Week 2.

DAY 1

OATMEAL RAISIN SCONES
This was the first time I ever made scones and I loved them! Light, buttery goodness and so so comforting. I'm not a fan of raisins in my food so when I make these again, they'll be without them.

AUBERGINE & LENTIL MOUSSAKA
A Greek dish, this was really interesting. Vegetarians (not the picky ones) will just love it cause I sure did. French lentils sauteed in mild spices and then baked with charred aubergines, tomatoes and a bechamel sauce. Rustic and filling.

PECAN & COCONUT TART
Don't worry all you Bounty haters, you can't taste the coconut in this tart. It's plainly for texture. This tart is warm, sweet, rich and rustic- I just love it. Pecans and syrup go so well together and making pastry isn't all that hard (anymore ;)

 DAY 2

CARB LOAD
Day 2 of Week 2 was bread making day. So so stressful and so so time consuming. I'm glad we have people who do that for us. The ultimate result is beautiful so if you're fond of bread, which I'm not, you should definitely give it a try. Especially if handling sticky dough and getting covered in flour is something you think you'd like :)

CHORIZO, NEW POTATO & GREEN BEAN SALAD
I just loved this warm salad. Crisp, new potatoes fried off in some chorizo oil, fresh green beans and salad leaves to finish it off. Just great.

BRAISED DUCK LEGS
Perfect Sunday dinner. The duck was succulent, falling off the bone and went just really well with the cabbage and mash. Fulfilling.

CHOCOLATE FONDANT WITH SALTED CARAMEL ICE CREAM
Now that I have your attention, let me tell you that all you're thinking is true. This dessert was heaven. How could it not be? Warm chocolate cake with chocolate oozing from the middle with one of the best ice cream flavours ever. JUST OH MY GOD.

 DAY 4

SEAFOOD CHOWDER
I'm not fond of such creamy soups, but if you like chowder, you'd love this one. Smoked haddock and salmon in a creamy soup garnished with fresh parsley and Cayenne pepper.

CANDIED BEETROOT SALAD
This was such a pretty salad. Made with a combination of regular beetroots and candied ones which are a really pretty shaded colour, this salad was great. Feminine and delicious topped with feta and pecans.

VICTORIA SPONGE
Surprisingly, this was the first time I made this classic cake, and it's so bloody easy! Moist, sponge cake sandwiched with whipped cream and raspberry jam. Bliss.

 DAY 5

RISOTTO WITH PICKLED MUSHROOMS AND CAULIFLOWER PUREE
I know what you're thinking. You know I'm a Masterchef fan so obviously I am too. "No one's got a risotto right in the Masterchef kitchen." This one was close enough. Pretty good for a first attempt if I might say so myself. What do you think?

COD WITH CHARRED LEEKS AND PICKLED CAULIFLOWER
Delicate dish with delicate flavours.

MINI MERINGUES
I think I finished all of these that day. So light, crunchy and melted straight in your mouth. Love.

As you can see we definitely moved on to more complex stuff. Hard, hard work. I think that'swhy I haven't put on any weight ;) Well, works for me! Hope you enjoyed this pictures as much as you did the last. How am I? Exhausted. But you've got to work to chase your dreams. Did I just get preachy? Oh well, I guess that's what dedication does to you :)

Stay Hungry

xoxo
D

Week 1.

So those of you who follow me on Twitter and Instagram know what an amazing time I'm having at cookery school. I wonder what I was doing all my life, if not this. Working in a kitchen gives you a different high, believe me. Picture Masterchef without elimination- Heaven. It's not all fantasy though, it's a lot of hard work. How very cliche of me. But honest, you have to wash your own pots and pans and scrub your stations till your arms fall off. But it all seems worth it when you see that beautiful dish you manage to put up. I'm dead tired, but I've enjoyed my first week so much. Here's a look, throwback-

DAY 1

APPETIZER: SALAD OF PICKLED PEARS, WALNUTS AND CROZIER BLUE CHEESE.
An interesting mix of flavours, the pears were soaked in red wine to achieve the sweet, glossy finish which went really well with the tart balsamic dressing and salty blue cheese.

