Chatkhaar's Two New Flavors

Chatkhaar has recently launched 5 new variants of chutney/pickles/sauces and condiments among their existing varieties, and I was offered to choose any two of them, for a review.

Moroccan Harissa
Chicken Pickle
Chickpeas Pickle
Sweet Lime Pickle
Thai Chilli Sauce
Falsa Chutney

Out of these five I was most curious to try the Chicken Pickle (yes, you read it right, Chicken!) and Moroccon Harissa.

Chicken pickle is such a treat for meat-lovers and a great accompaniment for the days when there is only daal chawal or mix sabzi for lunch. The chicken pickle by Chatkhaar had quite a strong vinegar hit in the first bite, but then the sourness settled in later bites. The taste was very similar to the typical achaar gosht from our desi cuisine. It is made from chicken breast meat and olive oil. I had it the classic way: Daal Chawal and Achaar, and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Moroccon Harissa -- though I had been warned that it was a spicy condiment -- was still too spicy for me (even though I love spicy food!) and it had to be as it is a blend of more than three different chilies. I had it with B.B.Q-ed liver so it was super spicy for me; but it will also go great with pulao as it is or mixed with yogurt and made into a raita.

Chicken pickle is however my favorite and I absolutely loved their packaging!

The chutneys, pickles, sauces, and chutneys can be ordered online via www.chatkhaar.com


*The opinions expressed and the review is entirely  my own.

Intel Cook-Off with Chef Mehboob

Intel invites Pakistan to #GoFaster with a tablet showcase event featuring Chef Mehboob

Intel hosts a cook off challenge with Chef Mehboob to urge people to look at the ‘ingredients’, i.e. processor inside their tablet that will determine the performance and user experience of their mobile device.

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Intel® Atom™ processor-based tablets are showcased at the fun-filled consumer press event which deliver stellar performance, great battery life, amazing visuals and graphics and 64bit technology

 PAKISTAN, Karachi, November 14, 2014 –Life is fast. There’s never enough time in the day to do what you want. Recognizing that most people wish they could do more with their day, Intel Pakistan hosted a Performance Matters tablet showcase event at the Noodle House, PC revealing how the quality of the ingredients, i.e. processor inside your tablet may impact your ability to achieve more, when time matters most.

Based on the concept that everyone would love to do more with their already stretched time, the showcase revealed how Intel mobile devices may help users to save time, do more, achieve more and be more, everyday.

The event featured a range of mobile devices and their dynamic capabilities as enabled by Intel® Atom™ processors. Designed to deliver unique and personal computing experiences for every lifestyle, the event aims to bring to life the philosophy: If it computes and connects, it’s best with Intel.

During the event Chef Mehboob showed the importance of using quality ingredients to deliver a delicious dish and challenged attendees to a cook off to construct an exquisite dish from just a few quality ingredients. Chef Mehboob was joined by Asma Aziz, PR and Marketing Manager, Intel Pakistan to discuss the importance of ingredients in cookery to taste of the dish – an analogy used to explain why the processor inside is a core component in determining the overall performance and hence user experience of a tablet.

Asma Aziz, PR and Marketing Manager, Intel Pakistan says, “Sometimes it seems like there is never enough time in the day to get everything done. This, coupled with the rate at which society is downloading information, it’s becoming increasingly hard to keep track of the day-to-day, let alone achieve more. At Intel, we understand this challenge and we’re working to help consumers achieve more in their lives by selecting a device that is as fast paced as them. It’s about enabling people to perform at their absolute best.”

Asma Aziz continues, “It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the choice available when purchasing a new tablet – there are different screen sizes, connectivity options, and operating systems. When it comes to getting great performance from your device, we believe success is determined by the quality of the technology inside. At Intel, we are focused on the quality of what goes inside of your tablets to deliver great performance. With tablets with Intel Inside^®, it’s possible to #GoFaster.”

The event hosted by Intel Pakistan demonstrated to consumers how they can #GoFaster with Intel Inside and the latest Intel® Atom™ processor tablet technology. 

About Intel

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. As a leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability, Intel also manufactures the world’s first commercially available “conflict-free” microprocessors. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com, and about Intel’s conflict-free efforts at conflictfree.intel.com.

Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.

*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

CONTACTS:      Asma Aziz                                   Sheena Ahmed

                            asma.aziz@intel.com                   sheena.ahmed@xenithpr.com

Magnum Store Launch

Magnum Store Opens In Karachi, Pakistan (14th Magnum Store worldwide)!

Karachi, Sunday 14^th Sep: Magnum Pakistan unveiled the first ever Magnum Store in Pakistan on Sunday 14^th September 2014 to bloggers at an exclusive Digital Launch. The Magnum Pleasure Store is dedicated to pure enjoyment, where the ultimate experience of Magnum pleasure is brought to life!

Magnum has created this totally unique and never-before-seen store experience for Pleasure Seekers around the world and now Karachiites will be able to enjoy the familiar Belgian Chocolate and delicious ice cream combination at the comfort and ambiance of the Magnum Store.

The Magnum Karachi Pleasure Store, located at Clifton block 7, lets consumers enjoy their favourite luxury ice cream brand the way they like it. The concept of ‘Make My Magnum’ allows you to design your own personalized Magnum at the ‘Magnum Bar’.

You can enjoy the Pure Belgian Chocolate experience with an array of unique toppings where you can customize your Magnum and make it yours. You can choose from 2 uncoated Magnum ice-cream sticks, 2 dips and 14 unique toppings. 

The toppings were categorized into three kinds: The Experimentals, The Specials and The Classics. I played it safe and got chopped hazelnuts, crushed candy and chocolate sprinkles. They had red chili flakes, rock salt, dried cranberries, powdered coconut, black poppy seeds and many more toppings! 

At the launch event, renowned bloggers were given the exclusive sneak peek of the ‘Make My Magnum’ experience. It comprises of 6 simple steps, Coat it, Top it, Drizzle it, Set it, Share it and Love it!

After enjoying their personalized Magnum, the bloggers were treated to some fun activities such as a ‘Magnum Pleasure Hunt’ and the ‘Make My Magnum Challenge’.

Prawn Spring Rolls

Ingredients:

Prawns, roughly chopped, 250gm (about one cup)

Carrots, julienne, 1/2 cup

Capsicum, julienne, 1/2 cup

Cabbage, julienne, 1/2 cup

Salt 1/2 tsp

Chinese salt 1/4 tsp (optional)

Black pepper, crushed, 1/2 tsp

Soy Sauce, 3 tbsp

Garlic, 1 clove, crushed and roughly chopped

Spring roll wrappers, as needed

Method:

Prepare all the ingredients. Roughly chop prawns into bite size chunks and marinate them in soy sauce, garlic, salt, Chinese salt and pepper. Keep aside for ten minutes. Heat oil in a wok, add the veggies (cut in julienne style) and prawns and stir fry on high heat for 3-4 minutes (make sure the liquid dries out, or if it doesn't, drain it before filling the rolls, but make sure the filling is dry and contains absolutely no liquid). Do NOT over-cook or else the veggies will loose their crispiness and the prawns will become rubbery. When done, remove and let it cool. Once the veggie and prawn mix has cooled down, start making the rolls. Make a thick paste of flour and water to use as a seal for the spring rolls. Given below are a couple of googled images on how to fold spring rolls:

You can make them in bulk and freeze, and fry whenever needed!