Salad Festival at Westin Culinary Academy ,Westin, Gurgaon .

As an  ardent food enthusiasist , I always look for trying out new dishes and keen to learn new cuisines. When I got an invitation from Linopinion , for a Summer Salad event at Westin, Gurgaon, I immediately booked my seat as I didnt want to miss this chance to learn from Chef Arun Awasthi.
Westin, Gurgaon regularly showcases excemplary cuisines of India and  across the Globe.
The event "Summer Salad " was a one day event on 16th of May, Saturday.

Chef Arun Awasthi is Sous Chef in Westin , Gurgaon and has been with the Hotel from 2012.  So he picked up three low calorie Summer Salad Recipes  from their Restaurant Menu. .

1. Wanut and Beetroot Salad
2. New Olive and Tomato Salad
3. Quinoa Salad with Zesty Lemon Dressing. 

They say, you always learn better if you see the process in front of you rather than reading the recipe . Chef Awasthi had explained about each ingredients and its value for health so well , that it made the entire session more interesting.

Although I am a hardcore Nonvegetarian, I  loved  all the Salads . Quinoa Salad was the rockstar salad of the day.. Let me share few photographs of Salads and the recipe of Rockstar Salad - Quinoa with Zesty Lemon Dressing with you.

Chef Atul Awasthi , Westin, Gurgaon 

Ingredients for Beet Root and Walnut Salad
Beet root, boiled and diced, Orange segments, walnuts toasted, White Wine Vinegar, EVO, Salt and Black Pepper

Beet Root and Walnut Salad 

Ingredients for New Olive and Tomato Salad
Red pepper, Green Pepper, Tomato, Green olives, EVO , Red wine Vinegar, Bread croutons, Black pepper and Spring Onion

Tomato Dressing 

Pesto Dip 

Final touch to the Tomato Salad with the pesto dip on top 

New Olive and Tomato Salad 

Ingrediets of Quinoa Salad , the rockstar of the event

Quinoa Salad with Zest of Lemon 

Recipe for Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
Quinoa- 50 gms
Water- 1 cup
Corn- 30 gms
Chopped Spring Onions - 20 gms
Chopped Walnuts- 20 gms
Chopped Cucumber- 50gms
Apple( Peeled and chopped)- 5 gms
Fresh Coriander (Chopped)- 5 gms
Pitted Black Olives- 20gms
Sea Salt to taste.
Method of Preparation
     Bring the water and add a pinich of slat ot a boil in a large sauce pan. Add the quinoa and bring the water back to the boil. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low absorbed. This usually takes 20-25 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the quinoa to cool. 

Transfer the quinoa to a large mixing bowl and add the remaining ingredients . Mix well. Drizzle zesty lemon dressing . Over the salad and stir in. Season to sit for 30 minutes to allow the flavours to develop before serving.

Zesty Lemon Dressing
Ingredients
Freshly squeezed lemon juice - 25 ml
Extra virgin olive oil- 25 ml
Lemon zest- 50gms

Method of preparation
 Mix the Lemon juice and olive oil , and stir in the lemon zest. Serve over summer quinoa salad.

And I got a certificate too . 

*  I want to thank Mounisha Chakraborty, Gunjan Kar and Sukhdeep Bahra for giving me the oppurtunity to learn these fanstastic Salads from Chef Arun Awasthi 
Their site - seasonaltastes.gurgaon@westin.com

Lights Camera Action, Rajouri Garden - Pre launch.

Lights Camera Action is a brain child of Varun Puri and Viviek Bhargav . These Hotel Industry professionals are die hard Bollywood fans., and they have chosen to show case the bollywood movies and songs through their food joint.  On 6th of May , My team from The Kitchen Affair got an invitation to  have a first look of the outlet . We were welcomed with some amazing flying lanterns with "THE LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION" imprint on it.

