Click here to like! Every part of India has a cuisine unique to the region. However, regardless of which part of India you come from, there are a few dishes whose variants exist across the board. One such dish is fried fritters. The North Indians call it pakoras/pakodas while the South Indians call it bhajji.Continue reading “Bhajji/Pakoda/Pakora”
Category Archives: Recipes
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”
Chibdel/Mogem
Click here to like! Called “mogem” in South Goa and “chibdel” in North Goa, this simple dessert is sure to leave you salivating. Mogem is a variety of melon found in Goa during the monsoons. It does not have much flavor but just a mild floral aroma and is mildly sweet. My favorite way toContinue reading “Chibdel/Mogem”
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”
Stuffed Mango Pickle
Click here to like! Summertime brings with it seasonal fruits. Of course, the king of them all is the mango! Like most of India, Goans also like to store this seasonal fruit for the rest of the year in many forms. The most popular of them all is the stuffed mango pickle. It is called bharille lonche orContinue reading “Stuffed Mango Pickle”
Spring Tres Leches Cake
Click here to like! Tres Leches Cake is a Mexican cake made with three types of milk. It is a sponge cake soaked with the goodness of whole, evaporated, and condensed milk which renders it soft and delicious! With it being spring, I wanted to pay a tribute to all the beautiful edible flowers andContinue reading “Spring Tres Leches Cake”
Saffron Baathk
Click here to like! Come Christmas, I would eagerly wait for the “kuswar” from friends and neighbors. “Kuswar” is a plate of food that has all the traditional desserts made during Christmas by the Goan Catholics. Everyone has their favorite kuswar item. But mine was the fruitcake and the baathk. Baathk is a semolina coconut cake. IContinue reading “Saffron Baathk”
Mango Caramel Pudding
Click here to like! Caramel pudding is a favorite in every Goan household. It is a staple at weddings and parties. My aunt, who I lovingly call Aai, makes the best pudding in my opinion. I spent most of my summer vacations with her. I remember sitting by the kitchen counter as she hand beat the eggs. TheContinue reading “Mango Caramel Pudding”
Laksa
Click here to like! The first time I had this soup was in Singapore. When you take a sip of this soup, there are so many flavors bursting in your mouth- sweet, spicy, sour, salty! Laksa is a hearty and healthy coconut based soup. This soup is served with a number of sides of freshContinue reading “Laksa”
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”
Grilled Chicken Wrapped In Betel Nut Leaf
Click here to like! Street food is something that brings back memories of college days for most of us. No matter which part of the World you are from, street food usually holds a special place in your life. It is an amalgamation of tastes; sweet, salty, sour, spicy, umami! With the simplest of ingredientsContinue reading “Grilled Chicken Wrapped In Betel Nut Leaf”
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”
Prawns Balchao
Click here to like! When I think of prawns balchao, I am reminded of my hostel days. I studied in Belgaum. Despite the lovely weather and fresh vegetables that Belgaum had to offer, one thing that it did not was fresh fish. So prawns balchao was a savior every time I missed home cooked food,Continue reading “Prawns Balchao”
Clementine Juice
Click here to like! I have always loved citrus fruits and clementines are my favorite! They have a taste that is not as sour as “santra” or as sweet as “mosambi”. I like the clementines as they have a little bit of both! Most people like to start their day with a glass of goodContinue reading “Clementine Juice”
Chocolate Cups with Avocado Mousse
Click here to like! I know the struggle of people who suffer from gluten intolerance. We miss out on many delicious desserts. I wanted to make a recipe that is healthy, delicious and beautiful for this Valentine’s day, besides being gluten free. The berries and dark chocolate are rich in antioxidants. Avocado and coconut oilContinue reading “Chocolate Cups with Avocado Mousse”
Hara Namak
Click here to like! Hara Namak translates to green salt! The first time I ate this delicious salt was at my friend Deepti’s place and I was blown away! It is just salt, what is the big deal, you may ask! Yes, it is salt, but it is salt packed with flavor. It enhances theContinue reading “Hara Namak”
Indian Scrambled Eggs: Bhurji
Click here to like! I loved eggs growing up. However, when I moved to the USA that changed fast. I hated eggs! I had tried them all, from organic to cage free, from fried to making curries! They just did not taste the same. They were stinky, huge and tasted horrible, to say the least.Continue reading “Indian Scrambled Eggs: Bhurji”
Chicken Xacuti
