Tambdi Bhaji

Click here to like! The Goan soil bears some unique fruits and vegetables. One such popular Goan vegetable is the “Tambdi Bhaji” or the Red Amaranth. Like most other vegetables in Goa, it is cooked with simple ingredients and spices and without any oil.  It is served as a part of a Goan fish curryContinue reading “Tambdi Bhaji”

Kadi

Click here to like! Every time I take a sip of this amazing kokum drink, I am transported back to my maternal grandma’s dining table. My mom is the oldest of 9 siblings. So you can imagine my grandma’s house filled with 15 grandkids during the summer holidays. As we sat for a meal inContinue reading “Kadi”

Hummus

Click here to like! I was introduced to Middle Eastern food by my husband who grew up in Kuwait. I absolutely love how they use fresh ingredients to make food packed with flavor! Middle Eastern food has simple seasonings, lots of herbs, grilled meats and of course, a lot of olive oil. Besides being deliciousContinue reading “Hummus”

Plantain Kadi

Click here to like! When the cold weather hits, you crave nothing more than soul food, food that gives you the feeling of warmth and familiarity. One of my favorite food is kadi chawal. Even though I am not a Punjabi or a Gujarathi there is something about this simple meal that makes you feelContinue reading “Plantain Kadi”

Cranberry Pickle

Click here to like! I am a big proponent of eating seasonal fruits and vegetables. There is a reason why they grow in a particular season and I truly believe that our body needs those ingredients at that particular time of the year. When in India, one of my favorite juices to drink used toContinue reading “Cranberry Pickle”

Alsaandhyaachya Paanachi Bhaji

Click here to like! When I am in Goa, I always like to visit the local markets. No, I don’t mean the regular vendors selling vegetables and fruits that are imported or from other parts of India, but the ones selling authentic Goan produce. Every time I visit, I realize how little I know aboutContinue reading “Alsaandhyaachya Paanachi Bhaji”

Mogyaache Pole

Click here to like! On my recent trip to Goa, there were plenty of “mogi” or melons at home. My mom did not know what to do with so many melons. So I decided why not try making pole (Goan dosa or a rice crepe) with them. I tried to take the traditional route ofContinue reading “Mogyaache Pole”

Ukkadille Gavaanche Modak

Click here to like! It is modak season again! The time of the year where Ganapathi Bappa comes home and in the bargain we get to eat a lot of delicious food! The most amazing thing about celebrating Chaturthi in Goa is that various seasonal vegetables are cooked at home to offer as prasad forContinue reading “Ukkadille Gavaanche Modak”

Pad Thai

Click here to like! Pad Thai translates to Thai Stir Fry! It is without a doubt one of the most popular takeout dishes. When we were in Thailand, there were stalls at every nook and corner serving Pad Thai. The aroma of the fragrant sauces filled the air as you walked down the streets ofContinue reading “Pad Thai”

Suran Methi Sabji

Click here to like! One famous vegetable in Goa is elephant yam, known as “suran” in Konkani. I absolutely love this vegetable when it is rava fried. However, I wanted to try something different with it this time. With the month of Shravan coming up, Goan Hindus look for alternate vegetarian recipes without onion and garlic.  This isContinue reading “Suran Methi Sabji”

Ukkodilli Bhikna

Click here to like! I believe much of my love for fresh food and new ingredients comes from my mother. She is always on the lookout for different kinds of fruits and vegetables when she shops and travels.  She instilled in me a curiosity for new ingredients and cooking them in the simplest of ways. TodayContinue reading “Ukkodilli Bhikna”

Dalicho Ros

Click here to like! Goan monsoons bring multiple seasonal fruits with them. Jackfruit is one such fruit. Everyone enjoys diving into its gooey sweet goodness. But Goans have figured out ways to use the seeds as well. Most people like to boil them and eat them as a snack with their afternoon tea, while others addContinue reading “Dalicho Ros”

Ukkadilli Tandlam Godh Bhakri

Click here to like! Today is Makarsankranthi. It is supposed to be the coldest night of the year and marks the end of winter. A lot of customs surrounding this festival reflect that. Black is not considered a very auspicious color, however, on this day ladies wear black sarees in some parts of India. BeingContinue reading “Ukkadilli Tandlam Godh Bhakri”

Shrikhand Tilgul Parfait

Click here to like! “Tilgul ghyaa godh godh bola” translates to “have some sesame seeds and jaggery, and speak sweet words”. It is that time of the year again when you will hear ladies greeting each other with this sweet greeting while exchanging “vayn” and tilgul. It is Makarsankranthi time! Back in the day, women wouldContinue reading “Shrikhand Tilgul Parfait”

