Easy-Peasy Strawberry Jam

More often than not, my decision to buy a jam or sauce is based on the jar or bottle that it comes in. Yeah, I'm one of those suckers for packaging and my love for glass jars and bottles is legendary. So when I found my most favourite Weck jars at a Butlers store on a holiday a few months back, I went nuts! I grabbed as much as I could possibly stuff in a cabin bag and made my poor husband lug it all the way back from Greece. Fortunately for us, since then a popular restaurant in Bombay has also started retailing these jars.

If you've heard of Weck, you'll know that they started off making these jars for home-canning but are just as wonderful for anything else. I haven't mustered up the courage to start canning my own stuff yet...to be honest, it isn't like I'll be heading off to the Himalayas with my cans of food anytime soon, this is Bombay after all and we access to pretty much everything all through the year.

However, having these jars itself is an inspiration. I like to stuff them with goodies and gloat over my accomplishments every other day. Yeah, I know I beginning to sound like a freak, so without further ado, here's a really cool recipe and since strawberries are easily available these days, just the perfect time to try your hand at it as well. All you need is 3 ingredients for this real easy-peasy strawberry jam!


Strawberries - I used two of those carboard boxes (each is about 200-250gms)
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Lemon juice - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed

Hull the strawberries and give it a quick blitz in a food processor so that it's coarsely chopped.
Add all the ingredients to a large skillet and bring to a boil over medium heat. Keep stirring until the jam thickens, skim away the froth from the surface using a metalic spoon. let it bubble away for 10 mins and it's done! Transfer the jam to your favourite jar and let it cool at room temperature.
To store, seal the jar and refrigerate upto 10 days.

For a quick breakfast, add a dollop of jam on toast and enjoy with coffee. You could also sandwich it between your favourite cake or biscuit for a tasty treat...the options are endless.

Summer Coolers

The sun is blazing in all it's glory and I am already missing the short lived winter we had here in Bombay. The good news is that I have put together an awesome line up of summer refreshers so if you're looking to beat the heat like me, all you have to do is take a look at these iced beauties and try out the recipes for yourself...

Lemonade with Rosemary

Champagne + Lemon Sorbet + Mint

Blueberry Infused Vodka Lemonade

Apple, Ginger and Cranberry Vodka Cocktails

Dirty Pirate Popsicles

Homemade Mocha Coconut Iced Coffee

Summer Fruit Sangria

I hope you have an enjoyable summer, after all there's plenty of fun stuff happening as well - the pool is finally open, the flowers are blooming and you can dress as skimpily as you want. On that happy note, I shall leave you and go look for my muslins and linens. 

Review: Smoke House Deli, Mumbai

We had just an hour to tuck into lunch before rushing to catch the 2:30pm show of a recently released film. As I approached the maitre d' I was pretty skeptical about getting a table especially since I overheard him telling the person ahead of me that they couldn't get a table until 3:30pm! So I flashed my most charming smile, made a silly joke about the movie we had to catch and requested him to squeeze the three of us in. We were seated within two minutes. It may have been plain luck but I was beginning to feel pretty good about myself. Fantastic start, I say.

Smoke House Deli opened around four months ago at Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel but this was my first visit and the minute I stepped in, I was wondering why it had taken me so long to get here. The fresh white paint, the country-styled decor, the wooden swivel chairs and the fabulous hand drawn illustrations all over the walls just put me in a happy place. Perfect spot for a weekend lunch.

As we walked past the retail display, my friend drew my attention to these glorious glass jars with layers of chocolate praline, cream, cake, hazelnut, brownie, berry sauce and all things yum that you can think of. What a fabulous idea to package these to-go desserts in big fat homemade looking jars! I was sold on the idea of it even before I read what was in it so I decided that I'd come back after the movie for one of these. The take away price of Rs 750 definitely made a better deal than the dine in option at Rs 1250 for the same thing. Besides I wanted the glass jar just as bad as I wanted to eat the cake.

