12/6/12

Grand Sweets and Snacks : Homely Taste

Exactly a week ago , it was mom and me time. We were out shopping and had decided to have dinner outside. The highlight was the time at which we decided to step out  for shopping and dinner 
It was around 8 pm. We happily finished shopping by 9 15 pm and mom insisted we have dinner at Grand Sweets and Snacks Amirtham at Bazulla Road. 


I kind of like the leaf structure in which Amirtham is written


A huge Pillaiyar/Ganesha welcomes you. He is a cute guy and mom likes him very much.

While we waited for our order to be served, I took a quick look around wanting to know what all does Grand Sweets offer to its customers


Various Sweets, of course traditional ones.


Delicious Thokkus, Gonugura, Tomato. They also have Vatha Kulambu Paste for which I have my friends who vouch for its taste


Pickles, Lemon, Tomato


They also offer you spicy Sambhar podi, Dal podi, and Rasam podi


You get freshly prepared Badam Milk.



Coconut and Dal Poli


The most interesting things to me is their open kitchen, where you can see what dishes being made and how they are being prepared


First to come was Idly. It was made out of batter made from rice and urad dal. Not the ones where it is made from rice flour. It was soft and hot. Sambhar was the best. It tasted just like the ones we have at home and chutney was freshly made. The tadka for it was just perfect. 

I stress upon all these points as we went to the restuarant at 9 15pm


Next on the list was Chole Batura. This too was hot and most important Chole was not very spicy. It was mildly spiced and was of the right consistency




Mom and me digged into this batura


We ordered Idiyappam with Coconut Milk. Idiyappam was soft and again was served hot.


One thing which I did not like was the leaf on which Idiyappam was served did not look good
This is not the kind of leaf we get served in restaurants.


We finished our dinner with a hot cup of traditional filter coffee. 


Traditional jars used for storing pickles and salt were put up on display. I saw a few kids asking their mothers, what they were. Guess we will be the last generation to get a hands on experience of using these

Miniature model of the AAMI that our mothers and grand mothers used for making chutneys and thogaiyals. 
The taste of those dishes, were truly amazing. Some old practices needs a little rekindling,

Grand Sweets and Snacks is located at 

The Grand Sweets & Snacks
37/18, Bazulla Road, 
T Nagar, Chennai 17
Ph: 42124466

My ratings 

Food : 8/10
Ambience : 7/10
Service : 8/10
Price : 8/10

12/5/12

Momos made by the hands from Tibet

Ashvita has been one of my favorite restaurants  Been there a couple of times and liked their garden restaurant  This time around I was there for a different reason. Ashvita was conducting Momo making classes. I had missed it the first time and did not want to miss it this time. It was a nice experience to learn how to make Momo from the hands of an expert. Chef Anoop, was our instructor for the day. He has an amazing talent of folding Momos. Please have a look at the two videos in this blog and you will get to know his talent.


Chef Anoop


Momo covering in the making. Maida dough with a little salt


Pinch small balls and make them into small puris


There were five different fillings with which Momos were to be made


Mushroom and Spinach


Vegetable Momos


Tomato Cheese Momos ( the yummiest )


Chicken Momos


Two different sauces with which we can have Momos with
Mint sauce and Grilled tomato sauce


Chef shows us how to make the Momos



Videos on how Momos weer folded




This was my try in folding a Momo



Participants trying to make Momos 




Various shapes that can be done


Traditional Dimsum


Momos ready to be steamed


Steamed and ready to eat Momos


My plate and what more I got to ate the one that I made


Another way of making Momos, Pan fried ones with a little butter and finely minced garlic.


To make Deep Fried Momos, dip the steamed Momos in a batter of Maida and Corn along with a pinch of Salt


Deep Fry them in hot oil


Crispy Momos ready to eat.

These crispy Momos can be tossed in tomato sauce with a little red chili flakes, spring onions and finely minced garlic to get an oriental flavor.

I enjoyed learning to make different shapes of Momos.


12/4/12

Gormei Market : A Culinary Expedition


Organic foods are foods that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Organic foods are also not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives. The chart given below will help you understand better about Organic foods and Natural foods.