Kulitha Caldo

Click here to like! Happy New Year, everyone! I hate to start my first post this year with this recipe! But a part of me is happy too. Let me explain. New year, unfortunately, bring the flu season with it! My husband is feeling a little under the weather. So here I was, on theContinue reading “Kulitha Caldo”

Aalepak Pohe

Click here to like! Aalepak Pohe, The name itself brings back so many memories! I studied in Belgaum, where this happens to be a popular street food. After our rural postings, we would ask the driver to take us to one of the local stalls where this delicacy was served! We had so many greatContinue reading “Aalepak Pohe”

Persimmon Arugula Salad with Mango Balsamic Dressing

Click here to like! One fruit that is available in plenty during the fall is the persimmon. Native to China, this fruit has definitely started to conquer the taste buds across the world. I was first introduced to this fruit when I moved to the USA. I remember asking a close friend of mine, Lana,Continue reading “Persimmon Arugula Salad with Mango Balsamic Dressing”

Butternut Squash Soup

Click here to like! If I have not said it enough, I say it again, I love fall! With the nights getting colder and days shorter, there is nothing I long for more than a warm bowl of soup at the end of the day. Fall brings with it different kinds of squashes. One ofContinue reading “Butternut Squash Soup”

Squash Bhakri

Click here to like! It is currently fall here in the USA, my favorite season. Fall brings with it different kinds of squash and pumpkins. I love to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables. Besides being healthy to be eaten at their peak seasons, they are delicious! Growing up I hated pumpkins and anything belonging toContinue reading “Squash Bhakri”

Mushroom Stuffed Mutlyo

Click here to like! This is another recipe that was invented for the mystery box challenge at Traditional Goan Foodies! I managed to use all 5 mystery ingredients in this recipe – green chilies, plantains, star anise, mushrooms and kokum. Mutlyo is a Goan snack which is made with parboiled rice covering and usually aContinue reading “Mushroom Stuffed Mutlyo”

Kelyache Fov

Click here to like! This recipe was invented for a mystery box challenge in one of my favorite facebook groups, Traditional Goan Foodies! I managed to use 4 out of the 5 mystery ingredients in this recipe – green chilies, plantains, star anise and tamarind. I absolutely love plantains and they are so much healthierContinue reading “Kelyache Fov”

Churmo

Click here to like! Churmo! Ah! The name itself makes my mouth water! Be it Diwali or Ganesh Chaturthi, one thing I always asked Mummy to make was churmo. I have tried churmo made with cornflakes, the ones sold in stores, the ones made by my relatives and then there are the quick versions. However,Continue reading “Churmo”

Goan Style Appe

Click here to like! Appe are a Maharastrian dish. These are usually made with a batter made from rice and urad dal, mixed with vegetables of your choice and a tempering of cumin and curry leaves. In Goa, the rice bhakari is a popular breakfast item. I once had some left over rice bhakari flourContinue reading “Goan Style Appe”

Mini Dahi Wada

Click here to like! My husband asked me if dahi wada was dessert or an appetizer. Truly, I am not sure. It is a popular street food so it can come under the category of chaat. However, I also remember eating it at the end of a meal at weddings so I guess it couldContinue reading “Mini Dahi Wada”

Paan Bites

Click here to like! Paan translates to leaf in English. If you are Indian, you will immediately think of the delicious, sweet mouth freshener and digestive eaten at the end of a meal when someone says paan. The leaf used to make this delicacy is a betel nut leaf. When chewed this leaf renders aContinue reading “Paan Bites”

Sanoriyo

Click here to like! Sanoriyo is a long-lost Goan recipe which I am trying to revive. When you think of parathas you usually think of North India. Parathas are stuffed flat bread and are a popular breakfast item in North India. Turns out Goa had its own take on parathas. Of course, we had toContinue reading “Sanoriyo”

Nallacho Ros

Click here to like! Goa is blessed with coconut trees. We, Goans, use coconut in almost all our food from breakfast to lunch to desserts. Coconut milk is freshly squeezed at home to make curries, kadi or ros.  When milk is squeezed out of the coconut, the first round of thick coconut milk is calledContinue reading “Nallacho Ros”

Plantain Cutlets

Click here to like! Plantains belong to the banana family. They are rich in fiber, nutrients and minerals. Unlike bananas, plantains are usually infused with savory flavors. I, personally, do not like potatoes. Hence, I keep looking for substitutes for potatoes in my recipes. Growing up cutlets were one of my favorite tea time snack.Continue reading “Plantain Cutlets”

