EVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY THEME: RECIPES WITH UMAMI RECIPE: PATATAS BRAVAS Patatas Bravas is simply potatoes in a spicy sauce. In fact, it is a popular Spanish potato dish that is served as tapas. Actually an easy recipe, Patatas Bravas can be served as an appetizer or as a snack. Incidentally, the umami for this dish comes from the tomato paste and the fresh tomato puree. What is Umami? Umami or savoriness is the fifth taste sense. As a matter of fact the other four are sweet, bitter, sour and saltiness. Umami in Japanese means ‘essence of deliciousness’. Scientifically, umami refers to tastes of glutamate, inosinate, or guanylate. Glutamate or glutamic acid is a common amino acid in vegetable and animal proteins. Inosinate is mainly found…
-
Continue ReadingRECIPE: BEETROOT VADA Beetroot Vada is a delicious, crunchy, spicy take on the traditional Sabudana Vada. Vada is fritters and in this case roasted or boiled beetroot is added to the traditional mashed potatoes, spices and soaked tapioca pearls mixture. Ideal snack option, for starters or as a part of a meal not only for fasting days but whenever you want to. While I’ve deep fried beetroot vada, you can by all means use an appe pan (aebliskiver pan) to make healthier versions or in an air fryer. The whole idea of adding beetroot to the traditional recipe came about when I had extra roasted beetroot in the fridge. I usually make sabudana vada on Ekadashi Fasting but wanted something different for a change. Serve…
-
Continue ReadingEVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY THEME: FOOD POETRY RECIPE: VEGAN THAI ICED TEA Vegan Thai Iced Tea is a creamy, refreshing and delicious beverage. What I like about this version of the authentic Thai Iced Tea is that it is not too sweet and is much lighter. Don’t get me wrong, I love the authentic one with sweetened condensed milk but cannot indulge in it on a regular basis. I’ve used coconut milk which adds a bit of the natural sweetness. As a result, the additional sweetener used is less. Street Food or rather Drink – Thai Iced Tea/ Cha Yen The Thai Iced Tea that is generally served on the streets of Thailand doesn’t have spices and usually is orangish in colour. The reason being…
-
Continue ReadingEVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY THEME: COOKING WITH CHILES RECIPE: MIRCHI KA SALAN What is Mirchi Ka Salan? Mirchi Ka Salan, is a slightly spicy, creamy and tangy curry that is usually served with biryani or any other rice dish. It also can be served with any Indian Flatbread like roti, paratha, naan. Mirchi Ka Salan is one of the popular traditional Hyderabadi dishes. Mirchi is the Hindi name for Chiles or Chillis and Salan refers to a curry. Some prepare a thin curry while others like a thick creamy one. Generally, for this dish we do not use any of the thin or round, more hot variety of chiles/chillis. If possible it is best to use the Bhavnagri Chillis. However, if you don’t get Bhavnagri…
-
Continue ReadingEVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY THEME: CHIPS RECIPE: KACHRI BATETA/ BABU KACHRI Kachri Bateta/ Babu Kachri Kachri Bateta/ Kachri Babu is a tangy, lip smacking spicy potato stew served with a dry coconut mango chutney and topped with ganthia and crushed potato crisps or chips. first publish on 20/05/2012, updated & republished on 14/03/2021 What is Kachri Bateta/ Kachri Babu? Kachri Bateta, also known as Kachri Babu is a famous street food from Mombasa. In fact, it’s believed that this dish is influenced both by the Swahili and Indian Cuisine. Probably, the potato stew is of Indian origin but addition of grated or minced raw mango to the stew is from the Swahili cuisine. Specifically, the topping of ganthia or thick sev and potato crisps is…
-
Continue ReadingEVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: CHUTNEYS RECIPE: GARLIC AND TOMATO CHUTNEY Garlic and Tomato Chutney, is a simple, spicy, packed with flavors, versatile homemade chutney. It can be enjoyed with any Indian Snack or Farsan as we call it in Gujarati. Or have it with your stuffed parathas, with millet flour flatbread, or as a base for sandwiches. This Garlic and Tomato Chutney brings back fond memories of my mum. Wondering why I didn’t have this chutney on my blog till now. I guess there is a specific time for everything. My mum loved dhokla and it had to be enjoyed with some garlic and tomato chutney. She learnt how to make this garlicky chutney from her friend Dolly Aunty. How Long Does The…
-
Continue ReadingEVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY THEME: ONE POT WONDERS RECIPE: MUJADDARA – LENTIL & RICE PILAF What is Mujaddara? Mujaddara is an inexpensive, gluten free, vegan, healthy, flavorful and filling main dish. The main flavour of this rice dish comes from the caramelized onions. It is usually served with a salad and some yogurt, hummus or tahini sauce. Mujaddara is a lentil and rice preparation or dish that is usually enjoyed as a main meal. Mujaddara in Arabic means “pockmarked” as the pilaf resembles pockmarks. Without meat, it’s considered as a poor man’s meal. Meat was added to the pilaf only during celebrations. Mujaddara is a popular dish all over the Middle East. However, there are variations depending on the area or region. The variations can range…
-
Continue ReadingChocolate Sesame Fudge Delectable, chocolatey and soft, Chocolate Sesame Fudge is a vegan take on the famous chocolate barfi or fudge. I replaced the ghee with olive oil. Also I have used homemade sesame seed paste. Not too sweet, Chocolate Sesame Fudge is different kind of sweet to enjoy during the Makar Sankranti festival. Don’t worry, the ‘must have’ sesame seeds and jaggery are included in the fudge. Happy Uttarayan/ Makar Sankranti/ Pongal Come fly a kite And watch it sail Across the sky, Waving its tail. By Jean Warren What is Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti Once again it Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti. Uttarayan is the Gujarati name for the festival celebrated all over…
-
Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #278 SPICE MIX SECRETS RECIPE: BIRYANI MASALA What is Biryani Masala? Biryani Masala is a blend of aromatic spices in varying proportion that are roasted and powdered. Biryani Masala is the spice powder or blend that is commonly used to add to biryani or rice dishes. Masala is the term used in the Indian SubContinent for spice blends or spice powders. To give any biryani dish that spicy, aromatic, exquisite, distinct taste adding Biryani Masala is a must. Here are some of the Biryanis that I add Homemade Biryani Masala to: Kabuli Chana Biryani/ Chickpea Biryani I add some whenever I prepare Heni’s Paneer Dum Biryani Egg Biryani Spice Blends, Spice Powders, Masalas, Podi Whatever the name used for…
-
Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #276 KIDS TREATS RECIPE: CARROT BLISS BALLS Carrot Bliss Balls Carrot Bliss Balls with flavors from ginger and cinnamon. Nuts, seeds, coconut, turmeric powder, oats, dates, carrots are added. These balls are not only nutritious but are healthy, full of fiber and free from processed sugar. The natural sweetness comes from the dates. What are Bliss Balls? Also known as energy balls or protein balls, these balls are made with ingredients that provide energy. Most ingredients like dates, nuts, other dried fruits are used. Sometimes other ingredients like seeds, oats, healthy flour, protein powder, healthy powders like maca, spirulina, baobab, ashwagandha, etc are added. It all depends on what one requires from the energy balls. They make ideal snack option, perfect for…
