Category: Foodie

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Foodie

Top Food Items to Try in Mumbai

Mumbai is known for being the financial capital of India as well as for being the home to the world-famous Bollywood industry. The city has thus earned the nickname ‘the city of dreams. The city is also one of the biggest tourist hotspots of the country with several major tourist attractions including historical ones, cultural ones, natural ones, etc. Some of the best attractions have to do with the favorite sin of every modal tourist – gluttony.

8 Famous Dishes of Mumbai to try

Mumbai is like miniature India in terms of its cultural diversity with people from varying backgrounds and regions from not only all parts of India but all the parts of the world settled here. And they have all brought their special food and cuisine. This article discusses some of the best food options one can enjoy in Mumbai.

1. Vada Pav

The first and one of the most popular food items in this list of food items to try in Mumbai has to be, without doubt, Vada Pav. Literally means big bread and is often called poor man’s burger for its being a cheaper substitute for a burger; vada pav is no less delicious than burgers. Served with both sweet and spicy chutneys, friend chilies, garlic powder chutney, etc., it is a street food that must be on every foodie’s bucket list. Parleshwar Vada Pav Samrat in Vile Parle West will be the best place to try it.

2. Pav Bhaaji

Another excellent food item to make it to this list of food items to try in Mumbai. Bread and seasonings, Pav Bhaaji, and Pav Bhaaji make a nice meal for people of all sections of society. One can find this street food in almost all parts of Mumbai.

3. Pani Puri

Well, pani puri would make a nice contender for being the national food of India. And Mumbai has mastered several varieties of Pani Puri including Khatta Meetha, Hing Jeera, etc. Those who haven’t tried should know that they are missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime.

4. Misal Pav

As delicious as its name sound, Misal Pav is the perfect mix of curried lentils that is topped with potato bhaji and some other ingredients like chopped onions, potatoes, chivada, and poha – that can be eaten Pav (bread) and some yogurty. This mouth-watering dish is a natural winner to be included in this list of top delicious food items to try in Mumbai as it’s both tasty and healthy.

5. Bhel Puri

Every Indian knows about the next food item that makes our list of food items that one should try while in Mumbai – Bhel Puri. This Marathi dish is essentially a puri which is loaded with stuff like diced potatoes, onions, vegetables, chutneys, etc, and further seasoned with lemon and chaat masala.

6. Falooda

When it comes to listing food items in Mumbai that everyone should try, Falooda occupies a special place – for being one of the most nutritious food items out there and a perfect relief from the Mumbai summers.

Moreover, do check out our article on the best places to visit in summer in India here!

7. Baida Roti

A typical roti is round-shaped but a Baida Roti is a square-shaped patty fried with spiced meat (which may be chicken or mutton) and whipped with eggs and onions. It is even more delicious than it sounds and is worth a try for every foodie on the planet.

8. Steamed Idlis and Vadas

Idli Vada is one of the most famous food items in India. Vada is served in this case with sambhar and some mouth-watering coconut chutney. These delicious food items are go-to favorites for many foodies across the country and Mumbai have mastered the art of marking them super-delicious.

The reader must note that while some of these food items are discussed as street food items, several restaurants offer them as dine-in food too.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are several questions people ask that relate to food items in Mumbai. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on this subject:

Question: Is street food available in Mumbai during the night?

Answer: Depending on the location, the street food in Mumbai is available for most hours of the evening through midnight. Other food options may be available right through the day.

Question: Are there any non-vegetarian junk food options available as street food in Mumbai?

Answer: Yes. There are several non-vegetarian junk food options available as food in Mumbai.

Question: What is the normal time for street food items to open in Mumbai?

Answer: Most of them open in the afternoon at around 2:00 P.M. However there may be some exceptions that can avail you the same thing early in the day.

Question: How much does food cost in Mumbai?

Answer: Depending on the type of food items, the place where it is bought, quality, time of the day, etc., the price of food starts from as low as 10 rupees for some street food items and can go up to hundreds of rupees for a single meal.

Question: What are the different types of puries to try in Mumbai?

Answer: Bhelpuri, Pani Puri, Dahi Puri, Sev Puri, etc., are some of the puris to try in Mumbai.

Question: What is the best place to eat in Mumbai?

