Zazil Cafe

Yippie..... Redeemed coupon of 'Zazil'... just few days before expiration date :P

Already reached thr a lil late... Entered inside... n I was like, WOW!

Killing silence... Deem lighting... Relaxin muzic...

All wat I luved @ Zazil before orderin nything:

• Water Containers
• Table next to window
• Blue colored logo of restaurant

I was suggested to try out ny dish from labels 'pasta' n 'fondue'...

Thought a lot, n thn here is all wat we ordered:

• Parmesan Potato
• Classic Margarita
• Cheddar cheese Fondue

'Parmesan Potato' coz I wanted to try out tat grilled potato wit its thinnest skin in white-white cheese sauce :) n I simply luved it...

Pizza cud have been better :(

Fondue was super like! I luved each piece of tat platter... Yummy!!!

Luved blowin off candle (substitute of spirit lamp) tat accompanied communal pot (it wasn't exactly as it is shown in wikipedia) to serve melted cheese ;)

Overall experience:

• One perfect word: Luver's Point
• Avg. for 2: 400 approx
• Rating: 4 out of 5!

Souq Restaurant

My status on FB (few days back):

"Dinner @ Souq... Middle eastern ambience, arabic muzic, delicious food... n tat too wit a belly practitioner!!! Simply superb.... ;)"

Again got to redeem a snapdeal coupon... I took too long to decide a person who can b d best company for tis place...

N yeah... Got d one in-house!!!

All wat we ordered:

• Cheese Manakeesh
• Fusion Pasta
• Moroccan Harissa Kebab

Startin in order... A flat bread wit loads of cheese on top, Cheese manakeesh tempted me wit aroma of Oregano!

Fusion pasta, too hot to have... but flavor was again my fav, Garlic one! Tis time I ordered it unknowingly only... :)

I read sumwhr on food reviews tat souq serves too gud grills...

Here they blundered... We were served non-veg kebabs at first... :P luved d veg version of tat though ;)

Won't complain against d quantity (I read so many ppl complainin abt tat) as it was much much much more thn enuf for 2 ppl ;) We cudn't finish d dishes we ordered!

SJ's Review:

• Ideal for: Party wit frendz...
• Avg. for 2: 400 approx
• Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (Too many things yet to try)

Dangee Dums

Got to redeem a coupon I got a month back... Went to Dangee Dums last nite...!!!

Just entered inside n it was all chocolate aroma around... I was luvin it, I dnt much like it though... :) Ambiance was real gud...

Ordered Items:

• Bruschetta Pizza
• Peru Potato Skins
• Falafel Pockets
• Chocolate Mocha Tower
• Overflowing crunchy Brownie

Food wasn't as expected... I'm not much used to have food tats very less spicy, might be the reason for tat!!!

Pizza.... Liked d flavor of it... but cheese wasn't really enjoyable... Cud have been better... :(

Peru potato skins... yummy it was, coz of its stuffin...

Falafel pockets........ never to order... I didnt like pita bread at all!!!

Ending was superb! Mocha tower.... too good to have :) N brownie, served wit vanilla ice cream was too hot... ;)

Ummmm, food was not tat gud... Visit only if u'r a chocolate lover!!! :(

My Review:

• Ideal for: Friends n Friends only
• Avg. for 2: Rs. 400-500 approx
• Rating: 1.5 out of 5 (Rating will never for tis, as I'm not-at-all into chocos) :P

Penache...

Last evening was WOW!!! Went to Penache wit a cute buddy after office hrs...

Open-air place... So silent... so beautiful! :)

Ordered Items:

Crispy Veggies

Qarare Paneer

Nanhi Subziyon ka Mela

Cheese Naan

Cheese Lasuni Naan

Crispy veggies wasn't as expected... It was more like 'dry manchurian' taste only... :P

Both the subzis we ordered were so delicious.... finger lickin gud!!!

I luved tat 2nd subzi wit baby vegetables in brown gravy :) So cute it was...

Hehe... usually I cant have more thn one butter roti... N wat I ordered for me was 'Cheese Lasuni Naan':P Couldn't finish tat, but as usual... Luved garlic flavor :D

Wanted to taste sumthin 4m biryani listin... but stomach wasnt supporting ;) 'M goin 2 get more coupons of Penache for sure... One time will go wit family... N one time will catch a friend again :P

Concludin above all, food was so yummy... I cudn't much concentrate on serious talk wit tat buddy ;) hehehe....

My Review:

Ideal for: Friends & Family + Parties...

Avg. for 2: Rs. 550-600 approx

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (Tis rating might change after my 2nd n 3rd visits) :P

Max Kitchen...

