Afghani Food in Delhi

If you have been thinking that Afghani Chicken & Afghani Chicken Tikkas, are just another flavor of Mughlai food, or at best, these are probably the best edible things that Afghani Cusine can Offer, then you also are highly mistaken like my me…Last weekend, I had an Opportunity to explore Afghani Food..Actually the planning was on for a long time, but our hectic & uncreative work leaves us with little, time, zest & enthusiasm for doing much things..However, I managed to keep my word with younger bro & his friend, both of whom happen to be foodies, of a different kind though…..

We reached the Afghan Darbar Restaurant, in the bylanes of Lajpat Nagar 4, very close to the Hot, Defence Colony Market… There is quite a Dense Population of Afghan Nationals in this part of Delhi City… From What I could gather these People, come here as Medical Tourists, in search & long drawn medical treatments, may force them to take places on rent & do odd jobs to sustain the sometime longer than expected stay, and also the charms of a Free Democratic country, are not something that can be missed

The Restaurant has a Nice, family restaurant kind of a feel & ambience..Its quite brightly lit & the walls have been done with a sober brick kind of color, and quite a homely feel, I have to admit

We start with the Highly recommended Afghani Momos or Mantus…Now these Momos, I can bet are the most wholesome Momos & are almost meal like in terms of their presentation … The Momos are topped with a well made Channa Dal, Lots of Curd, Capsicum, Tomatoes & Mustard Oil thrown generously… The Momos are stuffed with Mutton, which is not too spicy, but the Curd & Dal, make it an amazing snack…The Plate Looks quite Colorful

Colorful Plate of Mantu.....quite a rainbow on my plate

Then Next on the Menu is the Mutton Chopan --- From what I could Gather, In Afghani Menu, there is very limited variety of what we call as Seekh Kabab in the Mughlai Menu…The kababs in Afghani Menu are basically, the burras, The Tikkas….. The Mutton Chopan, was something like what a Mutton Burra, but a big disappointment…the mutton was pretty hard & chewy….not quite the one for my liking…..The skewers were pretty gigantic & looked like a warring nations tribute to food lovers

Mutton Chopan..almost Burra Like with Huge skewers

Kabuli Pulao & Kabuli Uzbekki – Well these two varieties of Pulao can blow your mind away for sure, but you need to be ready to handle the huge dose of raisins…Like Kashmiri Cusine, There is no concept of bIryani in the Afghani Cusine….The Mutton, is as good as any other which one can have…absolutely succulent, soaked with all the rich flavors of ghee, raisin, saffron, just melts in your mouth…. I couldn’t gather much of a difference between the Kabuli Pulao & Kabuli Uzbeki…The rIce grains were long & distinct…The Pulao had an amazingly rich flavor of raisins, nuts ,ghee..absolutely a treat...The  side accompainiment of Brinjal Dish was quite tangy & spicy....loaded with mustard oil & ghee

Side Dish of a Tangy Tomato Brinjal Gravy with cream

The breads were nothing to write home about, except the Bolnani, the leeth Bolani as they call it..The stuffing is made from mashing the Spring Onions . The bread is deep fried and almost a bhatura like

Chicken Qurma & Kabuli Uzbekki

The meal is polished off with a hot cup of Kehwa tea…Its very similar to the Kehwa in Kashmir, except the dryfruits

Bolani - Deep Fried Bread with Spring Onion Mash

A Good meal, and the best part, that it was quite light on the tummy. Do visit when in Lajpat Nagar

The Best Food Shows

Being a Foodie, doesnt only mean your obsession for eating food, but its the love that extends itself to anything that concerns food.whether its eating & savouring the delicacies, or just watching some platefuls of the food being served at the other table in a restaurant, while you wait for your Order.. Its also about the quest for all possible Information about the food.......whether in print or on TV

