Drumstick Curry/ Saragva Nu Shaak Drumstick Curry/ Saragva Nu Shaak is a gluten free, delicious, side dish prepared using drumstick pods in a yogurt curry. Notably, this Gujarati style curry or shaak is commonly enjoyed with hot plain parathas. In fact, drumstick curry is a delicious way to enjoy the superfood. What is Drumstick? In general, drumstick is a long slender and triangular pod that grows from the branches of a tree whose biological name is Moringa Oleifera. Also known as moringa tree, drumstick tree, horseradish tree (the roots taste like horseradish) or benzolive tree (named so because of the oil from the seeds). Generally, these trees are commonly found in the tropical and subtropical regions of South Asia, Middle East and some parts…
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Continue ReadingRECIPE : Bajri Na Dhebra/ Millet Fenugreek Flatbread What is Bajri Na Dhebra/ Millet Fenugreek Flatbread? Bajri na Dhebra/ Millet Fenugreek Flatbread is a famous Gujarati snack prepared from pearl millet flour and loads of fresh fenugreek. Generally enjoyed hot for breakfast or as a snack. Usually Bajri na dhebra are served with some pickle and plain yogurt or masala tea. Bajri na dhebra can be carried as travel food. Long journeys many years ago meant that one had to carry travel food to enjoy on the way. Generally, Bajri na dhebra stay fresh for 2-3 days depending on the weather. However, if prepared as travel food, tamarind pulp is added instead of yogurt. Memories I remember my mum packing a pile of the dhebra…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIES_REDOING OLD POSTS RECIPE: CABBAGE PAKORA | KOBI NA BHAJIA Cabbage Pakora | Kobi Na Bhajia are so easy to make, crispy on the outside and soft and spongy inside. Just a few simple ingredients and this hot snack comes together in a matter of minutes. Enjoy them piping hot with your favourite chutney and some masala tea. What is Pakora or Bhajia? They simply are deep fried dumplings or fritters which are made from flour and spices. Sometimes vegetables are added to them. Also bhajia of fritters are made from soaked lentils (dals), ground to a coarse paste. Also known as bhaji they are usually enjoyed hot with a chutney of choice along with some spicy masala tea or coffee. Most homes enjoy…
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Continue ReadingRecipe: Khandvi, Gujarati Snack Khandvi, a Gujarati Snack is a delicious, melt in the mouth, flavourful rolled healthy snack. It is made from chickpea flour and yogurt or buttermilk. The cooked flour paste is spread out into thin sheets and then rolled. Tempering of mustard seeds, green chillis, curry leaves, fresh coriander and coconut are added to it. Maharastrians too make khandvi and is popularly known as Suralichi. It also goes by the names Patuli and Dahivadi. This is one snack that my whole family loves and therefore make it as often as I can. The best part of this snack is that it is enjoyed cold and you can store it in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Some add the tempering to the…
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Continue ReadingRECIPE: Methi Bateta Nu Shaak/ Fenugreek Potato Vegetable Methi Bateta Nu Shaak/ Fenugreek Potato Vegetable is a simple but flavourful way to prepare the famous Gujarati style shaak or sabji using fresh fenugreek and potatoes. Best enjoyed with some hot roti with ghee and a dal or lentil curry. Not many spices are required. If you don’t have fresh methi or fenugreek, use frozen one. Weather in Mombasa Once again the hot season has begun with a vengeance. It has become extremely hot and humid in Mombasa. Every time I go to my favourite green grocer shop, the owner complains about vegetables and fruits not reaching Mombasa on time because of the traffic on the Mombasa Nairobi Highway. Not much of a highway as…
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Continue ReadingRECIPE: SANTRA BASUNDI/ TANGERINE KHEER Santra Basundi is a spin on the traditional basundi recipe where fresh tangerine or santra is added to the cooled mixture. Makes it a delicious mithai or sweet to enjoy during the festivals. What is Basundi? Basundi is a sweet thickened milk which is generally flavored with cardamom, nutmeg and sometimes saffron. Chopped nuts usually like almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios and charoli are added. In fact, this sweetened milk is quite popular in the western states of India. I always thought that is a Gujarati dish but it is popular in Maharashtra and in some parts of Karnataka. Traditionally, full fat milk was boiled with sugar till it became thick and creamy. These days we tend to added milk solids…
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Continue ReadingUpdated : 03/11/2020 Must have Gujarati Goodies during Diwali – Googra/ Gujiya For most Gujarati homes,Diwali is incomplete without Googra/ Gujiya. Other must have are: Magas(chickpea flour fudge) Gur na Ladwa Doodh Pak Chevdo (savory mixture potato crisps, fried chana dal, moong and poha). When my mother in law was here in Mombasa, we would make a huge quantity of chevdo. Its actually takes about 1-2 hours to make it. Mathias (usually made from sprouted moth and urad dal). This was another savory that we made at home. But nowadays I don’t make chevdo or mathia at home. I buy the ready made chevdo, and ready rolled out mathia. I fry them at home. A good way to support small businesses as it actually helps…
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Continue ReadingEVENTS: FOODIES_REDOING OLD POSTS RECIPE: MAG NI DAL | GUJARATI MAG NI CHUTTI DAL Mag Ni Dal or Gujarati Mag Ni Chutti Dal is a popular way of preparing moong dal, the yellow variety. Usually prepared with just a few spices and without any gravy or curry. Gluten free and vegan, Mag Ni Dal is served with kadhi and plain rice. Mag Ni Chutti Dal, kadhi and plain rice with a bit of ghee is my all time comfort food. Whenever we make kadhi and plain rice, a legume or dal is prepared to go with it and the rice. Sometimes, whole green moong are cooked dry, we make dry val ni dar. Also tuvar ni dal is cooked a bit dryish. Rarely is kadhi…
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Continue ReadingRECIPE: 3 ESSENTIAL CHUTNEYS 3 Essential Chutneys that are common for the Indian Cuisine are the green, date tamarind and garlic chutneys. These 3 chutneys are an essential part of any chaat recipe. Also these chutneys and hot fresh snacks go hand in hand. Often enough chutneys come to the rescue to prepare a lip smacking sandwich or wrap. Chutneys have the unique quality of converting a bland boring dish into a flavourful one. WHAT IS A CHUTNEY? Chutney is a dipping sauce, a condiment. Where Indian Cuisine Chutney is concerned, it is quite different from the chutneys from those prepared by the Western World. As a matter of fact, Chutney originates from the Indian Cuisine. During the British Rule, Great Britain was introduced to…
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Continue ReadingSavaa Ni Bhaji/ Dill and Moong Dal Curry Savaa Ni Bhaji/ Dill and Moong Dal Curry is an aromatic, flavourful curry or side dish that is usually served with hot roti, phulka, paratha or even rice. Usually prepared when dill or savaa is available in abundance. Actually, one can also prepare this healthy side dish with some potatoes or brinjals too. Cook with potatoes or brinjals alone or add potatoes along with the moong dal. Either way, the curry turns out really good and my family love it. What is Savaa Or Dill? Did you know that dill which is a herb belongs to the celery family? As a matter of fact, this herb has a tender hollow stem and very fine long threadlike…
