Recipes Archive

  • “Mulling the notion of “cooked with love,” or “made with love.”  Can “Love” influence the result of cooking? If so, how? Is it measurable? ” that’s how the thread started on social network forum, opinions poured in, some reveals that they use love potion in their cooking, some begged to differ and others streamed the discussion to a different channel. This made me thinking that though we often used the term loosely to some extent but does it really influenced...9May 8, 2012

    Thai style stir fried tofu with basil

    “Mulling the notion of “cooked with love,” or “made with love.”  Can “Love” influence the result of cooking? If so, how? Is it measurable? ” that’s how the thread started on social network forum, opinions poured in, some reveals that they use love potion in their cooking, some begged to differ and others streamed the discussion to a different channel. This made me thinking that though we often used the term loosely to some extent but does it really influenced…

  • Can’t believe its Tuesday already !!! I had no idea how Monday slipped quietly and another day comes knocking at the door. Mondays are very  deceptive and they arrived …. lets not discussed about it. Instead lets talk about my new venture in kebab, did  I say new ? yes because this time I am talking about vegetarian kebab…wait what is that ? Isn’t kebab are supposed to be of meat and meat only and that’s the reason they are christened like that. I am not...9May 1, 2012

    Paneer reshmi seekh kebab for your barbecue nights

    Can’t believe its Tuesday already !!! I had no idea how Monday slipped quietly and another day comes knocking at the door. Mondays are very  deceptive and they arrived …. lets not discussed about it. Instead lets talk about my new venture in kebab, did  I say new ? yes because this time I am talking about vegetarian kebab…wait what is that ? Isn’t kebab are supposed to be of meat and meat only and that’s the reason they are christened like that. I am not…

  • Kolkata has very interesting mix of people with different lineages, but I never thought that the city has some Armenian connections too, until the day I met Irene one of my cousin’s friend at Loretto. She has deep blue eyes but speaks impeccable Bengali, far better than me. As I was very much intrigued about her heritage, one day she took us to an old church “Holy Church of Nazareth” in Armenian street, believed to be the oldest one in the...3April 27, 2012

    Nazook / Armenian pastry sweet and savoury for daring bakers

    Kolkata has very interesting mix of people with different lineages, but I never thought that the city has some Armenian connections too, until the day I met Irene one of my cousin’s friend at Loretto. She has deep blue eyes but speaks impeccable Bengali, far better than me. As I was very much intrigued about her heritage, one day she took us to an old church “Holy Church of Nazareth” in Armenian street, believed to be the oldest one in the…

  • Vida means life in Spanish and that’s what we felt when we entered there, lively, inviting atmosphere and warm hospitality and they claims themselves to be evolved Mexican cuisine. In most of the places I had been to, Mexican cuisines are either Indianised (as in India) or Americanized (as in US) but Vida is very different. But that’s not what attracts to me, Vida charmed me with its handcrafted guacamole. I had avocado before but I fail to appreciate it, even the guacamole which I...5April 25, 2012

    Chicken enchilada with chipotle and Vida for Mexican nights

    Vida means life in Spanish and that’s what we felt when we entered there, lively, inviting atmosphere and warm hospitality and they claims themselves to be evolved Mexican cuisine. In most of the places I had been to, Mexican cuisines are either Indianised (as in India) or Americanized (as in US) but Vida is very different. But that’s not what attracts to me, Vida charmed me with its handcrafted guacamole. I had avocado before but I fail to appreciate it, even the guacamole which I…

  • Updated with a note on gelatin in recipe section Morning friends, hope you had a lovely weekend.  Morning is dull today, in fact weather here at N.Carolina is pretty much un predictable, but after the rains it looks so green and vibrant, air is cool and breezy. It rained yesterday, incessantly the whole day long but we enjoyed it, we watched three movies back to back,  gorged on homemade pizzas and relish on some tastiest dessert – strawberry Panna cotta which turns out...13April 23, 2012

    Strawberry panna cotta and a kahani – almost classic

    Updated with a note on gelatin in recipe section Morning friends, hope you had a lovely weekend.  Morning is dull today, in fact weather here at N.Carolina is pretty much un predictable, but after the rains it looks so green and vibrant, air is cool and breezy. It rained yesterday, incessantly the whole day long but we enjoyed it, we watched three movies back to back,  gorged on homemade pizzas and relish on some tastiest dessert – strawberry Panna cotta which turns out…

