Lavazza launches Il Mattino Vivace

What does Coffee mean to you?

* It is the first thing I reach for every morning. Only when I have had a hot cup of filter kaapi [as we say it in South India] does my day begin.

* You better not talk to me till I have had my first kaapi 

* Coffee needs to be strong, piping hot and have the perfect sugar. Love the way my husband makes it for me daily. 

* Coffee - Ahh, don't ask.. My father in law wakes up first and puts the filter every morning. He will make himself a cup and one for me as well and wait. It is the time we spend together, talking about news and the daily menu as well. 

* Kaapi reminds me of my father. He had specific taste on how his kaapi should be and it had to be made to perfection. He was the only one allowed to brew the filter and then would ask my mom to make him his morning cup. They would then sit watch tv, chit chat and drink their kaapi.. 

Well, these were some comments, bits and bytes I got when I spoke to a few people around me and asked them about their coffee/kaapi routine.  For many, it was a ritual of sorts and for others it was their wake up call , gearing them for the long day ahead. And each one had specific taste/brand preferences as well. We had one brand that we had been using for years now. But then, when I read about the new range of Coffee from Lavazza- Il Mattino Vivace, I got curious and decided to try it out.  Il Mattino Vivace, which translates to "the lively morning" sounded like it was just what I needed to kick start the day [esp since I had just come back from a holiday and wasn't ready to get back to routine]

It comes in a vacuum packed pouch and is specifically made for the Indian audience who love their Filter coffee. Lavazza has been around for a while, and quite renowned for their coffee, and this  is  a fine blend of Arabica and Robusta beans sourced from select plantations in Coorg and Chikmagalur regions in the hills of Western Ghats in India. I brewed it in our filter at home and the decoction had a lovely aroma to it. Added a splash of milk, a dot of sugar and voila, the kaapi was ready. It had good flavour and depth, but was not too strong neither was it too mild/watery. Gave a shot to gramma and she approved of it [she is quite finicky about her kaapi as well] :-) So, I guess it passed the test!! :D 

This coffee is available in leading modern retail outlets, it comes in packs of 200 grams and is priced at Rs. 150.

Find more about Il Mattino Vivace , visit http://www.lavazza.in/in/at-home/blends/il-mattino.html

Golden Dragon, Taj Coromandel...

Most of the Chinese food we get in our city and country is Indianised and so the flavours are quite different when you eat authentic Chinese food. In the city, Golden Dragon at the Taj Coromandel in Chennai has been regarded as one of the finest Chinese cuisine dining options.  This was a restaurant we have frequent during my childhood days, and I have a cousin who visits the place every single time he comes down and considers it the best in this cuisine...Today, the restaurant has undergone quite a few changes, from the location to the decor and now it was time for tweaks to their menu..

Chef Ho has brought in a variety of ingredients from western cuisine like Taro, Silken tofu, pink salmon, scallops and imported duck breasts in combination with other elements. And the use the homemade sauces like Sha Cha sauce and Pickled Chilli Sauce is also seen on the dishes. Here is a walk through of the dishes I got to try that evening... 

Pickled Pumpkin & kimchi

amuse bouche

Spicy Peanut butter soup... 

Taro chips served in wanton wrap on a bed of crispies... Was yummilicious..

Twist to the onion rings...

 White & Green asparagus in simple sauce...

Spicy Silken tofu- it was melt in your mouth... divine!

Simple Noodles

 Matcha cake with candied pineapple and dollop of cheese & slice of strawberries

The gorgeous toothpick box..

Well, if that has gotten you salivating,  time to book a table and go experience the food.. 

Meal for two - around Rs 2500- 3000/-

Disclaimer: The reviews posted on this blog are based on my personal experience. Also remember these were just my views!! Remember, no two palates are the same. Bon Appétit :-)

Breakfast - From a box..

I love a good breakfast and during the years when I lived alone, it was the my cherished time in the kitchen. I would stare into the fridge for a few minutes [ even though I could recite what was there, in which shelf and how much was left of what].. And then there would be these voices in my head going - pancake, sandwich, french toast, cornflakes,etc... Depending on the mood, I would finally get around to cooking up the breakfast. I have also done breakfast in a jar- where I pack a jar/bottle with oats, fruits, honey, chia seeds, nuts and a small spoonful of milk or curd.. In the morning, just before eating it, I add more of milk/curd and allow it to get soaked up before diving in.. Quite yumm. I cant be bothered to do those fancy breakfast bowls or smoothies you see online, esp Instagram... 

Even if it was pancakes, there would be days when it would have apples, other days for chocolate and then some days just dry fruits.  But ever since I moved back to grandparents house, breakfast though remains an important meal, has become blah. On most days it is Ragi porridge with some fruits, or cornflakes with fruits. Last week when I had gone to visit my folks, mom gave me this box that my sis had brought from Amsterdam. Mom's idea of breakfast is cornflakes or a 2nd cup of coffee/tea. Mom gave this to me saying "She said you can eat it as it is for breakfast but I am kicked about trying it, why dont you?". 

Upon inspecting the box, I came to know it was a Granola mix made with kelp, Spirulina, coconut and few other ingredients, including various nuts & oats. It did not have any sugar and was Vegan.  The first day, I took out my bowl, filled it with milk, cornflakes, fruits and topped with a few pieces of this granola and ate it. I  realised it did not have any specific flavour on its own and was alright... 2nd day, I had this as it is in a small bowl, but I do prefer it with something warm/hot. And so this week I have had it with my ragi porridge - I add maybe a tsp of this on top . 

Some of the Product benefits listed on the product are, 

• A non-cereal breakfast cereal.
• Flavoured using coconut and spirulina.
• One portion of Green Granola Coconut & Spirulina contains 0.23 mg of iodine, which is 150% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA).
• The nuts in this granola have been pre-soaked.
• Wholesome, certified organic, vegan and raw.
• Dried and processed at low temperatures.
• Totally pure and free from fillers and other additives.
• Contains no gluten, soy, dairy products, artificial additives, refined sugars or genetically modified (GMO) ingredients.
• Suitable for vegetarians, vegans and rawfood fans.

Well, since I love experimenting with food, I am always game to try new things. Plus lets be honest, who in Chennai has seen Kelp and these kinda granulas [some of them are available now in stores, but quite sweet]  Next up, am gonna try my hand at making granola at home, quite easy from what I see on other blogs..

What is your go to breakfast? 

Benjarong- Meal in a Tiffin box...

The new trend is to have set menu, the corporate/executive lunches... And so jumping on this wagon, but doing it in style, Benjarong has launched tiffin box meals.. It is probably the only restaurant I go to for Thai food and so this concept is a cool addition to their hat. 

So, if two of you[ friends/ family/colleagues/etc] are heading out for lunch, all you need to do is order yourself one of these and voila, your meal arrives piping hot, packing in a traditional yet contemporary tiffin box and you dig in...  

It contains a starter, a Salad, Rice, Noodles, a side dish and the dessert is served separately. The portions are good enough for two, and it comes fresh off the stove. Reminding us of the days when we used to get hot lunches at school, this tiffin box has a dash of nostalgia element to it as well. The only catch/point to be noted is both of you need to be either Veg or non veg.. You cannot get a mixed box, kinda complicated to put together, right? 

All this is priced at Rs899 plus tax.. Quite a steal for amazing food..