Recent Posts
Nankhatai | Indian Shortbread Cookies
This recipe was first published on 4 Nov 2015. Recipe Updated on 28 Oct 2021 with a new video A couple of years ago my childhood friend Veda shared her recipe for the nankhatai, a lovely Indian sweet biscuit that is usually prepared during the festive season. In India we use the term ‘biscuit’ for cookies and these little melt-in-your-mouth wonders are pretty much like shortbread cookies but slightly differ in taste and texture owing to the use of ghee (clarified butter) instead of butter. During my growing up years the nankhatai was available at most bakeries in Mangalore and was prepared in homes especially during Deepavali and Christmas. Although the nankhatai is not a traditional item on the Kuswar (a Mangalorean collection of Christmas sweets & savouries) platter it is served in many homes along with other non traditional…
Biscuit Rotti + Video!
Biscuit Rotti is a puffy-poori like snack with a savoury, sweet & spicy filling. It’s crispy yet hard exterior is probably what gives it it’s name as it mimics a biscuit which is also crisp and snaps when broken. This is one of the most famous snacks loved by people in and around Mangalore. Since it is a dry snack with a longer shelf life than most other preparations, people usually buy it in the mornings with the intention of doubling it up as a tea time snack too. The flavours of sweet-spicy-savoury are so remarkable with a hot cup of tea or coffee, especially during the monsoons.
Ginjinha | Portuguese Cherry Liqueur
Ginjinha is a delicately flavoured cherry liqueur with notes of cinnamon, cloves & nutmegs is a speciality of Portugal. When served in chocolate cups makes for a delicious after dinner treat. I had the special privilege of tasting it during my visit to Portugal in Oct 2019. I have covered my trip in a 3 part series that you can read here This beautiful cherry liqueur was served to us after dinner on our first day in Lisbon at a quaint little restaurant that primarily served seafood. After enjoying the food we were delighted to be served a small serving of Ginjinha (pronounced zhin-zhinya) simply called as Ginja as a digestif. This was a complimentary serving. We enjoyed it so very much that we promised to buy a bottle to take back home. During the rest of our holiday we…
Banana Stem in Brine | Kolachi Kandi + Video!
I had recently posted a recipe for banana stem juice as it is believed to be nature’s cure to prevent & flush out kidney stones. Besides this home remedy there are many other uses for banana stem – it is either cooked fresh in a sort of a saute or to extend it’s life, brined. While banana stem is not scarce, it’s availability is limited to the time when a tree has been felled/cut in order to extract the innermost core. So I am guessing not every store stocks it either. In Mangalore and other such places, the banana stem is available in the fresh fruit & vegetable markets. I have found it in most Indian/Asian supermarkets in Dubai such as Lulu, Sunrise & Westzone. Banana stem is brined just to extend it’s life and becomes a handy addition to…
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Sintra & Albufeira, Portugal – Part 3 – Sightseeing & FoodPart 3 : Sintra & Albufeira – Sightseeing & Food The last segment of my travelogue will cover two different places in Portugal – Sintra and Albufeira (in the Algarve region). These two places were woven into our 7 day trip to Portugal. While there is a lot to see …
