Kirng or Samo seeds rice is often used in India to cook ‘fasting foods. Also known as Bhagar or Moraia , Samo seeds are a kind of wild rice (seeds), hence named as ‘Jungle rice’. Botanically known as Echinochloa colona, it is actually a weed growing in rice fields. Samo is widely used in India, to prepare rice, sweet porridge and Upma. The samo flour is also used to make unleavened flat breads and is generally consumed during fast, when one needs to avoid grains like rice and wheat. I cooked it as a regular upma, replacing semolina with samo…
-
-
Ghee, the clarified butter, a controversial ingredient in Indian kitchens, is often criticized by weight watchers and figure conscious people due to the calories it impart. But it’s hard to ignore the medicinal and healing qualities of pure ghee. The debate could go on, discussing the pros and cons of using Ghee, but then, I prefer using white butter and ghee for slathering the parathas, for my kid, as children would gain health benefits too, along with calories. Cow ghee is hands down winner when compared to buffalo ghee, in terms of texture, colour, fat content, and healing properties. So…
-
Few days back, Sabina of Edelman India Private Limited, approached me to know, if I would be interested in reviewing their client StarBazaar’s products. Star Bazaar is one of India’s leading hyper market chains and is a part of one of the most reliable group, The Tata ! And since I visit Starbazaar’s outlet frequently, I was curious to know about their launch of exclusive private label products, ranging from Basmati rice, cow ghee, Jam, to cornflakes, tea, tomato ketchup etc. I was particularly interested to try out their Basmati rice and cow ghee. I often feel disappointed with the quality…
-
A plateful of ‘Ubhaaryal Phota’ or the boiled, whole (in pods) fresh garbanzo beans stirs memories in many a hearts, particularly if you belong to the ‘pre gizmo-freak generation’. The generation that never got bored despite of the absence of social media networks, 3GS, WiFi, smart phones, X-box, infinite TV channels and coffee shops to hang around with friends. Now when I hear my son complaining about how often he feels bored of his board games, Cartoon channels, baseball and unlimited access to books and computer games, I can’t help but sit and wonder; what was it, that kept us…
-
Each year on 13th January, Sindhis celebrate Laal Loi, or Lohri, as known in Punjabi, also famous as a ‘Festival of Bonfire’ ! Laal Loi is celebrated to express the feeling of gratitude to the natural and supernatural forces for the bounty of Rabi (Winter) crops.So it is a harvest festival of Hindus and is celebrated with fun and folklore, while gathering around a bonfire, singing, dancing, performing rituals and gearing up for the upcoming harvest of Rabi crops. Sindhis celebrate Lal loi in the same way as Punjabis do! Young folks gather loads of dry wood/ logs/ sticks/old furniture…
-
Dal Moth~ Many of you might confuse it with the snack Dal Moth (Farsan), but this isn’t it ! Generally Sindhis relish a hearty breakfast of Dal Moong and Koki, where Dal moong being yellow moong dal topped over whole green gram. Personally I find green grams bit bland and not much appealing to my palate. Technically too, I face a problem with green grams..if overcooked these turn slimy instead of creamy and if undercooked, the curry and moong stand separated and somehow the whole dish do not come together nicely. For this reason, I find Moth beans, known as…
-
I can visualize many health conscious people, cringing at the food in the plate in above picture…but well yeah, Seyun i.e vermicelli cooked in desi ghee and sugar syrup, served with fried potatoes is relished by Sindhis for Breakfast.The sweet and savory flavors are a delight to eat, and though nothing much to say about the health (or unhealthy) quotient of this dish, I am not ashamed or afraid to say, I like this traditional combination of sweet sevaiyan with fried potatoes. Seyun Patata is almost mandatory to cook and offer to Brahmins during Shraadh (A Hindu ritual observed across…






