Gluten Free

Dill Daal Fry /Sabsige Soppu Dal

July 16, 2023 By Asha Shivakumar

The most flavorful vegan Dill Daal Fry aka Sabsige Soppu Daal recipe! This Karnataka recipe is fresh, flavorful and loaded with fresh dill. Perfect with Jollada roti or chapathi.

Eat your Greens, they are good for you.

The cuisine of Karnataka is known to be one of the oldest in the country comprising of flavors, different ingredients & unique techniques.

The food varies from region to region. From coconut based meat dishes of Mangalore, tangy dishes of Uttara Canara . South Karnataka is popular for the variety of rice, known as bhaath. North Karnataka food is much spicier in comparison to the other parts of Karnataka. Udupi rasam is world famous, to Navyath cuisine. Grains such as ragi, rice, jower, urad dal, semolina are some staples. Palm jaggery is also an important ingredient in Karnataka’s cuisine….

Gorkha Chutney (Nepalese Style Chutney)

April 15, 2023 By Asha Shivakumar

This Gorkha Chutney is spicy and delicious. THis is an inspired dish, that is a perfect side with rotis. This Nepalese style dish is called the Gorkha chutney. Vegan and SO GOOD!

I went through a stage couple of decades ago when I researched about various cuisines of India few countries too and wrote about them in my note book(which I still believe I’ll publish one day). I was so intrigued by local food of different countries. I tried speaking to friends from those regions, learnt how to make some authentic food(I tried). I could have a conversation about local cuisine to people and that felt good. Don’t know what happened to that book or that enthusiasm. I can go on and on about the various types of dishes I’ve learnt, but I’ll bore you’ll next time. Today it’s about the beautiful country, Nepal where Momos are a popular delicacy. And this dish I very recently came across. I’ts called the gorkha chutney.

…

Leek and Sweet Potato Sabzi

February 25, 2023 By Asha Shivakumar

This Leek and Sweet Potato Sabzi/Poriyal is a delicious combo that is inspired by a South Indian dish. It’s hearty with coconut and peanuts, so good with Rotis or chapathis.

Many of you regular visitors of the blog come for your own reasons: some for recipes, many for the snippets of stories I share. Looks like we haven’t had much of a story telling on this page in a while. Wonder why?

I’ve definitely had a bit of a burnout, but I also wonder who has the time to read stories when reels, shorts and tik tok have taken over social media. I still believe there is an audience for stories and for long form content. What do you think? Sound off below.

An update about life. This and that……..

Plantain Tostada with Apple Chutney

November 8, 2022 By Asha Shivakumar

Quick and Tasty Plantain Tostada with Apple Chutney. Tostadas can be used as tortillas too. It’s gluten free, perfect for people with allergies. It’s fresh and delicious. Top it with beans, chicken, tofu, salsas, SO Good!

It’s just another day… and you’re just doing what you need to do.

You’re getting things done, and the day moves forward in this continuous sequence of checklists, actions, and respites.

But at various moments of your routine, you pause and take a good look at your surroundings.

The scenes of your everyday life. The blur of this all-too-familiar film.

And you can’t help but to wonder…

If there is more to it all.

For some reason — this country, this city, this neighborhood, this particular street — is the place you are living a majority of your life in.

And it is this thought that allows a daydream to seep in….

Chicken Tagine with Chickpeas and Blueberries

February 8, 2022 By Asha Shivakumar

This Chicken Tagine with Potatoes and Chickpeas right here is the BEST Moroccan Chicken recipe you will find! Succulent , tender chicken stew w/ warm Moroccan spices, cilantro, lemon & dried blueberries. No ordinary chicken dinner, this easy one-pot wonder will surprise your taste buds in the best way possible.

There probably hundred chicken meals in the blog and it keeps on coming. This chicken tagine with vegetables and blueberries is a new favorite. Tagines are definitely flavor-dense but are not necessarily spicy or hot. The use of fruits such as apricots or dates and almonds are common, but blueberries are a unique touch that we love more than any dried fruit. Sometimes honey often adds a slight sweetness to an otherwise savory dish. The word “tagine” also refers to the traditional clay and ceramic pots in which the tagines are prepared. The tagines are perfect for people who like tender and juicy food since it seals in the moisture for even cooking. The best part is that the tagine can be used as the serving pot, so straight out of the stove to the dining table.…

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….