Click here to like! Chicken Xacuti is every Goan’s go to soul food. Chicken Xacuti takes me back to my living room couch where my brother and I would watch Tom and Jerry, Charlie Chaplin and Mowgli on a Sunday morning. No fighting for the remote back then because there was only one channel, theContinue reading “Chicken Xacuti”
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”
Boozy Black Forest Trifle
Click here to like! Who does not like black forest cakes! It is one of the most sold cakes in India. I, however, always detested store bought black forest cakes when I was a child. To some extent, I still do! The reason is simple. I ate black forest cakes way before they became famous.Continue reading “Boozy Black Forest Trifle”
Fatless Chocolate Sponge Cake
Click here to like! The fat-less sponge is the base for many desserts. You can use it in trifles and fresh cream cakes. There is no butter or oil used in this recipe and it is really easy to make! I have posted a vanilla sponge cake recipe in the past. This is very similarContinue reading “Fatless Chocolate Sponge Cake”
Serradura
Click here to like! A lot of Goan recipes have a Portuguese influence. Here is one such recipe. Serradura translates to saw dust. This super easy, yet super delicious, dessert is made with layers of flavored whipped cream and powdered Marie biscuits. The crushed biscuits resemble saw dust and hence the name. With the holidaysContinue reading “Serradura”
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”
Cashew Diyas
Click here to like! Cashew burfi is a favorite of many Indians. This sweet cashew fudge is really easy to make and I try to make it at least once a year. This year I decided to make Cashew Diyas instead. Beautifully decorated with food color, these diyas are absolutely delicious and will be aContinue reading “Cashew Diyas”
Chakri
Click here to like! Chakri is a famous Indian snack! The chakri in Goa is a little different from the rest of India. While the rest of India enjoys savory chakris, we Goans like our chakri a little on the sweeter side. We also add our beloved coconut and jaggery which enhances the taste ofContinue reading “Chakri”
Tikshe Fov
Click here to like! Diwali in Goa is all about different varieties of beaten rice. During Diwali, the markets are flooded with different kinds of beaten rice from red beaten rice to puffed beaten rice (fulayille fov). No Diwali faral is complete without tiskshe fov! This spicy, sweet, crispy treat is loved by adults andContinue reading “Tikshe Fov”
Rasmalai Cake
Click here to like! These days I see rasmalai cake pictures popping up all over social media. I am a big fan of rasmalai so I thought it would be great to try this recipe this Diwali. This soft delicious cake with a layer of rasmalai in between is definitely a crowd pleaser! Here isContinue reading “Rasmalai Cake”
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”
Motichoor Kulfi Layered Ice-cream
Click here to like! With Diwali fast approaching and so many festivities already in progress, I am getting my creative side out with desserts this year. We are meeting our friends for a “mehendi night” before Karvachauth. Hence, I decided to make dessert for all of us. In this dessert I attempt to combine my husband’sContinue reading “Motichoor Kulfi Layered Ice-cream”
Spiced Chicken Nuggets
Click here to like! Kids, now a days, love chicken nuggets. I hate processed food. The amount of salt and harmful chemicals used to preserve this kind of food makes me cringe. That being said, I have a husband who loves everything that is unhealthy and processed. When I married him, I remember the freezerContinue reading “Spiced Chicken Nuggets”
Chicken Lollipop
Click here to like! Indo-Chinese food is an Indian take on Chinese and is a popular street food throughout India. If you ask a Goan what is their favorite Indo Chinese food, I can tell you that there will mostly be only two answers “Chicken Lollipop” or “Chili Chicken”. Daddy would make chicken lollipop atContinue reading “Chicken Lollipop”
Godh/Sakhricho Chiwdo
Click here to like! A Goan Diwali is not complete without “fov” or beaten rice. The uniqueness of a Goan Diwali lies in the different kinds of preparations made from “fov”. Besides making fresh beaten rice recipes, Goans also make dry recipes ahead of time to serve to their guests during Diwali. One such recipeContinue reading “Godh/Sakhricho Chiwdo”
Chiwda
Click here to like! It is already time for Diwali, the festival of lights! People in Goa start preparing for this festival soon after Dusshera. The highlight of Diwali is the “faral” or different snacks that are served to guests. Chiwda (called chiwdo in Konkani) is a sweet and savory snack made with fried flatContinue reading “Chiwda”
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”
Himachali Mutton Rara
Click here to like! Himachal Pradesh is a scenic north-eastern state in India. The cuisine of this land was unknown to me until I made some Himachali friends. With a unique blend of spices their mouth-watering cuisine is definitely unexplored by the rest of India. There is lot that we are missing out on! HereContinue reading “Himachali Mutton Rara”