tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54143492024-03-07T22:57:10.662-05:00Salt.Pepper.ChiliTaste-Budhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013419145000532460noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-45390550358960755142013-11-11T17:10:00.001-05:002013-11-11T17:17:35.981-05:00Indian Zuchini in coconut milkHere's a traditional Indian zucchini (aka janhi in oriya, or ridge gourd in English) curry with, guess what - coconut milk. Simply mouth watering, isn't it!
This one is so simple and yet so tasty you won't believe it! Great coastal flavors, and goes great with rice, roti or dosas. I can't decide which combination I like better. With so much good taste all around, it's hard to decide Taste-Budhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013419145000532460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-36696724657458754612012-04-24T00:30:00.000-04:002012-04-24T00:50:24.086-04:00Mushroom Pepper Chili (It's Delicious!)
You
have no idea, how much have I fallen in love with this dish! Mushrooms have
become the star guest on the grocery list, ever since this was made for the
first time in my kitchen. And you know you like it a lot when you have already eaten most of
it from the plate and still trying to go for the last piece (even though you
know the other person wants it as bad.) J
And
you Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-69174243717350139302012-04-19T00:44:00.004-04:002012-04-19T00:51:16.298-04:00Cham-Cham (Cottage Cheese-based, syrupy sweet dish)
Posting a Cham-Cham recipe when I am pretty upset with myself. How ironic is that now! Yeah, it’s been so long and I have been MIA. Not that I haven’t been indulging in good food, it’s just that I have focused only on indulging and been too lazy to take measurements of the ingredients, pictures and writing the recipe. Ok, I am only trying to tell myself what not to repeat next time around!
Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-6287240697273160472011-09-11T16:54:00.001-04:002011-09-11T16:56:25.467-04:00Shrimps in Mustard Paste
This favorite of mine is a classic for prawn/shrimp lovers, especially so if you like the Oriya/Bengali way of cooking with a mustard paste. It's easy to make - take sless than 30 minutes, and makes you go absolutely slurp-slurp-slurp! The taste differs quite a bit depending on whether you use fresh mustard paste, english mustard or dijon or any of the ready made mustard pastes available in Taste-Budhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013419145000532460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-38549472486425663472011-07-11T17:34:00.002-04:002011-08-16T23:01:20.251-04:00Saunfiana Gobhi Aloo (Cauliflower-Potato stir fry with aromatic fennel spices)
It's always interesting to see a slight difference in spice mix, the way you use them and at what stage you add them, makes a simple dish so elegant!
There is something very simple, nice and comforting about this cauliflower-potato preparation. I have always preferred to have cauliflower in its most natural form - less spice, crunchy, mild and flavorful. This perhaps comes from the way I have Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-92087983299453905082011-07-08T18:45:00.002-04:002011-07-11T18:02:50.153-04:00Kalmi Kabab
Kabab, Kebob, kabob or kebab or whatever variation you may have tried of this all time hit, you gotta admit this must be the oldest celebrity meat dishes in this world. The word itself is so old (from Akkadian:kababu - "to burn, char"), it makes you think - people of this world probably started enjoying this delicacy long before the advent of the written word. Perhaps one of the most loved, Taste-Budhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12013419145000532460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-31822722830247985612011-06-26T00:54:00.000-04:002011-06-26T00:54:04.283-04:00Swiss Roll/ Jelly Roll
Oh! You have no idea how excited I am sharing this recipe with you. This comes from a pastry chef himself. So you can be sure that it works – perfectly! While you might have seen numerous recipes giving you 20 different steps to do it, a list of do's and dont's, separating the whites from the yolk, making simple syrup, folding 4 different ingredients in a specific order, andSpice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-24815547975902259302011-06-14T01:03:00.005-04:002011-06-14T01:11:26.206-04:00Cabbage Kabab (Super Healthy, Super Tasty!)
Super healthy and super tasty kababs for vegetarians. Don't let the cabbage discourage you! The cabbage and potato mixture make these kababs super moist, succulent. Since I steam-cook the cabbage almost three-fouth, before adding other ingredients, it has a creamy texture and there is no way anyone will guess whats inside!! It's a must try!