MAIN: PASTA WITH PARMA HAM AND PISTACHIOS.
The chili in this pasta is what livens up the dish. It compliments the heavy flavours that the ham and pistachios bring to this dish. Perfect comfort food.

DESSERT: CARAMELIZED APPLE TART WITH FRANGIPAN.
Frangipan is something I love and it goes just so well with the strong and tangy Granny Smith apples. Such a clever combination of flavours. If you're an apple person, you'll love it.

 DAY 2

APPETIZER: PEA, BEAN AND COURGETTE SOUP
This soup is such a winner. I'm definitely going to make more of it back home. Thick and creamy, without any cream. Just good chicken stock, potatoes and veg. Garnish it with a lot of fresh pepper and you're good to go!

MAIN: ROAST CHICKEN BREAST WITH PEAS AND SALSA VERDE
The clever chicken supreme cut instead of just the breast helps the chicken stay moist. The salsa verde tastes so good with the crispy skinned chicken. A classic dish.

DESSERT: IRISH APPLE CAKE.
This cake is one of my favourites, light and summery but still filling. Tart pieces of apple with the soft and sweet cake mixture just go so well and the almonds on top taste divine.

DAY 3

APPETIZER: HERB GNOCCHI WITH CHERRY TOMATO, CAPERS, BUFFALO MOZARELLA AND ROCKET.
This is my favourite dish. I never liked gnocchi until I made it myself. This is is so light, fresh and still incredibly fulfilling. I love the fusion of fresh, raw ingredients with cooked ones. Winner.

MAIN: BEEF RIB EYE WITH MIXED MUSHROOMS, ROAST GARLIC BUTTER, ONION PUREE AND POTATO FONDANT.
This is such a restaurant dish in which you can show off all your skills. The potato fondant is heavenly and the mixed mushroom sauce with sherry is unbelievable. The perfect Sunday lunch if you cook the steak properly. Love.

DESSERT: VANILLA PANNACOTTA WITH CHERRY JELLY.
I'm not a fan of pannacotta, but if you are, you'll love this dish. The tart cherry jelly goes so well with the smooth, rich vanilla pannacotta. The almond tuille is just amazing, my favourite part of this dessert :)

DAY 4

APPETIZER: POTATO AND JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE SALAD WITH SAMPIRE, SUGAR SNAP PEAS AND BROADBEANS.
Sampire is a really salty grass which grows near the sea. I liked this salad with its unique combination of ingredients.

MAIN: ROASTED VEGETABLE QUICHE.
I just love this quiche. The vegetables are roasted till the most amazing flavours appear. Charred, sweet and moorish. Add a little feta, ricotta, puff pastry, thyme and you've got a killer combination.

DESSERT: RASPBERRY AND ALMOND SLICE.
This isn't that much of a dessert as it is a tea- time snack. But it tastes just so great with the shortbread, raspberry jam and almonds. Love it.

DAY 5

APPETIZER: AUBERGINE ROLLS WITH MOZARELLA, PESTO, GARLIC AND CHILI.
A great appetizer with fresh, clean ingredients and olive oil. Yum.

MAIN: ITALIAN MEATBALLS.
This is such a hearty dish, everyone will love it. Strong, Italian flavours like oregano with a rich tomato sauce baked with a sprinkling of Parmegiano Regiano. Classic.

DESSERT: HAZELNUT DACQUOISE WITH FRESH BERRIES AND CHANTILLY CREAM.
My favourite dessert so far. It's all the best dessert ingredients put together to give you a light, moist and satisfying end to a meal. Best.

That was my first week at cookery school and I hope you liked seeing the pictures as much as I liked making and eating them. Okay, maybe a little less. But once I'm done, I'm going to give my own spin on these recipes and feed everyone I know, including you guys, ofcourse ;)

Until then,

Stay Hungry

xoxo
Chef D ;)

Oh Canada!

