Culinary Adventure Breakfast Tour Part-2 @Basavangudi, Bengaluru

Dodda Basava Temple (Bull Temple)

Culinary Adventure Breakfast Tour Part-1  I have featured  eateries on DVG road and NR colony Road. Why I chose Basavanagudi for Breakfast trails? This oldest suburb is home to several of Bangalore’s historical and cultural icons. The area is surrounded by one of the oldest parks, temples, large rain trees and quaint houses, a perfect old Bangalore paradise.

I have covered famous and well known eateries around DVG Road, The nearby shopping areas of Gandhi Bazaar, Bugle rock park and popular establishments like By 2 coffee, vidyarthi bhavan etc.

Statue of DVG and Glimpses of Bugle Rock Park

Devanahalli Venkataramanaiah Gundappa, popularly known as DVG, was a Kannada writer and philosopher. His most notable work is the Mankuthimmana Kagga, which is similar to the wisdom poems of the late medieval poet Sarvajna. 

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We started our journey at Dodda Basava temple and entered the bugle park, exiting via the park to DVG road our first stop was at By 2 Coffee.

First Stop: By 2 Coffee
22/1, Police Station Road, Basavanagudi, Bangalore

Opening hours
Mon to Sun 7 AM to 12 Noon, 4 PM to 9:30 PM

Phone number
+91 9945414912

I dont know much about the history of this cafe but heard few stories around this place that the name by 2 was coined after many poets and authors who used to share one cup of coffee. This was one common place for many people to meet after spending time in the park.

One can enjoy Karnataka Brahmin style breakfast here starting with piping hot idlies, Kara-bath, Kesari, Medu vada, and coffee here.

We tasted the idly vada and coffee which was very tasty and satisfying.

Idly, Vada and Coriander Chutney...

Filter Coffee

Second Stop: Sri Krishan Sweets
Address: Basavanagudi, Police Station Rd, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560004

Open 9.30 AM to 9:30PM Mon to Sun
Phone: 080 2660 3727

Neatly maintained space. They sell traditional mysurupak to baklava. I was surprised to find some of our native sweets like makkan peda and dry jamun here. Must try is mysurupak at krishna sweets.

Wheel Peda, Makkan Peda

Mysurupak

After tasting amazing sweets we headed down towards Gandhi bazaar. This bazaar area was originally referred as commercial street after independence it was named as Gandhi bazaar. 

This bazaar was once famous for butter, ghee and milk products eventually the trend shifted toward food, puja items, produce and home furnishing. Now this one stretch of road houses many eateries which started in 1900 many butter and ghee traders also invested in these eateries.

Many things are sold in this market but few must buy items are fresh green pepper, fresh tamarind, mango and chillies. 

I bought this giant guava from this market which weighed 750 grams.

Third Stop: Vidyarthi Bhavan
32, Gandhi Bazaar, Near Gandhi Bazaar Circle, Basavanagudi, Bangalore

Open Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM, 2 PM to 8 PM (Friday Holiday)

Phone number
080 26677588


Cash and Debit Cards accepted

The name vidyarthi literally translates to student. Many students, authors and poets used to visit this place for their crispy dosas and coffee. The menu has not changed and they serve very simple southindian dosas and tiffin.

My love for dosas are never ending. Vidyarthi bhavan has never failed  with quality and service I have been here as a kid and now as an adult I can surely tell there is no difference. Dosas are beautifully prepared the red rice and fermentation makes the dosas very crispy. 

Apart from that every bengalurean will vouch for is a generous ghee or butter I certainly fall in that category and enjoy the heavy ghee dosas which are a perfect combination with ginger based coconut chutney they serve here. Please do not visit them on weekends it is a mess and wait time is more my suggestion is to visit them on a weekday that to after 10am. 

Apart from that vadas and karabath or chow chow bath is something we enjoy all the time also try their extra strong filter coffee perfect treat for any foodie. 

Chow Chow Bath

Vada Sambar Chutney

Masala Dosa

Coffee

Fourth Stop: Upahaar Dharshini Roti Ghar
17, Gandhi Bazar Main Road, Gandhi Bazaar, Basavanagudi, Bangalore

Phone number
080 26622760

Open Mon to Sun 7 AM to 11 PM

Roti Ghar is a fancy southindian style dharshini which houses many options for customers. One can choose their self service quick breakfast, snack from bakery or even choose to dine for lunch or dinner.