Answer: There can be no single answer to the question as it depends on individual preferences and choices. Whatever one’s budget may be, one should give street food a try where one is – that’s from Traveller’s guidebook 101, but apart from that, the choice of dine-in options will depend on the traveler’s individual preferences.

If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them in the comments below.

The Bottom Line

One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that there are several excellent food items in Mumbai to try, especially street food items, and that one should try all of them at least once. One thing is for sure, Mumbai can rightly be called a foodie’s paradise.

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Foodie

Types of Biryani

Types of Biryani

Biryani is among the most favorite delicacies in India. Most of the people prefer eating Biryani as it is highly rich in nutrient content. Almost every state in India gives a unique and beautiful shape to the ancient rice and meat delicacies. Also, there can be a highly flavourful transition to vegetarian Biryani as well.

There are many different recipes of Biryani cooked in India. These may also be known as “various forms” or “types of Biryani.” Here we have a look at different types of Biryani:

Awadhi Biryani

Lucknow is most famous for its etiquette and delicious Mughal food. Also, Indian Biryani was first created in Awadh by the Mughal emperors in the eighteenth century. The Lucknowi or Awadhi Dum Biryani is considered as the king of all Biryanis. While preparing it, the special biryani rice is cooked separately in Indian spices. Then marinated chicken pieces are added in distinct layers, and then the whole dish is cooked in a completely covered pot in low flame for hours. Many other Indian spices are added to keep the flavor of Biryani.

Hyderabadi Biryani

Hyderabadi Biryani is very famous in India. It was first taken to Hyderabad by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The chefs of the monarch of Hyderabad developed various varieties and recipes for the consumption of the royal family. Initially, it involves cooking of raw goat meat with rice till rice soak all the flavors of the flesh. After that, many fresh ingredients, spices, condiments, fried onions, and some fried vegetables are roasted well and mixed with Biryani. You can also get the vegetarian version of Hyderabadi Biryani. It is known as Tahiri Biryani. 

Kolkata Biryani

Kolkata got the biryani flavor with the coming of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the king of Awadh. He bought with him the culture, tradition, and history along with Biryani, to Kolkata. As Biryani reached more people, many diversified recipes of it were developed. Similarly, as it reached Kolkata, the people of Kolkata added potato instead of expensive meat. It added more flavor and taste to the dish. However, while marinating the meat, some people added unique condiments like cardamom and cinnamon to add rich flavor.  

Thalassery Biryani

The south Indian Biryani offers even more diverse tastes. It includes the coastal taste, Indian flavors, and southern spices. Jeerakasala rice is used instead of Basmati. The Thalassery Biryani includes fish and prawns instead of chicken or mutton, and is cooked in Desi Ghee. It is also quite sweet as it uses the south Indian ingredients and is garnished with cashew nuts.

Momeni Biryani

It is a flavourful variation of the ancient Biryani in the western Gujrat and Sindh region. This Biryani is amongst the spiciest biryanis in the country. It is the highly flavourful version of Biryani in the Indian subcontinent. It is made with soft mutton, yogurt, potatoes, tomatoes, and many other spices. 

Which one is your favorite, share with us in the comments.

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Foodie Travel Tips

How can you roam the Philippines as Vegetarian

Being a vegetarian and traveling the world usually do not go hand in hand. However, with a few tips, you can travel across the globe and be a vegetarian at the same time. Talking specifically about traveling to the Philippines there is no need for you to worry and there are a lot of steps that you can take so as to make your trip to the place as vegetarians more comfortable.

Prefer to stay in the urban areas

Finding a variety of food options is comparatively easy in urban areas than in rural areas. People in backward regions are specifically dependent on meant as a source of food. Having said this, it is clear that while planning your trip to the Philippines you must go in for exploring more of the urban regions that sticking to the rural areas for the most part of your trip. There will be a lot of restaurant options at places like Manila where you can easily find vegetarian food.

Opt for a variety of food

The Philippines is naturally well supplied with a plethora of fresh tropical fruits. Right from mouth-watering mangoes to the exotic dragon fruits, the Philippines has a literally wide range of fruit options available for you. So, if you are traveling to this place then you need not worry as you can easily feed on these fruits for a good amount of time without getting bored.

