Festivals are a time of celebration and coming together for families and friends. Festivities over the world are
synonymous with good food and desserts. For us Indians, sweets and savouries play a major role in celebrations. And
for South Indian families, bakshanam is both tradition and enjoyment. And this is not limited to festivals, weddings are
a time to enjoy and spread the joy. And this festive season, if you find yourself pressed for time, got bogged down by
the wedding galatta or want to gift someone the best of bakshanam, here are some amazing finds to help you sail
through this!

Bakshanam or seer bakshanam plays a major role in South Indian households. Over the years, it has also transitioned
from the traditional ladoos and mysorepak to a diverse palatable spread.People are ready to experiment and with many
options available, who can blame them! Here are a few providers, whose bakshanam hampers you will be tempted to
try!

Andhra Delicacy
Andhra sweets have always been an enigma for us and their variety and taste is out of the world, no doubt. If you have a
weak spot for Andhra delicacies, be sure to try their pootharekalu and jeedipappu paakam (cashewnut with jaggery
sweet), along with their halwa varieties. And needless to say their gongura pickle is to die for. Andhra Delicacy also
takes up orders for customized hampers and delivers across the world. Truly, a small world indeed!

Namma Farm
With global revolution and eating pizzas and burgers, we are all going back to basics. We are seen gravitating towards
millets, jaggery, palm sugar and our traditional/organic food items. Namma Farm has taken it a notch higher by
producing bakshanam from organic food. Kambu mysorepak, thinnai ladoo, samai mixture , varagu murukku – time to
binge without the guilt! And these guys offer hampers across India, gift your loved ones healthy option this season!

Subasri Reddy Vilas
With an effort to familiarise everyone with the traditional TamilNadu delicacies, Subasri Reddy Vilas offers us some
authentic staples from down south. Chettinad ribbon murukku, Nagercoil special nendran chips, Tuticorin macaroons,
Tirunelveli halwa – we cant stop drooling already. What sets them apart is that they offer their hampers in Chettinad
hand woven baskets to support the rural craft. They offer a variety of other packaging options as well. Do check them
out for some of the best treats!

Krishna Sweets
A popular name amongst all households, known for its mouth melting mysorepaks, Krishna sweets has been offering
bakshanam hampers for the longest time. They offer a wide range of hamper options you can choose from. With mini
hampers to melting magic hampers, they have these in all price ranges. Our favourite is the mysorepak kaju katli
hamper. And with Krishna sweets, you can never go wrong!

Chettinad Snacks Online
Authentic Chettinad snacks from its own land! With innumerable options for its packing, right from colourful Chettinad
baskets to jute bags, these hampers are hard to resist. Their variety ranges from lunck koodai packs to palm basket
hampers, and are available in all price ranges. With different hampers for specific festivals, their best sellers definitely
the adirasams and mavurundais. They also offer thamboolam packs, making your jobs easier – complete solution
providers!

24 Chakra
An amazing concept of bringing stores together online – 24 Chakra displays a number of brands on its site including
Krishna sweets, Amaravathi and so on, enabling people to buy form a single place. An e-commerce for sweets and
snacks! This place also offers special seer for weddings apart from the sweet and snack boxes for festivals. They ship to
the US also – this is truly unlocking the sweet side!

The post Start your festivities bang on with Bakshanams online appeared first on Chennai Food Reviews.

Chennai was always considered conservative – be it the calm nature of its people or the food scenario. Chennai has
become synonymous with its sambhar, softest idlis and crispy dosas. It would now come as a surprise for people to
witness the stunning restaurants Chennai has to offer. From the soothing beaches to starlit skylight outdoor spaces, from
pizzerias to nightspots, Chennai’s list of breathtaking places to eat busts all the myths. And here we present to you some
of the best spaces to dine out this summer and enjoy a cool breeze with your favourite dishes!

1. Bayroot, Green Meadows resort, Palavakkam
The East Coast Road, popularly known as ECR, has been bustling during the weekends, owing to the number of
aesthetic cafes propping up. A part of an ethnic concept based resort, Bayroot offers both indoor and outdoor dining.
With a beach feel to the interiors and plush outdoor seating , their Mediterranean is for the win. The Mezzeh platter is a
must try as is their seabass – grilled to perfection. A perfect place to spend an evening catching up with friends and
cocktails over good food and great music.

