Metro Inspirations Summer '13

METRO.pk

A Feast to Remember

corporate aftar The most desired drinks

JUICE WARS Blessing in a Plate

mango panna cotta

A Perfect Iftaar Platter

eat.pray. love.

s u mmer 2 0 1 3

T H E

DAN A M A R ISSUE

ramadan ISSUE INSPIRATIONS

summer 2013 All food is comfort food. And Comfort food has been there for all of us at one time or another. It helps us feel better about our lives, vent out what may be bothering our minds, and feel loved. It puts us outside the regular orientation of human configuration and adds strange satisfaction to our misery. It becomes rather bearable. But how? What does food have that makes it so therapeutic?

The truth is, when you serve, and do so consummately, you’re sharing a bit of yourself; giving out the good in you with food you cook and letting another feel it. He or she may not know it and may never acknowledge your bit of the deed, and all credit may just go to food, but what counts is you knowing what you did there.

And this is why cooking is an art. Because projecting your good in the meal you assemble, is just what every artist does. It may not be with food but colors or words. But these all are but accessories. The real deal is you. And things that breed on you are always possible; because the start to it and the end to it is all you. For which there is no food that you can’t cook and there is no dough that you can’t raise. It makes you limitless. With so much power at your end, it only fair to give it heed and exercise it over the masses.

contents

the

RAMADAN CHART

METRO AT AVARI

05

FRUIT BOUQUET

CHICKEN

CORPORATE aFTAR

06

PAKORA TWIST

12

MANGO PANA COTA

22

09

10

14

EAT. PRAY. LOVE.

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Talking of all of this in the Ramadan issue makes more sense than you think. For Ramadan is just about the perfect month to put in effort, share, and let the good through. So hop to it! And if you read this issue through, you will have the perfect ideas for rebooting your menus and taking your job a step ahead.

Happy Ramadan and Happy Eid!

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INSPIRATIONS sum m e r 2013

FRUIT POPSICLES

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03

dates Get a Date with a Date!

METRecommended chocolate croissants Delightfully Yours!

METRO Cash & Carry AT AVARI LAHORE We recently caught up with the purchase manager of Avari Hotel: Mr. Rizwan Khan who praises Metro Cash & Carry Pakistan and regards it as one of the best bulk buying stores. Having been involved in this job for quite some time now Mr. Khan accentuated on the quality and service of METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan and how it helped them make their work easier and efficient

Freshly baked in METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan’s bakery every day, using state of art technology. Adhering to the strictest quality standards, METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan brings to you an exclusive range of Chocolate Croissants.

These chocolate croissants can be a highlight of breakfast or the “dessert” to heavy hors d’oeuvres.

N NOW I N SEASO

Ramadan and Dates, the two words go as well with each other as peanut butter and jelly.

One can’t conceive the notion of breaking their fast with anything other than this sweet, delightful and sugary treat. This Ramadan though, try mixing things up a little ! Why should one always eat pitted dates simply as they are, why not experiment a bit and discover the flavors that you can only just imagine?

Mr. Rizwan Khan Avari Lahore

FINE FOOD MINERAL WATER Elixir in Life

“The idea of finding everything under one roof that too at competitive prices is simply great. METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan is improving all the time and their logistics and supply network is highly commendable” he says.

He also emphasized that METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan knows how to deal and serve its corporate clients and hence is building successful relationships.

METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan is very proud to offer the best quality beef. All sorts of beef is renowned for its quality, tenderness and incomparable flavour…and it is only available at METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan.

METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan remains their top supplier and plays a pivotal role in marinating their good reputation.

peoples’ say

Give your flavor palettes a reason to salivate by taking the taste of dates one step further.

This feat is extremely easy to accomplish by cutting your dates in halves and take the pits out. Then begin stuffing these newly pitted halves with nuts, cream cheese, chocolates, ice cream and basically anything you prefer.

Now carefully cover the filled pieces with the other halves and put the seemingly whole dates in fridge, so they can harden.

Roll patti magic

“The Frozen Samosas at METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan are so quick and delicious! And it feels so good buying them from a hygienic and well refrigerated environment; especially since you simply cannot have Samosas from the unkempt street food vendors. ”

Its common sense, right? To assume that roll patti must make rolls? Of course, that’s what it’s been doing from so long ago and is adequately good at it too. But then how many times have you ever experimented with its use? A small effort is all it takes to stand out and serve something extra: totally worth it!

MOMO

KOTHU

Muhammad Hashim

ENCHILADA “Have you seen how they have displayed Bakarkhani here at METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan? It’s not even Ramadan yet and I’m buying them already for they look so good! ” Hamna Batool

Take them out when you want to seriously indulge your sweet tooth or even just to break your fast. This is easy, fast and these yummy delicacies never last so serve them as appetizers, they will be devoured in seconds.

