My Favorite Bakeries in London...so far and Controversial Malai Kofta Thoughts
One of the many things I love about London and Europe in general is the bakery/cafe culture. There are bakeries on every corner selling fresh breads, cakes, croissants, and more! There are so many places to try, and truly, there is not enough time!
Here are some of my favorite spots I’ve tried while I’ve been here!
Chai Guys Bakehouse - This bakery and chai cafe is located in Portobello Market. it was my first bakery stop when I got into London, and it did NOT disappoint! You must try the Samosant and the cardamom milk bread bun dipped in their karak chai (this is an unreal combo!)
Pophams—This is a bakery that my girlfriend, Shikha, took me to, and I’m glad she did. We tried their smoked sea salt and honey buns—these gave me buttery pretzel vibes in the best way. They were super soft and fluffy, and if you love a savory sweet pastry, then this is perfect! Also, shoutout to their cardamom wool buns! They are gorgeous and equally delicious!
Biscuiteers - They have locations in Belgravia and Notting Hill. They specialize in iced cookies. They are not your everyday cookies either; they are truly works of art! The cookies have a long shelf life, so if you’re looking for gifts for friends- these would be perfect!
Chestnut Bakery—This bakery is known for some of the best croissants in London, but my friend Antony put me onto his favorite pastry—the honey toast! It’s half a slice of croissant layered with a thick layer of geymar (Iranian clotted cream) and drizzled with honey and a sprinkle of honeycomb candy. This was absolutely delicious! It's rich and lightly sweet, and it has so much crispy buttery texture!
The Dusty Knuckle - This is another spot Shikha took me to and she could not stop raving about this place! This bakery is in Dalston, and they have a great mission! They help at-risk youth through on-the-job training and mentorship! So buying from them makes you feel good, and it tastes good, too! I got the feta and honey and fennel seed swirl and this gave me everything bagel vibes with a sweet twist! We also got the orange poppy seed swirl, which was equally delicious. Out of all the bakeries I visited, this place had the most impressive lamination on their bakes!
I’m sure I’ll be adding a whole lot more bakeries to this list at the end of my trip, so this is just the beginning!
Malai Kofta
This is a controversial opinion: Raisins belong in malai kofta.
Hear me out! I know a lot of you guys HATE the idea of biting into a sweet raisin while eating a savory dish. I get it, true. But…I disagree wholeheartedly. I love the balance the sweetness of the raisins strike with the rich and slightly tangy tomato gravy!
For those who don’t know, malai kofta is a North Indian dish that consists of a spicy tomato-based gravy traditionally thickened with cashews, deep-fried kofta, balls of paneer, potatoes, and other vegetables. The kofta are usually stuffed with dried fruit, usually raisins and nuts. The dish is rooted in Persian and Mughal cuisine, where the raisins come from! Not only do they provide texture, but they also provide a balance with the spicy, rich gravy. Dried fruits were considered luxurious and were used to enhance the richness and complexity of dishes served in royal courts by the Persians and Mughals. They loved adding raisins to various dishes, and who am I to argue with hundreds of years of history and recipes?
Here is an easy malai kofta recipe with raisin-filled kofta. If you truly hate the idea of raisins in your kofta, feel free to leave it out. But me, I’ll be enjoying them like the kings!
This recipe is for paid subscribers. If you’re looking for free recipes- check out my blog Milk & Cardamom.
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