Lunch

Kollu Obbat Rasam/Saaru

October 27, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Kollu Obbat Rasam or Udupi Saaru is a traditional dish from Karnataka. The rasam is thicker, spicy with a touch of sweetness. If you love obbat rasam, you might enjoy this one.

Udupi food, the food of Karnataka boasts of many types of saaru or rasam. Saaru is thicker than traditional Chennai style rasam. It’s made with ground up masala and has a notes of sweetness to it.

We were regular visitors to Dharmastala, a temple in Karnataka. Whenever I think of that temple, I remember the food. What is very special about that temple is the free food for all that the temple provided. The most important to note was, it didn’t matter if you were poor or rich, everyone had to go to this one big hall, sit down on the floor, together and eat the meal in a banana leaf. That’s impressive, isn’t it?! To serves thousands of people free food(anna daana), and see no difference in any one, that’s how the world should be.

The food and that concept astounded and impressed me then and it does now….

Masala Puri Bangalore Style

October 20, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

This Masala Puri is a Bangalore Style Chaat, a street food loved by all. This style of Masala Puri is watery, abundance of flavors, heat from the green chilies and so addictive.

One rainy evening, under a tiny umbrella, my cousin and I cozying up to each other walk carefully making sure not to step on a puddle of dirty water to a place we visit often. A walk through that lane often led to neighbors standing by the gate greeting us, you’d also stumble upon many stories and secrets. Bangalore screams of diverse residents, clusters of original inhabitants and a multi cultural feel and it has a colorful aura to it.

Both Viji and I could Hansel and Gretel through the suburb on a food trail. The smells that street food gives out is intoxicating in ways I can’t explain. We both make our way to the main street where there is a plethora of choices, each one screaming and calling at us. We both had big appetites for anything tasty and street food. We hop on to the first stall that serves up Masala Puri….

chicken sukka/Chicken Fry

October 16, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

This fiery delicious Chicken Sukka or chicken fry is a perfect Sunday brunch. It’s a very popular dish of Mangalore and this Mangalore Chicken sukka is best eaten with dosa or even better with Neer Dosa.

Mangaloreans love their spice. There are no two ways about it. The cuisine of Mangalore consists of many diverse communities. While their coastal region boasts of their popular seafood, their Tulu vegetarian food is very popular. The use of coconut can be found everywhere there. I am a big fan of Mangalore cuisine and have a few iconic Mangalore dishes in my cookbook!…

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:)….

chili garlic mushrooms

September 23, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Chili Garlic mushrooms is a bold flavored dish that is so so so good. Serve it over noodles or fried rice, or as an appetizer, you are going to love it!

Pan seared Chili Garlic Mushrooms are a staple side in many Indian restaurants for the non meat eaters. This is a an Indo Chinese inspired dish, chili garlic noodles, I make often, a huge favorite in homes all over the world. I have figured out the chili garlic sauce works absolutely perfect in this dish. This Garlic Mushroom recipe will make any mushroom hater enjoy it.

You will love this easy and delicious 10-minute side dish that pairs with anything! Low carb and Keto approved! Use this sauce to make chili garlic noodles too:)….

Creamy Salmon Curry with Spinach

September 19, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

This Silky Creamy Salmon Curry is an easy salmon recipe with a silky smooth tangy sauce. Quick to make and easy to impress. Serve it straight out of the pan.

During those early years of me learning to cook and trying to impress, there was a whole lot of research and experimenting. I’d combine or take inspiration from other cuisines into what I was most comfortable with, Indian food. Years of trying and testing, I’ve come up with few that we enjoy as a family that flows flawlessly. This is one of those recipes that is in my cookbook MASALA and Meatballs and is loved by many.

A small group of friends, a date night in, wanting to impress someone or you wan to treat yourself on a weeknight, this Indian style Salmon Curry is the answer. A luxurious dish with minimal effort. You have 15 minutes, one pan, you have this meal ready. This sauce has few ingredients, each one plays an important role….

