EVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #268 TROPICAL COCONUT RECIPE: HAUPIA – HAWAIIAN COCONUT DESSERT What is Haupia? It should be noted that Haupia pronounced as how-pee -ah, is a traditional Hawaiian Coconut Dessert. Basically, this recipe requires only four ingredients, coconut milk, sugar, cornflour (cornstarch) and water. Indeed, that all. On top of that, the dessert gets cooked within 10 minutes. However, patience is required to allow haupia to set and chill. But, take it from me, haupia at room temperature tastes different. Therefore, if you love custard then you’ll definitely love haupia. Haupia Variations Actually, Haupia is enjoyed on its own. However, nowadays there are so many variations to the basic recipe. Its used to make the following: Haupia Pie Chocolate is added to the basic…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: MEXICAN FOOD RECIPE: MEXICAN MOLLETE What is Mexican Mollete? Before we go into any other details let’s get the explanation of what is a Mexican Mollete out of the way. Basically, we all know that Mexico was colonized by the Spanish. So technically the word Mollete is Spanish word for a type of bread. However, in the Mexican Cuisine its an open faced sandwich. As we all know that the Spanish do not pronounce ‘LL’ as we do in ball. Double LL becomes Y. Therefore Mollete is pronounced as Mo – ya -te. Traditional Mexican Cuisine Authentic Mexican Cuisine followed by the Mayan Indians was healthy and nutritious as they believed in living off the land. Using naturally found ingredients…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #266 EXOTIC SAFFRON RECIPE: SAFFRON TAPIOCA PUDDING What is Saffron Tapioca Pudding? Saffron Tapioca Pudding is a sweet dish prepared by cooking soaked tapioca pearls or sabudana in milk till it becomes thick. The pudding can be enjoyed hot or cold. Once the tapioca pearls are soaked well enough making this pudding is very easy. I generally soak them for 4 – 6 hours in plain water. Adding saffron is optional but I’m a huge fan of saffron so look for any opportunity to use it whenever I can. What is Tapioca Pearls? Known as tapioca pearls as they look like little tiny pearls or sabudana. Dana in Hindi means small round beads or grains. They also go by the name of…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #265 EMIRATI EATS RECIPE: BATHEET What is Batheeth? Nothing can be so full of dates than this sweet, sugar free, easy to prepare Batheeth. Batheeth is a traditional Emirati dessert made from date paste, wheat flour, spices, and nuts. It is usually served in the ball form or in the crumb style. Its usually served with the traditional Gahwa or Arabic Coffee. Some call it a no cook cookie but to me it doesn’t look like a cookie at all. The texture is more like a wheat halwa that we make. Whatever, its called, hubby dear throughly loved it as its sugar free. The warm flavour of ginger powder, aromatic flavour of cardamom, the nuttiness from wheat flour, crunch from sesame…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: A- Z RECIPE CHALLENGE THEME : AN INGREDIENT BEGINNING WITH THE LETTER P Persimmon Salsa A different flavored salsa that can be enjoyed with some tortilla chips or simply relish it as a refreshing salad. What is Persimmon? Persimmon also known as Sharon Fruit, this tomato shaped fruit is actually a berry. Yes, a huge berry. Mostly persimmon is an autumn fruit. There are two varieties of persimmon – the more astringent one hachiya variety and the non astringent fuyu. The hachiya variety you need to wait till it ripens fully to enjoy the sweetness of the pulp or jelly like flesh. The fuyu one can be eaten like an apple and the flesh is a bit more firm. What is a Salsa?…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #259 FRUITY BITES RECIPE : KNICKERBOCKER GLORY This Week’s Theme on FoodieMonday/Bloghop Group: This week, the group has to use fresh fruits to create or make a dessert. When Archana who blogs at The Mad Scientists Kitchen suggested this theme, I knew I wanted to re create desserts that are associated with my childhood. As for Archana’s blog, most of her posts either for Indian or International Cuisine are fun to read as she tends to include a lot of information associated to the recipe. What is Knickerbocker Glory? If you search in any dictionary, knickerbockers are loose fitting short trousers which are gathered at the knees. It is believed that these type of trousers were worn by Dutch Settlers who went…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY THEME: STEAMED FOOD VEGETARIAN BAO BUNS What are Bao Buns? The first time I saw the Bao Buns was at the lounge of the Taiwan International Airport. Hubby and I were in transit and it was lunch time. A huge buffet was spread out and bao buns were among them. However, all the fillings were non veg. I took one plain one to taste and liked it. These steamed treats are super healthy and the best part is that one can use any filling. Traditionally a Chinese dish, the popular filling is pork belly. I searched several recipes to find what would work for me. Finally, I decided to use mushrooms as my main filling. A bit about the group: Members…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #222 MYSTIQUE MEDITERRANEAN What are Vegetarian Chickpea Gyros? Vegetarian Chickpea Gyros, so delicious, healthy and unbelievably easy to make at home from scratch. Usually Gyros have a meat filling. In fact, these Vegetarian Chickpea Gyros are a great alternate for vegetarians, are filling and perfect for picnics, garden parties or as a main meal any time of the day. What Are Gyros? Gyros, pronounced as ‘eeyros’ is a Greek popular street food which is like a sandwich but served on a flat pita bread. The fillings range from chicken, lamb to vegetables. For a vegetarian version, roasted vegetables, chickpeas, pulled jackfruit are used. Actually, let your imagination run riot and use any of your favorite filling. Meat or veggie is usually…
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Continue ReadingEVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME: #212 SALAD STORIES RECIPE: GREEK SALAD/HORIATIKI What is Greek Salad/Horiatiki? Greek Salad/Horiatiki is a simple refreshing salad with simple ingredients and a dressing. When garden tomatoes ripen a simple Greek Salad or Horiatiki is prepared to enjoy everyday. Also known as Horiatiki Salata, horio means village. So horiatiki means village or peasant salad. Probably the origin of this salad is from the rural areas. It is a popular salad made all over Greece during summer time. Just as the Greek don’t get tired of eating this salad, I too don’t get tired of it. Whenever, I’m able to get feta and baby tomatoes, the first thing I think of is Greek Salad/Horiatiki. What are Salads? Salads, what are salads? Salads are a combination…
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Continue ReadingFruit and Nut Granola is a healthy and delightful breakfast. Crunchy nuts, chewy fruits and aromatic spices all wake up the senses in the morning. Let Us Clear The Term Dry Fruits/Dried Fruits There is a lot of confusion over this term when it comes to India or rather the Indian Sub Continent. You see there, they refer to dried fruits and nuts as dry fruits. So if you say dry fruits to them, it means all varieties of dried fruits and nuts. Some also include seeds. For the rest of the world dry fruits is fruit that is dried. And nuts is a different category. Theme: Nutty Nut As I was thinking what to make using both nuts and dried fruits, something healthy…
