mayurisjikoni

Delicious Dumplings    A visit to Phoenix Mall, Bangalore is like a dazzling visit to Fairyland. Only thing is that nothing is free, you need oodles of money to buy whatever you want. I remember when I was studying in India in the 70s, nothing much was available and relatives and friends would have a long list of things they'd want us to bring for them from Kenya. Tables have turned, everything is available in India right from Rin soap to Audis. For a girl who comes from the supposedly second biggest city in Kenya, the malls are like paradise for me. Visiting Foodland is a foodie's dream but unfortunately everything from lettuce to wheat pasta is overpriced. Eating healthy is an expensive habit. Wonder why?? Healthy foods should be pocket friendly. Anyway we can argue about food prices world wide endlessly and get nowhere. Lets face it food is expensive.    Daughter and I were at the mall to catch a movie. Have you seen what PVR charges for popcorns??? For a handful ...

Fusion Rules    Whenever I'm asked if I prepare a lot of fusion dishes..the answer is never a clear yes or no. Sometimes unknowingly I've prepared fusion as I replace ingredients of an original recipe with ingredients that I get here. So like hung curds replaces cream cheese, mayo gets replaced by yogurt, fresh herbs get replaced by coriander or mint, tortilla gets replaced with roti etc etc.    However there are certain things I'm still a bit vary of trying say like a sweet and sour veg in a dosa (don't find that appealing) or say using the bhaji of pav bhaji to replace a pasta sauce. There are certain original tastes I like just the way they are. However, I'm still open to  trying out fusion foods of which now many restaurants serve. As long its edible and tasty. I nearly got put off by my favorite palak paneer. A few years ago I'd gone to an Indian restaurant in Versailles with my daughter in law's parents. We went to try out the food and also place...

MEGA BLOGGING MARATHON -SEPT 2017/SHH COOKING SECRETLY #80TH BLOGGING MARATHON THEME: PROTEIN RICH DISHES/ANDHRA PRADESH CUISINE DAY:25    Here's another recipe that I've combined for 2 different themes. Last for this event, promise;) Well, has to be as we are nearly coming to the end of our Protein Rich Dishes for the Mega Blogging Marathon. The other group that I'm presenting this recipe to is Shhh Cooking Secretly , started by Priya of Priya's Versatile Recipes . From the month of September, the group is traveling round India state wise. No we're not on an actual journey (but that does sound good) but we're going to cook from different States of India. The first one is Andhra Pradesh. When Shobha Keshwani suggested this theme I was really excited as this will give me the opportunity to discover what each state is famous for. I no longer will associate South Indian cuisine as being the same in the south. There are variations depending on the States.    One th...

MEGA BLOGGING MARATHON -SEPT 2017 #80TH BLOGGING MARATHON THEME: PROTEIN RICH DISHES DAY:10    When one talks about a vegetarian protein rich diet, they think that our meals maybe very boring with just dals, sabjis and rice or rotis. For this Mega Blogging Marathon, I've tried to showcase basic protein rich ingredients that can be made into some exciting, delicious, tasty meals. When one talks about tasty meals or dish, the first thing that I can think of is chaats. Yes Chaats.     So, what are chaats? They are basically a mixture of basic ingredients made into a lip smacking, tasty dish with a melange of all tastes...sweet, sour, salty, chili and not so bitter. Right from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, ( no please don't start singing the song Kashmir main tu Kanyakumari, north south ki doori....), chaats are very popular. It is said that chaats originated in Uttar Pradesh and are now a very popular road side/ street food all over India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and N...

MEGA BLOGGING MARATHON -SEPT 2017  #80TH BLOGGING MARATHON THEME: PROTEIN RICH DISHES DAY: 1    I'm taking part in the MEGA Blogging marathon for the first time. It's proving to be quite a challenge getting 26 protein rich recipes together especially when I'm a vegetarian/eggetarian. However, its through this challenge that I've learnt, there are so many sources of protein that lacto ovo vegetarians can include in their diets.    My dad was visiting us in Montreal in Aug. He loves all his fried snacks and enjoys them for his brunch. Now all those who live in small apartments in the western world know that deep frying can be a bother especially when you don't have multiple windows or doors to open up as in India or Kenya to let fresh air come into your home. As much as I would have loved to serve him with bhajias that are deep fried, I opted for a healthier and more 'air friendly' paddus. I hate it when the smell of hot oil lingers on in the air.He didn...