Yearly Archives: 2021

Amla (Indian Goosberry) Saar Rasam


The taste of Indian Amla is sour, bitter and astringent, and it is quite fibrous.  According to Ayurveda, amla fruit is sour (amla) and astringent (kashaya) in taste (rasa), with sweet (madhura), bitter (tikta) and pungent (katu) secondary tastes (anurasas). Its qualities (gunas) are light (laghu) and dry (ruksha), the postdigestive effect (vipaka) is sweet (madhura) and its energy (virya) is cooling (shita). Source Wikipedia

These fruits are reputed to contain high amounts of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). 

Ingredients

  • 6 Gooseberries
  • 1 Tomato
  • 2 tsp. Peppercorns
  • 1 tsp. Cumin seeds
  • 1 pc. Ginger
  • 4 to 5 flakes garlic (optional)
  • 1 green chilli (optional)
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 2 red chillies
  • ½ tsp. mustard seeds
  • 2 tbsp. coconut oil
  • ¼ tsp. turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp. salt or to taste
  • 2 tbsp. coriander leaves

Wash and deseed the amlas.  Wash the tomato, chop and keep aside. Grind the peppercorns and cumin to a powder. Remove and set aside.  To the same jar add the amlas, garlic, ginger, green chilli and grind to a paste adding some water.

Take oil in a vessel and add the ustard seeds, when they splutter add the curry leaves and red chilies, saute for a few seconds, then add the pepper and cumin powder and the chopped tomatoes and add ¼ cup water to cook the tomatoes and to avoid spice powders from burning.  When the tomatoes are soft add the amla paste, sufficient water 1 to 2 cups as per desired consistency, salt, turmeric powder and bring to a boil.  Reduce flame and cook 10 minutes.  Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.  Serve hot as soup or with plain steamed rice.  An excellent winter preparation due to its high vitamin C content.

Angel Wings – Phenori


Ingredients

2 cups All purpose flour (maida)

½ cup icing sugar

½ tsp. salt

1 egg

3 tbsp. ghee

3 tbsp. custard powder

Oil for frying

Mix the flour, sugar, salt and egg together and knead with water or coconut milk if you prefer, to a smooth pliable dough. Leave to rest for atleast half hour.

In a separate bowl add the ghee and custard powder and mix to a smooth paste. Set aside.

Divide the dough into equal portions.  Dust each portion with flour and roll into a circular disk as thin as possible.  Apply a tablespoon of the custard paste and spread it thinly over the top of the disk.  Form into a cylindrical roll as compact as possible.  Then cut into one inch pieces.  Take one cut piece and place vertically on the board with the cut side facing up and roll as thin as possible, dusting with flour if required.  Repeat till all the dough is used up.  Heat oil, when hot enough reduce flame to low.  Before adding to the oil, pull the two edges of the phenori gently and stretch it slightly to elongate it.  When fried the phenori resembles angel wings. Add the phenori to the hot oil in batches till slightly brown and crisp.

Dust with icing sugar and serve immediately.  Store in airtight containers when cool.

Gulliyo Deep Fried Marbles


Christmas Sweets – Kuswar

Gulliyo – Deep fried Marbles

I always wanted to try out ‘Gulliyo’ but not sure why I waited so long.  They turned out delicious, crisp and crunchy. You will enjoy eating this sweet. However, Guliyo does not store very well in airtight containers because they tend to soften making them a bit chewy.  So the best way is to make and serve immediately or store in a box and deep fry briefly before serving.  A delightful Mangalorean Kuswar item!

Ingredients

1 cup Basmati rice

1 cup Boiled rice (I used Goa rice)

1 cup coconut milk

1 cup jaggery, or to taste

6 to 8 cardamoms

½ tsp. Salt

Oil for frying

Wash and soak the rice for atleast 5 hours.  Drain and grind to a thick smooth paste with the jaggery, cardamoms, salt adding as much coconut milk as required.  Batter may become watery due to adding extra coconut milk to run the mixer, but no worries.  After the batter is nice and fine and smooth, transfer to a ceramic or glass bowl and microwave at ½ minute intervals and stir to mix well. Then put it back in the microwave till you get a firm dough and you can form a ball on the palm of your hand.  Knead well.  Form into marble sized balls.  Heat oil for deep frying and fry in batches on medium low heat till brown and crisp. Don’t make hem too dark as they will turn out hard.  They should be crunchy and crisp.

