Food - Best Places of Interest

July 4, 2016 Promotional

Exotic Food treats you can enjoy in Summers

The sun is shining bright with all the glory of spreading rays of hope, love and passion. There are fun things to do in summers especially if you have special occasions on the way. Whether it is summer wedding, a birthday party, a family picnic or beach ball tournament with funfair activities going in full swing in the city, summers are the time of chirping, giggling and having a lot of fun. In summers, there are wonderful treats one can enjoy with family and friends while they celebrate such joyful moments as food is the central attraction of any celebration. So here we are giving you some lip smacking ideas that you can enjoy in summer with family and friends.

Citrus Punch Fruits Basket

Citrus punch fruit basket- Food treats this summer

Fruit baskets are a smashing treat to have in summers when the heat is on the rise. Since you need a lot of refreshing nutrients to keep your body active and hydrated so what better could be than having these juicy fruits in summers. You can also make a spectacular fruit basket delivery to your loved one in summers to let them enjoy the juicy flavors in heat.

Precious Nibbles Hamper

Precious nibbles hamper- Food treats this summer

Although it is a lovely gift hamper but why not give yourself some treat with its fabulous delights like English tea, chocolate hazelnut caramel sauce, date and walnut shortbread and a lot more lip smacking contents to be enjoyed in summer evening.

Holiday Hamper

This extraordinary hampers consist of a pleasing variety of flavorsome contents. The grandeur hamper is assorted with nectar juices of peach, pear, mango, Curry peanuts, dipping crackers, espresso popcorn and a lot more exotic variety of gorgeous items to be enjoyed in summer parties.

Round Chocolate Tower Box

Round chocolate box- Food treats this summer

Nobody can deny the ecstasy of having chocolate treats and that too when they come in such luxurious packaging. These fabulous chocolate bites consist of some of the most alluring indulgences like hazelnut praline with biscuit and pistachio, double milk praline, double layer praline, Lavender honey truffles, salted chocolate cream with cookie on top.

Lemon Sponge Cake

Lemon sponge cake- Food treats this summer

It is a sweet and savory contrast of lemon with butter cream and cake. The cake has butter icing sandwiched with moist lemon sponge layer that would give you alluring flavor and you won’t stop having another chunk. Enjoy this splendid treat in summer with your family at breakfast or in afternoon tea.

After Dinner Treat

After dinner treat - Food treats this summer

How about having a delectable treat after having lovely dinner with family and friends? This small assortment of unique contents like caramel Belgian chocolate and mint popcorn, toffee apple jam, and chocolate hazelnuts are delightful way to end a beautiful evening.

Sugar Crunch Hamper

Sugar crunch hamper- Food treats this summer

It’s another fabulous treat to have in summers with this amusing variety of contents while you take a rest under some tree on a picnic. The contents include sugary delights such as chocolate wafers, fudge espresso, oat crunch biscuits, chocolate coated almonds and many more to sooth your taste buds.

Assorted Muffins

Assorted muffins- Food treats this summer

You cannot resist the temptation of enjoying these delectable muffins during a summer fiesta. It is a gorgeous flavorsome assortment of chocolate chip, blueberry, lemon and double chocolate to simply melt in your mouth with any chilled summer drink.

June 23, 2016 Recipes

3 Peach Recipes that you will relish

Continuing from my earlier post ….Life is a peach. Following are some recipes with peach you will relish.

Peach Nougat Delight

Ingredients: 400 gms whipped cream,

500 gms canned peaches, chilled,

1 cup sugar,

¾ cup broken cashew nuts,

600 ml milk (3 cups),

1 tin condensed milk,

1 tsp. vanilla essence,

5 tbsp. Cornflour,

6 tbsp. Sugar,

And ½ tsp. nutmeg.

Method:

To make the praline, melt the sugar in a heavy-based pan until golden, mix the cashews, spread on a greased flat baking tray, allow to cool and set. Crash roughly to a powder and use. (Do not refrigerate).

To make the custard mix the milk, condensed milk, vanilla essence, cornflour, sugar and nutmeg in a saucepan and cook on a high flame stirring constantly until thickened. Cool thoroughly and use. After it is done spread a film of cling wrap on the surface to avoid a skin from forming.

