Food Fashion Recipe Blog

Cucumber Chutney/ Southekkai Chutney Mangalore style

September 18, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This is a healthy and flavorful chutney from the region of Mangalore, Karnataka. This cucumber/southekkai chutney is tasty mixed with rice, with chapathi or dosa.

That night, after a long work day, Mom comes home tired and sits down for a cup of coffee. After a quick little chat, she goes to make dinner, which is ready in less than thirty minutes. She made this chutney and chapathis. We all sit down on our mats to eat our dinner while Doordarshan (the TV program) is running in the background. Mom and I look at each other, and she gives me a sneaky look. “It’s just coconut chutney with lots of coriander,” she says even without me asking anything….

Quinoa-Legumes Dosa aka Quinoa Masala Adai (Gluten Free/Vegan)

September 11, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Soft and flavorful, healthy and nutritious. This quinoa dosa, aka adai with vegetables, is a quick and nutritious meal. For breakfast, brunch, or lunch, it is so good.

As the golden sun is setting, I hear a door bell. The mail guy just delivered a package, and I exactly know what’s in it….

Ever since I announced the book, I’ve got overwhelming support from all of you. It has been amazing, and I thank all of you.

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Quick and Easy Harissa Chickpea Stew with Peppery Parmesan Potato Stacks

September 8, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This quick and deliciously easy harissa chickpea stew which is served with parmesan potato stacks is quite an impressive meal which comes together in a jiffy. Weeknight meal or to entertain with, comforting any way.

Have you ever wondered how we or the food subconsciously transitions from season to season, quite smoothly?

I woke up on this very gloomy, slightly chilly day determined to make these potato stacks….

But before anything, I had to take my darling Waffles for his leisurely morning stroll. We hiked up the mountain just to see a cast of fog engulfing the huge red building behind, almost like a blanket. He looked around, quite peacefully deciding if he wanted to chase a cow or stay beside me. Its one of those days he peacefully walked and sniffed as I was in my own thoughts.

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Pineapple-Black-Chickpea Spinach Yogurt Curry aka Pineapple-Kadala Pulicherry/Morkozhumbu

September 5, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Fruit based curries/chutney are very popular in the Southern part of India. In particular, this pineapple black chickpea spinach yogurt curry/morkozhumbu is a very authentic dish of Kerala. It’s so good with some rice.

It’s no secret that I am in love with the cuisine of Kerala. It does rank high on my loves for various cuisines.

Kerala is a beautiful coastal place surrounded natural beauty. It’s a lush green emerald land, with the tall coconut trees, the flowing backwaters, the food, the tea estates, spices… everything deserves praise. It’s called “God’s own country” for a reason. What otherwise might seem like a smug statement is not at all inaccurate for the humble place and people; in fact, it is sincere and as precise as can be….

Beetroot-Peas Kurma – Vegetarian Weeknight Curry

August 31, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This healthy, vegan vegetarian curry will make you want to have vegetarian meals more often. Beetroot peas kurma is a weeknight curry at home, it is easy to make and packed with flavor.

Growing up, I always saw Mom making this dish during weekdays. It was served with chapathis/tortillas all the time. The very interesting thing was, they tasted the same every time she made them. Now, it makes me wonder how she did it. No recipe, just add this and add that. Our lunches were full course meals, most of the time. Weekday dinners were usually a simple roti with a vegetarian side.

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Grilled Tomato Chicken with Herbed Corn

August 30, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Juicy, moist, and flavorful. This grilled tomato chicken with herbed corn is made with tomato powder and other spices. It’s a perfect dish to entertain with.

Trying to settle back into the swing of things, a.k.a. the routine after a two and half month summer break, has been pretty crazy. I feel like I have a long list of things I need to take care of, but feel like a caged parrot, screaming his lungs out to no avail. Now, I’m getting back to work, and trying to get blog posts up. Testing recipes and shooting….

MIXTURE/CHIVDA- Savoury Spicy Indian Granola

August 23, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Mixture/Chivda. A perfect tea time treat: chivda, savory granola. It’s a sweet and spicy treat made with puffed wheat, flattened rice, cornflakes, nuts, and all sorts of goodness.

It’s no secret that I love celebrations. Celebrations of all kinds.

August arrives, bringing along a long festive season for Indians. We have something every month until January. This one might be the biggest of all, and a religious one. It’s Ganesha Festival/Ganesha Chathurthi. A festival to celebrate the Elephant God….

Spicy Chickpea rolls/Muthiya salad topped pear and goat cheese with pear dressing

August 16, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This Indian inspired salad has spicy chickpea rolls/muthiya, soft sweet pears, the salty goat cheese, and fresh greens.

We are in mid August, and there’s autumnal winds blowing every now and then. While the kids are getting ready to head back to school in a few weeks, I busily plan on squeezing in a few more days of fun with the boys.

The past few months have just flown by and and I’ve wondered every now and then, how did it fly by so quickly?

Time flies….

Kheema Matar- Spicy Chicken Mince Pizza, no knead quick pizza

August 2, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Kheema matar or chicken mince is a popular Indian dish. Top it on pizza and it becomes a delicious treat. Spicy chicken mince pizza for the win!

THE INSIDES

“If you get the insides rights, the outsides fall into place.”

The older I get, the more comfortable I feel with myself. Whether it’s my introverted side, which I discovered recently, or just accepting the now, the present, not only of ourselves but of others, I’m learning and improving everyday.

It’s a very simple proposition—loving yourself. Loving oneself comes from self-acceptance, and the ability to unconditionally value all the parts of yourself. Easier said than done, one might say, but in reality, it’s a subconscious effort of taking steps….

Mango and Peach Margarita Pops with Vodka & Sparkling Wine by Master of Mixes

July 25, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

These Mango and Peach Margarita frozen pops, topped with some wine and vodka, are easy to make and perfect for entertaining. I’m so happy to partner with Master of Mixes to bring you this amazing recipe.

The sun is shining through our large windows, and the mid afternoon heat is draining. The fan is on, and the windows are drawn in to let the heat settle outside. Waffles is by my feet, huffing a bit, the teen is on the sofa with his headphones, and the little one is with a book. I am parked in between papers, a cocktail party to plan, but wondering what will cool us. We all, every few minutes, look at each other for some sort of cooling comfort….