Try small restaurants

All of us try to go to the fancy restaurants totally avoiding the local small scale food joints and it is here that we go completely wrong searching for the right food. Usually, there are plenty of high shot restaurants around the place but few local shops and restaurants. While the former has plenty of food options for the non-vegetarians the latter one has a lot of options for vegetarians. Thus, you must not underestimate the food resources of these small shops for vegetarian travelers.

Highlight your needs

In case you are booking the vacation package from a travel agent then you ought to ensure that you tell them your food preferences. This way they will be able to search for you the hotels where the options for vegetarian food are diverse. Apart from this, you need to tell the servers at the restaurants about your food preferences in detail. At times, it so happens that the vegetarian dishes might not be mentioned on the menu but is actually available with the authorities on special demand. This implies that you should not solely depend on the menu that you are offered at the hotel.

All in all, these are few tips that can be of great help to vegetarians when they are on a trip to the Philippines. Not only for the Philippines, these tips can also be of great help when traveling to any part of the world that is more popular for non-vegetarian food, especially for seafood. Last but not least use Happy Cow!!

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Culture Festival Foodie

Experience of a Vegetarian in Delhi Street Food Festival 2019

We recently attended the Delhi street food festival 2019 that is organized by NASVI (national association of street vendor of India) people come to different states from India in this festival. In Delhi many types of food festivals organized. The food festival I attend where I saw up to 150 food stalls and performances like music, dance, many lip-smacking cuisines from different states of India. It’s not necessary that the only participant attend this festival. But if you are crazy about food like me then you should go and attend this festival once a time. Sharing a few glimpses from the event.

Category of food that you find in Delhi street food festival

At this festival, I ate panipuri, chole bhature, momos, pav bhaji, etc.  But I ate tasty and delicious veg food then I’m sure nonveg must be tasty. So back to veg food- I started from the panipuri or golgappa because I love it. So I ate the first variety of golgappa like Dahi, meetha, tikha, and then I moved on pav bhaji. Apart from all this food I love Chinese but I visited this stall at last because there was too much crowd. During eating food I also enjoyed music and dance. But the time when I was visiting the Chinese stall I ate all types of noodles, momos, Manchurian, paneer tikka, etc. You can eat here samosa kachori, aloo chaat, Bishan Swaroop chaat, paratha, puri sabzi and many more.

You should visit once, I’m sure you also enjoy this food festival. You can make friends. The festival was for 2 or 3 days. So in this festival, the chef also came to taste food and given a rating of the stall. According to the rating or marks, the stall owner becomes the winner. The last day of this festival music band performed and I really enjoyed this music with my favorite food.

Here I shared my experience of the Delhi street food festival 2019. Thank you!!!

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Culture Foodie

Vegetarian Food joints in Jaipur

Jaipur is the heart of Rajasthan, filled with historical places, great architecture, and buzzing markets. Amidst the various palaces and fort sightings, fun and the crowd, one is likely to get hungry (a lot). Indulge in some authentic Rajasthani food until your stomach can take no more or just casually stop by for some light snacks at these wonderful places. Jaipur’s food reflects the cuisines derived straight from the Royal kitchens. Their dishes have a unique taste and the flavor of Rajasthan but you must know the right place to go and we are here to help you choose.

We #ghoomophiirosisters took flight from Delhi to Jaipur on a lazy weekend to taste the delicacies of #Jaipur at these vegetarian food joints in Jaipur.

  1. Anokhi Cafe

Address: C 11, 2nd Floor, KK Square, Prithviraj Road, C Scheme, Jaipur

This classy cafe serves food made from organic ingredients that are locally grown. Not only is the ambiance of the place great, but their coffee cream cafe and baked bread are also delightful for the taste buds. A pit stop here is what you need after your journey to Jaipur, to get you back on track. Don’t forget to try their freshly squeezed juices.

  1. Brown Sugar

Address: Aurum Apartment, Tilak Marg, C Scheme, Jaipur

Another chic cafe in Jaipur with great coffee, soothing music, and beautiful wooden interiors. They have a wonderful range of bread, Pizzas, and cakes at your service. It is a great place to hang out with friends or make a resting stop after shopping. The Highlight of the place would have to be the Nutella Pancakes and the open sitting arrangement.

  1. Spice court

Address:  Achrol House, Jacob Road, Civil Lines, Jaipur

What would be the fun if you are in Rajasthan but don’t try any signature Rajasthani dishes? Spice court is set up in a courtyard and is popular for its tribal dishes. Beneath the charming moonlight, enjoy your dinner with Daal Bati. They even arrange a puppet show for enjoyment. The menu is wide in range and so you have many options to choose from.