The outlet has two floors ,  one floor is  with beautiful ambiance with Bollywood slogans on walls and Terrace as "Air Bar". I always find Varun as a very ambitious and sincere person at his work. Very few outlets have come up with Molecular Gastronomy , Varun Puri has introduced some amazing dishes with this method.  The Chef of LCA showed us one Dhokla Chat with this method of freezing with liquid Nitrogen.
  Although we didnt try the maincourse but had some good appetizers with spirits. Very soon Me and my team are going for a Food Walk to relish their main course. Sharing some photos of the Pre-launch of the outlet "LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION". The Kitchen Espion team wishes Varun and his partners all success in his new venture. We all will enjoy his success..

demonstration of making Dhokla Chaat with Molecular Gastronomy. 

Dhokla dipped in Liquid Nitrogen

Making of Chat. 

Ready Chat .. 

Amazing Lassi Shots . 

Chicken Sattey. 

Some Poison. 

Chicken Lollipops 

A very interesting way to serve Pav -Bhaji 

Pizza slice.

Honey chilli Potatoes. 

Air Bar... Photo imported from Lights Camera Action team 

Photo courtesy : Lights Camera Action team 

Rustic look 

I had been following all Varun Puri's posts for this ceative Iron Man 

Major attraction.. Photo has been imported from the team of Lights Camera Action 

I want to thank my friend Kaajal Pradhan Lamba for all the brilliant shots , and Vikram Lamba for the Air Bar shot..


To reach
J 2/6B, 3rd and 4th Floor ,
B K Dutta Market , Rajouri Garden
Delhi.
Ping - 08800002598

Cafe Lota , National Crafts Museum.

Cafe Lota is housed within the National Crafts Museum , which is next to Pragati Maidan and Old Fort. I dnt  think if there is any other good place to eat around this area.

I had been to this place in winters as it is an open sitting Cafe, and  I was little skeptical to go at this weather . When me along with my four friends reached at this place, we found the entire cafe into a nicely covered cabin with wire mesh and two huge water coolers at  two corners , which was giving a very cool and comfortable ambiance. Talking about Ambiance, it has simple benches and chairs to sit , with few terracotta statues and glass work on walls. Staff is well trained and aware of what they serve. One thing really make me happy about this place , that, they do not serve fancy dishes like Pastas and Noodles. All the dishes they serve is with excellent presentation and shows the perfect training.

So after perusing the menu which is on simple hand made paper clipped on a board , We started our meal with a glass of Bel sharbat and Chicken 65 as starter. On a larger meal ( main course) we ordered Dak Bangalow Mutton Curry with Paronthee, Fish and Chips , Sindhi kadhi with rice and Aloo ki sabzi .

Bel Sharbet 

Chicken 65

Fish and Chips 

Dak Bangalow Mutton Curry with Paronthee

Sindhi Kadhi with Aloo sabzi served with rice 

Mutton curry was mild in taste and very well blended with the paronthee . Curry was typical bong curry with fried aloo and eggs. Fish was chips was a very innovative with Amritsari fried fish with a sprinkle of popped up Amaranth seeds and nicely rolled and fried Sweet Potato as chips. Sindhi Kadhi was not so impressive but Aloo ki sabzi was giving a beautiful aroma of kasuri methi .



They have very limited but very interesting options in Dessert section. As we were full , we just ordered two dishes - Khajoor ke Samose and Bhappa doi cheese cake. Khajoor ke Samose was very interesting dish with Pastry sheets wrapped like samosa and filled with dates and rose petals( gulukand) , baked and served with wipped cream. Cheese Cake was made with Bengali Mishti doi . I liked the Samose but my friends found the cheese cake better. After taking an hour round of the museum , we went again to the cafe to polish our meal with amazing  glass of Adrak ki Chai.

Bhappa Cheese Cake

Khajoor Ke Samose 

Adrak ki Chai 

Terracotta Lota used for bills

Our over all experience in Cafe Lota was fantastic . If there is wait involve , you can always take a round of the museum , where artisans conduct live demonstration . The place has a plithora of options for Vegetarians .
Parking is an issue but there is a valet parking service in the offing ( till 5pm).



MEAL for two - 1500/-
Address- National Crafts Museum
Bhairon Marg , Pragati Maidan
+91 7838960787

* The Kitchen Espion pays their own bill.

Anguli Pitha - Assamese cuisine ..

