NeVs KiTcheN

Ho Chi Minh or Saigon hits you with a scattering of mopeds, taxis, small shops, eateries, and simple people, with a huge language barrier. You would think that English would be their first language, however apart from being left hand drive, and a coffee drinking nation: there are no traces of being ruled by an English speaking country, or they have consciously eliminated any traces of ghoulish American invasion. However, despite the chaos, and communication barrier, the city makes you feel at home! My food journey in this capital city of Vietnam, left my taste buds ever so refreshed, and wanting more. Here's a very quick tour of where we ate and what we ate. But before we begin let me tell you that Ban Minh, and the Bun are not the only things this country has to offer. Before I went I read a lot of blogs, and all they mentioned were the buns. To tell you the truth, we didn't even have the Bun as our first meal, as there are loads of other better, healthier, opti...

December Baked Rice

A warm, flavorsome rice, perfect for those cold December evenings. Baked Mexican rice, with paneer patties. For the RICE: Serves 4 Ingredients: 2 cups steamed rice,1 chopped onion,11/2 tsp chilly powder,1 cup boiled mixed vegetables, 3 tsp oil, 1 tsp ginger garlic paste. Method: Heat oil and fry onions,add ginger garlic paste, chili powder and rice. Mix well. For the Patty: Ingredients: 2 potatoes, 100 gm crumbled paneer, 2 tsp coriander leaves, 2 tbsp plain flour or maida,1 tsp chopped green chilies. Method: Mix all the ingredients and roll out into small patty's Shallow fry in olive oil. Alternatively you can use paneer tikka i nstead of the potato patty. (Go to the blog to view paneer tikka recipes) For TOMATO GRAVY: Heat oil add 2 chopped onions, 4 large chopped tomatoes, 1 tsp garlic,1/2 tsp red chill ...

GOA & VINDALOO

I am not sure why is this recipe so popular out side India, Copyrighted @nnd but I had a few requests from blog readers & friends who wanted to learn how to make this vinegary flavored Portuguese dish. I read some where that Vindaloo was used symbolically by Australians to support the Indian community a few years ago in Melbourne. :)) So I buckled down & experimented to make a veg version of the oddly popular "Vindaloo". This is a recipe that originates from the most loved place in India- Goa, which was a Portuguese colony pre independence. Copyrighted @nnd Copyrighted @nnd Goa is the land of sun, sand, cashews, beaches, beach side shacks, local beer, fish, forts, rickety boats, yachts, two wheelers, Ferraris, parties like you have never seen before, ruined forts & beautiful churches. It is almost like this vindaloo recipe, which has a little bit of ever...

Fat Labrador Cafe - A unique find in a bustling city like Pune!

It’s been six months since I relocated from Melbourne to Pune, and as I am slowly getting a hang of things in India, getting my confidence back, being fearless while crossing the road, having all my senses on high alert at all times, the one thing that I have been on the lookout for is GOOD COFFEE. Now everyone’s definition of good coffee varies, but since I am a self-proclaimed coffee snob , good coffee for me means the name of the coffee should match the actual drink served. So, if it’s a cappuccino it can’t be a latte, an espresso can’t be a long black, you catch the drift. Now India is predominantly a Chai or Tea loving country, so there are chai lounges, tapri’s (around the corner shops), tea cafes everywhere, that serve all varieties of tea. Coffee is still just an item on the menu, at most of the restaurants and cafes, to tick the box. So, if you see Coffee on the menu, it means a packet of instant coffee, mixed with hot milk and served with or without sugar, as...

Slice Cake from My Childhood

Do you guys remember the Monginis slice cake that was available back in India? It was one of the most delicious little thing that I used to love, as I never liked the frosting or icing on cakes. I still don't have a sweet tooth, unlike Mr. N, so for me cakes like these are perfect treats. I was having coffee one day at home, and I wanted something with it. Of course if you live or have been to Australia, you will know Tim Tam's work perfectly with a cuppa, but I wasn't looking for anything chocolaty. That's when my taste buds went back to the Monginis Slice Cake....Yellow with Brown borders, nicely sealed in small packets, ready to go. So I Googled and found a few recipes, experimented with a couple & I think I am ready to share it with all you foodies. Once I made it I was so happy & smug that I know I will be making this for my kids and it will be my signature cake, the same way I associate time spen...

Vada-Pav- The good old Indian Burger!

