Lavazza- Redefining the aroma of Guwahati

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May 27, 2018

A coffee mug is something that always stands on my desk, irrespective of whether I am at home or at my workplace. I wasn’t a coffee fanatic until the caffeine rush hit me during my finals one day. And since then, it has been my favorite choice of beverage.

Growing café culture of Guwahati

While Guwahati is blooming in the different spheres of trade, communication, and lifestyle, advancement in its sub-categories, too is rising rapidly. In the last two-three years, Guwahati witnessed a massive growth of cafes, restaurants, and hotels. But often it is disheartening to discover that behind those gracefully crafted cafes, its visitors could barely track down a good cup of coffee. Only a spattering of cafes like 11^th Avenue, Kalita Café, or Café brew bakes tends to serve an aromatic cup.

In the quest to procure a pure cup of caffeine, oftentimes, people here, dive into a puddle of pesticides and chemically preserved coffee. I realized that the veil draped by instant coffee is hard to tear when my mother complained about the freshly grounded coffee packet that I brought from Nagaland. To my horror, she said she had replaced the packet with a Nescafe jar.

An aromatic entrant in the city

Beyond the flawed practices like brewing coffee in boiling water or drinking plain premixes, Guwahati brewed a neat aroma on 24^th May. Lavazza, since 2008, has been cultivating better coffee brewing culture in India. Consequently, with a brisk upsurge in café trends in Northeast India, the company hosted its first-of-kind coffee workshops in Guwahati and Shillong.

Baristas, chefs, café owners, and coffee fanatics from the eight states, are connected to brew an impeccable essence in the region. It was rewarding.

Coffee connoisseur and Training Manager of Lavazza, Mr. Abdul Sahid Khan, adroitly persuaded the participants to brew luscious aromas all over Northeast. He narrated how by playing with different techniques, procedures, and equipment, one can experiment and invent recipes of their own. Besides guiding to attain flawless shots of espresso, he also demonstrated frothing milk and supervised latte art.

Cooking with chemicals

Coffee Cavier, prepared using the molecular gastronomy method

Among those numerous coffee recipes that he exhibited, what thrilled me the most was the molecular gastronomy technique. A concoction of my curiosity and fate mingled with astonishment when I ate espresso. Coffee Cavier is an exclusive recipe of Lavazza. It is prepared by converting liquid to a solidified state. This process is done using calcium chloride with alginate.

The workshop was a pure indulgence of bliss and contentment, in particular. This workshop was a much-needed grasp for the region that believes in pouring a fantastic cup of coffee.

About Lavazza

Ruling for the last 120 years, Lavazza is one of the biggest manufacturers of coffee products from Italy. The company combines coffees from different parts of the world. These are then harvested, processed, mixed, and roasted to create several different and balanced blends, as well as satisfy the coffee-tooth of every fanatic.

Here are some of the pictures from the Guwahati as well as from the Shillong session.

Lavazza workshop in Guwahati — Participants from different states of Northeast India

Note: If you are in Northeast India and wish to get hold of some finely roasted beans of Lavazza, you can ping Jyoti Brothers (Jyotishman: +91 9864311100) or Sumon Bora (Area Sales Manager: +91 9707639828).

Also, feel free to knock us for any queries or questions related to coffee/coffee making. Until then, like this article and don’t forget to share it in your circle.

Creamy fruit tart recipe- Beetroot, mango, chocolate, and cream cheese tart recipe

By

Madhuri Saikia

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May 30, 2020

4

The luxuriance of pastry cream is heavenly. The amazing blend of egg yolks, corn starch, milk, cream, and sweetness is just the right snack for your craves. While there lies a number of tricks and tips to make a really succulent tart, the path doesn’t seem too crammed with sweat. Just the right amount of ingredients are important to rule the recipe. Nevertheless, to make this beetroot, mango, chocolate, and cream cheese tart recipe, it was one incredible experience.

At one moment, I would plan to mix the mango and cream cheese, while on the other, I would wonder how a combination of chocolate and mango would taste like.

But you will gladly love this creamy fruit tart recipe- whether for munching or to round up as a dinner dessert.

Jump to Recipe

Making an authentic French Tart Recipe

A tart is usually a baked recipe, consisting of a crumbly firm pastry shell with a sweet, savory, or fruity base. Nonetheless, for a French fruit tart recipe, the 4 essential ingredients include:

A sweet pastry crust
The vanilla pastry cream filling
Fresh fruits
A tart glaze

Seemingly, most French tart recipes call for berries and fruits on top. I preferred to play the fruit inside.

