It’s going to be a spicy affair this winter. Forget the bland and blah meals of a mediocre roast. As a trainer, I’m all too aware that most people tend to equate a boiled or roasted piece of poultry or fish with healthy eating. Healthy eating… at one’s last supper I’d say! And yes, that’s sarcasm dripping like gravy for you #notsorry.  

“This time around I decided to be shway adventurous with my culinary choices and hence picked Asha’s Contemporary Indian Cuisine in Marina Crescent as my restaurant to dine at, post- killing gym workout.

I know what you’re thinking; “Hang on a sec, Resh., Indian food post-workout?”

Indian cuisine is amazing, as it caters to many preferences. Step into Asha’s and you’ll see what I mean. The menu features an extensive selection of gastronomic creations of spicy allsorts. You’ve got appetizers, salads, kebabs, tandoors, curries, breads, rice dishes and not to mention a colorful vegetarian selection of everything I’ve previously just mentioned.

Not many realize just how much you can design a meal here to your liking. And let’s be honest, if you’re wanting to burn the extra calories, eating spicy Indian nosh will work in your favor. Most spicy Indian dishes use an array of chili peppers which contain capsaicin. The more capsaicin a pepper has, the more fiery it’ll taste, and surprise, the higher the antioxidant levels it has. On a weight loss note, spicy dishes containing capsaicin will help spike your metabolism and curb your appetite.

Yes, Indian cuisine does use coconut cream and clarified butter so if you’re wanting to eat healthy, be smart about your choices. For me, I started my post-workout meal at Asha’s with their roasted potato salad. Imagine a piping hot whole potato roasted in the tandoor oven served with yoghurt and mint topped with fresh pomegranate seeds. What’s great about this, is that you can request for the topping (yoghurt, mint and pomegranate) to be served on the side for portion control purposes.

For my main dish, I decided on their ‘Same Old Chicken Curry.’ Funnily enough, there was nothing old or same about this curry. Not only was this dish hearty, comforting and full of flavor, it was very healthy too. We’re talking a good portion of boneless chicken marinated in yoghurt and cooked in a pot with a myriad of Indian spices and a brown onion ‘fond’ and flavored with rose water and saffron.

I opted not to have any breads or rice. I had my potato salad and was happy with that being my only starchy carb dish.

For dessert, instead of the conventional sweet treats, I opted to spoil myself with one of their cocktail drinks; my choice being the Maotai- fresh lemongrass, bird’s eye chili and coriander leaves, shaken and lengthened with coconut water.

It was refreshing with a spicy aftertaste. If you’re not in the know, coconut water is great to have post gym. Full of vitamin B and potassium, it’s great for rehydration as it has electrolytes and what’s more, is low in calories.

My dining experience in Asha’s is certainly one to be remembered. The staff were attentive and very much aware of my food preferences, going to great lengths to ensure I had a pleasant dining experience here. So much so that William Makepeace Thackeray’s Ode To Curry comes to mind.

If one’s too lazy to head on to any of their venues, you’re able to order their spicy selections this winter as they’re now available on Talabat.com.

Asha’s Contemporary Indian Cuisine is situated in Marina Crescent, The Avenues Phase 1, and Spoons Mahboula. For more information you can visit their website: www.ashasrestaurants.com/kuwait

Reshmi Revi is the Personal Training & Education Manager for MultiWorks Personal Training. She is also an IFBB Bikini Competitor and an avid foodie! Follow her on Instagram @Q8MissFit.