A Mixed Experience at Playboy Cafe, CP!

Hello lovelies,

It was a dull afternoon of 27th Feb 2017, when I stepped in the Playboy Café. As I climbed upstairs to reach the entrance, I could see the amazing vibes that it had. The ambiance seemed welcoming. Soon, I found myself gelling up with a few other bloggers there.

myDaily Meal - Eating healthy!

Recently, I received a sample satchet by Four Foundations. The packing was so tastefully done that it caught my attention in a jiffy. So what was it? It was myDaily meal (Vanilla flavour).

myDaily Meal has been founded by Four Fountains De-stress Spa team. The co-founders are Anurag Kedia, Saurabh Garg and Sunil Rao.

The idea behind launching this amazing product was to stop you from skipping meals and eating junk food in your busy schedules. myDaily Meal is a Perfectly Engineered Meal Replacement Shake that provides exact nutrients including Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fats, Minerals, Vitamins and Fiber as required by your body in 1 meal. This gives perfect nutrition to your body within 1 min.

“We believe that this is the real food-tech. While most of the players have been working around logistics and delivery, myDaily Meal is working on the real scientific aspect of food to make sure that you get perfect nutrition anytime, anywhere in few seconds. In our busy lives we end up either skipping a meal or eating junk food due to lack of time at least 10-15 times in a month. This positions myDaily Meal as a perfect solution to this urban problem,” said Co-founder and Business Head Saurabh Garg, who is an IIT Bombay and IIM Ahmedabad Graduate with almost a decade of experience in healthcare with Four Fountains De-stress Spa.

The Junkyard Cafe - A Lip-smacking Afternoon!

Hello lovelies!

So about a week before, I got an invitation for an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G blogger's meet in my inbox. I checked the mail with a great deal of excitement and instantly gave my RSVP. After all, it was food! Yes, the blogger's meet was organised at The Junkyard Cafe, Saket on 2nd July 2016 as they had recently launched this outlet.

As I stepped in, the ambiance took me to the world of junk. It was decorated literally as a junkyard. I clicked few pictures before choosing a perfect place to sit -- near the much-talked-about Michael Jackson's art piece. First impression of the place -- a definite 'yes'.

There were other bloggers too. The atmosphere thereafter turned chirpy in no time. Food connects everyone, no matter what! Here are some of the clicks:

There was a special food menu for bloggers. But before we could look at it, we were served with some snacks. I will review each of them for you one after the other as I plunged into them. Here you go:

1) Junkyard Style Paneer Tikka: Paneer!! Enough to pep up my mood any day. It was right in front of my eyes, presented so beautifully that I could not stop myself from taking the first bite. The foodie in me simply loved it. The spices were mixed well. It was served on a leaf. It is often said that if the food looks good, half of the battle is already won! So yeah, for presentation, I would give a 5/5 to The Junkyard Cafe.

2) Hara Bhara Kabab: Indeed a good item to be served on the table. As I dug into the kabab, I could not stop at one and ended up eating 2-3 in just few seconds. The taste was too good and stayed for long on my tongue. It's worth trying!

3) Vanilla Cold Coffee: I see coffee on the menu and I don't order it! How can it ever be possible! It came in a elegant looking bottle and I took my first sip, not knowing if I would love it or not! But voila! I loved it. In fact, I found it one of the best cold coffees I have had in Delhi so far. I finished the large bottle quickly. Placed it on the table only once before finishing it off, that too just to click a picture for you all.

4) Veg Spring Rolls: So it was beginning to be a snacky afternoon, with so many varieties of snacks coming on the table. Ah! the presentation! Especially the flower caught my attention. The artist in me fell in love there and then! I took a piece of the roll and put it in my mouth. And OMG! it was prepared so well. It was simply the best snack I had that day. I was drooling on it till the end.

5) Palak Patta Chaat: The blogger sitting next to my table struck a conversation with me and recommended this dish. As soon as he did that, the waiter came to my table carrying it for me. I was all set to unravel the chaat. Paan in this form! What an innovative idea! And it was interesting. Presentation was spot on and it tasted good.

6) Ice Tea: Summers and ice tea go hand in hand! So I opted for Basil flavour while Kanika, who was with me at the event, went for Peach flavour. We both tasted both the flavours and they were good. I can safely say that the restaurant's USP lies in their drinks.

7) Honey Chilli Potato: Everyone loves them despite the weight-gain factor associated with them -- potatoes -- yes! I ordered them quite eagerly in spite of being full. We had been eating non-stop for about an hour by the time we decided to have these. But we were tempted to try these anyway! However, this was not that good. It was cold and taste wasn't that exceptional. As good as it looked, it did play a spoilsport!

