Saturday, August 25, 2012

Alu Manchurian


Have been on a long vacation from office, owing to a break and of course to complete some personal commitments :)

Most of my days were spent in getting up late, travelling , commuting within the city ( Problem!!) and of course spending some quality time with my family.

As a tradition, whenever i am at home, its taken for sure that there would be a evening snack.
Last week, though, it was raining almost every evening. And as most, even i craved for something oily, something spicy and hot.....and the vegetable...of course the humble potato. Another reason being, there were no other vegetable in the house, and i dint want to step out to get anything!

I had previously seen this item in a lot many menu cards, but had tried only once. So here goes the recipe.....

Ingredients :

Potatoes : 4 , large ( cut into 2" cubes & parboiled)
Onion : 1 , large finely chopped
Garlic : 5 cloves, chopped
Ginger : 1/2" , chopped
Green Chillies : 5, cut cross
Capsicum : 1 , ( cut into cubes, Optional)
Oil : For Frying, 2 tbsp for Saute
Dark Soya Sauce : 1 tsp
Tomato Sauce : 2 tsp
Salt : To Taste
Pepper Powder : 1/4 tsp


Tempura :
Corn Flour : 2 tbsp
Ginger Garlic paste : 1/2 tsp
Salt : As per taste


Steps:

1. Heat oil in a frying pan.
2. Take the par boiled potatoes in a plate, sprinkle salt, corn flour and ginger garlic paste and toss. The corn flour must coat all the sides of the potato.
3. Fry the potatoes in batches, on a very low flame. ( this ensures they are crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside). Once golden brown , put it on absorbent paper to drain out the excess oil.
4. Heat 2 tbsp oil , in another pan. Add the Chopped Garlic, Ginger, Green Chilly and Onions. I prefer to add all at once, coz in this way the garlic wont burn.
5. Once the onions turn translucent, add in the Soya Sauce and Tomato Sauce and Saute for 2 mins.( You can add capsicum cubes after onion turns translucent if you are using. I have not used in my recipe)
6. Now add the fried potatoes and toss.
7. Finally, sprinkle salt and pepper.
8. Serve Hot. Works best, with rain outside and a cartoon on TV :)




Psst....you can also garnish with chopped coriander and also add MSG ( ajinomoto), but i have skipped both, due to my family member's preferences!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Zaffran

Best Debutant Restaurant for 2012

When i heard this, i was surprised for a minute. This restaurant is just next to my office building, and i have never tried this. This award made me try this place, and true this place deserves and award.

Yet again another friday lunch outside. As per standard policy, we did a prior booking. We were only 3, compared to the crowd last time. Booking was at 12.45 PM, but being a friday we got delayed. ( and ironically this is just the next building from my office!)

Reached at 1.15PM, and the Manager was very courteous in asking for our seating preference.Most of the other restaurants , usually comment on how we were late and it would take more time to get a table. The restaurant has a outdoor seating & an indoor one. We preferred the inner one, coz we didnt want to be spotted by any other office colleagues!

The hospitality of the staff is commendable. They are prompt, know their menu and very efficient.

I started with a Kala Khatta Margarita, which was something new in the menu and was quite refreshing.

For starters we had Tandoori Mushroom Cheese Melt, mushrooms barbequed in a tandoor and cheese on top. Mushrooms were mildly spiced and cooked correctly.

For the main course, we ordered Rumali Roti and Dal Makhani. I am not a very big fan of Dal Makhani, but the moment i tasted, i had to start liking. The roti was soft and the side dish was faultless.

Coming to the best part of the Zaffran Menu, the Biryani. In the vegetarian menu, had ordered for Subz Biryani Zaffrani. The biryani was cooked perfectly, and as soon as the plate was served, it was smelling heavenly, and to taste as well.

To end the meal with a sweet note, we ordered their speciality dessert Zaffran Ice Cream. It was delicious! Sweet ending to a Sweeter occassion :)



Verdict : Must Try.
Atmosphere / Ambience: Mughlai, Traditional yet Modern
Food - Quality & Hygiene: Excellent
Economy: Not Economical, high on the pocket, but worth it
Must haves: Signature Biryani & Desserts

Rating : ****