Drawing everything from scratch is arduous and time-consuming, but it is worth the results. However, for an impatient person like me, things can often spill over. Luckily, I rescued the dessert from falling apart.

I was literally out of my mind (and body) when all at once, I decided to bake this tart. Not out of a great mood but out of frustration.

I set the gelatin to bloom and began curdling the milk. It was the creamiest of cream cheese that I had ever tasted. Even my chocolate ganache was ready. Sigh!

I was almost ready with my fillings when I realized I hadn’t even set the pastry dough.

I opened the cupboard to reach for the Marie biscuit packet. And wow! My biscuit tart shell turned out as an absolute complement to the incredible layers of sweetness.

Making of the crust and filling

This tart cake is the summary of a rich, creamy, chocolaty, and nutty taste at one bite. Like a classic French chocolate tart, it has the lusciousness of chocolate, graced by the tanginess of mango, and at the same time, the sublime flavor and silkiness of cream cheese. Just the right recipe to appease all moods.

For the tart base (or shortcrust), I used a packet of Marie biscuits. You can use any biscuits.

For the filling, I used three layers of cream cheese, mango, and beetroot and white chocolate base. This fresh fruit tart is the ultimate beauty you will ever make.

Follow the tart crust recipe here:

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4-in-one tart recipe- beetroot, mango, chocolate, and ricotta tart recipe

A good blend of different flavors, this french tart is your call for all kinds of snacking.

Prep Time30

Active Time1 30

Total Time2

Course: Dessert

Keyword: baked recipe, dessert recipe, French chocolate tart, French fruit tart, mango tart cake, tart at home, tart recipe

Yield: 3

Equipment

Tart mould
Heating pan
Food processor
Glass bowl
Spatula

Materials

For the tart crust/ shell

1 packet Marie Biscuit You can opt for coconut or digestive biscuits also
1 whole Egg
3-4 tbsp Butter
3 tbsp Sugar

For the filling

1 cup Cream cheese
1 tsp Vanilla essence
2-3 Ripe Mangoes I took the small variety of mangoes
5 grams White chocolate
1 Beetroot
2 tbsp Gelatin
2 tbsp Melted butter
1 tsp Corn starch

Instructions

Grind the biscuits to a fine powder
Add the egg and the melted butter. Mix thoroughly.
Add the granulated sugar and mix again
Spread into a tart mould and press the ends firmly.
Bake at 180 degrees for 20 minutes
Remove from the oven and brush the shell with egg wash
Put it back in the oven for another five minutes

Layer 1- Cream Cheese Filling

Add the cream cheese, vanilla essence, and sugar in a bowl and beat it until the sugar completely dissolves with the cheese. Keep aside.

Layer 2- Mango Filling

For the mango pastry cream, add the mango cubes into a blender and make a fine smooth pulp.

Layer 3- Beetroot and white chocolate filling

Add 5 tbsp water to the 2 tbsp gelatin. Set aside for 10-15 minutes.
Grind or grate the beetroot and extract the juice using a sieve. Keep in a separate bowl.
Add a tsp of corn starch to half a cup of water, and stir.
On medium heat, pour the mixture into a pan.
Now pour the bloomed gelatin into the corn starch mixture.
Add the vanilla and the beetroot extract. Bring it to boil. Sieve and keep aside.
In another pan, heat water and place the white chocolate and butter on a glass bowl to melt.
Now fold the melted chocolate into beetroot extract.

For the assembly

Add the cream cheese layer in the cooled tart mold. Spread it evenly using a spatula. Bake for 15 minutes at 180 degrees.
Pour the second layer of mango pulp once the first filling cools. Let it set for five minutes in the fridge.
Now add the beetroot and chocolate layer.
Refrigerate for 4-5 hours.

A good balance of a mango cheesecake and a French chocolate tart, this fruit tart contis is an amazing pick for all your dessert choices.

Let me know in the comments how your tart recipe goes.

A Happy-Tummy Day with Cheese and Chicken

By

Madhuri Saikia

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July 23, 2018

0

For years now, Dominos and Pizza Hut has been ruling the taste buds of Guwahatians when comes to feasting one’s Italian desires. While a smattering of restaurants and cafes could console those peering needs, quick-eat outlets like Foodies World have grabbed the interests of people promptly.

I had been here before, once for pizza and again for a quick drink. This eatery stares at me every day, on my way and back from the office. I make sure to get an insight into its inside, every day until my car would take a right to the small lane few meters ahead. I often see people feeding their Instagram and Facebook stories with tales about snacks, pizza, and pasta of this joint.

