Mumbai – the city of dreams & food

Mumbai, its the city of life, laughter and love. It has so much to offer, but the noise and pollution overshadows the love the city brings. It is where I grew up, and it is the city that taught me how to love food.

As everyone knows, Mumbai is huge. Each area has its own restaurants, from 5 star hotels to roadside stalls, there is never disappointment when it comes to food in this city. They offer all the cuisines, molded to the taste of Indians. Before my holiday I made a list of places of food I had to visit, it included 33 must goes. I was not able to visit all in a 3 week vacation, however, I have prioritized and thoroughly enjoyed each place to my best capability 😀

Indians are known for their love of food and colour. All their spices are colourful, which combines both their passions into onto soulful dish. Each dish is prepared with so much love, and it can be tasted in every bite. Even the roadside tea, also known as chai, is prepared with love and kindness for all their drinkers. You smile at the guy, and he will add that extra bit of sugar just to ensure that your smile remains..

Amsterdam – Warung Mini (Overtoom)

This place has a special place in my heart. I loved this place  since I started college back in 2009 (Rotterdam). Then I moved to Amsterdam and in the mist of moving, and settling down didn’t have a chance to look for one of my favourite restaurants.

The first time I visited the joint in Amsterdam, it was on a perfect date. The setting of the place is not romantic, but for a food lover – the food is absolutely amazing, and conversations just flow. For me, this place always reminds me of good times and laughter.

Vegetarians have many options from vegetable dishes to tempeh, which is crispy fried and well marinated.

My favourite dish here is their Saoto Soup. It has egg, chicken (can be vegetarian as well), and vegetables. You can have their madame jeanette sauce on the side, which they make very well. I have tried this sauce at various places in The Netherlands, but can say that Warung Mini has the best one.

Mouth watering and absolutely delicious, I highly recommend their Saoto soup, and it is an economical option.

 

My second favourite is their Bara – crispy and filled with light fluffy curry chicken. The chicken tastes like Indian chicken, and because its stuffed into a fried flour patty the taste is just amazing. 

 

They have many other options Nasi, Roti and a whole list for vegetarians as well. Perfectly spicy, each dish has its own charm. I would also suggest trying their chicken legs, and their lamb, with roti or nasi whatever you prefer.

It’s a perfect take out location, and they have home delivery (which I do too often 🙂 ) They also have joints in Rotterdam & Den Haag. I have been to both of those as well and the food is consistent and delicious each time!

Address: Rhijnvis Feithstraat 51, 1054TW
Neighborhood: Overtoom
Website: http://www.warungminiamsterdam.nl/

 

 

Amsterdam – Pho 91 (De Pijp)

Pho 91 is a small yet cute restaurant in the heart of Amsterdam. The interior is chic and cosy, and they also have a few tables outside for when the weather is good. We started of outside with our starters, and moved inside when our table got free 🙂

The first time I ever had Pho was in Boston, in a small Vietnamese place. In The Netherlands I had never really seen or heard of Pho or Vietnamese cuisine being common. When I heard of this place I was thrilled to try it.

I tried three of their starters, and their main pho dish. I would recommend the amazing chicken wings. They were crunchy and a bit spicy, truly delicious. If I didn’t feel like I had already eaten too much I would have ordered more of just their chicken wings. I felt like it was their best dish served. Their fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce was also great. The peanut sauce didn’t have a strong taste of just peanut, it had a mix of various spices and chilly. It made me want to eat the sauce plain!

Pho was the last thing I ate, I had the Pho with the chicken and vegetables. It was soothing for the throat, and the vegetables were fresh and crispy. The chicken was tender and well cooked. It seemed like a healthy dinner out and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to try a different cuisine.

Address: Albert Cuypstraat 91, Amsterdam
Neighborhood: Amsterdam De Pijp
Website: pho91.nl

Baked Zucchini

I decided to make something simple as a starter, it can also be had with fish/chicken to make a healthy meal out of. Its easy, tasty and crispy..

What you need:

• Zucchini
• Lime or Lemon Zest
• Salt
• Pepper
• Balsamic Olive Oil

1. Chop the Zucchini in small pieces and put in a bag.
2. In bag add balsamic olive oil, salt & pepper and coat the zucchini.
3. Separately lay out the zest of a lime or lemon (I used lime). You can garnish it with a grater. I used a full lime. Mix this in the bag with zucchini.
4. Shake the bag so that all the zucchini is coated well.
5. Put in oven for 20 minutes or so (check often to ensure it doesn’t burn)

Tadaaaaa – easy and super tasty.. ennjoyyy

Welcome to the Bhukkad Diaries!

Who is a bhukkad??

Bhukkad is me. someone who loves food, craves food, and dreams of food. Their eyes sparkle at the thought of food, and when they describe it, everyone around them gets excited. Bhukkad is a state of being. It’s a natural love of food. We bhukkads, we live to eat, we love to eat and we lust to eat.

Vanilla cupcakes with Nutella icing.

It’s not just Nutella. It’s nutella with powdered sugar, fluffed up so creamy it melts in your mouth. Every bite you take you feel the textures of the softness and meltiness of the moist cupcake. caress your tongue. I remember the day I made this. I was sitting with my friends and for 10 minutes we just sat there.. indulging in silence… licking the cream with our fingers… eyes rolling into the back of our heads… biting into the devilish cupcake oozing chocolate delights. Ohmylord.