Rachana Rimal Shares Immigrant Grandmother Recipes to Preserve Tradition

Rachana Rimal, an esteemed instructor with the League of Kitchens, is bridging cultural divides by teaching students how to cook like an immigrant grandmother. Raised close to her Hungarian and Korean grandparents, Rimal brings a wealth of culinary history to her classes. She emphasizes the importance of high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques, inviting students into a world where food is not just nourishment but a vessel for heritage and connection.

The recipe at the heart of Rimal’s class is a traditional Nepalese dish, skillfully blending zucchini or gray squash, onions, garlic, and an array of spices. The dish can be adapted for larger groups by simply using a larger pan. Rimal grates the squash, salts it, and squeezes out the liquid to intensify its flavor, a technique she learned from her grandmother. The dish is complemented by labneh or Greek yogurt, stirred until smooth, offering a creamy, tangy accompaniment.

Rimal’s cooking classes are part of the League of Kitchens’ mission to foster cross-cultural understanding. Since 2014, the organization has hosted immersive cooking classes and workshops, providing a platform for immigrants to share their culinary traditions. Rimal’s sessions, held in her own kitchen, offer students an intimate glimpse into the art of traditional cooking. These classes are not just about mastering recipes; they are about building connections and celebrating shared love for food and culture.

Rimal’s grandmother’s cooking was a source of comfort and connection for her. It is this tradition she seeks to pass on to her students. She teaches them how to prepare family recipes that have been lovingly passed down through generations, emphasizing that food brings people together in ways few other things can.

Rimal’s approach underscores the idea that immigrants have long been America’s “boogeymen and women,” as she puts it. Yet through food, they offer a way to build bridges and foster understanding. Her classes serve as a reminder that in a diverse society, food can be a unifying force.

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Featured image courtesy of Vogue