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Ideas For A Day Out In London

The capital city of England and United Kingdom, London carries with it a rich history dating back to the Roman times. It is recognised by some of the most famous spots across the globe, such as the iconic Big Ben clock tower, Westminster Abbey, Thames River and the London Eye. The list of places to visit here is a long one with many spots of historical and cultural significance. With all its glorious palaces, museums, monuments and parks, the city is one of the most attractive tourist spot in the world.

The magnitude of activities that one can engage in, in London is immense and no matter how much time you spend there, you will end up missed out on something. To squeeze everything in one day is an arduous task. But how do you plan the ultimate day in London. Given our schedules in today’s time, many a times’ people are left with just one odd day to roam around a place. To help you with the perfect itinerary, we have listed down some of the ways to experience London. Choose the ones that attract you the most and plan a fun filled day in the city.

1.Food and Movie Junkie

Any foodie visiting London would start his or her day at Brixton or Borough market. Both the places are famous for the street market bringing you food and cuisines from all over the world. This is one place where it isn’t surprising to find Japanese and Ethiopian food being served under the same roof. You can also visit Baker Street for some amazing cafes with the perfect breakfast menu. Ooty café is one such place. Satisfy your Indian roots at this south Indian cuisine restaurant. Enjoy a day cruising through the local market and food stalls. Head towards the National Theatre to watch mesmerising acts. You can also catch a classic or a cult ripple maker at the British Film Institute.

2.Day by the Docks

If you like things like how they were back in the days, you should definitely visit the Greenwich market. Set in a World Heritage Site, this has the finest collection of British designer maker. From handmade gifts to arts and crafts and accessories, you will find some very interesting and quirky things here. Gorge on some delicious food while strolling through the market which is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and bars making it a lively place.

There are several other ways you can spend a relaxed yet entertaining day in London. Make some wonderful memories by spending quality time with your friends and family rather than running around the whole day.

4 Food Fests in London That You Must Attend

Many believe that the British cuisine is bland and isn’t tasty enough to satiate your taste buds. Especially for people from South Asian countries, the food lacks a certain punch and texture in terms of flavours. But London more than makes up for this with its multicultural vibe of the city, making it conducive for exploring food as it is for exploring art and history.

Walk down the Downtown Abby and you are sure to stumble upon a Korean themed restaurant, an Italian café or a Dosa restaurant in London such as Ooty.

Like all metro cities in the world, London is also renowned for its exquisite food fests where food lovers from all over the world come and celebrate their love for creativity and sensory delights.

So, make sure you check out any of these five food fests whenever you are in London.

All Points East

Organized in the middle of the month of May, this food festival exudes a classical summer vibe. Deriving its inspiration from the tastes of East, this food fest is the focal point of East London business. Some of the highlights of this food fest are vegan food delights, rice noodle pots, and culinary delights inspired from Filipino flavors. Off-lately, the fest has also started presenting ice cold shots and cocktails.

Foodie’s Festival

This one is a socialite food fest that is embarked by several celebrity chef appearances. Another icing n the cake is live music and several food workshops organized during this time where people can come and learn a thing or two about cooking various cuisines.

The Ends

Yet another food festival that brims with summer love! Offering everything good that South London can offer, you can’t miss to binge eat on those delicious tacos, sour and spicy Mexican delights, French fries and burgers when you are here. Also, you can also check out Homestyle West African flavors when you are here.

Great British Food Festival

Set at the verdant backdrop of chiswick house with an artistic touch infused in its every aspect, you will get to taste 50 different variety of food at this festival. Also, you will get a great opportunity to meet directors, producers; attend workshops, and demonstrations. And in case, you are lucky, you can attend various competitions being organized here and gain free entry passes for few of the events.

3 Essential Spices for Indian Cooking

The mysterious land of India remained an enigma to outsiders for a very long time. Their culture, traditions and beliefs were different and unique compared to rest of the world. Among many things, Indian cuisine is one that amazed the world. No one could imagine how spices were used in different dishes in the sub-continents of India. The huge variety of spices of India not only intimidated people but made them curious as well.

