Saffron Spot - If their website doesn't catch your eye, their desserts sure will !!!

I just got back from a weekend getaway with my family in Los Angeles, and I absolutely have to share with you my amazing experience at Saffron Spot!!! It's a beautiful dessert place specializing in ic creams, golas and kulfis. To know what these are and where you can get the best of these, check out the details below.

In April 2001, Mumbai (India) native Smita Salgaonkar started Neemo's Exotic Ice Creams in northern Orange County, naming it so after one of her daughters' nick-names. With the success of Neemo's, she also opened Saffron Spot, a stylish Indian ice cream parlor, that utilizes the valuable spice Indian spice called "Kesar", or Saffron to create tantalizing flavours. If you don't believe me, take a look at their website. Its as colourful as the desserts that will welcome you there!! And the look of the place exudes a vibrant feeling. The chairs are rounded. The eating area jutting from the walls are rounded and the purple, orange, and yellow colors are just as bright and cheerful.

It has an exotic collection of Ice-cream flavours like Rajbhog, Chikoo (indian fruit), Lychee, Coconut, Saffron, Rose and Kulfi, the traditional indian icecream that's a bit hard and is usually served as triangular pieces in plates, topped with cardamom, cashews, almonds and pistachios. Hmmmm....if that doesn't get your taste buds turning, what else will??!!! Their major attractions, the reason that draws ME to this place is their "Shaved Ice Malai Golaas" and "Falooda". The shaved ice is served in a boat-shaped dish filled with ice and "malai" (cream), topped with flavoured syrups of your choice, dry-fruit powder mix, cardamom, and of course-saffron. It looks as appealing as it tastes, and the Falooda (ice cream drink) is a hit with adults and kids alike!!

This place is also famous for its "chutney sandwich" and the renowned "sugarcane juice". My husband can drink 2 large glasses of this juice and it'll make his 6 hour drive from Fremont to LA a huge success:)

Though this place boasts of Indian flavours, I would strongly appeal to everyone, Indian or not, to definitely give this place a try. It is sure to please anyone. Its clean, hygenic, lively, delicious, and right in the middle of Little India, a street lined up with Indian stores and restaurants on both sides, providing a nice pleasure-walk. And don't forget to come back and share your experiences with me and everyone else right here, at Fun and Food!!!

Wanna Quit Smoking?? Or have a Hangover?? Try 2 Bananas a Day

The yellow-skinned fruit that can easily make you "slip" is perhaps the most under-valued of all fruits. We all know it can help in weight control, is rich in potassium and is delicious to eat. But did you know that it can help you quit smoking too?? Here's a brief write-up on the less-known medicinal properties of this fruit which I'm sure would help you in some way in your life.

Smoking: Bananas can help people trying to give up smoking, as the high levels of Vitamin C, A1, B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalise the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water-balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be re-balanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Beauty Mask: A banana mashed with yoghurt acts as a moisturiser and peel-off face mask that leaves you face radiant and reduces wrinkles.

Brain Power: Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert. Students who are fed banana thrice a day get better scores on exams than others, as agility and ability to retain things increases.

Constipation: High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronic ulcer cases. It also neutralises over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Anaemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect food for helping to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit;s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body so if you suffer from heart-burn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Obesity: To avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate such as bananas every two hours to keep levels steady. The same reason helps in reducing Morning Sickness too.

PMS: Forget the pills, eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels which can affect your mood.

So now we all know, its not just a tasty fruit, but a powerhouse of nutrients that maintain your good health. So what are you waiting for?? Did you grab your bananas yet??!!

Batata Poha (Rice Flakes)

I was getting late in the morning, and there was absolutely no time to make any lavish breakfast, and with minimal ingredients at home, I resorted to make the batata poha, a tried and tested, yet never-failing snack. "Poha" is nothing else but rice flakes, and for those who are used to having rice flakes in the form of cereals for breakfast, try this indianized version
which is simple, filling and highly nutritious!!

Ingredients

3 cups poha (rice flakes), 1 small potato-boiled and chopped, half an onion bulb-chopped finely, 4-5 curry leaves, 2 green chillies finely chopped, jeera seeds, 3 tbsp oil, spices - salt, turmeric powder, sugar and lemon juice- to taste, chopped cilantro and dried dessicated coconut to garnish

Method

Place the rice flakes in a colander and wash them with water. Soak them a little and let the water drip out by itself from the colander. meanwhile, add the oil to a pan and add the curry leaves, jeera and green chillies. When it starts to splutter, add the chopped onions and saute for some time. When glazed and cooked, add the boiled potatoes, all the spices and finally the rice flakes. Mix everything well without breaking the poha. Do not add water. If it looks dry, add a little more oil and cook covered on low flame for 7-8 mins or until the poha are cooked through.

