EVENT: A- Z RECIPE CHALLENGE THEME : AN INGREDIENT BEGINNING WITH THE LETTER S RECIPE: CHIKOO KULFI/ SAPODILLA KULFI What is Chikoo Kulfi/ Sapodilla Kulfi? Chikoo Kulfi/ Sapodilla Kulfi is a delicious creamy fruity frozen dessert, easy to make and not too sweet. Perfect summer time treat. First, lets clear what is chikoo? Chikoo is the Hindi name for sapodilla (pronounced as sapo-diya) or sapota. It is a sweet fruit that is brown in colour and grows on an evergreen tree. This fruit is native to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. In India it grows abundantly in the state of Karnataka. Whenever I’m in Bangalore and its chikoo season, I have one every single day. I simply love chikoo. I know many don’t like…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #274 WINTER VEGGIES RECIPE: PEAS & POTATO PATTIS – SURTI STYLE What is Peas & Potato Pattis – Surti Style Peas & Potato Pattis – Surti style, is fresh peas stuffed in mashed potato and fried, much like a croquette. The only difference is that the potato covering is not usually coated with breadcrumbs. Surti style as its believed that this snack originates from the city Surat in Gujarat. Undoubtedly, the spices used adds a typical Gujarati flavour. Peas & Potato Pattis can be served as a snack with green chutney or as a part of the main meal. Winter and Peas Winter in India means you get really fresh peas. That’s the time when one gets tempted to try and…
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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…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #273 MY FAMILY FAV RECIPE: SABUT MOONG DAL/ GREEN MOONG CURRY What is Sabut Moong Dal/ Green Moong Curry? In brief, Sabut means whole and Moong is known as Green Grams in English. Clearly, every Indian household world over has its own version of Sabut Moong Dal. In fact, its one of the most popular dals or curries that is enjoyed with some rice, roti or paratha.Surprisingly, Sabut Moong Dal has not been featured on my blog as yet. Interestingly, though I cook it at least once a week, I’ve not jotted the recipe down till now. However, as they say, there is a time and place for everything. Perhaps, this recipe was meant for this week’s FoodieMonday theme. But, I’m not…
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Continue ReadingWhat are Orange Phirni Shots? In brief, Orange Phirni Shots are simply orange flavored phirni served in mini chocolate and pistachio fudge cups. Orange Phirni Shots is a fusion of an Indian Rice Pudding and Middle Eastern flavors. Some years back we had a one night transit stay in Doha and that’s where I had the opportunity to taste Sholeh Zard, a Persian Rice Pudding with an orange twist. As a result, that flavour remained etched in my brains. Generally, the rice pudding whether the Middle East version or the Indian version, is served on its own. So why the twist? Read on to find out. Participating in the International Recipe Contest First Round: This Competition, organized by Indrani Sen, is a different kind of…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: A- Z RECIPE CHALLENGE THEME : AN INGREDIENT BEGINNING WITH THE LETTER R RECIPE: SPICY RICE, MANGO AND COCONUT SALAD Spicy Rice, Mango and Coconut Salad So how did I decide to make a salad with a long name like Spicy Rice, Mango and Coconut Salad? Well, whenever I have a bit of plain rice leftover, I like to make what we Gujjus call Vagharelo Bhaat. That simply means tempered rice. Add a bit of onion, a bit garlic, green chillis, fresh coriander, turmeric, red chilli powder, cumin seeds with a dash of salt, lemon juice and vagharelo bhaat is ready. To make it into a filling and healthy meal, I added a few salad ingredients. And there, in a jiffy a tasty…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #272 DIWALI RECIPE: SEV MUMRA What is Sev Mumra? Sev Mumra is basically an Indian Savory Snack that can be stored for at least a month. Generally, this snack is prepared in a large batch. Basically, there are two main parts to Sev Mumra – the Sev and Mumra. Both Sev and Mumra are mixed along with spices and add ons if one prefers to prepare a snack. Its usually enjoyed during tea time. I prefer making sev mumra compared to other fried snacks as only the sev is deep fried. The proportion of sev to mumra totally depends on your preference. We prefer more mumra to sev. What is Sev? Sev is fried noodle like savory prepared from chickpea flour(besan) and spices.…
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Continue ReadingRECIPE: KUE SERABI – INDONESIAN PANCAKES WITH COCONUT Kue Serabi are small coconut flavoured pancake like snacks that are popular in Bali and Java. Usually enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack they are easy to make. What is Kue Serabi? Kue Serabi is Indonesian Pancakes that are made with coconut milk, sometimes grated coconut is added and rice flour. Usually served with a coconut milk and palm sugar sauce. Traditionally, Kue Serabi are served without any fruit or topping as its sold as street food. However, these days you’ll find kue serabi sold in Warungs (roadside eateries), boutique hotels and at home stay places as a breakfast option with toppings. More About Kue Serabi As I mentioned above generally these Indonesian pancakes are made…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: DIWALI SWEETS AND SAVOURIES RECIPE: KESAR RASGULLA What is Kesar Rasgulla? Kesar Rasgulla is a saffron flavored traditional sweet dish that is famous in the Indian Subcontinent. Kesar means saffron in Hindi. And Rasgulla is a sweet dumpling made from cottage cheese, paneer or chenna. The balls are rolled and then allowed o cook in a sugar syrup. The sugar syrup is usually flavored with cardamom and sometimes other ingredients like rose essence, rose petals, saffron, mint, chilli, etc are added. This adds a different flavour to the rasgulla. As a matter of fact, one is rasgulla and plural is rasgullas. Translated into simple language ras is juice and gulla is a ball. So actually rasgulla means a juicy ball.…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #270 CAULIFLOWER STORIES RECIPE: GOBI MUSALLAM What is Gobi Musallam? Gobi Musallam is a vegetarian version of the famous Chicken Musallam from the Mughal Cuisine. Musallam means whole. Just as a whole chicken is cooked, so is Gobi Musallam. Gobi or Gobhi is the Hindi word for Cauliflower. The chicken is stuffed with eggs and cooked dry or with gravy. Gobi Musallam is a totally vegetarian version and therefore no eggs are used. A creamy sauce is added to make it more appealing. Sauces and Marinades for Gobi Musallam After trimming the leaves off, whole cauliflower or gobi is boiled till its about 60% cooked. The rest of the cooking is completed in the oven. Let me warn you this dish…