METRO Cash and Carry Pakistan provides a large variety of dates, from Medjool to Ajwa they have them all. Be sure to grab your fill and make these dates impossible to resist.

“I run a small food outlet and mostly shop for essentials, like oil, by myself. The best thing about METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan’s Cooking Oil is that it’s available in a very large container which allows me to purchase it for the entire month and not buy a dozen small packets.

In a month like Ramadan where you need it to fry almost all the food items being served for Iftar, it makes a very good deal. Bulk always costs lesser! ” Guftaar Baloch

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INSPIRATIONSS MA RCH 2013 INSPIRATIONS sum m e r 2013

What a great way to bring a little taste of Mexico to your table. We never imagined how our very own Roll Patti can smartly substitute the flour tortillas? Just pack them in a conventional way to get the southwest flavour. It’s an impressivelooking entree that’s as simple as it is simply delicious!

Roll pattis work very well in Steamed Momos. Roll up any filling fit for your Momos discourse and place them in a steamer. Serve it with in an authentic Nepali style with chilli & tomato puree.

This is how the South Indians do the TakaTak. A lick smacking delicacy popular in Srilanka, kothu means shredded paratha.

Simply slice your Roll Patti ream roughly and then sauteing with onions, eggs, chicken and spices powders.

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A Perfect Iftaar Platter

The variety at a closer look:

eat.pray. love.

AVARI SIGNATURE SANDWICH Chicken between two slices of gently toasted bread with green onions, chopped carrots, mayonnaise and lettuce – it can’t possibly get any better than this. Relish this assortment of green onions, chicken and bread to the fullest.

Chicken Spring Roll

AVARI GIGNATURE Sandwich

What should a perfect Iftar platter have?

We probed the secret and our research led us to the head chef at the renowned Avari Hotel Lahore, Mr. Fakhir Khan. Winner of numerous awards and widely recognized for his cooking credentials, Mr. Khan opined that variety is the “spice of life”.

A Ramadan platter should be conceived more thoughtfully than a regular one and special care should be taken to bring it in line with the circumstances and aura of the holy month.

MUGHLAI DATES Chocolate Alaska

Potato Samosa

MANGO

Chocolate Brownie

A

fter an energy sapping day of fasting, all one can wish for is a perfect platter full of scrumptious and delectable food. A plate brimming with a variety of mouth-watering delights is all one can desire for Iftar to satisfy a full day’s appetite. From pakoras, samosas to creamy deserts, and chilled, juicy drink to accompany it all, a perfect platter has it all to treat your taste buds and to get yourself recharged.

Strawberry Jam Pastry

Using products from METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan, Avari gives you your favorite Ramadan fruit in an exquisite form called the Mughlai dates. It can be described as the local version of Ferrero Rochers! The best tasting date disguised in an impeccable coating of roasted almonds and coconut flakes.

Cheese and sausage slices with pasta:

CHICKEN SPRING ROLL: There are two kinds of people in this world ones who like chicken spring rolls and ones who love them. The smooth, hot and light spring rolls with their crisp crackly skin are amazing four bites you will love. The amalgamation of chicken, cabbage and onion is a treat to have in your Iftar platter.

PATATO SAMOSA: Any iftar platter would be incomplete without hot crispy samosas. The perfect iftar platter makes sure your samosas are served hot with the perfect raita.

CHOCOLATE ALASKA: This one is extremely special. A round shaped delight loaded with chocolate and contains whipped cream and nuts. A topping of melted chocolate adds to the spectacular taste.

Strawberry Jam Pastry: The irresistible strawberry jam on top of the perfectly baked pastry is lip-smacking and the rich cream filling will make you fall in love with it even more. This pastry makes your iftar an awe inspiring experience.

Chocolate Brownie: There is nothing like a dark, rich chocolate brownie. Imported chocolate, fine coco powder and a perfect combination of milk and butter make up this delicacy.

Yes Ramadan is about putting the slim back into Muslim but your platter is incomplete without these luscious items. The fresh cheese slice and the sausage slices are appetizing and add the much needed variety to your platter.

The pasta is baked to perfection too.

Improve taste and look

To enhance the taste of very bitter salad, it can be placed in lukewarm water for a few minutes before processing. If green salad is already a little limp, it can be placed in sugar water for a while.

Mughlai Dates

Cheese & sausage pasta

Fine Food Bread

Mango

Dates

Flour

Available at all METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan outlets

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INSPIRATIONS sum m e r 2013

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Stunning and Delicious

Drizzling Goodness

dahi BOONDIYAN

fruit bouquet This Ramadan, make sure to have amazingly delightful fruit bouquets, an arrangement of fruits in a way that it resembles a bouquet. It can be created, served and eaten by anyone! Use this summer to unleash your creativity and bring to life the artist within you. Utilize those yummy tropical fruits from METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan and carve the local ones to make master pieces of your own. These bouquets can be given as gifts in place of typical floral bouquets and can also be used as center pieces to bring originality to your place.