  • Misha and I were geographically separated, culturally distinct, ethnically different yet we were friends, we used to write to each other once in a while in our broken English, and we had never met in life, we were pen friends. Many moons ago in late eighties, we used to share our stories, fancies of a 12-year-old girl for whom places like Russia (then USSR) exist only in her geography textbook, through mail sealed in a red and blue striped air mails, the friendship...10April 18, 2012

    Orange poppy seed muffin with orange marmalade glaze for the spring

    Misha and I were geographically separated, culturally distinct, ethnically different yet we were friends, we used to write to each other once in a while in our broken English, and we had never met in life, we were pen friends. Many moons ago in late eighties, we used to share our stories, fancies of a 12-year-old girl for whom places like Russia (then USSR) exist only in her geography textbook, through mail sealed in a red and blue striped air mails, the friendship…

  • I never thought that one day I will end up as  a food blogger (very obvious and general statement), cooking and eating were always different genre for me, but down the years when the two world collides and seamlessly merged into one, I am here sharing my thoughts on food …. food …. and food only. And it would be ironical enough to say that I never had this temperament for cooking, I was never a child prodigy in cooking unlike my...19April 16, 2012

    Bacon wrapped jalapeno and cheese appetizer

    I never thought that one day I will end up as  a food blogger (very obvious and general statement), cooking and eating were always different genre for me, but down the years when the two world collides and seamlessly merged into one, I am here sharing my thoughts on food …. food …. and food only. And it would be ironical enough to say that I never had this temperament for cooking, I was never a child prodigy in cooking unlike my…

  •  Saffronstreaks wishes its readers who stops by “Very happy Bengali New Year” . If you are planning a Poila baisakh house party this weekend then do check our exclusive Bengali Cuisine Archive, and I am sure it will end your search for all the authentic Bengali recipes. This is just not an archive but repository of all the classic Bengali dishes that I have learnt and inherited from my mother and some are experimental too, and am sure it will be able to...6April 13, 2012

    Fish in Bengali mustard sauce / sorshe diye macher jhaal

     Saffronstreaks wishes its readers who stops by “Very happy Bengali New Year” . If you are planning a Poila baisakh house party this weekend then do check our exclusive Bengali Cuisine Archive, and I am sure it will end your search for all the authentic Bengali recipes. This is just not an archive but repository of all the classic Bengali dishes that I have learnt and inherited from my mother and some are experimental too, and am sure it will be able to…

  • Aloo kofta curry is very special to me not because that it is my Ma’s one of the savoured recipe but because it is simple and minimalist too, nothing fancy and many a times it acts as saviour against some un announced guest or on weekday’s dinner after work when suddenly I realized we had nothing at home except potatoes, stupefied at being so inefficient , and after a long-distance call later at some ungodly hours to my Mom, aloo kofta arrived in its full attire....18April 3, 2012

    aloo kofta / potato kofta curry or dumplings in tangy tomato – yogurt sauce

    Aloo kofta curry is very special to me not because that it is my Ma’s one of the savoured recipe but because it is simple and minimalist too, nothing fancy and many a times it acts as saviour against some un announced guest or on weekday’s dinner after work when suddenly I realized we had nothing at home except potatoes, stupefied at being so inefficient , and after a long-distance call later at some ungodly hours to my Mom, aloo kofta arrived in its full attire….