  1. Dragon House

Address: Khasa Kothi Circle, M.I. Road

This is the place for you if you are craving some Thai food or Chinese food. They have the greatest Asian cuisine in Rajasthan. Their Thai Salads and Dim sums might not look as attractive but the taste is delicious. If you are tired of all the Rajasthani food, come here for a break from the monotony.

  1. Chokhi Dhani

Address: Chokhi Dhani Village Resort, 12 Mile, Tonk Road, Jaipur

They not only offer you delicious Rajasthani cuisines with live music, but there is also a buffet option. Even the theme of the restaurant is Rajasthani Village and it shows as soon as you walk in. Have the authentic Rajasthan experience is Chokhi Dhani. They have various dishes like gate ki sabzi, dal bati churma, Rajasthani thali and they welcome you with a welcome drink i.e chilled Jal jeera.

  1. Grand Chanakya

Address: 4 A-B, Kashi Bhawan, M.I. Road, Panch Batti, Jaipur

The menu might be limited to Rajasthani and North Indian cuisines but the preparation and the taste make you forget about the lack of choice. Grand Chanakya is a high-end restaurant where you can enjoy delightful meals. Do try their Paneer Khurchan and Churma.

  1. Peacock Rooftop

Address: 51, Hathroi Fort, Hari Kishan Somani Marg (Ajmer Rd), Jaipur

As the name suggests, this is a rooftop restaurant with great ambiance and live music for your entertainment. Try the various skewers (especially mushroom) and veg raita. There isn’t a finer dining spot in whole Jaipur than this one.

Some other restaurants you can probably visit are Tapri tea House and Rawat Mishtan Bhandar. Here I conclude the list of the best vegetarian restaurants in Jaipur. You better be hungry when you go in because you would want to try out everything. Enjoy fine Rajasthani dining experience and eat like the foodie you are!

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Foodie Travel Tips

Unforgettable Cafes and Restaurants in Shimla

Other than being a place full of amazing visuals and sights, Shimla is also known to cater the tourists quite well. Say thanks in part to the amazing locales here who left no stone unturned in making the tourists feel like home. However, a place as beautiful as Shimla, one would not really expect it to be a foodie’s paradise. But as it happens to be the case, there are many places in Shimla that cater to the foodies quite well. So, here we are, listing the places to go whenever you are tired from a day of sightseeing.

Embassy – This happens to be one of the oldest coffee shops in the entire hill station and also the most popular one at that. Other than serving some delicious cakes, sweets, and pastries, this place is known more widely for the amazing coffee that they make. In the spine-chilling cold weather outside, nothing seems more soothing than a hot cup of black coffee along with a delicious chocolate cake right? The place is being run by a couple and is located on the Mall road. The embassy is located on the famous Mall Road, Shimla.

Baljees Fascination – This is one of the few cafes cum restaurants located on the famous Mall Road, Shimla that serves some of the most delicious Indian snacks along with coffee and other beverages. As you step inside the place, located in the middle bazaar, you are met with a very delicious aroma of the Indian snacks such as paneer pakoras, samosa, among other things. Most tourists being the north Indians, this place also serves as a great place to chill and hang out. With the slow Hindi music playing in the background, it doesn’t get any better than that. The specialty of the place is hot and deliciously served Gulab Jamuns. Is your mouth watering right now?

Wake and Bake Cafe- Shimla wasn’t known for having good restaurants where you could taste the best international cuisines. But that was the case only until two years ago. Now there is Wake and Bake Cafe, which specializes in the Indian and the international cuisines alike. This can be touted as Shimla’s reply to the high-end restaurants located in Dharamkot and Old Manali. The food here is excellent and the prices are surprisingly low as well. Located on the Mall road right opposite to the municipal office, this one is a must-visit the place.

Dimsum- Getting bored of all the sightseeing and craving for some Chinese food eh? Don’t worry; we have got just the right place which is located somewhere on the mall road. However, the service is a bit slow over here, but the blame goes to the heavy crowd in here thanks to the amazing food and popularity of the place. Soups, curries, and noodles are the specialties here and the mouth-watering taste will make you come back here again and again.

Cafe Sol- The foodies and the lovers of baked food have this place listed as one their favorite in the hill station. Cafe Sol is located inside the hotel Combermere and the place is open for the visitors as well. The great interiors are the highlights here, and the great menu, of course, full of Mexican food items and pizzas.

Well, there you have one more reason to visit the beautiful hill station. The food here is excellent. And there are many more places other than we have mentioned that caters to the tourists and give them something other than the natural beauty to remember.

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Foodie

Indore Night Sarafa Food market

Indore has been dubbed as the food capital of India and perhaps no other city deserves that title. Indore is for food lovers of India what Goa is for its beach lovers. It drives advantage of its central location in India to find a way for specialties of different parts of the country whose culinary genius is held in awe and respect all over the world into its own highly diverse kitchen.

And nowhere does Indore bring to life its love affair with food than at its tremendously popular Sarafa Market which springs up like sinister intentions of naughty lovers every night.

Sarafa Bazar opens at around 8 p.m. when the jewelry market around Rajwada Bazaar – a dying rudiment of Holker Raj shuts down and stays open till long past midnight proving, to the uninitiated, that there are no bad times to satisfy your craving for something delicious. Its a festivity and a fan fair of over 3000 visitors for food lovers that surround the neon-lit shops and carts which one feels when one visits the Sarafa Bazaar which makes you want to make it your home.

Over 50 different dishes are available at this market – made of recipes that have been perfected over a century and, of course, just as Indian food lovers would like it, there is nothing subtle about taste.

During our last trip to Indore, we got a chance to partake the pleasures of Indore Night Sarafa Food market three days in a row. Here we bring you a list of some of the most popular food items of Sarafa food market:

1.    Pani Puri

If like us, Pani Puri is your thing then it will take you a while to have enough of Indore Night Sarafa Food market which offers not one, not two and not two, three, four but over 10 different flavours of this beloved street food of India, of course along with its long-standing partner – the usual mint-and-chilli-spiked water.

2.    Poha Jalebi

Poha Jalebi is the signature breakfast dish of the city of Indore. It is born of a marriage of two unlikely partners – poha and jalebi, one from Maharashtra and the other of Arabic origins. It is light, mild, not to say sinfully delicious and served with spicy crunchy missal.

3.    Bhutte ki Kees

Bhutte ki Kees is a seasonal specialty. It is made from corn, shredded and cooked with milk, coconut, and spices until it acquires a moist, smooth texture. It will melt in your mouth leaving behind a mesmerizing taste that goes just too well along with fresh coriander, grated coconut, and lemon juice

4.    Garadu

Garuda is a sort of guilty pleasure of a dish – for it is exactly the burning sensation it leaves on our tongue that we love it for. It is a particular variety of the yam, that is fried to perfection to form a crisp snack topped with spices, etc and sold on pushcarts. It also goes along well with lemon juice which will also satiate the burning sensation eating hot Garadu will leave on your tongue.

5.    Khopra Patties

One of my favorites from Indore Night Sarafa Food Market is Khopra Patties. These patties are potato balls cooked with a core of stuffed coconut and fried right in front of your greedy eyes. They are best enjoyed tangy tamarind chutney. We particularly recommend the ones they sell at Vijay Chat House.

6.    Egg Benjo

Egg Benjo is made from an omelet, that was crisp and red with chilies and nestled in a warmed bun. It is so soft that it will melt in your mouth and the best place to enjoy them is Johnny Hot Dog Shop.

 

7.    Dal Bafla

The Dal bafla is an oven-baked ball of wheat and semolina, which is then crushed and dipped in ghee (who cares for high cholesterol levels anyway?) before being served. Accompany Dal Bafla with light dal, churma, coriander-mint chutney, and mango pickle. We highly recommend trying it Rajhans.

8.    Sabudana Khichdi

We will most heartily recommend the Sabudana Khichdi made by Om Prakash Vyas of Saawariyan Seth. The Sabudana Khichdi is one of those dishes that can be eaten during Hindu fasts, thus you can give into your taste-lust without fear losing your pious standing

9.    Malpua

The Malpua are thin pancakes made of flour, khoya (milk solids), semolina, etc. It is deep-fried and dunked in sugar syrup. It partners well with rabdi.