WHAT YOU NEED

To get the ‘bouquet’ look

To get that ‘wow’ factor

you don’t need to be a master chef or have to possess any mind boggling equipment to create it. To achieve the desired shapes of the pieces of fruit, one use even a simple carving knife or a vegetable peeler while some specific kitchen tools would be a melon baller, cookie cutter and a wave cutter. The crafted pieces then have to be strung on wooden skewers.

Next items involved in the making of fruit bouquet are moldable clay or florist foam and a plastic wrap. The plastic covered foam or clay is supposed to be inserted in a basket or pot. Stick the skewers in the basket in any manner or fashion you want.

Just imagine the sweet mouth-watering strawberries, strung along with juicy apples and topped with the citric flavored grapes, in this pelting heat what more does one need?

If you want to take the bouquet even more amazing, then coat these fruits with syrups of different flavors or with something as simple as cream.

Tip

FRUITS TO BE USED MANGO: Add not only colour to your creation but also packets full of flavours that burst in your mouth.

•

APPLE: For a subtle sweetness and texture that is unmatched by any other fruits.

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BANANAS: To add a unique texture pallet to the bouquet.

Sweet melon: Overly sweet and giving out natural syrup

• • •

Use wooden skewers to string along large pieces of fruits and tooth picks tostick along small ones. tring the pieces along by arranging a pattern based on color, shape or even on the preference of the fruit; like for example grapes are attached at the tip of the skewer.

Select large Lettuce leaves to cover the clay or the foam, attach these leaves using toothpicks. Tissues can used be used in place of lettuce leaves.

Make your own baskets by using ring of large fruits such as watermelon.

Eat while fresh especially if you’re using apples or any such easily perishable fruit.

PEACHES: Sticky yet stable 08

With just these few steps you now can make your own fruit bouquet, ready to be devoured. All these equipment are available at your nearest outlet of METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan.

INSPIRATIONS sum m e r 2013

METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan provides you with its most alluring product known as ready to eat Dahi Boondiyan. This versatile product has a lot of uses; most notably it is key ingredient in the making of everyones’ favourite dish, Dahi Bhalay. So what are you waiting for, just grab this brilliant product today from your nearest METRO Cash and Carry center and enjoy a completely hassle free Ramadan.

METRO’s exclusive Own Brands available at all METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan outlets

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Grilled Chicken Teriyaki KebAb Ingredients: ›› ›› ›› ›› ››

1 2 2 1 3

1/2 lbs boneless skinless diced chicken breasts small diced green bell peppers small diced red bell peppers large yellow diced onion heaping cups fresh diced pineapple

Marinade/glaze

chicken

›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ››

3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar 1/4 cup honey 3 Tbsp orange marmalade 1 tsp molasses 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 Tbsp cold water 2 1/2 tsp cornstarch

at metro cash & carry pakistan

At METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan, Our services extend to marinating the chicken according to your wishes to guiding you in the options available once you share with us, your kitchen genius. Try out our meat section to get acquainted with one of Pakistan’s largest chicken cuts collection you would have ever come across.

No pantry is complete without chicken. Because of its flavor, which can literally be mixed with anything, and the amount of nutrition value it carries, chicken has become a cookbook celebrity. It’s lean, tender and contains high amounts of protein, which is an integral part of a healthy diet plan.

Benefits of eating chicken also include things like the development of a stronger immune system and building a stronger resistance to cancer.

And this must make chicken appear a complete package to you but really, it all depends on how it’s cooked or utilized. Fortunately, chicken is one of those ingredients which can be played with. From tossing it into a salad with a slight drizzle of olive oil on top, to making a full on main course dish; every style has its own nutritional advantage and appeal.

This does, however, require a chef to be equipped with the best chicken piece and the cut of exactly his choice. After all, the comfort with which you cook has a significant impact on the final outcome of the dish. And

METRO CASH AND CARRY, as always, is here to assist you in your culinary endeavors.

At METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan, we ensure utmost cleanliness and hygiene. Our staff has been fully trained to ensure that they handle your meat with great care. All meat is placed in refrigerated environment and segregated from the other departments to ensure a dust free and clean environment. Each staff member is fully equipped gloves, aprons, facemasks and head covers so no bacterial influences would affect the meat.

One of the major concerns about chicken these days revolves around growth hormones being injected to speed up development and increase the laying of eggs. The meat at our disposal comes from naturally raised birds with no artificial substances involved. So if you’re worried about the skin damage and diseases budding from chicken, METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan is the place to shop safe.

Preparation: In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, light-brown sugar, honey, orange marmalade, molasses, grated ginger, garlic and pepper. Reserve 1 cup of sauce mixture in a bowl in refrigerator and pour remaining sauce over diced chicken in a large ziploc bag. Seal bag and place bag in a bowl (to prevent leaks) in refrigerator and allow chicken to marinate 4 hours in refrigerator.