So this is a pretty cool event that I had the honor of attending; a media lunch held by the Canadian Consulate for the promotion of Canadian food in India. I guess Canada pretty much lives under the shadow of the U.S.A. and we really don't know as much about it as we should. I was absolutely awestruck by the way the switched from English to French while speaking, and with such perfect diction! I don't know whether all Canadians are this friendly, but the ones I met sure were.

Our lunch was overlooked by Chef Louis Charest, the executive chef to the Governor General of Canada. That means, we were eating the food of the guy who usually cooked for people like Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and hopefully Prince Harry ;)

The Starboard room at the Taj Mahal Palace was filled with Canadians, telling us about Canada and about the products they were representing. It was all just so fancy and diplomatic, I loved it!

The event started with a few customary speeches a few consulate members and Chef Charest. We listened to the two Canadian musicians who were so lively and talented.

My favourites! 
Canadian music is a lot like Irish country music- loved it!

Let the eating begin!

Blueberry beer and a cranberry cocktail

Canadian Blueberry beer!

Ever had beer over lunch with it's owner? #SoCool

Atlantic Canada lobster Lunenburg lobster gnocchi with sauteed spinach and mushrooms- MY FAV; baked beans with smoked sundried tomatoes; tandoori baked gold river halibut with terra beeta blueberry bombay biriyani; lentil, chickpea and barley coquille st. jaques

Whitecap cracked lobster with drawn butter; mutton meat pie; tourtiere in phylo; Acadian maple potato rapple pie

Dessert!
Crepe battered alphonso mango, papaya and pineabble brochette with maple syrup; oxford blueberry parfait; terra beata cranberry shortbread with clotted cream; eggless arcadian maple suger pie- MY FAV

And the grand finale- Maple Taffy on Kalala Ice Wine Sorbet
I've never tasted a dessert so different and amazing, wish you were there to try it.

So, in conclusion, I've come to know a few things; Canadians are the friendliest people ever, I love their music and from the long conversation I had with them, the musicians, I'll eat anything with maple syrup and that blueberry beer is the only beer I can drink. 

This was such a fun day. Hope you guys enjoyed reading this post :)

xoxo

D

Being Brit.

England has to be one of my favourite places. I went there the first time when I was a 2 month old, so you can't blame me if I have a weird connection with the place. I love everything about England. The moors, the roads, the accent, the weather and most importantly, THE FOOD. I mean, it's the land of Jamie Oliver for God's sake! Not to mention the land of Harry Potter and fish and chips and bangers and mash and steak and kidney pie.

You've guessed it, here's a four week's notice to 2013's first F&F Abroad! We're taking Ireland and England! It's gonna be so much fun and I'm so excited! The aim is to try all the local specials and take each day as it comes. New outfits and a new appetite. I'll keep you guys updated on everything I try and love so follow me on Instagram for pictures! What am I looking forward to the most? Meals at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen in London and Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck.


I plan to have another feature of INSIDE and fit in a few food reviews before I go flitting off to places. Until then,

Stay Hungry!

xoxo
D

Review: Pizza Express.

Finally, it's my first review. I took my friend's to Pizza Express after I was so bummed for missing the Chef's Table there. So what if I didn't get to make my own pizza, I had to eat some at least. The ambiance is just so fun, black and white with a screen playing old black and white movies. They're really lucky for the location they've gotten, right near Gateway.

The staff is also real friendly and enthusiastic and waiting to give you a good time. Right, now let's get down to business- The Food. ChicChick and I shared their pepperoni pizza with jalapenos. I must say it's one of the best I've had and the crust was thin and light but still filling. Pepperoni has to be my favourite pizza topping and Pizza Express really got it right. The jalapenos were a great great combination.