By the way it's my mom's recipe with a Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-61039992939566418282011-06-10T02:24:00.000-04:002011-06-10T02:24:42.721-04:00Pyaz ki Khatti-Meethi Tarkari (baby-onions in sweet-tangy sauce)
Nice sweet tangy onion subzi thats quite refreshing. It's a simple, no-fuss dish that goes very well with any kind of dal and phulkas (puffed indian bread). Perfect on a day when you want to eat something light and easy!
You need:
White pearl baby onions - 12-14 cps. (Substitute with roughly chopped onions)Green Chili - 2 (slit)Mustard Oil - 1 tspOnion Seeds/ Kaluanji/ Nigella Seeds - 1/2 Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-49442374504684087192011-06-08T19:04:00.000-04:002011-06-08T19:04:21.064-04:00Flavored Water
Ok! This is not a recipe really!
It's summer again! Time to drink loads of water, beat the heat with with fruit-smoothies, a lot of of ice-cream and whether you like it or not, a lot of sugary dehydrating soda too.
I am one among many who somehow cannot manage to drink the daily recommended quota of water to detoxify and to keep the body hydrated. :(. So here's something that makes me Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-88749974671036494622011-06-08T00:49:00.007-04:002012-08-28T13:21:39.165-04:00Mushroom - Spinach Sandwich
Ok, I confess! I am not a big sandwich fan. If you are like me who considers it a health food and avoids too much cheese, deep fired patties and too much mayonnaise between your bread, you will know what I mean when I say, sandwiches are blah! But I have always managed to make some varieties at home which make me repeatedly say 'ok, this is the last bite I am going to eat as I am full' andSpice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-9493950064605221642011-05-22T02:52:00.000-04:002011-05-22T02:52:25.148-04:00Haryali Subzi
A very healthy yet delightful dish! You have the goodness of spinach and the crunch, tang and burst of colors from other mixed vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, beans and green peas. I think this preparation will make kids ask for more!
Ever wondered if you were to make a nice dish for someone who loves spinach, what are the chances that you would make Palak Paneer? 90%. Hmmm.. Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-42199251315894420342011-05-20T01:41:00.005-04:002011-05-20T03:29:16.872-04:00Kalakand / Milk Cake (Can't get easier than this!)
I still can't believe it's that easy!! I have always associated the whole process of making kalakand with a sore arm and a stiff shoulder. The constant stirring, scraping, watching over the milk for hours and hours makes it appear like a foolish project, especially when you can get it in your neighborhood Indian store quite easily.
But what if you could make kalakand without all that&Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-17059748900089489712011-05-16T21:18:00.019-04:002011-05-18T01:23:51.574-04:00Tomato Egg-Drop Soup
So my friend Sahana (who has been helping me proof-read my blog and championing salt.pepper.chili) calls me early one morning and comes straight to the point (we have always been like that with each other, having known each other for 14 years now!) - "you know what, your blog has just 1 soup and a very few sandwich recipes! You need to have more!". And this got me thinking. Why had I ignored Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-56370021948215650702011-05-08T22:05:00.010-04:002011-05-09T01:13:30.953-04:00Phyllo Cup Appetizers - A Gourmet Finger Food
Ever since I discovered Phyllo sheets, have gone bonkers making so many of those finger licking food with crispy wraps - Phyllo cups with savory fillings, Baklava, Chicken rolled in phyllo, variety of Cheese wrapped in phyllo, Samosa stuffing in phyllo, Chocolate in phyllo and so on. Somehow the crispy buttery taste of phyllo goes so well with just about everything.
Wrap anything you Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-46806606982000720142011-05-06T18:09:00.005-04:002011-05-09T01:14:14.157-04:00Appam (Rice flour Pancake - Kerala Cuisine)
No Kerala style stew is complete without appams. It must be a torture to both stew and the appam. It must be like pulling the twins aparts. It's like asking you to chose between Tiramisu and Trifle Pudding! That's quite dramatic, isn't it!! Having watched Bollywood all my life, you couldn't expect any lesser! :) But that also means I just love eating hot appams with this nice flavorful stew! Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-25823373117108700462011-05-06T17:20:00.004-04:002011-05-09T01:14:39.141-04:00Vegetable Stew - Kerala Cusine (Mild coconut based Veg-Stew)
What can I say! My first appam-stew experience was at my friend's (Leena Mohan) place when I was in school. Ever since I have been absolutely bonkers over this delicious, mild, flavorful stew served with crunchy yet soft sweet appams (pan cakes). Infact I can have this stew just like that as my dinner! One of those things I absolutely adore.
