A couple of years back I visited Sydney, Australia. Just after 2-3 days of having sandwiches and fruits for lunch/dinner I craved for Indian food. We discovered a place called ChinaTown during one of our expeditions for food! I was all excited to have Chinese food -something to remind me of food at home! The menu boasted of a range of Chinese dishes. We ordered for some Rice and some Noodles. To my utter disappointment the rice and noodles were nothing like the ones we have at home…here in India.The Chinese food served in India is more of a Indo-Chinese…
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CapsiCups (Stuffed green Bell peppers)
Fresh Green Capsicums ( green Bell Peppers) or any veggies for that matter are quite difficult to resist, the way they are stacked neatly in the vegetable markets here. I also like the freedom these veggie vendors give you for selecting the veggies on your own. That’s the reason I dislike buying veggies in the malls …prepacked in polythene bags. I picked up some fresh, firm, crisp, greenest (I know there’s no word like that, but I am using the superlative to let you know how much freedom the vendor gave me to choose the best he had!) baby capsicums…
Varan Phala- (Wheat flour dumplings cooked in yellow lentil curry)
Varan Phala (Chakolya is another Marathi name) the mere mention of this name is enough to sensitize my taste buds. A one pot wholesome meal, this recipe is commonly made in many households. Wheat flour dumplings are cooked in dal which in turn is flavoured with masalas making it sweet,sour and spicy! So here’s Varan Phala ,from Maharashtra-The land of the great Maratha Warriors, for Indira’s wonderful Food Parade on Independence Day Varan Phala tastes best when eaten hot.You can add a tsp of ghee to enhance the flavour.With a spoon or hand take a square along with some curry…
Shepuchi Bhaji (Dill leaves curry)
Shepu leaves (also called as Sowa or Dill) are easily available in most parts of India all through the year. The soft, feathery leaves are a rich source of iron and are added to flavour many recipes. A very popular vegetable in Maharshtra, Shepu is cooked in different styles in different parts of Maharashtra.When served with Jowar Bhakri ( bread made from Jowar/sorghum flour- will post the recipe soon) it tastes blissful.This is my mom’s recipe for Shepuchi Bhaji: