GREEN TEA MOJITOS

“We were not a hugging people. In terms of emotional comfort it was our belief that no amount of physical contact could match the healing powers of a well made cocktail.”
― David Sedaris, Naked

 

Trust me to spike something health gurus are falling over themselves trying to advocate. This crisp, golden cocktail is the perfect light and minty cocktail for brunch and lunch drinking and easy to put together in large batches.

In fact if you omit the dash of white rum/vodka you'll have a very nutritious drink on your hands.
 

Makes 1 drink

Recipe from Sweet Paul

What you'll need:

30 ml white rum

3/4 cup green tea (prepared and chilled)

2 tsp powdered sugar or honey

Juice of 1 lime

Mint leaves

Ice

How to:

Smash together lime juice, sugar and mint leaves. Add ice and rum. Pour in tea.

NOW PLAYING: GRIMM WITH CHEWY OATMEAL AND RAISIN COOKIES

 “The average TV commercial of sixty seconds has one hundred and twenty half-second clips in it, or one-third of a second. We bombard people with sensation. That substitutes for thinking.”
― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Remember that article on how if you wanted to do something well you have to do it for atleast 10,000 hours? I even write about it here where I whined about how I didn't know what I should spend my time on. On further reflection, I realize I've probably already spent way more than 10,000 hours watching TV. I suppose master of the idiot box is better than nothing at all.

 

My favorite genre of TV show is the police procedural and I watch an unholy number of these. On a day where I don't have much to do I might be witness to an easy 10 -15 murders. On occasion, if I'm in the mood I can be persuaded to watch comedy, some drama or even supernatural mumbo jumbo (okay so you can see I'm not too fussy). A lot of the great shows out there obviously don't need an introduction from me but I thought I'd write about some of the more oddball shows I've caught.

 

 

Currently playing on my screen is Grimm, a police procedural based on the brothers behind all the fairytales. The premise is that the Grimm brothers were actually hunters of supernatural beings (known as Wesen) and hunky Portland detective Nick Burkhardt is one of the few remaining successors of these "Grimms." Their job is to hunt down Wesen who misbehave and chop off their heads (Nick takes a softer stance on this but there's plenty of head chopping anyway). Turns out our favorite fairytale villains are real, more vicious and apparently all over Portland.

 

While the plot is cute, the adorkable cast of characters really carries the show forward. Monroe, Nick's reformed, gentle giant, Wesen sidekick; the sexy, the delectable Captain Sean Raynard; and the girlfriend Juliette are each very likable. As are the less often seen but also captivating Rosalee, the beautiful apothecary and Adeline, the relentlessly scheming, evil Hexinbeast.

 

Unfortunately, the show is too loyal to the police procedural format with Nick insisting on solving a case per episode at the cost of getting into the meat of all this supernatural crazy that's going on. I have a lot of fun trying to identify which characters relate to which kid's story (got Rumpelstiltskin and the 3 Little Pigs so far) and it's comforting because you know Nick is always going to triumph over whatever fanged beast comes hurtling his way.

 

Will you be entertained? 3.5/5

Does it make sense? 3/5

Is it full of good looking people? 3.5/5
Any chance anyone will get an Emmy? 2/5

 

My favorite!

Much, much better for your mind and body are these oatmeal and raisin cookies. This is my first stab at making these and I quite liked how they turned out, chewy and chockfull of sweet, golden raisins.

 

Note: Stick the batter in the fridge for a little while to freeze up the butter and make it easier to scoop on to your baking tray or you'll just end up with mush all over your hands.

Makes about a dozen cookies

Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen

 

What you’ll need:

½ cup butter

2/3 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
½ tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup flour
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cups rolled oats
¾ cup raisins

How to:

1. Throw the sugar and butter into a large bowl and mix well till light and frothy. Add egg and vanilla – mix some more.

2. Preheat the oven to 170°C. Mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Whisk into the butter batter. Stir in the oats and raisins.

