If there's a community in Mumbai which truly lives by the maxim of 'Live to eat' rather than 'Eat to live', it is the Dawoodi Bohras.

The Bohras believe that any occasion is an occasion to break bread together and this in essence is both their joie de vivre and the raison d' etre of their existence. Depending on the occasion, the food can be minimalist (by Bohri standards that is), which translates into one sweet dish, one aperitif followed by the main course; or elaborate which could be two sweet dishes, two appetizers followed by a main course replete with salads, cold drinks and followed by paan and gutkha.

Contrary to popular perception, Bohri cuisine encompasses both vegetarian and non-vegetarian specialties though it is the latter which is more popular. In fact it's a well guarded secret that one of the premier Bohra specialities is a pure vegetarian dish -- Daal Chawaal Palida. This specialty which consists of two parts; a pulao like rice preparation which has a base of boiled daal with salt to taste, topped by chopped onions fried to a golden brown with fresh steaming (basmati) rice is accompanied by 'Palida'. This is a curry like preparation made out of a flour base much like the North Indian pakoda curry with dudhi/lauki or drumstick stewed in it. Usually the Palida also has kokum added to it for taste.

This vegetarian delicacy is almost standard for any occasion for celebration, in most traditional Bohra homes. The one enduring characteristic about any Bohra meal is the principle of 'Families that eat together stay together'. All meals are taken together in a large dish called the 'Thal', with the intention of promoting a spirit of sharing and equality. The Thal is usually placed upon a raised metal or wooden round called the Kundali.