If you looking for unique foods to enhance your culinary experience, well, look no further !! Fajita and Tagine kits, Sushi and Arborio rice, Bruschetta breads, Udon and LoMein noodles, Quinoa and Cous-Cous, Tacos and Tortillas. No matter the cuisine,Gormei Market is your answer. Chennai's only specialty food superstore offering a wide range of food products from all over India and Around the World









Owned by Anand and Shriram. They are the pioneers of this concept in Chennai, truly enterprising and energetic partners. They are the store and helps you find the product you are looking out for. And what more, they treat every customer with their wonderful and infectious smile 


You name a cheese and it is there for in Gormei Market.A separate counter dedicated to Cheeses.
Ricotta, Brie, Feta, Mozzarella, Parmesan (grated and block), Cheddar, Cream Cheese, Camembert, Gouda, Blue Cheese, Mascarpone, Cheese Sticks (for kids) !! Its a cheesy stuff after all. 

Daily fresh organic milk and curd are a specialty here
  

Various beverages, Indian and International are at your finger tips 


Chocolates , now who can resist them. Here again, you have the desi brands along with the Lindt chocolates  My personal favorite is the dark chocolate from Lindt


Organically grown vegetables can be see in the first counter at Gormei Market Asparagus, Zucchini, Broccoli, Capsicum, Leeks, Ice burg Lettuce, Mushroom, Spring Onion, basil, thyme, parsley, methi, mint etc. I have picked up their capsicum and Broccoli  Trust me the shelf life is much longer than the normal veggies we buy  



I never heard of Organic snacks until I saw them at Gormei Market.
Thinai Mixture, Organic Kaaraaboondhi & Ribbon Pakoda, Brown Rice Murukku, Orange Cookies, Organic Cocoa Pak, and more. Enjoy !

  

London Diary ice creams for you 

                            
Canned and Dried fruits for all your baking needs


Premium coffee at Gormei Market !!

Coorg-grown Arabica coffee beans, a coffee/chicory powder blend (85/15), and an instant filter coffee decoction option; also available is a choice of Organic pure coffee powder.




Olive Oil, Canola Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Coconut Oil, Sesame Oil, Ground Nut Oil, Mustard Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Sunflower Oil, Almond Oil, Walnut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, and other flavored Olive Oils such as Basil, Red pepper, Chili Pepper, Black Truffle, Garlic, and Lemon!!

A variety of Vinegar, White wine, Red Wine, Green Grape, Champagne.. oh my I am lost for choices.



Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian. ingredients to cook dishes from various cuisines, under one roof : Gormei Market





Organic milk is another special product at Gormei Market. Even soy milk is organic  


Naturellement, a company of confectionary and culinary artisans, produces the highest quality natural and organic gourmet foods of international standard. It is located at Auroville, Pondicherry; it focuses on giving self-empowering work and training to women from the local villages around Auroville.


Wanna make Pizza or Pasta, ready made sauces from various brands under one roof. That is Gormei Market. 

Olives, black or green, whole or pitted, normal or stuffed, any brand   is available here



Want to surprise your loved ones and friends ?? Now you can with Gormei Market's fine food gift baskets !! You set a budget and, let them know what you would like and  the basket ready for you...!! Its that simple !!



Gormei Market now carries an extensive choice of nuts and dry fruits (& seeds) !! Apart from the health benefits, they make an excellent snack alternative !!

Almonds, walnuts, dates, cashews, apricots, macadamias, pistas, date bar, flax seeds, flax-seed oil, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, fig bar, apricot bar, etc


Their organic products range from staples (rice, dals, millets, spices, oils, ghee, cashews, raisins etc), pasta, pasta sauce, olive oil, breakfast cereals, muesli, bread, jams, peanut butter, green tea, white tea, quinoa, couscous, honey and many more !!
  

Frozen foods ranging from prawns to sausages, from ready to cook fish fingers to cutlets are available here.

On the whole, shopping at Gormei Market is an experience on its own. 

Gormei Market is located at 

2nd Main Rd, CIT Colony,
 Mylapore, Chennai, 
Tamil Nadu 600004
(behind Focus Gallery)
Phone : 42172228
Store Timings : Mon - Sun9:00 am - 9:00 pm


&
                                  
                                   13, First Crescent Road
Gandhi Nagar, Adyar (beside Crimson Chakra)

Facebook Page : http://www.facebook.com/gormeimarket?fref=ts  

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