Verdict- LOVE

What I was really happy about was that the menu had side salads. Very few places in Bombay have an option of having a side salad. If you're like me and need some fresh elements along with all the cheese and meat, then ordering a salad works out really well. A few fresh rocket leaves along with some balsamic (the side salad I ordered) on top of your pizza just tastes delightful. The salad was fresh with just the right amount of dressing. Try it.

Verdict: LOVE

I was so full after the pizza which was a pleasant surprise cause thin crust pizzas don't normally stuff you the way you'd like. This one did. If you're a light eater, you can split the pizza three ways but if you eat heartily a two way is just perfect cause you've GOT TO leave room for their amazing cheesecake! I'm not really fond of fruity cheesecakes and I always prefer a simple Philly style cheesecake. So few places get it right. This is one of them. They serve it with ice cream, I chose chocolate but I'm sure lemon will be brilliant as well. No matter how full you are, please try the cheesecake, you'll thank me.

Verdict- YUMMERS

I had 3 main things and genuinely enjoyed all of them. I've been looking for a place to call my 'Pizza Place' and I think this is it. If you love pizza and love it the Italian way, you have to go to Pizza Express. A meal for 5 without alcohol cost us 2000. So you do the math.

I hereby certify Pizza Express as YUMMERS.

xoxo
D

The F&F Review.

So as you know, I've never 'reviewed' a restaurant. Yes, I have told you the stuff I love about certain restaurants and the best about them but that is not what a reviewer does. A reviewer's gotta cover it all. Give her opinion on the place, the good and the bad, and that's just what I'm gonna do. I'm now adding that feather to my cap: Reviewing places.

For those of you who read my blog regularly, you know the places I love and the things I love about those places. But for a place to be truly good, I don't think just good food cuts it. It's kind of a domino effect according to me and when all the factors fall into place you get that perfect meal which you'll remember for years.

So I hereby inaugurate the F&F Reviews, where I solemnly swear to tell you of the good, bad and ugly. Places you should definitely try and places you should just drive by. Stay tuned eaters! My first official REVIEW won't be far away!

Hope you're as excited as I am :)

Stay Hungry!

xoxo
D

In Sickness.

In case you haven't already heard, I'm sick. It's been like a crazy attack of viruses the past few days and I don't think I've ever had a cold this bad. Picture Monica in season 3? Nose running, tissues everywhere, voice sounding like Bane? Yeah, that's me. Sadly enough, my hunger hasn't gone anywhere. It's right here. Like a stubborn inner voice. I keep telling my mum to make me things I'd like to have but all she says is,"Shut up. You're sick. Taste doesn't matter" It's been more than mildly infuriating. All this free time on my hands has led to me studying all the Jamie Oliver books I have and all he does is make me jealous. "My mum used to make me this when I had a cold." And there's a picture of a delicious looking chicken broth. If I had the strength, or a dry nose, I'd make it myself. But alas, I can't. My mom expects me to eat dal and rice. AS IF! But using my impeccable persuasion skills, I did get her to make me some delicious tomato, beetroot and carrot soup with a warm mushroom and pak choi salad. That kept me content for one meal at least. Then when I was hungry again I made her make me a cup of coffee and an emmenthal, salami and lettuce sandwich. Satiated, again. For dinner my mom made (and I didn't have to ask this time ;) a really hot fish curry which I had with rice. Ahh it felt so good. Before crashing, I made my little brother make me a pot of orange spicer tea (no kidding) as I watched Django Unchained for the second time. Today, that I''m back on my feet, I'm cooking! Pasta Bianco You-Know-Who's book :) I'm heading to the kitchen now to start, wait I'll come back with pictures.

Here you go! Not bad for a patient eh?

This has got to be one of the easiest pastas I've ever made and it tastes just heavenly. Perfect if you're sick cause it's quick, hassle free and the ultimate comfort food. Here's the recipe folks JamieOliverPastaBianco .

So that's me signing off. My bed's calling me, my nose needs attending and the meds aren't gonna take themselves! Staaaaay Hungry!

xoxo
D