mayurisjikoni

Merry Berries    Berries in true sense are not the berries we all know... strawberries, mulberries, raspberries, blackberries etc. These in the botanical world are known as aggregate fruits. Berries are fruits produced from a single ovary. So in botanical sense tomatoes, cucumber, eggplants, bananas, pumpkins, melons are berries. Did you know that grapes too are berries? Yes they are.    However for our FoodieMonday/Bloghop #123rd theme, Berries we meant berries that we normally know. We had to prepare something using berries. Berries are small pulpy and often edible fruits. Before food was cultivated, berries were gathered by primitive men as a source of food, many animals feed on berries. It's probably presumed that during prehistoric time men may have sampled berries that animals consumed to supplement their diet.    Berries are considered power food, having the highest amount of antioxidants. Blackberries, goji berries and Indian Gooseberries (amla) to...

Assam - The Red River State    November is when the Shhh Cooking Secretly Group visited Assam. Assam is a state in the North East of India. Its strategic location makes it the 'Gateway to the Seven Sister States of North East India'. Assam's history goes way back to the ancient times, having been mentioned in the Mahabharata, was known as Asham during Aurangzeb's time and the British developed the tea estates  during the British Rule. Assam is well known for its flora and fauna and the famous tea estates. Assam itself has nearly 500 varieties of orchids. Its also known as the state of the  Red River due to the presence of the Brahmaputra. Its a state rich in culture and traditions. Coming to the Assamese Cuisine, Assamese are by and large non vegetarians. The staple food is rice. Their food is not too spicy or oily but is still rich in taste. They make use of naturally growing herbs and vegetables which is used in making fish and meat dishes. Most of the dishes prep...

Happy Diwali    For most Gujaratis the Diwali celebrations began from yesterday with  Rama Ekadashi, whereby if you fast on this day, all your sins are forgiven and you attain salvation. However, in typical Gujarati style, fasting food or agyaras food is prepared. No grains or beans, onion, garlic, many vegetables are not allowed. However sabudana khichdi, moriyo, potatoes, etc are prepared.      Today is Vagh Baras or Vase Baras. On this day the cow and calf are worshipped. Vagh means debt and today all debts are cleared and new transactions are done in new ledger books after Labh Pancham. The word Vaak Baras is mispronounced as Vagh Baras. Vaak or Vani means  Goddess Saraswati, the one who blesses us with language and knowledge. On this day Goddess Saraswati is worshipped. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi only comes to bless our homes if before we worship her, we worship Goddess Saraswati. One must worship Goddess Saraswati on this 12th dark day o...

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:8    Coming back to Mombasa is certainly a jolt back to reality. No more wide pavements, traffic order, running water in taps, well stocked supermarkets etc etc. After a long journey from Montreal to Nairobi with a 3 hour stop in Paris, hubby and I were exhausted. As we came out from the arrivals terminal at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, we thought just one more hour and we'll be home. I could only think of my bed as I could barely keep my eyes open. Strong coffee too was not helping. One of the worst airports to move from one terminal to the other is Nairobi and Addis Ababa. Which of the two is worst I really cannot say. From the arrivals, with rickety wheels trolley we have to cross the parking area, with no proper path for pedestrians, dodging cars and trying not to hit parked cars with your trolley we reach the domestic terminal. While carrying out this trek, just pray that ...