There it is, an awesome breakfast or snack is ready !! Garnish with chopped coriander and dried coconut.

Tip: Serve hot with sev (similar to vermicelli, found in Indian grocery stores) sprinled on it for a bit of crunch

Sabudana Vadas (Sago Patties)

"Sabudana" or "Sago", also known as tapioca, is produced from pith of Metroxylon and other palms, looks like semi-white unglazed pearls, and is a major ingredient for meals cooked during times of fasting. Its similar to rice-grains, just smaller and round, and is high is starch content, hence filling. What I describe below is a sabudana vada recipe that's simple yet extremely tasty, and gets ready in a jiffy!! (image courtesy of mumbai-masala.com)

Ingredients

2 cups sabudana
1/2 cup crushed peanuts (dry and unroasted)
3 boiled potatoes
2 tbsp yoghurt
1-2 green chillies cut finely
1 tsp ginger paste
spices - salt, sugar, lemon juice, dhana-jeeru powder, garam masala - add to taste
oil for frying

Method

Soak the sabudana in a large bowl with water level slightly higher than the sabudana seed level for 4-5 hours.

Mash the boiled potatoes and add them to the soaked sabudana bowl. Now add the yoghurt and mix properly with hand. Add all the spices, cut green chillies, ginger paste and finally add the crushed peanuts. Add a dash of oil to hold the mixture together. DO NOT add water.

Now heat oil in a frying pan. Roll the mix into small oblong shaped vadas(patties) and fry 3-4 at a time. Only when one side is light brown, turn them around. Do not turn them a lot as the vadas could break. Fry till golden brown and lay out on a piece of paper to absorb extra oil.

Serve hot with sweet Date and Tamarind Chutney or spicy Green Chutney!! Sabudana vadas (fritters) are a sureshot hit as party food, so do try out this recipe and let me know how it goes!

Tip: Add more peanuts to increase the crispiness of the vadas!

Point Reyes National Seashore- Exploring a more pristine Camping location

Camping season is still on in full swing in California, and with more and more people flocking to the famous locations, the true outdoor enthusiasts are finding it harder than ever to find a scenic yet less-crowded camping site. So to honour requests from some of my readers, I'm happy to introduce you to another breath-takingly beautiful and awe-inspiring place called Point Reyes. Its a name known to most Californians, yet this is for the benfit of those who have not yet experienced the scenic beauty and fresh sea-water fragrance of this place.

Located off Highway 101 near Olema village, about 35 miles from San francisco, this place has everything for a perfect outdoor adventure. We went camping for a couple nights, and got a site in The Meadows, close to Olema Ranch. This site is more family-friendly, as it has a village close-by, water and RV facilities, and an inn nearby if you need some fresh hot pancakes!! hmmm, something to consider, definitely!! Pt. Reyes has everything to keep you engaged- camping, hiking trails, best kayaking spots, horse-riding, historical shows, bird watching and animal sighting.


For historians, this peninsula is unique as it has been traveling for millions of years on the Pacific plate. At this time it is adjacent to Marin county that is part of the North American plate. The boundary between these two plates is the San Andreas fault. There is a Lighthouse at the base of the rock formation, and make sure you take a jacket with you when you walk down to the base as its extremely windy and chilly, be it any time of the year. For those interested in more history, visit Pt.Reyes-Historical Significance for details.

We absolutely loved the Kayaking part!! The best launch spots within the park are Millerton Point, on the east side of Tomales Bay, and Hearts Desire, but call ahead or check for "low-tide" days and times though. From January to March, elephant seals are breeding and can be observed from the park, while Harbor Seals pup from March to June. And guess what!! You can now do whale-watching without geting into a boat or going out into the middle of the sea....From December through May, watch the migration of California gray whales from the Point Reyes Lighthouse and Chimney Rock areas. In late April and early May, if yur are luck you may see young whales close to shore with their mothers.