2. Le Amis, Chamiers road
A new age cafe with the right menu to attract kids and adults alike! Known for its wide range of gelatos and popsicles,
Le Amis also offers quite a few continental delicacies and flavoured coffees for the coffee lovers. What works for us is
their splendidly done rooftop dining – giving a feel of the Chennai life right in the middle of the city.

3. East Coast at Madras Square, Neelankarai
A resto pub situated in the unassuming lanes of Neelankari, it has one of the best ambience the city has to offer. With
indoors done splendidly and the outdoor seating spectacular, it is no wonder that this place is almost always crowded.
Their Thai cuisine is out of this world and with the right cocktail, your day is made. Dont forget to reserve well in
advance!

4. Amethyst, Gopalapuram
One of the first in teh cafe space, a trailblazer, Amethyst has stood the test of time and is still among Chennai's best
restaurants. An ancient property renovated into a modern glory, it is like a get away right in the heart of the city.
Antique furniture amongst greenery and fountains gives this place a unique touch. Do visit them for their coffee and
continental food! We almost forgot, there is an amazing flower shop right next to the cafe, perfect for your date night!

5. KokoMMo, Intercontinental, ECR
Dining with a view – If this term has a place tagged to it, it should be KokoMMo. This beachside outdoor dining in the
Intercontinental resort has the closest beach dining, along with some amazing dishes. Their grills are a must try as are
their food cocktails. Head here for a peaceful breezy evening!

6. Cafe De Paris, Cenotaph road
Resembling a Parisian cafe, Cafe De Paris, is known for its pleasant outdoorsy ambience. The indoor glass house like
space almost gives an outdoor feeling. A perfect way to spend a rainy day here with their latte and chocolate cake.

7. Up North, Raintree, Anna Salai
A view of the city lights on a breezy night with the perfect North Indian cuisine – thats Up North for you! Their
flavourful galoutis and kebabs will make you go back for more every single time. With many North Indian places in
Chennai, this restaurant serves a few of the best and authentic recipes, and if you havent tried it yet, what are you
waiting for!

8. The Mayflower, Palavakkam
A pan Asian restaurant, serving the best Asian dishes, The Mayflower has some really impressive dishes. Mountain
chill chicken is a must try and their Burmese khow suey chicken is lip smacking good. This restaurant offer indoor
seating with tastefully done interiors and also an outdoor seating by the pool, making way for a great evening!

9. Nolita, Khader Nawaz Khan road
A quaint little space giving a feeling of home, Nolita is best for short-eats and desserts. While you are there, and are
done appreciating the beauty of the place, do order their cheesy garlic bread and Chelsea vegetarian pizza. You will
thank us later!

10. Sage & Lavender, Alwarpet
One of the newest kid on the block, Sage & Lavender are all our French feels! Their glasshouse concept based indoor
and airy outdoor seating is all set to perfection. A limited menu, with all must try items. But our most favourite is of-
course their salted buttermilk cake an their Lindt chocolate cake. Needless to say, be prepared to hog!

The post 10 stunning dine-outs in Chennai appeared first on Chennai Food Reviews.

Hotel Rajini Murugan – Medavakkam

Hotel Name is Rajini Murugan, I could not find any reviews from fellow bloggers about this restaurant. Therefore, I wanted to try this.

My Review is as below:

A restaurant that offers very few signature dishes at a very cheaper price.

I ordered Parottas(served with both Veg and non Veg gravies), Chicken Kothu Parotta, Chicken Fried Rice, Chettinad chicken, Omelet, Masala kalaki, and Chicken 65(Lollipop style).

The taste was awesome and the ambiance was quite decent. They are not offering Door delivery or tied up with Zomato/Swiggy.

The quantity & the quality that they are offering for this cost is really unbelievable.

Location:

No.2, Rajiv Gandhi Street, Velachery Main Rd, opposite to Pallikaranai Government High School, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600100

Price:

Parotta 2nos – 25
Chicken Kothu parotta -100
Omlette and kalaki – Each 15
Chicken 65 – 80
Chettinad Chicken -80
Chicken Fried Rice -80

CFR Ratings:

Parotta – 4.8/5
Chicken Kothu parotta -4.6/5
Omelet and kalaki – 4.2/5
Chicken 65 – 4.5/5
Chettinad Chicken -4.8/5
Chicken Fried Rice -4.2/5

Will I try here again – Obviously Yes

Note: They are not doing home delivery at this point in time and they are concentrating mainly on the party orders. If anyone is interested in office or home party orders you can reach out to them.

