EVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #269 NAVRATRI NAVRAS RECIPE: FARALI PAPDI CHAAT What is Farali Papdi Chaat? Farali papdi chaat is an Indian Snack which is served with chutneys. Chaats are also served with basics likes boiled potatoes and chickpeas. In this case, Papdi is a small fried disc made from flour. Furthermore, toppings are added on the papdi, drizzled with chutneys and served. Usually, chaats are considered as famous street food in India. More About Farali Papdi Chaat Farali means any food that is allowed during Hindu Fasting days or month. Usually during the festival of Navratri, many follow the farali diet. This means: grains, beans, pulses, lentils not allowed refrain from onion, garlic, peas, beans, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplants, and many other vegetables no meat,…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #268 TROPICAL COCONUT RECIPE: HAUPIA – HAWAIIAN COCONUT DESSERT What is Haupia? It should be noted that Haupia pronounced as how-pee -ah, is a traditional Hawaiian Coconut Dessert. Basically, this recipe requires only four ingredients, coconut milk, sugar, cornflour (cornstarch) and water. Indeed, that all. On top of that, the dessert gets cooked within 10 minutes. However, patience is required to allow haupia to set and chill. But, take it from me, haupia at room temperature tastes different. Therefore, if you love custard then you’ll definitely love haupia. Haupia Variations Actually, Haupia is enjoyed on its own. However, nowadays there are so many variations to the basic recipe. Its used to make the following: Haupia Pie Chocolate is added to the basic…
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Continue ReadingRecipe: Apple Avocado Quinoa Salad Apple Avocado Quinoa Salad is so easy to put together and unbelievably tasty, filling and healthy. Perfect gluten free and vegan light meal option. And not to forget that it is rich in protein. I love how filling and delicious quinoa salads are and apple avocado quinoa salad is no less. The charming thing about quinoa is that it can be paired with practically any ingredient to make a filling, healthy and enjoyable dish. For the Apple Avocado Quinoa Salad, it was not a planned salad at all. I knew that I wanted to make a quinoa salad but the ingredients just sort of popped up when I opened my fridge. I am so glad that it turned really well.…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #267 LUSCIOUS LENTILS RECIPE: MOONG IDLI What is Moong Idli? Traditional Idli is made from a fermented batter of rice and urad dal (black gram). As a matter of fact, Idli is enjoyed as breakfast or as a healthy snack along with sambar and chutney. Moong Idli is prepared in the same way as normal idli but here instead of rice I’ve used whole moong (green grams) and urad dal. However, to add to the healthiness factor, I add spinach to the batter. Without a doubt, moong Idli is a healthy steamed snack and very light on the stomach. Why did I decide to prepare Moong Idli? Ever since I tried idli with buckwheat, I’ve wanted to try making idlis using different…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #266 EXOTIC SAFFRON RECIPE: SAFFRON TAPIOCA PUDDING What is Saffron Tapioca Pudding? Saffron Tapioca Pudding is a sweet dish prepared by cooking soaked tapioca pearls or sabudana in milk till it becomes thick. The pudding can be enjoyed hot or cold. Once the tapioca pearls are soaked well enough making this pudding is very easy. I generally soak them for 4 – 6 hours in plain water. Adding saffron is optional but I’m a huge fan of saffron so look for any opportunity to use it whenever I can. What is Tapioca Pearls? Known as tapioca pearls as they look like little tiny pearls or sabudana. Dana in Hindi means small round beads or grains. They also go by the name of…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: A- Z RECIPE CHALLENGE THEME : AN INGREDIENT BEGINNING WITH THE LETTER P Persimmon Salsa A different flavored salsa that can be enjoyed with some tortilla chips or simply relish it as a refreshing salad. What is Persimmon? Persimmon also known as Sharon Fruit, this tomato shaped fruit is actually a berry. Yes, a huge berry. Mostly persimmon is an autumn fruit. There are two varieties of persimmon – the more astringent one hachiya variety and the non astringent fuyu. The hachiya variety you need to wait till it ripens fully to enjoy the sweetness of the pulp or jelly like flesh. The fuyu one can be eaten like an apple and the flesh is a bit more firm. What is a Salsa?…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #263 HERBAL AND HEALTH RECIPE: LAVENDER & FENNEL HERBAL TEA What is Lavender &Fennel Herbal Tea? Its a home made infused herbal tea whereby I’ve added culinary lavender buds, some fennel seeds, organic rose petals and mint to create a comforting and sleep inducing herbal tea. What is a Herbal Tea? Also known as tisane (pronounces as tee- zaen), herbal teas are beverages. The concoction or infusion is prepared by adding natural ingredients to hot water. In reality, Herbal Teas are not ‘true’ teas as no tea leaves, black, green or white are used to prepare it. However, these days we find that natural ingredients like flowers, herbs, spices, etc are paired with green tea and they are labelled as herbal tea.…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #262 BITTER BUT GOOD RECIPE: CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE What is a Chocolate Truffle? In reality, truffle is an edible but very expensive fungi. Just a few shavings used in a dish elevates the overall flavour and taste. However, today my recipe has nothing to do with that truffle. Specifically, Chocolate Truffles are bite sized chocolate treats or confectionery. Actually, made from ganache which is simply a mixture of melted chocolate and warmed cream. This Week’s Theme on FoodieMonday/Bloghop Group: This week, the group theme is Bitter but Good. Actually, Sasmita who blogs at First Timer Cook, suggested that we use any food that is naturally bitter. Naturally Bitter Foods By the way, when I think of bitter food, bitter gourd pops up…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #261 MILKY WAY RECIPE: APPLE KHEER Apple Kheer is creamy, different from rice pudding, easy to make and delectable. Perfect for any festival or prepare it to enjoy a healthier dessert. Best served chilled. This Week’s Theme on FoodieMonday/Bloghop Group: This week, the group has to use milk or its products like yogurt, paneer, milk powder, evaporated milk, condensed milk. If possible the main ingredient has to be milk or its products. This interesting theme, suggested by Swati who blogs Food Trails, offers so many options. With the Ganesh Chaturthi over the weekend, I thought of making an easy and not too sweet apple kheer. Frankly, I’ve ordered too many apples this week so thought of using up some to prepare Apple…