Food Shows have become very popular today, and being the foodie, its almost a religion to catch those programmes whenever one can....I am sure the visual medium, the fantastic presetation of the food, already makes your mouth water....Thats what a Good Food show does..... The Foodie, with actor Kunal as the lead, is quite a popular ond pretty old show & running quite successfully...Now what makes the show so cool to watch is the actors presentation..The Rotund, chubby host, aboslutely doesnt give too much of a damn for his dressing & is most casually dressed....His style of presentation may not be too detailed, but his childlike way of eating, almost greedily, is enough to make one salivate.... I feel that a food Presenter, must be able to salivate the mouths of the avaiewers, & almost make them grab some bite of whatever best they can manage at their homes, or order from Outside, But just make them feel like eating., Thats what Kunal Vijaykar excels in doing.. absolutely brillinat & mouth watering show

The Foodie - Kunal Vijaykar  -- http://www.timesnow.tv/videoshow/4363347.cms

Then the Very Cool, Highway on My Plate, on NDTV good Times with the Rocking combo of Rocky & Mayur....Rocky is one of my favorite Food presenters and seems to have quite a decent knowledge about food , the spices, process of cooking....Their presentation is actually very detailed covering the restaurant, the ambience, the little journey to the eatery....The show also covers some details of the City which they are travelling, thus making it a tad more informative....Their knowledge on the food, the meats, the texture, the explanation is quite superlative as well... At the End of the show, they have their ratings for the restaurant, which is quite Unique & also leave the viewers with a food quote of the day

Watch the Video Link for the really Innovative & Gripping, Highway on my PLate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3zQKljLc2k&feature=player_detailpage


Then we have Our Veteran Journalist, Vinod Dua rediscovering his passion for food in the Food Show Zaika India ka..This show is more keeping in line with the Image & somber personal of the presenter & is presented in a traditional manner, sans all the spice & vibrancy of the younger presenters…Vinod dua, seems to be quite knowledgeable about the food & the spices which are being used…His eating also seems to be moderated & doesn’t seem to be like the real hungry & gluttonous eater which the other 2 food show hosts manage to bring….His favorite word for the delicious food items seem restricted to “Umdaa” & “Badiyaa”. He akes great use of his Chaste Hindi, & fluent urdu & brings a very Indian Dimension to the Food

Watch the Foodie & Journalist, Vinod Dua in action, as he explores Zaika India Ka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1hkJFzuyYo&feature=player_detailpage


Then there is another Popular Journalist Anisha Baig in her new show– “Will Travel for food”….While Highway on my plate, was about the street food, & small to budget eateries, Anisha Baigs show is about the Class & Upmarket restaurants as well…I have to admit though that the lady seems to do full justice as far as the eating is Concerned..although she is a Pretyy lady, there is absolutely nothing lady like about the eating& I am sure she would do all female foodies proud…..The theme of the show seems to be more on the Presentation & styling of the food & its presentation…..However the only drawback I feel is that the Program runs in a Voice Over mode, which somewhat kills the spontainiety of the presentation……Its  difficult to create & express the real reactions, the feeling of esctacy, which you achieve on savoring something divine in taste,  and reproduce it later in a studio….

Among Other Food Show, Chakh le India, is also pretty decent, however the presenter, doesn’t seem to elicit the same response which a really big fat foodie can. The Guy seems pretty knowledgable about the Cooking Processes & spices and he dwells more on the Cooking style, and technical aspects of the food………Floyds India, was one of the earlier food shows  & one of the most innovative, which combied cooking and excellent detailing about the local cuisne, process of cooking & the Host, Floyd is an almost legendary figure in the Culinary world….One of the Richest Voice baritones , smooth voice & excellent presentation, made him a  treat to watch…His trademark style of sipping hiw white wines while cooking some exquisite dishes, would make your mouth salivate & immediately head to the nearest eatery to maka e bite

Another Favorite Show, wherin the presenter, is able to create the foodie magic is Man Vs Food…..Vow,,,, what a show & what a Prsenter..This show is about the basics…..not technicalities about food making, not about the spices, or textures…Its not about the cooking styles, recipes & cultures, its just ablut eating……This man takes crazy Challenges & attempts to win those, Like a 3 foot sandwich, or a 6 Kg Ice Cream …Uff, and the way he stuffs himself during the challenge one cant stop feelling bad for him, and just wish, Hey Brother, Can i Help You