Arrangement: In a glass bowl spread or pipe half the cream, arrange the peaches (halved or quartered) over it using half the quantity. Pour the custard over it and sprinkle half the praline. Layer with the balance peaches, pipe the balance cream over it using a large nozzle. Sprinkle the balance nougat and serve chilled.

You could make these individually in tall or stemmed water glasses too.

******

Ricotta and Maple Peaches

Ingredients:

6 peaches halved and stoned

2 tbsp. maple syrup

1 tbsp. rosemary sprigs

6 sprigs thyme

Extra virgin oil to drizzle

200 gms ricotta

Method:

Preheat the oven to 18C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Lightly brush a grilling pan with oil and heat on a medium flame
Lightly brush the peach halves, cut side up with the maple syrup.
Cook on the grill for 2 minutes until lightly charred.
Transfer the peaches to the lined baking tray and sprinkle the rosemary and thyme sprigs.
Drizzle with a little olive oil and bake for 5-10 minutes until just tender and heated through.
Top the peaches with the ricotta, season with fresh black pepper if desired and serve immediately.

******

Tahini Chicken and Peach Summer Salad

Ingredients:

2 Chicken breast fillets (250 gms each)

1 tsp garlic paste

Pinch of salt and fresh pepper

80 ml lemon juice

2 ½ tbsp. Tahini

1 large can canned peaches drained and rinsed.

2 tbsp. Olive oil,

1 cup mint leaves roughly torn

120 gms or 1 packed rocket leaves

1 large dark green skin cucumber, thinly sliced diagonally

4 radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced

1 tsp honey

½ tsp chilli flakes

1 tbsp. Pistachios, roughly chopped.

Method:

Use a large sharp knife and cut the chicken breasts horizontally to have 4 thin pieces.
Combine the garlic paste, salt, and pepper, 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of tahini and olive oil in a bowl and mix well.
Add the chicken and turn to coat well, cover with cling film and keep in the fridge for half an hour.
Heat a grilling pan on medium high, cook the chicken fillets on each side for about 4-6 minutes until lightly charred and cooked through. Keep aside.
Meanwhile, combine the mint, rocket, cucumber and radish in a large salad bowl.
Whisk the honey, chilli flakes and the remaining tahini and lemon juice in a small bowl.
Cut the chicken into strips and cut the pieces into quarters.
Add them to the salad along with the dressing and toss well to combine.
Sprinkle the chopped pistachios and serve.

Tip: Mix a little olive oil with the peaches to coat them and char grill them for a rustic look.

June 21, 2016 Food

Life is a Peach!

Peaches are a stone fruit related to nectarines, cherries, and plums. Peaches have a soft fuzzy skin which is red on a yellow to a pale yellow almost golden background. Peaches are sweet, golden background. Peaches are sweet, a good source of Vitamin C and contain a good amount of other minerals especially potassium and are a great source of dietary fibre.

In Chinese culture, peaches are considered a symbol of immortality and friendship and are found in many Chinese artworks. Most cultivated peaches are divided into clingstone or freestone, depending on whether their flesh sticks to the stone or not; both varieties can have either white or yellow fresh.

The scientific name persica, along with the word “peach” is derived from an early European belief that peaches were native to Persia. The ancient Romans referred to peach as Malum persicum or Persian apple and the scientific or botanical name Prunus Persica literally means “Persian Plum”.

Peach cultivation went from China, through Persia, and reached Greece by 300 BC. Alexander the Great introduced the fruit into Europe after he conquered the Persians. The Peach was brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 16^th century and eventually made it to England and France in the 17^th century, where it was a prized and expensive treat.

Peaches grow in a fairly limited range of dry, continental or temperate climates, since the trees have a chilling requirement that tropical areas cannot satisfy, except at high altitudes like in parts of India, Nepal, Ecuador, Colombia and also Ethiopia.