10.    Indori Shikanji

Indori Shikanji is, unlike its name suggests, neither lemon nor water. Rather, it is a milk drink with dry fruits that have a hint of tanginess from the mattha (buttermilk). It has a dewy sweetness to it.

11.    Jaleba

Have you had fantasies for a really big Jalebi as we do? In that case, Jaleba, a specialty of Madhya Pradesh, especially of its Indore Night Sarafa Food market is just the thing for you. Jalebe is a king size jalebi fried in desi ghee. It is large and crisp but soft within and is sugar syrup sweet thus making it fifth in our list of 10 Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh.

 

12.    Ratalu

Ratalu is a winter specialty. It is made of chunks of purple yam deep-fried to a golden brown and then generously smothered in red chili powder. Just one bite is enough to fill your mouth with an unparallel taste.

13.    Doodh Chana and Namkeen

Doodh Chana is a snack made of kabuli chana, soaked in milk for several hours and then it is fried and spiced. It is incredibly soft and delicious and goes well along with Namkeen. We highly recommend trying it at Ganesh Namkeen. There are several forms of namkeen but the one we loved most was Indori khata meetha.

14.    Kaanji Vada

Kaanji Vada is a sour tasting Dahi vada made by soaking plump vadas in kaanji. Kaanji is a digestive drink (may as well, you need one after indulging your taste buds so much in Indore Night Sarafa FOod Market) that is made of fermented mustard with a big smack of asafoetida.

15.    Hapus Icecream with Shrikhand

Something for dessert. Saffron flavored shrikhand with pistachio and cashews partners well. We very highly recommend Agarwal Ice Cream shop which has been serving it for over 55 years.

16.    Petha Paan

Petha paan is a very unique paan made of cashew, almond, gulkand (rose jam), etc that are encased in a thin layer of green petha. The Petha is held together with clove and makes a perfect end to your food marathon. We recommend trying this mouth-watering variety of paan at Anna Ka Paan shop.

17.    Gulab Jamun

Balls made out of freshly Curdled milk, Gulab Jamun is without argument the king of all sweets. These mouthwatering Sugar soaked Khoya balls are flavored with green cardamom, rose water, saffron, etc. And when it comes to Gulab Jaman, nowhere else has the art of their creation being perfected as in Indore. Calories, calories – there are just no good reasons to keep anyone with a sweet tooth from enjoying these little balls of paradise.

Conclusion

Indore Night Sarafa Food market is one of those poster pictures that we would show to a newbie to encourage them to travel more often and I think the reasons for same are obvious. We hope we didn’t turn you into a hungry Joey Tribioni. Enjoy J

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Foodie Rejoice Travel Tips

Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh

Besides an exotic variety of art, forts, palaces, Hindu temples, Jain temples, gurudwaras, wildlife, and natural vegetation, Madhya Pradesh is home to the greatest variety of mouth-watering sweets you can imagine showing why we think India is a country born with a sweet tooth. Here we bring you a list of 10 Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh:

1. Mawa-Bati

Forget worrying about diabetes, you only live one time – and Gulab Jamuns, the king of all sweets, has received an upgrade in Madhya Pradesh in form Mawa Bati, the first item in our list of 10 Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh. If the sweet syrup was not enough, this one is all filled with dry fruits and cardamom powder.

2. Poha Jalebi

Poha Jalebi is the signature breakfast dish of the city of Indore and is thus one of the natural members of our list of 10 Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh. This sin of a delicious dish is born of a marriage of two unlikely partners – Poha and jalebi, one from Maharashtra and the other of Arabic origins. It is light, mild, not to say sinfully delicious and served with spicy crunchy missal.

2. Khoprapak or coconut Barfi

Next, in our list of 10 Sweets, you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh is Khoprapak. Also known as a Coconut Barfi,  it is a traditional sweet dish of Madhya Pradesh made by whipping out of coconut and Milk Solids.

3. Shrikhand – especially along with Hapus Icecream

The third in our list 10 Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh is Shrikhand This mouth-watering yogurt food item was invented 2400 years ago and is one of the most delicious food items you will find there. It forms a favorite for a desert. A saffron flavored shrikhand with pistachio and cashews partners each other well. We very highly recommend Agarwal Ice Cream shop at Indore Night Sarafa Food market which has been serving it for over 55 years.

