Qurma The goodness of vegetables, a taste that is not like the ordinary and a dish that saves my skin on many occasions. When I don’t know what to cook for dinner or I am one dish away from finalizing the menu for a party this Qurma is what comes to the rescue. I have…
Category: AtoZChallenge
P is for…Pootharekulu #AtoZChallenge
Pootharekulu Putarekulu, or Poothareku as is it also known as, is the most unusual sweet I have ever seen or eaten. The origins of this sweet can be found in Atreyapuram, a village in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, in the Southern region of India. A particular Rice Batter, Powdered Sugar and Ghee…
O is for… Obbattu #AtoZChallenge
Obbattu. Holige, Parpu Poli. Bobbatlu. Bobattu or Puran Poli as I know it as, from growing up in Bombay. Many names, slight variations in the recipe and just the same deliciousness! Obbattu is a delicious Roti/Flatbread stuffed plump with a mix of cooked Chana Dal and Jaggery with hints of powdered cardamom making a…
N is for … Nolen Gurer Jolbhara Sandesh #AtoZChallenge
Nolen Gurer Jolbhara Sandesh Nolen Gurer is Date Palm Jaggery. The winter months from November to February are what I used to eagerly await, as those are the months that West Bengal produces Date Palm Jaggery. Technology is a boon though, as these days Nolen Gurer Mishti’s (sweets) are available all year round. The taste…
M is for… #AtoZChallenge
Meethe Chawal The literal translation of Meethe Chawal is Sweet Rice and they were cooked at home often when I was growing up. Whenever there was an occasion worth celebrating, or occasions were created when there were none, we had Meethe Chawal on the table. And in a joint family of 12 + people there…
L is for… #AtoZChallenge
Langcha I call Langcha the ‘Amitabh Bachchan of Jamuns’ as unlike it’s round, softer North Indian cousin, the Gulab Jamun, the cylindrical Bengali Sweet Langcha stands tall and slim. The texture differs too, as it is firmer and not swimming in syrup, even though it oozes with it. Bengali Sweets have a special…
K is for … #AtoZChallenge
If you’ve ever visited a Gurudwara and have been lucky enough to come back with a cupped palm full of the Halwa they serve as Prasad to the visitors, chances are you’ve tasted Karha Prasad or Kada Parshaad as it is also known as. This Wheat Flour Halwa got its name as it is…
J is for… #AtoZChallenge
Jackfruit Halwa I absolutely love Jackfruit! Isn’t it ironical how such an unattractive looking and cumbersome to cut through lump can hold such a delicious and fragrant fruit inside? Summer is the season of Jackfruits and I relish it in its various forms. When I saw Jackfruit Biryani on the menu on on our visit…
I is for… #AtoZChallenge
Iyengar Bakery style Toast Sandwich When we moved to Bangalore 3 years ago we discovered many interesting facets of this garden city. Iyengar Bakeries dotting it was one such facet. Each Iyengar Bakery has a different story of origin to share; while some claim that an Englishman, a regular customer, taught an Iyengar family to…
H is for… #AtoZChallenge
Handvo We’ve all eaten a cake at least once in our lifetimes. Tea cakes, cream cakes, fruit cakes, chocolate cakes and so on and so forth. How many of you though have eaten a savory cake, made up of vegetables, lentils, seasoned with spices and baked, making it a truly healthy snack or even…