I absolutely had to visit Tarka after their relocation because of the beautiful interior I kept seeing on people's stories. The decoration is very pleasing to the eye with pops of blue furniture and the metallic hints on their décor pieces make the place an Instragram worthy one.

We got started off with some Nimki, Peanuts and Bhujia on the house. They were so addictive that we kept munching on them till the end of our meal. The best part is you can ask for refills as much as you want! We ordered momos, kebabs, daal and desserts enough for 5-6 people.

For momos, we got the Darjeeling Chicken & Shrimp Momo. Their wraps were a little on the thicker side; something that would perfectly fit in the streets of Nepal. The stuffing of both the momos were abundant and well seasoned. The red dip was tangy and spicy complementing the dumpling perfectly. They will also serve a green spicy chutney if you ask for it.

The Bara Kebab was too traditional and bland for me. Big slices of chicken were charred and grilled. They tasted too basic infact, I prefer much cheaper ones that small hotels and restos serve over theirs. However, my other friends liked it quite a lot. The Malai chicken was delicious! It was buttery, sweet and juicy. These chunks of succulent chicken went great with the Naan. The Peshwari chicken was cut into small chunks as well. Tastewise, it was tangy and spicy. To me the Beef Peshwari had a taste similar to deshi beef curries that go great with "chaaler ruti" maybe that's why I was slightly disappointed. It was very easy to chew though and the gravy was delish! The Daal Makhni was the least appetizing among all the dishes. It didn’t look or taste appetizing. It lacked seasoning, the kick and the consistency that traditional daal makhni has. It was bland and didn't look appetizing either. Kolkata Naan is crispy but not to the point that it crumbles and the Paneer Kulcha was delicious on its own; soft and cheesy!

Finally, for the dessert we got Shahi Tukra  and Falooda. The Shahi Tukra had gathered raving reviews online and I had to try it out myself to see if it was as good as everyone claimed. It was dipped in Pesta Badam Milk goodness! Highly recommend this over the falooda which was overly sweet and wasn't served as chilled.

(This article was first published in Dhaka Courier)

Welcome to the new normal; where you stay at home, work from home, and even order from restaurants and eat, at home. Home chefs have gained a newly found momentum in their food businesses due to the pandemic. Now, in Dhaka, it has become easy to order any type of cuisine from such chefs from the comfort of their homes.

Bake Away is such a bakery which is quickly making a mark in the dessert scene. They are currently taking orders through their Facebook and Instagram page only. I personally believe that it is the presentation of their desserts that sets them apart. from gold foils in their red velvet cupcakes to kiwi and strawberry topped lemon tarts this online bakery is trying to put a spin on classic dessert items.

Lemon Tart

These Lemon Tarts looked like desserts right out of Pinterest. I got a very subtle sour taste of lemon here which should've been stronger given its name. The Strawberry and Kiwis added a fruity flavor along with the thick custard filling. Had it been named fruit tart, I would’ve been sold for sure!

Chocolate Cup Cake with American Double Chocolate: Frosting

This is the best Chocolate Cupcake I've had in a while! It was really moist and well decorated. The chocolate flavor was not too intense and the frosting was extremely creamy! Despite of both the cake and frosting flavor being chocolate, it didn’t come off as too sweet which is perfect for me. Having Maltesers as topping is such a good idea as it added crunchiness as a texture. If you are someone who loves desserts but want the perfect balance, this is a must order I highly recommend it.

Profiteroles

These profiteroles melt in your mouth! They were airy and the cream filling was just the right amount. To me, the chocolate or vanilla coating doesn’t make much of a difference tastewise but they do make them look beautiful! The Choux of Pastryarchy (another online bakery are even lighter than this so do check them out too!)

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

The Red Velvet Cupcake with cream cheese frosting is loved by many! It’s a classic flavor that now many restaurants and bakeries offer on a regular basis too. But have you ever seen such a cupcake with golden foils? It just gives it a luxurious look that we can all definitely admire! While the frosting could’ve been slightly sourer, the cupcake was just perfect! Both the cupcake and frosting held their shapes perfectly despite them being home delivered!

(This article was first published on Dhaka Courier)

Farmhouse Burger is one of those places in town that I could go to multiple times without getting bored. Their well-crafted menu and ambience make this place a great place to hangout with friends and family or even go on a cozy date. Located at the south end of Gulshan Avenue in the Bay Development building, they are located underground which might take you a while to spot.

Once you enter, their warm lighting and pub style setting will lighten your mood. Their well trained servers presented a menu to us and one of their owners, Nadine Khan, was present there to explain the new additions to their menu. I noticed that some of their prices had been cut down and she explained that over the months they were able to cut down costs where necessary and make Farmhouse a place which everyone could afford. I was really impressed with this genuine remark.

I ordered the Bob Marley and Ricky Bobby Melt from their burger section, fried pickles and the Strawberry Shortcake Shake. The Bob Marley is a jerk marinated chicken with pineapple salsa, green lettuce and lime aioli. It was so refreshing to have a fruity flavor to a burger; something that I would have never imagined. The only issue I had with this burger is the thickness of the chicken which was too thin for me.

