Main aur Meri Maggi

Maggi has been a childhood favourite and it remains so far and  I can't remember a time when I was too done with it .. You know.. Its Maggi how can you be done with it. Well I know of people who think the love for Maggi is overrated..but it does have its loyal fans (include me).
In the yesterday years .. When I was introduced to it.. It was an instant hit, lunch or dinner or breakfast or late night snack or studying companion or party food .. It has played a host all the time.. I have had friends who travel across the city and we always have our Maggi.. We all have some stories attached to it.. At that time we didnt know if it had msg or lead .. It was a joyous meal..
Then came a time when suddenly there was awareness about food and what you eat and does this instant noodle have MSG and all Maggi packets claimed to be MSG free.. And then the healthy versions aata noodles and oat noodles which have had more calories than the regular.. But we never cared..
Suddenly in this modern age in this year..claims of Maggi have high lead contents and its banned nation wide..and all the jazz around it...nestle struggling hard to win the battle..
My point of view : why now ? After all these years of consumption have you heard anyway die because of Maggi consumption.. Or any one getting a fatal illness because of Maggi ? People in the north of India would be eating Maggi everyday ? Has anyone suffered ??
To me all this feels unnecessary.. Maggi should continue to be available..and let our future generations enjoy it too..
Long live Maggi
XoXo

Digital Detox !

This one comes straight from my brain and heart and makes me want to delete social media platforms .. This post is a completely "no food"

But I still want to write because I feel the need to voice my frustration soon turning to dislike for social gung-ho that's happening in the mumbai social life..

We all are over achievers.. And even if we are not we are making a big deal... Our fb profile says we are going to be the next award winner .. Because we dress like everyday is a party and I wouldn't be wrong if I said.. Mumbai ke log are going to judge you on the grounds of how social you are..

You : have you been to ***** yet

Me : no ya.. Let's see ..may be sometime soon..

You : oh u have to have to go baby. (* thinks to self* Sad n how ..let's talk to someone else)

Me : yeah , whatever !

Not that I don't want to try new places .. But hey what's the rush .. I'm social in my on way.. I dont need to tell the world where I am..

The time is near where people will check in to their bathroom " checked in to her bathroom" with a status " need to unload all the shit I ate yday"

The classic 20 line status updates wishing hubby/wifey anniversary.. Get a life guys we don't need to know if your wife liked the surprise..because even if she didn't its not gonna affect us..we know you guys are together forever but pls don't bore us with an essay of love..we all know what being loved feels like..pls post some pure feelings..than a wordful drama of expensive dinners and and surprise gifts...u stay with her in the same room...does your bedroom story need to spill on FB *yaaaaaawwwwnnn*

Half the world has babies..and I am gonna have someday too..but dude.. Exposing your child on Fb is just as bad an idea as your anniversary wish.. Wishing your one year a birthday with a long message on Fb is as attention seeking as it could be..and is your child gonna read it anyway.. You wish him/ her all the happiness..dude its eventually what you will end up giving them..we are not interested in seeing what you packed for their lunch..

My opinion is people are becoming insecured and attention deficit ..why would you want the world to know where you are going everyday and what you did there.. A person who really wants to see you will make an effort ... Your Facebook posts are not helping..rather they make me wanna unfollow you that instant .. A medium supply of posts and you are good

For now , I need to find more ways to stay fit and calm..and I hope my gyaan helps you stay sane..