I went over thr last weekend... A very small cozy place on SG Highway!!! Menu was more abt non-veg/sea food, yet veg delicacies were not too less...

Wat all I had:

• Lasuni Paneer Tikka
• Cheese Butter Masala
• Tandoori Roti
• Veg. Biryani

Appetizer was simply fab! May b coz I luv garlic taste... :P

Subzi was lil sweeter, which obviously I didnt enjoy much! :(

Roti was soft enuf, so no more comments!!!

Veg. Biryani... it was tempting, even cudn't wait to click a pic n thn taste! Sorries...

Overall, food was ok! Not as expected...

My Review:

Total Capacity: 20-25 ppl (yet it was all booked for me tat day) ;)

Ideal for: Spending silent hours (coz u gotta wait long for ur order to be served)

Avg. for 2: Rs. 550-600 approx

Rating: 2 out of 5

iKobo Sizzlers...

Finding a place where sizzlers are bein served is easier thn before... Yeah, search for d best is still on! Long awaited saturday came n finally got a chance 2 visit "iKobo sizzlers"...

Luved d ambience... only coz it was lil silent on saturday lunch!

Didnt get to have a luk @ appetizers wala page on menu... just to start wit sumthin, cousins ordered 'cheese chilly garlic sticks'.

Tis lunch was planned wit sum reason... :D

Tat didnt work as I was more concentrated workin on sizzler plates...

All tis while, aroma of tat sizzlin water-butter slurry was too tempting...

Ordered 2 of them...

• Veg. Sizzler with baked beans noodles in garlic sauce
• Veg. Sizzler with spaghetti & cheese sauce

Lil thick, brownish garlic sauce was yummy... Didn't much like d way it was served! Cudn't differentiate each item on plate... :(

Cheese sauce I didn't find nywhr on plate... It was all shredded cheese only... spaghetti I found lil sweet coz of cheese & tomato combination...

Former plate was better, atleast it was givin me raw garlic taste a lil :)!!!

Overall review:

• Ideal for - Family
• Avg. for 2 - Rs. 500 approx
• Rating - 3 out of 5

UpperCrust still on top... :)

Chocolate Muffins

Ingredients

1 cup maida

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup chocolate flakes

1/2 cup walnuts

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 tsp baking powder

2 tbsp heavy cream

1/2 cup milk

Baking temperature: 250 C.

Baking time: 12-15 mins

HaraBhara Kabab

Too tired to post d recipe!!! :D

Shahi Kofta Curry

Ingredients

Potatoes

Onions

Tomatoes

G3 paste (Ginger,Garlic, Green chilly)

White paste (Kaju-Magagtari)

Fresh cream

Oil

Cumin seeds

Garam masala

Kadai masala

Fresh coriander leaves

Corn flour

Salt

Routine masalas (red chilly powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder)

Method

1. Boil potatoes and mash it.

2. Mix together with salt, red chilli powder, garam masala, corn flour and chooped coriander leaves.

3. Make into balls and deep fry until golden brown in color.

4. Heat oil in pan and add onions and tomatoes (diced). Saute them till soften. Cool it and grind to make a brown paste.

5. Heat oil in a kadai and add cumin seeds, Once it starts spluttering, add G3 paste and saute for 2 mins.

6. Add brown paste, white paste with kadai masala, salt, routine masalas and lil water. Cook till oil separtes from sides and gravy becomes thick.

7. Transfer gravy in serving bowl and put koftas gently into it. Garnish with fresh cream and serve.

Punjabi Samosa

Ingredients

For covering

-------------

Maida (I've replaced it wit wheat flour)

Ajwain

Salt

For stuffing

------------

Boiled n chopped potatoes

Boiled green peas

Oil

Cumin seeds

Green chillies (chopped)

Red chilli powder

Amchur powder

Garam masala

Salt

Coriander leaves (chopped)

Method

1. Mix flour, ajwain, salt and oil in a bowl. Add water and knead a stiff dough.

2. Heat oil in pan, add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add chopped green chillies and chopped onions.

3. Add red chilly powder, amchur powder and garam masala and saute for a while.

4. Add boiled potatoes and green peas with salt to taste.

5. Add coriander leaves and mix well. Set the mixture aside to cool.

6. Apply a little flour and roll dough piece (roti size). Cut into half, apply water on the edges.

7. Shape each half into a cone, put stuffing in it and seal the edges.

8. Heat oil in kadai and deep-fry samosas on medium gas till crisp and golden brown.

9. Serve hot with tomato chutney.

Paneer Bhurji

I'm sure to try tis dish after knowin cut-to-cut recipe from d original chef... ;)

It looks so yummy!!!

