Breakfast

Carribean style Shakshuka with beans and sweet fried plantains

April 25, 2019 By Asha Shivakumar

Shakshuka is an easy and a healthy breakfast (or any time of day) recipe which comes from Israel and other parts of the Middle East and North Africa. This Caribbean style shakshuka has fried plantains and a popular spice known in that region. Shakshuka is a simple combination of tomatoes, onions, garlic, spices and gently poached eggs. It’s nourishing, filling and one recipe I guarantee you’ll make time and again.

I had shakshuka for the first time when we were travelling and it wasn’t where it originated from. Shakshuka is a North African dish that is now made throughout the Middle East and all around the world; it is especially popular in Israel, where it is often eaten for breakfast….

Kanchipuram Idlis with Millets / Millets Kotte Kadbu

December 8, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Soft & Spongy loaded with spices is a healthy breakfast. This recipe of millets idli is a mix of kanchipuram idli and Kotte Kadbu, the spices come from Kanchipuram idli and the shape comes from Kotte Kadbu from Karnataka region. It makes for a great anytime meal.

Driving through Bangalore highways, passing through mountains that are brown and rocky is an experience in itself. While traffic inside the city can go at snail speed, the drivers take every opportunity to speed through the impressive four lane highway. The highway that connects Bangalore to Mysore is called Nice Road, and was made only a few years ago. It’s a boon.

After a couple of hours of drive, we stop by this popular highway restaurant.

We enter the crowded restaurant. The air is filled with the smell of spicy sambhar and ghee. Some are dressed in elegant sarees ready to go to a wedding, some are casual like us, like how we feel. Everyone seems to be excited for their destination….

Instant Paniyaaram with Millets & Vegetables -Tomato Chutney

October 6, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Gluten-free and vegan, a healthy and tasty snack, this instant paniyaaram only takes about half an hour. Loaded with vegetables, made with millets, and with protein from the peanuts, it makes for an easy and healthy after-school snack or is great for school lunchboxes.

I’d mock my mom when I saw her cook with millets, oats, and whole grains. She’d slyly put a handful of millets in our pongal, or add some oat flour in the roti batter. We never realized healthier ingredients went into our food, but it did. But, every moment dad and I saw her sneak it in, we’d roll our eyes. Yeah… well, here I am living in the very world I lovingly mocked.

Who am I? I can’t believe the day has come that I’ve become my mother. I’m making millets paratha, quinoa pongal, chocolate oatmeal… And, I’m loving it. The family loves it too. Well, maybe not the whole family. The little baby bear will come around, just like I did. Or at least I hope he will 🙄 . He’s got a tongue just like his mumma used to….

Salvadoran Sweet Bread / Semitas De Dulce (Sweet Stuffed Bread)

May 15, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

This Salvadoran Sweet Bread / Semitas De Dulce is a traditional bread stuffed with panela/jaggery. A delicious twist on the classic recipe is to use your favorite jam as a filling.

You have to taste the culture to understand it.

We travel for many reasons. To explore, for love, for glory, for adventure, for thrills, to get away from reality, to relax. For the new and the familiar, for sensory thrills and serenity, for socialization and isolation, for risk and reward, for the journey and the story and the secrets. I travel for all these reasons. Which is all just another way of saying that I travel to eat….

Medhu Vada with Dill / Ulundu Vadai / Urad Daal Vada

May 5, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

A delicious, crispy, and spicy vada with lots of dill, pepper, and onion. This Medhu Vada is an authentic South Indian treat.

The iconic breakfast that’s popular, not only among South Indians but around the world, is Idli-Vada-Sambhar. It’s a dish that makes an awaited appearance every weekend in many homes. Vada might not necessarily happen often, but it is arguably the most popular among the three. Vada is considered a snack in South Indian cuisine. And we cannot confuse it with its cousin, the pakora/bajji, or another street snack, the Vada Pav. Medhu vada is made during festivals, for parties or for an evening snack. There are quite a lot of varieties of vada. It’s mostly made out of legumes, in contrast to the often chickpea based pakoras and bajji. I also have a version of vada with mint and cashews that is crispier and heartier in texture….

Quinoa Ven/Khaara Pongal with Gotsu

January 12, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

The first festival of the year for Tamilians, Pongal. This quinoa pongal with gotsu is a slightly healthier alternative to the classic pongal that is usually made on this festival with rice.

Happy Pongal / Sankranti to all who celebrate!! When they say India is a land of festivals, it is true. We probably have a festival every month of the year. The crazy part is that they are not small festivals; each one is big. Pongal is a harvest festival dedicated to Sun God. It’s a celebration of the first crop. It’s celebrated over four days, each day with its own significance. You can read more about the mythology and significance behind Pongal here.…

Waffles French Toast with Maple Cream Cheese

December 21, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Perfect Waffles French Toast for those holidays mornings. These waffles are fluffy, crisp, golden, and decadent. With the final touch of maple cream cheese, this easy and delicious breakfast will win everyone over.

You know our love for Waffles. It’s become one of those staples at home that we enjoy, love, and keep on hand at all times. This more-ish breakfast of Waffles French Toast is perfect for entertaining, holiday brunches, or just for the two of you. I am so so excited about this one.

One of my early memories of cooking with dad started with French toast. The planning starts a day ahead at a specialty bakery with the perfect hunk of fresh-out-of-the-oven white bread….

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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Fruity Belgian Waffles/ Natural colored rainbow waffles

April 11, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This is my favorite recipe of Belgian Waffles that I’ve been making for years, and they are a winner. They are crazy simple, yeast free, and it comes together quickly. It is adapted from tasteofhome.com, and added the fruits and matcha to make these Fruity Belgian Waffles.

Hey hey, Spring is here. Bay Area saw some beautiful weather, and some nasty rain when least expected. The drought crisis is finally over!

We made colorful waffles for National Waffle Day.

We love Waffles. One of my go to recipes for waffles is Ricotto whole grain waffles. We even named our puppy Waffles :).

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Apple Cake-Pancake with Candied Walnuts

November 5, 2016 By Asha Shivakumar

Happy November!!! Happy Fall!

Fall is absolutely my favorite season, for its beautiful rich dense colors and the chill in the air. While summer has its own glory, this time of the year brings out the warmth, coziness, and hospitality in all of us. The plethora of colors we see when we go for a walk is unmatched, although living in the Bay, the fall colors are not easily seen.

Weekend comes and I always almost have waffles, muffins or pancakes. The thought that comes when I make these is that, they would come handy on the weekdays too. Guess what, I make 10 or 30, they are gone by Sunday evening.

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