Connect with us

Food

When in Rome at Holiday Inn Cochin

Published

on

fwd-life-food-shoot nov 2015

Leaning cravings of pizza to an appetite of ‘colossal-yums’, we met up with Chef Siyad C.A, the Sous Chef of Roma restaurant at Holiday Inn.

The letter ‘r’ is quite a word runner, it can go from rustic to Ravioli to Risotto,and finally Roma. So when you land in Roma, quite sure you wouldn’t think of Dolce and Gabbana first but pasta. On a fine evening, I walked into Roma, densely decorated in the rustic shades of coffee brown to auburn. The server ushered me to a spot I loved near the window. On the high rise shelves, wine bottles lined up with melted paraffin, very symbolic to all the candlelit dinners across time. The wine rack is neatly stacked, there’s a choice of wine glasses propped on a barrel. Classics of Andrea Bocelli are playing in the background, the kitchen is lively as the furnace lights up to ‘raise a toast’ to its pizza. Chef Siyad welcomed me, “Up for Italian?”

Starting Off

foodshoot-fwd-life

The kitchen is an olfactory treat, the scent of basilio, rosemary, thymes and even olive oil have a tendency to make you stop and solely enjoy the ingredients. Like Wolfgang Puck mentioned that it’sfwd-life-foodshoot-dec always about the ingredients. The cuisine is never fancy or fussy. Out of the pantry came the huge block of parmesan and the classic bread, Pane Napletana. In between Chef mumbled a few names in Italian and I got to pick up a few such as prezzmolo( parsley) and zafferono (saffron) as he was busily kneading away dough for surprises ahead.

Holy Ravioli!

“What would you love to feature?,”he asked, my first choice was ravioli and wine. It came from the show, Mind your Language that had a character named Giovanni Capella, an Italian Chef who screams, “ Holy Ravioli,” and occasionally sneaks in some ‘vino’ to his class. Chef showed me how he cut the pasta dough with a fringed pastry wheel and how he piped in the lobster puree with a touch of herbs like parsley and thyme and brushed it with egg. It was slowly boiled under a simmering fire and topped off with saffron cream and beautifully infused with rich parmesan. Point noted, Giovanni. Divine.

Fine Dining

There has always been that famous joke by Martin Scorsese, “If your mother cooks Italian food, why should you go to a restaurant?” But for all of us out there, not exactly having Italian cuisine at home, the restaurant is your place. Chef Siyad never failed to change the style of the cuisine. I watched him freshly roll out the pasta from the machine and straight into his pan he tossed it with staple olive oil, the classic Kalamata and green Cerrigonola with fresh basil and capers. With that, he paired some well-rested tiger prawns. In Italy, it’s commonly said, “ Pasechevai, unsanzachetrovi.” Which can be transliterated as different places you visit, different customs you’ll find. Loyal to the Italian roots,there’s that content feeling of eating something genuinely Italian. The evening wound up with some classic tiramisu and that was icing on the Italian proverb, ‘He who goes to bed without eating, will regret it throughout the night.’

Pizza Alla Pescatora

fwdlife-food-shoot-pizza

What would Italian food be without some pizza. Here’s a thin crusted pizza garnished with basil and selection of seafood and mozzarella

Words and Styling : Atheena Wilson
Photographs : FWD Media

 

Advertisement
Comments

Food

Benefits of Including Crab in your Diet

Published

on

Crab has all the attraction of seafood without the fishy flavor that some people want to avoid. It is delightfully salty with a delicate mineral sweetness. Crabs were reportedly among the foods that coastal societies eaten a hundred years ago. On the menus of the greatest restaurants today, it stands out as the highlight dish. Crab is famous for its distinctive, exquisite flavor as well as for the health benefits it provides.

Omega-3 fatty acids and protein are abundant in crabs. The Food Experts advise two servings of fish and seafood every week, which is not difficult. 

 Good Protein Source

Crab is a low-fat, nutritious protein source that boosts metabolism and gives you energy. In reality, crab has less saturated fat and about the same amount of protein per 100 grams as other meats. 

Strengthens Heart Health

Consuming a lot of crab meat can actually benefit your cardiovascular system. The Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and protein found in crab are all beneficial sources of lowering cholesterol. Having lower cholesterol lowers your chances of heart attacks and strokes. 