Watch him in one of his food Challenges - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE_gmsWG4yY&feature=player_detailpage

To all the Foodies, who love eating, who love thinking about, who love watching, food......"THERE IS NO LOVE MORE SINCERE THAN THE LOVE FOR FOOD", George Bernard Shaw

breads

The World Loves India & Indian Food...Indian Recipes, Spices are celebtrated & almost legendary in parts of the world.....The Tandoor is as Popular in London & Canada as their other Food...But Indian food is not complete or would not be what its is today, without the backbone of its cusines, the Bread....The Hmble  bread, which normally comes as a side order with the food, but is as important in adding to the taste & experience of food Consumption

We have so many varieties of Breads, that this food deserves a special mention & this post is dedicated to that...There are a Lot of Regional Breads also, some of whihc have become popular across the Country & even Internationally... The Northern Part of India, which is perhaps one of the Largest producers & consumers of Wheat, leads the pack in the bread varieties....

The Chapatti or Phulka, which is a bread eaten daily, and Daal Roti, Sabzi is as big a Staple diet as any... The Parathas, which is a Hugely Popular bread of Punjab....is also a big hit on the National & International Scene as well... Wheat dough spread on the Pan & fried with Oil or Ghee, Paratha is a staple bread of North India...It also lends itself to various varieties, when stuffed...Infact only ones creativity can limit one making full use of the enormous scale a Paratha offers...Aloo, Gobhi, Mooli, Gaajar, Onion, Palak, Dal, Eggs, Chicken, Parat Parathas, Baingan, Ajwain, Methi,  -- Its enormous.....

Naan, agains is a highly popular bread especially with Mughlai and Indian Food dishes....People Love it soft, crisp,Plain, Buttered, stuffed with Aloo, Paneer, Onions, Keema, the Naan lends itself effortlesslty to variety.......

Puris & Bhaturas, are Popular breads for breakfast....Deep Fried to a Perfect Golden Yellow Color, They taste great , fresh, crisp,Hot & Oily...



Even Kashmir, offers huge variety of bremploymentads, with bakeries being quite a popular mode of Employment

Telvur - Bread with Sesame seeds
Girdaa -  Dough made of wheat, Ghee & Milk
Lavaasa - Dough made of Maidaa, Slight salt
Katlam -

Breakfast Menu @ McDonalds

Had  Breakfast Today at McDonalds after a really long time..... At One point, Breakfast at Mcdonalds was almost a weekend ritual...I had somehow managed to stuck to my newly found love for morning walks....and weekends, I would try & combine the morning walk with a 30 minute game of squash...With all this physical labor & the tumultous test, i would put my already tortured body through, a decent breakfast supposedly was very well earned & treatetd with respect and not just a glutton foodies wish....However given my love for a great breakfast, i honestly seek to find some great breakfast alternatives, as discussed in my earlier posts

http://gourmetaffairs.blogspot.com/2011/09/foodie-delights-breakfast-buffet-red.html

http://gourmetaffairs.blogspot.com/2011/07/breakfast-king-meal-of-day.html


Mcdonalds Breakfast menu is quite a decent fair and that too at a reasonable price...The menu comprises of a variety of Muffins, which they call as McMuffins....Sausage McMuffin, Egg & Sausage McMuffin, Veg Muffin, Hash Browns, and the Pan Cakes

The Sausage McMuffin is a very addictive thing to eat.... Also once you finish the Muffin, you realise that you have not had quite the fill. The Bun used is absolutely different from the regular buns used for the main menu..The Bun size is little smaller, nice flavor of crisp sesame or Til as we call it in Hindi..The Buns are fresh, quite soft & have a strong distinct flavor unlike the regular buns,, The Sausage is an absolute winner here....Absolutely mildly spiced, just as it should be for a brealkfast, the meat is pretty tender, little juicy 7 succulent, and the sesame flavor of the bun & the light flavor of the Sausage, make for a great taste.. Its not too heavy on the tummy as well, and as i said once you have a bun, you feel like having another for its lightness

