Almonds

Figs and Nuts Gujjia/Sweet Samosa – Sugar free

October 16, 2022 By Asha Shivakumar

Gujjia, aka sweet samosa is such a delicious treat that’s crispy on the outside stuffed with sweet yummy filling. This is a sugar free fig and nuts gujia that is so addictive.

Sweet Samosa is what we call this at home. For as long as I was India, the only version I knew had dried coconut, sooji and nuts. The other with khoya dipped in sugar syrup. Once I ventured into a whole new world, learnt new recipes, I realized there’s so many more delicious fillings that work great for Gujia. Gujjia is a must make dish for Diwali at home. Mom made hundreds a week before Diwali and stored in large steel containers. They were addictive and you could never be satisfied with one.

Although I love the traditional kind my mom makes, I enjoy making a lighter version. There’s nothing healthy or light about deep fried crispy goodness, but hey, If you prefer, air fry it. I’ve done that and it works great too.

Today I share one of my new favorite ways to make gujiya. Filled with cashews and sugar free figs, I think you will love this fig gujiya. The stuffing is made out of cashews and almonds, ground together with figs. It makes for a delicious stuffing that is healthy and no sugar added since the figs add the texture and sweetness….

Stuffed Meatballs in White Curry aka Christmas Kofta Curry

December 20, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Stuffed Meatballs in White Curry aka as Kofta Curry is full bodied and flavorful. Try beef, lamb, chicken or turkey meatballs smothered in this amazingly silky sauce.

As the story of 2021 comes to an end, I see the lessons it brought me.

Surrender: No matter what big plans I make for my life, the plans of the Universe will always trump my own and they will always be better for me.

Daily practice is critical: maintaining my practices in the good times allowed them to show up for me in the tough times. Short and simple habits have been lifesavers.

Resetting myself to neutral through breathwork, reframing the negative narratives by looking for the growth opportunity instead of being stuck in victimhood and blame….

Blueberry Walnut Poppy Seed Cake

September 29, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

This blueberry walnut poppy seed cake is laced with fresh blueberries, filled to the brim with nutty, crackly poppy seeds, and drizzled with a delicious caramel glaze. It’s the perfect “company cake.” This Blueberry Poppy Seed Cake is a must make.

If you’re looking for a fruity cake that’s perfect to take to parties or just a pick me up, this is for you, Blueberry Poppy Seed Cake or as I call it the Best Sour Cream Cake.

I make this cake to take to friend’s, for picnics, it travels well and the perfect snack time cake. We enjoy dense fruity poppy seed cake –from when I made this recipe decades ago-so I can definitely tell you that this is a recipe that stands the test of time….

Easy Strawberry Almond Cake

May 2, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Simple from scratch delicious one bowl Strawberry Almond Cake with Cream cheese frosting. Tastes like a bakery cake and it’s studded with strawberries in the cake. The cake flowers are a perfect touch to celebrate every mom.

“Motherhood is an ultimately complex journey―breathtakingly beautiful and achingly difficult in a single moment.

Mom’s are judged all the time, I am guilty of that too. We are but, just human. We can be hammered into thinking we are just not doing enough: working moms don’t spend enough time with kids, we don’t like to cook, we are not feeding our kids well. You’ve gained weight after the baby, you look so tired, dammit, we’ve given birth to an 8 pound baby!!! The list goes on, the things we are judged for. Most talk about skills, but what about compassion and psychological development?

In the quest for perfectionism, some of us lose sight sometimes. Learning from those experiences helped me let go of my need for perfection so that I could be a happy, healthy mom to my boys. It’s so easy to let the need for perfection take control of your actions and forget to live in the present. Life with children is messy, literally and figuratively. Embracing the imperfection will help you enjoy your time together. You are enough for your kids, and your imperfections are what make you perfect to them!…

Creamy White Egg Curry

April 11, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

This Creamy White Egg curry is brimming with flavor thanks to all the spices, it’s rich and creamy and it’s amazingly hearty when you finish it off with basmati rice or naan.