To prepare glaze, pour reserved 1 cup sauce into a small saucepan. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 Tbsp cold water and cornstarch, then pour cornstarch mixture into saucepan and stir. Bring sauce just to a boil over medium high heat, stirring frequently. Once mixture reaches a boil, reduce heat and allow to gently boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

To prepare kabobs, using either metal skewers or water soaked wood skewers, thread a piece of marinated chicken (discard marinade), followed by an onion wedge, a chunk of red pepper, a chunk of green pepper and a chunk of pineapple, then repeat pattern twice and finish with an additional piece of chicken (I fit 4 pieces of chicken on the kebab total then 3 of everything else).

Grill kebabs over medium heat, 12 - 16 minutes rotating once halfway through grilling, until chicken has fully cooked through. Remove from grill and brush kebabs with teriyaki sauce, serve warm with cooked white or brown rice if desired (alternately you can brush kebabs with teriyaki sauce during the last few minutes of grilling but I say why waste such good sauce that will drip to bottom of the grill).

Soya Sauce

Capsicums

Pineapple

Boneless Chicken

Rice

Available at all METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan outlets

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INSPIRATIONS sum m e r 2013

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pakora twist

People from the west may flaunt a donut and think they have the world’s most satiating cuisine holding up, out and proud their bellies but someone from, perhaps the subcontinent would know better. Or at least would know that a donut cant go as far as a pakora. A donut just wouldn’t know the way.

What more can it do, you say?

Read on to find out.

Stuffed Pepper Mirchi Pakora the course this is to take is identical to that of the regular pakora except that in your batter, you will be dipping stuffed peppers and then frying those. The recipe for the stuffing is as follows Ingredients: ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ››

2 medium Potatoes 1 Onion 3 Long Green chilies 1 teaspoon Ginger paste 1/2 teaspoon Dry mango powder Salt to taste 1/4 teaspoon garam masala powder a pinch of Turmeric powder 2 Tablespoons Cooking Oil

Cheese Pakora

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ››

›› 6 Cheese cubes 2 ›› 1 Onion ›› 2 Green chilies ›› 2 Bread slice 2 ›› 7-8 Curry leaves ›› 1 Cup Gram flour 1 ›› 1 teaspoon Corn flour ›› A pinch of Baking powder ›› A pinch of Citric acid ›› 1/2 teaspoon Salt ›› 1/4 teaspoon Red chili powder ›› 2 Tablespoons Cooking Oil

2 White fish 2 Eggs 2 tablespoon Corn flour Chili powder Salt to taste 2 Tablespoons Cooking Oil

Preparation:

The traditional pakora on the other hand, is delicious, fulfilling and the love for it has been indoctrinated down the Asian foodie drive. And it just so happens to be the staple Iftar diet which has enough power to strip Ramadan off of its charm or redress it accordingly.

So it really won’t be an overstatement to say that serving a pakora is simply playing safe. But how safe can you really go?

The regular pakora may never be turned down, but a twist in the recipe to advance the flavor will just pull more people towards your table. And especially when the entire world is grappling with ingredients to create, innovate and recreate flavors, why are we to let the pakora down? To keep up with the diversity of options available, why are we to not let chick pea flour do its thing?

Fish Pakora

Chinese Pakora

Steam the fish and cut it into medium-size pieces. Beat the eggs, then add the chili powder and salt and mix well. Add the corn flour to give the batter medium consistency. Dip the fish into the batter and fry till golden brown.

Preparation: If the Chinese can nail a pakora, it must make you think how influential it is.

Finely chop green chillies and onions. Cut cheese cubes and bread into cubes. Mix all the ingredients in besan and make thick batter using water.

Heat oil in a pan and deep fry all pakoras until they turn brown.

Ingredients: ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ›› ››

1 Tomato (coarsely chopped) 2 Onions (coarsely chopped) 2-3 Green chilies (finely chopped) 1 Potato (coarsely chopped) 6-7 tablespoon Corn flour 2-3 tablespoon Gram flour (baisan) 3-4 tablesoon Soy sauce 2-3 tablespoon Chili sauce Salt to taste Chicken Breast (cut in small cubes), marinated for 2-3 hours 4 Tablespoons Cooking Oil

Ingredients to marinate the chicken: ›› ›› ›› ›› ››

FINE FOOD COOKING OIL ENRICHED WITH VITAMINS A & D

1/2 teaspoon Black pepper 2 tablespoon Soy sauce 2 tablespoon Chili sauce 1/2 teaspoon Crushed red chilies Salt to taste

Preparation: Once the chicken is marinated, add all the vegetables, corn flour, gram flour, soy sauce, chili sauce and salt to the chicken and mix well.

Heat oil in a wok, take a teaspoon full of the mixture and drop it into the wok.