Rice Kokisam Rose Cookies


Christmas Sweets Kuswar

Rice Kokisam/Rose Cookies

Made with soaked and ground rice, turns out extra crisp, crunchy and delicious.

A great gluten free recipe!!

2 cups rice (basmati)

¼ cup sugar or to taste

½ tsp. salt

2 eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla essence

2 to 3 drops yellow food color or some kesar (saffron)

1 cup coconut milk or as required

Soak rice for atleast 6 hours and grind to a smooth paste with the coconut milk. The paste should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. In a bowl whisk the eggs and add the sugar and whisk till sugar dissolves. Add the salt and vanilla essence and mix, add the ground rice and mix thoroughly. Add the color or kesar and mix well. The batter should be fairly thick of pouring consistency. Heat oil in a kadai, then reduce heat and place the rose cookies’ mold in the oil and heat for 5 minutes. Then dip the mold in the batter. Make sure the batter does not cover the top. Immediately transfer the mold into the oil and the rose cookie will loosen and release into the oil. If it sticks to the mold then the mold must be too hot or not heated enough. Fry the rose cookies till the oil stops bubbling round it. Turn fry a little, drain and remove. Don’t let them brown. Will be soft even though fried fully but will harden when cool. Place in a tray lined with absorbent paper, upside down and flat on an even surface to retain the shape. Cool and store in airtight containers.

Aloo-Salaad Anarkali


A spiced and tart potato salad garnished with fresh pomegranate. Easily doubles-up as a healthy ‘Chaat’ to have with a steaming cup of tea!  Serve as a stater appetizer, accompaniment, salad or as a snack! A versatile dish that can be served in so many ways….

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup boiled potatoes, cut into

1 cup boiled Bengal gram/Chick Peas (if using canned used 400 gm. can, drained).

1/2 cup Pomegranate

1/2 cup mint leaves

1 medium onion

1 medium tomato

Dressing

Lemon juice

1 heaped tsp. Cumin powder

1 heaped tsp.. Chaat masala

3 to 5 tbsp. olive oil

Sal to taste

Pepper  or to taste (optional)

Boil 2 to 3 medium potatoes and cut into cubes. Mix the bengal gram, potatoes, pomegranate, cumin powder, chaat masala, oil and mix well and season with pepper and salt if required. Garnish with mint leaves, onion rings and tomatoes.  Serve as a salad, an accompaniment, a snack, appetiser or a starter.  Very versatile and can be served in so many ways.

Beef Jeerem Meerem


Beef Jeerem Meerem

Goan Beef Jeerem Meerem

Ingredients

  • 1 Kg. Boneless Beef
  • 2 green chillies
  • 10 cloves garlic
  • 1” pc. Ginger
  • 2 large onions
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 1 or 2 potatoes, as required (optional)
  • 2 tbsp. Jeerem Meerem powder
  • 1 tbsp. tamarind pulp
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp. ghee or oil
  • 1 tsp. Salt or to taste
  • ½ tsp sugar (optional)

Method

Clean and cut meat into cubes or slices.  Wash, drain and set aside.  Grind the ginger and garlic to a coarse paste.  Marinate the meat with the 1 tbsp. of the jeerem meerem powder, juice of lemon and salt. Keep aside for one hour atleast.

Slice the onions and tomatoes, slit the green chillies and cut the potatoes into cubes or wedges.  Heat oil I a vessel and fry the onions till light brown.  Add the ginger garlic paste and saute 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and fry till soft.  Reduce heat and add the remaining jeerem meerem powder and saute for a miunute.  Add beef and cook on high heat till meat changes color, reduce heat and cook till water evaporates.  Add the tamarind pulp and a cup of hot water, bring to a boil and cook 10 minutes.  Then lower heat and cook another 20  minutes till meat is tender.  Add the green chillies and potatoes and cook further 10 minutes till potatoes are cooked.  Check seasoning.  Add ½ tsp. sugar (optional) Usually this is a dry dish but you can add some hot water if you need to have some gravy and simmer till oil surfaces.  Served with Goan pulao (Aroz) or any bread of your choice.

