I only started my healthy eating journey about four weeks ago, but ever since going keto I’ve been discovering all sorts of interesting places to shop and eat in Singapore. Mahota is the first in a long list of incredible finds that I’m excited to share with you!
The Mahota Commune is on level three of the Kitchener Complex in Lavender. As you take the escalator up, the slogan “we grow what we cook, we cook what we sell” painted in clean lettering reveals itself. I couldn’t think of a warmer welcome upon entering this organic world!
Shopping at Mahota
First and foremost, Mahota is an alternative grocer where you can shop for healthy ingredients and organic produce. It is every keto-dieters dream. I came to Mahota with a long shopping list of hard-to-find goods to help spice up my otherwise boring diet of protein and vegetables.
My Shopping List
- Tahini
- Organic avocado
- Organic cauliflower
- Chickpeas
- Almond milk
- Almond butter
- Flaxseed meal
- Coconut flour
- Coconut yogurt
Mahota did not disappoint and I was able to purchase almost everything on my list. Let me explain a little bit more about the ingredients I purchased.
To spice up meals, I’ve been really getting into dips. Tahini, which is made from sesame seeds, serves as a basis for many Middle Eastern dips like hummus and baba ganoush. I use it to make a devilishly good cauliflower hummus! Organic avocado and chickpeas are also dip-worthy ingredients in their own rights.
Cauliflower is the vegetable God of the keto world. Forget about those scrawny cauliflowers in the aisles of Fairprice, organic is the only way to go. The organic cauliflowers at Mahota were big, beautiful beasts. From one cauliflower, I can make enough cauliflower hummus to last a whole week.
On the keto diet, milk is a big no-no because it is high in carbs. However nut products are okay in small quantities. To kick dairy and sugar cravings in the butt, I use almond milk to make smoothies. Whip up a cup of almond milk with a spoon of almond butter, some pure cocoa powder and a couple of ice cubes for a delicious, healthy drink.
But by far, the best purchase at Mahota was the jar of coconut yogurt I bought. It is completely dairy free but has a creamy and thick consistency. It tastes phenomenal albeit expensive at $20 a pop!
Unfortunately I was not able to buy the flaxseed meal or coconut flour at Mahota, which are key ingredients in flaxseed (gluten-free) bread. But I still left Mohata a happy customer.
Dining Out at Mahota
In addition to the shop, there is also the Mahota Kitchen & Pantry where you can enjoy a drink or a meal. Their dishes are based on quality ingredients rather than fancy recipes. This is very similar to the ethos of Australian dining-out and so instantly appealed to the little Aussie in me.
Chicken Dinner
Each month there are different specials that feature on the menu. When I first dined out at Mahota, I ordered the whole roasted chicken was on special for only $11.90 and a couple of glasses of organic prosecco, which tastes slightly more tart than regular prosecco and was less than $10 a glass. Locally-bred chickens in Southeast Asia tend to be smaller and less plump than the European or Australian varieties. At Mahota, the chicken I ordered was smallish (just the right size to feed two semi-hungry people) and the meat was not so juicy but it was tasty. By that I mean, it was well seasoned and delicious, with the skin suitably browned. It came served with a few chunky sweet potato fries, although I passed on them as I’m trying to avoid eating starchy vegetables.
Delicious Pork Knuckle
On their regular menu, the pork knuckle is a must-try!! It comes served on a wooden board with a sharp steak knife wedged into it. It is a mammoth meal and could easily serve 3+ people. The knuckle comes with a thick round of crunchy crackling (it could be improved by a little more salt) and a whole lot of succulent, tasty meat. It is served with the most delicious potato wedges I’ve ever tried, although I was very good and limited myself to eating only one wedge.
Beef Cheek with Broccolini
I’ve dined out at Mahota a few times already and my top menu pick is the beef cheek, which is so soft it falls apart in your mouth. It comes with creamy mash potato and – my absolutely favourite – steamed broccolini! I ordered this with the tomato salad and it was the perfect, healthy meal.
If you are as obsessed with healthy eating as I am, then I definitely recommend visiting Mahota. It’s not as expensive as many other organic shops.
Mahota Commune
Level 3, 808 Kitchener Complex
809 French Road Level 3
Singapore 200809