Tag: foodnews

  • ‘Aur Chaawal’ offers delightful homemade desi food

    ‘Aur Chaawal’ offers delightful homemade desi food

    While we do miss eating out, home deliveries have their own charm. Especially in these testing times when we all have to abide by our civic duties and stay home to flatten the curve. Ever since the Sindh Government allowed home deliveries, I have been trying different home-based businesses, the most recent being Aur Chaawal – a food startup offering homemade desi food with warmth and love.

    Aur Chaawal is the brainchild of Akhlaque Ahmed, a filmmaker who has a palate for good food. Six months ago, when he launched Aur Chaawal, the eatery started off by offering delicious homemade daal chaawal, kurkure bhindi, masala mirchi, shami kebabs and laal chutney as a package. Priced at Rs 350, this was a complete meal at a very reasonable price delivered right at your doorstep. All items in this package were delicious and one meal was enough for two people.

    Akhlaque Ahmed

    Slowly, yet steadily Ahmed expanded the menu to include dahi baingan, white chicken korma, machli korma and daal rogan. From there onwards was no looking back. Many like me were quickly hooked to his delicious homemade food which undoubtedly is one of Karachi’s best.

    Dahi baingan, White chicken korma

    Unfortunately, the pandemic lockdown and subsequent suspension of home deliveries took a toll on eatery too. But not one to be defeated, Akhlaque soon bounced right back once home deliveries were allowed. He came back with a new, appetizing weekly menu much to the delight of the Karachiites. Apart from the food, their service is also impeccable which is why Aur Chaawal has become my go-to eatery for home delivery, even though I have a brilliant cook at home.

    Read more – Zafraan – Iranian cuisine at its finest

    One of my favourite things from the menu has to be the beef nihari. It is soft, succulent and full of flavour and I can say without a doubt one of the best available in Karachi. Highly recommended!

    Beef nihari

    Machli korma with fish is another of my favourites, as is the prawn biryani.

    • Machli Korma
    • Prawn Biryani

    Aur Chaawal is among the best desi food outlets in the city and you have to try it at least once because I guarantee you, after that you’ll be hooked.

  • Zafraan – Iranian cuisine at its finest

    Zafraan – Iranian cuisine at its finest

    With COVID-19 lockdowns, restaurants across the city (and country) have remained closed for over 3 months now. As a hard-core foodie, I have been missing going out to try out different yet delicious cuisines. This prompted me to look up some home-based food delivery outlets in the city and that’s when I came across a mother-daughter startup. What intrigued me was their Iranian cuisine, something which my husband and I always enjoy eating. And lo and behold I just discovered a gem.

    Read more – The quest for the perfect French Toast in Lahore

    Born in Tehran, in the heart of Iran, Elham learned the craft of Afghani and Iranian cuisine from a generation of exceptional cooks whilst spending a majority of her pre-marriage life in the Middle East. After moving to Karachi back in 1992, she won the hearts of many of her family and friends with her authentic Iranian food. When the lockdown was imposed and everyone went into quarantine, Elham discovered that she had a lot of free time on her hands now, allowing her to work on an idea that had been lingering on her and her daughter Mahum’s minds for a while. Free time along with the wish to be financially independent, gave Elham and Mahum the motivation to use their free time to do something productive. That’s when Zafraan came into being with the vision to spread the joys of Iranian flavours to the people of Pakistan.

    Zafraan’s menu is simple yet authentic and prices very reasonable. They offer home delivery, which is a blessing in the current situation, and pay special attention to hygiene and taste.

    Let’s begin with Chullu Kebabs which literally means ‘rice and kebab’ in Persian. It is the national dish of Iran and also the most popular. These legendary kebabs are a fan favourite and Zafraan’s ace of spade. The dish consists of buttery saffron rice and top quality minced beef kebabs served with grilled tomato and tomato sauce. The tenderness of the kebabs along with a combination of tomato sauce and buttery rice bring together an abundance of flavour that pays a rich tribute to the culture of Iran.

    Chelow Kebabs

    Next up, we have the Afghani Aush sometimes spelt ‘Aash’ meaning ‘noodle’ in Afghani. Aush is comfort food at its best. It’s a noodle soup consisting of tomato-based broth, filled with chicken chunks and mixed herbs and spices. The flavour is distinct and nothing like any other soup served in Pakistan.

    Afghani Aush

    Then comes the classic Zereshk Pulao, also known as “jewelled rice” because of the red barberries in it. The dish is balanced with a hint of sweetness for the perfect taste. The rice is served with Persian chicken gravy. This dish is exotic and simple at the same time and a must-try if you are a fan of any type of rice and chicken gravy.

