Expériences Culinaires

  🌶️ Mixed Vegetable Pickle (Achaar) A flavorful and tangy homemade pickle made with cauliflower, carrots, capsicum, dates, and a bold spice mix. Perfect with flatbreads or rice dishes. Ingredients Vegetables & Flavorings: 2–3 Tbsp finely chopped ginger 2–3 Tbsp finely chopped garlic 2–3 green chillies, finely chopped (adjust to taste) Handful of curry leaves 1½–2 cups cauliflower, cut into small pieces 2 carrots, cut into small pieces ½ capsicum, cut into small pieces 10–12 dates, seeds removed and chopped Sesame oil (or coconut/other oil, but sesame enhances flavor) 1 tsp fenugreek seeds 1½ tsp mustard seeds Spice Paste: 2 Tbsp Kashmiri chilli powder 1 Tbsp paprika powder 1 Tbsp turmeric powder 2 tsp crushed mustard seeds + fenugreek seeds 1 tsp hing (asafoetida) 4–5 Tbsp water (to form a paste) 2–3 tsp salt (or as needed) 2–3 Tbsp jaggery or sugar (adju...

Go 🍽 Zaatar-Spiced Halloumi with Tomatoes & Olives This simple skillet dish brings together the bold flavors of halloumi cheese, juicy cherry tomatoes, and briny olives, all lifted with the fragrant touch of zaatar. It’s quick to prepare, ready in minutes, and makes a perfect appetizer, side dish, or light meal. If halloumi isn’t available, you can substitute with paneer—just remember to add a pinch of salt since paneer is much milder than halloumi. Ingredients Halloumi cheese, cut into bite-size pieces (or paneer – add a pinch of salt) 1–2 tbsp butter or oil Cherry tomatoes, whole or halved Olives (green or black) 1–2 tsp zaatar spice mix (or oregano) Olive oil, for drizzling Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish Method 1️⃣ Cook the cheese – Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the halloumi pieces and cook until golden on all sides. (If using paneer, season lightly with salt before cooking.) 2️⃣ Add tomatoes – Add the cherry tomatoes to the ...

Chicken Kabsa Recipe A classic Middle Eastern rice and chicken dish, fragrant with spices and garnished with nuts and raisins. Ingredients Chicken & Rice 3 chicken breast pieces (bone-in, skin-on) or 700-800 g whole chicken, cut in half 2 cups basmati rice (washed & soaked 30 minutes) 1 onion, finely chopped 2–3 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tbsp olive oil + 2 tbsp ghee Whole Spices 1 bay leaf 3 cardamoms 1 small cinnamon stick 3 cloves 4–5 black peppercorns 1 star anise 1 tsp all-spice 1 dried lime ½ tsp fennel seeds ½ tsp cumin seeds Ground Spices & Seasoning 2 tomatoes, pureed 1 tbsp tomato paste Salt & pepper (to taste) ½ tsp turmeric 1 tbsp Kabsa masala or (½ tsp garam masala + ½ tsp meat masala) adjust according to taste 1 tsp paprika  ¾tsp dried lime powder Other Additions 1 carrot, grated 1–2 green chillies (optional) ½ capsicum, sliced (optional) 3–3½ cups boiling hot water 1 chicke...

  How I Usually Make Pizza at Home I don’t really follow exact measurements or stick to a fixed recipe when making pizza at home — I just go with the flow. Here’s my usual way: Dough In a mixing bowl, add some lukewarm water/ milk, a little active dry yeast, and a sweetener (either honey or sugar). Let the yeast proof for a few minutes. Add olive oil and salt, then mix well. Gradually add flour as needed — either all-purpose, bread flour, or even brown flour — and knead into a soft, smooth, non-sticky dough. Cover and let it rise for 1–2 hours. Pizza Sauce Options Quick version: Use store-bought pizza sauce, or mix tomato paste with crushed garlic, olive oil, pizza seasonings, a splash of vinegar, and either ketchup or jaggery. Add finely chopped basil leaves for extra flavour. Homemade version: Heat olive oil, add crushed garlic, then pureed tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes are done. Add vinegar, jaggery, tomato paste, onion and garlic powder, paprika, ...

  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 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...

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...

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 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 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...

  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 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 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 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...

  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...