Super duper like...

Paneer Lababdar

Ingredients

Paneer (diced)

Oil

Onions

Kadai masala

Tomatoes

Kasoori Methi

Fresh Cream

Salt

Ginger-Garlic-Green chillies paste

Fresh cream

Method

1. Heat oil in kadai and add onions and tomatoes with salt, turmeric powder.

2. Cook till it softens.

3. Grind in mixture to make smooth brown paste.

4. Sprinkle salt and chat masala over diced paneer and grill them on tava.

5. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds and cook till they splutter.

6. Add ginger-garlic-green chillies paste and saute it for a while.

7. Add brown paste + kaju-magajtari paste and cook for few mins.

8. Add salt, kadai masala and kasoori methi.

9. Add Paneer pieces and cook for 5 minutes.

10. Remove from gas, pour the cream over it and mix well.

11. Garnish with fresh green coriander leaves and serve with paratha.

Mini Dosa Chaat

Ingredients

Ragda

-----

Kabuli chana

Ginger-Garlic paste

Onion (chopped)

Tomatoes (chopped)

Chhole masala

Red chilly powder

Lemon juice

Coriander leaves

Salt

Oil

Cumin seeds

Shell

-----

Rice

Urad dal

Salt

Oil

Stuffing

--------

Boiled potatoes

Onion (chopped)

Green peas

Mustard seeds

Turmeric powder

Green chilies (chopped)

Oil

Salt

Method

Ragda

-----

1. Soak chickpeas overnight and then pressure cook with salt.

2. Heat oil in kadai and add cumin seeds. When it splutters, add the chopped onions, ginger paste & garlic paste & saute for few mins.

3. Add the chopped tomatoes with all spices, mix well and cook for some more time.

4. Add boiled kabuli chana, lemon juice & add water for all ingredients to get soaked.

5. Garnish it with chopped coriander leaves.

Shell

-----

1. Soak rice and urad dal for 5-6 hrs separately.

2. Grind both together and make very smooth batter.

3. Add salt and enough water to make into a dropping consistency.

4. Heat pan with little ghee or oil.

5. Spread small amount of mix on pan in circular motion (half a size of regular dosa).

6. Cook on both the sides.

Stuffing

--------

1. Heat oil. Add mustard seeds, green peas, onions and spices.

2. Saute for few mins till onions are golden brown.

3. Add finely diced potatoes and mix. Cook for 2 mins.

4. Add filling inside Dosa and roll. Serve hot with Ragda and Garlic chutney.

Dal Pakwan

Ingredients

For pakwaan

-------------

Maida (1/4)

Wheat flour (1/2)

Sooji (1/4)

Salt

Oil

For dal

-------

Chana dal (soaked for 2 hrs)

Shah jeera

Cumin seeds

Red chilly powder

Haldi powder

Salt

Amchur powder

Garam masala

Oil

Method

1. Mix maida, sooji and wheat flour and add salt. Knead a soft dough.

2. Roll into big sized poori, prick with fork and deep fry till it becomes crisp.

3. Boil soaked chana dal in pressure cooker (should not be mushy).

4. Heat oil in kadai and add boiled dal with all masalas, water and mix well. Cook for 5 mins.

5. Take a pakwan in plate and pour dal over it.

6. Serve hot with garlic chutney, chopped boiled potatoes, chopped onions-tomatoes on top.

Veg AuGratin

Ingredients

For vegetables

---------------

Vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, cauliflower, french beans)

Oregano

Salt

Olive oil

For white sauce

---------------

Butter

Maida

Lukewarm milk

Salt

Black pepper powder

Sugar

For topping

------------

Bread crumbs

Grated cheese

Method

1. Cut vegetables in cubes and parboil them.

2. Heat olive oil in pan and add vegetables. Add salt, pepper powder and oregano.

3. Heat butter in kadai. Add maida and saute on medium heat.

4. Add lukewarm milk and stir constantly till sauce thickens without lumps.

5. Add salt, sugar and mix well.

6. Add the veg mixture.

7. Transfer it onto a baking bowl. Sprinkle the bread crumbs and grated cheese on top.

8. Bake in a preheated oven @ 150 C for 20 mins. Serve hot with garlic bread.

Green Peas Chutney

Ingredients

Green Peas

Green Chillies

Coriander leaves

Salt

Ghee

Cumin seeds

Lemon juice

Method

1. Heat ghee in pan and add cumin seeds.

2. When it starts spluttering, add green chillies, green peas and salt in it and mix well.

3. Cook well and cool it for a while.

4. Add coriander leaves, lemon juice and grind it.

5. Best to serve with parathas or any starter.

Greek Tomato Fritters

Last evening, I was watchin a newly started channel 'foodfood'. Chef Chinu was cooking greek food on the show 'Firangi Tadka'. Gave a try to 'Domatokeftedes'... Fortunately, it worked out well... :)