Heaven falls in my table

There is this peculiar thing about my workplace. It is being surrounded by oodles of fast food and quick-bite chains- all of them providing lowly food, is expensive, and is not quite service friendly. Thus, without much choices left, I scoff a plate of ghughuni on the roadside, at times (Perhaps better than chomping heaps of refined flour).

And such was this third bump at Foodies World. As I wait for my Creamy Fondue Non-veg Baked Pasta and Chicken strips to arrive, I engage myself on the familiar walls that always provoke me to stand for a picture.

A tantalizing gust of air conveyed a note that a creamy-cheesy plate of pasta will arrive in no time.

I shove my spoon deeper into the pasta, trying to break through the protected shield of cheese, likely melting in its own way. Graciously opening up to its guests, the pizza bowl exhibited a perfect blend of cheese and meaty texture, generously mingling with the penne. Pure delight!

Moments later, a tall glass of Masala Pepsi and a Cappuccino, accompanied by Chicken strips followed.

Not quite like the chicken strips one finds in KFC, contrary, holds more crispiness and less visibility of oil.

I assure, you will never be heartbroken and or get a drill in your pockets. Soft and “more” juicy chicken bites will wave all the smiles back home.

For busy people: Easy and effective hacks to stay healthy

By

Madhuri Saikia

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April 7, 2018

0

Sedentary lifestyle, hustling schedules, and the race to stand tall among other competitions has disturbed numerous lives. Competitions have killed the world’s sleep and eating habits more than an outbreak. Lack of time is a major account why people buckle under unhealthy eating and sleeping patterns. As a result, prevalence rates for the number of ailments and afflictions have increased rapidly.

The body achieves what the mind believes. Thus, it is essential to watch out both the mind and the body in order to maintain the balance.

Highlighted below are some of the easy and effective ways that will help one engage in a healthy state, physically as well as mentally.

Exercise it out:

Source: BBC

Engaging in physical exercise is a great way to eliminate toxins from the body. Besides toning the muscles and tissues, regular exercise also helps in the release of the brain’s reward chemicals, the ones necessary to enhance one’s state of mind.
Cut off the intake of caffeine

The widely used mood-altering drug in the world, caffeine, when consumed in moderate proportion can yield a number of health benefits. Unlikely, heavy intake, more than 500-600 mg of caffeine a day, on the other hand, can lead to health issues like insomnia, nervousness, irritability, an upset stomach, restlessness, aggravated anxiety, and muscle tremors.
Switch to chamomile tea

Source: Medical news

Chamomile tea possesses a number of health benefits. The beverage is stacked with antioxidants that cut risks of life-threatening diseases like cancer and diseases of the heart. Additionally, chamomile tea treats sleep disorders, promotes digestion, better skin, controls blood sugar, boosts immune health, as well as helps one to relieve from mental clutters like anxiety and depression.
Expose to sunlight:

From regulating the level of insulin to maintaining cardiovascular and lung health, Vitamin D plays numerous roles in keeping the body hale. Exposing to sunlight, at least 15-minutes every day can also help in breaking-free from stress
Listen to good music

Music has the ability to influence one’s mental and physical state. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) announced music therapy as a therapeutic and effective means to combat problems of the mind. Distinguished philosophers like Plato, Confucius, and the kings and monarchs pronounced music as an effectual medium to heal aggravating conditions of their mind.
Replace your regular cup with green tea

Source: Prehab

Green tea has been known as an effective agent to treat issues of the stomach, skin, and brain. Besides, green tea also helps to curb blood pressure and drop an escalating heart rate. Amino acid or L-theanine present in green tea is an important agent required to abate stress and anxiety.
Yoga and meditation:

Source: Woman fitness org

Accepted since ancient times, yoga, and meditation are powerful antidotes for a healthy body and mind. Pranayama (breathing techniques), asana (body postures), meditation, and the ancient yoga philosophy, has strengthened millions of people with positivism and a new perspective on life.

It is not always possible to maintain a healthy diet. In such, balancing with alternatives can work wonder as well. Keeping alongside ditching smoking and drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day, sleep is an important factor to grasp while considering one’s health.

Albeit there are numerous ways to stay healthy, practicing a few simple and basic steps can prove beneficial in retaining one’s health in the long run. So, which are you going to adopt? Let us know in the comment section below.

Also, don’t forget to share this article in your circle.