Now that we were in I was wishing we could have had a more leisurely lunch, but an hour wasn't all that bad so we decided to make the most of it and start with some appetisers. While we were deciding, the server came around to pour us some water, it was refreshingly flavoured with slices of orange and sprigs of mint floating around in a tall glass beaker. The bread for the table came in little sacks with dollops of flavoured butter on the side. This place is definitely getting a plus from me in terms of visual appeal.
We ordered the spiced chicken+panco strips and chorizo piccante along with some drinks to start with and for the main course we ordered peri peri rubbed smoked chicken, a hot dog and smoked lamb shanks, making it clear to the server that we had an hour to go through our entire meal. After a couple of minutes he came back to inform me that the lamb shanks would take at least 40 minutes to prepare so I decided to go with the house special tenderloin steak instead.

The appetisers arrived soon enough and we happily dug into some crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside strips of chicken served with a light and creamy dip. The chorizo was equally enjoyable but that maybe because we are big chorizo fans, the dish itself could have been a little more imaginative.

Half an hour into lunch and it was time for the mains. First came the peri peri followed soon after by the steak, both were beautifully plated with glistening sauces and succulent pieces of meat. We couldn't wait to dig in but decided to wait for the hot dog as well; minutes passed and then some more, still no sign of it. Now we are thinking, shouldn't the hot dog have been the easiest thing to put together?? Clearly they had forgotten! Anyway, we decided to start with what we had. My steak was perfect, the horseradish and rosemary emulsion worked really well with it as did the baby carrots, asparagus and crispy potatoes on the side. The chicken was also a winner - moist, smoky and full of flavour, accompanied with a refreshing salad of onion rings doused in lemon juice and mustard. All this while our friend sat twiddling his thumbs, waiting for the blessed hot dog! Nothing is more annoying than to be sitting on a table watching others eat while there is no sign of your dish. Finally after two reminders and many 'just two minutes' from the server, the hot dog arrived. The delay had been an obvious dampener but the sight of it oozing with mustard and mayo, served with an onion relish and crispy fries, managed to lift the spirits a bit. A bit messy and not something you could just pick and eat but satisfying nevertheless.

Overall Smoke House Deli proved to be a great experience apart from the service mix up, and a welcome addition to the 'often visited and now bored of' restaurants in the neighbourhood. I will definitely be going back to try out the rest of the menu. And yes, I did take home that jar of deliciousness. The guy at the retail counter had suggested I pop it into the microwave for about 45 seconds before serving but since it was straight out of the fridge I had to give it a good minute and a half. It tasted as good as it looked and was devoured within seconds by me and my friends!

Red, Red, Red!

I love all kinds of berries. Their deep colour, juicy texture and citrusy sweetness make them not just fabulous to eat but also a visual delight. You can do a million things with them - toss them in a salad, cook them in a sauce, bake them in a pie - the list is endless. Also the fact that they are low on fat and rich in vitamins and anti oxidants takes a little bit of the glutton's guilt off me.

Here's a peak into my bowl this week. Two of my favourite red fruits...

POMEGRANATE

One of my favourite things is adding pomegranate to yoghurt. It makes for a delicious and healthy snack any time of the day. Try these and I promise you, you will feel a lot less guilty than when you are reaching out for that tub of ice cream.

Here's a tip, always keep the pomegranate peeled and ready to use in your refrigerator. So the next time you're making a green salad or wanting something to snack on, you have an easy option.

STRAWBERRIES

Who does not like this juicy, plump, glistening, gorgeous looking fruit? It's probably the most romantic fruit as well; serve it up with champagne and chocolates to woo that special someone. Here's how I like it best...

Ok fine, the rum and sugar and ice cream end up adding calories but it's still better than eating a big fat chocolate pudding, isn't it?! So if you have more self restraint, just go for the natural fruit.

My favourite Mutton 'Chaamps' or Lamb Chops!

This is one of my most favourite recipes. It's simple, rich in flavour and absolutely finger licking good. I almost didn't share it coz it's THAT great! But then it wouldn't be fair to have a blog about food and not share the best of the best on it, would it?! So all I ask from you is that when you get all those compliments from your friends for being a such a rockstar cook, do send some my way!