The Ricky Bobby Melt is a beef burger on toast with jalapeno, cheddar, chipotle pepper sauce, caramelized onions. If you had (and know) Bombay Toast as a kid, this will definitely bring back some memories. This burger cum sandwich was properly toasted with a sweet touch to it. The minced beef and cheddar gave it a classic backyard burger taste and the sweet, sharp and smoky taste of the caramelized onions made this melt a delicious one.

The Fried Pickles were crispy because of the hand-batter that they use. I have had this side before but they definitely changed the recipe. It tasted lighter and had bits of fried peppers along with jalapenos as well. Previously they had a ranch sauce as a dipping which was too tangy for me to go with the jalapenos but now they mixed it up with in house made mayonnaise which made the consistency thicker and also helped in cutting down the tangy taste. A must have if you visit Farmhouse Burger in my opinion.

The Strawberry Shortcake Shake’s core ingredients were strawberries, shortbread crumbs and whipped cream. Previously, I was a huge fan of their Nutty Italian shake but now I can say without hesitance that this is the best shake in their menu and perhaps in town. It was thick, not overly sweet and refreshing! Perfect summer drink if you ask me. The strawberries tasted really fresh and the shortcake crumbs were giving it a buttery and baked cookie taste.

Overall, Farmhouse Burger is definitely worth the money. You don’t just pay for the food but also the amazing service and ambiance.

I recently came back from a trip to India. After all the delicious meals I have had there, I couldn’t handle the craving for Indian ever since my return. Thus, my tour group and I decided to relive the memory of our trip at Kurry Accent; our favorite Indian restaurant in Dhaka.

I usually try very traditional Indian food items at Kurry Accent but decided to order something different this time. We started off with Papdi Chaat. This scrumptious Indian street food delight has been turned into a fancy one by Kurry. Topped with potatoes, pomegranates, cilantro and tamarind chutney and bhujia, this appetizer/small bite is an excellent option for Indian food fanatics. Other than the less amount of yoghurt, I thoroughly enjoyed this dish. The best part is that it can easily be split by 2 or more if you are ordering other items from their menu.

Next, we ordered the Old Delhi Murgh Boti with Butter Roomali Roti. I was absolutely blown away with the presentation! The chunks of chicken had a rustic taste of garam masala. The additions of chilis and garnish of coriander gave it a spicy and minty taste. The crisp roti got crisper with time and I loved that! The Tandoori Khumbh was no exception in terms of presentation. It was quite unique having two button mushrooms being stuffed and then joined with each other. This dish is a hit or miss depending on what flavors you like. The nutty taste of cashew taste along with mashed veggies is really rich here. In fact, even for me it was unlike other flavors I'm accustomed to. But don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it, especially the chars on the mushrooms gave it a smoky flavor.

For mains we got the Assorted Kabab Platter which had fish, lamb and chicken kabab served on a grill. Surprisingly it was the Dory Fish that stood out. It had a melt in the mouth texture with perfect seasoning. The Chicken and Lamb were both slightly salty especially the chicken was slightly a letdown for us.

The Daal Makhni and Butter Chicken are our all time favorite. We have had it before and the taste is always consistent. The Daal had the perfect amount of Tarka and the Butter Chicken was succulent and delicious. The Kacche Gosht Ki Dum Biryani was another favorite around the table with its fragrant ‘jhorjora’ rice and juicy mutton bits.

Kurry Accent always leaves us little room to complain. I think their dishes are authentic Indian ones and I will always remain one of their loyal customers. Only if they’d work a little more on their interior, it’d be the perfect place for any gathering.

Mother Nature has the solution of all problems of human beings. During the pandemic situation, many health-conscious people are consuming Tulsi tea as home remedy for colds and inflammation. But Tulsi has many more health benefits to offer. Though originated in Indian Sub Continent, Tulsi has been widely cultivated in Southeast Asian Tropics. As an aromatic perennial plant, Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) belongs to the family Lamiaceae. For its versatile medicinal properties, Tulsi is adored as ‘Holy Basil, ‘Queen of Herbs’ or ‘Elixir of Life’. Read this article to know the magical health benefits of Tulsi tea.

Tulsi Tea Health Benefits

Combats Respiratory Disorders

Tulsi tea helps to relieve certain respiratory illnesses including colds, sinusitis, coughs, bronchitis, asthma congestion, flu, sore throat, etc. Its ‘antitussive’ property can aid in relieving coughs. Furthermore, Tulsi is enriched with certain oil properties that relieve congestion. The ‘Expectorant’ property of this medicinal herb can assist in relaxing your respiratory system by ejecting the phlegm. Inhaling the fresh steaming Tulsi tea before drinking can alleviate the sinus problems.

