Coffee Cravings !

Coffee....ummmm, doesn't it bring to your mind the aroma of freshly brewed coffee back home in your childhood? The freshly powdered coffee beans would be put to work in a traditional percolator or filter in the night to give you some steaming hot coffee in the morning.

While I enjoyed my cuppa, I was never a raving fan of either coffee or tea. A couple of years back, I ended up with gout and somehow based on some advice I refrained from coffee for more than 6 years.

Last year when we were invited by a friend for dinner, I was offered a choice between espresso or cappuccino post dinner and I refused it politely, as usual. Our host, casually enquired the reason for my refusal, when I told him so, he was surprised! He said that there is no need to refrain from coffee at all for gout. Well, he being a very senior and experienced doctor, I realised my folly and immediately decided to have a cappuccino. The cappuccino that he made at home was out of this world, which I will cover later in this article.This was the turning point, ever since that day, I have really started enjoying coffee particularly an espresso and now get an occasional craving.

When we ere living in Dubai, I had bought a 'De Longhi' cappuccino maker. A couple of days later I ended returning it back to the dealer as the quality of cappuccino left a lot desired. When our friend offered me that memorable cappuccino which was freshly made at home, I was smitten. The froth was just perfect, temperature just right. I was eager to know the name of the machine and hence I was taken into the kitchen. None other than the famed Jura ! I should have guessed it, Jura makes the best coffee (all kinds) that one usually haves in restaurants at home. It does not come cheap but if you are besotted by it, you have to go for it.  I almost bought one last year but had some sudden unexpected expenses and hence had to postpone it. It is still on wish list though.

In the interim, I have settled down for Davidoff Espresso (Dark Roast), which I believe is the best espresso powder available at the supermarkets. The Dark Roast implies a longer roasting process, thus giving the beans a darker tone and an unmistakably intense, full-bodied aroma.  I have tried the Espresso available at cafes like Dunkin's, Java, Starbucks, Crispy Creme etc but somehow I enjoy the espresso made by Arabica the most.

For those of you who are either existing or aspiring coffee addicts, enclosed is a link which will give you an excellent understanding on coffee and also some recipes as well.

http://www.talkaboutcoffee.com/how-to-make-cappuccinos.html

I am yet to taste the world's most expensive coffee yet, called the civet coffee. This is made from the beans of coffee which have been eaten by the Civet cats.After passing through its digestive tract the beans are then defecated, keeping their shape. After it is gathered, it is apparently washed, sun dried and roasted lightly. These beans yield an aromatic coffee with much less bitterness and is said to be the most expensive in the world. I am however not aspiring to taste this though!

Have I been able to create a craving for coffee in you yet?

Been quite a while..

The last 2-3 months were really hectic, more so on the weekends and hence I was unable to update my blog. We just got back after a wonderful trip to India. We were able to successfully  perform an important religious commitment, planning and organising this event is what kept us busy for the first few months of this year.

Doesn't going back home invoke a feeling of nostalgia always? I enjoy the walk down memory lane, perhaps I may be a wee bit more sentimental. Flash backs, potboilers- sit back and enjoy them...

During this trip to India, we landed in Mumbai, flew down to Goa and then took the wonderful train journey on Konkan Railway from Goa to Kumta and then on the way back we drove on the lush green stretch from Kumta to Goa airport.

Mumbai, the city I grew up in, still is very close to my heart but I yearn for the Bombay of the 70's and 80's. You get to see the Bombay of the past only in films like 'Choti Si Baat' and 'Rajnigandha' and one can only get nostalgic about this now. The city was always bustling but now there are people bursting out of every inch, cars and autos trying to outpace each other and the ever spiralling costs of living. However the spirit is still the same and the energy levels of this city remain an inspiration.

While we were in Mumbai only for 2 days on arrival into India and 2 days for departure from India, amidst frenetic chores,  I made it a point to enjoy some street treats like the ubiquitous 'Paani Puri' (known in North India as 'Gol Guppas' or the East as 'Pucchkas'), 'Kutchi Dabeli'- a very popular snack which originates from Gujarat and we ended up our stay with a luncheon buffet at the Lotus Cafe, JW Marriott, Juhu.For those who are not from India, I thought of writing a few lines introducing both these dishes.

Pani Puri : is a round, hollow puri, fried crisp and filled with a mixture of water made with pani puri masala, tamarind sauce, boiled potato sprinkled with chaat masala and either sprouted moong or ragda/cholay.

Kutchi Dabeli : This snack originates from the Kutch region of Gujarat and hence Kutchi and 'Daabeli' means pressed. This is made by mixing boiled potatoes with a Dabeli Masala which is stuffed between pressed Pav (Burger bun) and served with chutneys made from dates, tamarind, garlic & red-chillies. This is garnished with pomegranate and spicy roasted pea-nuts. The seller displays the mixture on a huge thaal or a plate, is visually appetizing as well and warms up the pav with butter and served. For those who are keen to try making this at home, I found a video on you tube, I have personally yet to try out this recipe nor do I know the people who made it.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuY39fSNn_I

Since it was my dear father's birthday, I wanted to take the family out for a nice buffet. Both he and my son wanted to go to the Lotus Cafe. We love the whole feel of this place, the view is mind boggling and the spread, good. Priced at almost Rs 2000 ($40) per person, the buffet isn't cheap but the overall experience remains excellent. However if I was to add my two bits, the restaurant should try and embellish their dessert and salad tables.The main courses were out of this world and the choice of fresh hand tossed pizzas and pasta remains an attraction as well. As a die-hard fan of Mojito and Margarita, I  ordered for some Mojito's ( on the  maître d's recommendations)  and by the time I started off on lunch, I was truly famished and hence was not able to click what I really wanted to. In our past visit to Lotus Cafe, we have always bumpred into some Bollywood stars, so did we this time as well. We saw Poonam Dhillon and also a TV serial star (Pooja Ghai) enjoying their lunch as well.

Lotus Cafe, JW Mariott, Juhu , Mumbai

On landing in Goa, the next morning we visited the Shantadurga and Mangueshi temples as always and sought their blessings for the family. On the way back we stopped by at Martin's in Betalbetim to enjoy their truly outstanding Goan food. It indeed was a pleasant surprise to meet Karen Anand, the pioneer of gourmet food in India and Kunal Vijaykar, an actor, television personality and above all a great foodie ! They had perhaps just wrapped up after shooting for a show and they were nice enough to speak to me when I went and introduced myself. I was also fortunate to get a photograph with them.

With Karen Anand and Kunal Vijaykar

For those of you who would like to read about Martin's, there is a separate write-up in this blog on Goa and Martin's. All that I will add here is, no visit to Goa is complete without a meal at Martin's Corner.

For almost one week that we were in Mallapur/Kumta, we were strict vegetarians and were amidst the religious festivities.  I enjoyed visiting the weekly market in Kumta, where the farmers come with their fresh produce and sell it directly to the people. Prices are a good 40 % lower and the veges and fruits are really farm fresh. While I did not visit the fish market this time, I must say that it is right next to where the fishermen come with their fresh catch and you cant ask for more.

While we did not visit Mangalore this time, I would like to mention here about an article that I read in the newspaper' The Hindu". I am amazed that they wrote about an restaurant called Indra Bhavan, which has been in Balmatta, Mangalore since 1952. You can read all about this by clicking the link below. What amazes me is this newspaper has the uncanny ability to find out and publish some hidden gems from a city where it is not based in.

                          http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/article3300038.ece

Until my next, have a great time....Ciao