…r popular sweet/mithai which is prepared to celebrate festive occasions in India. Chandra means “Moon’ and Kala means “Art”. The finished pastry with the encased or sandwiched filling resembles the moon. You can even fold it into a half moon just like you would a gujiya, karanji or nevri. The edges of the stuffed pastry are folded artistically to make it look dainty and gorgeous hence the name Chandrakala or Artistic Moon! Many feel Chandrakala an…
…s Adrak in Hindi and Ale in Marathi. It is used as a spice and medicine in India since the Vedic period. Ginger contains vitamin A, small amounts of vitamin B complex and vitamin C. It also has minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron and amino acids. It has natural benefits and is of great culinary value. Ginger is extensively used in home remedies; especially in treating cold and cough. When I was a little girl I would look forward to this ginger…
…l makes it very tasty. Most of us are aware that in the coastal regions of India, coconut oil is still used in traditional cooking. Today’s recipe of Tamdi Bhaji, is nutritious. To retain the right amount of moisture and bite, allow it to cook in its own steam. This is my hubby’s ever favorite vegetable and he likes to eat it without any accompaniments… just like a salad! Whichever way you may choose, I must say it is delicious. Those who know, wi…
…cool drinks. One of the most cooling and satisfying drinks is Lassi. North India especially Punjab is famous for buttermilk and lassi. Almost every Punjabi household in the villages will have their own cows and every morning enjoy the fresh dairy produce, namely, freshly churned butter, buttermilk, curds and the ever popular sweet or salty lassi. The typical traditional lassi is usually served with a huge dollop of clotted cream (balai) in tall br…
Carrots are the most popular root vegetable all over the world. In India, they are known as Gajar. Most of us are familiar and love orange carrots but they are also cultivated and sold in beautiful colors viz. red, purple, white and yellow. Carrots are used in cooking, baking, roasting, grilling, in salads, etc. Many do not love carrots in savouries but prefer them in sweets and cakes. If you like salad and savouries then you could try my popula…
Butter Cake Tarts which are popularly known as “Vati Cake”in India was one of my childhood favorites. I particularly liked this shortcrust pastry lined cake which would be packed in my school short break tiffin and many a time enjoyed at tea time too. Simple plain vatis(bowls) made of aluminium were used to mould these cute little tea cakes into tarts. I am not fond of tutti frutti but loved to admire these colorful bits in the simple vanilla fl…
…rieties and colors of beetroot but the red beetroot is easily available in India. Beetroot along with its leaves are edible and you can use your creativity to prepare a wide range of attractive savory and sweets with it. Today’s recipe is the popular Beetroot Barfi / Burfi. I actually made this barfi for Valentine’s day a long time ago and it remained in the drafts until now. I have been irregular with my postings as priority has been my health. W…
Kachoris are popular all over India. They taste delicious with a cup of tea or coffee. Kachoris are versatile and can be enjoyed at breakfast, as a mid morning snack or at tea time. There are some people who like to make it their lunch or dinner. They taste wonderful as an assembled chaat and can be served as mini snacks or finger eats at all celebration parties. They make excellent travel food as well as dry working lunch. There are so many var…
…e, I did want to post her other favorites especially her all-time favorite Indian sweets (mithai and candy) which she never got tired of! On second thoughts, I now realize that the mithai and candy she loved so much was never prepared at home! They were always store bought ones. I did get an opportunity to observe the process of mithai making in open kitchens set up during weddings and pujas and made them but not the Agra Petha. A few years ago, I…
…Swirl Cheesecake. We all know that fresh blueberries are not available in India and I have not yet seen fresh ones in Pune. If you do, please let me know. I have used dry blueberries and blueberry crush for this cheesecake. It turned out really well and made it a celebratory cake for my 5th Blog Anniversary. It is a pleasure to share all the lovely food that excites me; especially all the Goan food that we relish each day and with enthusiasm look…