GOA – Restaurant and Food review


When in Goa – these restaurants are a must try!!

Goa Restaurant and food review

6th to 12th November, 2021

Eight Restaurants- Awesome food!

Check out the food pictures and brief review.  As we are seafood lovers, most of the food ordered is seafood but also includes, pork, beef, etc.

The following restaurants were visited during our seven day say in Goa:-

  1. Copper Leaf, Porvorim
  2. Andron, Nachinola
  3. Fisherman’s Wharf, Naika Vaddo, Calangute
  4. Kismoor, Sangolda
  5. Souza Lobo, Calangute Beach
  6. Kokum Curry, Candolim
  7. Durrigo’s, Benaulim
  8. Kamalabai, Mapusa

Surati Papadi Bhaji


Papadi Bhaji – Surati Papdi vegetable (Lima Beans) Vaal Papadi or Sem

This is a winter vegetable in India and found in abundance in the winter season.  The Gujarati famous dish “Oondhiya” is usually made when surati papadi is in season. 

Ingredients

  • 250 gms. Surati Papadi
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 small tomatoes
  • 2 green chillies (optional)
  • 4 flakes garlic
  • ½ to 1 tsp chilli powder
  • ½ tsp. turmeric powder
  • ¼ tsp. garam masala powder
  • 1 tsp. salt or to taste
  • 1 medium potato (optional)
  • 1 tbsp. oil

Wash the papadi, drain.  String the beans by removing the head and the tail and the fibrous string on both sides of the beans.  Split open the papadi pods and remove the seeds and set aside. It is important to split them open because sometimes these beans are infested on the inside, discard the infested ones.  The split pods can be broken or cut into ½” to 1” inch sized pieces.  Sometimes the shells of the beans will be hard and are not edible, in such cases only the seeds are used for cooking.

Chop the onion and tomatoes, slice the garlic and tomatoes.  Heat oil and add the

Onion, garlic and chillies and fry till translucent.  Add the tomatoes and fry for minute.  Add the chilli, turmeric and garam masala powder, mix and add the vegetables and salt.  Add ¼ cup water and cook on high for 5 minutes.  Then add the potatoes if using, mix, cover and cook further 10 minutes till vegetables are cooked.

Stuffed Pomfret with green masala in Banana leaf


Delicious, succulent and moist Stuffed Pomfrest in mouth watering green masala and cooked iun banana leaf which prevents the fish from absorbing too much oil! Use stuffing of your choice, red, green or recheado masala. Recipe is from my mother’s book “Mais Recipes”. Get hold of your copy soon. Here is the link for details: https://cooklikececilia.com/mais-recipes-contact-details

Raw Banana Erussery


Banana Erussery   (Chena Vazhakkai Erissery)

Raw bananas have several health benefits so we always find new ways to add them to our diet.  This is a Kerala style preparation and one of the items on an Onam Sadya.  Referred to as Chena Vazhakkai Erissery or Ellisery, this is a simple dish with the use of fresh coconut, curry leaves and cumin seeds as the only ingredients for the gravy apart from onion, red chillies and garlic with some coconut for garnish. Yam, pumpkin and beans are also included as per personal preference.  I have added some pre-cooked jackfruit seeds. Enjoy with steamed rice or appams!

Ingredients

  • 3 large raw bananas
  • ½ cup boiled jackfruit seeds
  • ½ tsp. turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup fresh grated coconut
  • ½ tsp. black pepper (optional)
  • 1 tsp. cumin seeds
  • 2 sprigs curry leaves
  • ½ tsp. mustard seeds
  • 4 flakes garlic, cushed
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 4 to 6 small round red chillies (or 2 long chillies, broken into pieces)
  • 2 tbsp. oil
  • Peel the bananas and chop into small cubes.  Immerse in water till required.

