get hungry between meals, I usually snack on: Never junk food. Thats a big no-no. Never chips or anything like that. I like to have an egg-white omelet, chicken tikka, clear soup, light biscuits like Marie or cream crackers, or a toasted sandwich. My favourite street food is: sev puri and best place to get it is at Ram and Shyam in Santacruz. Dinner is served When I invite friends or family over: I love to cook. Tonight, I’m having friends over for dinner and I am making Bassa Fish. It’s easily available and tastes great. Planning to pan fry it in olive oil with salt and pepper and serve some clear soup and a tossed salad with it. My beverage/cocktail/wine of choice is: fresh fruit juice with no sugar and no ice. Maybe even a salted fresh lime soda, or a freshly squeezed lemonade. A big no to sugared drinks. As for the rest…. My most memorable meal was: last year in South Africa at a resort called Mabula. Went for a safari dinner with friends. It was the most beautiful and memorable experience. Was in the middle of the vast open landscape, in the wilderness, on the safari track with all the wild animals running free. Dinner was served under the tree and the dish I loved most was the lobster. Ma ke haath ka khana that I most often crave is: She is a fantastic cook, and everything she makes is so delicious. It’s so hard to pick just one, from pasta to spaghetti to anything actually! My favourite festival food/treat is: during Ganesh Chaturthi. Vegetarian food that is made at home, and in that I love the steamed idlis made in banana leaves. The idli batter is poured into little banana cones and it is steamed. And the flavour that the leaf imparts to the idli is just fantastic! My favourite restaurant outside India is: For fast food, it would have to be Ping Pong in London. It offers healthy dim sums and is great to eat while shopping. In terms of fine dining, my pick is Scalini in London. I love Italian food. What I am craving right now: Thai The best tip I have about staying healthy: Start your day with a hearty breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day. If given a choice, I’d want my last meal in this life to be: a South Indian Meal