The city of joy has recently witnessed and celebrated the third edition of the Farmers' Market by Karen Anand, the celebrity food writer, and cook. When it comes to the fresh open air whole food, Karen's Farmers' Market is indeed one of the pioneers in India for sure. I was all set to visit the farmers' market that was planned on 4th December, 16 but a personalized invitation to attend an exclusive bloggers table before the market visit on 3rd December, 16 from the power blogger couple (this is what I call them 😉 ) Anindya and Madhushree who write at Pikturenema was obviously the cream on the top. Though I have tried Karen's products before and a regular follower of her work but this was for the first time I was meeting her and naturally, I was excited to join her for the lunch at Taj Bengal.
The day one at the Hub in Taj Bengal was amazing with a very productive bloggers' table where city's eminent food and lifestyle bloggers were present along with Karen Anand followed by a wintery specially crafted lunch. I found Keren really friendly and warm and naturally the entire group ended on discussing whatever was coming to our mind related to food. We were presented with five different varieties of conserves and sauces that are introduced by the Farmers' market: Alphonso Mango conserve, Fig and Orange conserve, Singapore Chili Garlic Sauce, Tibetan Sauce and Wholegrain Mustard with Chili. Though all of the items were amazingly flavorful but I ended for the 2nd (okay 4th actually 😀 ) servings for the Singapore Chili Garlic Sauce and Alphonso Mango conserve. All of the mentioned Sauces and conserves were available at the Farmers' Market by Karen Anand next day and can be purchased here in Kolkata as well at Velvet.
Coming to the lunch followed by the tasting of condiments and sauces, it was started with three types of soups, Cream of Garlic with Enoki Mushrooms, Forest Mushroom Cappuccino, and a Cherry Tomato Basil Broth. Now for me, the Cream of Garlic with Enoki Mushrooms was the best of the lot though I found Poorna and Rukshana enjoying their portion of Forest Mushroom Cappuccino more. The next item served was a salad of Pomelo, Beetroot and Goat Curd Salad as a vegetarian option and Olive Oil Poached Prawn, Fennel Confit, Rocket and Picked Tomato and I naturally found my solace in the juicy prawns.
For the main, we were provided with two options and we just grouped ourselves to sample both as we were aware that no way we will be able to finish more than one plate of each. I ended on choosing the Cumin Crusted grass fed Australian Lamb Rack served with Roasted Peruvian Potato and Tamarind Glaze and happily bartered with Dolon for her portion of organic Cochin Vanilla Marinated Bhekti served with the Quinoa Pilaf, Minted Squash, and Agro dolce. The lamb was perfectly cooked and yet juicy inside and I found the Roasted Peruvian Potatoes just perfect companion for the lamb and I took a portion of Singapore Chili Garlic Sauce to make the lamb tastier, but as you know this is nothing but human nature that we always prefer what is not typically ours and hence I ended on liking the fish portion more. Bhetki indeed one of my favorite fish and I found the Quinoa Pilaf really tasty along with the fish. The next serving was a Spinach and Organic Ricotta Gnocchi with Wild Pesto which I found really good even while having with my portion of non-vegs. The lunch ended with a classic Crème Brulee which was flavored with lavender and honey and served with biscotti.
Karen gifted each of us an autographed copy of her books and sauce/ condiments as well and we ended on clicking pictures to make the afternoon perfect.
My Sundays are mostly dedicated to my daughter unless there is something really important as I can't be able to spend quality time with her entire week. For some urgent commitments I was not able to spend time with Pasta for two consecutive weekends so I decided to go to the Farmers' market by Karen Anand with her for which the venue was again Taj Bengal. I was well aware that Pasta's going to enjoy her time there as I already knew that Indrajeet (da) planned to bring his son there. Pasta enjoyed thoroughly there at the Farmers' Market, she played there while I ended on chitchatting with the blogger friends of mine and visited the entire market and ended on purchasing some Pesto, sun-dried Tomato flavored Hummus and Soaps. This was followed by a visit the Zomato stall and I and Pasta won a competition (errr the question was really easy to answer and perfect for my limited knowledge on food) and Pasta was really happy with her gift (a brownie, a badge, and a pen). Samridhi clicked a beautiful picture of the mother-daughter duo and that made me a happy mom! By that time Pasta somehow found the little waterbody and ended on playing with the water and naturally the poor mother decided to leave early.
The arrangement was really good for the Farmers' Market by Karen Anand at the Taj Bengal but being a mother to a toddler I was wishing for a kid zone there and hopefully, we will be having the same next year there in Karen's Farmers' Market in the city of Joy. Yes, I already am waiting for the next!
Disclaimer: I was invited to the Bloggers table with Karen Anand and the visit to the Farmers' market by Karen Anand was my personal endeavor.
anindya sundar basu says
It was great having you with us and it was such a great afternoon . Discussions with food stalwarts only broadens our horizon. Who is this power couple you are speaking about?