Boil the banana pieces with turmeric and salt and 1 cup water.  Grind ½ the coconut, cumin and curry leaves to a paste adding water.  Add to the cooked bananas, mix and cook 5 minutes.  Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seed and when they pop add the crushed garlic and onion.  When light brown, add the remaining coconut and fry till nice and brown.  Add to the erussery (reserve some for garnish) and mix well. Remove to a serving dish and serve hot garnished with some fried onion coconut mixture.

Bombay Vegetable Sandwich


Famous Mumbai Street Food – One that is savoured by all and satiates the appetite instantly and provides comfort to the belly especially if you have been on the road for a few hours. Savour each bite of this crunchy, soft and tart sumptuous sandwich as a snack, which also doubles up as a quick lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 Loaf sliced Bread (Brown or white)
  • 2 cucumbers
  • 2 medium potatoes
  • 2 tomatoes
  • Salt as required
  • Pepper powder as required
  • Chaat masala (optional)
  • Roasted cumin powder (optional)
  • Butter
  • Green Chutney
  • Ketchup
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional)

For Green Chutney

  • 1 large bunch coriander leaves
  • 1 large bunch mint leaves
  • 4 to 6 green chillies
  • 1 lemon, juice
  • 1 tsp. salt or to taste
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • Grind to a paste, using as little water as possible.

Boil the potatoes, peel and slice thinly.  Wash the cucumbers and tomatoes.  Peel the cucumbers and slice thinly.  Peel the tomatoes, slice thinly.  Line half the sliced loaf on a board and apply butter, then green chutney.  Top with cucumber slices, then potato slices, ketchup (using the excess pouches that usually come with home delivery), then tomato slices.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and chaat masala/cumin powder if using.  Add the fresh basil, if you wish.  The butter the remaining half of the bread slices and cover the sandwich.  Also used the heel of the loaf, you can avoid if necessary.  Grill the sandwich briefly to barely toast the bread if you like.

Chicken Pickled Chops


An East Indian speciality.  The chicken is cooked in just 4 spices ground in vinegar alongwith almonds and raisins and the masala is sauteed in a substantial amount of onions which not only adds body to the gravy but also makes it immensely flavorful, spicy complemented with sweetnes of the raisins and tartness of vinegar!

Ingredients

  • 1 Chicken
  • 2” pc ginger
  • 1 whole head garlic
  • 1 tbsp. cumin seeds
  • 8 red chillies
  • 1 tbsp. Almonds (or cashewnuts)
  • 1 tbsp. raisins
  • ¼ cup Vinegar
  • 6 to 8 large onions
  • 1 tsp. salt or to taste
  • 2 tbsp. ghee

Cut the chicken in to suitable pieces, discard the skin, wash and drain.  Clean the garlic and ginger and grind alongwith cumin and red chillies to a paste with vinegar.  You can add a little water to get the contents moving in the grinder as excess vinegar could ruin the dish.  Clean the onions and cut into thick roundels. Heat a vessel and add the ghee, when hot add the onions and fry till light brown. Add the masala paste and saute till fat separates.  Then add the chicken, mix, cover and cook on medium 30 minutes till tender.  Stir at intervals.  After 30 minutes add the salt, mix and check seasoning.  Simmer for further 5 to 10 minutes till fat appears on the surface.  Serve hot with rice or fugias.

Fugias


The recipe was given to me by my sister, which happens to be her in-laws family recipe, passed on to her by her Mother-in-law.  An East Indian traditional dish, mandatory at weddings and festive occasions.  Served with Sorpatel, Vindaloo or any spicy curry.  I have paired it with Chicken Pickled Chops, another East Indian preparation!

Ingredients

  • 500 gms.flour (maida)
  • 2 tbsp rice flour
  • 100 gms sugar
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • ¾  water
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp yeast
  • Oil for deep frying

Method:

Add the sugar, coconut milk, water, butter and salt to a saucepan and heat until the sugar melts.  Set aside to cool a bit. Take the flour in a large bowl or vessel, add the eggs, the yeast and the coconut milk mixture. make sure it’s not too hot but if it’s warm it may help in the dough rising faster. Use a hand mixer (if desired) and mix the batter till it’s like thick cake batter.
Add more water as required to get the right consistency. Should be of dropping consistency but not runny. Leave to ferment for 4 to 5 hrs.