The scenic view of the shoreline, and the clean pristine air is sure to make you feel close to nature. If you are anywhere around Norther California, DO NOT miss visiting this gem of a place! Pt.Reyes is undoubtedly one of the most scenic and pleasant camping locations or day trip locations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Rachel Ray - A Legend or a Hype?

All right, the winner of this week's poll is clearly Rachel Ray, who rules the hearts of many food-lovers and young, aspiring chef's alike. Personally, I admire and respect her. She has carved a place for herself in the highly competitive food industry through sheer hard-work and determination. True, she's gifted too, for its not easy to cook delicious food, which many of us will vouch for, but its one thing to just live with your passion, another to make a living out of it, and exceptional to rise to a food celebrity status holding on to just your passion. What I like about her is that she's still very down-to-earth, grounded to her values, and honest to her love of cooking and her profession. I could be wrong, as I don't know her personally, but that's the kind of vibes you get from looking at her.

Snapshot
Birthday: August 25, 1968
Place of birth: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Food Network Shows: 30-Minute Meals, $40 a Day, Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels

The legendary Rachel Ray inherits her cooking skills from her Italian maternal ancestors, as she's mentioned a lot of times on her shows, and by her early 20's, she had started working at Macy's, first on the candy counter, then as Manager of Fresh Foods dept. From there she walked on to be a buyer, pub and restaurant manager, and finally a Chef. How she attained her celebrity status with 2 popular Food network Shows, "30-Minute Meals" and "$40 a Day" is known to all. She also launched her own talk show in Sepember 2006, has a biography written on her life, and has a series of best-selling cookbooks. Her online magazine "Everyday with Rachel Ray"is a great resource for food-lovers and cooks. But its not all "rosy" for the famous chef, as fame brings fans and enemies together, and you won't be surprised to find dedicated sites like "rachel ray sucks!" online!

I woudn't say that I am a great fan of her cooking though, because most of her items use the same ingredients, and she doesn't make food from scratch. I believe a good cook should know what goes into making a dish, the ingredients, their flavours and proportions. Its easy to mix ready-made items, sauces and some leftovers from home and make a meal, but that's just a one-time meal. To really relish your food, you need to put in some more effort, and that creativity and dedication is what makes an ordinary cook a great chef. And Rachel Ray probably falls short in this criterion.

At the end of the day, what is good or bad is for an individual to decide, and I'm all for giving credit to this woman for her hard work, and in her own way, she still continues to be an inspiration to many of us, right?!

What do you think???

Amarin Thai Restaurant, Mountainview CA

For all my friends who might think that I am biased towards indian restaurants, here's my choice for the best thai food and culinary experience in the Bay Area. It has to be Amarin Thai in mountainview downtown, and none other could come close!! Though it has several branches at various locations, and we've visited most of them, the one on Castro beats them all. Set in the heart of the quaint and glittering downtown, its a must-visit restaurant for all asians.

The best attraction for me, something other than the food, is actually the 2 seating arrangements that catch your eye as soon as you enter the place. Traditional seating for a family means all members sitting around like a group informally, chatting and enjoying the delicious food, and that's precisely what these seatings are meant for! A group of 8 of us could sit comfortably in a circular setting with our feet dangling into air, no separate chairs, but with cusions to support our backs and the circular table that jutted out in front of us as if out of an abyss, was the perfect height and distance. You might have to come in early to beat the rush-hour if you covet this seating though, but believe me, its worth it!

Next comes a charming waitress, traditional in attire and smile, handing us a menu that would appeal to anyone, child or adult, vegetarian or non-vegetarian, asian or american. Pick any entree from the House Specials and you won't go wrong. The portions are appropriate, the choices are immense, and the pricing is very affordable. My friends loved the seafood, and I enjoyed my Panang Curry with veg Fried Rice a lot. My husband absolutely loves the Pad-Thai here. They have some interesting items on their menu like "Cashew Nut Fever", "Son-in-Law" and "Popeye's Favourite". The drinks and desserts meet or exceed the thai food standards.

The only drawback could be that thai restaurants generally tend to be small, I always wonder why though, so it can be really crowded on weekends and dinner times. So make sure to make a reservation in advance, and ask for a traditional seating, if you have a large group. But this should not deter you from trying this fabulous Thai Food Restaurant. It serves great thai food and I'd totally recommend you to try Amarin Thai!

Address
156 Castro St
Mountain View, CA 94041
(650) 988-9323
Amarin Thai Restaurant