I loved every bit of this dish, and it was so darn easy to put together. Not to mention super duper quick, warm (perfect for the weather), healthy, vegan, glutenfree and delicious!
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Turmeric Nimbu Pani (Lemonade)
Summer is all about cool drinks. From bubbles to lemonades, everyone brings out their A game to create their own versions of the best thirst-quenching, throat soothing, ice crackling jugs of flavour. Summer is also about outdoor activities, public spaces, and germs. Lots of germs. So for this recipe, I decided to fuse the ever popular Indian Nimbu Pani (sweet & salty lemonade) with a touch of health. After all, what could be better than having your lemonade and drinking health too ;)
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Cardamom Coffee Popsicles
I love cardamom coffee. In my mind it's the cousin to the Indian staple masala chai, and since I love all things spice, definitely a favourite in our household for those grey winter mornings. But, summer is a different story. While I still need my early morning cuppa joe, I rarely ever feel for the hot steam during those sultry months. The answer? These cooling coffee flavoured popsicles with hint of cardamom and creaminess from condensed milk! Think a frozen iced latte, only yummier.
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Superbowl Sunday: Pulled Chicken & Tomato Chutney Sliders
I hate change. As I reluctantly accept that we're in the midst of winter, I needed something to look forward to as we inch towards spring. For me, food is the answer. In fact, food is the answer to most questions. So as we move from one season to the next, I adapt by immersing in new discoveries, relentless failures and as a result, highly acclimatised taste buds. For few can match the warmth & comfort of a pretty plate of food.
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Baked Masala Fish
"The feeling of holiday, slow ripples in a boat
That warm summer day, fishermen at work,
Lunch beckons, just as the catch comes in
So fresh, the fish almost seem to smirk!
Spiced & roasted, ready in minutes ten
Flaky goodness, the devours the best of you,
Ah, if only day we ate this well everyday
A fish, a boat & a wide ocean blue!"
Read MoreHerbs Dal (Lentil Curry)
"Herbs" Dal meant nothing to me till a few months ago, when I made a simple spinach lentil curry and my husband says "Oh, this reminds me of our Herbs Dal". Being of South African Indian origin, my husband's foodie language is sometimes just as confusing as their mixed culture, so I decided to dig deeper. I discovered that Indians households in SA make a version of spinach lentils with a bunch of mixed greens & sour leaves. I couldn't exactly find all the 'herbs' they used, so decided to make my version with a few favourite seasonal greens.
Read MoreCucumber 'Noodle' Salad
When I served this at one of my events, I really didn't expect for people to ask me the recipe. Had the plain ol' cucumber salad cut un-laboriously for every childhood meal, suddenly become mainstream? Or was it that in an effort to appreciate complicated food, one had forgotten how simplicity tastes? Either way, I couldn't help but remember those summer days when mum used to serve this alongside a Rajma (kidney bean curry) Chawal night, and we always tried not to look at it (as though it would magically disappear!) - not that we didn't like it, but as kids, who wanted to have anything green!
Read MoreGoodbye 2014 : A Food Photo Essay
It's the 29th! What better a date than this to recap the 29. endeavors in 2014.
2014 was a special year for me. I completed my first full year as a chef. Yay! Swapping careers took a while, and despite the many times when I questioned the decision, I am happy to report that I am indeed exhilarated. This year was about growth, learning, accomplishments, partnerships and tiny milestones that mean a lot, yet keep me humble. The only drawback of being your own boss is that there is no team to throw a holiday party with! But I'd like to believe that I'm in part celebrating with hundreds of new friends I made in 2014. Wherever in the world they might be. (Are you listening folks?)
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