To fry:

A little bit of practice goes a long way in making Fugias.  Mix the fermented batter.  Heat a Kadai or a wok and pour sufficient oil.  When hot, start making the fugias by grabbing the batter with your left hand and squeezing it between the opening in your palm between your thumb and forefinger, like when you form a fist.  Moisten your right hand fingers in water and scoop small balls, one at a time, with your right hand and put in the oil and deep fry on medium flame turning often to cook evenly till golden brown. Instead of your right hand, you can also use a spoon to scoop the batter.  Serve with your favorite curry or enjoy as a snack or with tea or coffee at breakfast.

Tomato Cheese Pizza


A universal party snack – Most simple and so easy to make at home.  Loved by old and young! Feel free to create your own toppings.  Can be baked on the stove top using a pan.

Ingredients (makes 12 to 15 small circular pizzas)

  • 1 ½ cup flour
  • 1 tsp. active dry yeast
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
  • 2 tbsp. warm milk
  • ½ tsp. salt, or to taste
  • 2 tsp. butter
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup Pizza sauce or as required
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • Chopped and sauteed pepperoni or mortadella (optional)
  • Chopped onion (optional

Mix yeast and sugar in warm milk and stir.  Cover and leave to bloom.  Rub the butter into the flour.  Mix in yeast mixture, stir in the eggs and knead well.  If dough is too sticky dust some flour or grease your hands with butter and knead till smooth. Cover and put in a warm place for 2 hours, until double in size.

Knead risen dough for 3 minutes.  Work into large flattened circles or use a cutter to make smaller pizzas.  Arrange on a greased baking tin and spoon over with the sauce, and other toppings. Sprinkle over with grated cheese.  Bake in a hot oven gas mark 4 for 10 to 15 minutes.  Serve immediately.  To bake on the stove top, heat a flat pan on medium low heat till hot.  Place the dough circles on the pan and quickly add the toppings.  Cover and cook 10 minutes till cheese melts and underside is light brown.

Goan Vatanayanchi Bhaji Chonya Ros


Apart from being famous for sea-food, one of Goa’s typical breakfast menu is Chonya Ros made with dehydrated white or green peas which are soaked in water and boiled!  Chonya Ros or Vatanayachi Bhaji is made with a coconut based gravy and served with puris for breakfast or poi and for lunch or dinner with rice.  A regular item served on religious festivals which involve fasts abstaining from meat.  Garnishing with freshly cut onion, tomato and coriander leaves is an option but lends an additional boost to the dish.  Although mildly spiced, it is truly lip smacking and delicious.  Enjoy as is without any carbs – for an excellent high protein meal!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dehydrated yellow or green peas
  • 2 medium onions
  • 1 cup dessicated coconut or dried coconut
  • 4 flakes tamarind
  • ½ tsp. garam masala powder
  • 1 tsp. chilli powder
  • 2 tbsp. oil
  • 1 tsp. salt or to taste

Pick and wash the peas and soak in water overnight.  Drain the water, replenish with fresh water and cook till tender and soft, may take an hour or more.  At the end of cooking add 1 tsp. salt and mix and simmer for 5 minutes.  You can pressure cook if you prefer.  Meanwhile, heat a pan add a little oil and fry one onion, roughly chopped into pieces, till light brown.  Add the coconut and fry until coconut turns brown.  Grind it with tamarind to a paste.  Take a vessel and add 2 tbsp. oil, when hot add one chopped onion and fry till translucent and soft.  Add chilli powder, garam masala and fry for a minute.  Add the coconut tamarind paste and saute for 2 minutes.  Add the boiled peas with the stock and mix well.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes till oil surfaces.  The gravy should be runny.  Remove to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped onion, tomato, lemon and coriander leaves (optional).  Serve with hot crisp puris for breakfast and with rice or bread for lunch or dinner.

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