Fun Filled Sunday with Grover Zampa - Wine Stomping, Wine and Food Pairing @Highultralounge-Bengaluru.

Hi Friends, We had a Fun-filled Sunday Brunch at High Ultra lounge. Grover Zampa Vineyards hosted us for grape stomping, wine sampling and many more activities during High Ultra Lounge’s Retro Sunday Brunch, Brigade Gateway, Bangalore on Sunday 31st July. 

The brunch was a retro theme event with props and costumes, we enjoyed grape stomping to 70’s – 80’s retro music, fantastic wines and scrumptious food.

The entire menu for the Sunday brunch was curated by Chef Myo to bring the traditional flavours to take you on a gastronomical journey back in 80s. 

The Brunch gets better with retro infused style and some amazing Pan-Asian dishes like Chivichi, Tataki, Sushi Counters, Salad counters, Live Noodle soup counter, Live Oriental Grill Counter, were just a few.

About HIGH Ultra Lounge: The lounge bar is spread lavishly across the roof top of the World Trade Centre – Bangalore. At 421 feet high, it is the highest point for food and beverage in South India.  High Ultra Lounge looks to redefine the lounge bar experience by focusing on superlative ambiance, modern pan Asian cuisine (comprising of Thai, Korean, Japanese and Chinese), world-class mixology and personalized service.

The linear 10,000 sft area is cleverly demarcated into 4 zones that can be easily integrated or separated from one another.

·HIGH View is a space to catch the last rays of the sun

·HIGH Edge is an exclusive covered private party area

·HIGH Dine is an open-to-sky dining area

·HIGH Mix is a high-energy covered lounge space  

The vertical green wall also references Bangalore’s’ tag as the ‘Garden City’ of India paying ode to the fast disappearing green cover the city has experienced in the past decade due to rapid urbanization. High ultra-lounge looks to redefine the lounge bar experience to make guest feel on top of the world. It is one of Bangalore’s most iconic restaurants beginning with the ascent to the 30th floor and the walk- up the artistically lit staircase, with the city below the unparalleled view.

We started our wine and food pairing session: 

2013 Zampa Soriee Brut was served as a welcome drink and we also started to enjoy the bubbly wine with starters...

Spicy Tofu Sushi,  Maki Sushi, Pan seared tuna, Spring rolls and Crusty Chicken...

Second round of starters: Fruit Rolls, Spring Rolls, Crispy Chicken Wontons and Veg Sushi...

Followed by Dimsums: Corn and Spinach...

Grilled Sweet Corn...

There was a steady flow of bubbly to enjoy more starters...

Spicy Chicken Salad...

Up next was 2015 Sauvignon Blac, a crisp white wine to be paired with white grilled meat and appetizers...

Spicy Paneer...

Crispy Masala Beer Batter Basa...

Calamari Ceviche prepared with mandarin oranges...

Roasted Bell Peppers with crunchy almonds and mandarin orange sauce...

Calamari Salad...

Our Third and Final wine was from 2015 Art Collection Cabernet Shiraz. We Paired this wine with grilled meats and spicy food. This wine can also be paired with rich indian curries and biryani...

Crispy Chicken Pakoda...

BBQ Grilled Chicken...

BBQ Pork Belly...

Garlic Masala Fries...

Crispy Corn Fritters...

We Enjoyed the wine tasting and food pairing session I was too full to taste the main course had to skip the mains and we just had few desserts.

Pic Courtesy: Sudarshan Sampath

Enjoyed wine stomping with my friends. Over all it was a wonderful, fun filled Sunday event all of us enjoyed the food, wine and activities.

Pic Courtesy: Sudarshan Sampath

Daddy Enjoying the wine and brunch!

 

Product Review - Chef's Basket Oriental Wok Noodles

Hi Friends, This is my second product review for Chef's Basket range. Me being a hardcore lover of oriental food, was totally excited to receive the noodle kit. I must thank the PR person from the company who contacted me for this review.  

About Chef's Basket: They are a Mumbai Based Company. The Products launched by the company are available across India. One can also purchase their products on Amazon. The Products undergo rigorous research and repeated testing before launch, because the company vouch its natural with no artificial preservatives or added colour. All products are strictly taste tested, monitored and prepared under the intricate eye of  top chefs.

Chef's Basket Oriental Wok noodles is available at an affordable price point ranging between 60/- to 75/- Rupees. The noodles must be used within a months time. Shelf life of these products are limited which is good. We can limit our purchase and avoid stocking up products in bulk, which in turn also helps us create more space in our pantry.

Net weight of this oriental noodle kit is at 180 to 182 grams, serves one person. The portion size is generous if your planning to add sides can be shared among two. What really caught my attention was the noodles its whole wheat noodles no preservatives or additives added to the product. 

I'm really impressed with the whole wheat noodles because my parents who are suffering from acute diabetes, can also taste some noodles. How ever one with special diet charts must consult the doctor before consuming the product. The product contains gluten and sesame. please read the contents before purchase.

