Roti is a much loved staple in my home. The kids love it as an afternoon snack smeared with ghee, liberally sprinkled with sugar and rolled into a tube they can hold in their hands and greedily chomp away.
Category Archives: Childhood Memories
Jilebi – a delicate Indian funnel cake
A couple of days ago in lieu of Bakri Eid, I decided to try my hand at making Jilebis, a very delicate and syrupy Indian dessert best eaten hot. That is, if you’re lucky to be around someone making it fresh – which is pretty rare these days. So I did make them, and the jilebis came out perfect – like my grandmother made, if I may add. They were tender crisp and ‘glassy’ from being drenched in a perfect syrup. Luckily the syrup did not crystalize or it would have resulted in a dull opaque looking Jilebi.
I was ecstatic when I took the first bite. Perfect crunch was followed by the oozing of the unctuous sugary liquid. I felt so proud and immediately snapped a couple of shots of my masterpiece and texted them to my family in Zimbabwe. I basked in the glory of the numerous ‘Oohs’ and ‘Aaahs’ I received from them. So with great comfort I share this recipe with you.
Oats Porridge – Cooked Oatmeal
My Grandmother’s Recipe
The leaves are changing from emerald green they once were in summer to the most beautiful hues of fall. The golden yellows, chili pepper reds and sunset orange leaves blowing in the cool wind make me yearn for the comforting foods of my childhood. What shall it be – warm chicken soup, or perfectly scrambled eggs smothered in ghee, chicken potpie or just a good old bowl of oats porridge. Porridge has been my pick more often than once, so I thought I’d share it with you. It’s so quick to make and it definitely “hits the spot”. It’s warm, velvety, creamy texture with hints of ghee is just perfect for a day like this. So don’t blame me when you grab a warm cozy blanket, curl up and maybe take a little snooze to the sound of the rustling fall leaves outside your window.
Halwo or Falooda – Creamy Milk Dessert
My Mum’s Recipe
I was about to publish this recipe and realized that maybe some of you out there may have no idea what halwo is. I would humbly describe it as a cool, creamy, almost jello-like milk dessert. Maybe in the same family as Panna cotta, an italian dessert, but a lot lighter and creamier.
Naanima’s Chicken Soup
1 tbsp ghee
1/2 lb chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1 medium turnip, peeled and diced
1 medium potato, peeled and diced
2 parsnips, peeled and cut into thick circles
4 medium carrots, peeled and cut
1 large handful of string beans
1/2 cup of peas
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup chopped frozen spinach
6 garlic cloves, left whole
2 sticks chinese cinnamon
5 cloves
1 tsp black peppercorns
1/2 tsp coriander powder
big pinch of cumin powder
pinch of turmeric
12 cherry tomatoes or 1 medium tomato, chopped
1/2 cup penne pasta, uncooked
1 litre of water or a good quality chicken stock
salt to taste
good quality extra virgin olive oil, optional Continue reading
For The Love Of Ghee 