Seaweed Salad

Click here to like! Coming to America has really expanded my palate. It has given me an opportunity to try foods from all over the world. Korean food is among one of my top 5 favorite cuisines. It amazes me how they manage to pack so much flavor into their dishes with simple ingredients andContinue reading “Seaweed Salad”

Aambadyaache Lonche

Click here to like! Hog Plum, known as “aambade” in Goa, is a sour fruit that grows in bunches. These are usually in season during the monsoons and through the beginning of winter. However, we Goans love to enjoy our fruits even when out of season. One way to do this is to make pickles,Continue reading “Aambadyaache Lonche”

Aambadyaache Godh Lonche

Click here to like! Hog Plum, known as “aambade” in Goa, is a sour fruit that grows in bunches. These are usually in season during the monsoons and through the beginning of winter. However, we Goans love to enjoy our fruits even when out of season. One way to do this is to make pickles.Continue reading “Aambadyaache Godh Lonche”

Aambadyaachi Uddamethi

Click here to like! Hog Plum, known as “aambade” in Goa, is a sour fruit that grows in bunches. These are usually in season during the monsoons and through the beginning of winter. Aambadyaachi Uddamethi is a mildly spiced recipe made in a coconut based gravy. Uddamethi is a recipe which uses urad dal andContinue reading “Aambadyaachi Uddamethi”

Aambadyaachi Korom

Click here to like! Hog Plum, known as “aambade” in Goa, is a sour fruit that grows in bunches. These are usually in season during the monsoons and through the beginning of winter. Recipes made using aambade are on the menu during Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali. Aambadyaachi Korom is one such recipe. During Diwali, thisContinue reading “Aambadyaachi Korom”

Kholaantle Aambade

Click here to like! Hog Plum, known as “aambade” in Goa, is a sour fruit that grows in bunches. These are usually in season during the monsoons and through the beginning of winter. Recipes made from aambade are on the menu during Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali. We Goans love to enjoy our fruits even whenContinue reading “Kholaantle Aambade”

Brinjal Kadai Fry

Click here to like! Brinjal/Eggplant is a vegetable with no flavor. Hence, it serves as a great means for cooking because it acts like a sponge! You can add any combinations of spices and it will soak the flavors to produce something absolutely mouth-watering. Brinjal kadai fry is a way that I like to useContinue reading “Brinjal Kadai Fry”

Dhavi Bhaji

Click here to like! “Dhavi Bhaji” is a Goan name for Amaranth. It is a kind of green leafy vegetable which is very famous in Goa. The red amaranth or tambdi bhaji is the more popular variant. I am unsure of how the name “dhavi bhaji” came into being. Dhavi means white, and this vegetableContinue reading “Dhavi Bhaji”

Rava Ladoo

Click here to like! I believe ladoos are every Indian kid’s favorite treat! Most of us have memories where we were not rewarded for good work with chocolate but rather with homemade happiness that came in a spherical shape. Rava ladoos are one of my favorites! They are easy to make. If you do notContinue reading “Rava Ladoo”

Gongura Potatoes

Click here to like! I love working with new ingredients! New vegetables and fruits that I come across excite me and evoke my creativity in the kitchen. I was introduced to Gongura when I came to USA. It is a well known vegetable used in Andhra cooking. They use the leaves to make pickle, muttonContinue reading “Gongura Potatoes”

Kaju Tonak

Click here to like! Cashews are knows as “kaju” in Konkani. The cashew has a fleshy juicy top which is the actual fruit called the “cashew apple”. The seed at the bottom is the cashew nut that most of us are familiar with. In the summer time in Goa, you will find raw cashew nutsContinue reading “Kaju Tonak”

Gavaanchi Bhakri

Click here to like! Gavaanchi Bhakri is a thick pancake made with bulgar wheat and wheat flour especially during a fast in Goa. Traditionally, this bhakri was made by laying a banana leaf on the pan first and then spreading the dough on top of it. Banana leaves are believed to have great health benefits,Continue reading “Gavaanchi Bhakri”

Kangaanche Ghons

Click here to like! Kangaache Ghons are noodle or nest like papads made with local Goan sweet potatoes, called kangaa. These sweet potatoes have a starchy texture and  have few strings in their flesh. They are key to making this recipe because other types of sweet potatoes may have a stringy texture which interferes withContinue reading “Kangaanche Ghons”

Vodyo

Click here to like! Vodyo, are small, dried nuggets (if you will) made with ash gourd (known as Kuvalo in Konkani) and urad dal mixed with spices. Ash gourd is usually available in the months of December through January in Goa. These are made in most Goan Hindu homes during winter. Since they last aroundContinue reading “Vodyo”