I like the mangalorean style food here. Their cup idlies are a must try it is made out of cream of rice and served with a garlic coconut chutney.

Vada here was so so but the coffee was amazing. Must try here are kotte kadubu, cup idly, neer dosa and poori sagu.

Cup Idly with Sambar and Garlic based coconut chutney

Medu Vada, Sambar and Chutney

Neer Dosa

Thin rice and coconut crepes 

Coffee

Fifth Stop: Namma SLN
Gandhi Bazaar, Basavanagudi, Bangalore

Open: Mon to Sun7 AM to 4 PM, 5 PM to 9 PM

Phone number
+91 9141311350

Enjoy some old mysuru style breakfast here starting with dill leaves idly, dill leaves masala dosa, palav, and melt in your mouth thatte idly here.

Coconut chutney enhances the flavor and taste of every dish served here and must try is their palav with chutney.

Sabbakki Idly (Dill and chilly rice idly)

Thatte Idly (Rice cakes cooked in plate)

Vegetable Palav with coconut chutney

Sabakki Masala Dosa (Dosa base prepared with dill and chillies)

Sixth Stop: Sri Sai Caffe

This newly opened Dosa center is on the way to MLTR. I have very less info about this place but the dosa here is amazing and prepared with pure ghee. We tried their pure ghee kali dosa which is served with mixed vegetable kurma and chutney. The mint and ginger used in the coconut chutney was perfect with heavy ghee dosas.

Medu Vada with Mint and Coriander Coconut Chutney

Pure Ghee Set Dosa with Mixed Veg Kurma and Chutney

Final Stop: Mahalakshmi Tiffin Room or MLTR
DVG Road, Gandhi Bazaar, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560004

Phone number

+91 8762687707

Open: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun 8AM to 10 PM
(Saturday Holiday)

MLTR is one among few pre-independence restaurants still surviving in Bengaluru. I found the food slightly bland for my taste. Medu Vadas, carrot halwa, onion pakora , benne murukku and coffee is something i enjoyed.

Medu Vada with Sambar

Benne Masala Dosa (Butter Masala Dosa)

Kaali Dosa or Set Dosa

Benne Murrukku (Butter Rice Sticks)

Filter Coffee

Carrot Halwa

Overall I enjoyed the entire journey visiting the bull temple was highlight of my travel. Coming to food I was amazed at the variety of food if I keep going everyday I will have something new to talk about the demand for vegetarian, pocket friendly food is seen here. One can binge and never get sick many local dishes are gluten free and prepared in a hygienic way. 

My picks from Part 1 and 2 are Pure ghee dosas from Sai Caffe, Coffee from By2, neer dosa from roti ghar, paddu from davengere masala dosa, palav from sln, benne murrukku from MLTR, Coconut hollige from mane hollige and Mysurupak from sri krishna sweets. 

There is so much more to explore stay tuned for more adventure series if you wish to book my Basavangudi breakfast walk contact me on reachus@unhurried.in or visit us on Unhurried.in

Street Food Series: Pizza Pani Puri/ Pizza Puchka

I was inspired to recreate this pizza puchkas after seeing numerous pictures and videos on Instagram and youtube. Street food vendors seem to add a white sauce in the filling when I tried to do that the entire puri tends to fall apart and is not that tasty. We liked it without the white cheese sauce.

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Ingredients:
1 Pack Ready to use Golgappas/  Puri
1/4 Cup Sweet Corn Frozen or Pre-Cooked 
1 Capsicum (Chopped into tiny pieces)
1 Boiled Potato (Peeled and crumbled)
1 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
1/4 Cup Tomato Ketchup
2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning or Pizza seasoning 
3 Pods Garlic (Peeled and finely chopped)
1 1/2 Tbsp Chilly Flakes
2 Tbsp Butter
Salt and pepper as required...

Easy Pizza Sauce: Heat a pan on medium flame. Add tomato sauce and 1 1/2 Tbsp Italian seasoning along with 2 tbsp water stir well and bring to a boil. Once the sauce boils stir and remove from flame allow to cool. Nowadays prepare this sauce in bulk it is easy to prepare and preserves well.