Follow @chennaifoodreviews on Fb for more updates
Follow @chennaifoodreview in Insta for more updates
Follow www.chennaifoodreviews.com for more updates

The post Hotel Rajini Murugan – Medavakkam appeared first on Chennai Food Reviews.

Chicken 65! 

If you are looking forward to enjoying India’s varied food recipes, the Chicken 65 reigns as one of the top dishes to make you drool from anywhere in the world! This spicy and dry chicken snack is best loved as starters at most Indian homes, restaurants, and festivities! Have you tried them yet?

Why is it called Chicken 65? 

The History of Chicken 65 dates back to the year 1965, Chennai, when Mr. A. M. Buhari, owner of the Buhari Hotel chain invented this legendary starter. Since then the popularity of this legendary dish has only surged in India and across the world.

Although the above account is far more well established, many myths are surrounding the origins of this legendary dish.

One story states that it was created in 1965 as a simple meal for Indian Soldiers. Another story tells us that Chicken 65 got its name because it was prepared using 65 chilies and cooked by a budding hotelier. A rather vague idea for naming this dish claims that the dish was to be made from chickens that were 65 days old. One more claims that the recipe had 65 pieces of chicken or that it was mentioned as the 65th dish on the menu and so on!

The many myths may confuse us, but they have only made the dish more interesting over the years! Can you cook up one such interesting myth? That would be fun!

The dish often derives its red color and flavor from the red chili powder added to it and can be prepared with different sets of ingredients. However, the main ingredients generally used to prepare it are Chicken, red chilies, ginger, garlic, and salt. The recipe varies as per the restaurant and region you are dining in. It can be prepared with bone-in or boneless chicken as per your preference.

This recipe has also inspired many vegetarian dishes we enjoy today such as – Gobi 65, Paneer 65, etc.

The recipe involves marinating the chicken, deep-frying it, and finally stir-frying it. It is best served hot, garnished with lemons and onions.

The Chicken 65 recipe is a simple one, anyone can try it with a little guidance! Better yet, head to one of the nearest restaurants to enjoy a plate of piping hot and spicy chicken 65! You could try the Chennai style, Madurai style, Hyderabadi style, Andhra style, or any other special varieties served by the restaurant!

Let’s look at the recipe step-by-step! 

Ingredients: You will need Chicken, Egg, Cornflour, dried red chilies, Kashmiri chili powder, oil, salt, rice flour, curry leaves, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, ginger and garlic paste, green chilies, and cumin.

Ready the chicken: For this recipe use 250 grams of bone-in or boneless chicken. Although both come out well, it is recommended to use boneless ones as there are chances for the bones to crack and splutter on you while frying them. If you can handle it, then sure, go ahead.

Firstly clean the chicken and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Pat them dry using some tissue paper.

Prepare the marinade: 

In a mixing bowl, add half tablespoon of turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 tablespoon of coriander powder, half tablespoon of garam masala, and 1 tablespoon of salt or add it as per taste.

Further add 2 tablespoons of ginger and garlic paste, 1 tablespoon of cornflour, 2 tablespoons of rice flour, one well-beaten egg, and mix all the ingredients well.

Marination:

Add the tissue-dried chicken pieces to the marinade, coat it well and let it marinate for a minimum of half an hour.

Frying The Chicken: 

Take a frying pan with sufficient oil and heat it well on high flame for a few minutes. Once it’s well heated, bring the flame to medium heat, and gently drop a few chicken pieces. Try not to crowd the pan. Fry a few pieces at a time for about 5 -7 minutes or until you have a decent orangish-red color. If you are not able to recognize whether it’s cooked, simply taste one and confirm!

Final Step – The Stir Fry! 