3. Chill the dough for a bit in the fridge to firm it up, scoop it out with a spoon and plunk on to a greased baking tray, leaving some space between them because they’re going to swell.

Note: Chilling the dough helps make the cookie chewier.

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool completely before devouring.
 

 

TAKEOUT REVIEW: DISH DASH

There are days when my brother and I have a shared love for junk food that takes over but we're too lazy to go out and feed it. I've discovered most of the delivery places around Khan on days like this. I've managed to try Mamagoto, Zaitoon, Rollmaal, Swagath and Slice of Italy so far. Helpfully adding to the list is Dish Dash.

 

The Food

 

The menu is a collection of standard working lunch fare including easy to manage rolls, sandwiches and burgers. The rolls and sandwiches are light and have a functional, homemade feel to them. If you're in the mood for something more elaborate order the incredibly fluffy pancakes! Completely unexpected and completely delightful!

 

Packing and Paraphernalia

The delivery is pretty efficient and the food came neatly packed in white cartons with condiments. A good choice for when you're looking for a simple snack or a stack of pancakes to tide you over a bad day.

Oh, but one strange thing, they're shut on Sundays.

 

Check out their menu and contact details here: http://dishdash.in/ 

RESTAURANT REVIEW: DHABA BY CLARIDGES, SAKET

 For when you want dhaba food without the ambience

 

I’m never surprised by North Indians who can’t get by without their daily dose of food from home. North Indian food, including of course the wham-bam culinary style of Mughlai, is the epitome of comfort food. It’s unfortunate this style of cooking isn’t globally applauded like the French and Nordic. The Dhaba by Claridges jumps headlong into this hardcore heartiness and almost every dish on the menu falls square in the middle of the holy trifecta of cream, meat and masala.

Looks Like

The Dhaba’s décor is a playful interpretation of the bright, kitschy dhaba/ truck art which frankly has outlived its charm. While the cutesy slogans and pop art motifs are tired and ubiquitous this is the kind of restaurant where they belong and this context makes the space bright. This is the Mamagoto school of design, young, funny and lively. Sit up on the faux truck if you can – it would also make for a great space to host a bollywood theme party.

 

Tastes Like

For a restaurant in a mall the food here is delightfully authentic. The Vegetarian Galouti Kebab is the culinary equivalent of chancing upon a unicorn. An absolute must try, even if you’re non-vegetarian and want to have the actual Galouti, just to see the depth of flavor and the richness imbued in vegetarian food at the hands of a skilled chef. This display of skill flashes again in the unabashedly flashy Mutton Tawa Masala and once again in the Mutton Seekh Kebabs, so soft they hold together just long enough for you to get them in your mouth. For the mains, don’t miss the almost too much to handle Baalti Meat, cheekily served in an adorable copper bucket.

It’s very unlikely you’re going to have room left for dessert and if you do I would recommend you go back and hit the list of kebabs again. If you must have something sweet, the Phirni is a cool and restrained way to end this binge of a meal. I really appreciate the Dhaba’s dedication to play to its strengths – the upscale dhaba theme is loyally carried from the décor and across the menu. This food is fireworks and excess and the chef is pulling each punch.

 

Connoisseurs will object to the shiny, cuteness of the place but the Dhaba is a great dining option for when you want to reward yourself for surviving Saket’s malls and also a perfect way to introduce Dilli ka khaana to tourists fearing Delhi belly.

Feels Like

Places like Mia Bella need to take notes on how the Dhaba is run. A tad twee for my taste but they deserve every compliment for knowing what they’re selling and selling it well. The service is helpful and breaks into choreographed dance periodically which I found adorable when I got over my initial surprise. The price is reasonable for the quantity and quality of food being served. If only they’d open up outside a mall.
 

 

Should you go: I say yes!

Vegetarian Options: Yes
Liquor License: Yes
Smoking Area: No
                          
Phone:011 30146033 Ext:879