…ely Khaman Dhokla which was prepared on a cart in a by lane on M.G.Road in Pune. There would be a large crowd each day awaiting their turn patiently for that awesome & irresistible plate of Khaman with the most delicious & mouth watering imli khajur chutney & spicy green coriander mint chutney. The plate of steaming hot Dhokla would be decorated generously with fresh grated coconut, fine nylon sev & fresh coriander leaves. Today’s…
…al is happening in your home! I use Goda Masala/Kala Masala very often. In Pune, we get very good quality and fresh Goda and Kala Masala which is easily available. Various Maharashtrian homemade masalas/spice blends prepared by my neighbours during the hot summer months especially the Goda and Kala Masalas, brings back those sweet childhood memories while I write this post. I remember distinctly two of my neighbours had the age old mortar & pe…
…eese was not available in the speciality stores. The weather conditions in Pune did give me a hard time with butter cream frosting but I was happy with the final look even though I had to do several rounds to the fridge & back. Above all, my experimentation with the red velvet paid off… the cupcakes just disappeared & I realized that my efforts were worth it! Just look at the pictures of the Red Velvet Cupcakes… Aren’t they gorgeous ? How…
…satisfying experience of Parsi food has been in ‘Jehangir Nursing Home’ in Pune before the hospital was taken over by ‘Apollo Hospitals.’ The hospital was run by the Parsi Trust. It lived up to its name… it was truly a home. The food served was of Five Star quality & would be served in style. You could actually feel like you are put up at a Five Star Hotel! The chefs there were amazing & the service was perfect. It never felt like a hospit…
…n. Classic pesto calls for pine nuts which is not very easily available in Pune. I had a big packet of walnuts and lots of fresh Basil which I used to make a large batch of pesto. I also buy a lot of pasta. I just go crazy over pasta when I shop at the super market. So when I thought of this recipe, I thought of using this refreshingly green pesto sauce with mini shell pasta. The pasta tasted so good in this pesto sauce. The texture and flavor was…
…heir natural form. We have an abundance of chikoos flooding the markets of Pune. To be healthy,it is always better to include fruits of the season in your regular diet. We relish milkshakes, ice creams and fruit salads, fruit pies, tarts, cakes, etc. throughout the year but make a conscious effort especially in summer. Throughout summer we try and include fresh fruit milkshakes, juices to help us cope with the heat. This definitely keeps us fresh…
…in the preparation. When the prawns are fresh, you hardly need spices. In Pune, I use the spices mentioned in the recipe but I must tell you, in Goa when we prepare it in our own home kitchen, all we need is a lot of onions, some green chillies, tomatoes, vinegar and just a dash of dry spices. Prawn Chilli Fry tastes awesome when piping hot and can be relished at breakfast, lunch, dinner or as a snack. It is a great appetizer to be served in cana…
…it down. I did not know that it was called Fugia… it was named Pom Pom! In Pune, I have not yet come across anyone selling Fugia, so I started making my own at home whenever my family feels like eating them. The technique used to make Fugia is a little difficult & needs good practice. I used a spoon to lift the batter & lower it in the wok/kadhai containing hot oil. Well, my fugias do not look very professional but they do turn out delicio…
…a rice & other preparations were just amazing. Above all, our good old Pune restaurants have always lived up to our expectations. My hubby and I never miss an opportunity to relish the South Indian rice preparations whenever we dine out. Lemon rice is so wholesome, nutritious and refreshing. If you are longing for some tangy food which also tastes yummy and prepared in a jiffy, then you can easily put your plain cooked rice/jeera rice to good…
…ho love this dish, we are no exception. There are many good restaurants in Pune who prepare this dish really well. Making an almost authentic, traditional Murg handi at home is an experience to be savored. It turns out well cooked in a clay pot over wood fire as the smoke gets infused in the gravy. But I cooked it in a clay pot on the gas stove and it turned out fabulous! It turns out equally good if cooked in a brass/copper pot. How about trying…