My love affair with appam-stew continued at Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-1889560755160522322011-05-06T17:14:00.001-04:002011-05-06T20:30:22.094-04:00Egg Patty
Here comes something all eggitarians will love! I have many friends who enjoy eating eggs but don't get many varieties of egg-based snack/ appetizer at home or while eating out. This has a nice mild taste of an egg, even though you never feel you are biting into one. A bite and it will leave you guessing – where's the egg! These nice crisp golden brown bites are heavenly!
This patty is Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-27688477533834129992011-05-05T02:23:00.002-04:002011-05-05T02:37:43.769-04:00Soya Chunk & Mushroom Pulao/ Pilaf
A hearty meal in itself! Mild pulao with a nutty flavor! A good meal when you want to go easy after a tiring day and not keen to do elaborate cooking and yet eat something nice. Very nutritious too with all the vegetables, mushrooms and a good source of protein with soya chunks.
A good meal combo would be - Mushroom Soya chunk Pulao, Boondi raita and pan - grilled eggplant slices seasoned Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-52720605167643573592011-05-05T01:47:00.005-04:002011-05-19T21:22:35.924-04:00Strawberry Jam
There is something very comforting about making fresh jam at home. You pick your seasonal fruits, make your jam, spread it on bread, cake, top it on ice-cream or eat it just like that straight out of the bottle. You can use any berry of your choice (blueberry, lingonberry, cranberry etc.) depending on your preference. Whats more comforting is that it is completely natural!
This jam does not Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-31910117836353265412011-05-04T18:46:00.004-04:002011-05-10T00:35:13.102-04:00Egg Puff
I grew up eating these egg puffs! Almost all bakeries in Bangalore sell them, but some of them are special!
A quick note on my special relationship with the local bakeries- Those tiny bakeries, their tiny cakes, tiny cream rolls and tea/coffee in tiny glasses. Everything so tiny and unpretentious! And that's exactly what makes them so special! But my dad stopped liking these tiny bakeries, Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-73543847226317184452011-05-04T18:37:00.003-04:002011-05-04T20:35:50.536-04:00Kathal Subzi (Green Jackfruit Curry)
Kathal (jackfruit) has such amazing fibrous texture and nutty taste, even a non-vegetarian would happily settle for this! I just love this curry with steamed rice or even with pooris (deep fried indian bread). Make sure you use only raw/baby jackfruit for this curry and not the ripe one.
As a kid I remember holi was never complete without this curry and dahi - vada. And in those times Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-87236059297697306462011-05-04T17:12:00.003-04:002011-05-15T02:03:13.770-04:00Chicken Ghassi/ Kori (Koli) Gassi
This chicken curry reminds me of my crazy days in Manipal. Though hostel food was not really worth eating, but some generous local friends did treat us to good Mangalorean food! And it's during this time when I discovered home made Mangalorean cuisine that is so full of life and flavor!
Chicken Ghassi or popularly known as Kori Ghassi goes so well with the sweetness of Neer Dosa (Neer Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-46003355381854657332011-05-04T16:26:00.001-04:002011-05-04T16:26:56.588-04:00Vegetarian Hara Bhara Kabab (Vegetarian Kabobs)
Every restaurant serves this Hara Bhara Kabab! So why not!
It tastes great, has a nice texture, and feels very light too! A very nice appetizer for all your vegetarian friends. And yeah, its super easy and quick. You can keep the kabab-mix ready in advance and pop it into your pan or oven just before your guests arrive. Serve this kabab with two types of dips. No, this time skipSpice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414349.post-66789813725571872312011-05-01T00:26:00.003-04:002011-05-09T00:53:30.637-04:00Phyllo Cup Desserts - A Gourmet Finger Food
Well, now here's the proof that I have really fallen in love with the Phyllo dough/sheets! I initially started with Phyllo Cup - Appetizers and ended up making Phyllo Cup - Desserts too!
These bite size devils. give you ample opportunity to taste lot's of desserts and finally pick your favorites and gorge on them! Just the game begin with these tiny bites that maybe gooey, or fruity or Spice-Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03032016724260254009noreply@blogger.com3