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

What I Ate On My Birthday: 2013

Even though turning 19 isn't the most amazing thing, you do what you love on your birthday. What do I love? Of course you know! Eating! My nineteenth birthday was a total Eatathon. I've always been one of those annoying people who make everything about themselves ONLY on my birthday though ;) I go as far as making it my Birthday Week and everyone has to tolerate it. This BW was so awesome! It ended with an actual long weekend as well!

Since my dad wasn't there on my actual birthday, we had a family dinner the day before, and by family dinner I mean, Thai Pavilion! Gorgeous, gorgeous food. I had one of the best tom yum soups, grilled prawns, fried lobster, chicken wrapped in banana leaf, spare ribs (which tasted deliciously like pork belly) and for the main course, Red Thai curry with clean, steamed rice.

Mouths watering?

The dessert, water chestnut soaked in rose syrup in a creamy coconut cream with crushed ice, HEAVEN.

Looks as beautiful as it sounds, eh?

Thai Pavilion at the Taj President was a great experience, I highly recommend it for a special occasion.

Moving on, my actual birthday lunch. Let's move a little closer to home for this one shall we? You guessed it right. Indigo Deli with my best friends. I must confess, I forgot to click pictures of this lunch so you're just gonna have to let my writing skills convince you (cough).

ChicChick and I had the Crispy Chicken Burger, one of the best burgers I've had in Bombay for sure with fries and a lovely little coleslaw. My other best friend, let's call her Wag, had the Deli Roast Chicken with mashed potatoes and a lovely roasted garlic. For libation, we an an iced tea each. 2 lemons and one peach. We were way too stuffed for dessert but were still eyeing the 'Make Your Own Sundaes'. We decided all our components before we realized out bodies just wouldn't cooperate. So we've left our sundae with waffles, hazelnut ice cream, Belgian chocolate ice cream dark chocolate fudge, pecans and crumble for the next time ;)

We took home some cupcakes from Le15 anyway. Oreo, Red Velvet, Milk, Peanut Butter, Belgian Chocolate and Chunky Chocolate to be precise :)

Just when you think I couldn't eat anymore, another darling friend, let's call him Pore, surprised me with a box of chocolates from Oven Fresh. This local, homey place has come up with the most amazing truffles and macarons. God bless them.

Taste as good as they look, trust me.

So, that's What I Ate On My Birthday this year. I hope there are many more episodes to come, cause I kinda enjoy them ;) Go try this places out, they're really awesome. And if you have friends as awesome as mine, you have nothing to worry about. It's the perfect recipe- Friends + Food. So that's it from me for now, a year older, hopefully a year wiser and definitely a year hungrier!

xoxo

D

JDF: Fifteen's Chocolate Tart.

Hey guys! It's the latest JDF with one of the best ingredients ever, chocolate! Who doesn't like chocolate? And those of you who don't, I'm sorry, but you've been judged. The first time I made pastry and turned out pretty great. This is a classic dessert which you can never get tired of. Let's begin!

Ready? Okay!

Doesn't it look gorg? Doesn't my garnish look pretty? (If I may say so myself :P) This tart is light, creamy with a crisp base, perfect.

Tip's I'd give-

• The recipe says orange zest (optional) but I'm telling you, it's not an option! The orange zest in the pastry just enhances the taste SO much and chocolate and orange is one of my most favourite combos.
• Make sure you line the pastry carefully and make a very thin layer otherwise the pastry will become too hard for you to cut.

Okay, I tried really hard but couldn't find this recipe to share with you guys but I'll post it soon! So go like our Facebook page at the top right side and you will get the recipe soon enough :)

xoxo
D