thepla with a difference…. thank you Heni Last November, my foi Manju aunty invited us to her place just for a change of atmosphere. We all were going through a difficult time after the loss of my mum. Fortunately for me we decided to visit her on Ekadashi day.Unfortunate for my sister in law Heni, as she had to make dishes with potatoes and more potatoes. On Ekadashi fasting which comes every 15 days, one is not allowed to consume grains and pulses and any vegetable that falls under the pulses category like peas, beans, brinjals etc. There are not many options left except for potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, yam etc. We were suppose to have lunch at her place. There are not many…
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Continue ReadingAvocado Vinaigrette Avocado Vinaigrette is a classic traditional entrée which is so simple to prepare but a very delicious way to enjoy avocados. The only important factors for this so easy to prepare starter is that the avocado should be just ripe and that the vinaigrette does not taste like acetic acid, too acidic and tangy. Memories – No anchovies for me please! I remember when some old classic restaurant in Mombasa would serve Avocado Vinaigrette as a starter/entrée. Mostly, there wouldn’t be a suitable vegetarian starter except for Avocado Vinaigrette. Though labelled as vegetarian, it would have anchovies! Most restaurant owners do not understand that when you are a vegetarian it includes no fish! “But fish is vegetarian Ma’am” is the answer I…
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Continue ReadingEvent: Foodies_Redoing Old Posts RECIPE: BRUSCHETTA Bruschetta is a classic Italian antipasto or appetizer dish. It is an easy dish to put together at home with some rustic bread slices, tomatoes, olive oil, herbs and garlic. The Group: Foodies_Redoing Old Posts Cannot believe that we’re on the 87th event of Foodies_ Redoing Old Posts. Admittedly, I have missed a few. However, I am so glad that Renu who blogs at Cook With Renu started this group. Many of my old posts have got new life, comments and appreciations from my followers. This time I have redone my basic Bruschetta recipe. This recipe was first published on March 11th 2012! That is 10 years ago. Updated on 14/10/2022 and learned that for bruchetta you really don’t…
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Continue ReadingSalsa or salad, you decide! Plums, the dark red Santa Rosa variety are once again in season in Kenya. Compared to the ones I have eaten in UK, these plums are very juicy and sweet and a bit tart at the same time. The skin also tastes a bit tart. One of my favourite fruits but unfortunately the season is very short, just about 3 to 4 weeks. Plums are rich in vitamin C and K, fiber and antioxidants. Dried plums are called prunes.While the season lasts, I have been busy trying out various recipes using plums. A quick and very easy recipe is plum salsa salad. Have it as a salad or as a salsa with tortilla chips. The sweetness from the plums,…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIES_ REDOING OLD POSTS #49 RECIPE: LETTUCE CUPS/ LETTUCE WRAPS What are Lettuce Cups/ Lettuce Wraps? Fresh, crunchy, sweet, just enough saltiness, tangy, a wee bit chilli, aromatic. Wondering if I am practising my adjectives? Well, you would too if you had these delicious lettuce cups/ lettuce wraps. Lettuce Cups/ Lettuce Wraps is a great recipe when entertaining. Guests can build up their own lettuce cups or wraps with different fillings. Basically, lettuce leaves are served topped with a dry filling and served with sauces. The lettuce cups or wraps make a healthier option to sandwiches with bread. However, initially they were served as a starter or appetizer mostly at Chinese Restaurants. These days lettuce cups or wraps have taken on different avatars. One…
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Continue ReadingRecipe: Masala Poori |Tikhi Puri Masala Poori |Tikhi Puri is a spicy, slightly flaky, deep fried Gujarati flatbread that is usually enjoyed as breakfast or travel food with masala tea, mango pickle called chundo or any other pickle. A Typical Gujarati Breakfast Option In fact, go to any typical Gujarati family for breakfast on weekends and masala puri or tikhi puri with sugary masala tea will surely be served to you. Actually, the younger Gujarati generation usually do not make them as they prefer to shy away from fried stuff. However, they do relish them when someone else has made them.Besides masala tea, these pooris are enjoyed with chundo, a sweet mango pickle or gor keri, another type of mango pickle. Two Types Of Masala…
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Continue ReadingVaghareli Rotli Vaghareli Rotli is an easy, quick snack or light meal prepared from leftover rotli/roti, yogurt and spices. Remembering my Mum My mum was a very good cook where traditional Gujarati dishes were concerned. Actually, can’t remember her ever wanting to try out the new western dishes like pizza, tacos, burgers etc. Instead, she left that to my kaki (aunt) and me to try out during the weekends. One of my mum’s dishes loved by all was vaghareli rotli. Best ever comfort food for my siblings and cousins. All of us have tried to make it like mum’s but there is still something missing. I think its simply the love that she added. This simple dish is a popular meal in our household. Some…