You may also like to check out Asanas For Weight Loss.

Delectable cuisines from Assam that will tickle your taste buds

By

Madhuri Saikia

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January 8, 2018

0

Assam, the gateway to the northeast, is a valley of luscious vegetation, fascinating wildlife, and a delectable ground that provides some of irresistibly tempting delicacies. While culture and traditions reflect the essence of a region, Assam holds in its core, a spectacularly huge list, along with a confluence of delectable cuisines that reflect its richness and distinctive style from the rest of the world.

Every time you visit their kitchen, you will be enthralled by the aroma of wild herbs and spices whirling up to your senses. The Assamese meal thali or plate usually comprises of different herbs and leafy vegetables, chutney, pitika, fries, pickles, and sweets.

Let us take you on a trip to some of the relishing delicacies that would allure your gluttonous senses to commit another flavoursome sin as you scroll down:

> Starters aka Jolpan: The day starts with poita bhaat (Cooked rice soaked overnight) served with onion, lemon, salt and chilli. Followed by jolpan of different choices such as Cheera (flattened rice), muri or akhoi (puffed rice), pitha Guri (pound rice), handoh guri (fried pound rice), kumol chaul (rice boiled and dried) and bora chaul (sticky rice) is usually served with yogurt, milk and sugar or juggery.

> Fish curry: Fish serves as an important dish of the Assamese cuisine. Masor tenga (sour fish curry), fish cooked with a sourness taste, often with outenga (elephant apple) or patot diya maas (steamed or baked fish), wrapped in banana leaves and baked, is often served with mustard paste for a meal.

> Khar: Khar khua axomiya, holding the literal meaning for the signature dish of the Assamese community, is a detoxifying appetizer. The khar or soda is prepared by burning stem of a banana tree or by roasting and soaking banana peels. The khar is also mixed with mustard paste to prepare Kharoli, a kind of chutney.

> Pitika: The easiest and convenient way to cover up a meal when you are not in the mood to cook. Of course, this is one of the most accepted preparations that is seldom rejected by people when offered. Pitika is a mash of various ingredients like potato, tomato, brinjal or other vegetables grilled or boiled and mixed with mustard oil, onion, chili, coriander, ginger or garlic.

> Khorisa: Khorisa is a pickle prepared from grated bamboo shoots preserved with mustard oil, salt, and chili. Khorisa is also used as a flavoring agent in preparing meat or fish curry.

> Herbs and leafy vegetables: The Assamese meal plate is never complete without the mention of herbs and leafy vegetables, boiled or fried alongside. If you visit an Assamese house, don’t forget to grab the exotic taste of leafy vegetables like dhekiya, laai xaak (spinach), moricha, khutura xaak, or of wild herbs like bhedai lota, changmora, bet gaz, and more.

> Sunga chaul: It is a traditional method mostly circulated in the villages during winters. Rice placed on bamboo stems is roasted in a bonfire. The cooked rice is brought out of the bamboo stem and served hot with meat or fish. Sunga chaul is generally a special catch during the “feast of new rice”.

> Duck or pigeon curry: Duck or pigeon curry is considered as authentic cuisines of the Assamese tradition. The dish is generally cooked with a meagre amount of oil and spices including cumin seeds, bay leaves, coriander, cardamom, ginger, garlic, etc. Duck curry, which is a signature dish of the Assamese culture, is often cooked with kumura (white gourd).

> Sewa diya bhaat: Bora chaul (sticky rice) soaked in water is steamed. The cooked rice is then served with yogurt or chicken curry.

> Polu leta: Polu Leta (silk cocoon) is first boiled and removed from its shell. The boiled cocoon is then fried and served with the meal.

Besides these scrumptious delicacies, other succulent sweets and desserts include, narikal laru (coconut laddoo), til pitha, ghila pitha, etc. Also don’t forget to wrap up your day with a rich taste of Haaz or Rohi or take that winey taste of Judima.

Keiko’s Japanese treat to the people of Guwahati

By

Madhuri Saikia

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January 19, 2020

0

With Guwahati sprawling through the magical loops of nightlife, numerous establishments are adding to the growing competition. Chic parties, groovy music, and bustling eateries are adorning the city with their hip elements. One of such electric and happening place is the Keiko Ultra Lounge, a Japanese themed restaurant cum pub in Guwahati that is brimmed with surprises for its visitors.