8) Milkshake: We thought of ending on a sweet note and ordered milkshakes -- I chose Hazelnut and Butter Scotch as that's my all-time favourite flavour, Kanika decided on trying Banana and Cake flavour. Both the shakes were amazing! Thank goodness we chose to have them and not end on a cold  and not-so-good dish. I must say their shakes were one of the best I have had.

Quirky Note: I explored the place some more and went to check the washroom too. What I found there amazed me. Have a look at the basin and know for yourself!

P.S. I loved the place so much that I went ahead to check their outlet in Connaught Place too. Similar ambiance followed and I made a mental note to keep this place as one of the hangout options from now on.

Ambiance: 4.5/5

Presentation of food: 5/5

Preparation/Hygiene: 4/5

Overall Ratings: 4/5

THE JUNKYARD CAFÉ

Address: Plot D-1, Unit 16,17, 30, 31, 

Ground Floor, Salcon Ras Vilas Mall, 

District Centre, Saket, New Delhi

Phone number: 011 30806393

Also read the review of the same event by Kanika Sharma on TGC.

Sunday Surprise!

It was an unusual, rather lazy Sunday,
Everyone labelled it as the Mother’s Day.
I pondered on what to gift her,
Cards and flowers, I didn’t prefer.

I wanted to do something exceptional,
For my mother is so incredible.
In good spirits, I entered the kitchen,
And put on an apron; ready for the mission.

I took half a cup of cocoa and two cups of flour,
Then, kept looking for baking soda for another hour.
At last, I found it and took a teaspoon with great vigour.
Next, I added a pinch of salt and lots and lots of sugar.

I pulled out the recipe and read it on repeat,
Carefully, I switched on the oven to let it preheat.
After greasing the pan, I sprinkled some flour,
Cooking seems to be one of my mother’s superpower!

I sighed and poured a cup of milk, some melted butter,
And a tablespoon each of vanilla extract and vinegar.
Could you guess what I was busy making?
Yes, it was a chocolate cake in baking.

With a twinkle in my eye, I gave the batter a gentle mix,
And precisely added a little more milk as a quick fix.
Content with the results, I transferred the batter
to the greased pan; careful not to spatter.

Soon, the aroma enveloped the air and I heard a beep.
Quickly and excitedly, I reached my gloves in a leap.
The oven was hot so I called my elder brother,
Putting on the gloves, we placed the pan inside together.

That was followed by a long dreadful wait,
From a distance, I peeped to check the state.
With one final beep, the cake was done.
I took a whiff. Oh, I had so much fun!

At last, I spread some melted chocolate on the cake,
And put some red round raspberries for decoration sake.
I placed the cake before my mother’s eyes,

And then ecstatically yelled, ‘Surprise!’

© Ila Garg

Infographic – Foodwise: Obesity v/s Malnutrition

By Ila Garg

Food is one of the primary needs of sustaining life on the Earth. However, while taking in account the recent dietary patterns, this can be easily noticed that a huge percentage of food produced is actually getting wasted. Now, this wastage can occur at multiple levels. First, at the time of production, the food get wasted and then while shipping too, a great amount of food is lost. Of course, a lot of food is carelessly thrown away. This is perhaps a major reason behind the Global Food Crisis.

According to a study, the food wasted by the United States and Europe alone could feed the world 3 times over. Food wastage has significantly increased in USA since 1974.

In the world where millions die of hunger each day, and many more are struggling hard to make the ends meet, festivals like La Tomatino are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Trucks and trucks of tomatoes are wasted as people throw them at each other and even swim in the tomato pulps. Today, as the 70th Anniversary of La Tomatino festival has recently been celebrated, it is important to evaluate its repercussions.

This festival, originated in Spain, is the largest world's food fight festival and the food wastage that it results in is alarming. Every year, on this day, Spain is painted red as the tsunami of tomatoes take over. Over 40 metric tonnes of tomatoes are used in the fight. Last year, almost 1,50,000 tomatoes were thrown at one another. Ever wondered what happens to those pulped up tomatoes? They get down the drain, what else!

This is a really sad sight!

Team NewsGram recently visited Whole Foods store located in West Loop of downtown Chicago to gain insight into more food facts. The store’s Assistant Manager, Mike and Kitchen Manager, Carlos interacted with the team and revealed some major details.

The cooked food in the buffet area is kept only for four hours (till the time it stays hot), after that the leftover food is disposed off and sent for composting. As per their policy, they do not re-heat the food. In addition, the cooked food being served is monitored for temperature check. The menu includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine. The Indian cuisine is included in their menu too.

One doesn’t need a professional degree to be a cook at this store. They train each other to be a part of the store. Whole Foods store has certification process in place and have to comply with the guidelines and recommendations of the city Health Department. A log book is maintained for the food being served and all items are entered in it to keep a track and have an eye on logistics.

A food bank van arrives at the store on a daily basis to collect the leftovers. It is Whole Foods’s policy to donate the food to the food banks or nonprofits for poor people. It is indeed a welcome move and others must take the inspiration.

