FRESH 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…
-
Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIES_ REDOING OLD POSTS #36 RECIPE: SWEET POTATO TIKKI/ PATTIES What is Sweet Potato Tikki/ Patties? Sweet Potato Tikki/ Patties is an Indian Snack made using boiled or roasted sweet potatoes. Spices are added according to one’s taste. After that, the mixture is rolled into balls or discs. Finally, Sweet Potato Tikki/ Patties are either deep fried in oil or shallow fried. Usually, the tikki or pattis is served with a chutney, tomato sauce or even yogurt. What is a Tikki or Patties? In fact, the word tikki is the Hindi or Marathi name for a small cutlet or croquette. By the way, patties is another word commonly used in the Indian Sub Continent for tikki. Patties is a round little flattened serving of…
-
Continue ReadingRECIPE: PAPAYA LEMON JAM Papaya Lemon Jam is a delicious, pectin free, easy to make condiment. It actually is the best way to use up papaya that is totally bland. We love to have papaya every day for breakfast. But there are times when papaya is tasteless, bland. And no body touches it! Recently had two papayas that ripened at the same time. One was sweet and one bland. Cut papaya goes all mushy in the fridge if left for over 12 hours. So I decided to make it into a jam. The amount was small and the jam got over within a few days. Occasionally, I use papaya to make it into a healthy smoothie. NO NEED FOR PECTIN Papaya naturally has a lot…
-
Continue ReadingRECIPE: AVOCADO & MANGO SALAD Avocado & Mango Salad is one of the easiest salad to make. Tasty, filling and a perfect light meal during summer or hot days. This salad keeps you full for several hours. Adding homemade fresh orange dressing makes it more exotic. Starting from November, the weather becomes really hot in Mombasa. By March, April it just becomes too hot and humid. Those are the days when I just want to make quick salads and get out of the kitchen. Usually, try to make salads that are tummy fillers as hubby and I have them as light lunch or dinner. What To Add To Salads To Make Them More Filling? The obvious choice is protein like meat, chicken or fish. However,…
-
Continue ReadingRECIPE: VEGAN BANANA ICE CREAM Vegan Banana Ice Cream is so easy to make with over ripe frozen bananas, coconut cream, peanut butter and some nuts. Flavour it with cinnamon powder and you have an instant frozen dessert ready in a jiffy. For a more firmer texture, freeze the ice cream for 30 minutes. What I Do With Over Ripe Bananas During the hot season bananas tend to ripen very quickly. Often I slice them, arrange them on a tray or plate and freeze them overnight. Next day, I use them or put them in a zip lock bag. Don’t forget to label how many bananas you’ve frozen as it is helpful when you need them for a recipe. Thaw the slices and they…
-
Continue ReadingRecipe: Watermelon Mint Sorbet Watermelon Mint Sorbet is a refreshing and cooling summer treat to enjoy. Making it at home is so easy and you need just a few ingredients. Where Are The Rains? The main conversation these days where ever you go is the heat. People are getting fed up of the really hot weather and are praying for rain. Energy levels ebb, no breeze, every one sweating profusely. People constantly reaching out for ice cold water, drinks and trying to spend more time in the shade whenever possible. Men pulling heavy loads on a cart, women walking with babies tied on their backs and loaded baskets on their heads. Life has to carry on whether its hot or cold. I complain about the…
-
Continue ReadingEVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY RECIPE: PUNJABI KADHI PAKORA Punjabi Kadhi Pakora or Punjabi Pakora Kadhi is a popular North Indian dish with pakora or fritters in a creamy, flavourful and delicious yogurt curry. In fact, the flavours of the chickpea fritters, the spicy yogurt curry all come together to produce a finger licking, satisfying dish. It usually is enjoyed with plain rice, paratha or naan. What is Punjabi? Punjab is a northwest state in India. In brief, it is considered as the bread basket of India. Specifically, with five rivers passing through this state it is one of the most fertile states in India. Punjabi refers to the people of Punjab, the language spoken there and also their cuisine. Also popularly known as Punjabi food.…
-
Continue ReadingRecipe: Mombasa Mix Mombasa Mix is popular as street food in Mombasa. Nowadays it is much easier to find it at fat food restaurants. It is basically a brown chickpea potato curry cooked in coconut milk. It is then served with deep fried lentil fritters, coconut chutney and some chevdo. Chevdo is popular snack made of potatoes, lentil and flat rice with spices. The origins of this super delicious dish is debatable. Some claim it originates from Mombasa and others claim it is from Zanzibar. As far as I am concerned, during the British Rule, it was all one area and coastal food was and is different from the inland. Most coastal food has a strong, Arab, Portuguese, British and Indian influence. Where To…
-
Continue ReadingWhat is Raab? Raab is like a soup or porridge made from pearl millet flour (bajri). Incidentally, Ragi(Finger Millet) Raab, Ragi Kanji or Ragi Porridge is very popular in South India. Also its a very popular breakfast in Kenya and is called Uji. In the case of my grandmother, whenever she didn’t feel like eating a normal meal, a bowlful of Raab/ Millet Porridge was what she would want. Lactating mums are given Raab everyday for the nutritional values. Its also a remedy for sore throats and colds. Also, its given to people recovering from an illness. In addition to other food, toddlers are given a tablespoon or two of Raab. Health Benefits of Raab Raab has loads of benefits. Its comfort food, wards off cold,…
-
Continue ReadingUpdated: 16/06/2020 Hara Bhara Kebabs are one of my favorite snacks to enjoy on movie nights or wine nights at home. What are Hara Bhara Kebabs? Hara means green, bhara means full. Therefore hara bhara kebabs literally mean kebabs that are full of green vegetables which mainly are peas and spinach. Fresh Coriander and Mint too added for flavoring. What are Kebabs? Kebabs are generally made from meat, either minced or whole. It is believed that kebabs originate from the Middle Eastern Cuisine. Usually, the meat pieces are marinated and skewered with vegetable pieces like onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes to name a few. As for the minced meat ones, spices and flavorings are added to the mince and then shaped on the skewer.…