Turkish Eggs with Burnt Garlic Herb Sauce and Feta Yogurt

November 30, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Turkish Eggs with burnt garlic herb sauce and feta yogurt. Topped with crispy fried eggs, it’s perfect with salty creamy feta yogurt and fresh avocado. Great for breakfast that can easily dinner, takes only minutes to prepare, is healthy, and so good! Everyone is sure to love this fun and delicious way to enjoy fried eggs!

I love my eggs. Our family goes through eggs like there’s no tomorrow.

I like eggs. In fact, I like them quite a bit. In my kitchen or when dining out, if I have the option to add an egg to a dish, I will.

I love the act of holding the chilled eggs, tapping it on the side of the skillet and listening to it instantly sizzle in a pan. It’s a morning ritual that wakes me up, centers me and prepares me for a new day. My zeal for eggs reaches far beyond the breakfast skillet, though. The egg blurs the boundaries between breakfast and lunch and confidently pushes its ways into dinner territory….

Vegan Roasted Cauliflower and Onion Soup

October 2, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

My favorite homemade roasted cauliflower onion soup recipe is simple, deceptively rich tasting and full of flavor. This roasted cauliflower soup is nutty and delicious, especially topped with candied pecans, this soup is perfect for the cooler weather.

Happy October!!

Time time to do nothing while doing things we enjoy.

Time to gather your thoughts. It’s time to feel the nip in the air.

Time to listen to the sounds of nature.

Too many events fill your day, crowd you out of your life, and leave you exhausted without a clear recollection of what you did. If you paused, took time to set your expectations aside, go for a walk instead, youd remember that time, empty of intention, more clearly than your busy day. It is in the empty spaces that life takes place–not in the planning, but in the repose.

You need to see little things, the volume of things. The expanse of sky, the breadth of horizon. Be more on the edge, living the simple life. Truth gathers there and defines your being.

Take time to enjoy the simplicity, just like this soup:)….

Jeera Hing Aloo Mattar Fry- Cumin spiced Potato and Peas

April 1, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

This Cumin spiced Potato and Peas is a take on potato roast from Southern part of India~ this is a spring version and packs a punch. It uses the tiniest new potatoes you can find, and fresh garden peas. A perfect spring salad or serve with rotis.

Perfecting Indian food is truly an Art.

Indian cuisine has an overwhelming array of spices. The country’s fiery curries, complex rubs, and addictive street foods owe their flavor to a long list of spices from all over the world. These are combined, blended, fried, and toasted in millions of kitchens all over the country. The spices are not just for a layering effect of flavors, but also for their nutritional/medicinal values which are rooted in Ayurveda.

Having said that, Indian recipes also doesn’t have to be complex with a gazillion ingredients and steps. Sometimes all you need is couple of spices to make a dish, and you can taste India through that dish….

EASY Spicy Fish Fry

February 28, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

This Spicy Fish Fry is flaky and great with paruppu/daal and rice. This effortless South Indian style Fish Fry has few ingredients, marinated and pan fried. Perfect as an appetizer too.

Amma(my paternal grandmother) had the midas touch when it came to seafood: spicy fish fry, fish kozhumbu, shrimp and meat dishes.

It’s mid morning, the chaos of our home has settled down leaving my amma and me taking in the sun rays coming through the balcony. His screams reach us from a kilometer, the fish monger pushing his wooden cart with a huge cane basket filled with ice, to keep the fish fresh comes our way. His visit was a little later than normal. I see the eager look in Amma’s face. He waves at us, shouting in tamil that he has Amma’s favorite fish, Vanjaram(king mackerel). Holding her pallu (corner of her saree/dress), I tag along with her. And her bargaining starts, in the end, both coming halfway and happy. She gets her Vanjaram for fish fry and another for curry….