EVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: SIKKIMESE CUISINE About this Group: As most of my regular readers may have noticed that through the Shhh Cooking Secretly Group we are taking each state of India every month and preparing a dish pertaining to that state’s cuisine. August was when the participating members cooked different dishes from the state of Sikkim. Get to know Sikkim Sikkim, one of the seven sister states of North East India is situated in the lap of the Himalayas. The third highest peak of the Himalayas, Kanchenjunga can be seen from Sikkim. Sikkim was annexed to India in 1975. 11 languages are spoken in this tiny mountain state, English being the official language.Its the home to the second highest suspension bridge in Asia, Singshore…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #207 HERBALICIOUS What are herbs? Herbs are plants with seeds, flowers and leaves where the leaves and green parts are used for flavoring, as part of food, as medicine and also used in some perfumes to enhance the aroma. In cooking, usually the leafy greens of herbs are used not as a main dish but as a part of a dish. So you may say that we use spinach, fresh fenugreek, fresh mustard leaves too and they too are leafy greens so why are they considered vegetables and not herbs? Well, for one these leafy greens are usually prepared on its own or with other vegetables as a curry or used in salads in big quantities. Usually herbs are used in small…
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Continue ReadingThe word Shorba originates from the word chorba, sorpa, shurpa. This soup is widely enjoyed in the Middle Eastern Countries, some parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. It is believed that the soup originates from Persia. Hot salted water with added meats, vegetables made this a versatile dish that even travelers could make. No wonder popularity of this healthy and easy to make dish spread far and wide. India was introduced to Shorba during the Mughal Era. Vegetarians then came up with their version of shorba. My favorite is a tomato shorba anytime, which I tend to make so often. When I made some Qubani Naan, I wanted to pair it with a curry. However, hubby insisted that I make a soup and before I…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: HEALTHY WELLTHY CUISINES THEME: 59 HWCG #WINTER DELIGHTS AT HW Having a hearty bowl of hot piping soup is the most comforting food one can during winter to ward off the cold. As I have mentioned before, I per say do not experience winter where I live. However at the moment I’m in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. Usually Dec to March is suppose to hot but the weather here is cold, though the sun comes out. My brother in law was teaching me how to make a sourdough bread(previous attempts have failed as the dough became too soft!) where handling the dough is much easier and the does not require too much kneading. He also has after much experimentation made the dough…
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Continue ReadingMEGA BLOGGING MARATHON – APRIL 2018 #87 BLOGGING MARATHON THEME:EXPLORE THE FLAVORS – INTERNATIONAL BREAKFAST DAY 19 “Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince and Dine like a Pauper” When Srivalli first suggested the themes for this Mega Blogging Marathon my mind was set on the breakfast theme. Little did I know that I would truly be exploring flavors from other countries and some from countries I’d not heard of like Tatarstan. At that time the only breakfast dishes that I could see were French Toast, different bakes, oatmeals, you know the usual Sunday brunch items. When I decided to take on the challenge of making breakfast dishes from A-Z, that’s when a whole world of different breakfast dishes opened up. Today’s breakfast is…
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Continue ReadingMEGA BLOGGING MARATHON – APRIL 2018 #87TH BLOGGING MARATHON THEME: EXPLORE THE FLAVORS – INTERNATIONAL BREAKFAST DAY 3 “Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince and Dine like a Pauper” We are once again going through water cuts…you read right not power cuts but water cuts. We’re in the 21st Century and basic amenities like water, power and garbage collection are missing in the second largest city of Kenya. Its a shame! We live in what’s suppose to be the upmarket area on the island and we’ve not had piped water ever since my hubby’s family opted to live in this area. We heavily depend on the borehole which is not enough for 240 apartments. Now I have to get up early and race…
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Continue ReadingSpreading Love This is the first time I’m participating in the annual event #FoodBloggerLove Valentine’s Day. This event is organized by PinterTest Kitchen. This blog is run by Sharon Boyer and her two daughters Allison and Jessica. Basically, you sign up for the event (it was a group I’d joined to share recipes and to get to know other bloggers, but forgot about the group till I got the invite to join in this event). Here, it works like secret Santa. I got assigned a blogger and some else will get me.The deal is to either prepare something from the assigned blog or prepare something that he/she would like.We share our recipes on the same day(Please scroll down right to the bottom to see what…
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Continue ReadingMEGA BLOGGING MARATHON -SEPT 2017 #80TH BLOGGING MARATHON THEME: PROTEIN RICH DISHES/LENTILS DAY:17 If you browse through the internet, you will be inundated with recipes with cauliflower as the main ingredient especially if one is trying to follow a vegan or paleo diet. Cauliflower rice, cauliflower pizza base, cauliflower tortillas etc etc etc. Besides cauliflower rice, I’ve yet to try my hands on the other recipes. As a kid I didn’t like cauliflower too much. I think I hated it as the overcooked version smelt awful. I don’t like to overcook it for sabjis, curries or for any dish where I’m using cauliflower. Even when I prepare soup,I just cook it enough so it remains a bit crunchy. Did you know that…
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Continue ReadingAmazing Gadgets Whenever I’m at my son’s place in Montreal, the first few days go into cleaning his place. Out of all my three kids he’s probably the one with the most gadgets. Home cleaning becomes an easier task and love that our clothes do not have that awful damp smell. The wonders of a clothes dryer. His kitchen too is equipped with some of the best and powerful appliances. Every visit and we add a new gadget. This time round I was appalled at the state of our very useful pressure cooker. The bottom no longer sits well on the hob and I just don’t want to get you into the colour of the poor pressure cooker. So I insisted that…
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Continue ReadingA Healthy Ramadan The holy month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims all over the world.It is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar.Its the month when the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed. During this month the Muslims fast for the whole month from sunrise to sunset. The holy month of Ramadan is much more about purifying the soul, focusing attention on God and about self discipline and sacrifice rather than focusing on food and drink. After sunset the fast is broken by taking a few sips of water and a few dates during Iftar or the evening meal. Suhoor is the meal served before sunrise. This meal is usually hearty and healthy meal to provide one with energy. Keeping in mind my…