Aita ( Granny) and Jethais ( Aunts) used to cook many dishes and sweets which I hardly see in modern kitchen of Assam. I am trying to collect all those forgotten recipes and keeping them safe in my blog. Here is  my first post on  forgotten recipe of Assam.
Anguli Pitha. 
Anguli in Assamese means finger, and these pithas are shaped as fingers , hence the name "Anguli Pitha". This is a savory  pitha but you can cook in variation and serve it as accompaniment .

Recipe
Ingredients|
Rice flour - 2 cups
Refined oil to knead the dough and shallow fry the pithas
Salt - as per your taste
Nigella seeds or Kaljeera- a pinch
Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp
Whole Red chilli - 2-3

Method

Mix nigella seeds, salt and little bit of oil to the rice flour and knead it into a dough. Boil water in a deep pan . Take little dough and roll them into your palm as finger shape. (Anguli in assamse means finger, hence little finger shape). Drop rolled finger shaped rice dough into the boiling water and boil them for few minutes. Take the pithas out and let them cool down. Now heat little bit of oil in a pan and add whole red chillies and cumin seeds , Saute the pithas till its slightly crisp from outside. Serve them with Lal Saah . ( Laal Saah is tea without milk and people in Assam prefer their tea without milk ) .

*For the variation, you can fry them along with sliced onions and veggies like bell peppers and brocolli. 

Buzzing at Buzz, Metropolitan Mall, Saket. New Delhi

Photo courtesy : Buzz.

 Clubs or Adda is not new in Indian culture. Earlier there used to be community halls for a gathering and chit-chat . Now as the time progressed, same old adda culture has been transformed into clubbing at Bars and Lounge .  It has not only become the essential part of life for meeting friends and relatives, people prefer to hang out at Bars at weekends for relaxing after a hectic week . 


As the time is progressing , Beverages and Mixing of spirits are becoming most preferred subject in Hotel Management Institutes. With food and drinks, Music is also becoming an integral part of life . Pubs or lounge cafes are hence a blend of Good food, Spirits and Music .


Delhi is mushrooming with lots of such Pubs and Lounge bars , Buzz , is among such Pubs, which  is standing tall since 2001.  They have a beautiful ambiance with Yellow and orange theme ,with a cute cubical chamber for smokers.  This is the only outlet where  I have seen women gang partying hard with all comforts . I often go this place to meet friends , and as a Food lover , I like their concoction of spirits and fusion dishes. They have world wide range of Finger Food along with some good North Indian dishes. Their inhouse preparation of Wasabi Prawns is something to talk about. So you can enjoy your Booze and food with some good Bollywood music and if you are a fan of sufi music, check this place on Wednesday evenings.


After checking this place for few times , understood the reason for the name “BUZZ” for this pub. As  it means "a low, continuous humming or murmuring sound, made by or similar to that made by an insect." , You will be forced to hummm along with their concoctions  and musical atmosphere.  Sharing below  the photographs of  their best served mixes and my favourite Wasabi Prawns .

Sangria

Coco Freeze Nectar

Apple Martini 

Buzz Masala 

Wasabi Prawns 

Toffee Pudding 

Meal for two is 2000/- apprx.
The Kitchen Espion team wishes the team of Buzz a success ( we will drink and buzz their success.) 

To reach
BUZZ,  Ground Floor,
 Metropolitan Mall,
Saket
New Delhi.

Know your roots via food , décor and art pieces at "Desi Roots".

I was invited by WishBox Studio Communications Pvt.Ltd to try out some of the  dishes from the menu of newly opened restaurant Desi Roots , Saket.  The concept of the Restaurant is “Desi” / Indian-ness , yet with a contemporary and chic look .  You will feel nostalgic as soon as you enter the outlet , with a big painting on wall with Children playing old games like Pebbles ( Kanche) , Stapoo etc.  Ambiance is colourful with rustic look and few comics kept in an old metal trunk and Sewing-machine as a table, Old bajaj scooter light head as lamp and handpump in one corner.  As you head inside, you will find the modern look of the Bar with two beautiful paintings of rural women with a glass of beer in their hands.  To attract the guests more, they have fun game of writing your wish in a lock and lock it at their iron grill near the gate .  Guests can take the key with them till their wish is fulfilled or wish to keep it lock there permanently. 