Let's get some coffee ! Ciao

what I did at farmers market at high street phoenix

I have been away from the blogging scene for a while..London left me an amazing hangover .. Dance workouts, baking  and all the other things I wanted to do have kept me distracted .. And I am finally get back on track..
Since 2-3 days people around me have asked me about my blog and one someone asked what would I do with all these food pictures after 2-3 years they are just taking a lot of space in your hard disk..and I knew the answer to his question.. I knew exactly how pictures from the yester years make me smile..and I told him how does an old picture of an picture of your girlfriend make you feel...my pictures make me feel exactly that..
So I thought I needed to start writing again..felt like it was a sign to just express the way I feel.. About my one true love : Food
Yesterday I visited the mumbai farmers market by karen anand at high street phoenix..it had home bakers , teas , pantry staples , wines equipments (read barbeques) , and other things.
Out of all these, 2 stalls particularly had my attention : Frugur pops and goosebumps pickles
Frugur pops is famous popsicle idea which I have eaten even before at weddings and every time I eat these I am over joyed .. I feel like I am ten feasting on walls' SOLO (I'm sure everyone remembers this one).. So ya, the fruitilicious pop is a mixed fruit popsicle with kiwi , strawberry , orange amongst other fruits..the best part is its real fruit nothing artificial about it. They have other fruit flovours as well , peach and gauva , green apple mint tea ,and even milk based other halves..but I stick the mixed fruit..these guys are doing an amazing job they work from a central kitchen and don't have a store yet , but u can place orders with them , they do parties and weddings and other events.. The are utterly delish and if u ever get spot them..u don't want to miss the zip-locked pop..(P.S : I have pure lobe for packaging and other details being an artist myself)

Second thing that took my attention was goosebumps pickles. I have special love for pantry staples : dips , salsas , chutneys and pickles
Goosebumps have a home kitchen the mom makes and the daughter is doing an amazing job promoting her moms talent.
They have 15 odd varieties . My favourite was the olive and jalapeños pickle. And I must say the flavor left a memory on my tongue. I'm going to order a bottle soon.
That's that for now..and you guys are going to see more of me soon :)
Adios amigos

Quick and Easy holy gaucomole

Ever thought making gaucomole was a tough job..well I have the simplest recipe for you..Gaucomole is the the center of attraction in most mexican dishes..and why not its loaded with flavor and what is even special is that it has no added fat ( no butter no oil)
Gaucomole has avocado as the base ingredient
Avocado is rich in natural fat and has a natural creamy texture..a ripe avocado can be squeezed and used as a spread directly over bread for a healthier substitute over butter
Well coming back to gaucomole..
Here's a quick simple recipe

Ingredients
1 ripe avocado
1/2 tomato ( or small tomato)
1 small onion
6-7 cloves garlic
Juice of one lemon
2 Tbsp chopped jalepeno
Salt and pepper to taste

Grind everything together in a blender until a smooth paste

Done !!! You have a quick easy dip that is full of flavor blast
U can use it in your tacos or avalanche nachos
Or simply with a pack of doritos and you are good to go

P.S : I use canned jalepeno but you can use fresh if easily available at market vendors
also i prefer red jalepeno over the green ones that are traditionally used for the recipe
you can choose either red or green..both taste equally good

Restaurant review : Fatmans cafe, Bandra , Mumbai

Holllaaaa
Well this is a late post..been caught with the good n bad .. But this I really had to do
Me n my girls had a lunch date and we thought we should visit the new overhyped and publicized fatmans cafe
Its a small cozy place .. Quirky colors bright blues and greens and whole lot of white .. Fatman frames on the wall...I m designer .. And when I enter any place my mind starts imagining how could this place look otherwise..and fatmans had a lot of design scope .. Boring hanging lamps which have been there for decades now..in the facade entry.. Kind of a turn of.. Modern interiors with old school lamps....and fresh colors with cozy feeling..somehow doesn't go well... love the white oak finish on the tables though..
The moment we took a seat .. The place had kind of a weird smell..could be because its a small enclosed space with lot of meat n sea food happening..but I think these issue have been dealt with very finely these days..and I have designed a restaurant so I know its not unachievable.. It was a disappointment to have foul smell in the place..
There was one man show happening .. One guy managing everything..they are low on staff.. While the owner just stares..
Moving to real topic of interest .. The question now is how good is the food .. Well it was a pretty interesting menu .. New different options ..
We called for watermelon juice , fresh lime water , ceaser salad ( minus the bacon) and jacket potato with corn
The watermelon juice was nice and fresh..
The salad had nicely cooked tender chicken nicely marinated , boiled eggs and lettuce.. I would like some veggies there..just to tease the palate ... The quantity was generous could easily make up for whole meal..
The jacket potato with corn.. Only 4 pieces were served .. Not so flavorful.. Very low on salt and very heavy on price (240/-)
Last on the list fresh lime water.. Well I'm particularly coming to this one last as it was the main reason for a turn off .. Hair in my drink..
I need not say more.. And there ends the lunch
I may give this place one more try but may after a few months..where they have managed and grown a little may be I have a better experience
All in all : overrated , the way the publicity was happening.... they have not reached there yet !
Gourmet style menu and prices .. But the quality is not at that level.
Food : just about ok
Ambience : needs fresh air
Service : very slow response
Price : not value for money
Turn offs : foul smell and hair in drink