Here it is, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Ingredients:

Mutton/Lamb Chops - 500 gm

Yogurt - 1 cup

Red Chili Powder - 1 tsp

Coriander Powder- 2 tsp

Garam Masala Powder - 2 tsp

Green Chillies, chopped finely - 2

Ginger-Garlic Paste - 3 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Oil - for basting

Brown Onion Paste - 1/2 cup

Lemon Juice - 2 tbsp

Amchur Powder (Raw Mango Powder) - 1 tsp

Onion Rings - For Garnish

Method:

1. Clean and trim the mutton/ lamb chops.

2. Whisk together yogurt, brown onion paste, ginger-garlic paste, Red Chili powder, garam masala powder, green chillies and salt. Let it chill.

3. Rub the chops with coriander powder and marinate in lemon juice for 30 minutes.

4. After 30 minutes, marinate the chops in the yogurt mixture for 2 hours.

5. Put the chops on a grill or a pan and cook till done.

6. Sprinkle amchur powder before serving. Garnish with onion rings and serve with mint chutney.

I usually make the chops in an open pan with a lid so that once it has browned, I can cover it and let it cook through as the quality of lamb chops in India is not that great and it takes far longer to get done. 

I had about 15 people over for dinner the other night and here's a picture of the chops cooking. Of course, it was almost 5 times the above quantity and I had to prepare it in two batches! 

Sorry, there is no 'after' picture of the final finished dish. As you can imagine, no one wanted to really wait till I got a picture! It just disappeared, so maybe next time.

The Holidayers!

Almost everyone I've met in my life loves to travel, and I don’t mean commuting or flying around for board meetings (although some of those can be fun too). It’s the sort of travel that involves exploring an unknown place or going back to the same spot coz it feels like home; experiencing new thrills or seeing a familiar face; jumping off a cliff into the sea or soaking up the sun in an old armchair. It’s what explorers did thousands of years back and it’s what we do today when a coffee break just isn’t enough. Whatever be the motive, travelling is something we all look forward to.

Often I find myself sitting at airports and train stations, looking at all those people around me - single ones, couples, in groups, with families - and wondering where they come from and where they are headed. So I thought I'll put my observational skills to test and profile certain types of holiday travellers and while I am at it, give out some handy travel tips (TT) as well! Want to find out what sort you are? Read on...

1. City Slickers: These are people who are headed to the big cities; New York, Bombay, Hong Kong, LA, Sydney, London, Singapore etc. They are headed there mostly because they have friends or family living in those cities. Who wants to spend on a hotel in a metropolis, right?! So you come to visit family/ friends, have some fun, go clubbing, eat fancy meals, shop your guts out and at the end of the week when you’re totally partied out and there’s no money left, you just go back home. Or, if you've travelled really long and hard to get to one of these cities, you might consider packing in a weekend at some nearby touristy destination coz you don't want to go back feeling like all you did was see the inside of bars and malls. 

TT:

- Take gifts for your hosts and don't scrimp, they are saving you those hotel bills after all.

- Always carry an extra bag or two for all the shopping you will come back with, especially a cabin-sized one so that you can cut some kilos from the baggage limit.

- If you are going for ten days, pack for six...you WILL check out and buy the millions of fashionable things available out there.

- Ladies, take those high heels along - a black and a silver or gold. They will dress up anything, even an old pair of jeans. 

- And make sure you pack plenty of accessories, this is your chance to get them out of those boxes you have been hoarding forever! 

2. Retreaters: These are the ones who want to kick back and relax, and pay extra for being isolated from modern day conveniences like cellular coverage and Internet connectivity. If you don’t know how to turn off your own phone, then you deserve to pay extra, don't you?! An exotic spa in the Himalayas, a chateau in France, hot springs in Iceland...well, even that yoga retreat on the outskirts will do just fine. The idea is to get far from the madding crowd.

 TT:

- Hone your negotiating skills and ask for complimentary spa treatments and activities available at the resort, beforehand. It's that much harder to get freebies once you're already there, duh!

- Buy that book you've been meaning to read in advance, don't wait to find it at the airport bookstore.