Increases Brain Activity

Crabs are healthy for you since they are a high source of selenium, vitamin B2, copper, and other vital vitamins and minerals. Together with omega-3 fatty acids, these nutrients support healthy brain ageing and reduce the risk of dementia. They aid in defending against oxidative stress, inflammation, and other elements that may have an impact on the growth and health of the brain. 

Strengthens bones

You may already be aware of the significance of calcium for bone health. However, did you realize that phosphorus plays an equal role? Due to its high phosphorus content, crab flesh can aid in the development of strong, healthy teeth and bones. 

Contains selenium

Compared to other meats, crab offers a substantially higher supply of selenium. As an antioxidant, this necessary mineral not only assists in preventing cell damage from free radicals but also strengthens your immune system. Selenium aids in the regulation of your metabolism and is essential for healthy thyroid function. 

An aphrodisiac

The aphrodisiac property of crab meat promotes libido and sexual energy. They have high quantities of zinc and substances that increase estrogen and testosterone levels, enhancing sexual desire.

Makes the blood flow faster

Copper is yet another significant mineral present in crab meat. One significant advantage of copper is that it facilitates the body’s absorption of iron, which enhances the creation of red blood cells. After injuries and illnesses, proper circulation aids in the healing process. 

Consuming excessive amounts of crab can have certain unfavorable impacts, just like with most other foods. If you eat too much of some of the nutrients in crab, such copper and zinc, you could get sick. Crab, however, is a fairly nutritious item to eat in moderation unless you have a seafood allergy, and adverse effects are uncommon. Before consuming any seafood, always make sure you don’t have any allergies.

Continue Reading

Food

The Taste Of Malayali Kitchen In Sweden

Published

on

A Kochi-based malayali is creating a sensation by preparing Kerala Cuisine in the foreign swedish kitchen. Devi Nair, who has been settled in Sweden with her husband for almost 10 years, wanted her daughter to experience the delicacies of the Malyaali culture along with her International palette. The sense of homesickness and nostalgia has a part to play in this venture as well. In recent years, as the pandemic hit she chose to share her cooking extravaganzas on Instagram which led her to become more known to the public. Her recipes featured celebratory treats like the Bengali confection Rosbora, local parotta, and non-vegetarian Kerala foods that are popular on social media because they’re simple to make yet delicious to eat and look at. Devi whips up a storm of authentic Kerala delicacies during Malayali festivals. Tender, plump unniyappam, spongy kozhukkatta, rice dumplings, Vishu ada, and Vishu katta are just a few of the items on her Vishu menu this year. She prepared undaputtu with spicy prawn filling, kilikkoodu with meat and egg white, and ammini kozhukatta, a spicy rice dumpling, for Eid. It is also heard that she is planning to launch her own bakery in Sweden as well. 

Words By : Goutham Satheesh

Continue Reading

Food

Some Flavourful Delights to Savour this Festive Season

Published

on

Vishu and Easter festivities are around the corner. Along with dressing up and gathering around for some fun family time, you would definitely want to indulge in these simple but festive special treats.

Lilly’s Pattisserie

What if we told you could have Payasam cakes? Yes. You heard that right. The Lilly’s Patisserie, Thrissur is offering Payasam cakes on it its Vishu Special menu as a distinct highlight. Try out their Palada and Pazham Pradhaman cakes which are available in two sizes.They have also got you covered for Easter with a range of Hot Cross Buns from traditional to chocolate and candy berry flavours. You can also spice up your Easter treats with their artisanally crafted Easter Eggs.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Lillys (@lillysdelicacies)

Pandhal Cake Shop

The Pandhal Cake Shop, Kochi is shelling out some amazing Easter Egg Surprises this Holy Season. Their marzipan-based eggs come in varied sizes and colours vibrant enough to cheer the grimmest of the lot. Also, check out their Easter Egg Baskets that are sure to surprise you!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pandhal Cake Shop (@pandhalcakeshop)

Lebanese Grill

No Easter is complete without some spicy meat-based main course to savour. This Kottayam-based Arabian restaurant is all about gifting your loved ones with some flavourful rice for the festive season. This Easter they are introducing the Mutton Cask Biriyani. The cask comes along with pappad, pickle and raita. These are only available on a pre-order basis. So, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and order now.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lebanese Grills (@lebanesegrills)

Words By: Mariam Thankam Mohan

Continue Reading

Facebook

Trending