Rajasthani Rassewali Moth Curry with Ridgegourd

September 17, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

This Rajasthani Rassewali Moth Curry with Ridgegourd is a tomato-ey spicy homestyle recipe that is inspired by a potato dish from Rajasthan. This Moth Dal recipe makes the perfect plant-based Indian meal! Rich, fragrant, and packed with protein for a meal you can feel good about and it’s authentic tasting.

To make your decisions wisely, you should have a clear mind. For a clear mind, you need to focus on you and take breaks every once in a while.

We all have gone through our struggles in the last many months. The range varies. We have also come/coming out of it stronger and better than ever. For one what the pandemic has taught me is: what I missed and what I didn’t, what’s important and what is not….

Eggplant Seafood Shakshuka

June 24, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Easy Eggplant Seafood Shakshuka recipe is a Meditterranean treat. An array of spices, fried eggplant and the perfectly cooked calamari in tomatoes is a one-skillet dinner that comes together in 30 minutes!

Most of you know the traditional shakshuka, eggs poached in a tomato sauce or even eggplant shakshuka. It’s popular and we love it.

Seafood Shakshuka is something my family has enjoyed time and again in our travels. But, I had never ventured into the deep sea, since it was overwhelming. My hubby and little one are big fans of seafood and I’ve been trying to dip my foot in seafood other than white fish and salmon.

I made this calamari shakshuka a month ago and the boys enjoyed it. So, I had to share it with all of you.

Usually when I search up lobster or calamari, there are not many recipes that cater to our liking and this one definitely hits a spot. And it super SIMPLE. …

Indian Spicy Fish Parcels – And an Ode

May 15, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

White flaky Spicy Fish Parcels is simple, flavorful and authentic. Fish fillets are marinated in cilantro, red chilies, garlic, meethi/fenugreed, coconut oil, then wrapped in Indian-style banana leaves and pan fried. Serve very simply with some coconut and lime rice, it’s a treat.

A post dedicated to my dad. One year of lows and tears, but also thankful for those memories I created with HIM. Remembering him fondly, a person who has bequeathed me fond memories.

My dad and I had a weird relationship. We fought like crazy, like screaming crazy, and moments later made up and were never angry at each other. I remember he’d apologize to me always. He had strong opinions on how I dressed, disliked my edgy fashion choices at times. Dad felt that my parenting was too lenient. I questioned his beliefs and he gave up explaining rolling his eyes that he couldn’t change the way I thought. I’d say he was my toughest critic. But, in a large wedding hall, filled with five hundred people, sitting far away, his eyes would only be on me, admiring me. He was also my BIGGEST FAN!…

Rajasthani Onion Besan Paratha

May 1, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Rajasthani Onion Besan Paratha is truly a treat. Crispy and spicy, they go well with a side of yogurt or boondi raita. It puffs up, blisters beautifully and the stuffing of onion and besan is out of the world tasty. This will transport you to an authentic Rajasthani home.

While the world knows about naan and almost every food blogger has a recipe, that’s not a flatbread we make often in Indian homes. Rotis, chapathis or parathas is the common flatbread we make. Stuffed parathas are a treat on weekends. And they are probably my favorite, stuffed Rajasthani onion besan paratha comes on top.

Paratha

Parathas are made out of whole wheat flour, folded and cooked on a griddle. Stuffed paratha dough is slightly most softer than a chapathi dough and it’s popularly stuffed with potatoes, radishes, you think of it, you can stuff it. Onion Parathas are very popular to the region of Rajasthan. It’s slightly more spicier than the normal stuffed parathas. They are cooked on a thick griddle, but if you have a tandoor, nothing like it. The tandoor fills the inside of the flat bread with air pockets and bakes them to perfection.

Don’t be deterred by the number of ingredients in the recipe—although the process may look time-consuming, parathas are actually quick to make. Cook it on low and make sure to crisp them up. How crisp you make them, however, is up to your taste….