Deep fry till the pakors turn slightly dark brown.

METRO’s exclusive Own Brands available all METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan outlets

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INSPIRATIONS sum m e r 2013

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Monday

13

A good drink is best enjoyed in a glass that complements its taste, smell, and appearance.

METRO Sunday 13th Ramazan Cash & Carry Pakistan provides CHICKEN BONELESS you with an exquisite HANDI variety of glassware.

From “Tumblers” to “Stemwares”, we Saturday 19th Ramazan have it all up for grabs.

Friday

HALWA PURI

14th Ramazan

Monday

15th Ramazan

20 20th Ramazan

PARATHA CHANNA

26th Ramazan

INSPIRATIONS SUMMER 2013

Sunday

26 Saturday

09 Wednesday

15 Tuesday

21 21st Ramazan

Monday

27

Sugary foods are never a good idea when it comes to retaining energy in Ramadan. Temporary rise of energy make you fall lethargic in the end.

27th Ramazan

4th Ramazan

Sunday

Friday

10 10th Ramazan

PRAWN PAKORA WITH MINT CHaTNi

16th Ramazan

Thursday

Wednesday

To keep the balance between healthy foods and weight gain, use low fat cheese and milk, skinless chicken, lean meat and whole wheat bread.

CHICKEN MALAI BOTI

28th Ramazan

CHICKEN JALFrezi

11th Ramazan

Tuesday

17th Ramazan

Paratha with comelette & pickles

23rd Ramazan

11 Friday

Thursday

23 Wednesday

Sehr

CHICKEN BURRITO

6th Ramazan

29th Ramazan

Tuesday

06 Sunday

12

Do not add too much salt to salads and other dishes. Also avoid eating salty foods like salted fish and pickles as they increase the body’s need for water

12th Ramazan

GRILLED EGG CHEESE SANDWICH

18th Ramazan

STEAK WITH PINEAPPLE SAUCE

24th Ramazan

29

28 Monday

Saturday

17

16 22

22nd Ramazan

5th Ramazan Aftar

Aftar

9th Ramazan

Keep the most exquisite of the menu for Mondays. Returning to work is hard in Ramadan, so this will give you something to look forward to.

Sehr

Aftar

25th Ramazan

Tuesday

14

19 25

14

8th Ramazan

ALMOND DATE SHAKE

Thursday

Sehr

7th Ramazan

08

3rd Ramazan

Aftar

Take in a lot of water. Not only does it help you manage your weight, but also is the best of all hydrating fluids.

HARI MIRCHI QEEMA

Wednesday

Start your Aftars will noodle or salads.

These make you feel full and thus prevent over eating.

Sehr

07

2nd Ramazan

05

04

03

Aftar

Tuesday

STEAK FAJITA

Aftar

1st Ramazan

Sehr

02

Don’t forget to follow the tips too; to help what you eat last longer!

Sehr

01

Alu ka Paratha with yogurt and chatni

Aftar

Sehr

PIN-UP

RAMADAN chart

To lend a hand with your preparations for Sehr and Aftar, This calendar enlists a number of ideas that you can use to make your meal more anticipated and called for. Simultaneously, this will also cater to your nutrition, weight control and hunger management issues.

Saturday

18 Friday

24 Thursday

30 30th Ramzan

Wednesday

15

Naturally fresh

corporate

aftar

With the month of Ramadan blooming at its peak the hype of Iftar events and the humdrum of Pre-Eid festivities are seen all around, meanwhile everything is bedazzled and done with a bling the corporate and business sector beseeches for a certain class and elegance. Improvise as METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan acquaints you with the name behind “La cuisine Events” and gives itself a pat on the back, as Sadaf Atif teaches you how to serve to the suited-ups!

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INSPIRATIONS sum m e r 2013

W

hether you’re a business owner, a vice president or a manager dedicated to move up the corporate ladder, hosting a business dinner is an ideal way to gather colleagues and clients. That’s a lot of work isn’t it? The perfect menu…the décor! To save you from the mind storm Sadaf Atif, the founder and director of La Cuisine being a maestro event planner collaborates with METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan to present to you the perfect “Corporate Iftar” – Plan a evening to remember filled with scrumptious food, refreshing drinks and create the perfect classy ambience to mingle with colleagues.

Sadaf is one of those people who were born with the passion for cooking. “I love to cook it’s my passion! I haven’t attained any formal course or degree but I have taught myself to cook from different sources and research” describes Sadaf passionately, “My mother says I was an excellent cook at the age of 11. I adopted my love for cooking from my mother who used to be a master of sub-continental cuisine. This passion is something that has nurtured inside me since my childhood.” For some people cooking is a profession but not for Sadaf, she is one of those people who enjoy cooking and create the perfect ambience to serve it in. “I’m on the seventh sky when I cook” adds Sadaf cheerfully while working in her kitchen, “most people lose their nerves when they have to cook but I find it a Cathartic experience”.