The packaging looks really attractive noodles can be prepared and served in the box itself. Create, share and enjoy fun moments with entire family. Kids will surely enjoy eating out of a box. 

The QR code can be scanned to watch the recipe video on mobile this is really a wonderful approach to present the recipe for one who has no idea how to cook or a person who has just started cooking.

The Kit is 100% natural and all vegetarian. We can add choice of meats and vegetables toss to create noodles with chicken or prawns. Each noodle kit comes with a packet of noodles, sauce and seasoning salt. The three step recipe is easy to follow to create yummy noodles.

Subscribe to me on Youtube English and Tamil for regular updates...

The noodle kit comes in four different flavors, TSING HOI, KUNG PAO, TANGY SICHUAN and KHOW SUEY. 

Coming to how I felt about the product. I was surprised with all the flavors and taste I felt all these noodles were from a classic pan asian restaurant. 

I'm really excited and looking forward to prepare these gourmet noodles under five minutes at home, on a budget,  to create one of a kind experience for a small cookout party or any occasion. 

I followed the instructions and cooked the noodles first. Stir-fried mixed vegetables in a wok, I prepared stir fried vegetables in bulk, and divided into four equal portions tossed in the sauce, seasoning and noodles to create gourmet style noodles. 

TSING HOI: A salty dark sauce made with garlic and soy beans

KUNG PAO: Noodles in a spicy sauce from Southwest China

TANGY SICHUAN: Tangy noodles with a garlic and chilly flavour.

KHOW SUEY: Spicy creamy noodles from Burma and Northern Thailand.

I'm looking forward to Explore authentic Oriental aromas and hues in my upcoming cookout events!

Read more about upcoming or new product on: http://chefsbasket.com/ 

Follow: https://www.facebook.com/chefsbasket

Product available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.in

Kung pao for dinner #vidyascooking #foodblogger #foodlove #chefsbasket #noodle #chinesefordinner

A photo posted by Vidya Lakshmi (@vidyascooking) on Mar 16, 2016 at 9:27am PDT

Chicken Semi Dry Masala (Chicken Natti Masala)

Hi Friends, I've recreated a dish that I tasted years back at a military hotel. I'm really fond of local cuisine specially tamilnadu and Karnataka border cuisine. In Bangalore, Andhra and Coastal Tamilnadu, people refer Mess as Military hotels. 

What is a Mess? A family run cafeteria, largely operated by hindu community is a mess. Normally a mess, would be situated with in a residential community, we can find such a mess setup in tiny villages. 

Trend for mess food is slowly loosing its place, among younger generation, and few mess owners have their businesses,  relocated in the city naming as military hotels. Coming to the food in military hotels it's all nonveg, and on the spicy side. These dishes do not contain any refined oils or ghee, nor do they use any ready-made masalas. 

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At a Mess or military hotel, every single dish is prepared from scratch. Mess or military hotels, are also referred as natti hotel or natti maane by locals, which literally translates to village hotel in few parts of tamilnadu and karnataka.

Chicken semi dry masala, (chicken natti masala) is a forgotten mess recipe. One can only taste such dishes at southindian homes. Use of sesame oil, fresh ground masala, and tamarind extract, enhances the taste of this chicken curry. For authentic and better results try to experiment using stone ground masala, and free range chicken(country fowl/natti kozhi) for this recipe. 

Ingredients for chicken natti masala:

750 Grams Chicken Curry Cut 

1/2 Tbsp Chilly Powder, 1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder, 

1/2 Tsp Coriander Powder

2 Tomatoes Puree

3 Sprigs Curry Leaves, 4 Dried Red Chilies

1 Tbsp Garam Masala or Chicken Masala

1 Tbsp Tamarind Pulp or Lime Juice 

4 Tbsp Sesame Oil

Salt as per taste

Prepare Red Chilly Masala Paste from Basics of Indian Cooking Series Please Click Here for Recipe.

Ingredients for Red Chilly Masala Paste:

20 Dried Red Chilies

1 Tbsp Pepper Corns

3 Inch Sticks Cinnamon

5 Cardamom Pods

5 Cloves

1/2 Tbsp Fennel Seeds

2 Tbsp Desiccated Coconut

1 Tbsp Coriander Powder 

1/2 Tbsp Turmeric

1 Star Anise

2 Large Onion Sliced

2 Whole Bulbs Garlic Peeled

3 Inch Ginger Peeled

2 Tbsp Oil 

Method to prepare red chilly masala paste:

• Heat a heavy bottom pan on medium flame add oil. Once the oil smokes add spices, allow to splutter. Add coconut, coriander and turmeric fry a bit. 
• Add ginger and garlic along with onions, fry on low flame until onions soften a bit. 
• Once the onions have reduced and softened, allow to cool and transfer to a mixer jar and add a splash of water grind to form a smooth paste. 
• Store in a airtight container refrigerated until use.