  • I was once again at the crossroads of baking a chocolate flavoured carrot cake or an orange one or just plain and simple carrot cake with walnuts … ideas are profuse, options are endless and I have to bake just one cake !!! Can we call it challenging enough ! Ideas born with the imaginations, original ideas are just like fresh dews on mossy green leaves, brilliantly radiant and soon dissolves into something other or simply vanishes into oblivion. An idea needs a fertile...7March 29, 2012

    Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and infused with orange flavours

    I was once again at the crossroads of baking a chocolate flavoured carrot cake or an orange one or just plain and simple carrot cake with walnuts … ideas are profuse, options are endless and I have to bake just one cake !!! Can we call it challenging enough ! Ideas born with the imaginations, original ideas are just like fresh dews on mossy green leaves, brilliantly radiant and soon dissolves into something other or simply vanishes into oblivion. An idea needs a fertile…

  • After the BREAK……BREAK ke baad… We are back , yes WE ARE BACK with some delicious stories that will sure entertain you… Ya I know we took an un announced break from blogging, from social networks … just to get indulge in some secluded “ME” time… and it really works wonders on you and rejuvenates with more creativity…bubbling with new stories that we cant wait to share with you… Weather is absolutley beautiful outside…crisp, cool and sunny, bright which instantly cheers you up and season’s first break...16March 26, 2012

    Orange infused mava barfi jewelled with pistachios

    After the BREAK……BREAK ke baad… We are back , yes WE ARE BACK with some delicious stories that will sure entertain you… Ya I know we took an un announced break from blogging, from social networks … just to get indulge in some secluded “ME” time… and it really works wonders on you and rejuvenates with more creativity…bubbling with new stories that we cant wait to share with you… Weather is absolutley beautiful outside…crisp, cool and sunny, bright which instantly cheers you up and season’s first break…

  • “Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear  when you get up close to them. ” by John Shirley. And how true it is, weekends allures us from a distance promising so many colorful things, and once we get close to it, the days swiftly passed by and within fraction of second, Monday comes knocking at the door. For me weekends strictly means eating out, shopping, mall hopping or a long drive on country...12March 13, 2012

    Spice crusted paneer tikka in green sauce / chutney – a different approach

    “Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear  when you get up close to them. ” by John Shirley. And how true it is, weekends allures us from a distance promising so many colorful things, and once we get close to it, the days swiftly passed by and within fraction of second, Monday comes knocking at the door. For me weekends strictly means eating out, shopping, mall hopping or a long drive on country…

  • I was planning to make pure chocolate gujiya this Holi, to satiate my never-ending desire for chocolates, but as they say “women proposes and God disposes ” ! my oven ditches me at the last moment and developed a technical snag which needs some expert hands to rectify it. Today morning it finally sprung back into life once again, but due to lack of time and other constraints, I could not go for pure chocolate gujiya, however I decided to make...12March 7, 2012

    Gujiya infused with chocolate flavour

    I was planning to make pure chocolate gujiya this Holi, to satiate my never-ending desire for chocolates, but as they say “women proposes and God disposes ” ! my oven ditches me at the last moment and developed a technical snag which needs some expert hands to rectify it. Today morning it finally sprung back into life once again, but due to lack of time and other constraints, I could not go for pure chocolate gujiya, however I decided to make…

  • They say “baking is the heart of cooking” and if this is true, then I am able to finally reach here after long days of struggle. Can you differentiate between a pro baker and an amateur baker ? Now, do not judge them by frosting or decoration skills. Baking needs passion and understanding of the exact measurements and frosting or icing requires aesthetic and artistic skills. And it too depends upon one’s personal preferences. For instance, I prefer lightly frosted...8March 1, 2012

    Banana pecan quick bread for a healthy morning breakfast

    They say “baking is the heart of cooking” and if this is true, then I am able to finally reach here after long days of struggle. Can you differentiate between a pro baker and an amateur baker ? Now, do not judge them by frosting or decoration skills. Baking needs passion and understanding of the exact measurements and frosting or icing requires aesthetic and artistic skills. And it too depends upon one’s personal preferences. For instance, I prefer lightly frosted…

  • Food not only nourishes our body but it is a wonderful tonic for our soul too, good food, comfort food, soul food, it goes by many names but a food blog leaves you hungry for more, and hunger is the best sauce ever (by Cervantes) which always brings out the best in you. In my initial days of blogging, I met many talented food bloggers, but remain hooked to few of them, Tes is one such blogger friend of mine...3February 28, 2012

    Thai grilled squid with green sauce – a guest post by Tes

    Food not only nourishes our body but it is a wonderful tonic for our soul too, good food, comfort food, soul food, it goes by many names but a food blog leaves you hungry for more, and hunger is the best sauce ever (by Cervantes) which always brings out the best in you. In my initial days of blogging, I met many talented food bloggers, but remain hooked to few of them, Tes is one such blogger friend of mine…