Sausage McMuffin ........ Tasty, Juicy .hmmmm

The Hash Brown is quite different from what one may get in an English Breakfast...But its the Biggest hit of the Breakfast Menu.....The Patty is deep fried in the Special Machinery and done aboslutely golden brown.....The Brown is fantastically crisp, and once you break a bite from the patty, it immediatley releases a very strong edible flavor, of the oil which is vaporised.... vow!!!!! The brown has a very slight pungent taste, a slightly bitter and salty taste, the crispiness is too good to be true, and the potato is still soft to go from the inside. added with the flavor of the Oil, its just too good & for Rs 20/ its a steal....

Sinful hashbrowns

Then Comes the Sweetener of the Breakfast, the Pan Cake, served along with Maple sauce & butter, The Pan Cake is a surprising finish to the breakfast... The Pan Cakes are nicely flavored with Vanill....are quite soft, chewy, little sticky & the vanilla flavor just makes it a smooth bite to go down.....added on top are the Maple syrup & a dollop of Butter...and you get a sweet & salty taste with a very creamy texture......This combo is just too good to swindle any taste buds.....absolutely amazing .........

Pan Cakes with Maple Syrup & Butter....Delicious !!!!!!

Do Try the Breakfast Menu at McDonalds, but not if you are in the mood for a helathy breakfast......

Vada Pav & Mumbiya Snack @ Delhi

Vada Pav- If you have ever been or stayed in Mumbai, Pune or any Other Maharashtrian State, you will probably be in a position to understand the importance of the Hmble Vada Pav, which is a mighty Street food business & an almost Iconic snack in Maharashtra.... Vada Pav, Misal Pav, Dabeli, in fact constitute a staple food & snacks in Maharashtra

Vada Pav is Hugely Popular in the Entire Maharashtra & is in fact quite a nice & easy to get snack, with all nooks a& corners of Mumbai selling this staple snack….Vada Pavs probably have been around for more than 40 years or so, some stories suggest that Vada Pav was first available Outside the Dadar Station in Mumbai

A deep fried Aloo Patty sandwiched between a Bun…..The Patty is made of a mix of Potatoes, Spices, Curry leaves , a typical Maharashtrian flavor…Deep fried with a basin batter, & getting a light golden yellow color on frying….The Bun is laced with a Very spicy & chilly Dhania Chutney , almost a dynamite… The Bun is also loaded with a powder made of Chillis & Garlic paste .. Have a look at how it looks

Chilli & Garlic Powder Chutney

Kandhe Bhaaji Pav is another speciality in Maharashtra... available at all the corners serving Vada Pavs.... Kandhe means Onions, so basically its a Onion Pakodaa served with a Bun & Chutney....

Misal Pav, is also quite a delicious snack availabel at most of the small & Big Hotesl.. It can be had as a nice breakfast, also had as a quick lunch, Its basically one or 2 namkeen mixtures, like chewda, mixed with a bowl of plain very hot & spicy Curry...Curry & mixture is mixed well, served with Onions, Lemon & Fresh Pavs, this is quite a meal & a hearty snack..... See how this amazing & wholesome snack looks

Dabeli, another Popular snack in Maharashtra & Gujarat. It is one of the most healthy & whole some snack one can have 7 again very widely available in nooks & Corners of Mumbai, Pune , Parts of Maharashtra & Gujarat…. A Mixture of boiled Potatoes, with spices, Onions, is mixed with some Promegrenate (Anaar) & some peanuts, and is sandwiched between the Bun or Pav…. Its served with anaar & peanuts as a side serve along with the Dablei Bun. The anaar adds the sweetness to the hot 7 spicy taste of the mix 7 peanuts.. Quite a Helathy Snack

Do Try these amazing Maharashtrian Snacks whenever in the mood …..  Best Places to Vist in Delhi for Vada Pav & some Maharashtrian Snacks