4. Petha Paan:

The fourth in our list of 10 Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh is Petha paan. it is is a very unique kind of paan made of cashew, almond, gulkand (rose jam), etc. These ingredients are encased in a thin layer of green petha. The Petha is held together with clove and makes a perfect end to your food marathon. We recommend trying Petha Paan at Anna Ka Paan shop at Indore Night Sarafa Food market.

5. Jaleba:

Have you had fantasies for a really big Jalebi? Jaleba, a specialty of Madhya Pradesh, especially of its Indore Night Sarafa Food market is just the thing for you. Jaleba is a king size jalebi fried in desi ghee. It is large and crisp but soft within and is sugar syrup sweet thus making it fifth in our list of 10 Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh.

6. Malpua

Malpua, the sixth item in our menu of 10 Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh, is the deliciously Indian version of pancakes, It is a chewy snack widely popular in the Central parts of India because of its Crispy Edges and Soft, fluffy insides which partner well with a number of its like Rabri, Cream, and Fresh Fruits. It is made of flour, khoya (milk solids), semolina, etc. It is deep-fried and then dunked in sugar syrup.

7. Khoya – Jalebi

The very name of the seventh dish in our list of 10 Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh should be enough to get your saliva glands going. Khoya Jalebi can be prepared in a number of ways of which two are capable of killing you by deliciousness – Malwa-Nimar Platter and BadkulMishthaan at BadaPhuvaara.

8. Imarti

Eight in our list of 10 Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh is Imarti. This saffron flower dish is so beautiful – that you feel a dilemma as to whether to eat or just go on staring at it. It is made by deep frying a floor preparation.

9. Makhanvada

Makhanvada is hardened on the outside and spongy soft on the inside, flattened balls made out of Flour, Ghee and Yogurt making them an irresistible member of our list of 10 Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh. A single bite is enough to fill your mouth with the taste of heavens.

10. Til-Gajak

Last, in our list of 10 Sweets, you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh – a winter-time favorite of the state. This traditional dish is made of sesame seeds and jaggery that are seeped into every layer. Gwalior and Morena are the most popular experts of Til-Gajak.

And Just because you just can’t have too much of sweetness in life

A bonus sweet: Kalakand

Our bonus dish in our list of  Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh is Kalakand, which is made by stirring out of sweetened Milk and Cottage Cheese, this incredible sweet will give an orgasm to your tongue – garnished as it is with Dry Fruits.

Conclusion

Calories might come and go, but a chance to enjoy such heavenly sweetness comes only on a few occasion. And so do not let your body weight worries stop you from enjoying the 10 Sweets you should eat while in Madhya Pradesh next time you are there. That is all from us, friend. Eat sweet, live sweet.  ☺

Categories
Foodie Travel Tips

Are you a vegeterian traveler? These tips should be handy

India has the largest vegetarian population in the world especially in North India thanks to the large Hindu population. However vegetarian food becomes harder to find in places where vegetarian is not the norm – in coastal areas of the country and outside India. One of the biggest obstacles thus for a vegetarian traveler is to find good, healthy vegetarian food with ease and good price on his or her travels.

Ghoomophiro says no fear. A vegetarian/vegan need not grow reluctant about traveling. There are some quite basic Tips to survive as a vegetarian traveler:

1. Carry some food from home

It is something travelers have always done since ancient times. Carry some cooked food from home. You can also carry pickles etc.

2. Choose from local cuisine

It is a myth common among the vegan majority community that non-veg people have nothing purely vegetarian in their cuisine. Even the non-vegetarian restaurant often have vegetarian food options. Same when you are getting invited by locals. And of course, our favorite, street food.

3. Cook it yourself

Cooking is a living skill that every traveler,  regardless of sex, should know. It is an economical and easy way to find food if you can have a kitchen handy. And with several accommodations offering personal kitchens, all you have to do is buy some vegetables from the nearest food store. If cooking is not your biggest strength, you can at least cook noodles.

4. Learn the phrases in the local language

Learn the local languages enough to be able to say “I am a vegetarian. I won’t eat animal flesh or food.” The restaurants are often accommodating to their customers’ needs but you must know how to ask for it. You can use it Google translator for the purpose which is a handy tool for a traveler in several other ways as well.

5. Religious institutions

Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist temples among other religious institutions are a great source of vegan food and some of these can often be found at most popular tourist destinations all over the world.