Colourful rustic Ambiance. 

Attractive grill where guests can write their wish on locks and lock it here and keep the key with themseves. 

Old Handpump standing tall at one corner. 

Food what we ate

Now coming to the food , their menu  covers  mostly North, East and food which you find in  High way of Northern  India  .  It has been curated keeping the authenticity of the dish and adding little fusion on accompaniments. I was amazed to see the presentation of each dish which we ordered . ( customised toy truck , army mugs and plates , coal –iron and Murtabaans ).  They also have their inhouse mix of Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic with Indian flavours, which blends  well with the Desi dishes. 
So I started my food with a drink “ Desi Champagne which was a vodka based drink with orange, and apple juice and mint.  

Desi Champagne

In Appetizers I ordered for Amuse Bouche- Golu vada , Chipote chicken tikka with Avocado raita, Kashundi fish with Babloo Sauce  and Deviled prawns Pinchoes.
Golu Vada was a medu vada s.erved in a small glass jar with lid .  Nothing extra on the dish but liked presentation was pretty attractive. Chipotle chicken tikka was served on an Custom made coal iron ( dhobi iron) which was very impressive . Kashundi fish was served with a mix of sauce with Sago pearls which they named it as Babloo sauce.  I was told two different stories behind the name of the sauce “Babloo” a) Babloo is a driver of the chef who has curated the dish ,hence kept on his name .


b) since it looks like bubbles , so another reason for naming it as Babloo sauce. Anyway , as I belong to Northeast, I would prefer more strong kashundi marinated fish with a chilli sauce.
Devilled Prawns Pinchoes is something to talk about .   I Liked  the mixof Idlis and prawns with salsa sauce.  I will say , it is one of the best dish at Desi Roots.  

Amuse Bouche - Golu Vada

Deveiled Prawns Pinchoes

Chipotle Chicken Tikka with Avocado Raita 

Kashundi Fish with Babloo sauce

Gilautte Pate with Ulte tawe ke Parathe 

For the main course I ordered Ambala Cantt ki Mutton curry with Tikona Paratha and Kamquat Achaar. The dish was served in a customised toy truck and army mug and plate . Mutton was cooked in Dhaba style and parathas were soft and crisp.  From south region I ordered for Bass Polichettu with Tepioca . I liked the strong flavour of curry leaves in Tepioca and Basa was pan fried and served on a Banana Leaf. The Timbele , cranberry -Orange chutney was little thick in consistency.  We also had Gilautti Pate with Ulte Tawe Ke parathe , Gilautte was mind blowing and liked the presentation with strips of parathas to enjoy the dish comfortably. 

Ambala Ki Muttun curry with Tikone Parathe

closer look of Mutton curry.

Bassa Polichettu with Tapioca . 

Sweet tooth
 From  the Pagal panti section, ( they have named their sweet dish section as pagal panti)., we ordered Badam Halwa Baklava Shrikhand and Jamaluddin ki Kheer .  Serving pastry with Indian halwa is really impressive.  The restaurant is also into promotion of the experts in Indian cuisine , hence They import Jamaluddin Ki Kheer  everyday  from  “Jamaluddin” who cooks this amazing kheer in wood fire near Badal Beg Masjid.  

Jamaluddin Ki Kheer. 

Badam Halwa Baklawa Shrikhand

After the meal , I polished my meal with a cup of Green tea served in a very rustic metal kettle which you will find at road side Dhabas. 

.Talking about this place in one line is “ A place where you will get good Indian dishes with eye-catching  ambiance”.

Mr. Amandeep Singh , Director , Lemon Seeds
Hospitality Pvt. Ltd and owner of Desi Roots.

The Kitchen Espion wishes all success to Mr. Amandeep Singh , creator of Desi Roots and Thanks to  Ms Chandni Mahajan for inviting me to experience the Desi Roots with some nostalgic sights. 
To reach
Desi Roots
G- 16, 17, 30 and 32 Ground floor , Ras villas Mall, Saket New Delhi.
 Meal for two
1200/-