For this step, you will need a pan heated with 2 tablespoons of oil, 2 slit green chilies, 2 dried red chilies, half a spoon of cumin, and 2 sprigs of curry leaves. Once it is ready, add in all the fried chicken pieces, and gently stir fry for another 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Your Chicken-65 is now finally ready with all the goodness of chicken, and spices! Plate and enjoy it while it’s still hot! While you can follow this recipe, you can always experiment with the ingredients!

Summing Up! 

Today, no doubt, chicken 65 is one of the best crowd-pleasers not only in India but across the globe! It is popularly served at parties, restaurants, and many other special occasions.

What can we say? It gets the conversation and party started!

In the next post, let’s look into Mutton with Onion & Green Capsicum Gravy

The post History of Chicken 65 and why it is called so? appeared first on Chennai Food Reviews.

Why Is Butter Chicken The Most Famous Indian Recipe Outside India?

Butter Chicken or Murgh Makhani is one of the most delicious Indian chicken recipes loved across the globe! It is traditionally served with rice or different varieties of Indian flatbreads! It is loved for its simple cooking process, subtle spice balance, and rich flavor!

Origin of the famous “Butter Chicken”

This famous chicken curry recipe was invented by Kundan Lal Gujral in the 1950s! Mr.Gujral was working at “Mukhey da Dhaba” owned by Mokha Singh in Peshawar during the 1920s. Mr. Singh was an old gentleman, and his health began deteriorating as he began to age further. He eventually sold the shop to Mr. Gujral, who renamed it, Moti Mahal.

After India was partitioned in 1947, Mr. Gujral moved to Delhi, and along with him came Moti Mahal and Butter Chicken!

Moti Mahal began as a small eatery in India. Mr. Gujral began noticing that the Tandoor Chicken ( then prepared by placing the marinated chicken on large skewers and gently roasted on the flame) would dry out when unsold. As a clever businessman, he came up with the idea to retain the juiciness of the Tandoori Chicken by adding them to a basic gravy made of creamy tomato sauce along with spices and butter! Voila, the Butter Chicken was born!

Since then, this recipe has been savored by not only Indians but has gained international recognition for its subtle spicy, creamy, buttery, and sweet flavor! Today Moti Mahal has hundreds of franchisees across India!

So Why Is Butter Chicken Loved Across The World? 

Murgh Makhani was being called the Butter Chicken only around the 1970s! Today, we can find many variants of Butter Chicken as Chefs play around with the spices and ingredients to make it more flavorful and suitable for different palates.

• The ingredients used are easily available in all parts of the world making it easy to prepare and enjoy!
• It is a simple yet luxurious recipe that can be easily made for large gatherings and special occasions!
• The tandoori chicken and the creamy sauce make it a versatile base for rice, flatbreads, Pizza topping, Rolls, etc!
• It suits everyone’s palate as its flavors are balanced! (Not too spicy, Not too sweet! )
• And who doesn’t love chicken?

Butter Chicken Recipe! 

You could use chicken drumsticks, wings, or breasts to prepare this recipe.

Start by marinating 1 pound of chicken in a mixture of 2 tablespoons of yogurt, a tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of red chili powder, 1 tablespoon of ginger garlic paste, and 1 tablespoon of garam masala, and half a tablespoon of salt.

Leave it for marinating overnight or for a minimum of 30 minutes. After marination, place smoking charcoal in a cup, along with a little butter, and cover the vessel for the chicken to absorb the smoky flavor.

Cook the chicken in the oven at 482 degrees Fahrenheit for over 8- 9 minutes or it can be pan-fried, roasted, or grilled too.

To prepare the curry base you will need 1 pound of tomatoes, ¼ pound unsalted butter, 1 ½ cups cream, 2 large onions, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 cloves, 2 tablespoons of oil, 4 garlic cloves, and 2 tablespoons of ginger paste, 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds, 2 red chilies and salt to taste.

Dice the tomatoes, onions, chilies and chop the Cilnatros finely. Heat the pan and put 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the cumin seeds and the other spices. As they begin spluttering, add half of the diced onions, salt, and turmeric powder. As the onions turn soft, add the tomatoes, red chilies, and 1 tablespoon of garam masala powder.

Cook, it covered for 5 minutes until the tomatoes are fully mashed. Once it’s cooked, let it cool completely before being transferred to the blender or food processor to make a fine paste.

You could use 2 or 3 tablespoons of water to adjust the consistency of the tomato.