6. Research about local cuisine

Local cuisine always has food items you never heard names of. And some of them are always vegetarian. It thus makes sense to research about local cuisine in advance – particularly street food which by its nature is very easily available. Happy Cow is a great option to find local cuisine in any place.

7. Plan your meals in advance

You can plan all your meals in advance. You can use google maps and assistant to locate the vegetarian food points near to your tourist attractions you intend to visit and you can plan your tour so that you can visit those points in time for meals.

8. Ask at hotels or locals

Hotel staff always has good advice for travelers on all sort of subjects. You can always ask them about the availability of vegetarian options. Similarly, you can ask locals, especially street food vendors about vegetarian alternatives.

Conclusion

It is only a myth that vegetarianism is a handicap in traveling especially in today’s world where there is no lack of food options. It is more of a constraint which has to be worked around and we hope these tips will help you do it. Any other tips you can suggest for surviving as a vegetarian? Write to us in comments below. ☺

Categories
Foodie

Goa’s best vegetarian and Vegan restaurants

Goa is most popularly known for its seafood. And though most tourists that visit here and the locals are meat consumers, with the growth of Ayurvedic centers and Yoga in Goa, vegetarian restaurants have grown in number as well. So for the vegetarians visiting Goa, you have nothing to worry about. Here are some of the best Vegetarian restaurants in Goa:

  1. Blue Planet Cafe

Address: Agonda, Canacona, Goa

Blue Planet Cafe is the one stop for all the health freaks. They have both vegetarian and vegan options and is an award-winning restaurant with all ingredients organic and fresh material used in making food. What you should absolutely try are their Crispy flaxseed noodles.

  1. Navtara Pure Veg Restaurant

Address: Chain of restaurants in Panjim, Margao, Mapusa, Porvorim, and Calangute

This is a famous chain of vegetarian restaurants in Goa that serve Continental, South Indian and North-Indian cuisines. They serve quick and delicious vegetarian food that will give you a homely feeling. Try their Idli Chilli Fry which is to die for.

  1. Bean me up

Address: 1639/2, Deulvaddo, Near AnjunaPetrol Pump, Anjuna

With the incredible “Jungle” backdrop, the place has a fantastic ambiance. They have vegan options and serve food made from organic ingredients. Additionally, there’s a retreat beneath the trees to practice meditation and yoga. The highlights would be Tofu Tempeh and Mediterranean salads.

  1. Infantaria

Address: Calangute – Baga Junction

This is one of the best breakfast places in Goa, popularly known for its milkshakes and English breakfast. Though the appearance doesn’t seem promising, the taste is heavenly.  Their fudge brownie shake’s taste would remain on your tongue for a long while. You can also get Bebinca boxes here to take back for your friends.

  1. Saraya Art Cafe

Address: Saraya House, Chogm Road, Penha de Franca, Sangolda.

The well-thought-out design of the place and the art, the food just makes this cafe the best place to unwind after a tiring day. There are many options for wood-fired Pizzas and fresh juices. Don’t forget to try their Peach and apple strudel. One meal here will instantly uplift your mood.

  1. Jalsa, Arpora

Address: Tambudki, Arpora, Bardez

This is one of the family restaurants in North Goa known for its thalis. They have options for Gujarati, Rajasthani and even Jain Thalis. They serve a special ‘Jalsa’ thali which is a must try. The food is unbeatably delicious and the Chef has some fine desserts in store for you. The ambiance of the place just makes the dining experience better. Just remember to get a reservation if you are going in a group.

  1. Villa Blanche bistro

Address: 283, Badem Church Road, Socol Vaddo, Assagao

This is one beautiful place with blue walls, plants and trees and an option for outdoor seating. The ideal time to go would be for brunch as you can enjoy their Beetroot salad with strawberries and Marinated tofu with Goan rice. But the best dish would have to be the Nutella Waffles. They also have a small place where you can buy trinkets or jewelry for souvenirs. In short, you can have an authentic Goa experience here.

Some other restaurants you can try are Marbella Beach resort (Morjim), Bay 15 (Dona Paula), Joe’s River Cove (Cavelossim), Cyrus Todiwala’s River restaurant (Baga) and Festa Grand Mercure Goa shred (Candolin).Don’t worry if you can’t try the crab dishes or fish curries in Goa since there is a lot more in store for you. Soak in the sun, enjoy the beaches and have delicious food served to you in these restaurants.

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