Health benefits

Beta carotene is responsible for eye health and peaches contain a high amount of the antioxidant, along with vitamins A and C. Regular consumption of peaches can improve your vision health by increasing blood circulation through the body. The beta carotene also nourished and protects the retina in your eyes from free radical damage, as well as helping to prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Peaches being a great source of vitamin A and C, which are highly essential for skin health. Vitamin A provides moisture in the skin, which improves the skin texture making it soft and supple. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from radical damage. Just one peach a day can keep your skin glowing and flawless. You can also rub peaches directly on your skin to help get rid of dark circles and wrinkles.
Peaches are fat-free and contain an average of only 68 calories. The high amount of sugar in peaches is natural and therefore does not have an adverse effect on health. If you are on a weight-loss mission, having peaches handy will help you avoid more fattening and unhealthy processed snacks.
Peaches are rich in anti-oxidants that help prevent cancerous cell growth. Peaches are known particularly for effectively protecting the body against lung, colon, and oral cancer.
Eating peaches on a daily basis may help control high cholesterol and problems that lead to diabetes and heart diseases. This is mainly because peaches contain phenolic compounds that prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol. Also, foods rich in beta-carotene like peaches are good for lowering the cholesterol level in the bloodstream.
One large peach contains a high amount of potassium and is very low in sodium, which helps in maintaining healthy blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, then have a peach daily to combat the problem.
Peaches have an excellent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

You may like to read 3 Peach Recipes that you will relish

June 16, 2016 Food

7 Food trucks in Kolkata

If you are a traveler in Kolkata, or hungry after the street shopping in Kolkata then you might want to check out these food trucks in Kolkata. They have been trending in the culinary field. Different styles of food appeal to different palates.

Following are some food truck experiences listed:

Agdum Bagdum

agdumbagdum-food trucks in Kolkata — Agdumbagdum

Location: Near Ekdalia Evergreen Club, Opposite Indusind Bank, Gariahat, Kolkata

Home delivery number: +91 9007989999

The food truck is a new concept. Location wise it’s just beside ekdalia evergreen club opposite CCD. Took chicken popcorn and risotto rice combo. We found the popcorn chicken quite similar to those of KFC. It was soft no doubt. Coming to the Risotto rice bowl, one will find gravy-infused rice, a few pieces of chicken, and an egg.

We ordered a huge chicken burger. The chicken burgers are pretty ample in amount. A lot of fries are served as compared to most other places. Drinks are reasonably priced. As for the burritos, definitely sufficient enough to fill anyone.

Thank God It’s Fresh

Image courtesy- Thank God It's Fresh Fb page. -Food trucks in Kolkata — Image courtesy- Thank God It’s Fresh Fb page.

Location: Near Calcutta Rowers Club, Location Varies, Southern Avenue, Kolkata

Contact: +91 9674999819

It is hiked right next to Rabindra Sarovar, near the CRC gate. We ordered:
• Grilled Mushroom Sandwich
• Virgin mojito
Both were really good. Especially the sandwich. Ample filling and really good to taste. Tasted their chicken cheese balls which were yummy and the best part was they were baked and not fried. Loved the innovation.

This food truck is pretty remarkable with its well-systematized set of appliances and quite a neat cooking arrangement. It serves a variety of delicacies, especially continental. The place opens up at 5 a.m., making it a breakfast destination as well.

Hungry Hands

Hungry Hands The Food Truck Image courtesy-FB page-Food trucks in Kolkata — Hungry Hands The Food Truck
Image courtesy-FB page

Location: Princep ghat (Scoop)

Contact: +91 9874215795 or +91 9836193919

The food truck serves various kinds of dishes. We had ordered chicken chow mien and chili chicken combo. The food arrived after ten minutes. The chow mien was delightful. The chili chicken was also tasty. The meatballs were dainty; they were properly fried. We loved the meal.

Chai Talks

Location: Varies, Lake Gardens, Kolkata

Contact: +91 9830339395

The lemon iced tea was a treat. Though it is a small stall but it is worth a try. The Boba ripe mango is too good. Very refreshing. Really innovative concept.

Cooks on Wheels

Location: 9, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, New Market Area, Kolkata

Contact: +91 9830035882

Food quality is very good, quantity more than sufficient. We had ordered a plate of egg chow mien and a plate of chili chicken and felt it was enough for two people. The price is very reasonable too.