a great treat Sabudana vada has been on my ‘to do list’ for a very long time. These days I am trying to avoid fried foods if possible so that when we dine out, I can indulge in whatever I want. However this Ekadashi, I just decided to make a fried snack. I am so glad I made these so crunchy and delicious vadas. A Maharashtrian snack, which is commonly found as street food, its easy to prepare and crispy from the outside and soft inside. Its usually served with sweetened yogurt. I am not a big fan of sweetened yogurt so I decided to make a yogurt coconut chutney. Sabudana vadas are very often made during fasting time. I had these crunchy vadas for…
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Continue ReadingHappy Chaitra Navratri The 35th theme for #FoodieMonday #bloghop was #NavrathriSpecial. I was in a dilemma as to how I will get this post ready in a day as I was travelling on Sunday. I’ve already posted many fasting recipes. I’m glad this theme was chosen as I’ve learnt something new. Did you know that Navratri is celebrated 5 times in a year? I didn’t know that. The first is Vasanta/Chaitra Navratri (around March or April), Ashad Navratri (around June or July), Sharad Navratri (around Sept or Oct),Pausha Navratri (around Dec or Jan) and Magha Navratri (around Jan or Feb). Our family celebrates the Sharad Navratri. Chaitra Navratri begins on the first day of the Chaitra month(this year 8th April) and ends on Ram Navmi…
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Continue ReadingBeautiful Nature This evening just as the sun was setting, the sky was just so beautiful. Blue sky as though its daytime. I was busy in the kitchen when hubby shouted out “come quickly, look out of the window.” I had to reach out for my iphone and take a photo. Nature is amazing and pleasures us with so many different colours in all shades imaginable. Its important that we take time to observe and enjoy nature. Its brings immense joy and peace to our mind and soul. When you don’t stop to admire nature you miss out on the wonders of world. Today’s recipe is Farali Uttapams. My partner Ramya of Lemon Kurry gave me the ingredients barnyard millet and yogurt. Our theme for March…
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Continue ReadingMarathon time! Its Monday and our 34th #Foodiemonday #bloghop theme is #NoCookNoBake. So many doors open up with this theme right from salads, smoothies, summer drinks to desserts. Anything to get away from my hot kitchen. Global warming is seriously affecting world climate and yet we humans seem to see no end to our wants and cravings. Where have the days gone when a family existed on one small fridge, one television, one phone, only fans. The more we want, the more materialistic things are created and produced.To meet the demand, more factories are constructed. This means greenery disappears. I think every country in the world should make it mandatory that every building that comes up should be surrounded with trees and greenery. The green…
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Continue ReadingEVENTS: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP & FOODIES_REDOING OLD POSTS THEME: FESTIVAL OF COLOURS RECIPE: AGAR AGAR FRUIT JELLY Agar Agar Fruit Jelly is an easy to make, attractive, cooling, gluten free and vegan dessert. Perfect dessert for any parties be it a garden party, kids party, baby shower party, etc. I love making this simple but pretty dessert as I can use a variety of fresh fruits and best part is that I can control the amount of sugar I add. Sometimes I add maple syrup, a light coloured one. It does change the colour of the dessert slightly but tastes really good. WHAT IS AGAR AGAR? Agar Agar is a gelatinous substance that is derived from red algae. More specifically it is derived from red algae Gelidium…
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Continue ReadingRECIPES FOR AUSPICIOUS FASTING DAYS Recipes for Auspicious Fasting Days are usually different from other fasting day recipes. For example if one fasts every Monday or say every Thursday, rather than omitting certain groups of food, only one meal is consumed. Generally, many communities in India abstain from grains, cereals, pulses and certain vegetables during the Ekadashi, Navratri, Shivratri and Adhik Maas Fasting Days. Eating meat, fish or any non vegetarian food is strictly prohibited during the fasting days. Also people refrain from cooking with onion and garlic during this time. However, there are some communities in India that don’t follow this gluten free, no beans, pulses, and certain vegetables rule. Nevertheless, on those days they will not cook meat, fish, eggs, onion, garlic. In…
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Continue ReadingFARALI ROTLI/GLUTEN FREE ROTI Farali Rotli/Gluten Free Roti is unbelievably soft and easy to roll. Perfect for fasting days like Ekadashi or Navratri. Or include it in your daily diet especially if you cannot consume any gluten products. Why Farali Rotli For Fasting Days? Mainly because for Ekadashi Fasting one is not allowed any cereal, grains, beans, onions, garlic, etc. Some of us even follow the same rule for Navratri Fasting. So daily ingredients like wheat, rice, legumes, beans are not allowed. Instead we can use amaranth, barnyard millet, buckwheat, tapioca pearls,water chestnut, etc. The flours of the products mentioned are very useful to make different dishes for fasting. Usually when my family and I fast, I think we land up eating more than normal.…
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Continue ReadingMOTHERHOOD We live where there are numerous apartments in one compound. So no doubt we have a mixture of cultures and religions.Evening time comes alive as mothers and kids are all out walking, talking playing etc. A few days ago I overheard a conversation between young mums. As usual the talk was on how each one’s child is performing in school, their manners, what they eat etc. What I noticed was that the conversation was turning into a competition as to whose child was better. On my way to the apartment I couldn’t help thinking why these mums and their kids think they are in sort of a race. As our children grow up, we really don’t remember if they did better than their…
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Continue ReadingEVENT:BREAD BAKERS |FOODIES_REDOING OLD POSTS THEME: ANCIENT GRAINS RECIPE: BUCKWHEAT SAVOURY PANCAKES Buckwheat Savoury Pancakes or Farali Kuttu Ka Cheela is healthy, easy to make and delicious. Usually enjoyed as a hot breakfast options, these gluten free pancakes are loaded with vegetables. Often, I make these pancakes or cheela when I am fasting for Ekadashi. Best enjoyed with some plain yogurt and green chutney. Sometimes I make them as an accompaniment to a simple potato curry. What Vegetables Can I Add? Well, any which you prefer. Spinach, boiled peas, boiled and finely chopped french beans, cooked corn, onion, etc are some suggestions. However, if you are making them for Ekadashi Fasting, then omit vegetables that are not allowed during the fast. I usually like to…
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Continue ReadingFRESH COCONUT BARFI Moist, soft, delectable fresh coconut barfi that is made from freshly grated coconut, sugar, milk and khoya. A bit of cardamom and saffron is added and a delish sweet is ready. Although, it takes a little longer than the quick barfi version this one is so much more tastier. In fact, you can enjoy this kopra paak or fresh coconut barfi during festivals, make it as Prasadam (offering), relish it during fasting days like Navratri or Ekadashi. Alternately, make is as an edible gift to give to friends and relatives during Diwali. A hard nut to crack! Factually, when one thinks of coconut, the first thing that comes to the mind is the cool healthy coconut water. However, there is so much…