    Zereshk Pulao

    Last but not least is my favourite Khoresh Gheymeh, which is mutton and split pea stew – a traditional and popular Iranian stew – topped with fried potatoes and served with aromatic white rice. If this doesn’t tickle your taste buds, I would be quite surprised.

    Khoresh Gheymeh

    Though quarantine and lockdowns have snatched the livelihoods of so many across Pakistan, the silver lining is where courageous women like Elham and Mahum have started their own business with an intent to not only serve classic, authentic Irani/ Afghani food but also the desire to be financially independent.

  • Wasim Akram beats lockdown blues by making pizza

    Wasim Akram beats lockdown blues by making pizza

    The coronavirus induced lockdown has brought out our inner chef and we’ve all turned to the kitchen for some food and comfort. Wasim Akram is the latest celebrity to take to the kitchen to satisfy his cravings, specifically his pizza cravings.

    Wasim’s wife, Shaniera shared pictures of the former cricketer making pizza from scratch, including the dough. Wasim topped his pizza with some mushrooms, rocket leaves and olives.

    Shaniera also shared that Wasim did not clean up after his cooking experiment but that ‘men who cook are hot’.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ymhaIDM7W/

    Shaniera has been regularly sharing updates of her family spending time together in quarantine.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-j6LKADDsi/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-rd-TwDYUZ/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-UXAchD6LP/
  • Woman dies during cake-eating contest

    Woman dies during cake-eating contest

    A woman died while taking part in a cake-eating competition to celebrate Australia Day.

    Paramedics were called to a pub in the state of Queensland on Sunday afternoon after a woman was involved in a “medical incident”.

    Public broadcaster ABC reported the 60-year-old had a seizure after she “shovelled a lamington into her mouth”.

    Lamingtons, a traditional Australian dessert, are cube-shaped sponge cakes dipped in chocolate and covered in grated coconut.

    The woman was rushed to hospital in the coastal town of Hervey Bay but couldn’t survive.

    She was a contestant in the Beach House Hotel’s annual Australia Day lamington and meat pie eating contest.

    In a post on Facebook, management and staff offered their “deepest condolences” to the woman’s friends and family.

    “We acknowledge and thank our supportive patrons, staff, and the Queensland Ambulance Service for their prompt and professional response while this tragic incident was unfolding,” the post said.

    “The hotel staff have been offered professional support while our thoughts firmly remain with the family at this challenging time.”

    Police said the death was not suspicious and a report would be prepared for the coroner.

  • The quest for the perfect French Toast in Lahore

    The quest for the perfect French Toast in Lahore

    Winters and brunches go hand in hand. And nothing better than French Toast for the perfect sweet ending to a satisfying, or not so satisfying brunch. While, most cafes in Lahore have french toasts on their menu, finding the perfect French toast in town was quite a feat and I had a go through a couple to find the one.

    Read on for a comparison of French Toasts available in Lahore.

    Urban Kitchen

    Urban Kitchen has French Toast available only on Sunday as part of their Sunday brunch which is a pity because they truly are delightful. The bread is delicious and I’d honestly just go back for that. And the fact that the toppings do not include Nutella is the cherry on top.

    Thanda Garam

    Thanda Garam knows how to do their french toast because the french toast they had were divine – the best out of the lot. They were crispy from the outside and fluffy from the inside. The cream that accompanied was so delectable that I had to stop myself from licking clean the plate. The only downside was that there was too much Nutella – but then again those who love Nutella will absolutely love this. I’d request the restaurant to make Nutella optional and add a jam option as well – Strawberry or Apple Jam with these french toast would be delightful.

    Jade

    As far as Nutella French Toast are concerned, Jade was the pioneer of these in the city. But over the years, I feel that Jade’s french toast have become boring as well as oily. They are often too crispy on the outside and not as well cooked from the inside. The bread is also pretty thick which is why I’ve stopped having french toast from Jade.

    Chaaye Khana

    Just like Jade, Chaaye Khana also used to do good french toast. But after trying Thanda Garam and Urban Kitchen, Chaaye Khana’s french toast began to taste mediocre – there is tooo much bread and nothing with it. No cream, jam or maple syrup which makes the french toast dry and boring.

    Sasha’s

    The first time I went to Sasha’s, I quite enjoyed their french toasts. But the successive visit wasn’t as good. The bread was extra caramelized which made it difficult to chew – it was like eating burnt toffee. Add to that, maple syrup and nutella. The end result wasn’t very pleasing and I never went back to Sasha’s.

    In short, Urban Kitchen and Thanda Garam do the best french toast in town.

  • For all chipotle lovers out there, Adobo is for you

    For all chipotle lovers out there, Adobo is for you

    Before I pen this review, I just want to put it out there that I absolutely love Mexican food – it’s my ultimate comfort food. Which is why I was super excited to try it out.