Prepare the filling: Heat a pan on medium flame with butter. Once the butter starts to melt add chopped garlic and fry for a minute. Add the boiled potato, corn and capsicum fry all the three ingredients for a minute. Add salt and pepper. Add 1/4 Tsp Red chilly flakes and italian seasoning fry all the ingredients till well combined. Remove from flame allow to cool.

Lets Assemble: Use a microwave safe plate if your preparing this in a microwave or use a oven safe dish if your using a convection oven, we also need to pre heat the oven if you want to use a oven.

I am using a convection mode on my microwave to prepare this pizza puchkas. I have already preheated the microwave for 10 minutes on 180 degrees.

Using a micro safe plate I have created even cavity in the puris and arranged the puris. Fill all the puris with 1/2 tbsp of potato filling. topped the filling with pizza sauce and grated cheese. Finally sprinkled chilly flakes and italian seasoning.

I microwaved all the puris at 2 minute mark for 5 minutes until the cheese melted and served it right away. We enjoyed the puris along with hot chai this is such a satisfying snack 😃

Street Food Series: Sri Sairam Hot Chips @Sahakarnagar, Bengaluru

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I wanted to feature this hot chips shop near my place since we enjoy the chips here and have been purchasing for the past 10 years now. All their chips are hot, freshly prepared and super crispy, Sai Ram Hot Chips is located at sahakarnagar.

Every other day my dad visits them and purchases potato chips, bitter gourd chips and banana chips they prepare it really well its hygienic and oil is good. 

In this 10 years we never had any health issues with their products. Must try and recommended here are salt potato chips, halwa and coconut burfi. In most of my blog posts I have styled my food with chips from this shop. They open by 9.30 am and close by 10.30 pm. For hot and fresh chips visit by 12 pm.

Street Food Series: Sukha Masala Puri/ Lemon Puri/ Dry Masala Puri Recipe

My pani puri feast is never complete without sukha puri at the end. Pani puri is a lite snack but sukha puri is filling, its basically a salad filled in a edible bowl. If your a chaat addict like me then these sukha puri is a must try.

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Ingredients:
1 Medium Potato 
1 Pack Ready to use puri
1 Large Onion
1 Large Tomato
2 Medium Carrots
Fist Full Coriander
1 Lime 
1/2 Cup Salt Boondi
1/2 Cup Sev
1 Tbsp Chaat Masala
1 1/2 Tbsp Chilly Powder
Salt as per taste

Prep Up:
Peel, wash and finely chop the onions.

Wash, chop the tomato in half deseed, finely chop reserve.

Wash pat dry the coriander finely chop.

Peel, wash and grate the carrots.

Chop the lime in half.

Pressure cook the potato. Once the potato has cooked peel, crumble and reserve.

Method:
Create cavity in the puri and start arranging in a large serving plate.

To the crumbled potato add 1/2 tbsp chaat masala, 1/2 tbsp chilly powder and 1/4 tsp salt mix all the ingredients and reserve.

Fill the puri with spicy potato followed by chopped onion, boondi, tomato and grated carrots.

Take one half of the lime pierce with a metal skewer or knife dip in chilly powder.

On medium flame grill the lime on all sides once the edges char a bit and the center portion of the lime puffs up a bit remove from flame allow to cool.

Once the lime is easy to handle garnish the puris with lime juice, chaat masala, chilly powder and coriander.

Before serving sprinkle salt and top with sev and serve right away...Enjoy😊

Once we start assembling puris it must be served asap if not the veggies tend to release moisture and puris get soggy.

XO Belgian Waffles @Koramangala, Bengaluru

I recently got to visit XO Belgian Waffle located at Koramangala, Bengaluru. This waffle place was bit of a hike for us since we are new to the area it is located bang on 5th block Jyothi nivas college road. The waffles they serve here are 100% vegetarian no eggs used in the batter.

All waffles are prepared fresh as per order. They are currently serving a seasonal red velvet waffle for Christmas, but otherwise you can choose between all chocolate, chocolate and white waffle or white waffle as per your choice.

Being a hardcore bengalurean I personally enjoyed the butter lays waffles and coffee waffles. These dessert waffles start between 105/- to 155/- for 2 slices depending on the filling and toppings.

Since this place is nestled between many major pubs, restaurants and college it is packed all the time. We got to know that the best time to visit is between 3pm to 5pm on weekdays.