For someone looking out to snuggle cozy moments with oneself or with a partner without much hustle and shrilling music, Keiko is the place to be. It’s not much hassle finding this pub for it is situated on the busy road of Christian Basti’s Kamakhya Towers, near Sohum Shoppe.

Let me take you inside the lounge

Keiko japanese restaurant in guwahati — Glimpse from the entrance

As I walked in, a beautiful smile greeted me to the large lounge arranged in an elegant fashion. There were tall-large-short-comfy-loungy sitting arrangements spread across the area. Added, the industrial decor complimented the overall theme of the restaurant.

As you approach, the smart balance of urban, psychedelic, and rustic ambiance will join to thrill you; and gradually cuddle you as you take your seat. Embraced by a mellow vibe, this is also an absolute place for all kinds of get-togethers, corporate dinners, or family occasions.

From the menu

The aroma of the herbs and spices paving its way from the kitchen is tempting enough to elevate one’s mood

An array of choices- starters, soups, curry bowls, desserts, and quick-eats are arranged on the menu. However, for a Japanese food lover, Keiko has an assortment of succulent meals to devour. Ho wang tong soup, barbeque bao dimsum, tekka maki sushi, golden fried veg wasabi are few of the delectable picks among others. Besides, the pizza, pasta, and the sandwich section too hold a thick spread of fresh ingredients.

Another noteworthy section of the menu is the Bento Box and the Hot Pot. While Bento Box offers an “only delivery” option, Hot Pot makes the visitors cook its own food in the restaurant. The concept of Bento Box addresses the Japanese’s way of carrying a lunch box to the workplace that mostly consists of healthy meals. On the other hand, the Hot Pot part allows guests to choose its add-ons which are then put on the broth and placed on an induction. This is a popular eating habit across restaurants in Asia and Keiko is the first restaurant in Guwahati to adopt this culture.

Why you should consider Keiko

I have my own reasons to call this place amazing; for it gives me a café-like daze, a fine-dine restaurant, a loungy place with friends, and a go-gaga with food and drinks pub. If you want to experience food, music, and ambiance in one place, then Keiko should mark your list first.

This is undoubtedly the only pub in the city where I can rely on great music, sumptuous food, and warm hospitality. Drooling over the munchies to shaking a leg to the cherry acoustic, this space has so much to offer.

Well, these are my reasons to label this place amazingly-interesting. Let me know what are your favorites about Keiko in the comments below.

Summary

Location: Ground Floor, Sri Kamakhya Towers, Christian Basti, Guwahati
Theme: Japanese
Cost for two: 800-1000
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Parking: Yes

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A soft and fluffy date and coffee cake recipe

By

Madhuri Saikia

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July 2, 2020

2

I can never get enough of cakes. Indeed, baking has proved as the most therapeutic means to manage my anxious mind. Amid all others, baking a date cake and a banana cake seemed stress-free for me; given the fact that I am left with minimal utensils to wash and the cakes turn delectable and fluffy. However, the road to baking a moist and soft old-fashioned healthy date cake consist of not much hard work. Just some great quality dates and brown sugar and the win is all yours.

Ever since I developed this cherished bond with baking aromatic cakes, there’s no stopping. In fact, all the eggs and fruits that my husband brings would go into my cakes or tarts. I love how my fervent desire for cooking (or baking) is molding so perfectly each day. From blazing a cake to ashes to baking that perfectly soft and spongy cake, I have got my hands on precision.

How temperature or material of the vessel affect while baking

And this date cake is the result of weeks of experimenting with temperatures, ingredients, vessels, and techniques. In case of baking, it is imperative to know that every oven has different features and the baking differs from an aluminum to a silicon vessel. So, you need to experiment with your vessels and temperatures of your oven before settling for a perfect spongy cake.

Unlike my other gooey or sticky date cakes, I decided to keep this a bit light, fluffy, and moist at the same time.

Date cake baking temperature may vary depending upon factors like vessels used, materials or size of the cake, etc. For this date cake, I used a rectangular silicon mold and an OTG to bake. I kept the temperature at 185 degrees Celsius for less than 20 minutes.

Here’s the recipe on how to make a perfect date cake, or a date and coffee cake:

Pick a fistful of good quality dates and remove the seeds.
Boil half a glass of water.
Put the dates in the boiling water, stir in between intervals.
Once the water soaks to half, leaving a mushy bottom, add a tablespoon of instant coffee powder.
Stir for about two minutes and remove the pan.
Once cooled, transfer to a food processor and reduce it to a smooth paste. You can also use a few tablespoons of milk if the blend seems too dry.
The date paste is ready.

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