- Make sure you have a fresh holiday playlist on your iPod.

- Leave the check lists, mental notes and other worries behind (yes, you did shut that bedroom window and the gas is turned off as well!)

3. Trippers: It doesn't matter where they go as long as it's away from home. The beach is a popular choice but they'd be just as happy on a mountain. Whether it is Goa or Simla, Ibiza or Napa, the idea is to kick back and have some fun...much like the city slickers, except not in the city! A quiet holiday is not what they are looking for either; show them the best bar in town, the local flea markets, a good seafood joint or a great biking trail and you'll find them perfectly happy.

TT:

- If your partner and you don't share the same likes, then invite along others who do, or just go solo. 

- Pack extra swimsuits and beach wear. 

- Don't forget to apply the sunscreen, no point just carrying it!

- Take things that you never get a chance to wear...that extra low cut blouse or the see through shirts. 

4. Touristers: These are the hardcore travellers; the ones who looks at maps, worry about visas and air fares coz this is their big vacation. Their list would have names like India, Italy, Croatia, New Zealand, South Africa, Greece, blah, blah. They save up for them hoping that they'd have covered a fair bit of the planet before it's finally time to leave. So when they do get out there, the plan is to not stay holed up in hotel rooms, but cover as many places and sights in each trip.

TT:

- Be quick to make friends...on the shuttle, in the hotel, restaurants etc. Who knows you might end up saving money on carpools and find some great company as well.

- Chat up the locals, they'll always know more than the guide books can ever tell.

- Carry your own water. Wouldn't you rather spend those couple of bucks on magnets and other souvenirs??

- Remember to charge your camera. It's the one thing you tend to leave for the end and usually don't end up doing!

5. Backpackers: They like things off the beaten path. Give them a mountain to climb and a hole in the earth to take a dump in and they'll be perfectly happy. For them holidays are about becoming one with Nature, experiencing the thrill of the outdoors and just taking life as it comes. Campers, trekkers, bikers, backpackers...they are all the same breed. Filled with a sense of adventure and heaps of adrenaline, they are the no-frills lot.

TT:

- Pack according to the weather obviously and take ONLY the essential: cargo shorts/ pants, waterproof tracks, a windcheater, a warm jacket. If it's cold - gloves, cap and muffler.

- Choose your footwear with the utmost care; do not wear a new pair or you'll be sitting alone on the mountain top with shoe bites!

- The Rule of Three: wash, dry, wear! You'll never need more than three pairs of these, and that's a luxury - underwear, socks, t-shirts.

- Don't forget to pack a medicine kit - include pills for fever, stomach upset, headaches, nausea and an anti-allergy. Also a couple of band aids and antiseptic. Ask your doctor for a list.

- A mosquito repellent could be handier than you think, especially if you are camping out at night.

So did you figure which profile you belong to? Or do you like to flit around the spectrum like me?

Singapore Slinging

This is probably the one place that I have visited most outside my own country. I know a lot of people don't particularly care for it and I often hear phrases like, "it's antiseptic" or "it has no character". So yeah, if you are looking for character then please head to Venice or Morocco. As far as it being 'antiseptic' is concerned, then I am quite happy not seeing people spit and piss on the road.

Singapore could very well have been Singhapur, an extension of India (without the dirt and character of course) - it's practically in the neighbourhood, there are a whole bunch of Indians living there and Tamil is one of their four official languages. I have more friends living there than I have in Delhi, and have certainly attended more workshops and conferences there as part of my erstwhile corporate life.

Well, even if you do not know any one in Singapore it's a decent enough getaway. It's got a great party scene, fabulous food and tons of shopping if you are into those malls mushrooming everywhere. And for those of you with kids, there's the usual bird park, night safari, seaworld etc. It's also a convenient stopover en route to other destinations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Australia, so if you're not satified with Singapore alone, you could always make a bigger vacation out of it.

Here's what I like to do best in Singapore...