About XO Belgian Waffles
XO Belgian waffles take their name from an oronym of the Bel-Gem brand and are a North American waffle variety, based on a simplified version of the Brussels waffle. We have a vast variety in waffles of which toppings vary from whipped cream, confectioners sugar, soft fruit, and chocolate spread, to syrup and butter or margarine. They may also be served with vanilla ice cream and fresh fruit such as strawberries as a dessert. 

These waffles are unlike any waffle you’ve ever had made from yeast-leavened dough and specially imported Belgian pearl sugar, this mouth-watering piece of heaven is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Baked at the perfect temperature, the sugar pearls melt on the inside and caramelize on the outside for a sweet, delicate crunch.

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 The waffle iron is generously buttered and ready orders...

Crunchy waffles are slightly cooled in gentle fan breeze...

Here is my first waffle dark belgian chocolate waffle. This waffle was recommended by the owner. Two slices of crunchy waffles are smothered with rich belgian chocolate spread. This is truly a treat or I should call it a stress buster after a long days work. 

My next order was spicy hot cinnamon cocoa. After a heavy dose of chocolate this cinnamon coco was superb a must try if your in the area. This coco was perfect winter warmer.

After a wonderful portion of belgian chocolate waffle and spicy cinnamon cocoa i was looking forward to my third order which was coffee waffle. If you want to try coffee in a dessert format then this waffle is a must try. This was a decadent treat crunchy and fluffy waffle slices covered with absolutely divine coffee spread a perfect dessert if your out with friends.

 
Perfect tasting on a saturday night we were thoroughly enjoying the waffles. I was over indulging at this point and wanted to end my tasting with a maple butter lays waffle. I was a huge fan of lays in my childhood days. The smell and taste of this waffle was so nostalgic brought back so many memories!

Overall the tasting was superb. People are literally thronging to this waffle place it is a must try. I thoroughly enjoyed the spiced hot cinnamon cocoa, coffee cream waffle and maple butter lays waffle here.

Chicken Semiya Recipe (Masala Kozhi Idiyappam)

 A classic Tamilian sunday brunch, we normally prepare these type of dishes when guests visit. Everyone at home men and women will gather and help prepare idiyappam (string hoppers/ rice hoppers) its bit time consuming and huge process if we have to prepare for a large family. 

I have fond memories of childhood days when visiting my granny's house all my uncles and aunts used to prepare a very large batch of idiyappam and for kids they used to serve with grated coconut and sugar. It was such a joy watching them prepare these idiyappams.

I recently found these string hoppers freshly made and sold at a local condiment store in Basavangudi called mane hollige. These string hoppers are prepared by women from cottage industry and sold in the area. If we cannot find these freshly made hoppers please use the dry rice vermicelli for this recipe. We never use whole spices in this recipe.

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Ingredients:
300 Grams Boneless Chicken
300 Grams Rice Hoppers or Vermicille
1 Tbsp Shahi Jeera/ Caraway Seeds
1 Tbsp Chilly Powder
1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder
1/2 Tsp Kitchen King Masala or Garam Masala
1/2 Tsp Tandoori Chicken Masala or Chicken Masala
1 Large OnionChopped
3 Chillies Choppes
1 Large Tomato Chopped
1 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic Paste
3 Sprigs Curry Leaves
2 Tbsp Ghee
1 Tbsp Oil
Salt as per taste
5 Sprigs Coriander Leaves chopped and Lime Juice for garnish.

Method:
Chop the chicken into tiny pieces. wash thrice and drain excess water using a colander.

Heat a wok with oil and ghee on medium flame.

Add the chopped onion, tomato, chillies, curry leaves, ginger and garlic paste fry all the ingredients till onions soften and tomato has reduced in size.

Add the dried masala powders fry till raw flavors have reduced.

Add chicken and fry in the masala for a minute.

Add 1/4 cup water and salt as per taste stir all ingredients till well combined cover and cook the chicken till well done.

Once the chicken is cooked there will be moisture spread the chicken in one even layer and gently layer the idiyappam cover and cook.

The string hoppers will absorb all the moisture and will steam cook in the juices. After 10 minutes on low flame switch of the heat garnish with chopped coriander and lime juice mix well and serve hot...Enjoy 😉