A huge combination of spices is used by the Indians in their food delicacies. Starting from enhancing the smell to its taste, these spices play a crucial role. If you want to cook tasty Indian delicacies, these are some of the spices you should consider using:

Cardamom

Indians use two types of cardamom: green and black. The green cardamom is more common and used in various things including spice mixes, lassis and even Indian desserts. Since it has a light flavour with a hint of sweetness and a mild eucalyptus note, it goes along with a lot of different dishes. Green cardamom is blended while making spice mixes, like garam masala, but left popped open when using them in sweets or desserts.

However, black cardamom has a strong flavour and is not used in the same manner. It is very powerful and smoky and should be used carefully. They are very spicy and should be removed from the dish before serving it.

Clove

Clove is among the most common spices used in Indian cooking. They are found in many Indian preparations. Cloves consist of essential oils that add a medicinal value to it. They come from flowers whose oils are pressed out so that they can be dried out and used in cooking. Either they are used as a whole or blended into spice mixes. Adding this spice too much can ruin the taste of the dish as it can overpower more delicate spices.

Cassia Bark

Also known by the name Chinese cinnamon, Cassia bark is an interesting spice. Producing this spice is cheaper and the majority of ground cinnamon produced every year is actually made from cassia bark. Many Indians prefer using cassia instead of true cinnamon while cooking owing to its mild flavour. Besides households, the restaurants for Indian fine dining in London and other cities use Cassia either as a whole or ground in spice mixes. Since it is rough and has a tree bark-like texture, it can be easily recognized by rubbing a little on fingers. Also, if it exudes a cinnamon fragrance, the bark is fresh.

You can taste the authentic flavours of Indian cooking at Ooty, a leading Indian restaurant in the heart of London. Their dishes are packed with the traditional taste and will leave you wanting for more!

Exploring Baker Street

If you thought 221B Baker Street is the most popular address in the Marylebone district, think again. Once a high-class residential locality in the City of Westminster, famous for the fictional residence of Sherlock Holmes, Baker Street is now a thriving commercial centre that attracts both locals and tourists to its many establishments.

For the Touristy Types

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is one of the most popular places to visit in London. While this popular wax museum has many branches or centres across the world, the original founded by Marie Tussaud in Marylebone, London, remains one of London’s greatest attractions. In fact, she made Baker Street her home. With over 250 life like wax figures of royalty, sports persons, politicians, and other celebrities, this remains one of the most popular tourist spots in all of London.

Wine and Dine

London showcases its diverse, cosmopolitan, and vibrant culture through food. The many eateries and restaurants in Baker Street highlight the great potpourri of cultures that make London a wonderful place to visit and live in. From the most authentic Italian restaurant in town to the best south Indian food in London, Baker Street is the place to be for the gourmets. From vegan to dairy-free, from wine and cheese to the best cuts of meat, from baked goods to freshly cooked dishes – whatever’s on your mind, you’re likely to find a restaurant that fits your requirements. If Indian cuisine is your catch, Ooty, the spectacular south Indian restaurant is the perfect place for you.

Book Lovers Unite

Explore nearby Marylebone High Street and you’re likely to stumble across the most wonderful book shop. Daunt’s Books, housed in an Edwardian building, has an olde worlde feel to it, something most book lovers appreciate. Shelves of books and lovely arched windows and stained glass panes – just the place to be when you want to shut the world out. The amazing collection of fiction, non-fiction, and travel books here is something you must check out when in Baker Street.

Brew up a Storm

From the Beehive, one of the finest pubs in Marylebone, to the Cadenhead’s, Scotland’s oldest independent whiskey bottlers, from The Marylebone to The Volunteer, Baker Street and its neighbourhood have some watering holes you must visit. The wonderful brews, the fine whiskeys and wines, the innovative cocktails – just the place to catch up with friends and have a great time. Nothing beats watching a nail biting Ashes match in one of these pubs and bars with the locals.

Explore the Gardens

Though it does seem to be sandwiched between some of the best gardens in London – Regent’s Park in the north and Hyde Park in the south – Baker Street and its neighbourhood can quite hold its own. The Paddington Street Gardens near Baker Street is where you need to go to for some peace and calm and time with Nature.

