EVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: CUISINE FROM CHHATTISGARH RECIPE: BAFAURI Bafauri is a healthy, steamed snack from the state of Chhattisgarh in India. This delicious snack is made from chana dal and simple spices. Usually it is enjoyed as a breakfast or evening snack with some chutney. Theme: For the month of January the Shhh Cooking Secretly group is sharing dishes from the state of Chhattisgarh. Renowned Religious Place Chhattisgarh literally means 36 Forts. This central eastern state was formed by separating the Chhattisgarhi speaking southeastern part of Madhya Pradesh in the year 2000. The north and south part of the state are hilly and the central part is covered by plains. It is believed that Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and brother…
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Continue ReadingHappy New Year A simple healthy Indian style parfait For the month of December, the Shhh Cooking Secretly group (initiated by Priya of Priya’s Versatile Recipes) is visiting the state of Bihar. Bihar is in the East of India bordering Nepal. The Ganges flows through this state roughly dividing it into two parts, the east and the west. The three main districts of Bihar are Mithila, Magadh and Bhojpur. Famous for Bhojpuri films, birth place of Goddess Sita (Mithila), Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment in the famous Bodh Gaya and the birth place of the Mahavir and Vasupujya Tirthankaras of Jainism. Bihari Cuisine is mainly divided into 3 – Bhojpuri, Maithil and Magahi Cuisine. Traditionally a predominantly vegetarian cuisine because of Hindu, Jainism and Buddhist influence.…
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Continue ReadingAssam – The Red River State November is when the Shhh Cooking Secretly Group visited Assam. Assam is a state in the North East of India. Its strategic location makes it the ‘Gateway to the Seven Sister States of North East India’. Assam’s history goes way back to the ancient times, having been mentioned in the Mahabharata, was known as Asham during Aurangzeb’s time and the British developed the tea estates during the British Rule. Assam is well known for its flora and fauna and the famous tea estates. Assam itself has nearly 500 varieties of orchids. Its also known as the state of the Red River due to the presence of the Brahmaputra. Its a state rich in culture and traditions. Coming to the…
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Continue ReadingLand of the Dawn Lit Mountains As I had mentioned last month, The Shh Cooking Secretly group started by Priya Suresh of Priya’s Versatile Recipes is traveling round India state by state. Not physical travel, but cuisine wise. For the month of October participating members had to come up with dishes that are popular in Arunachal Pradesh with the given secret ingredients. This state wise cooking is opening up a whole new world of cuisine for me. I’m learning new names of dishes, new ingredients and different cooking methods. Food in Arunachal Pradesh in general does not have much oil unless its a fried dish and they depend largely on ingredients grown or available locally. People of Arunachal Pradesh love their meat and bamboo…
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Continue ReadingMEGA BLOGGING MARATHON -SEPT 2017/SHH COOKING SECRETLY #80TH BLOGGING MARATHON THEME: PROTEIN RICH DISHES/ANDHRA PRADESH CUISINE DAY:25 Here’s another recipe that I’ve combined for 2 different themes. Last for this event, promise;) Well, has to be as we are nearly coming to the end of our Protein Rich Dishes for the Mega Blogging Marathon. The other group that I’m presenting this recipe to is Shhh Cooking Secretly, started by Priya of Priya’s Versatile Recipes. From the month of September, the group is traveling round India state wise. No we’re not on an actual journey (but that does sound good) but we’re going to cook from different States of India. The first one is Andhra Pradesh. When Shobha Keshwani suggested this theme I was really excited…
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Continue ReadingBack Home Traveling back home is always heart breaking for me. Our trips abroad are usually to visit family. Its always a joyous time when we travel to them but heart breaking when we have to get back. This year we spent nearly 2 months in Montreal and I so didn’t want to come back. I miss my son(shhh hope the other 2 kids are not actually reading the post!). I miss him more so because he’s still single and not really ready to mingle so forget about having a soul mate, best mate etc etc. We don’t have any relatives or family friends in Montreal. The couple we had have moved to other cities. He has his friends, but not really close ones. He…
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Continue ReadingIt’s different For the month of July, The Shhh Cooking Secretly group decided on #Chutneys as the theme. The chutneys I’ve seen so far by the participants are so varied. But then why not as many regions of India have their own chutneys to boast about. We make them from herbs, dals, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, basically anything. I remember my grandmother would not allow us to throw away the peel of cucumber. She would instruct me how to make that into a chutney. Back then we didn’t have any fancy electrical gadgets. She would make me pound the cucumber peels, coriander, ginger and chilli using a mortar and pestle. And a delicious chutney would be ready in no time to dip our bhajias into…
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Continue ReadingWhat is Scoville Heat Unit or Index? Time is flying! It’s already nearly the end of the month.End of the month usually means a recipe for the Shhh Cooking Secretly group.This group was started by Priya of Priya’s Versatile Recipes. I, along with Amrita of The Food Samaritan help Priya to run it. Ever since I joined the group in 2014, I’ve enjoyed being a part of it. Lots of changes have taken place, some old members have left, new ones have joined. Back then partners gave each other any two random ingredients, my first one being barley and broccoli. Nowadays we give partners two ingredients according to the decided theme. This month the theme was #stuffed.Though we know all participants will have stuffed…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: SUMMER SALADS RECIPE : PESTO ROASTED POTATO SALAD Pesto Roasted Potato Salad is a hearty, filling, delicious salad, perfect for the summer season. Make it for picnics, BBQ parties or as a quick lunch option. A bit about the group: Members of this group give their partners two secret ingredients according to the theme decided and prepare a dish. Once the dish is ready we add the photo only and other members try and guess the secret ingredients. Towards the end of the month the secret is revealed when we share the recipe link. This month’s theme is SUMMER SALAD. My Partner My partner for this theme Shobana Vijay, blogs at Shoba’s Delight. Shobana gave me potato and any herbs.With…
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Continue ReadingRed Theme/ Valentine’s Day preparation For the month of January The ‘Shhh cooking secretly ‘ group decided to make something using red coloured food so as to give an idea to our followers what they can prepare for Valentine’s Day.My partner for this month was Amrita Iyer a food blogger whose blog is full of colour and mouth watering recipes. Check out The Food Samaritan to find out exactly what I mean. The colour red signifies many things. Love, warmth, danger, power,passion, determination, anger and desire.Red also draws our attention to danger. So as you can see its got its positive side and the negative too. Today we’re going to think of the positive things, it means life, love and passion. As I always say…
