Hautechef Comes Home With Exotic Meals

I first heard about ‘Hautechef’ when I went for food blogger’s potluck at APB studio.

This idea appealed to me of buying a box of ingredients that has just the right variety used in cooking and the exact quantity of the ingredients. The ingredients were fresh and neatly packed 

For example in the box for ‘Pan Seared Fish With Ratatouille and Mustard Beurre Blanc’

They sent

2tbsp Olive oil

2cloves garlic

1 onion

1tbsp tomato paste

1 red bell pepper

1 zucchini

1 eggplant

1tsp sugar

1 bunch parsley

2tbsp butter

1tbsp mustard

2 fish fillets

4tbsp semolina

The box comes with the recipe card with step-by-step method used for cooking a dish.

There are many times, when we look into the recipe book and decide to follow a recipe. The laziness seeps in when we have to go to the supermarket to buy the ingredients, and when we really do, we either buy more ingredients than necessary or forget one or two ingredients. So this idea of having all the ingredients in one box does inspire me to cook.

During the following week, I ordered two boxes on two separate days. In the mid week, I ordered ‘Arabic Fattoush Salad’ and made a visit to my aunt. I found this a perfect gift to take for my aunt. Together we chopped the vegetables and prepared the salad. It was fun really.

The salad was good, but the quantity of feta cheese and pomegranate was comparatively less as compared to other ingredients such as mint leaves, parsley and pita bread.

On weekend, I ordered French delight: Pan Seared Fish and made a visit to my BIL. I cooked for dinner following the instruction given in the recipe card.

“If we were to eat this in a fancy restaurant, we would be paying Rs2000 for this dish” said my BIL completely pleased with the most exotic dinner.

So, this was a success!!

I would recommend this product to all my friends who enjoy cooking exotic dishes. But remember, you still have to do the cutting, cooking and cleaning up the mess.

Product Review- Jiwa Atta

I was lunching at the newly launched ‘Roti Boutique’ the experience center of Jiwa Atta at Bandra.

There was a big variety of puffed roti to choose from (Nutra Chakki fresh, Jawari, Bajri, Makkai, Soya, Rajgiri, Multigrain and also Slimming, diabetic, blood pressure care atta). The rolls could be custom made from the choice of base (mixed greens or sprouts), dips (Mexican salsa, hummus, desi chutney, nutty pesto, hung curd, Asian wasabi or Nutty peanut) and the mains (stir-fried tofu, panner, bhindi aloo, beans & feta, exotic veggies or tandoori fruits)

The neatly rolled Roti tasted delicious and the taste differed in every roti, each delicious in its own combination. There was no sogginess, no dripping of the sauces and nor was there an over-stuffed fillings.

At this point I missed my nephew, who is a fitness freak, like most of the youth today, his main focus is on body building at the gym and eating healthy food: no fried food, no cheese, no oil, no bread, no rice. Here was the meal, I was sure, he would be interested because the main food is roasted and olive oil is used during cooking.

So what is so unique about this roti-roll?

These are the rotis made not from the ordinary flour that we get at every super-store, but it is made from special flour called ‘Jiwa Atta’

“We care about the health of our consumer” says Raghav Gupta, who belongs to the family of food business since 50 years. “Our food is responsibly sourced and created from the ground up, using real and natural ingredients. The only additives that go into our food are essential vitamins and minerals.  We’ve also ingeniously enriched our food with probiotics and are proud to be the first ones to do so.”  He adds.

The rotis were soft and puffed like normal one. I have seen my cook make a batter with Jawar or Bajra flour and pour it on hot plate to roast. They are hard, thick and stiff. But this was made into proper dough just like every other rotis and this is because the Nutra ingredients added are in fixed percentage to the wheat flour. “The flour is the combination of whole grains, dehydrated vegetables and herbs, edible seeds and other super-foods in exacting proportion, researched and analyzed, so that it has the proper tailor-made benefits to the body.” Inform Raghav Gupta

“There is a special type of flour for the age group from 8-18 years that contains fiber, proteins and calcium for growth and strength of the body. Research is on to produce product for children under 8years, because parents would be more interested in the health of their children.”

Yes, I am sure, women are always looking for health products for their family because the health of the family is her main focus. I did see many clients walk into the store during my visit, and most of them were young mothers.

The experience center at Bandra, I think, is the great place to try these rotis. This is the place where people can see the live demo of the puffed rotis while they choose their fillings, and they can also estimate the creditability and usefulness of the product before they take a packet of Jiwa atta back home.

You can visit their experience center in Bandra
Jiwa
Prabhat Kunj
24th Road
Off Linking Road
Bandra

A Refreshing Drink by 'Paper Boat'

Mangoes are best enjoyed during summer when markets are flooded with variety of this seasonal fruit. We have milkshakes, sherbets and even just plain juices during the season when this fruit makes it appearance.

But to have this fruit-juice off-season is a boon.

I was pleasantly surprised when I relished this flavor off-season in a drink called ‘aamras’ by ‘Paper boat’.

Packed in attractive, colorful, aluminum-lined paper pouches, this drink has no color, no preservatives and no artificial flavors.

The sweetest sour taste of the mango pulp is enhanced by addition of sugar, citric acid, cardamom and saffron. It has very refreshing taste when chilled.

My friends and I had enjoyable afternoon, tasting the different flavors of this ‘Paper Boat’

We tasted Jamun Kala khatta, Jaljeera, Aamras and aam Panna.

Aam Panna was more sweet than sour. It would taste better if it were a bit more sour.

The Jaljira flavor is too sweet. The taste is a bit different from the original fresh Jaljira that we have at Pani Puri stalls. The taste of spices used in the drink are over powered by the sweetness of the drink.

Jamun Kala khatta was enjoyed by all and reminded us of our trip to Juhu beach when we had iced sherbet and soft drinks at the drink stalls.

Verdict:

Highly satisfied with the taste of Jamun Kala khatta and aamras flavors.

Jaljira and Aam panna are too sweet and they need improvement.

The 250ml soft, attractive pouches are easy to carry in purse or in the pocket and occupy very little space.

Rating: 3 stars (good)

Cross posted this review at Masala Minds