.. And I said to myself that's for 2 potatoes practically !!!! I eventually felt it was a bad choice on our side

Rest of the our lunch continued at Moshe's

And there are gentlemen..

Keeping in mind a few recent events.. My first post acclaimed quite strong reviews and opinions from both genders likewise..
And as I mentioned earlier there are gentlemen.. I thought it would be nice to have a good post on how many of them are not only handsome outside but really chivalrous on the inside..
So while I was on my way back home yesterday , I blacked out while I was driving .. And made me stop On the middle of the road .. And I felt a mild thud on the rear.. Thanks to the presence of mind of the mister driving behind.. While I still was half blur.. This guy comes to me.. And rather than shouting his gut out.. He asks me if needed help..
I was half as fine just then..
He gets bottle of water and parks the car for me.. And that was the sweetest gesture I've seen from fellow car owners driving along side.. Where 90% would just say "ladki chala rahi hai" ( girl is driving)
Grateful to these guys who are not judgemental
Who help you out of the most genuine gesture and most importantly who dont want anything else from you ..
Overwhelmed that he dint complain..and more than saying sorry I was only thankful ..
While I'm going to find out if I have specs (x_x)
You guys take a moment to tell me if you have ever received genuine help from strangers ..

recipe - tossed green salad

Hi everyone
I am testing a few recipes..
And with mumbai summers you want to eat something light and hydrating.. The sun practically soaks everything out of you..

Ingredients
Lettuce : romaine & iceberg
Baby spinach
Red cabbage
Arugula
7-8 cherry tomatoes
Slices of green apple

Dressing
2 tbsp pesto
1tsp Vinegar
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp Grated Parmesan
Freshly ground pepper
Salt as per taste

Take your greens and just tear them..into medium sized irregular pieces..you could also use sheers
Add the tomatoes and apple slices to it
You could replace the cherry tomatoes with sun dried tomatoes..and also add a few pieces of croutons..
I have not sliced the tomatoes as I dint want the juice to make the salad soggy
Toss the pesto ..and mix well with hands..I like to feel the food I eat..and it would even mix evenly
Now I'd suggest dissolve the sugar with the vinegar.. As there are changes it will not dissolve if added separately .. N u may get that crunch in the bite
Salt and pepper to taste..
Very little grated Parmesan just sprinkled on top
P.S : add the dressing just when you are about to eat..this will help your greens to remain crunchy.. And preferably keep everything refrigerated..for the crispyness :)

Pesto

Ingredients
Handful arugula leaves
Handful basil
7-8 cashew nuts
1-2 cloves of garlic
Few drops of lemon
2-3 leveled tbsp Olive oil

Blend all the ingredients together in a blender to make a smooth- semi liquid paste . add more oil ONLY if u want to preserve the pesto for longer days.. The proportion above will only be enough for the salad..

I hope you enjoy the salad as much as I did .. Please let me know..leave a feed back or comment as when you need help
We are new on the blog..and we are starting with simple things..help us grow..

Pesto recipe courtesy : Amrita Rana