Kaju Katli

A traditional, most common and a very expensive one among the diwali sweets..Kaju Katli. There is an interesting story behind this. This is my first try of this royal sweet...Thanks to my little one. This is one of her favourite among Indian sweets. This year the first sweet box that we received was kaju katli. That's when she cutely asked me if i could make this at home for her. I accepted the challenge and completed it successfully. I was overwhelmed with joy to see her relish every bite that she took. I surfed various recipes on the net and this one is a combination of many recipes.

Dry Fruit Choco Balls

Diwali, the festival of lights...The festival of crackers, sweets, savouries, meeting and greeting is finally here. I normally make tried and tested recipes. But this time I thought I will give it a twist and prepare something different. My friend once bought this to our yoga class and said its sugar free, ghee free and all natural. I tasted one and kept on popping one after the other non stop into my mouth. These are delicious and easy to make...I am sure all the kiddies will love it. Do try this fr diwali and surprise your family.

Urad Rava Idli

Urad Rava Idlis... Whenever I tried to make these it used to be a major flop. It was then my very good friend gave me this recipe. She is an expert cook and whatever she makes is perfect and delicious. These are light, spongy and low in calories yet filling. They can be had on days of fasts too. Thanks a lot for this perfect one!!

Moong Dal Usli

Navratri is coming to an end...As we celebrate Navami and Dashami here's Moong Dal Usli known as mooga dali usli in Konkani,that can be offered as prasad. Healthy, nutritious,packed with proteins. Whenever i used to make this before, it used to be a major flop. The moong Dal would either get over cooked and mushy or it would remain half cooked. It was then that my co sister after a lot of research came up with this one. Perfect to the core. Today on the auspicious occassion of Navami I successfully made the perfect usli. All thanks to my co sister :) This one is also specially dedicated to my little nephew who is taking his first step in to the world of books, writing and learning. God Bless You Gondoosh, Wishing you Success and A Bright life Ahead!!

Dahi Bhindi

Bhindi/ Lady's Finger is a veggie that is not preferred in my home. But I do incorporate it our diet in some form or the other. I keep trying out various dishes so as to give it a new look every time i serve it. I came across this delicious and easy to make recipe in my food group. It was made by one of my dear friend. What a recipe it was and now this is made at least once a week in my home on popular demand. I have made a few changes to the original recipe. Hope you all like it. Do send me your valuable feedback.

Bhindi/ Lady's finger is rich in dietary fibre, folate, vit k, potassium etc. It helps in weight loss, reduces bad cholesterol, controls blood sugar levels, improves eyesight, good for ladies trying to conceive and also during pregnancy.

Kele Ambat

Sutha Punav is celebrated by Konkani Brahmins on a full moon day in the holy month of shravan. On this day the renewal of the holy thread or jhannuve is done. Jhannuve is a sacred thread worn by the men after their Bramhopadesham/munji /thread ceremony.This is celebrated by tamil brahmins as well and is known as Avani Avittom. 

A special set meal is cooked in every Konkani household on this day. The day starts with Hitu..special idlis seasoned with ginger and jeera steamed in baskets made from jackfruit leaves. Lunch comprises of rice, thoi (dal), ghasi/valval (coconut based veg gravies), ukkeri
(dry subzis), pappad, kele ambat, alle and payasam and is served on banana leaf.

My favourite among the above is ghasi and kele ambat. So here I proudly present an authentic Konkani delicacy Kela Ambat made in all GSB households in Kochi/Ernakulam on this auspicious day. This is made with ripe yellow kerala banana/etha pazham, jaggery and coconut. Do try this delicious, lip smacking dessert. I love the one that my Grandmother makes yummmm!! Due to unavailability, I have used white jaggery here hence it has got a light yellow colour.The original recipe calls for dark brown jaggery and the ambat is dark brown in colour.

Puli Inji

ONAM, the grand festival of Kerala, the festival of flowers, pookalam and Onasadhya. Onasadhya is a variety of pure vegetarian keralite dishes cooked and served on a banana leaf. The sadhya comprises of 21 items all unique and having its own prominence. Puli Inji, is my favourite. Easy to make, tangy, spicy and yummillicious. It is a combination of ginger, green chillies, tamarind and jaggery. Here's this simple recipe for all of you. I Have made this one by combining various other recipes received from friends and the internet.  "Wishing All A Very Happy And Prosperous Onam". Enjoy your Sadhya!!