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Sadaf applies the cooking philosophy of world famous chef James Oliver in her cooking, as she admires his stress on nutrition values and detestation for preservatives. “The secret to flavor is keeping it all fresh! I like METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan as they provide a diverse range of fresh fruits and vegetables and I always find all that I want under the same roof. It is ideal for bulk buying.

W

atching Sadaf execute “Corporate Iftar” for METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan was an inspirational experience as she accomplished a classy and well-designed affair. When we tried and pried on to find the secret to it, “It’s all about time-management and paying attention to the small details” is all she says modestly.

When it comes to deciding the menu Sadaf aims to come up with something minimalistic and applicable to the mood of the occasion.

STARTER

DRINK SNACKS

DRESSINGS

MAIN COURSE DESSERT

Dates stuffed with cottage cheese Garden salad Pink Lady (watermelon and Mint) Onion rings, Buffalo Bites, Sesame Chicken, Mozzarella Sticks, Peri Peri Chicken Low fat Ranch Dressing, Sweet & Sour Dressing, Italian Dressing, Thousand Island sauce Fettucini Pasta Individual Tiramisu

setting up a buffet table

She plans her time accordingly and starts by marinating the chicken a day before to let the flavor and aroma properly seep through the meat. Sadaf loves to make her food special by adding aromatic fresh herbs such as Basil and Oregano (available at METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan in both fresh and dried forms).

Sadaf reccommended tall stem glasses from METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan for the presentation of Tiramisu adding a little touch of elegance. She creates a glorious bed of a spongy biscuit rolled in mascarpone, crème fresh, coffee and chocolate in delicate layers that is feast for the eyes too. Individual servings are created and refrigerated till the time of serving. Add a little magic of grated chocolate just before serving to the guests.

Next for the preparation of the snacks and main course Sadaf aligns her staff to get washed up and finely slice up the fresh and vibrant vegetables delicately according to the requirements. Round sliced onions neither too thin nor too thick for the onion rings. “ The secret to perfect onion rings is to freeze them a bit right after you batter them, that way the batter doesn’t slide off and properly stays on it.” says Sadaf as she expertly batters the onions and sets the tray aside for refrigeration.

“It is important that you never over-do it, just to make it look extravagant.”

The sesame chicken is delicately hammered, seasoned and crowned with an even layer of delicate sesame seeds.

Buffalo bites and mozzarella sticks are also seasoned in aromatic herbs and spices and finally coated with a crispy coating to provide it a beautiful color while frying. The Peri-Peri bites are also prepared by filling up giant green chilies with cheese and spices and disguising the opulent taste in a crispy crumb coating.

Sadaf is very minimalistic when it comes to garnishing her food. She finishes with a sprinkle of crushed peanuts on the fettuccini pasta and adding a little mint and basil touch-up here and there. The food should be set nicely and harmoniously in plates with only a graceful touch of decorating details.

To compliment all these versatile range of snacks Sadaf prepares a variety of dressings and dips to accolade and complete the assortment of flavors! The pasta for fettuccini is prepared in a blaze of seasoned chicken and a hype of fresh and flamboyant vegetables of the season making it picturesque and visually appeasing! The garden salad takes its form; all dressed in finely julienned vegetables garnished with chunks of deep green broccoli and cottage cheese with a concluding generous glistening drizzle of olive oil dressing and Voila!

The dates for appetizers are partially cut and the seed is replaced with a generous cottage cheese stuffing ready for Iftar. The drink is prepared with a blend of fresh watermelon juice and herbs with a little seasoning and touch of sugar!

Watermelon

Dates

Cheese

Chicken Breast

METRO Cake

Cooking Oil

Broccoli

HoReCa Plates

Salad Bowl

Available at all METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan outlets

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INSPIRATIONS SUMMER 2013

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Energize with flavored Ice

Slurpilicious Slice and arrange fruits of your choice in ice pop molds. Make sure the fruits fit snugly. Combine gelatin and juice or syrup and pour into each mold just to cover the fruit. Insert ice-pop sticks and freeze until solid. Create a splash at anyime with these eye-catching Jell-o-Fruit Pops.

fruit

popsicles Feel a surge of “heaven” down your parched throat at Iftar this Ramadan, as METRO cash “n” carry inspires you to discover the frosty and refreshing world of “Fruit popsicles”. Revitalize yourself with a healthy and refreshing experience with the extensive range of luscious fruits available at METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan.

Exquistick!

Go a bit overboard and creative with ice popsicles using a diverse range of molds available in different shapes and sizes. Top it up with freshly whipped cream and diced fruit or add crunchy layers of crushed cookies with fruit chunks! Get inspired and become creative this Ramadan with METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan.

Frozen Divinity Twirl it around delicately and add the richness of yogurt, for one of your elaborate Iftars.