Egg Curry

Egg curry is common to several countries including India, countries in Asia and the Caribbean. When in doubt and when you are running out of ideas and time, egg curry comes in handy. There are so many varieties of egg curry: South Indian Egg Curry, Bengali Style Egg Omelette Curry, Carribean Egg shakshuka. And this egg curry iis a rich version that I usually make during summers and for special parties or dinners.

I love that it has few rich ingredients, simple spices leaving it with incredibly robust flavor. The nutty flavors are outstanding in this creamy egg curry.

And of course it’s got an abundance of sauce because that’s what creamy egg curry is all about – that irresistible sauce for soaking up with naan or serving alongside rice.

Ingredients for Creamy Egg Curry

Onion – that is boiled
Melon seeds or Almonds
Sesame Seeds
Coconut – roast the fresh coconut or use dried coconut flakes and roast it
Olive oil – used for sautéing.
Fresh garlic and ginger – these aromatics add a key depth of flavor.
Green chillies – this is a must in this curry.
Cumin powder– the smokiness it imparts is excellent.
Boiled eggs
Garam masala
Chopped cilantro – adds a nice prop of fresh flavor and color

How to Make Creamy White Egg Curry
- Boil the eggs and onions together. This helps with eliminated one extra step.
- Grind the nuts, onion, sesame seeds, coconut, green chilies.
- Saute boiled eggs in oil.
- Cook the ginger garlic paste
- Add the ground paste, cumin powder, salt.
- Cook the paste until you see oil separate and add the eggs back in.
- Add garam masala and cilantro.

Enjoy the Creamy White Egg Curry with some rice or naan.

Creamy White Egg Curry

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

35 mins

Author: Ash

Recipe type: Lunch, Dinner

Cuisine: Indian

Serves: 4

Ingredients

4 large eggs

For the paste

½ large onion or 1 small onion
3 tbsp melon seeds/magaz seeds or sarson ke bheej or sunflower seeds or almonds
2 tbsp roasted white seasme seeds
3 tbsp roasted dried coconut or toasted coconut slices
8 green chilies or use according to your spice level

To make the masala

2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp ginger garlic paste
1 tsp cumin seeds powder
Salt
1 tsp garam masala
cilantro to garnish

Instructions

In a pot, add eggs and onion and bring it to a boil. Boil it for 10 minutes. Take out the eggs and onion seperately. Peel eggs and make some vertical slits on top
In a blender, add the seeds, nuts, onion, coconut and green chilies. Grind it to a fine paste, set aside.
Heat olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the eggs and saute until slightly golden brown, about 2 minutes. Take it out.
Add in garlic and ginger in same oil, saute 30 seconds, then add in paste , cumin powder and saute for 1-2 minutes, add 1 cup of water and simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
Put the eggs back in the mixture, add garam masala and cook for another 5 minutes. Add more water if you want the curry more liquidy.
Stir in cilantro then serve warm over basmati rice.

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If you make this Creamy White Egg Curry, make sure to tag me on social media at #foodfashionparty. Thanks for stopping by.

Ash

Urad Daal Halwa/Ulundu Urandai

March 11, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Urad Dal Halwa or Ulundu Urandai is a sweet treat that’s very healthy, protein rich and a traditional recipe passed on by grandmothers.

My paternal grandmother was anything but traditional and conventional. She wanted all her grandkids to call her “Amma”(mom). She was progressive in many ways. I was 18 when she left us. I wasn’t matured enough to really ask her about her beliefs, her likes. Interestingly though, I didn’t need to interview her to know she was a lady after her own will. She danced to her own tunes.

She was not one to tell me: you need to learn to cook. All her boys were great cooks and helped her around. She most definitely didn’t scare me or her children into living a life like everyone did. She let me believe in me, gave me the strength to think for myself and supported me in ways no one did. She went against all norms. She had a big personality….

8 Simple Decadent Valentine’s treats you must make

February 9, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Valentines Desserts cannot be more Impressive, Simple and decadent. From breakfast, to drinks to sweet treats.