  • Some two years back when I started to share my passion for food on my little blog, it was always about the food that I have tasted before at home or somewhere else, but not the other way round. This time things are little different. Today I am going to share something which I had never tasted before, some thing which is completely new to me and nevertheless it becomes my new-found love too. Though I love baked goodies, and who doesn’t...7February 27, 2012

    Cheesy popovers or yorkshire pudding for daring bakers

    Some two years back when I started to share my passion for food on my little blog, it was always about the food that I have tasted before at home or somewhere else, but not the other way round. This time things are little different. Today I am going to share something which I had never tasted before, some thing which is completely new to me and nevertheless it becomes my new-found love too. Though I love baked goodies, and who doesn’t…

  • Today I woke up with the sun, after a long time, yes, I am not an early riser but some days are different. It snowed yesterday, for few hours but the cars, trees and grass are still covered with the fine sheet of snow, the tar covered roads which has now a thin sheen of snow are glistening in the first flicker of sun rays. And as the morning slowly breaks into bright crimson day with promise of sunshine, I decided not to skip...20February 23, 2012

    Ultimate double chocolate drop cookies

    Today I woke up with the sun, after a long time, yes, I am not an early riser but some days are different. It snowed yesterday, for few hours but the cars, trees and grass are still covered with the fine sheet of snow, the tar covered roads which has now a thin sheen of snow are glistening in the first flicker of sun rays. And as the morning slowly breaks into bright crimson day with promise of sunshine, I decided not to skip…

  • Spain brings to mind the rhythmic sounds of castanets, the feel of hot sun, its sun-kissed beaches, spectacle of bull-fight and the taste of hot and spicy foods which is as vibrant as its culture and history. Seafood from tiny pink shrimps to giant lobster, calamari or squids to clams, mussels, fresh marine catches always get featured in any Spanish cuisine and seafood remains the heart of any Spanish cooking. Couple of years back when I got to experience the Spanish food, I...0February 21, 2012

    Fideua with seafood / vermicelli with shrimps – a Spanish fiesta

    Spain brings to mind the rhythmic sounds of castanets, the feel of hot sun, its sun-kissed beaches, spectacle of bull-fight and the taste of hot and spicy foods which is as vibrant as its culture and history. Seafood from tiny pink shrimps to giant lobster, calamari or squids to clams, mussels, fresh marine catches always get featured in any Spanish cuisine and seafood remains the heart of any Spanish cooking. Couple of years back when I got to experience the Spanish food, I…

  • Morning was gloomy, overcast with clouds and I waited the whole day, just to get a glimpse of warm sunshine. And slowly the day ends un ceremoniously, revealing nothing… I was not in a mood to write anything on my blog, because I know I won’t be able to convey any happier thoughts, why to tell the world that I am not happy ? Why to tell the world about your sufferings, the days filled with melancholy and despondency and helplessly witnessing the sufferings...24February 16, 2012

    Zesty orange Oreo cheesecake with chocolate drizzle

    Morning was gloomy, overcast with clouds and I waited the whole day, just to get a glimpse of warm sunshine. And slowly the day ends un ceremoniously, revealing nothing… I was not in a mood to write anything on my blog, because I know I won’t be able to convey any happier thoughts, why to tell the world that I am not happy ? Why to tell the world about your sufferings, the days filled with melancholy and despondency and helplessly witnessing the sufferings…

  • Ultimate double chocolate brownie hearts for today and always … Wishing you all a Happy Valentine’s day, I know this sounds so hackneyed, love doesn’t needs a reason nor a day to celebrate but it feels good to make a day special for someone you love, and may be today is that precious day, so why not celebrating it on your own little way. Brownie may not arrest too many attentions, being popular and present in so many avatars, and every one seems to...14February 14, 2012

    Ultimate double chocolate brownie hearts

    Ultimate double chocolate brownie hearts for today and always … Wishing you all a Happy Valentine’s day, I know this sounds so hackneyed, love doesn’t needs a reason nor a day to celebrate but it feels good to make a day special for someone you love, and may be today is that precious day, so why not celebrating it on your own little way. Brownie may not arrest too many attentions, being popular and present in so many avatars, and every one seems to…

  • Strumming my pain with his fingers Singing my life with his words Killing me softly with his song Killing me softly with his song Telling my whole life with his words Killing me softly with his song “ …open your heart and “ lost in love” and made this for “the one that you love“, and watch him as he gone “crazy for you“, one more sip and ”can’t help falling in love“, its light and flirty, pretty in pink , deep in...12February 13, 2012

    Strawberry mousse

    Strumming my pain with his fingers Singing my life with his words Killing me softly with his song Killing me softly with his song Telling my whole life with his words Killing me softly with his song “ …open your heart and “ lost in love” and made this for “the one that you love“, and watch him as he gone “crazy for you“, one more sip and ”can’t help falling in love“, its light and flirty, pretty in pink , deep in…

  • Beginning today , till Valentine’s Day, we bring you all the sweet and decadent desserts for our Valentine’s Special series, so if you have not subscribed to our feeds, do it now, don’t miss a post. Puddings are that class of desserts without which no celebration is complete, if a simple steamed pudding has that rustic flavour, then baked puddings has its own class, simple to make and great to taste and we believe that’s why they are so popular. On...12February 10, 2012

    Sticky chocolate and date pudding

    Beginning today , till Valentine’s Day, we bring you all the sweet and decadent desserts for our Valentine’s Special series, so if you have not subscribed to our feeds, do it now, don’t miss a post. Puddings are that class of desserts without which no celebration is complete, if a simple steamed pudding has that rustic flavour, then baked puddings has its own class, simple to make and great to taste and we believe that’s why they are so popular. On…

  • Last weekend I went to do some food prop shopping, just wanted to add a piece or two in my growing white collection. Now, dont raise your eyebrow, I know what you are thinking, well..well..I am learning to take some good photo shots and currently being obsessed with food photography. Whether you are an amateur or a pro photographer, shopping for food props is something very difficult to resist, at least for me as I have an undying penchant for crockerys....17February 8, 2012

    Herbed falafel in rich almond sauce – an Indian twist

    Last weekend I went to do some food prop shopping, just wanted to add a piece or two in my growing white collection. Now, dont raise your eyebrow, I know what you are thinking, well..well..I am learning to take some good photo shots and currently being obsessed with food photography. Whether you are an amateur or a pro photographer, shopping for food props is something very difficult to resist, at least for me as I have an undying penchant for crockerys….

  • Hummus – the essential Mediterranean dip has now become a universal dip, widely accepted across countries and cuisines, and Mediterranean cuisine always remains special to me, close to my heart. It is not the cuisine of particular country but of entire region which basked in its exotic landscapes or the food is so fresh here and vibrantly spiced, or may be its glorified past which still fascinates me today. Ancient Sumerian or Babylonian civilization has offered a lot to mankind,...20January 31, 2012

    Hummus in different flavours

    Hummus – the essential Mediterranean dip has now become a universal dip, widely accepted across countries and cuisines, and Mediterranean cuisine always remains special to me, close to my heart. It is not the cuisine of particular country but of entire region which basked in its exotic landscapes or the food is so fresh here and vibrantly spiced, or may be its glorified past which still fascinates me today. Ancient Sumerian or Babylonian civilization has offered a lot to mankind,…

  • Wishing my fellow Indian “ Very Happy Republic day“, India rocks, Indian food rocks, and there are off course tons of things that needs to be straighten up before we can actually and rightfully say this. But on an optimistic note, we look forward to the golden days when finally the serpents of corruption and poverty will cease to hiss. Now, this post is going to my 200 th post…which calls for something special, and as I was prepping up...9January 26, 2012

    Mangsho ghugni / Mutton keema curry with peas soaked in Bengali flavour

    Wishing my fellow Indian “ Very Happy Republic day“, India rocks, Indian food rocks, and there are off course tons of things that needs to be straighten up before we can actually and rightfully say this. But on an optimistic note, we look forward to the golden days when finally the serpents of corruption and poverty will cease to hiss. Now, this post is going to my 200 th post…which calls for something special, and as I was prepping up…