I cant say enough about this extremely popular snack in India especially in the state of Maharashtra. Vada paav, Pav Wada, Batata Vada are just different names for the same dish, where the Vada means a Potato Patty in the shape of a ball and Pav means dinner bun or burger bun. The minute I land at Mumbai airport, and smell the familiar air, I start craving for a vada pav . And as you would have it, on the drive home if you stop at a diner or a gas station with a fast food joint alongside, you can order a vada pav with some cutting chai (which is basically chai tea served in a small glass) and you are Home!! Every morning, thousands of commuters in Mumbai, get off the trains and have a vada pav for breakfast. And yes they do this every-single-day. It is cheap, filling, quick and so tasty, that it has just become the staple breakfast item for all fast paced Mumbaikars . The reason why people have started calling it an In...

Naan Roti or Bread

Fresh home made naan in 30 mins. Naan roti or bread Ingredients: 2 Cups Plain or All-purpose flour (Maida) 1 tsp. Salt 1 tsp. Sugar 1 packet or 3 tsp. Rapid rise yeast ½ Cup Plain or Greek Yogurt Oil for brushing ¾ Cup warm milk Method: In a large bowl mix the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, yogurt and milk in a large bowl. Knead to make a soft, slightly sticky dough. Apply some oil & make it into a smooth round ball. Place in the same bowl & brush the top with some oil. Keep it covered with a cling film or a dry kitchen towel in a warm place. For me it is usually my oven or microwave without turning it on. After 30mins the dough would have risen well. Toss it out on a clean, floured surface. Oil your palms & start kneading the dough again & divide it into 10 equal sized balls. Heat a flat pan on the stove & line a baking sheet with some foil. Take some plain flour & flatten the balls & start rolling with a rolling pin. You...

Birthday tradition

In India we always have two different days or dates for our birthday, which means you celebrate your birthday twice. Now who will not like that :D. One according to the English calendar and one according to the Hindu calendar. The difference is our birth dates remain constant per the English calendar, but the dates change if we follow the Hindu calendar ( which everyone in India does & is considered more auspicious) according to the placement of the stars on the day we were born. The Hindu birthday is always before or around the same time as the date of our birth. Any ways to cut a long story short, last month was Mr N's birthday. Of course there were two celebrations, one big and one not so big. :) Mr N LOVES Black Forest Cake.Period. Its almost like a tradition to order a large Black Forest cake on his birthday. Now India, Australia very easy to get this cake...USA is a whole different ball game. You don't get any of the Asian pastries there, no pattice (thos...

Sabudana (Tapioca Sago) khichdi

This is a staple breakfast during festival season in India. It is also known as fasting food. I love having this for breakfast or as a tea time snack.Super easy to make as you basically mix all ingredients and cook for 2 mins. hence the name khichdi, which literally means a mixture or mess. I was inspired to share this recipe as a friend had it at my place one day & wanted to know how to make it. I had never even thought of sharing such a simple recipe, but once you eat it, you definitely want more. So Sandy, this ones for you!! So here goes... Ingredients: ( Makes 2-3 servings) (Not recommended if you are allergic to peanuts) 1 Cup Sabudana or Tapioca Sago ¼ Cup water 2-3 tbsp. Oil or ghee (clarified butter) Salt to taste ½ Cup Ground roasted peanuts or danyacha kut (add more or less as you like) 1 tbsp. Sugar 4-5 Green curry leaves 2-3 Green chillis chopped 2-3 tsp. Cumin seeds Method: Wash and soak the sago in ¼ cup of water. ...

Tiramisu - Lift me Up!! Valentines Special

TIRAMISU "LIFT ME UP" copyright@nnd An easy yet delicious Valentines Day Recipe! Just looking at this lifts up my mood and one bite of this Italian classic, leaves you wanting more. Such a perfect blend of all things rich and strong, just the way I like it ;) Do give it a try & enjoy it just by yourself or that some one special with your favorite cuppa!! Ingre dients: 16 S avoiardi biscuits or Italian lady fingers (they come in packs of 5) 250g or 1 Tub of Mascarpone Cheese 1 tbsp. Kahlua or Alcoholic Vanilla Extract (if you don't have this, use orange or coffee liquor, bourbon or rum. I got mine from Trader J oe's. You will also need 1 tbsp. plain vanilla extract) 4 tbsp. Granulated or Caster sugar 1 Egg yolk (optional) - (transfer the egg whites into a zip lock bag and put it in the freezer, you can use it next time a recipe calls for 1 egg white. I learnt this awesome tip from Nigella Lawson, ...

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