Category: Recipes
+ Bengali Food, Dubai, Kolkata, Recipes
Semaiya Kheer or Vermicelli Pudding to celebrate Eid
Childhood memories of Eid bring in the sweet taste of Semaiya Kheer or vermicelli pudding, also called Shemuiyer Payesh in Bengali. The shimuiyer payesh that I have eaten at most Bengali homes, is made much like the rice pudding. The shimuiyer payesh, however, is sweetened with sugar and Gur or jaggery is seldom used in it. It is also less dense. Here’s my easy recipe for the delicious festive dessert.
Kovalam Beach | Buying fish at the seashore and a recipe of Beer Battered Squid
Buying fresh fish from the fishermen straight off the seashore in Kovalam… this was kind of an ultimate ode to fish lovers like us. The warm glow of the rising sun, the fresh breeze and the excitement of the buyers added to the bustle of the morning. It was already 6:30am on a Saturday morning and we hurried. We had to reach Kovalam beach … Read More Kovalam Beach | Buying fish at the seashore and a recipe of Beer Battered Squid
Celebrating Pongal with Sakkarai Pongal and other dishes
Wishing you abundance and joy as new harvest is celebrated all across India. They may have different names… Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Maghi Bihu, Uttarayan, Lohri and others, but the intentions are the same. It’s a celebration of nature’s bounty and to her show gratitude. It also marks the sun’s transit to Capricorn, hence marking the end of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Needless to say, … Read More Celebrating Pongal with Sakkarai Pongal and other dishes
Chettinad Chicken cooked in a claypot
One of the most exciting ways of exploring and learning more about a region is through its regional cuisine. I cooked Chettinad Chicken in a claypot, an affair that I have been longing for a long time. It turned out to be delicious and I’m currently obsessing over everything about it… the aroma, the texture and the excitement of cooking in a claypot.
Homemade spicy Chicken 65 for today’s lunch
Getting into the Chennai groove with a homemade spicy Chicken 65 for today’s lunch. I made two variations of it – with and without gravy. This is probably the closest any of my blogposts have gotten real-time! My last blogpost was kind of very long as I belted my heart out into how we have settled down in Chennai. The behind-the-scenes activities started in … Read More Homemade spicy Chicken 65 for today’s lunch
Taler Bora or Palm Fruit Nuggets, if I may call them so
When Janmashtami or the annual celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna is in full swing, these fried mini Taler Boras make their entry… sweet – bitter – crunchy entry! My attempt at another futile translation… Taler Bora. Palm Fruit Nuggets? The last time when I translated Phulko Luchi to Bengali puffed-up flour flatbread, I was sure that some of Luchi’s crispiness and fluffiness got lost … Read More Taler Bora or Palm Fruit Nuggets, if I may call them so
+ Recipes
Lachha Paratha – Love and ghee in every layer
We made Lachha Parathas at home the other day. They turned out to be smoky, crispy and slightly flaky, just like they should be – only a bit less oily and slightly thicker. Making the multi layered Lachha Paratha at home was another feat. Much like making Acharuli, the boat-shaped Georgian cheese bread at home. Or perfecting the Awadhi style Kolkata Mutton Biryani. The … Read More Lachha Paratha – Love and ghee in every layer
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Grilled Eggplant in tempered spices | Big Z turned sixteen
This Grilled eggplant in tempered spices or Tadka Baigan was, as if a modern preparation with a desi soul, just like Big Z. Big Z turned sixteen… she was merely eight-year-old when my blog started! Today’s recipe is much like her, at least in temperament. Grilled Eggplant in tempered spices… baby eggplants in a spunky tadka of Indian spices. I used a mishmash of cooking … Read More Grilled Eggplant in tempered spices | Big Z turned sixteen
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Perfecting the legendary Kolkata Biryani at home
The potato in Kolkata Biryani is my favourite part of the dish. In this Awadhi style of cooking, the dum pukht technique allows the the aromatic juices from the mutton to ooze into the fine grains of rice. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. It’s certainly true in my case, but if I were to be specific about … Read More Perfecting the legendary Kolkata Biryani at home
Celebrating Eid with Binangkal – the Filipino version of Middle Eastern Leqaimat
Binangkals are deep-fried dough ball coated with sesame seeds and originates from the Philippines. They are quite similar to the regional favourite Leqaimats which are traditionally consumed during Iftar in the holy month of Ramadan, but less sweet. Eid Mubarak! I am sharing Lady M’s recipe of binangkal that I recently shared with Khaleej Times. Binangkals, according to me, are the Filipino version of … Read More Celebrating Eid with Binangkal – the Filipino version of Middle Eastern Leqaimat
Shubho Noboborsho – Makha Gurer Shondesh and other homemade Bengali sweets
I am sharing the recipe of Makha Gurer Shondesh – it’s pretty easy to make. Made from fresh homemade chhena (cottage cheese), this shondesh is called makha because it is simply kneaded until it is soft and not cooked. If you have shondesh moulds at home, they make pretty shapes too.
+ Recipes
Homemade Nutty Spreads – Almond, Cashew & Hazelnut
We made nutty spreads from almonds, cashew and hazelnuts over this weekend. Could homemade spreads actually turn out as good as they are made out to be? Oh, absolutely! All of them turned out rich, creamy and magnificently delicious. Specially, the cashew spread.
Thai Papaya Salad Recipe – Also reminiscing the Floating Market in Global Village
This is our favourite Som Tam or the Thai Green Papaya Salad … it’s a very easy recipe to stir up. I tweaked the recipe a bit from a fridge magnet that I had collected on my Thailand trip. Every time we make it at home, the familiar sights and sounds from the trip comes alive. Travelling to places – far away or even … Read More Thai Papaya Salad Recipe – Also reminiscing the Floating Market in Global Village
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Homemade Bread with Sprinkled Sesame – an ever evolving romance
Amongst all the things baked at home, nothing fills my heart with more gratitude and love than a freshly baked bread loaf just out of the oven. We love cooking different kinds of recipes – simple or elaborate. Inspiration in our kitchen comes from different cuisines, cultures, cookbooks and random recipe discoveries online. Sometimes the menu is influenced by our travels and at times, … Read More Homemade Bread with Sprinkled Sesame – an ever evolving romance
+ Recipes
Stuffed Chilli Spring Rolls – because a little spiciness in life is sweet
These crispy stuffed chilli spring rolls were part of my special birthday menu recently, an extended version of Lady M’s regular spring rolls.
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