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: #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: 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 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 Reading.EVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #264 TIME FOR THALI RECIPE: GUJARATI THALI & METHI NA GOTA What is a Thali? Thali in Hindi means plate. It is a round platter on which food is served, commonly in the South Asian and South East Asian Countries. In India thali refers to a variety of food served on one big platter. Usually, thali is served for lunch or dinner. These days with brunch becoming a fad breakfast thalis too are served in many restaurants or eateries. Types of Thali: As a matter of fact there is a huge variety of Thalis available in India. Go to any part of India, any state, any region and you will not miss a thali. A typical thali will contain a flatbread, rice,…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #249 MONSOON MUNCHIES For India, the hype of summer with people going on holidays, enjoying late nights out, street food, ice creams, mango delights all passed by without much celebration this year with the lockdown because of Covid 19. Some states are already experiencing rains while others are waiting for the Monsoon. Monsoon in India equates to hot hot bhajias (pakoras), steaming or roasted corn and garam garam (hot) chai. Theme this week on FoodieMonday/Bloghop Archana who blogs at The Mad Scientist’s Kitchen suggested Monsoon food and I was thinking like I really don’t want to fry anything or even make a hot soup as it has been just too hot for the past week or so in Mombasa. We are suppose…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #241 FLATBREAD FIESTA What is a Flatbread? Generally, flatbreads are made with flour, salt or no salt and water. The dough is either rolled out and then roasted or grilled or its spread out with a ladle like as in crepes, dosa, chila or its patted onto the griddle pan or tawa using your hands like as in a thalipeeth. Mostly, they are unleavened but some like pita bread or pizza will contain a leavening agent. FoodieMonday/Bloghop Theme This week keeping in mind that majority of us are under lockdown, Poonam suggested Flatbreads as our theme using whatever flour we have in our pantries. Though Kenya is not as yet under lockdown, we have curfews and hubby and I are trying…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #229 SANKRANTI SPECIALS Happy Makar Sankranti to all my friends, followers and family What is Makar Sankranti? Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan, Lohri, Maghi, Bihu, Thai Pongal, Suggi Habba, Makara Sankramana all fall more or less on the same day. These are all harvest festivals celebrated according to each one’s tradition and culture. Makar Sankranti, is dedicated to the Sun God Surya. It also marks the end of the winter solstice and beginning of longer daylight. While most communities will celebrate Makar Sankranti according to their tradition and culture, it is largely associated with kite flying and delicious food. Importance of Sesame Seeds and Jaggery during Makar Sankranti Most of Makar Sankranti treats will have sesame seeds and jaggery in them. Usually I make…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #227 PARTY STARTERS What are Party Starters? Have you heard of the saying “First Impression is the Last Impression?” Well, no wonder the first course at any party or as they call them starters or appetizers are usually the best taste wise, presentation wise, appealing to the eyes and taste all at once. Also known as finger food, party starters are usually small, can be eaten without in a couple of bites and some can be eaten with your hand. From simple chips with dips to elaborate and most expensive white truffle and gold mini pizza. When are party starters, appetizers or finger food served? Usually served during a sit down meal or at large parties. Sometimes parties like cocktail parties or…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #223 What are Ambode/Masala Vada? Ambode are masala vada made from chana dal with a few other ingredients added. Also known as Masala Vada or Dal Vada, Ambode is a famous street snack in Karnataka. Ambode is also served as a tea time snack with filter coffee in many homes. Besides chana dal (chickpea lentil) being the main star of this crunchy, crispy, mouth watering snack, chopped fresh dill, fresh coriander, onion, curry leaves, rice flour, green chillis, ginger and a bit of coconut is added. All these different ingredients makes them taste so different from Vatidar Bhajia which are quite popular with my family as a tea time snack. I took the liberty of adding a tablespoon of urad dal (split…