Delhi Haat / Amchi Mumbai, DLF Phase 5, Gurgaon / Food Chowk, Select City Walk, Saket

The Big Chill Cafe

Quite a few delhites would have had their share of romance with the Harbinger of Calssic Italian Dining in Delhi, The Big Chill Cafe... Started off with their Main Branch in East of Kailash, in the Lap of the Hot & happening , Greater Kailash Market...Big Chill Cafe, is easily regarded as One of the Best Places Offering Italian Food, that too in the most Classic Manner. Th Restaurant has an  almost Retro, rock feel, with posters & pictures of Old Hollywood Classics adorning the walls, giving it a Larger than life, retro chic kind of a look

The wall adorned by Posters of Hollywood Classics

Just the Perfect Chic & Retro ambience

The Food arguably is supposed to be one of the best in Italian Cusines & so are the desserts... We Order the Chicken Pizza, Galic Breads, & a Veg Pasta to begin with..... The staff is quite friendly & keeping in line with the ambience of the restaurant is quite cool & on the job...We get the Order in 15 minutes, which is a pretty fast turn around time ,considering that the Cafe is jam packed on most evenings (Weekends especially) I have not been to Italy ever, but I am sure the Pizzas, would be only marginally better than the one we had... Absolutely thin Crust, wheat based, The Pizza bread was perfectly crisp, light, & the chicken in the topping was perfectly juicy, rightly spiced, & the melted cheese, juicy chicken & crsipy bread, was just an awesome blend..difficult to explain in words, & difficult to stop eating as well...Have a Look for yourself

The Fantastic Pizzas, Crisp & Light

The Garlic Bread, was also quite a mouthful & handful...Loaded with Cheese, the soft bread, with a mild garlic flavor, was quite a delectable treat...Very Cheesy, very creamy, not the stuff you want to eat on a diet or if you want to live long....But if you live to eat, then take that bite.....

Creamy, Cheesy & Sinful Garlic Bread

Next on the agenda was the Pasta - The Original Italian "Maggi"....The Pasta was a Vegatable & Tomato Sauce, wheat Pasta..The Sauce was quite nice, Fresh & slightly tangy & had a rich & nice orangish color...served along with a Bread, the Pasta was quite refreshing to taste.. aroma of herbs, olives, spices, adds greatly to the taste - The basil flavour stood out



Tomato & Olive Pasta

We polish off the meal, with a nice Capuccion Coffee & a Tiramisu Pastry.... Great Taste of Caramel, Butter, right amount of sweetness..Just have a look...isnt it awesome

Do Visit The Big Chill for a Relaxed Evening with Friends...An amazing experience awaits you

Taste - 8
Hygiene - 9
Ambience - 9
Value for Money - 7

Angels in My Kitchen - Bakery Or Cafe

Its a Bakery !!! Its a Cafe !!! Well its actually both...Taking the Concept of a Cafe Bakery to the Next Level, glamourising it, & presenting it in the most chic & elegant manner, & you have the Concept called "Angels in My Kitchen"

One of the Most wide range of Breads, Pastries, Light eat, Toasties, interiors which are beautifully done, absolutely stylish & cool interiors & comfortable seating, make it a nice place to hang out with, while you are picking up your bread from the given variety

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The variety in pastries is also huge & one feels spoilt for choices....Its an amazing range. The Walnut pie is too delectable

Walnut Cake

Remais of the Excellet Chicke Sandwich

The Cappucino served at Angels is just the right one for a good morning breakfast...Frothy, Little creamy...The Chicken Sandwich, was just excellent...The stuffing tasted fresh, & lightly spiced...One of the Better Chicken Sandwiches, i have eaten...

Delectable Pastries

Hmmmm......

The Breads

You should also try the Herb Toasts, Garlic Toasties, Cheese & Tomato Toasties.

A Nice Place to Hang Out, you can have a nice cup of coffee, have some really tasty sandwiches, munch on some fresh  Crisp Toasties, & polish the light meal with the delectable tarts or pies

Ambience - 8
Taste - 8.5
Hygiene - 8
Value for Money - 6