EVENT: FOODIES_REDOING OLD POSTS RECIPE: BHINDA NU SHAAK/ STIR FRIED OKRA Bhinda Nu Shaak/ Stir fried okra is a simple and yet very flavourful side dish which is usually enjoyed with some roti and dal (lentil curry). Generally, every day Gujarati style shaak or sabji tend to have simple spices and are easy to make. What is Bhinda? Bhinda is the Gujarati name for lady fingers, okra, or as more popularly known as bhindi in Hindi, Bendekayi in Kannada, Dhenras in Bengali, Vendai in Tamil. Popularly used in the Caribbean to make gumbo, its prepared in different ways in India. Bhinda or Okra is a very popular vegetable in India and surprisingly a favorite with many kids too. Open a number of tiffin or lunch…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIES_ REDOING OLD POSTS #18 Get Your Protein Chana, bengal gram, Egyptian beans, garbanzo beans, chickpeas,whatever you know them as are very healthy. Nunu always says ‘eat chana and become strong like a horse’. Red, brown or black chickpeas are suppose to be a dieter’s delight. Half a cup of these chickpeas contains nearly 6g of protein and 5g of fiber. Half a cup of boiled chickpeas is only around 140 calories. Benefits of Including Black Chana or Chickpeas in your diet Besides being a good source of protein, black chickpeas (though they appear more red or brown) are rich in dietary fiber which is good for the digestive system. Low in glycemic index, its beneficial for diabetics. It has a unique combinations of…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIES_ REDOING OLD POSTS #31 Recipe: Sourdough Calzone Sourdough Calzone is a crusty, delish, oven baked, folded pizza. Add any stuffing of your choice. Make them small to enjoy as a sandwich or bake a big one to enjoy as a main meal with some salad. Updated on 07/08/2020 I must admit that when I first made calzone at home it was as flat as a pancake. Though the taste was amazing, the single click and how a calzone should look was just off scale…completely off scale. Amazing, how over years we tend to learn how to hone our techniques and methods. Admittedly, for this post I’ve not only changed the photo but altered the recipe as for sure this is much better than…
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Continue Readingsimple, tasty and healthy Posho, fansi or french beans. These long green beans are very healthy. Rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A, B and C. Tender beans are rich in folate. It is also rich in minerals like potassium, magnesium, manganese, calcium and many others. Commonly called posho by the vgetable sellers in Kenya and fansi in India. When I first went to India, I made the mistake of asking for posho and the poor guy could not understand what I wanted. I had to rummage through his baskets and bags to find what I wanted. Fished out a bag of posho and he smiled from ear to ear and announced ‘oh you wanted fansi ‘ in gujarati. Now’s the right time to try out…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIES_ REDOING OLD POSTS #45 RECIPE: VEGETABLE BAKED PASTA Vegetable Baked Pasta Vegetable Baked Pasta loaded with vegetables,is cheesy, creamy and simply irresistible. It is totally comfort food for my family. In fact I prepare Vegetable Baked Pasta every fortnight. The vegetables vary but the sauces remain the same. This pasta dish is a version of the traditional Italian dish called PASTA AL FORNO. For Pasta Al Forno pasta is boiled about 3-4 minutes less than instructed on the packet. The pasta is then mixed or layered in a baking dish with a meaty sauce. The meat used varies from Italian sausage to minced meat. Then it is baked. In Italian the word ‘Al Forno” means to the oven, meaning baked. For my version of…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIES_ REDOING OLD POSTS #29 Updated on 10/07/2020 I have so many old posts that need a new look. However, when I cook the regular dishes like Bhinda ni Kadhi I tend to forget to take new clicks. I’ve now got sticky labels on my kitchen wall depending on what veggies or fruits I get from my online shopping. Yes this world pandemic has changed lives drastically. I just can’t wait to experience the riot of colors at my local market place. By joining the group The Foodies_Redoing Old Posts, I get the opportunity to redo old recipes. This time I remembered to take fresh clicks of Bhinda Ni Kadhi. What is Bhinda Ni Kadhi? Bhinda is the Gujarati word for okra, ladies’ finger,…
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Continue ReadingIdli Sambar Idli Sambar is a fluffy soft, melt in the mouth fermented and steamed breakfast, served with a delicious, piping hot lentil stew and topped with fresh coconut chutney. Not only is idli sambar a healthy breakfast, but also the fermentation process increases the bioavailability of proteins, and enriches the idli with vitamin B. Low in fat, sometimes its served with a dollop of ghee which is beneficial for healthy joints. What is Idli? Idli or Idly is a popular South Indian savory steamed cake which is usually made from rice and black lentils(urad dal). The batter is allowed to ferment overnight without yeast or other raising agents. Next day its steamed in a idli stand or in small bowls. A popular breakfast dish, its…
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Continue Readingcreamy and buttery Anyone who has been to an Indian restaurant or dhaba, has heard of or tasted dal makhani. Its a famous Punjabi dal, usually served along with naan, parathas, vegetables and rice. The original dal makhani is cooked over a low heat charcoal furnace or in the naan furnace overnight. Very slow cooking makes the dal tasty. The following day all the spices, homemade butter and cream are added to make it thick, creamy and buttery. In this fast world, I seriously do not have the patience of cooking it over low flame overnight. I think, fire hazard, not fuel efficient, what if it burns etc etc. My version of the recipe is not loaded with fat and is easily made in…
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Continue Readinga different style of burger Who said vegetarians cannot enjoy a nice burger? We all have had a normal veggie burger and perhaps a bean burger at the famous Burger King. I love making bean burgers especially when fresh red kidney beans are in abundance. Have also used tinned red kidney beans. I use an avocado dip whenever I get avocados but you can use tomato ketchup. I just don’t like the taste of ketchup. In fact you can use any sauce of your choice or mayonnaise. I had to deep fry the burgers for a crunchy outer layer, but you can grill it or shallow fry if you wish. Onion rings are missing from my burgers as I don’t like the taste of raw…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIES_ REDOING OLD POSTS #30 Updated on 24/07/2020 I have so many old posts that need a new look. How many times I must have prepared this easy pasta with spinach sauce but did not remember to take better clicks. Eventually, when I made it day before yesterday, remembered to take better photos. The recipe remains the same. By joining the group The Foodies_Redoing Old Posts, I get the opportunity to redo old recipes. Memories Besides vaghareli rotli, my brother loves pasta. Ask him any time whether he will have pasta and he will not refuse. If made with cream, white sauce and loaded with cheese, all the more better. While I was visiting the family in UK, my brother asked me to make…