1. EAT. EAT. EAT.

That's pretty obvious, isn't it? Singapore boasts of all kinds of cuisines and if you're a fan of Pan Asian like me, there's enough to dig into. It is a melting pot of different influences - Malay, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Sri Lankan, Portuguese, Arabic - so be prepared for some gastronomical giddiness! Do remember though that almost every place stops serving dinner around 9:30 pm so if you want to enjoy your meal, get to your destination well in time. 

Food Courting:

If you are the experimentative sort, the best way to get initiated into the world of Singaporean cuisine is to go to a food court and let your senses guide you. You'll find plenty of options on practically every street and every mall, but two of my favorites are Newton Food Centre and Lau Pa Sat. The atmosphere here is always alive and festive, with a mix of locals and tourists chattering around crowded tables as they tuck into their meals. There are almost a hundred food stalls to choose from, so it can be a bit overwhelming at first but just follow the old trick and head for the stalls with the longest queues. There are no gauranteed results and not everything you order is going to blow you away, but it's an experience nevertheless.
Breakfast by the River

This is a great idea for a Sunday brunch. Go sit by the river at Robertson Quay, it has a couple of nice spots and is relatively more laid back than it's counterparts, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. Perfect for washing away a hangover with some greasy bacon, runny eggs and a jug of OJ! Do avoid the pancakes, they make them thick and large and it tastes almost like bread!

Bak Kut Teh lunch at Songfa

Explore Street Food 

On my last trip, a friend took us to try out one of her favourite meals, Bak Kut Teh which literally means 'meat bone tea'. It's a simple pork rib broth, served with rice and some accompaniments. It's nothing to look at but has a fantastic flavour. So the next time you're there go to Songfa opposite Clarke Quay Central Mall and experience it for yourslef.

Arab Street is an absolute must. It's full of cosy little restaurants and cafes serving Middle Eastern cuisine, besides other stuff of course. In the evening, there are chairs and tables laid out on the sidewalk and almost every place offers flavoured sheeshas (tobacco pipes). It's quite enchanting to walk the by lanes, inhaling the smell of apples and cinnamon and vanilla as the smoke comes wafting out of the cafes. 

Bugis is another great place to go exploring for street food. Right at the entrance of Liang Seah lane you'll see two restaurants facing each other called Ah Chew and Yu Kee...I guess that's what happens when you sneeze and don't have a tissue! On a serious note, there were quite a few joints that looked promising. I tried out a Vietnamese place called Madam Saigon, and it's definitely a place I would go back to.

Meal at Madam Siagon, Bugis

Other Dining Delights

A place to seek out would be the Taiwanese restaurant chain, Din Tai Fung. Their steamed pork dumplings are to die for, as is almost everything else on the menu. 

Dempsey Hill has quite a few spots to go testing your taste buds, some of the popular places here are Jones the Grocer, I hear they serve a pretty good breakfast. There's also the hip and happening PS Cafe.
You can't go to Singapore and not have the famous Chilli Crab. You have to have it simply because the next time two people are arguing about whether it's worth trying or not, you have something to say!  I had it at the popular seafood chain, Jumbo. It's nothing like the name suggests and is actually drenched in a sweet and savoury sauce. I've had better crabs before, but I wouldn't write it off either. Coupled with the soft steamed buns, I managed to polish off a fair bit of the pot below.

Chilli crab with steamed buns at Jumbo, Clarke Quay

2. PARTY HARD
There is always a party on somewhere so after you've tucked in a good meal, the only thing to do is to hit the bars. The riverside is the most popular destination simply because of the number of choices you have there and Clarke Quay is definitely the most action packed. Go to Highlander and The Pump Room for some great drinks and live music. If you are into hardcore clubbing then head to Attica, and in case you're missing some desi style Bollywood dancing, there's always the Rupee Room.

Here are a couple of other options: 

No. 5 Emerald Hill, off Orchard, is a new found favourite. It's tucked away in a lovely little lane and has a casual, fun ambiance. Don't be surprised if you find the place strewn with peanut shells coz that's what you are supposed to do here, simply crack open the peanuts and chuck the shells on the floor. You get to be a pig and they save on housekeeping bills...everyone's happy. 

