diwali

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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sweet bonda -Vada in Coconut Milk

October 20, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

Sweet Bonda- soft spongy Urad Dal Vada soaked in sweetened coconut milk. It’s a heirloom recipe of a very culturally rich small community of a district in Tanjore/Thanjavur. Perfect Navratri Sweet.

The memories of this sweet bonda traces back to when I was about 14-15 yrs. Back road drives, our yearly trips with aunts, uncles and cousins.

That year we visited Tanjore, South India. Tanjore is known for many things: It’s paintings, the very popular temples that were build during the Chola empire, and their hospitality. How can I forget the food?! To this day, Thanjavur and it’s food has stuck with me. We stayed at my mom friend’s home. A traditional home with thatched roofs, inviting thinnai and beams that were intricately carved out of teak wood. There are not enough synonyms to describe how varied their food is and how very delicious it is.

Reaching Tanjore past midnight, we went straight to bed after a few minutes of obligatory talk….

Sweet Paratha stuffed with nuts

August 27, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

Sweet Paratha. Flaky buttery paratha stuffed with nuts, spiced with cardamom and saffron is topped with sweet condensed milk. Divine and irresistible. Perfect as a sweet treat, a great snack, and offering during festivals.

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, mom made an array of quick sweet treats for a junk loving household. Although my dad was very health conscious, sweets was his weakness. He would skip a chapathi, but eat that sweet poli, or mom’s classic gulab jamun. Sweets were not a rare appearance like many homes. Mom made her famous sweet dosa, sweet pongal, pal poli, sweet paniyaaram for breakfast, and evening snacks were the classic traditional ones. When special occasions came by, there were the pricey nuts involved and more ghee, of course.

Being a working mom, she never made us feel like she was busy, she made sure to pamper us with the most delicious food and quality family time. I didn’t have to pester her a lot, a request or an order sometimes, and anything we asked was ready in minutes. Although there were so much sweets, she’d balance it out with all the veggies she snuck in into our diets. Smart lady!

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Modak/Kozhukkatai/Sweet dumplings with sesame and coconut

August 18, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

Modak/Kozhukkatai, a sweet dumpling served on the auspicious day of the birth of Ganesha, the elephant GOD. It’s nutty, sweet and with a drizzle of ghee, it’s irresistible.

You are what you eat, so eat something sweet!

He sits majestically, adorned with flowers and a spread of Modak, laddos, corn, puffed rice and vada is abundantly piled on a silver platter and placed in front of him. The moment we dread, with tears: mom dad and myself have to bid him goodbye for a year. Dad does the aarti, and we take him to do visarjan( leave him in water}. Sighs. It’s a sad few moments.

Morning starts off real early, 5.00 a.m to be exact. A bath and new clothes, a brass plate in hand, dad and I get ready to go bring Ganesha from commercial street. A place where my grandfather and his father got the custom made Lord that’s made out of a mould, and liberally sprinkled with gold dust….

Potato Paneer Stuffed Jalapeno Curry

July 29, 2020 By Asha Shivakumar

Paneer stuffed jalapeno Curry. The mild mellow, slightly sweetish tomato and cashew curry offsets the heat from the stuffed peppers. It’s dish to entertain with, a great vegetarian entree for those fancy days with a bodacious personality.

I run down the stairs to the door bell. The grocery guy has just pulled over the driveway. I wait till he leaves the produce and take all precautions to bring it in. A quick scan: milk, butter, 7 cucumbers(hmm I didn’t order that much, but I was ok), greek yogurt- check, a huge relief! I go to the next bag with my clear gloves on and stand confused. Four tomatoes and 3 pounds of jalapenos?!! What!!

After a few moments of annoyance and a close call for a massive tantrum, then the realization for the many possible things to come up with the three pound jalapeno bag were emotions all in a minute as I stared at the bag staring back at me….

Gujiya Pie – Modern take on the traditional

March 17, 2019 By Asha Shivakumar

Gujiya Pie, a modern take on a beloved Indian treat. Gujiya or deep fried hand pies are a quintessential treat for Diwali and Holi. Gujiya Pie is a unique treat that is easy to make and impressive for a party or take to a potluck.

One of the most awaited festivals and celebrated throughout India is Holi. Holi is celebrated in India by the people to get rejuvenated after the months of winter season. People meet, hug, share sweet, play with color, visit their homes together, eat delicious foods, wear new clothes. It a nice way to form a bond, re kindle friendships and camaraderie. It brings out the child in everyone.

It’s a tradition that dates back millenniums. It is the greatest festival of Hindus indicates the triumph of good over evil. It’s a festival that is celebrated over two days and marks the beginning of spring….

Top 10 Quick Diwali Sweets

November 1, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Here are a few quick sweets to make last minute Diwali is right out the corner. Colors, lights, fireworks, clothes, family, friends, parties, dancing, and, of course, we can’t forget the food. The food and sweet is in abundance. It has the spirit of coming together, laughing over mugs of coffee and tea, snacking, and just relaxing. One of the specialties of Diwali is the snacks that are prepared days before the actual festival. Here are my top 5 Quick Diwali sweets I make every year and it is loved and enjoyed. Happy Diwali from ours to yours!!

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