Monday, February 23, 2009

Mehak Indian Restaurant - DC

817 7th Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: (202) 408-9292
Fax: (202) 408-9290
www.mehak.com
Mehak (Aroma) is a fine dining restaurant located in Chinatown (between Verizon and Convention Center), serving authentic Indian Tandoori (charcoal-grilled) and Mughlai dishes. Warm setting, friendly service and traditional curries.


I was away for the weekend at a seminar, and this place right here!(having a Katt Williams moment, sorry bout that). Mehak was a place were I ate 4 times (twice in one day on Saturday). The food was unlike any Indian food I've eaten before. The butter chicken, was PERFECT! The lamb curry was another favorite. During the weekend they have a buffet that shocked me! I normally stay away from buffets because of past experience. So I approached theirs very skeptically. Once I sat down to taste the food, my taste buds were in overload. I really fell for this place, and the staff was very friendly and tentative to clearing the tables of used plates that were cleaned from satisfied customers as they continued to go for more food at the buffet. Water glass stayed filled along with the free refill drinks.

Parting is sweet sorrow, especially when I was getting ready to head back to my home town only to find the restaurant closed between the 2:30pm - 5:00pm. I was surly going to grab some food to take back for my family to try. Maybe next time. If you ever find yourself in the D.C. area, and you like Indian food - Mehak is a place you have to visit. Tell them Umm Food sent you.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Diesel The Pressure Cooker

Here is my side kick in the Kitchen, Diesel the Pressure Cooker. Diesel can make a meal that is timely to almost close to nothing. I braised lamb, chicken, and turkey with Diesel, and each time the food was not only done in a short amount of time, but it was also tender and flavorful too (with added spices I used during the cooking process of course).

Diesel also does a great job with veggies, root veggies and legumes too. I made a soup with Diesel and I must say, I legumes that take hours was ready in no time. Not to mention, Diesel is an electric Pressure Cooker made by Cuisinart that also browns, simmers, saute, high pressure & low pressure, and a warmer.

If your a person who may see yourself in situations where you want to cook something good for your family but time is not on your side. Know this Diesel has plenty of brothers & sisters waiting for you to take them home to be your efficient kitchen assistant.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Cereal Smoothie

For those who love their cereal but may not have time to eat a bowl in the morning. I think I have something to help you with this smoothie. Your still getting the nutritious values from the cereal along with the taste but just not the texture. Here's what I do for my breakfast smoothie:

Cereal Smoothie

1 cup of Cereal (preferably a healthy nutritional cereal - I used Kashi Honey Sunshine*)
1 1/3 cup of Chocolate Soy milk (you can add a lil more if you don't want it too thick)
2 Tbsp of Silk Hazelnut Soy Creamer
2 Tbsp of Flax Seeds (good source of fiber)
2 Tbsp of Hemp Seeds (good source of protien)

Place all items in a blender for about 30 seconds and drink.
*Kashi Honey Sunshine Cereal is also high in fiber*

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Braised Fried Turkey Wings

I wanted to try something new and different. I braised some turkey wings(just the wing with tip parts) last night in a jerk spice sauce. I actually braised them in the pressure cooker which only took 30 minutes (I will introduce you to my Pressure Cooker at a later but sooner date). I place them in the frig because I changed my mind on dinner. But today, had a hmmmmm moment. What if I took those braised turkey wings out the frig, and light coat them with a spiced (not spicy) flour and fry them to brown (didn't take long since they were already cooked).

Hmmmmmm.....

So, I did it. I must say, they were very tasty. Tender from the braising, and a nice crispy on the outside. And the flavors were PERFECT!


I also put together some garlic roasted broccoli which was easy, fast, tasty and healthy too. I just used some frozen organic broccoli, lemon-pepper sea salt, evoo (extra virgin olive oil), a tablespoon of crushed garlic and finish with a tablespoon of butter. Put in the the oven on 400 degrees for about 10 minutes. Yummy! With a lil crunch to it too.
You can sprinkle a lil cheese on it too if you like.

Well, that was dinner tonight. Quick, Tasty and Healthy.

Summit On The Summit.