Nutella is heaven for chocolate lovers. Over the last few years, it is seen creeping into the café and restaurant menus. Not just the conventional crepes and cupcakes but all sorts of creative versions, be it pizzas, cheesecakes, and so much more. “From Mexico to Mumbai, a quick glance at restaurant menus would reveal one increasingly dominant ingredient. And that’s everyone’s favourite Nutella. But it isn’t just being used for conventional cupcakes or crepes, instead of for a score of ultra-modern desserts like a Nutella pannacotta to a Nutella truffle or a Nutella choux. Earlier there was a reluctance to use Nutella, but as customers began enjoying the chocolate flavour, restaurants saw immense benefit in adding it to their menus,” says Chef Manish Khanna, Founder, and Partner Brownie Point.
“The past few years have witnessed an immense surge in restaurants and cafes introducing Nutella desserts. With Nutella being a hit choice amongst kids as elders, as restaurants we see the importance of catering to the audience preferences,” says Chef Vinod Garde, Corporate Chef, Sid Hospitality. He further adds, “The best combination of fruits and the one enjoyed the most with Nutella are strawberry and oranges.” Chef Khanna recalls his association with Nutella as a kid, he says, “Every time my dad went for one of his international trips, he would bring back small pouches or jars of Nutella. All we remember is eating it and staying in a food coma for days, just enjoying the moments.”
Nutella Cigar with Strawberries by Chef Vinod Garde
Best way to eat Nutella?
If you are wondering which food tastes better with Nutella, we feel the question should be which food doesn’t go well with Nutella. Chef Paras Menariya of The Culture House shares his favourite way of having Nutella. He says, “There are different ways of having Nutella like spreading it on toasts or using it in thick shakes. But according to me, the Nutella tastes the best when it is combined with any fruit. Eating Nutella with fruit is just like a cherry on the top. Banana slices taste better when had it with Nutella. Strawberries and apples with Nutella also go well,”
Chef Vinod Garde is of the school of thought it is perfectly okay to get your Nutella fix in spoonfuls, just plain Nutella. He says, “Use a spread on toast or with milk in the form of shake, would be my best recommendation to relish Nutella.”
“Nutella goes great with fruits or in desserts such as the cheesecakes. In fact, it is a versatile option that goes well with crepes as well as on a toast. So an accompaniment for breakfast or a dessert option and even a simple milkshake, are amazing ways to relish Nutella,” says Chef at the Union Bar & Kitchen.
Nutella Berry Cheesecake by Chef Manish Khanna
Nutella and Fruits
We feel banana is a pretty lovely fruit and mixes around with everything. But the fruit has a special connection with Nutella, a match made in heaven. “Banana is one the most classic combination for Nutella which is what we all heard and revered about, but the sparkly strawberry adds more charm and accentuates the flavour of hazelnut in Nutella, thus taking the experience to a whole new level of umami,” says Executive Chef Vivek Swami of Out of The Blue and Deli by the Blue.
We all know the heavenly combination of Nutella and banana or strawberries. Also, fruits add a healthy aspect to the snacking. “Although, we often indulge in strawberry and Nutella, however, my personal experience would revolve around citrus fruits and Nutella. This helps to give it a balance in taste,” says Chef Vinod Garde.
“Nutella goes well with fruits that are not water based. Also, combining Nutella and fruits with a third ingredient, makes it a complete dessert,” says Chef of the Union Bar & Eating House.
Chef Manish Khanna shares an important tip we all need to keep in mind. He says, “Nutella and bananas are an everlasting marriage made popular in France and one that traveled all over the world. In fact, a lot of Asian countries today serve Nutella and fruit pancakes as part of their street food. But when using fruits always try and use slices or chopped fruits, and not pureed or pulps as that would spoil the texture of the spread. Also, fruits, whether chilled or warmed, would pair equally well with the delicious spread.” Apart from banana and berries, he recommends having Nutella with apples, pears, and kiwis.
More than food
“For me personally Nutella is a number one go to no matter what state on mind I am in or what mood I am in. It works during the happy as well the sad times. It’s one ingredient that encompasses a lot of flavours together,” says Minali Zahveri Pastry Chef at Happy House Kitchen.
Restaurants in Mumbai are serving all sorts of creative versions of Nutella. Here’s our guide for your Nutella fix here.