In another pan, add 1 tablespoon of butter, and fry the remaining diced onions. Add the tomato sauce, tandoori chicken, 2-3 tablespoons of finely chopped cilantro, and mix gently for every few minutes. After 5 minutes, add 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 cup of cream, and stir for a few more minutes. Finally, pour 2 tablespoons of cream over the curry and the Butter Chicken is now ready!

You could serve it alongside Basmati rice, or any variety of rice or flatbread. Or you could simply serve it with your bread or buns! The smoked tandoori chicken soaked in the juices of tomato, cream, spices, and butter gives a glimpse of heaven on every bite!

A Buttery Chicken Recipe You Should Taste In Your Lifetime! 

Butter Chicken is one of the fastest evolving foods in the world. Today many restaurants across the world serve Butter Chicken, and it is a luxurious delicacy even common households can afford!

Today you can find Butter Chicken Tacos, Burgers, and Biryanis too! Unlike most Indian recipes, Butter Chicken is a spice friendly recipe that anyone can enjoy outside India, especially if you can’t handle the Indian spices yet

You could enjoy it as a stew or a topping to any of your favorite food bases! You could also try and create your own version of Butter Chicken!

The post Why Is Butter Chicken The Most Famous Indian Recipe Outside India? appeared first on Chennai Food Reviews.

Today we had a chance to try lunch at Yumm Factory, Jaag Hotel in T. Nagar.

The Yumm Factory, Jaag Hotel (T.Nagar): One of the best places in Chennai to try South Indian, Continental, Chinese, North Indian, and Italian. The Food was really awesome and we loved it.

Location:
Jaag Hotels, Periyar Road, T. Nagar, Chennai

Starters:

We started with a Non-veg soup, Gopi Manchurian, followed by Chicken 65(tender and juicy) and Chicken Hariyali.

Main course:

Mutton Briyani(Mutton was cooked well and very soft), Wheat parotta, Naan, Paneer Butter Masala, Veg Noodles, Veg Fried Rice, Chicken Gravy.

Desserts:
Gulab Jamun
Lassi

Ratings:
Non-Veg Soup -4.1/5
Gobi Manchurian -4.7/5
Chicken 65 – 4.8/5
Chicken Hariyali -4.8/5
Mutton Briyani – 4.6/5
Paratha/Naan -4.6/5
Paneer Butter Masala – 4.7/5
Veg Noodles -4.5/5
Veg Fried Rice -4.6/5
Chicken Gravy -4.6/5
Gulab Jamun-4.5/5
Lassi – 4.6/5
Ambiance -4.5/5

Overall Rating -4.5/5

A wonderful place to dine with your family & friends.

The ambiance was really nice. All the dishes that we tasted were really awesome.

*Price
Non-Veg Soup -140
Gobi Manchurian -190
Chicken 65 – 260
Chicken Hariyali -280
Mutton Briyani – 340
Paratha/Naan -80
Paneer Butter Masala – 220
Veg Noodles -200
Veg Fried Rice -200
Chicken Gravy -190
Gulab Jamun-150
Lassi – 150

Will I try here again – Obviously yes

The Chef told us that they are providing tandoori items as well, but we dint had a chance to try it. If you had tried it already please feel to share your comments in this post so that it would be helpful for our followers as well.

Follow @chennaifoodreviews on Facebook for more updates
Follow @chennaifoodreview on Instagram for more updates
Follow@www.chennaifoodreviews.com website for more updates

The post The YUMM Factory, JAAG Hotel, T.Nagar appeared first on Chennai Food Reviews.

Snacks with a difference – Thank U Foods

Thank U Foods is a livelihood initiative by the differently-abled people to provide delicious packed Snacks – Cookies, Chocolates, Cakes, Sweets & Savouries.

Snacks are a part of our lives, more than we perceive them to be – we snack when we are hungry, when we are bored, when we watch a movie or when we meet friends/family. ​Most of the fond memories are related to food. This pandemic, the one thing we hoarded on are also snacks – chips, peanut bars, sweets for the sweet tooth, Indian muruku/snacks and so on. What if all the joy of eating comes with an added responsibility towards the society we live in! What if we can contribute towards a differently-abled person every time we purchase a snack!

