Travel Eats: Gaggan

Hidden within the busy street of Langsuan in Bangkok, is an old wooden white colonial house that sets a beautiful backdrop for Gaggan.

Having studied under Ferran Andria of El Bulli fame, Gaggan Anand concocts amazing dishes that are of Indian heritage but interpreted for the palates of tomorrow.

It was my first taste of molecular gastronomy and it was an exciting and delicious experience!

Though I did get my fair share of dry ice & foam throughout the meal, my dinner mates did confirm that Gaggan's food felt more accessible than other molecular gastronomy menus they've had. As Indian cuisine does tend to be very homey and unpretentious, I would think that this balance was definitely intentional.

Pictures below! Not the best lighting situation but grateful nonetheless to be at a dinner where there was adequate light source.

Do check it out Gaggan: Progressive Indian Cuisine" next time you're in Bangkok!

http://www.eatatgaggan.com/

Turn in from the busy street, walk through a long drive way to clear your senses, then be greeted by this beaut!

Our table

Gaggan's food journey begins... 

Welcome drinks.. molecular gastronomy you say? 

Why yes, a mango reduction please!

Beer all around.. because we're classy like that

G's sugar cane mojito 

My sangria sorbet

More welcome starters.. looks like egg, feels like egg.. but it ain't egg!

Even more starters! Deconstructed samosa... 

... and a little mutton burger with a side of pistachio in edible plastic 

"Viagra - French oysters freshly shucked served with kokam nectar and Indian mustard ice cream"

Tasty foam

"Egyptian Secret - foiegras with spiced onion chutney and cold raspberry foiegras powder" 

"Truffles - seasonal truffle potato mouse with pepper infusion" 

"Smoke it up - river king prawns tandoor grilled and finished with fennel
kachumber and charcoal oil"

"Game on - wild french quail sous-vide 6 hours with chettinaud spices crisp fried with pineapple chutney" 

Finger lickn' good

Pretty dollop of pineapple chutney

Add one 1.... 

"Free range baby lamb chops slow cooked and smoked with whisky smoke" 

Add on 2... what was left of "Iberian pork neck slow cooked in goan vinadaloo reduction"

"Sous vide curry - fresh water sea bass served in home grown raw mango curry" 

Post dessert dessert

"In Season - organic mahachanok mangoes in mouse and fresh ice cream with
100% silver"

Stuffed happy dinner guests

Domestic Diaries: Kitchen Adventures

When people ask me if I can cook, my ready answer is no. To be fair - I think at the back of my mind I always knew if I HAD to, I probably wouldn't be too bad at it.

I definitely enjoy the AFTER of cooking - I mean, who doesn't love food now a day? It has truly become an art in itself. But the actual cooking? I've never had a burning desire to experiment and whip up any culinary creations.

With my new living situation though, it made sense to try throwing something together other than salad leaves with boiled egg. I could at least cook without filling my entire studio with smoke (just my living room now.. hehe) and would be feeding more than just myself. I find groceries to be rather expensive here, but for the most part, think it comes out much cheaper than eating out every day. If not cheaper, than at least healthier.

So trying is what we've been doing!

We have a very no-frills kitchen - oven toaster, microwave and induction cooker with just enough counter space left to rotate between dish drying and chopping stuff up on our little chopping board.

But we've made do!

My prerequisite for recipes is minimum prep and cooking time with maximum taste - which will explain all the pastas and sandwiches (ok.. sandwiches technically aren't things you "cook".. but you get what I mean). I know this is a no-no for lots of serious cooks, but I am so glad there are lots of "short-cuts" available at the grocery store to help a girl out!

It's been lots of fun actually! And I know both roomie and myself look forward to slowly but steadily increasing our repertoires

Anyone have any simple recipes to share?

Wheat penne with tuna, tomatoes, mushrooms & freshly grated parmigiano regianno

More penne (my favourite if you haven't guessed yet!) - this time as a lamb sausage aglio oglio

Wheat spaghetti with spanish sardines & sundried tomato pesto

Focaccia with goat cheese, grilled eggplant, tomato and arugula 

Turkey on wheat with dijon, arugula and tomtatoes

Penne (yes - my favourite if your haven't noticed by now!) with parsley, lemon and sautéed chicken in garlic

More of the same eggplant sandwich - this time wrapping it up so we could bring it to work

Rica's chicken curry 

Rosemary chicken breasts with gouda, stewed tomatoes, mushroom and eggplant

Bali Eats 07-12

Indo food is amazing - spicy and flavourful and downright delicious! Even more amazing in Bali because all the pork not eaten in every other pocket of the country is found in Bali! Hee hee.

Thanks to all the foreigners who flock and live on the island - the international fare is divine as well.

During our long weekend in Bali, we were able to chow down on:

• Babi Guling - the local roasted pig Bali is quite famous for
• Grilled seafood & veggies roasted by our villa chef
• Naughty Nuris - local resto that does mean ribs
• Chandi Restaurant - pan-Asian cuisine made from the freshest ingredients. K had a special menu set up for her bday!
• Breakfast spread, again, cooked up by our villa chef
• And last but not least... local Mie Goreng! So bad for you, but so damn good!

Oh - and all washed down with lots of alcohol. Everyone brought in a bottle of their favorite tipple from Duty Free... and then some. 

Chandi choices

Chandi night ends with ice cream + tea

1/3 of the alcohol we had

Grilled mushrooms

Mie Goreng for brekie! Yummers!

Typical Indo drink of Avocado + chocolate syrup to sweeten

Crispy fried duck

Nachos. Man do I love nachos

Nasi goreng of course!

Hullo succulent ribs

Ox tail soup if I'm not mistaken

After lunch latte to chase away food coma zzzs

Sautéed mushrooms

Grilled tomatos

Fresh fruit!

And some more alcohol :)