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Falooda

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  Falooda – A Symphony of Flavors in a Glass Falooda is a vibrant and indulgent layered dessert drink that beautifully blends creamy custard, juicy fruits, silky vermicelli, fragrant rose syrup, and cooling basil seeds—all crowned with a generous scoop of ice cream. Each spoonful is a burst of textures and flavors, making it the perfect treat for festive gatherings or to beat the summer heat. Elegant, refreshing, and absolutely delightful, this homemade Falooda is sure to impress both eyes and taste buds. Falooda is a stunning, chilled dessert that’s as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds. Originating from Persian and Indian culinary traditions. 🌸 Falooda Recipe Prep Time: 30 mins | Chill Time: 1–2 hrs | Serves: 4–6 📝 Ingredients For Custard 500 ml milk 2 tbsp custard powder 2–3 tbsp raw sugar (adjust to taste) Condensed milk (optional, to taste) 1 tsp vanilla essence 1 tsp rose water For the Fruits (Optional – choose as desired) A...

Potato & Burghul Kubbeh with Spiced Chicken Filling

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  Potato & Burghul Kubbeh with Spiced Chicken Filling A delicious twist on traditional kubbeh using mashed potatoes and fine bulgur dough, filled with fragrant spiced chicken. Ingredients For the Kubbeh Dough: 2 cups fine bulgur (burghul) – approx. 350g ½ cup boiling water ½ cup room-temperature water (for kneading) 2 large potatoes, cooked and mashed 1 small onion Salt, to taste Black pepper, to taste Baharat spice mix, to taste For the Chicken Filling: 1 tablespoon oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste 1–2 cups cooked, shredded chicken Salt, to taste Black pepper, to taste Baharat spice mix, to taste Fresh parsley, chopped (optional) Instructions Step 1: Prepare the Burghul Dough In a large mixing bowl, add the burghul and pour ½ cup boili...

Malabar Poratta and Beef Curry

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Poratta & Beef Curry A hearty, comforting combo from Kerala's rich culinary tradition There are few things more satisfying than the flaky layers of freshly made poratta paired with a rich, aromatic beef curry. This dish brings together the best of textures and flavors — the soft, buttery poratta soaking up the spicy, deeply flavorful curry is pure joy on a plate. It’s a nostalgic favourite, perfect for weekend meals or when you want to treat your family to something extra special. This version uses young buffalo beef (veal) for tenderness and a roasted coconut for depth. While the process involves a few steps, the results are worth every bit of effort. The poratta dough benefits from a good kneading and resting time to develop that signature stretch and flakiness, while the beef curry is layered with spices and the unique touch of roasted coconut. Poratta Recipe Ingredients 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 tbsp sugar 1 tsp salt ~400 ml lukewarm water (adjust as ne...

Homemade waffle cone using waffle maker

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Waffle Cone Recipe – Trial Notes I've always felt that the waffle cones available in the market today don't taste like the ones we used to enjoy. So, I decided to try making them at home. Since I don’t own a waffle cone maker, I searched for alternatives. Many recipes suggested using an oven or a pan on the stovetop, but those methods seemed too messy. That’s when I thought of using my roti maker as an experiment. First Attempt (A Year or Two Ago) The batter looked simple enough to prepare. I poured a spoonful of batter in the center of a hot roti maker and pressed it — but it splattered everywhere. Reduced the heat and tried again. This time it didn’t splatter but cracked. Reduced the heat a bit more — the cone turned out soft and undercooked. Finally, with the thermostat set somewhere in the middle , and pressing gently , I got it right: Cooked for about 2–3 minutes . Got perfect cones . Was able to shape both cones and bowls with the second bat...

Rolled Omelette with Mortadella and Mozzarella

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Rolled Omelette with Mortadella and Mozzarella A delightful twist on the classic omelette, layered with savory mortadella and creamy mozzarella. Garnished with flower-shaped mortadella accents, this rolled omelette is perfect for a special breakfast or light lunch. Ingredients 3 eggs 1½ to 2 tablespoons water (to thin the egg mixture as needed) Salt and pepper, to taste 2 mortadellas Mozzarella cheese, as needed Butter or oil, to grease the pan Flower-shaped cutter (optional) Square or rectangular nonstick pan Instructions Prepare the Mortadella Use a flower-shaped cutter to cut decorative mortadella pieces; set aside. Finely chop the remaining mortadella. Make the Egg Mixture Whisk eggs, water, salt, and pepper in a bowl until combined. Heat and Grease Pan Heat your square or rectangular pan over medium heat. Generously grease with butter or oil. Cook the Omelette in Layers Pour a thin layer of egg mixture; spread evenly. ...

