Celebrate Food outside of Instagram

There was a time when my mom used to engage me and my brother in the kitchen to help her. I used to roll the chapatis and my brother used to cut vegetables. Our conversation though was never about the vegs or the perfect dough and least of all, from which angle to take pictures. We used to eat what was being served. There was no discussion, debate or demands about food.

Today the scene is different. As the cookie crumbles (sorry,just had to use the phrase) it is a great time to be a foodie. Not only are there recipes online,on tube, on your app but there are fusion recipes, food talks and articles. People wake up thinking, not what to eat but how to dissect it later.

I believe a foodie is not just about finding recipes, trying restaurants but also being aware of the allied and cognate information of the world of food. Here are few sites which have interested me off-late and not just for recipe indexes.

 For matters around and outside of the plate instead of what is in it.

https://www.thrillist.com/food-and-drink
A captivating site about the travel and also food industry, its happenings and some great write ups. The graphics are endearing. Though it features USA, the scoop applies everywhere.


 http://www.bonappetit.com/
A colourful place to be. Browse around for anything under the sun about food.

http://community.epicurious.com/challenge/personal-touches-in-the-kitchen
The table talk section has interesting write-ups from previous contests and ofcourse submitted by enthusiastic foodies all over.

 http://www.eater.com/
How about latest news in the food world which doesnt involve ways of diffrentiating brownies?


http://firstwefeast.com/
I have been a fan of First We Feast for some time and some issues brought up are worthy of reading and being aware.

For those who like to know about the skills,techniques,tricks and tips of food and its creation.

https://food52.com/topics/how-to-cook
Straight-forward topics and ways to make it easier for everyone who slogs it out once in the kitchen and then never.


 http://www.seriouseats.com/techniques
The graphics will be smooth sailing for those who are 'serious about eating'.


 Jamie Olivers Youtube Channel 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0AuP1A9F2U

Is there anyone who doesnt love him? Dont raise your hand if you exist!
I love his channel for fun recipes but mostly for videos like the above, is such a face saver.





Pass the menu only.

If you could not help it and were still looking for recipes in the above, try these site which makes the  search fun and must I say appetising!

 http://thefeedfeed.com/
For getting a recipe without the bureacracy of indexes. Plain,simple practical categorisation.







Food for the ....ears.

Finally, if the dining table, your plate and your wok is not enough and you want to 'listen' to food, then this podcast is my current favourite. The topics are indirectly related to food, the industry and habits, but are enjoyable. There are many food based podcasts out there but I particularly love this one as it is mostly on topics based in India.

The Real Food Podcast











Disclaimer - I do not endorse or promote any links above though I do go bananas over them (sorry for the foodie lingo,again)  Views are personal.

The week that has been - Gorgeous mansions and a failed movie plan.

A week of unexpected happenings. The week before was a calm lake with boring albeit relaxing days.

Planning never works and I never learn. Which was proved yet again by a failed movie watching plan. We were supposed to go for Stork and as it happens we now have time and no other engagements but the movie is no longer in theatres. Humph!

Cooking wise however I gained a level ahead in my make believe Home Masterchef scene. Made Kerala beef curry which turned out exactly how I wanted it. And how do I know that? Family asked for seconds and it finished in two days time. Now if only there was a cash prize....

I also baked up yummy( being really honest and modest) Chocolate Lava Muffins. I dont have them ramekins so had to innovate and Google for the muffin version. Got the BakeLikeaPro link and I like that guy! :)

Durga Puja was in full swing in India and since the sad expat in me had made myself stopped missing all the colours and fun, I realised the best thing was to not concentrate too much on the rosogullas and festivities pics online. Then the idiot box decided to rake in the puja mood and ofcourse showed the apt movies. Parineeta and the classic ,Balika Badhu. TRPs are based on emotion my friend! And I will miserably watch such next Puja too! Though not the best window, I feel the right movies are a great way in portraying culture and customs.
I am a sucker for old movies and like wine ,the more aged the reel is the more I love them. I shall soon write about Balika Badhu on my movie page

 

 Parineeta 

Also loved this Jamshedpur pandal pic by my bestie Rashmi on her Instagram page. I miss Jamshedpur, the steel city and all the childhood goodness.

And so the weekend was dedicated to traversing on new culinary trails. Tried two new restaurants an Italian and a Thai.

Melenzane in Gharrafa,Doha has a small though diverting ambience. You will mistake it for a gym with its rugged get up.

We had Pollo Bella - grilled chicken and pepperoni sandwich, pic of which is missing because I ate it up before I decided to click. We also had Pollo Parmigiana - grilled chicken breast with pink pasta. This is what my husband ordered and he has more self control than I have, Perfect photogenic guy, in my book! :) We loved everything.

                         

The Ban Thai restaurant in Muaither, Doha was the discovery of our dear friend Roldao and I will believe that friends who love to eat are of the best kind!
Any cuisine in its authentic habit is the best. We may be limited in scope by the country we stay in and also by our taste buds which are tuned to either our native flavors or preferences. Despite all this if a restaurant can make you think otherwise,then its a winner.
We had the crab, seafood salad and some rice. I did not want to order the green Thai curry as I wanted to try something new. Everything was delicious.

 Squid salad

 Prawns and more

The week rounded off with a midnight park visit to a hidden gem. The West Bay park is small and delightful. We had coffee and chocolate cake with us. Perfect

 



 

I am currently reading a Hindi book , Meri Teri Uski Baat by Yashpal . I had studied Hindi in school but over the years the habit of reading Hindi literature waned away. One of my favourite authors is Premchand and when I bought one of his, the love for hindi lettering was rekindled.

This book is about the lives of families and friends in Lucknow, India during the Independence movement. Though based in that time, its isnt focussed much on the political scene but rather on daily lives of the characters and how the passing years amalgamate with the freedom struggle

Some interesting links I found :

Must I say those mansions of Sidhpur are wallpaper worthy.

http://www.natgeotraveller.in/in-photos-the-magnificent-mansions-of-the-bohras-of-sidhpur/

I am slowly gearing up to be a podcast person. First I chanced upon the nofilterNeha channel on Saavn(app) which has gossipy but fun podcasts and then the SoundCloud channels.

https://soundcloud.com/the-real-food-podcast/36-stainless-steel-kitchens-iron-clad-memories

Thoughts of past week

A clean house makes you think better and saves time to indulge in your hobbies. You need not be a Monica of Friends but simple tidying definitely clears up clutter of the mind more than the room.

Bookstagram is getting on my nerves. And I still do it. Hah! but really whats with all the coffee cups?

Parents ,esp of this generation really need to get their priorities straightened. Its all nice to take care of yourself and find the 'me' in daily life but the kid is 'yours'. Responsibility is the word here.

Stepping into another week.