I carry around a list in my brain… a list of things that I’m in love with. Actively in love with, everyday… just walking around in the world.I’m in love with fresh flowers at home, big and small rings, my not so perfect black cotton dress, girls who carry themselves with ease that I covet, planners, writing small notes of love to family members, the diffuser that has lemon essence in it, sit and day dream.This is aside from loving the people and pets around me. This love is separate from family and friends. This love sometimes steps to the back of my mind and I’m left feeling a little blaaaaaahhh…. until all the love comes rushing back and I remember that I’m totally in love with my life. I LOVE falling in love with life.I mean… think about it. Despite its messes and disappointments… and bills, there’s a lot to be in love with… even if it’s just the smell of your new shampoo, because it reminds you of toasted coconut. That someone who compliments you on voice, a stranger looks at you because you are special. There’s so many things in life to be happy about.As much as I dislike the concept of Valentines day, hey it’s important to be in love with life.I don’t even care how cheesy that sounds… because it feels good to be in love. Let’s celebrate with something sweet.

Here are my favorite Valentines Desserts:

CHURRO FRENCH TOAST SANDWICH

In my opinion these are the next best thing to Churros . These Churro french Toast Sandwiches are easy for anyone to make and is impressive. They’re crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside and they have a flavor no one can resist!

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Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies with Cream Cheese and White Chocolate

December 7, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

Red Velvet Cookies are a must make for Christmas. Baking and holiday season is upon us and I’m so happy to be bring this festive recipe for you. Buttery pillows of rich dreamy thumbprint cookies topped with cream cheese and white chocolate mixed in with cashews.

Red velvet cookies or cake is definitely one of the most festive looking treats for Christmas and the holidays. It’s the sweet marriage of cream cheese and vanilla with a little cocoa for good measure. She’s beautiful, dramatic, and completely topped with cream cheese and white chocolate frosting. This is my favorite.

These cookies are a blend of my two favorites, chocolate and vanilla. In my opinion red velvet shouldn’t be overpowered with chocolate. Red velvet desserts to me is a combination of vanilla and chocolate….

Paneer Lababdar – Rich and Creamy Restaurant Style Paneer Curry

November 6, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

Paneer Lababdar, a traditional Punjabi style paneer curry is creamy without any cream. A restaurant style paneer curry, that is rich and perfect for any festivities and easy to make. It’s predominantly made with melon seeds and cashews or almonds. Butter, enhances the flavors. A mild paneer dish that silk creamy smooth, goes so well with naan or jeera rice.

There’s as many paneer dishes in India as there are toppings of a pizza. This is one of my favorite restaurant style paneer curry next paneer tikka masala.

Paneer is such a versatile protein for vegetarians, it takes on the flavor of anything you add it to. It’s creamy and a non meat eater’s meat. There are so many Indian paneer curries that I love: paneer mattar, paneer makhni, paneer pulao, paneer butter masala, paneer masala and the list goes on. If you want to learn how to make paneer from scratch, check this post out. This dish has no cream or milk or lots of butter, it’s creamy from the nuts and tastes excellent….

Badam Anjeer Roll/ Fig Almond Burfi/Anjeer Burji/Anjeer Barfi

November 5, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

Anjeer roll has many names: fig roll, anjer barfi or badam anjeer roll, it is a treat that’s pleasing to the eyes, deliciously moist, tender and nutty with a hint of rose, cardamom. And it can be made at home easily. This stuffed fig roll is naturally sweet from the figs and is refined sugar free. Perfect for a diwali platter or sweet gift box.

Diwali is the Festival of lights, family and lots of food!

It is one of the most popular festivals in India, if not the most. There are many stories linked to the reasons behind the celebration. Growing up, Diwali for me was all about new clothes, fun with family, food and FIRE CRACKERS(it was like the July 4th in India).

Ladies would start making savory and sweets a week before the big day. Snacks would be stored in big steel boxes. Cleaning was a big part, painting the home, changing linens, it was all chaotic. Shopping for clothes was also so much fun. The stores would be so crowded that we hardly had space to turn around.

We might not be celebrating how we did back then, but I love to make sweets and savory snacks and give it to friends.

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Almonds

Egg Curry

Ingredients for Creamy Egg Curry

How to Make Creamy White Egg Curry