Hi Vikram, 

Really enjoyed your posting to the group about food. Being a foodie myself, revisiting lost flavours like Sausages at Martin's brought back fond memories of the Mumbai food scene. I can recommend Scotch Broth at Cafe Paradise, not far from Martin's as a good warm-up drink. On the vegetarian front, 'Bhagat Atmaram Tarachand' on Shaikh Memon Street before you hit Zaveri Bazaar serves fabulous daal, various bhaajis and upto six Rotis of various kinds - not to forget a beer-bottle-full of chhaas. ever tried it?

 On the cooking front - pastas seem to be the favourite all-in-one meal, especially when the sustenance factor comes into picture. I share one of my favourite combinations - Chop a few cloves of garlic and toss in (preferably extra-virgin) heated olive oil. Slice half a ball of Cabbage, about 150-200 gms (best used is Savoy cabbage) and add on the garlic. Saute for a while on high heat. Snip a few bacon strips into small bits and fry them separately. Add and mix with cabbage, which should NOT be cooked till it goes all soggy. 

Toss in any pasta of your choice except the threads - bows, twists and shells preferred - and in the end add cubes of Mozarella and mix, not allowing the cheese to melt and turn stringy. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Finish with  adding pine nuts (sold as 'chilgoza' in many dry-fruits stores, need to remove shells if not already de-shelled) toasted lightly till they turn brownish. They could well be toasted in the same griddle used for bacon on the drippings. Serve topped with Parmesan or Pecorino cheese powder. 

Note: quantities of all ingredients may be varied to individual taste. Goes very well with a white wine which is not too dry. I tried this recipe once with  'Penis Pasta', that was shaped like two little balls and a shaft!!! Amazing what London can throw in the wake of innovative food...

cheers,

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