Blend yogurt, fruit (slightly defrosted if using frozen) and honey in a blender and blend to desired consistency. Pour the mixture in paper cups about three quarters full and freeze. Cover each cup with aluminium foil, then make a small slit in the middle of each foil cover and freeze for 5 hours.

manghurt pops Considering our pot luck with the weather, and the inevitable end to the plentiful supply of ripe, juicy mangoes as the seasons change, mango and yoghurt ice pops sounds like a great idea. To spice them up a little, add some coconut milk and ground cinnamon.

Did you know…?

In 1905 an eleven year boy from San Francisco accidentally invented the popsicle when on a cold morning he left a mixture of powder flavored soda water with a stir stick in it on the porch. Now, over two billion Popsicle ice pops are consumed every year. Cherry is the number one favorite Popsicle flavor.

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INSPIRATIONS SUMMER 2013

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I

n the shallow crowd of heavy desserts “Panna Cotta” remains aloof with its simplicity and true nutrition value.

It often happens that we desire for something “simple” amidst of fancy intricacies. An aspiration….a craving that can’t be adequately described as we haven’t seen anything like it but intuitively wish for it. In all the hassle of growing bakeries and confectionaries offering lavishly prepared desserts with exhausting preparation techniques and hefty nutritional values, all one can wish for is something “simple” yet “special”.

Worldwide Panna Cotta is huge commercial success due to the easiness of its preparation and economic benefits that restaurateurs attain owing to its liability as the ultimate summer dessert. Despite its minimalistic pearly sheath the taste and flavor is rich and stimulating. It is truly a dessert of substance!

Gelatinous Conception It all starts with the drainage of ripe fresh fruit, which according to the targeted season would be best made in Mangoes; sapped in boiling water. The fruit will drain its juice in the water making it a pulpy colored liquid. Add gelatin (powder already prepared in hot water for proper use) to the arranged fruit solution with castor sugar and cool it down a bit. Pour the jelly mixture in molds, making a thick base layer.

Scrumptious details Sprinkle neatly diced fruit in the jelly to make it visually attractive. Once the jelly is set and cooled the solid fruit chunks would be visible from inside of the translucent gelatinous mass.

After creating the gelatinous basis for the panna cotta leave the containers to cool in the freezer.

Blessing In a plate

Cooking the cream& yogurt together is a whisk affair!

Panna Cotta literally means “cooked cream” and is achieved by getting the cream warmed up completely without taking it to the boiling point. The cream & castor sugar is whisked at medium heat until the appropriate temperature is attained. Generous amounts of gelatin are added to the cooked cream and a whirlwind of fresh yogurt is whisked in to mallow down the richness of cream into a modest constituency. The finishingbrink is added with a few drops of vanilla essence to add aroma to the dessert.

mango PANNA COTTA

METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan dares to inspire you as it unleashes a secret straight from the mountains of Italy.

It’s simple, invigorating and a humble indulgence called “Panna Cotta”.

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INSPIRATIONS SUMMER 2013

Assembling the magic!

Pour the mixture generously on top of the cooled down jelly base in the containers, just a little near the top and freeze for at least 6 hours.

The cool creamy taste crowned with a layer of pulpy fruit jelly will hit the right spots to revitalize your strength and satisfy your sweet tooth after an exhausting fasting day.

The secret to well-made panna cotta is the right gelatin consistency and proper freezing time to set its gelatinous form appropriately.

Flip-It upside down in a plate once it’s chilled and ready to serve! The jelly will beautifully crown the pearly white dome of panna cotta as you assemble your plate of blessings and joy!

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A little out of the box With a recipe as delicious and easy as panna cotta one should not be restricted with the possibilities. The dessert can be prepared using multiple fruits and jellies to make it more vibrant and enjoyable to savor.

Panna Cotta Al Mango being one of the classics can be played around with different fruit contrasts to make it more edgy and exciting.

Go over board and get creative with the diverse assortments of fresh fruits offered at METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan with the basic Panna Cotta recipe.

Garnish your dessert with fresh mango chunks and some roughly chopped pistachios to make it look more inviting. Serve your guests the Mango Panna Cotta which is one of the easiest mango dessert recipes out there. You sure will hear a lot of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’.

Pure culinary nirvana is guaranteed when you will visualize, discover and create with the ultimate fruit paraphernalia of METRO cash & Carry Pakistan this summer!

A LITTLE CHEATING

Sometimes it gets a bit technical and time taking when it comes to getting the right consistency in preparation of the jelly. To save time and the hassle you can use “Jelly mix” (varieties & flavors from different companies available at metro) and sprinkle fruit chunks in it to get similar results in half the trouble.