The article first appeared on NewsGram.

Breakfast worries resolved :)

A healthy breakfast is a must to start your day with great vigour. It should not be skipped even when you are running late. But we don't always have many delicious options when it comes to daily breakfast. Repeating the same age old menus adds to the boredom and thus we tend to not enjoy the meal. And with small kids this comes across as the biggest worry - "What's for the breakfast?"

While I enjoy eating street food and anything that is delicious, but the tension of gaining weight keeps me worried all the time. For the past few months, I am keeping a strict check on my weight. And for that purpose, I make sure my breakfast is diet-friendly and offers all the nutrients in as tasty form as possible. Colors play an important role too. The food should be welcoming! I like my food to be colorful because the more vibrant the food is, the more willing you are to eat it. Nothing’s better than food that’s a treat to both your eyes and mouth simultaneously. I believe that it is with the eyes that you first decide whether to taste that meal or not. If you see the same food looking different every day, the keenness to explore its taste manifolds and you end up with a happy and filled stomach.

Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/anaajkanashta

Kellogg's Waale Guptaji ka Nashta has recently inspired me to experiment with my own breakfast recipes. They have over a 100 mouth-watering recipes in their kitty, no wonder everybody want an invitation for breakfast at their house. Being a foodie, it was very difficult decision for me to give up on the regular fattening meals and switch to bland salads and plain vegetables and fruits.

Then, I decided to treat myself with Kellogg's Cornflakes. But not just cornflakes, I added chocolate and walnut to it to make it lip smacking! And that's not all... The next day I changed it completely by adding bananas and strawberries to it. Taste and health together in a bowl, what can be more delightful? After a long workday, I often want to eat light and take rest as heavy meals can make you feel more lethargic and adds unnecessary calories. I prefer adding few veggies and fruits to the bowl of cornflakes and enjoy it while sipping a cup of green tea. At times, I add honey to sweeten it. It is refreshing as well as a healthy option.

It's a meal that every age group can customize to match their taste buds and relish. Also, it's easy and quick to make, not letting you skip on your breakfast even when you are in a hurry to get to your work.

So, are you guys ready to experiment and lavish on a bowl full of health and happiness? Check out the awesome blossom recipes here :)

Lip smacking Singaporean cuisine

Every cuisine carries with it a flavour of its culture that brings you close to its ethnicity. In Singapore, food is viewed as crucial to national identity and also it is a unifying cultural thread; Singaporean literature too declares eating as a national pastime and food as a national obsession. It's a popular take that when in Singapore, be sure to try the 'fish head curry' and 'chilli crab' that will keep your taste buds relishing for a long time.

If you love sea food, you must try what Singapore offers in terms of its seafood cuisine. Their popular seafood dishes include - 'sambal stingray', 'black pepper crab', 'fried Chinese buns', 'oyster omelette', etc. In addition, they have a many different versions of Prata too.

Image Source: http://memegenerator.net/Takeaway

Before heading to some restaurant, if you want try cooking some Singaporean cuisine at home, here's a recipe that will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Laksa Pulao - These are aromatic rice made from french beans, almonds, herbs, masalas, veggies and laksa leaves (they are spicy and very common in Singapore). If you can't get your hands onto laksa leaves, just use mint or coriander leaves.

Ingredients: 300 gm fresh French beans
                    50  gm almonds
                    500 gm basmati rice
                    60  gm desi ghee (clarified butter)
                    30  gm laksa leaves, chopped (or mint or coriander leaves)
                    20  gm fresh turmeric, chopped
                    20  gm ginger, chopped
                    20  gm garlic, chopped
                    40  gm onion, chopped
                    3-4 fresh green chilli, chopped
                    A pinch of pepper powder for seasoning
                    A pinch of salt for seasoning

For Garnishing: Sliced golden fried onions
                          Slit green chilli
                          Chopped laksa leaves

Method: 1) Clean the french beans and boil until they turn tender. Remove and place them into ice cold water to maintain their crispiness and color.
2) Blanch the almonds and then peel and slit them in half from the center.
3) Clean and the soak the rice in water for 20 minutes.
4) Heat the desi ghee in a pan, add the garlic, onion, ginger, and saute till onions are translucent.
5) Add fresh turmeric and green chilli and stir fry. Then, add the beans and laksa leaves. Cook till the beans are done.
6) Season with salt and pepper powder.
7) Take a flat, thick bottomed  pan, add oil and heat it to saute the rice for a minute. Add 500 ml of water, the sauteed vegetables, almonds and some chopped laksa leaves. Place over a very low flame till the rice is cooked (all the water should have evaporated from the pan)
8) Spoon the pulao onto a platter, garnish with fried onions and green chilli. Serve hot with raita.

Bon appétit!

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