Food in Chennai is an emotion. While there are multiple outlets serving snacks and retail outlets selling packaged snacks, one outlet stood out and that is Thank U foods. Thank U foods was started by the Indian Association for the Blind and has so far changed the lives of more than 30000 blind people across India.

With a goal to help the visually challenged people become delf-reliant, S.M.A. Jinnah, the founder of the Indian Association for the Blind, started this venture 35 years ago. Quality being their USP, they source their ingredients from local suppliers for the freshness. Each snack is handmade from scratch using the best ingredients and following the cleanliness protocol. Each staff member washes and sanitizes their hands as they enter the kitchen and ensure your product is 100% safe to be consumed. Cookies, chocolates, sweets, muruku, ribbon muruku, cakes – all of these are made on a daily basis, checked, and packaged to be sent out.

Starting as a small single kiosk, selling cookies, Thank U foods is now a 500+ kiosk company spread all over India and providing employment opportunities to thousands of differently abled people. Their clients include corporates and they have a customer base of more than a lakh all across the world. As common people, we can also contribute to this cause by purchasing for our personal needs, gifting, donating their products to orphanages or even by contributing to the right organization. Thank U foods also take up gift orders for festivals, weddings or a party and offer personalized options, making them the right choice for your gifting purposes.

Growth over time:

What started as a small single street-side kiosk and the simple idea of making and selling cookies by Blind youth has grown into a pan India Brand delivering high-quality healthier and tasty snacks. Today their products are tasted and shared by more than 100000+ delighted customers across the world. Thier differently-abled youths manage kiosks at 500+ top corporates across the country.

Ways in which you could support this initiative:

• Purchase the products made by differently-abled from thankufoods.com .
• Reach out to them for any customized gift orders @ 95970 68805
• Share the initiative with your friends and family and have a great day!

The post Snacks with a difference – Thank U Foods! appeared first on Chennai Food Reviews.

COVID-19 Diet: Food to Build Immunity

Covid-19 has taken the world by a storm and disrupted life as we know it. Right when people started taking in the new normal, the second wave of the virus is hitting hard. Many theories have surfaced to not contract the virus or to cope up with it, once you contract it. The common emphasis on both cases is the food intake to build immunity. A lot of emphasis has been put on a healthy diet, more so when the second wave is proving to be more virulent than the first. Strengthening our immune system by the intake of foods that build immunity seems to be the only way to help combat the virus. While no food or supplements can prevent the onset of teh virus, maintaining a healthy diet is crucial to keep your immune system battle-ready!

With the virus now affecting more people than it used to, those recovering from Covid need to switch to foods that rebuild theirs.  immunity and make them strong. Post virus care and food intake are as important as the medication prescribed to overcome the virus. What you eat and drink plays a huge role in how quickly you bounce back and rebuild your immune system. Though our Indian diet is balanced in itself, there are a few specific foods that help build your immunity faster and speeds up your recovery time.

Covid patients may suffer from loss of smell and taste and hence may have little or no appetite for food. In addition, the medication may also cause food aversion. Hence it is all the more essential to consume nutrition-rich food that taps into every food group and builds your body back into shape. It is essential for patients infected with Covid to take in a good dose of proteins, zinc, iron, vitamin-D, and vitamin-B-rich foods. To know more about what immunity building foods can be taken to fight the virus, read further:

• Your day depends on how you kickstart and set the pace for the rest of the day. The first thing to be taken in should boost your immunity and be rich in antioxidants. Start your day with soaked almonds and raisins or prunes
• Breakfast can be rich in protein – can be poha (flattened rice) with peanuts/oat bran cereal/almond milk/ or eggs for the egg lovers
• It is important to keep oneself hydrated irrespective of any virus, more so if you are ill. Mid-morning can be supplemented with lemon or coconut water, preferably with chia seeds for a cooling effect
• Lunch is pretty much where we venture into all groups of immunity-building foods. Lunch has to be a well-balanced meal of the day – carbohydrates to get your energy levels in the form of wheat/millets/rice/potatoes/sweet potatoes and protein in the form of pulses/dal/lean meat/fish. Add a generous portion of vegetables, along with leafy vegetables, which are rich in dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
• A seasonal fruit as a filler between lunch and dinner
• Our Indian diet is naturally rich in herbs and spices that kill germs and boost immunity. India is the land of immunity-building foods and we have to use it to our advantage. Herbal drinks like turmeric milk or ginger tea are a good way to get back to normal sooner than anticipated and a huge relief for the sore throat and cough, you might catch
• Soups and a protein diet is best for dinner along with Indian vegetables, along with meat/fish. Dal khichdi is also a good source of protein and carbohydrates in the right quantities
• Apart from the above-mentioned foods, you can choose from a healthy mix of:

1. Protein – Proteins act directly on your immune system and these foods are really important to build immunity. Dals, soya, nuts, milk products, curds, eggs, chicken, fish – can all be consumed in the right proportions
2. Healthy fats – Avoid trans fats in your diet and prefer steaming, grilling or sautéing. Healthy sources of unsaturated fats lie fish and nuts are a good option
3. Fruits and vegetables – Add at least 5-6 servings of fruits and vegetables in different colours
4. Probiotics – Healthy bacteria found in yogurts, kimchi and pickles can be consumed to balance your digestion and boost immunity
5. Vitamin C – Vitamin C is a immunity boosting food and stimulates the formation of antibodies. Citrus fruits, tangerines, bell peppers, papaya, strawberries, tomatoes, guava, brocolli, kiwi are all rich in this super fighter food
6. Zinc rich foods – Zinc helps healing and is crucial for the immune system. Lean meat, seafood, milk, whole grain products, beans, pumpkin seeds, nuts are all zinc rich foods.

Moreover, a diet regime specifically for each day of quarantine is also followed by a few to balance the intake of vitamins and minerals and fight the virus better. Though the diet, vegetables and meat varies from person to person, having a balanced diet is very important with focus on the foods that help build immunity. If a person has underlying conditions or is on other treatments or medication, it is best to consult your physician for a diet chart or do’s and don’ts.

To support the nutrient absorption and quick healing, it is better to avoid processed, packaged, bakery, and deep fried foods. And as we all know but fail to follow, a good regime of 8 hours sleep, stress-free environment and regular hydration can beat the blues out of any illness and aid in quick recuperation. Let us all fight this together and help one another in whatever small way we can.

The post COVID-19 Diet : Food to Build Immunity appeared first on Chennai Food Reviews.

Haven Sampoorna – Velachery

Haven’s Sampoorna – a true haven for veggie lovers of food from around the world. If you are from the 90s and love Eden in Besant Nagar (and still do!) do not worry about not getting a table there on a weekend for dinner!

Haven Sampoorna, although almost mimics the menu does has a quality of its own and a fan club on high standard gourmet world food expecting Indian vegetarians!

Must-try- Corn on Toast, Pan Ice-cream, North Indian / (Indianized) Mexican food.

Location – Besant Nagar and Velachery
Quality of food – 4.5 / 5
Service – 4.5 /5
Ambiance – 4 /5


Will I go there again?? Yes, we do all the time!

The post Haven Sampoorna – Velachery appeared first on Chennai Food Reviews.

Mumma’s kitchen is a new cloud kitchen in chennai thaat totally works over WhatsApp or Insta messaging. I haven’t seen them on Zomato or Swiggy yet. It is a family run business and is very warm to deal with.

This is a small venture started by a mom and her daughter during the initial lockdown. Mom does all the cooking and her daughter manages the orders and the page.

The lunch for two will cost around 500 bucks that includes 3 pulkas and 2 parathas ( homemade mommy-made chapatis!) with a couple a whole-box gravies although it’s a combo.

The Malai kofta is a Must Try!  Other must try, were the buns. These are like vada pavs but with choices of aloo, paneer, peri-peri and more.The veg kheema bun is the ultimate which had minced veggies coupled with Soya. Each variety of bun cost around 80 to 120 bucks in max.

The last but not least is the crispy garalic paneer which is yummy. Its tough to find places in chennai that serves something like this.

They also serve biryani with home made taste.

It’s a nice place to try for lunch once if you are one of those boo-ed by the second covid wave.

You can also try starters and snacks with them.

My overall rating for the food – 4.2/5

Suggestions: You can add few more starters and deserts to your bucket.

The post Mumma’s Kitchen appeared first on Chennai Food Reviews.