Monday 24 November 2014

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 jalapeƱos 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

Sunday 6 July 2014

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

Friday 6 June 2014

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

Wednesday 28 May 2014

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 ..

Wednesday 21 May 2014

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 

Sunday 18 May 2014

PMS ??!!

There couldn't have been a better day to start a blog.. I plan to write more about food experiences.. And men.. And more experiences..the cherry on my pie..
Today comes to me as a day of strong emotions.. While most men think this is the pms-ing stage.. Well Im rather not .. I just believe in standing up for myself..as we dont have body guards.. I believe we bombay women are warriors .. We fight we stand.. We are hurt yet we fight again..
Coming back to the main point.. Why is that when women fight for their right .. Men have to say she is pms-ing or she hasn't had a good night ( u know what I mean )
I met this arrogant stranger at maroosh today. He was with wife n parents n 2 kids as well.. Asking me vacate a table as I was in couple on rather big table.. He was not polite but I still gave the table to him looking at his his kids n old father.. Loud n rude he being.. I asked him to chill.. I tell the waiters that its their duty to get things sorted.. Your customer can't yell at me.. This man comes and tells me " I guess u are pms-ing girl..dont create a scene.." And so on n on this whole war with the man not so man enough went..a beautiful dinner rather spoilt..
But my question to all you people is..do men PMS as well ?? Or is it just indian men..that feel that shouting an insulting a woman makes them victorious..
Why is that when women seek righteousness its PMS and when men behave like insecured mcps its man hood..
Aren't the men pms-ing as well ..
Only one lady in the whole restaurant stood up to me tonight to say pls do t waste your moment..respect to her
Today in the wake of the night.. I m sure we all have gone through this once in mumbai.. A man acting like a complete douche-bag..abuse..verbal or physical..
And all u men out there who r real gentlemen...must have faced some lady who insulted you and put you to shame in public for no reason ..
I'm not a feminist dont read me such..but opening post has been such coz of incidents that shake me..make me stronger..
Thank you for reading up till here.. And I'd love to see and read what u feel about the same.. Pls pls feel free to post a comment
P.S : no offence !!