  • Morocco, the culinary star of North African cuisine, has unique and exquisite culinary traditions, being the gateway between Europe and Africa it seems to enjoys the best of both worlds. Spices are central to any Moroccan cooking which perhaps were gifted by the Arabs as it was on the threshold of Arabian spice route or Arbian invasions in the past centuries. Some spice condiments like Ras -al-hanout can feature from 10 to 100 of spices , and every one has...8January 25, 2012

    Moroccan spiced chickpea soup

    Morocco, the culinary star of North African cuisine, has unique and exquisite culinary traditions, being the gateway between Europe and Africa it seems to enjoys the best of both worlds. Spices are central to any Moroccan cooking which perhaps were gifted by the Arabs as it was on the threshold of Arabian spice route or Arbian invasions in the past centuries. Some spice condiments like Ras -al-hanout can feature from 10 to 100 of spices , and every one has…

  • It was a long silent winter night with moon shone brightly in the dark sky flirting with zillions of stars, we were on a road trip winding our ways through the jungles of Madhya Pradesh, the central state of India, where the big wild cats occasionally meets and greets you, just like on a wild safari trip, dotted with some tribal villages along its rustic paths, a strong waft of charred eggplants rustles up its way towards us, leaving us...10January 23, 2012

    Baingan ka bharta goes Mediterranean

    It was a long silent winter night with moon shone brightly in the dark sky flirting with zillions of stars, we were on a road trip winding our ways through the jungles of Madhya Pradesh, the central state of India, where the big wild cats occasionally meets and greets you, just like on a wild safari trip, dotted with some tribal villages along its rustic paths, a strong waft of charred eggplants rustles up its way towards us, leaving us…

  • With a brilliant blue sky and deep Prussian blue sea dotted with exotic landscapes, Mediterranean region is as vibrant as its cuisine which has evolved through ages and has been greatly influenced by the Arabs who introduced many things here from spices to fruits and nuts. Morocco sitting atop in one corner of west North Africa, offers perhaps the most exotic cuisine of the region. When it comes to Morocco, the exotic lamb tagine with dried figs comes first in...7January 19, 2012

    Moroccan sweet couscous

    With a brilliant blue sky and deep Prussian blue sea dotted with exotic landscapes, Mediterranean region is as vibrant as its cuisine which has evolved through ages and has been greatly influenced by the Arabs who introduced many things here from spices to fruits and nuts. Morocco sitting atop in one corner of west North Africa, offers perhaps the most exotic cuisine of the region. When it comes to Morocco, the exotic lamb tagine with dried figs comes first in…

  • I know I am little late in wishing everyone Happy Sankranti , but at times it becomes really difficult to squeeze out some extra time for blogging, and when it coincide with Holidays it becomes all the more difficult. It was a long weekend, here in US, and being new in NC, we went to scout the neighborhood, a short trip to State’s Farmers Market which reveals some new surprises, that I will blog about it later and explored some...9January 17, 2012

    Pithe patishapta for Sankranti or rice crepes with coconut filling

    I know I am little late in wishing everyone Happy Sankranti , but at times it becomes really difficult to squeeze out some extra time for blogging, and when it coincide with Holidays it becomes all the more difficult. It was a long weekend, here in US, and being new in NC, we went to scout the neighborhood, a short trip to State’s Farmers Market which reveals some new surprises, that I will blog about it later and explored some…

  • Once again I am here with another chocolate dessert, before you labeled me as a chocoholic, let me tell you, am not the one…, I can assure you that, but who can resist a chocolate. The sweet and bitter chocolate, yes that is my flavor, as soon as it melts in your mouth, you begin to feel happy … almost instantly. The rich flavonoids and anitoxidants work their way up to your mind and heart, and bring smile on your...16January 13, 2012

    Chilli spiced chocolate cherry tartlets

    Once again I am here with another chocolate dessert, before you labeled me as a chocoholic, let me tell you, am not the one…, I can assure you that, but who can resist a chocolate. The sweet and bitter chocolate, yes that is my flavor, as soon as it melts in your mouth, you begin to feel happy … almost instantly. The rich flavonoids and anitoxidants work their way up to your mind and heart, and bring smile on your…

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