EVENT: 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 RECIPE: MANGALORE BUNS/BANANA PURI Mangalore Buns/Banana Puri is a speciality from Mangalore, Karnataka. They are sweetish deep fried puris or flatbread with a hint of cumin flavour. Mostly enjoyed as breakfast with hot tea or with a curry or simply coconut chutney. 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…
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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…
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Continue ReadingRECIPE: MOONG PANIYARAM & RIDGE GOURD CHUTNEY Moong paniyaram is a version of the classical paniyaram. It makes a healthy, vegan breakfast or snack option. I have replaced the rice with green gram or moong. For added nutritional benefits I have added some sprouted green grams or moong. What is Paniyaram? Paniyaram, Paddu, Guliyappa, Yeriappa, Ponganalu is simply a steamed batter made in a mould. Usually a batter of rice and urad dal is poured into the paniyaram pan or appe pan(aebleskiver), covered with a lid and allowed to steam till done. Made either sweet or savory, paniyaram is usually served as a snack any time of the day. The savory ones are served with some chutney and or sambar. Usually made from…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #211 NATURALLY COLOURFUL Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to all my friends, family and followers. This year, there is an emphasis on natural and environmentally friendly ways of celebrating this important festival. That led to me think why not extend this to making naturally colored food as the next theme for FoodieModay Bloghop group. The members had to use naturally colorful ingredients to create their dish. Whether for the festival or not it had to be naturally colored. No adding artificial colors. I remember when my kids were young, I’d add naturally colored fruits and vegetables to make their meals more exciting. I’d add carrot puree, spinach puree, beetroot puree, turmeric powder, use strawberries, chocolate or cocoa powder, purple grapes, avocado, red cabbage, mangoes,…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #209 THINDI YENU What an interesting theme name you may be thinking. I too was completed intrigued by these two simple words. In Kannada yenu means what and thindi is snacks or tiffin. So its simply translates as What is for Snacks/Tiffin? Yeah! I now know a few more Kannada words 🙂 besides Namaskara and Thumba Dhanyanvadagalu. On a serious note, if hubby and I ever plan to stay in Bangalore for a longer period, learning Kannada would definitely be on my list. This interesting theme was suggested by Aruna. She wanted us to prepare any breakfast dish which is very much a part of Karnataka. As I was browsing through her blog Vasu’s Veg Kitchen, I came across a very interesting…