Method to prepare chicken natti masala:

• Wash the chicken thoroughly. Place the chicken in a colander allowing excess moisture to drain.
• Grind 2 medium tomatoes using a coffee grinder and reserve.
• Prepare the above mentioned red chilly masala paste. I've used half the amount of masala to prepare this chicken curry.
• Heat a heavy bottom pressure pan on medium flame add 4 tbsp of sesame oil bring to a smoking point. 
• Add dried red chilies and curry leaves to the oil allow to splutter.
• Once the chilies and curry leaves stop spluttering, add the masala paste, tomato puree and dry masalas(chilly powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and coriander powder) fry the masala till oil separates.
• Add chicken and fry in the masala for a minute. Add salt stir and place on low flame cover and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Or cook for 3 whistles.
• Once the chicken is well done add tamarind extract stir once and bring to a rapid boil and serve hot for roti or biryani...Enjoy:)

I have also compared my chicken semi dry masala pic with shivaji military hotel chicken dry. We thoroughly enjoyed this dish with roti and biryani.

People who are visiting Bangalore should pay a visit to Shivaji military hotel to taste some authentic dishes served here read more on my blog shivaji-military-hotel-bengaluru. 

Product Review - Yoga Bars (Bars That Love You Back)

Hi Friends, One must never skip on a meal specially breakfast. Unfortunately many of us find no time for breakfast and lunch our lifestyles are such these days and there are some days when one all of a sudden feels so guilty about weight and skips all 3 meals.

Avoiding and skipping meals are not going to help anyone to reduce weight over night. We need essential nutrients to generate energy to progress in life. 

There is nothing guilty to feel about food if one has to eat a heavy meal or snack go ahead but also exercise accordingly. I come across many articles about guilty pleasure foods, if food is so guilty why talk or read about it. 

These articles in a way are affecting many younger generation. People who read such piece of information are in age groups between 12 to 16. Yoga bars are not for kids in this age group however one can try these meal replacement bars.

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Founders of Yoga Bars are two young and creative sisters, Suhasini and Anindita. They used to work in Newyork for a multinational company. On their regular trips to a Whole Foods Store they saw a huge demand for food alternatives, which could be prepared and produced in India. 

After returning to India they chose to work with people in food industry like bakeries and continued their research and development. They wanted to create an all-natural product with no artificial flavours or additives in it also priced at a affordable price point and tasty as possible, using natural Indian ingredients. Thus created Yoga Bars targeting 25 to 36 year old audience who are leading a very hectic and active lifestyle.

Read more on http://www.yogabars.in/

Yoga Bars comes in 6 assorted varieties Cashew orange zest, Chocolate chunk nut, Vanilla almond, Nuts and seeds, Chocolate brownie and Peanut butter.

The meal replacement bars contain oats, dates, honey, nuts and seeds in case of specific diets or allergies one must always read the contents and proceed with purchase.

Yoga Bars does not contain any additives or preservatives, nor does it contain any refined sugars. This product is also free of dairy and soya. Which is a wonderful offering for vegan consumers. Yoga Bars are offered in 38 gram packs per serving.

Yoga Bars are available on Amazon priced at 300 to 400/- rupees. I received 4 different flavors from the company Cashew orange zest, Chocolate chunk nut, Vanilla almond, Nuts and seeds.

The Bars are a source of fiber containing 3-4 grams of protein and offering 150-170 calories per serving. The bars also have a good percentage of healthy fats like Omega 3 and 6 and antioxidants.

Vanilla almond: Oats, Dates, honey, almonds, rice bran oil, coco, chia, amaranth, cinnamon and natural flavors like rosemary extract and vanilla.

Chocolate Chunk Nut: Dates, oats, honey,cashew, coco, almonds, amaranth, chia and dark chocolate also contain rosemary extract for flavor.

Cashew Orange Zest: Oats, dates, honey, cashew,cranberry, coco, almond, amaranth, chia and rosemary extract and Orange oil...

Nuts & Seeds Crunch : Dates, oats, honey, almonds, cashew, chia,flax, pumpkinm sunflower, sesame and watermelon contains natural flavors like rosemary extract.

When I sat down to do this review I already had a full breakfast and as I was taste testing these bars it totally filled me up and I eventually ended up skipping 2 meals they are chewy. People who enjoy natural flavors will enjoy these bars. 

Shelf-life of this product is only for 3 month. Please make sure to check the expiry date before purchase.

Diabetic and people on special diet need to read to contents carefully before purchasing the product. Overall this is an amazing diet replacement product. Specially designed for people who enjoy snacking can start their diet journey with the yoga bars progressing to much altered and restricted diet chart.

Disclaimer: I'm not a certified nutritionist to promote diet bars or diet replacement product. Please read the contents and also consult your doctor or nutritionist before purchase.

Available on Amazon