Strengthens Immune

As an ‘adaptogenic’ herb, Tulsi can strengthen the overall immune system of human body and promote wellness, but how? This herb is a natural source of Apigenin flavonoid that can assist your body-cells to eliminate waste materials. By virtue of its ‘Immune Modulator’ properties, Tulsi can boost up your immunity. What is more? Tulsi can speed up the healing process of diverse infections and wounds like mouth ulcers, keloids, acne, etc.

Read Masala Tea Health Benefits: How Can It Improve Your Immunity

Prevents Inflammation

Tulsi contains a kind of terpene like chemical compound called ‘Eugenol’ that has analgesic or pain-relieving properties. People who are suffering from fibromyalgia, joint pain, or arthritis can drink Tulsi tea on a regular basis to alleviate the pain. This herb is also rich in Ursolic acid and Rosmarinic acid that offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and even anti-aging properties.

 

Lowers Blood Sugar and Cholesterol

Tulsi is a popular home remedy for reducing the level of blood sugar. If you are suffering from pre-diabetes or type-2 diabetes, you can start drinking tulsi tea besides taking medication to control your blood sugar in a natural way. Several studies in Animal as well as human trials revealed that Tulsi may aid in preventing weight gain, insulin resistance, excess blood-insulin (hyperinsulinemia), high cholesterol, hypertension, etc.

Besides contributing in the maintenance of ‘stable’ blood sugar levels, Tulsi tea can improve your metabolism and help your body in processing carbohydrates and fats more efficiently. Some research on animals show that Tulsi can lower the level of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and increase “good” cholesterol (HDL) in blood. However, more human trials are necessary to get established results.

Read Coronavirus Tips: Immunity Booster Herbal Teas to Prevent Infection.

Prevents Stress and Anxiety

During the Coronavirus pandemic, many people are experiencing tension due to diverse issues like illness, career, relationships, etc. A simple change into diet can contribute to alleviate stress. Tulsi is bestowed with ‘Ocimumosides A’ and ‘Ocimumosides B’ compounds that can fight stress and maintain the secretion of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine in your blood.

In addition to these, the habit of drinking Tulsi tea can not only help your body in balancing the stress hormone ‘cortisol’, but also minimize your stress-level. Thus, adding Tulsi tea in regular diet, you can avoid various pushing factors of depression and keep anxiety at bay.

Improves Dental, Oral and Eye health

The multidimensional health benefits of Tulsi will continue surprising you. As a natural mouth freshener, Tulsi is capable of destroying harmful bacteria and germs developed inside your mouth area. Drinking Tulsi tea every day, you can get cleaner teeth, hygienic oral health and fresher breath. Additionally, Tulsi carries an antioxidant carotenoid called ‘Lutein’ that can improve eye health.

Read Easy Homemade Summer Drinks to Beat the Heat and Increase Immunity.

Treats Gastronomical Illness

Holy Basil or Tulsi can naturally promote stomach health through reducing stomach acid, improving mucus secretion, boosting mucus cells, strengthening mucus cells, etc. For this blissful medicinal property Tulsi tea can be useful as a home remedy in treating indigestion, ulcers, vomiting, gastric pain, stomach cramps, intestinal parasites, etc. Tulsi can also prevent stress-induced ulcers. Furthermore, consumption of Tulsi tea can soothe stomach-ache causing from kidney stones.

How to Drink Tulsi Tea

Those who admire organic tea will certainly enjoy the mesmerizing aroma and exclusive flavor of Tulsi tea. Depending on the preparation style Tulsi tea can taste a bit peppery to astringent. To augment the flavor, Tulsi leaves can be combined with other kinds of organic tea leaves such as black tea, green tea, or white tea. To get additional health benefits, you can brew an herbal blend of Tulsi tea with other organic ingredients like turmeric, lemon, ginger, etc.

How to prepare Tulsi tea? First, boil 1 cup of water. Then add Half teaspoon of dried Tulsi leaves, or one teaspoon of fresh tulsi leaves, or one-third teaspoon of Tulsi powder to the hot water. Now let the blend steep for several minutes. After that remove the leaves or strain the tea. You can add honey and/or lemon juice at desired quantity to enhance the flavor.

Read Vitamin C: Where to Found and How Much to Consume.

 

Side Effects of Tulsi tea

Tulsi may affect the fertility of men and women. So, people who are trying to conceive ought to abstain from consuming Tulsi in excess amount.  Especially, the breast-feeding mothers are recommended to avoid drinking Tulsi tea.

You can experience nausea, diarrhea, or similar kind of illness when you start consuming Tulsi as tea or in other dietary form. Therefore, the best practice would be starting with limited quantities and then slowly increasing the amount of consumption over the course of time.

Tulsi may cause blood clotting in a slow pace. This is why patients are asked to keep away from eating or drinking Tulsi for minimum of two weeks prior and following any medical surgery.

Tulsi properties can interfere with your pharmaceutical drugs. So, if you are currently taking medications for treating any chronic or acute medical condition, you need to consult with your doctor before adding Tulsi tea in your diet.

---

Read Zinc: Health Benefits, Food Sources and Daily Requirements.