    Adobo is a small, cosy restaurant located at Shahbaz Commercial with limited sitting. The interior is very bohemian with graffiti on the walls.

    Like the sitting, the menu is also limited. However, the options are enough to satisfy your Mexican cravings. The menu includes tacos, mini tacos, Burrito Bowls and guacamole among other things.

    Considering that my husband and I visit this place almost every week, I can confidently say that the food is fresh, clean and absolutely delicious. The spice levels are perfect and sauces perfectly curated. The satisfaction at the end of a meal here is unlike any other I’ve experienced in the past.

    However, the food is not the best part. The best part of the restaurant is the warmth it has to offer. The owner is almost always there to make sure his customers are comfortable and get the best service.

    As far as the price factor is concerned, the restaurant is reasonably priced. But if you order items like guacamole, except the bill to be slightly higher.

    All in all, if you don’t care about the calories, Adobo is the place for you to go.

  • Foods to beat the winter blues, improve skin, hair

    Foods to beat the winter blues, improve skin, hair

    Nothing can be worse for the skin and hair than winter if proper care is not taken. Cold and dry air can cause dry skin, chapped lips, and a flaky face. While everyone focuses on maintaining a proper skincare routine, one tends to overlook the fact that the diet also plays an important role.

    Here are a few foods that will help you beat the winter blues and help maintain healthy skin and hair.

    Broccoli

    Broccoli is a part of the cruciferous vegetable which is good for your skin. It is rich in Vitamins A and C. Vitamin A keeps the skin healthy and lowers scars. Vitamin C assists to maintain collagen production. Broccoli also has B-vitamins that help reduce dry and flaky patches.

    Carrots

    Carrot is one of the best foods for your skin during the winter season. It is a great source of Vitamin A and other antioxidants that help keep the skin healthy, nourished and glowing. These antioxidants assist fight wrinkles, discoloration, and scars. Carrots also have lycopene, which protects your skin from the harsh sun rays.

    Spinach

    Apart from being a good source of iron, spinach is also another must-have if you want to get a glowing skin. This leafy green is a powerhouse of nutrition. It contains Vitamins A and C, and antioxidants that thwart off all kinds of skin infections. Spinach is high in iron and can help you counter anemia and adds color to your pale skin.

    Almonds

    Almonds are natural remedies that hydrate your skin and prevent dryness. They are also high in Vitamin E, which helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays of the sun. Almonds contain various antioxidants that counter the signs of aging on your skin.

    Green Tea

    Green tea is a potent source of antioxidants, which eliminate free radicals from your body and prevent flaky skin. The antioxidants present in it also help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

    Chia Seeds

    Chia seeds provide you two essential fatty acids, omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, and omega-6 linolenic acid. Both omega-3 and 6 contains anti-inflammatory powers, that may help boost skin regeneration and contribute to a better youthful complexion. Your body needs essential fatty acids for good health, but it cannot produce them, so they need to be consumed.

    Sweet Potatoes

    Sweet potatoes assist lock-in moisture provides your skin a healthy glow and saves it from damage thanks to their high amount of vitamin A. Vitamin A can assist with skin renewal and decrease dry and flaky skin. Sweet potatoes are a good option in the winter.

    Oatmeal

    Start your winter day right and nourish your hair with a popular healthy bowl of oatmeal. It is rich in omega-3 and iron, both of these promote hair growth and keep your strands looking super shiny.

    Vitamin E

    Vitamin E is a quintessential nutrient when it comes to your hair care. A base ingredient included in a range of hair care products; it is a very important nutrient for healthy hair. It helps in building and repairing hair tissue and also in protecting hair from any damage. Nuts and seeds such as almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds are a great source of vitamin E.

    Cinnamon

    Cinnamon is helpful in increasing the blood circulation in your body that in turn would provide your hair follicles with adequate oxygen and nutrients. Hence, add some cinnamon to your food be it on any meal or your coffee and tea.

  • Which way does ‘Swing’ swing?

    Which way does ‘Swing’ swing?

    Cool pinks, misty greys and pastel mint, swings, flowers and all is the newest cafe in town – Swing.

    Though the interior appears to be inspired by the Elan Cafe in London, this place is quite synonymous with its name, it has cute swings for seating, in addition to the regular chairs. Pink, mint and gold crockery and cutlery, good service and the brother/sister duo (owners) in attendance was just the cherry on top.

    Apart from the regular salads and appetizers, the food thankfully had some delicious twists.

    While their hot sellers, Vietnamese Paper Rolls, Salmon roll-ups and Prawn trio are great in presentation and taste, the mains, however, are the ones you’ll be going back for.

