Entertaining

Creamy Almond-Coconut milk Raspberry Popsicles

June 28, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Creamy, delicious and simple. These Almond coconut milk raspberry popsicles are not only beautiful, but also quite simple to whip up. They freeze beautifully, and the agave nectar adds a subtle fruity flavor. The chocolate, though optional, works so well with the raspberries. A summer must make recipe.

Happy Summer!! Happy Popsicle Week!!

We are all big fans of popsicles, but can you believe that I had never made them at home until I was recipe testing for my book? The talented and lovely Alanna from The BOJON GOURMET shot the pictures for my book, and she is one talented woman. While we were shooting, she asked me if I had popsicles in the book, and if not, she said I HAD to put it in. And then, my obsession with popsicles started. On a side note, it was such a pleasure working with her. I learnt so much in the process. These pictures are definitely inspired by Alanna.

Even with all windows open, a blazing summer heat filled our home last week. Waffles lays on the coolest floor next to the door panting for some fresh air. There’s an almost lethargic feel to the air. Noon comes and we close the doors and curtains to relax with a cooling drink and books in each hand. All we’ve been craving for is some cold desserts that don’t mess your summer arms and salads….

Paneer-Bhaingan Bhurji /Eggplant Cheese spread Bruschetta

June 14, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

An easy appetizer to sip with some wine. Eggplant with Paneer scramble aka Paneer-bhaingan bhurji is so good topped on a lightly buttered and toasted french bread. The perfect summer pick me up. Thanks to Revol cookware for sponsoring this post.

Right now, I am over the moon thrilled and thankful to all of you for reading my previous post about my book announcement. It has been one of the most read posts in the last many months and that shows how supportive you are. Thank you!! I will fill in more details very soon. For now, sharing one of the dishes I enjoy making for company or just for the family with some rotis.

Indians have a love affair with paneer. Before we were introduced to mozzerella, parm or all the variety of cheese that’s available now, we knew only paneer in India. It’s often compared to ricotta or halloumi. We use it in curries, grill it and even deep fry it. I often find myself scooping just one more nibble of chewy, milky-tasting paneer from the dish long after I’m officially full. It’s that delicious….

Baked Nippat/ Spiced Cracker with peanuts

June 1, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

These baked Nippat, or spiced crackers, are loaded with peanuts and sesame seeds. Make a huge batch and store in air tight container, and they are perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.

The kids are days away from summer break, and I cannot wait.

Indian summers were special. As I open my bedroom double door at a little past 8.00 a.m. to walk onto my balcony, the smell of magnolia hits me. I try to seize the moment. The air has a slight touch of warmth in it. After a brief rendezvous with the smells and sounds of birds, I run in to start the day. Mum has already started off breakfast, but it’s at a more leisure pace than usual. She was on a break too, a two month long break from her work to stay with me on my summer vacation….

Rustic Spring Sweet Kale and Egg Tart

May 24, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

I absolutely enjoy turning salads into something special and this Rustic spring sweet kale and egg tart is one of my favorite ways. Easy to entertain with and put together. I am so happy to partner with Taylor Farms to bring this recipe with one of my go to salad kits.

When I moved from India some 20 and more years ago, I was shocked when people served salads. It always left me hungry and craving for my carbs. Eating habits are something we grow up with and I did not grow up having salads, yes a cucumber salad with onions and tomatoes, if you can even call a salad. That was the most adventurous I got.

As years went by, I really have come to love a good hearty salad. Given a choice, salads are not something we gravitate towards, even on a healthy day. Although not a huge fan of having salads on it’s own, I’ve found ways to incorporate and enjoy a good healthy green salad. I may have a wee bit of an obsession to add salads to everything. I add it to stir fry, noodles, even my South Indian style potato fry….

Ultimate Mexican Frittata with Leeks and Potato Hash stuffed with Tortilla chips

May 8, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

These are a loaded, ultimate Mexican Frittata with leeks and potato hash is stuffed with tortilla chips. It is spicy, filled with veggies, and a perfect Mother’s Day brunch.

I love being a woman. Being a woman is very empowering. Being born as a woman is a celebration in itself.

I look at women differently now. Each face has its story. Some more intense than others, some deeper than others, but we all do carry a story. Few vocal, and few are thinkers. Oscar Wilde’s quote, “a woman’s face is her work of fiction” is often quoted to remind us that what’s on the surface may have little connection to what we’re feeling. Women are deeper….

Lentils Masala Mint Fritters/Masala Vada

April 25, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Masala Vada, or Masala mint fritters, are a famous snack in South India. It looks and tastes a little like falafel. It’s crunchy, and loaded with ginger, garlic, and onion. They are versatile and can be minced and stuffed into tacos, and also mixed in curries. Served with chutney at coffee time, it’s so good.