Halwa Puri Meal Recipe – A Festive Brunch Classic

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  🌸 Halwa Puri Meal Recipe – A Festive Brunch Classic Celebrate special occasions or treat your family to a festive brunch with this iconic Halwa Puri meal — a beloved South Asian combination of soft, puffed puris, sweet semolina halwa, and flavorful chickpea and potato curries. This indulgent plate is perfect for mornings like Eid or lazy Sunday get-togethers, offering a wonderful balance of sweet and savory. 🍯 Sooji Halwa (Sweet Semolina Pudding) Ingredients: 2–3 tbsp ghee Handful of nuts and raisins ⅓ cup semolina (sooji) Pinch of salt ½ tsp cardamom powder 3–4 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste) 200 ml boiling water Optional: Saffron strands, 1 tbsp rose water, 1 tbsp milk Instructions: Fry Nuts : In a bit of ghee, fry nuts until golden. Add raisins, sauté briefly, and set aside. Roast Semolina : Add more ghee if needed. Sauté semolina over low heat until light golden and fragrant. Add salt, cardamom, and sugar. Mix well. Add Water Gradu...

Samosa and Mutabbaq with mortadella and spring onion

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  Chicken Samosa and Mortadella, eggs & Spring onion mutabbaq with  Homemade pastry sheets Chicken Samosa A simple and traditional chicken filling made just like at home. Ingredients For the Chicken Filling: 250 g boneless chicken Salt – to taste Black pepper – to taste ¼ tsp turmeric powder ½ cup water For the Masala: 1 tbsp coconut oil 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste Few curry leaves 1–2 green chillies, finely chopped (adjust to taste) 2–3 medium onions, finely chopped Salt – to taste Black pepper – to taste A handful of fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped For Assembling: Homemade pastry sheets Flour paste (1 tbsp all-purpose flour mixed with 2 tbsp water) Method 1. Cook the Chicken: In a pressure cooker, add chicken, salt, pepper, turmeric, and water. Cook for 1–2 whistles or until the chicken is fully done. Allow the pressure to release naturally. Remove the chicken, shred it finely, and set aside. 2. Prepare th...

Katsu-Style Chicken, Curry and Rice

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Katsu Style Chicken with Curry and Rice This is my take on the classic Japanese-style katsu curry, using simple ingredients I usually have at home. Crispy fried chicken, a warm spiced curry, and fragrant rice — comforting and delicious! 🍛 Curry Ingredients: 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic pods, crushed A small piece of ginger, crushed 1 potato, cut into small cubes 1 carrot, cut into small pieces 1 apple, peeled and chopped 1 spring onion (white and green parts separated) 1–2 cups chicken stock (or 1 cube + water as needed) Salt and pepper to taste Spices: garam masala, meat masala, paprika or chili powder Optional: a drizzle of honey Method: Heat oil in a pan and sauté onion, garlic, ginger, and the white part of the spring onion until soft. Add the potato, then the carrot, and sauté for a few minutes. Stir in the apple and sauté for another minute. If using a stock cube, add it now. Pour in chicken stock (start with 1 cup) and bring to a boil. ...

Mutabbaq (Stuffed Savory Pancake) Crispy, golden parcels

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  🥙 Mutabbaq (Stuffed Savory Pancake) Crispy, golden parcels filled with savory goodness – a popular street food from the Middle East! Mutabbaq (also spelled Murtabak) is a delicious stuffed flatbread commonly found in the bustling street markets of the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and also across South and Southeast Asia. It’s usually filled with a mix of spiced meat, vegetables, and eggs, folded into thin pastry sheets and pan-fried until golden and crisp. Here’s how I make  at home, including homemade sheets and two filling options. 🫓 Homemade Sheets for Mutabbaq Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour (you can use wheat flour if preferred) Salt – to taste 1 tsp oil or ghee 80–90 ml water (or as needed to form a soft dough) For Cornstarch-Oil Paste (optional, for layered method): 1–2 tsp cornstarch 1–2 tsp oil Mix to form a smooth paste Instructions: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and oil/ghee. Gradually add wa...

Homemade Sheets for Spring rolls

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🥟 Homemade Sheets using Rotimaker (or Tawa Method) Perfect for: Spring Rolls | Mutabbaq | Samosa etc 🌾 Ingredients For the Dough 1 cup all-purpose flour (can also use wheat flour) Salt – to taste 1 tsp ghee or oil 80–90 ml water (adjust as needed) Cornstarch-Oil Paste 1–2 tsp cornstarch 1–2 tsp oil Mix until smooth and lump-free 👩‍🍳 Dough Preparation In a bowl, combine flour, salt, and ghee/oil. Gradually add water and knead into a soft, smooth dough . Cover and let the dough rest for 15–30 minutes . 🪄 Layering the Dough Lightly flour your surface. Shape the rested dough into a rectangle and divide it into 12 equal portions . Roll each portion into a ball. Lightly flatten one dough ball into a small disc. Brush the disc generously with cornstarch-oil paste , covering the entire surface. Place a second disc on top, align it well, and brush it with paste. Add a third disc, align, and press gently. You now have a sta...