Tip FLIPPING THE PANNA COTTA

mango guide A guide to the sappy mangoes

If there’s anything mangoes do, they deliver. From being divine in flesh to being pulpy in a bottle, mangoes know their thing. But while it’s at it, how well do you, claiming fans, know what mango is to work for you? Most of us will go on to stand in front of mango cases in fruit shops and ponder over why they’re all not priced the same. What’s one got that the other hasn’t? To pop the bubble and clear the air between mangoes and you, for there’s a long summer ahead, let’s just go through a simple chart. Now this guide may strip your mango of its mysterious powers to surprise you with its taste every time, but this will let you be ahead of the game. Don’t let mangoes play you.

LaNGRA Green skinned and fibreless on the inside, Langra is very sweet, scented and lasts only from early to mid season (1st to the 3rd week of July.)

Flipping the panna cotta can be a technical task and the fragile mass can collapse during the process. If the dessert is frozen in Horeca disposable plastic wareavailable at METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan, the flipping process is easier as the mixture easily retains its shape with the plastic and slips out on the plate effortlessly.

Yogurt

Mold - Paper Cup

Available at all METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan outlets

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INSPIRATIONS SUMMER 2013

Cream

Mangoes

Caster Sugar

DUSEHRI These are small or at times medium sized mangoes with fresh yellow but thin skin. They’re firm and very sweet. One distinguishing factor between these and other mangoes is that their shoulders are always higher than their dorsal.

ANWAR RATOL The best thing about these is that they will not disappoint you if you buy in bulk, for they do very well in storage and don’t rot quickly. These are medium sized and oval with slightly thick skin. They, also, are very juicy.

DID YOU KNOW....

SINDHRI

CHAUNSA

These are a leading variety in Sindh. You can easily recognize them by their big and long demeanor with lemon yellow skin.

This type will get all over your face, hands and clothes, but will be ridiculously worth it. These are small, yet heavy and very aromatic. It’s best to not peel them and suck the pulp out from the very top.

Chaunsa has a total of 3 types commonly nown as Black Chaunsa, White Chaunsa and SB Chaunsa. The good part is, they are all available at METRO Cash & Carry, Pakistan.

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Summer Punch

juice wars

Ramadan is the peak time to feel depraved of liquids so as soon as we break our fasts, we rush to chug down liters of water or ready-made drinks. Though why should you follow the same old-fashioned trends and drink those redundant concoctions? This time make your own drinks, they are easy to make and delicious to the last sip.

FROZEN RESPITE

Qurat ul ain Shahid Senior Manager Public Relations Corporate & Public Affairs Rifah Qadri Sr Manager SCO-P Customer Management Division Ahmar Abbas Rizvi Senior Manager Advertising Customer Management Division Mehwish Khan Sr Manager SCO - Complementary Business Customer Management Division

Creamsicle Punch Ingredients: ›› 1 quarter orange juice ›› 1 quarter vanilla ice cream ›› 1 litre pineapple juice 2 litres carbonated lemon-lime beverage DIRECTIONS: Directions: In a large bowl add the ice-cream and orange juice. Then add pineapple juice to the mix and steadily pour over the carbonated beverage. Mix the ingredients to get a refreshing punch as a result.

The successful combination of gin (4 cl) and vermouth (1 cl each red and dry). 1 cl crème de cassis, 11 cl mineral water and one piece of lemon peel are also added.

TEAM AT METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan

DESIGN CREDITS: Agency BLACK & GOLD www.blackandgold.com.pk

HORECA’S FROZEN CHICKEN CRISPY WINGS

Waseem Ahmed Khan Management Salman Uppal Creative Direction Sadaf Atif Chef & Food Styling Ashna Khan Photography Anam Raheel Content Management Eiesha Mubasher Khadija Batool Ali Miqdad Hinan Rana Creative Content Writing

AmericaIngredients: ›› 3,5 cl campari ›› 3,5 cl red vermouth ›› 1 little lemon peel

Thokar Niaz Baig, Multan Road, Lahore 53700 Phone: +92 (0)42 37508001

4 cl American rye whisky, 3 cl red vermouth, 2 drops Angostura bitters and, for decoration, one maraschino cherry. If the American whiskey is replaced with Scotch, the drink is called a Rob Roy.

www.metro.pk METRO’s exclusive Own Brands available at all METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan outlets

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INSPIRATIONS SUMMER sum m e r 2013

Member of

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FRUIT OF PARADISE at METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan

he ver t Disco usive l exc ese of th range rtments “asso aradise” p from

Finest qualities from the Middle Eastern regions, available in fresh and dried varieties are offered at METRO Cash and Carry Pakistan. These delectable and dimply skinnedcaramel colored treats are present in Aseel, Irani, Khopra, Ajwa, Mabroom, Kalma, Amber, Karbalain, Muzafati, Zahidi and Rubai qualities. METRO also offers ready-to-eat almond, cashew and walnut stuffed dates.

METRO’s exclusive Own Brands available at all METRO Cash & Carry Pakistan outlets