GLUTTONY @ HERBIVORE, MUMBAI

JEWEL OF INDIA CHAAT

While I am a self proclaimed non-vegetarian food enthusiast, there are few ocassions when my palate finds pleasure in vegetarian fares. But, my grief with vegetarian food is the limited options available in the form of paneer, mushrooms or assorted vegetables curry and stir fries in most takeaway or dine-in outlets.

However recently I came across the Herbivore, a premium, gourmet meal service that serves up a plethora of vegetarian chows like one bowl meals, artisinal dips, appetizers, salads, soups, desserts and much more in different culinary styles. So, here is a look at some of the preparations I indulged in from their existing carte du jour and new festive menu to pamper my taste buds to vegetarian treats:

BRUSCHETTA

ARTISANAL DIPS
- AMRITSARI HUMMUS: This smooth creamy chickpea dip came laced with a Punjabi spice mix that amped up it's flavour manifold.
- MEXICAN SEVEN LAYERED DIP: A tad bit sour for my liking, this dip was a melange of refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, spring onions, tomatoes, olives and cheddar cheese.

Regular serving portions for each these dips are around 225 gm, however you can place orders for quantities as per your requirements. Also, you can order corn chips or lavash from them to go along with the dips.
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APPETIZERS
- CARAMELIZED ONION VOL-AU-VENT is one of the most refined dishes I have come across. The puff pastry was flaky with a sweet filling of onions that are slow cooked in wine with Himalayan pink salt & thyme. The preparation is finished off with a sprinkling of parmesan, basil and blanched tomatoes.
- BRUSCHETTA: I thoroughly enjoyed this crispy bread dish that came with a topping of mix of blanched tomatoes, parmesan, basil & balsamic vinegar. Herbivore makes their own breads and the bruschetta was indeed flavourful.
- PANEER MAKHANWALA TARTS: This was the dish of the day for me where a sumptuous filling of cottage cheese in a saucy curry was packed in a crusty tart shell. The taste profile of this appetizer was delightfully tangy and subtly sweet.
- JEWEL OF INDIA CHAAT: This was a mushy preparation of roasted sweet potatoes tossed in sweet and sour chutnetys and finished off with a garnish of fried sev, papadi and pomegranate pearls. The earthy and tart flavours of this chaat were loved by my palate.
​The ordering portions for the above items are a dozen.

DRY FRUIT PHIRNI

DESSERTS
- DRY FRUIT PHIRNI: The dish is simple yet the whole process of gradually reducing the milk that has been mixed with rice, palm sugar and green cardamom lent a wonderful creamy texture & rich flavour to this sweet delight. And that garnish of vark (silver leaf), rose petals, raisins and pistachio slivers was just an elegant way to finish off the dish.
- TRES LECHES PASTRY was an exceptional dessert where the sponge having soaked in whole milk, condensed milk and cream simply melted away in the mouth. A topping of fresh peaches balanced out the sweetness in the pastry.
- BERRY BERRY CHERRY TART entailed a mix of three berries in a crusty tart shell. This was a tangy dessert suitable for a palate that does not enjoy overtly sweet delights.

BEVERAGES
- PEACH ICED TEA was a refreshing thirst quencher of mildly brewed tea imbibed with fresh peach extract and peach chunks.
- KOKUM COOLER packed a punch in terms of some strong zesty flavours and also came dotted with chia seeds.

Engineer turned retail professional for 35 years, Bela Gupta who has also been a food entrepreneur since last 5 years is the brain behind Herbivore. Herbivore is not just a food brand dishing up vegetarian food but one with high gourmet and health standards. The Herbivore kitchen utilizes cold pressed oils, palm sugar and pink Himalayan salt in their cooking. Herbivore also does dairy-free and gluten-free products and will be soon launching oil-free dishes shortly.

Currently the delivery radius for Herbivore extends from Andheri to South Mumbai. They undertake catering, subscription lunch & dinner meals and on demand menu from their own website as well as platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Scootsy, Uber Eats and FoodPanda.

So, do try out this meal service and let me know of your experience.
Till then, Happy Eating...