    My favourites were the Beetroot Risotto with Snapper in Saffron Sauce, Halloumi Beef Bowl, Marrakesh Chicken, Asian Beef Bowl and Indiana Snapper. Cooked to perfection and full of flavour, each dish was a foodie’s delight.

    After a pleasant meal, we decided to indulge our sweet tooth with the Lotus Cheesecake, Nutella Brownie with Ice-cream and Flourless Brownie. While the Nutella Brownie was decadently sinful, the Flourless Brownie was light and airy.

    What was truly commendable about the place was the attention to detail and presentation – you could tell that the owners wanted to give their clients an experience, not just food. The menu also has pizzas, mocktails and coffees. Priced reasonably, Swing is here to stay.

  • Moocs doesn’t have anything new to offer

    Moocs doesn’t have anything new to offer

    Located behind Khaadi on MM Alam Road, Moocs is the latest addition to the Lahore food scene but not exactly a promising one, given that there was only one other party along with me, that too on a Saturday night.

    Rewind a few weeks and Moocs was all over our Instagram after it had a grand opening with Lahore’s socialites in attendance. A couple of weeks later, the hype seemed to have completely died down.

    Nonetheless given how much I like to try out new places, I decided to check out Moocs. After all, the name was kinda catchy.

    Read more: NOI-Stir Fry Kitchen – The takeout Lahoris have been waiting for

    Moocs has a standard menu: pizza, burgers, Chicken Parmesan, Polo Chicken, Stuffed Chicken, etc – you know pretty much the same things you’ve tried a million times before.

    We decided to start our dinner with Pizza Fries from their ‘Starters Menu.’ The fries came in a skillet topped with cheese, sauce and jalapenos. The overall taste of the dish was pretty decent while the fries themselves were nice and crispy. But to be very honest, I’ve had better. Like for example, have you tried the Alfredo Fries at Urban Kitchen? Now those are divine.

    From the main course, we tried their Chef’s Special Stuffed Chicken and Muslo De Pavo Burger. Both the items were very typical. The Chef’s Special Stuffed Chicken was not all that special – the flavour wasn’t strong enough and fettuccini pasta was on the bland side. The sauce, meanwhile, was tasty but given the extravagant price, I’m not sure if it was worth it.

    Meanwhile, the Muslo De Pavo Burger tasted just like Jalal Son’s Crispy Chicken Burger but at double the price. Plus the bun wasn’t good because it was so crumbly. The thigh fillet had a thick layer of batter which though made it very crunchy, made it impossible to taste the chicken within.

    The dessert was probably the best thing we ate that night. We ordered their Cookie Pudding on our waiter’s recommendation and it was differently delicious. Loved the mix of pudding, cookie dough and ice-cream.

    While the food was somewhat passable, and ambiance on the cosy side (great for winters) the bill certainly wasn’t. For one starter, two main dishes and one dessert, our total bill amounted to a little more than Rs 5000/- which is definitely a hefty amount to pay, especially in such trying financial times.

    Read more: DOCK 27 has a secret saviour

    My overall experience at Moocs was average so I don’t think I’ll be venturing there again.

    DISCLAIMER: The Current’s food reviews are unpaid and are not sponsored.

  • GO LOCAL? Yeah, We can eat that

    GO LOCAL? Yeah, We can eat that

    As the dollar rises and prices soar, all of us are beginning to feel the crunch. Can’t afford the cheeses you bought all so frequently? Or that cooking chocolate you loved? Here are some local alternatives that are tried and tested.

    Adams Burger Cheese

    Even though we have some local artisanal cheeses available, their prices are also really high. We tried Adams Buffalo Mozzarella and Burger Cheddar Cheese on homemade pizzas and grilled cheeses and are pleased to report that they are excellent. Will never go imported for these commonly loved cheeses

    Baker’s Choice Cooking Chocolate

    As home-based and small bakery owners cry about the rising prices of cooking chocolate, we tried Baker’s Choice Dark Chocolate for baking fudge brownies and damn, they’re just as good as the Malaysian counterpart.

    Opa! Frozen Fries

    Those bags of imported fries aren’t worth the price (and the import if you ask us). Opa! Fries are local, thin and crispy and perfect for you and your kids. Crunch!

    Quinoa

    No need to spend thousands on imported Quinoa. There are excellent local options, like The Soul Food Company and Green Horizon. We’ve tried the Soul Food’s quinoa and it’s super.

    Dipitt Sauces

    We aren’t missing Heinz as much anymore. Dipitt Sauces are great, a local, no preservatives and no MSG and their whole range is pretty darn good if you ask us.

    Nuts

    Hit shops selling dry fruits from Hunza and Gilgit Baltistan, especially if you’re in Islamabad. They’re just as good, if not better than their foreign competition.

    DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored and is unpaid.