Mango in Estyle!

 

" What diamonds are for women, mangoes are for Indians! "

American: What do you miss most about India in summers ?

Indian: Mangoes man!

After putting things in perspective, let me share the legendary story of mango flower with you. 

Cauliflower Soup

Sorry for disappearing for a while. Things are kind of busy at my front and I really missed not adding anything on the blog. Today's post is about "soups". Somehow I have never been a soup person. Really strange, I know. The first soup that I really liked was creamy carrot soup, which I learnt from a Chef in Philly, perhaps because it was full of cream and butter.

Breakfast Parfait almost from Nanihal

Like many kids, I went with my mom to my Nanihal/Nanera (Maternal grandmother's house) during summer vacations.  I played with other kids without any time restriction and got pampered by zillions of Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents. Like everyone's Nani (Grandmother), my Nani pampered us by cooking delicious food. Her cooking style was very simple. Yet she made the best moong daal (lentil) I have ever had and perhaps the reason that moong daal is by far my favorite daal till date. She cooked the lentils on a Chulha (Stove) in a dekchi (vessel) using coal without pressure cooker and cooking gas in 1-2 hours.  She is no longer with us but her lovely memories will always remain with us.  Here is a picture of the Haveli where my maternal grandparents used to live.  The place where I have spent countless hours/days/months full of fun during summer vacations.

Zucchini Pancakes with Sweet Tomato Chutney and Greek Yogurt

These little savory pancakes are rare. Rare because pancakes do not ring a "healthy" bell that often.  These little angels are as healthy and delicious as it can get for breakfast.  Alternate pieces with greek yogurt and sweet tomato chutney (or tomato ketchup) give the right satisfaction.  The satisfaction that you need on a weekend morning after having morning tea. The morning that really wants you to get out of your comfortable bed and help you plan your day. These little angels provide the energy exactly for that.

Sahi Tukre/ Double ka meetha

I read about Sahi Tukre (Egg less bread pudding) through a recent post by Shayma of The spice spoon. Shamya writes beautiful stories with each post and I always look forward to reading them. Pictures of Sahi Tukre looked so delicious that I couldn't resist making them at an earliest opportunity.  Apparently, these are similar to a dessert called "Double ka meetha" in Hyderabad.  It was such a treat. I will surely be making this on a regular basis now.

Almond Brittle (Badam ki chikki)

This recipe is quick yet very complicated. It is extremely easy to mess up while caramelizing the sugar. After failing couple of times while caramelizing the sugar, I finally found a recipe to make it consistently (most of the times!) It surely brings back the memories of "chikki" (Peanut brittle).

Egg Biryani

One of my dear friend, Rashmi, in Philly often raved about an Egg biryani that her friend would prepare who belongs to the "biryani" city - Hyderabad.   When Rashmi narrated the recipe it did sound exotic and perhaps closer to Mugal heritage arising from the mannerism in which mint and coriander leaves are utilized.  Mint and coriander leaves are quintessential for many Indian recipes in raw form.  Use of these in fried form brings different flavors and aromas all together.