4 Healthy Indian Snacks to Binge On

When it comes to health foods and Indian cuisines, there is a plethora of restaurants that offer the right combination of the two. By substituting fatty oils and heavy creams, they’re able to preserve the essential nature of the delicacy while preparing them in a healthier manner.

This is opening people up to new experiences within the Indian snacks’ domain, attracting international diners to try out Dosas, Samosas and Jhal Muri. They’re made to taste as authentic as possible, while accommodating healthier ingredients and mixes. Diners can try out the best south Indian restaurant London wide, Ooty, to relish different traditional snacks made in a healthier preparation style.

The classic Idli

Idlis, when made with oats and low-GI rice, can be prepared in a traditional method while giving you immense health benefits. They’re low impact, from a calorie perspective, and can be consumed as a binge-worthy snack at any time.

The top restaurants also prepare Idlis with a bit of mustard oil and cumin seeds, to give you that added flavour. By keeping the batter ready in the fridge, you can easily make fresh Idlis at any time for the whole family.

Ghee Dosa

Diners from around the world understand the importance of ghee in their daily diet, which when combined with high-protein grains can give you a world of benefits. From healing your gut biome to giving you more energy throughout the day, ghee is a super food that many Indians love to enjoy in a classic Dosa.

A ghee Dosa is a staple snack in many Indian homes that rely on a regular supply of crispy preparations, topped off with a hint of good fats. Keto Dosas are also catching on as a new trend within health-conscious communities.

Samosa Chaat

While many diners may believe that Samosas are bad for health, these delicious treats can be prepared in a healthier manner. Samosas made with canola oil, or with coconut oil can be much better for your health.

Since these samosas are accompanied with a mix of tamarind chutney, green herbs and turmeric spices, the overall chat combination is a delicious healthy treat. Samosa Chaats, when prepared correctly, can be a great snack any time of the year.

Roasted Makhana

Makhana is one of the best Indian snacks that is traditionally designed to be binged on. You can have Makhana at any time of the day, and they’re increasingly popular among movie-goers and health food lovers.

Roasted Makhana is a great option to go for, when you need a boost of energy or when you’re craving a salty treat. By adding a bit of Himalayan salt, you can truly unlock its flavour potential.

Diversity of Indian Cuisine

If you observe a little closely, you will realize that a human body is nourished by three essential elements—Air, water and food.

While the nature and our surroundings constantly nourish us with the first two elements, it is the third element that is our food we all tend to take for granted.

As per Hindu tradition, the vital life force known as Prana running in our body depends on these three factors.

Ancient Indian mythologists believed that maintaining a well-balanced diet is essential to sustain or increase the level of Prana within the Human body. Interestingly, a typical Indian palate is so beautifully diverse that it contains all the essential Vitamins and nutrients that are required for a person to remain healthy in the long run.

And since we are already talking about the toothsome Indian palate, we must mention about the subtle yet palatable south Indian cuisine, we all tend to adore as it is healthy and tasty at the same time.

Just to mention, some of the essential requisites of a south Indian platter are coconut, sesame seeds, dry red chilis, dry herbs that together make a perfect combination of healthy diet.

If we have already piqued your curiosity, next time you type south Indian food near me, you must know the following facts about South Indian Cuisine.

A High Protein Diet

Be it the Sambhar, vada, Dosas, or the spicy Uttapamm, all these delicacies are made from Dal (pulses) which are a great source of protein in vegetarian diet. Also, the batter made to cook these culinary delights contains rice and coconut flour that contains high amount of Vitamins and nutrients, making it a full-fledged healthy intake.

Low-Fat Oil

South Indian cuisine is made using low fat oil like coconut, sesame or mustard oil which is actually very good for cardiac patients. The Tadka which is usually poured over the dish is made from Desi cow Ghee, which is yet another great source of Vitamin A2. Contrary to popular belief, it requires only 2-3 teaspoons of oil to cook a south Indian delight which automatically makes it high on fibre and much low on fat content.

Usage of Multiple Herbs

What’s amazing about South Indian platter is that besides presenting culinary diversity to its recipients, every dish taste and smells uniquely different. Though, the base remains same which is rice flour, the way it is made and other ingredients are thoroughly different. Every delicacy is made using multiple herbs and spices which not only makes it tantalizing but also healthy at the same time.