Blu Jaz on Arab Street is 

another place that's buzzing with energy and open late. There's plenty of outdoor seating and it's perfect for getting some drinks and catching up with friends, without being drowned out by loud music. 

Chijmes (pronounced 'chimes') is a great place to spend an evening. It was once a Catholic convent with a Gothic church inside, but today it houses a whole host of restaurants, bars and shops. However the colonial structure, including the church, is still intact which is what makes this place charming and unique.

1-Altitude is one of the more hip places that I kept hearing of during my last visit. It's a rooftop bar offering a great view of the city. But not all the reviews were great, some consider it too chichi and over priced, so I decided to give it a skip this time. 

3. WALK AROUND CHINATOWN 

If you have travelled around the world, you would have definitely come across a Chinatown before, and I don't mean just in China! Whether it's in Singapore or San Francisco, there is a certain similarity to all Chinatowns but it's a place that I can never tire of.  Apart from the food of course, the best part is browsing around those little stores, looking for souvenirs and trinkets to take home. And don't forget your camera coz there are plenty of sights to capture.

Chinatown, a splash of colour against the usual gray skyline

Sunday morning bustle

Colourful shutters and lanterns from the mid autumn festival

4. BUM ON THE BEACH

It's no Hawaii or even Goa, so please do not expect sprawling sandy beaches and crystal clear water. But if you have enough time to kill in Singapore, then a great way to spend the day would be to head to the 'beach', get a few beers, soak in the sun and generally lounge in the water.
Sentosa has a bunch of beaches so even if you're not up to the Merlion sighting and seaworld tour, you can just head to one of the beach clubs and hang there all day. Cafe del Mar has a decent stretch with plenty of day beds and cabanas. Tanjong Beach Club also has it's own pool, so when you get tired of the sea, you can sit by the pool and check out the bikini bodies. These places typically have families and sun bathers during the day, but as the sun begins to set the mood changes completely, and you have yourself a rocking bar on the beach with lanterns, fire shows, club music, the works!

Cafe del Mar, Sentosa

5. GET MAULED AT THE MALLS

In case you hadn't heard, Singapore is synonymous with shopping. There are at least a millions malls and growing, they even have a 'shopping festival' for crying out loud! Now, I am a shopaholic but after my first few visits, I decided to steer clear from those malls. But if you are there for the first time, it's something that you cannot and will not avoid. So all I can do is give you a few suggestions and hope that you are able to prevent a migraine and a twisted ankle. Also note that you will not be in for bargain experience, this is no Thailand.
Lets start at Orchard Road, there was a time I used to love hanging out here but now it's so overcrowded that once you enter a mall you'll need a GPS device to find your way back out on the same street. Nevertheless, it's still the number one shopping destination if you are a first timer. You'll find all the brands in the world on this single stretch. Mind you, it's an expensive destination, but it's something you want to tick off your list anyway.
Vivo City is the largest mall in Singapore and one of my favourites with a good mix of international and local brands. It's pretty well located at Harbourfront and you can also find an easy connect to Sentosa via a cable car from here.
Another old favourite is Suntec City Mall. After a point, you'll find the same shops everywhere but this one is relatively less crowded. Start at Galleria and Tropics in Tower 5.
For cheaper shopping destinations, there are the more local places like the Bugis Street Market and the Far East Mall near Orchard. I didn't much care for them but it really depends on what you're looking for, if it's just trinkets and souvenirs to carry back home, then it's not a bad option.

Finally, it's Ikea time! For us Indians who are severely deprived, any trip to an Ikea enabled country is incomplete without a visit to this Swedish temple. For me its like going to Disneyland! So if you feel the same way, I suggest before you shop anywhere else, head to Ikea in Tampines which houses the larger of the two outlets in Singapore. While you are at it, just remember that you did not come into the country on a boat and that no amount of sweet talking is going to make a those extra 100 kilos disappear at baggage check, so choose wisely. And remind me to take my own advise next time...that way I won't have to leave the salad spinner behind at a friend's place!

I hope this was enough to get you started. I could go on and on but I don't want to turn this post into the Lonely Planet Singapore edition, so I'll stop here.