Ingredients

Tomatoes

Spring onions

Mint leaves

Coriander leaves

Garlic powder

Black pepper powder

Maida

Baking powder

Oregano

Chilly flakes

Salt

Oil

Method

1. Finely chop tomatoes, spring onions, mint and coriander leaves.

2. Add rest of the ingredients, mix well and keep aside for sometime.

3. Heat oil in kadai and fry like fritters and serve hot with yoghurt or chutney.

Sev Stuffed Paratha

Ingredients

Mixture of Namkeen Sev & Nylon Sev

Onion (finely chopped)

Chopped green chillies

Wheat flour

Oil

Salt

Chat masala

Method

1. Kneed a dough for making paratha and keep it aside.

2. Mix the sev, chopped onions and green chillies with salt, chat masala in a bowl.

3. Roll a ball of dough and put the mixture on it.

4. Fold it well and make a roti sized paratha.

5. Heat tava and make the paratha with oil.

6. Serve it hot with green chutney and nylon sev.

Kathi Roll

Recipe given below is not exactly the same as original 'Kathi Roll' - a street food from Kolkata. This is kinda SJ-Version of it.

Ingredients

For Roti

--------

Maida

Wheat flour

Oil

Baking Powder

Salt

For Stuffing

------------

Potatoes (boiled n chopped)

Green peas (boiled)

Babycorn pieces (parboiled)

Bellpepper (chopped)

Spring onions (chopped)

Cabbage (shredded)

Carrot (shredded)

Paneer (small cubes)

Chilly flakes

Mixed herbs

Salt

Oil

Method

1. Prepare a soft dough by mixing all ingredients given for roti and cover it with damp cloth. Keep it aside for 2-3 hrs.

2. Take oil in kadai. Add green peas, babycorn, cabbage, carrot and mix everything well.

3. Add boiled potatoes, cubed paneer and spring onions with salt, chilly flakes and herbs. Cook it for 2-3 mins.

4. Bring stuffing to room temperature before proceeding further.

5. Meanwhile, roll out each ball of dough to the size of roti.

6. Half roast them on hot griddle.

7. Stuff each roti with portion of stuffing in middle.

8. Apply cornflour slurry on sides and ending. Wrap it like a roll.

9. Roast it on griddle again till it becomes lil crisp.

10. Serve with hot sauce or mint chutney.

Corn Fritters

Ingredients

Besan

Boiled corn

Chopped red bell-pepper

Oregano

Red chilly flakes

Chat masala

Soya sauce

Red chilly sauce

Baking soda

Salt

Oil

Method

1. Mix all ingredients above and add water as needed to make a smooth batter.

2. Deep fry on high flame and serve with tomato ketchup.

Veg Seekh Kabab

Ingredients

Boiled potatoes

Boiled corn

Oil

French beans

Cabbage

Carrot

Besan

Shahjeera

Mashed mutter

Garlic ginger paste

Chopped green chillies

Salt

Chat masala

Garam masala

Cashew powder

Method

1. Grate boiled potatoes in a mixing bowl and add boiled corn into it.

2. In a pan, take a spoon of oil and add finely chopped french beans, carrot, cabbage. Roast besan and shahjeera for a while and add in pan.

3. Add mashed mutter and chopped green chillies. Saute it for a min.

4. Shift this mixture to bowl and mix well after adding salt, chat masala, garam masala and cashew powder.

5. Roll mixture around satay sticks and grill on hot pan. Serve hot with green chutney.

Methi Matar Malai

Ingredients

Malai

Chopped methi leaves

Boiled green peas

Salt

Butter

Asafoetida

Kadai masala (Grind)

---------------------

Coriander seeds

Dry red chillies

Cloves

Fennel seeds

Paste

------

Onion

Khuskhus

Sugar

Cashewnuts

Curd

Magajtari seeds

Green chillies

Ginger

Garlic

Method

1. Take salted hot water and immerse methi in this water for sometime. Wash properly under cold water.

2. Heat butter in a kadai. Add cumin seeds and asafoetida.

3. Grind the ingredients of paste. Add kadai masala and salt.

4. Now add green peas, methi leaves and malai and cook it till gravy becomes creamy and thick.

5. Serve it hot with paratha.