Lasagne Recipe ( Repost)

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  Classic Italian Lasagna Recipe Classic Italian Lasagna A rich and comforting Italian dish made with layers of pasta, hearty meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and lots of cheese. Perfect for meal prep and family dinners! Components Meat Sauce Béchamel Sauce Lasagna Sheets Layering & Baking 1. Meat Sauce Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 450g minced beef 3–4 garlic cloves, crushed 2 medium onions, chopped 5–6 tomatoes, pureed 1 tsp lime juice 1 tbsp tomato paste 1 tbsp jaggery / sugar / ketchup (optional) 1 bay leaf, 1 small cinnamon stick, 2–3 cloves Spices & Seasonings Salt & black pepper to taste ½ tsp cumin powder ½ tsp garam masala 1 tsp meat masala ½ tsp onion powder ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp taco seasoning (optional) Herbs Fresh: Pars...

Coconut Chutney & Tomato Chutney

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  Coconut Yogurt Chutney – Cool, Tangy & Totally Addictive This chutney is a game-changer. Creamy coconut, tangy yogurt, a little heat from green chilli, and that classic South Indian tempering on top—it’s the kind of thing you’ll want to scoop up with everything from dosa to vada. Super simple to throw together, and totally delicious. What You’ll Need To grind: 1 cup grated coconut (fresh or frozen) 1–2 tbsp hot water (only if using frozen coconut) Salt to taste 1 green chilli (or more if you like it spicy) 2–3 garlic pods A small piece of ginger ½ tsp fennel seeds (optional) ½ cup plain yogurt Juice of ½ lime To mix in: ½ cup more yogurt A splash of water (just to rinse out the mixer jar) For the tempering: 1 tbsp coconut oil ½ tsp mustard seeds ¼ tsp cumin seeds (optional) ¼ tsp fennel seeds (optional) A pinch of hing (asafoetida) 1 dried red chilli or a few chilli flakes (kappa mulak) A few curry leaves L...

Homemade Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Shawarma Sauce

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Homemade Chicken Shawarma with Creamy Shawarma Sauce This is one of my go-to recipes when I’m craving something flavorful, satisfying, and easy to put together. The star here is the shawarma sauce —tangy, creamy, and packed with flavor. Paired with a spiced chicken filling and wrapped in soft khuboos (pita bread), it’s a meal you’ll want to make again and again! Shawarma Sauce Recipe Ingredients: 2 garlic pods (grilled with skin on, then peeled and crushed) Tip: Grilling reduces sharpness and mellows the flavor. You can use raw garlic if you prefer a stronger punch, but it might cause heartburn for some. 2–3 tbsp tahini paste 1–2 tbsp water (adjust for desired consistency) Juice of ½ lime (or to taste) Salt and pepper, to taste Ground cumin, to taste 1–2 tbsp yogurt 1–2 tbsp mayonnaise Instructions: In a mixing bowl, combine tahini, salt, pepper, cumin, and lime juice. Gradually add water while stirring. The tahini will lighten in color and form ...

Brownie sizzlers

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  BROWNIE SIZZLERS The ultimate indulgence—warm brownies, cold ice cream, and hot chocolate sauce! CHOCOLATE SAUCE Rich, glossy & quick! You’ll Need: 3 tbsp chopped chocolate 1 tsp cocoa powder 2 tbsp milk A small piece of butter Few drops of vanilla essence Method: In a microwave-safe bowl, add chocolate, cocoa powder, and milk. Microwave for 30 secs or until milk boils. Add butter and vanilla. Let it sit 1-2 mins till chocolate melts. Mix well. Adjust thickness with more chocolate (for thicker) or milk (for thinner). Alternate: Heat milk separately and pour over other ingredients to melt. Mix until smooth. ( P.S. I usually eyeball it! ) SIMPLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES Chewy, rich, and chocolatey! Ingredients: 100g unsalted butter 1 cup raw sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla essence ½ cup brown all-purpose flour ⅓ cup cocoa powder ¼ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt Chopped chocolate & nuts (optional) Method: Cream ...

Crispy Crouton Salad with Creamy Garlic-Mayo Dressing

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Crispy Crouton Salad with Creamy Garlic-Mayo Dressing A refreshing, colorful salad packed with crunchy croutons, juicy pomegranate, and a creamy garlic dressing. Perfect as a light meal or a side dish! Ingredients Dressing: 2–3 garlic pods, finely minced 1 tbsp white vinegar Juice of 1 fresh lime 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 tbsp mayonnaise 2 tbsp plain yogurt  1 tsp dried marjoram or oregano ( adjust to taste) Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Salad: 1 cup iceberg lettuce, chopped ½ cup purple cabbage, finely shredded ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds A few  olives (optional) Cooked chicken (optional) 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese/ cheddar (optional) Croutons: 2 slices bread (white or whole wheat) 1–2 tbsp butter or garlic butter Instructions Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, vinegar, lime juice, olive oil, mayonnaise, and yogurt until smooth. Season with marjoram/oregano, salt, and peppe...