EVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY THEME: SANDWICHES RECIPE: FALAFEL PITA SANDWICH Falafel Pita Sandwich is a quintessential sandwich from the Middle Eastern Cuisine. Falafel along with tomato, cucumber, salad are stuffed in pita pockets and served with either hummus or tahini sauce. Though is has many components or ingredients it is quite easy to put this sandwich together. These days it is easy to find pita bread, falafel, hummus or tahini in most supermarkets. What is a Sandwich? Sandwich is a food item whereby cheese, meat, other fillings are placed between two slices of bread. Having said that, these days sandwiches don’t necessarily come between two slices of bread. One can use wraps, buns, rotis, naans, pita, basically any kind of bread. Fillings vary from vegetables, cheese,…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY THEME: SUMMER GRILLING RECIPE: TANDOORI MASALA/SPICE MIXTURE Tandoori Masala/Spice Mixture is blend of various spices that is generally used as a marinade for food prepared in a tandoor (clay oven) or for grilling. The types of spices and proportions used makes it different from the other spice mixtures like the famous garam masala. I always prepare a small batch of tandoori masala/spice mixture and keep it handy in an airtight jar. Though I don’t fire up the grill outdoors, my grill in my kitchen is often busy. I love to marinate cauliflower, mushrooms or paneer in yogurt with tandoori masala and then grilling it. How To Use Tandoori Masala Use it for tandoori chicken, fish, any other meat or even vegetables, paneer…
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Continue ReadingWhat is Idli Podi/ Milagai Podi? Idli Podi/ Milagai is a flavorful condiment made from roasted lentils, spices and seeds. Also known as Gun Powder, Chutney Podi, Idli Karam Podi, its so easy to prepare at home. Actually, the word podi basically means powder. And, Milagai refers to chilis.. that is what I learnt today from my blogger friend Sandhya. Basically lentils, spices and seeds are used. Other ingredients added make it slightly different in taste. I’m told that each South Indian household has its own version of Podi. A difference of measurements of the basic ingredients or some special ingredients added to it to make it unique. Check below for all the different kinds of podi that are common to find in any South…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY THEME: CHIPS RECIPE: KACHRI BATETA/ BABU KACHRI Kachri Bateta/ Babu Kachri Kachri Bateta/ Kachri Babu is a tangy, lip smacking spicy potato stew served with a dry coconut mango chutney and topped with ganthia and crushed potato crisps or chips. first publish on 20/05/2012, updated & republished on 14/03/2021 What is Kachri Bateta/ Kachri Babu? Kachri Bateta, also known as Kachri Babu is a famous street food from Mombasa. In fact, it’s believed that this dish is influenced both by the Swahili and Indian Cuisine. Probably, the potato stew is of Indian origin but addition of grated or minced raw mango to the stew is from the Swahili cuisine. Specifically, the topping of ganthia or thick sev and potato crisps is…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: CHUTNEYS RECIPE: GARLIC AND TOMATO CHUTNEY Garlic and Tomato Chutney, is a simple, spicy, packed with flavors, versatile homemade chutney. It can be enjoyed with any Indian Snack or Farsan as we call it in Gujarati. Or have it with your stuffed parathas, with millet flour flatbread, or as a base for sandwiches. This Garlic and Tomato Chutney brings back fond memories of my mum. Wondering why I didn’t have this chutney on my blog till now. I guess there is a specific time for everything. My mum loved dhokla and it had to be enjoyed with some garlic and tomato chutney. She learnt how to make this garlicky chutney from her friend Dolly Aunty. How Long Does The…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIES_ REDOING OLD POSTS #42 RECIPE: YOGURT POTATO CURRY Yogurt Potato Curry or Yogurt Cashew Nut Potato Curry First posted on 05/05/2015 Yogurt Potato Curry or Yogurt Cashew Nut Potato Curry is a creamy, delicious, slightly spicy curry. Enjoy it with any Indian Flatbread or rice. Easy to make, this curry generally features on my table when I have guests over. It is relished both by adults and kids. Memories about Yogurt Potato Curry Yogurt Potato Curry or Dahi waru bateta nu shaak was a regular on our dining table. With more than 15 of us in the household, my mum always knew that a potato sabji, shaak or side dish would take care of everyone. Usually, one sabji or shaak was made…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: HOT POT SPECIAL RECIPE: VEGETARIAN MOUSSAKA Vegetarian Moussaka Vegetarian Moussaka is a flavorful, creamy and delish version of the original meat moussaka. Herb flavored lentil tomato sauce is spread between layers of vegetables, topped with Béchamel Sauce and baked. What is a Moussaka? A Moussaka is a layered casserole dish with minced meat in between layers of vegetables, usually eggplants and potatoes. Mention Moussaka and its generally associated with Greece. But did you know that the dish originates from the Balkan and Middle East. The best known version world wide is the Greek version. Before 1900 Moussaka was simply layers of vegetables and minced meat. Nikolaos Tselementes, a Greek Chef trained in France introduced Béchamel Sauce based Moussaka which…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #278 SPICE MIX SECRETS RECIPE: BIRYANI MASALA What is Biryani Masala? Biryani Masala is a blend of aromatic spices in varying proportion that are roasted and powdered. Biryani Masala is the spice powder or blend that is commonly used to add to biryani or rice dishes. Masala is the term used in the Indian SubContinent for spice blends or spice powders. To give any biryani dish that spicy, aromatic, exquisite, distinct taste adding Biryani Masala is a must. Here are some of the Biryanis that I add Homemade Biryani Masala to: Kabuli Chana Biryani/ Chickpea Biryani I add some whenever I prepare Heni’s Paneer Dum Biryani Egg Biryani Spice Blends, Spice Powders, Masalas, Podi Whatever the name used for…
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Continue ReadingEggfree Wheat Christmas Cake Eggfree Wheat Christmas Cake is full of soaked dried and candied fruits, nuts and spices. A vegetarian friendly cake made without any eggs. Also, no alcohol is used to soak the fruit. A Christmas Cake that is incredibly easy to make, flavorful and moist. I’ve been baking Eggfree Wheat Christmas Cake for several years but till now, was not able to put the recipe on my blog. Just as well as over the years subtle changes has resulted in a foolproof recipe. The changes I made is is replacing all purpose flour with wheat, replacing white sugar with brown. The types of dried fruits and candied fruits vary every year, depending on what is available. And I love to use my…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: FRESH WINTER VEGGIES RECIPE: TANDOORI GOBI/ ROASTED TANDOORI CAULIFLOWER What is Tandoori Gobi? Generally the word Tandoori is used for non vegetarian preparations like tandoori chicken, tandoori mutton, tandoori fish, etc. However, to cater for the vegetarians its common to find tandoori paneer, tandoori mushroom, tandoori gobi, etc on a menu. Tandoor is a clay oven. First the main ingredient be it vegetarian or non vegetarian is marinated in yogurt along with spices. Usually people have their specific recipe for tandoori spice mixture. The marinated food is then roasted or grilled in a tandoor. At home its not possible to have a tandoor, therefore an oven is used or its roasted in a pan. Winter Vegetables What type of vegetables…
