VEGETARIAN

Cucumber Chutney/ Southekkai Chutney Mangalore style

September 18, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This is a healthy and flavorful chutney from the region of Mangalore, Karnataka. This cucumber/southekkai chutney is tasty mixed with rice, with chapathi or dosa.

That night, after a long work day, Mom comes home tired and sits down for a cup of coffee. After a quick little chat, she goes to make dinner, which is ready in less than thirty minutes. She made this chutney and chapathis. We all sit down on our mats to eat our dinner while Doordarshan (the TV program) is running in the background. Mom and I look at each other, and she gives me a sneaky look. “It’s just coconut chutney with lots of coriander,” she says even without me asking anything….

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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Quick and Easy Harissa Chickpea Stew with Peppery Parmesan Potato Stacks

September 8, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This quick and deliciously easy harissa chickpea stew which is served with parmesan potato stacks is quite an impressive meal which comes together in a jiffy. Weeknight meal or to entertain with, comforting any way.

Have you ever wondered how we or the food subconsciously transitions from season to season, quite smoothly?

I woke up on this very gloomy, slightly chilly day determined to make these potato stacks….

But before anything, I had to take my darling Waffles for his leisurely morning stroll. We hiked up the mountain just to see a cast of fog engulfing the huge red building behind, almost like a blanket. He looked around, quite peacefully deciding if he wanted to chase a cow or stay beside me. Its one of those days he peacefully walked and sniffed as I was in my own thoughts.

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Pineapple-Black-Chickpea Spinach Yogurt Curry aka Pineapple-Kadala Pulicherry/Morkozhumbu

September 5, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

Fruit based curries/chutney are very popular in the Southern part of India. In particular, this pineapple black chickpea spinach yogurt curry/morkozhumbu is a very authentic dish of Kerala. It’s so good with some rice.

It’s no secret that I am in love with the cuisine of Kerala. It does rank high on my loves for various cuisines.

Kerala is a beautiful coastal place surrounded natural beauty. It’s a lush green emerald land, with the tall coconut trees, the flowing backwaters, the food, the tea estates, spices… everything deserves praise. It’s called “God’s own country” for a reason. What otherwise might seem like a smug statement is not at all inaccurate for the humble place and people; in fact, it is sincere and as precise as can be….

Beetroot-Peas Kurma – Vegetarian Weeknight Curry

August 31, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This healthy, vegan vegetarian curry will make you want to have vegetarian meals more often. Beetroot peas kurma is a weeknight curry at home, it is easy to make and packed with flavor.

Growing up, I always saw Mom making this dish during weekdays. It was served with chapathis/tortillas all the time. The very interesting thing was, they tasted the same every time she made them. Now, it makes me wonder how she did it. No recipe, just add this and add that. Our lunches were full course meals, most of the time. Weekday dinners were usually a simple roti with a vegetarian side.

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Spicy Chickpea rolls/Muthiya salad topped pear and goat cheese with pear dressing

August 16, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This Indian inspired salad has spicy chickpea rolls/muthiya, soft sweet pears, the salty goat cheese, and fresh greens.

We are in mid August, and there’s autumnal winds blowing every now and then. While the kids are getting ready to head back to school in a few weeks, I busily plan on squeezing in a few more days of fun with the boys.

The past few months have just flown by and and I’ve wondered every now and then, how did it fly by so quickly?

Time flies….

Beet Greens Spicy Yogurt Soup with Curried Cauliflower

July 9, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

This beet greens yogurt soup with curried cauliflower is slightly spicy, and cooling for a warm summer night.

As years fly by, I find myself more and more in love with my own space. I tend to seek refuge within the umbrella of my family. Flaws have just not affected me the same way as before. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in the past few years, it is to simplify life. I am trying. Enjoying the little things as much as I can. Yes, there’s a ton to do, more to achieve, but just pausing to see what we’ve achieved is such a mind-cleansing process. It might be not have to be something material, just something that you can feel. A feeling of satisfaction. A simple smile that your child gives you for being supportive of him is a gift. I find myself no longer attached to material things, in a way I used to.

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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….

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….

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?”…