EVENT: 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 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 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 cannot…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: 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 ReadingRecipe Chutney & Paneer Thalipeeth Chutney & Paneer Thalipeeth is a flatbread which I prepared using a gluten free flour, grated paneer and green chutney. I used leftover chutney. With a bit of extra spices and salt Chutney & Paneer Thalipeeth is a change from the usual fasting food or Samo Khichdi or Sabudana Khichdi. What is Thalipeeth? Thalipeeth is a flatbread from the Maharashtrian Cuisine. Generally, a multi grain flour called bhajanee is used. Spices, chopped onion, fresh coriander are added to the soft dough. By the way, experts pat the soft dough onto the hot tawa or skillet using their fingers. But, I can’t do that! Thalipeeth is usually served with yogurt and homemade butter. Fasting Time Thalipeeth Sometimes, for some of…
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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: #256 DOSA DEN RECIPE : RAGI DOSA/ FINGER MILLET DOSA What is Ragi Dosa? First of all, let me explain what a dosa is. Dosa is a flatbread or pancake more like a crepe that is the staple breakfast in the South Indian Cuisine. Ragi Dosa is dosa made using ragi or finger millet. The fermented batter is spread on a flat pan or tawa into a thin circular crepe or pancake like dosa. Having said that, you will find that dosa is available in any nook and cranny part of India. While most South Indians consider dosa as a breakfast or snack option, for Gujjus like me its a main meal. Rice and lentil fermented batter is used to make dosa.…