The sounds of running water and rushed preparations start in the wee hours of the morning. I lie in my bed for that wake up call. I don’t hear it, so my face digs itself more into my hard pillow. I hear a complain from dad, to my mum… “Why don’t you wake her up? It is a festival day.” Of course, mum ignoring his complaints.

My room was right next to the kitchen, the sounds of the pressure cooker, the occasional drop of a steel glass, all was quite clear. The 3rd whistle is just too much for anyone to handle, and now I’m begining to think that the whistle so early was just a tactic of mum’s without having to wake me up. I very clumsily walk to mum to see what’s going on, and she gives a smile and quietly but sternly asks me to shower and get ready for the pooja. I looked at mom with annoyed eyes, like “Who in their right mind rushes to do pooja?”…

Roasted Garlic and Onion Relish in pickling spices/Bruschetta

April 19, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

It’s National Garlic Month! Here, the Gilroy Garlic Fest is considered the Ultimate Summer Food Fair. So today, I have Roasted Garlic and Onion Relish. It goes great with pretty much everything. Top it on bruschetta like I did here, or add it on burgers as a relish, or even top it on a broccoli and pea soup to bring it all together. It’s a relish you will be eating in spoonfuls.

Happy mid week!!

Fun Fact. Did you know that Gilroy, California is known as the garlic capital of the world? It is, although China is said to be the biggest producer of garlic.

Gilroy, a short drive away from where we live hosts the biggest festivals that the little town sees every year. It’s in the midst of the scorching hot summer. It’s the Coachella for garlic lovers. There’s even Miss Gilroy Garlic and her court, ensuring a garlicky good time.

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Caramel-Mocha Raspberry Mousse

April 4, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Here’s my simple way to make this Mocha-Caramel Raspberry Mousse, using Werther’s caramel candies, and it’s all dressed up. Sweet treat Ker-uh-muhl or Kar-muhl, how do you pronounce it? What ever it might be, we love Caramel. This silky smooth Caramel mousse, layered with Mocha cream and raspberry mousse, altogether making it an indulgent beautiful Spring/Summer Dessert.

As the afternoon sun cast shadows of the trees in my garden on my dining floor, I suddenly had the urge to have something cool, creamy and rich. I opened the refrigerator just to find few eggs staring back at me. It’s almost like they were calling me to be used. I had guests 2 days later, so why not?, I thought to myself. Taking my steel bowl to break open the eggs, I stared at the egg shells and back to the most prettiest separated yellow yolks. This is where I belong, the kitchen, Waffles by me waiting for a spill, and a cookie if he got lucky. I took a sip of my coconut water and got out my double boiler and added water. I decided I was going to make a creme anglaise. Slowly whipping the eggs and the moment I added it to the cream, a perfume surrounded the kitchen.…

Chinese Chicken Salad Tacos with Home made spiced tomato tortilla

March 15, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Salads are great. My family likes their salads with a little protein, an extra crunch, and a fresh, sweet touch. Having a salad once a day is definitely a good habit. Of course, having someone chop and prep a salad is even better. I am absolutely loving the ready to eat organic salad kits we find these days. They’re so convenient, with such clean ingredients. Here, I made a tortilla and topped it with the salad and some chicken. It was a complete, delicious meal of Chinese Chicken Salad in a tomato tortilla.

I was glad to partner with FeedFeed and Earthboundfarm. I am usually very skeptical about bagged salads and bottled dressings. However, this one defied my expectations. I stand by this brand., and am so impressed with this little kit. It comes with a dressing (which by the way is good), some chips, and nuts. I add this salad mix to my chow mein, omelettes, pastas, and pretty much everything else that I can add vegetables too….

Matcha No-bake Cheesecake bars flavored with cardamom

February 24, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This time it’s this beautiful, luscious, simply easy, smooth cheesecake with a hint of this naturally enhancing matcha and a rich cardamom flavor hidden. Add the Toffifay, the caramel hazelnut chocolate treat to elevate the dessert. One bite of this will make you want to stop and think of every little thing you have just experienced. Then you might not want to stop at one slice:)

For the love of chocolate, Matcha and all things pretty.

For me the end of winter is all about open windows, fresh chilly air, full of grassy smell and leaves scattered everywhere. The mild heat from the fireplace spreading around, and snow on the mountain tops slowly melting away. Water dripping from the windowsill, a strong desire to wear a lacy dress and wander the vintage streets, camera in one hand to take pictures of the beautiful green mountains. A hope for something new, something fresh and something beautiful.

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