SIMMY'S SPICES & FLAVOURS

Mitha Dahi(Sweet curd)/Misti Doi is a popular dessert in the states of  Odisha and West Bengal. It is prepared by boiling milk until it is slightly thickened, sweetening it with sugar, either guda/gura (brown sugar) or khajuri guda/gura (date molasses), and allowing the milk to ferment overnight. Earthenware is always used as the container for making Mitha Dahi because the gradual evaporation of water through its porous walls not only further thickens the yogurt, but also produces the right temperature for the growth of the culture. Very often the yogurt is delicately seasoned with a pinch of elaichi (cardamom) for fragrance. Baked yogurt is a similar preparation in the west. INGREDIENTS:- Evaporated milk-350ml or 1 can Sweetened condensed milk-350ml or 1 can Sour cream-250ml or 8oz(optional) Plain yogurt OR active culture-1/3 cup Sugar-2 tbsp(for caramelization) Water-few drops METHOD:- 1-Microwave 2 tbsp of sugar and few drops of water in a m...

An aromatic chicken pulao bursting with rich flavors of whole spices, Kashmiri chilies and desi ghee.  INGREDIENTS:- Basmati Rice-2 cups Yogurt-1 cup Sliced onion-2 Grated ginger-1 tbsp Grated garlic-5-6 cloves Chopped green chilies-5 Coriander powder-1 tsp Turmeric powder-1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder-1 tsp Black pepper powder-1 tsp Cumin Seeds-2 tsp Green cardamom-5-6 pods Star anise-1 Cinnamon-1" Cloves-5 Raisins-1 tbsp Ghee-4 tbsp Water-2 & 1/2 cups Sugar-2 pinch Salt to taste FOR MARINADE: Chicken-1 lb Coriander powder-1 tsp Turmeric powder-1 tsp Red chili powder-1 tsp Garam masala powder-1 tsp Chicken masala powder-1 tsp Lemon juice-1 tsp Salt-1 tsp METHOD:- 1-Wash and soak basmati rice in water for about 30 minutes. 2-Add red chili powder,turmeric powder,coriander powder,black pepper powder and salt to the yogurt and whisk well,keep it aside. 3-Marinate chicken with ingredients o...

Manda Pitha(The outer covering consists of steamed rice flour and inner filling is of coconut, jaggery, black pepper and Chhena.) is a steamed Pitha which is prepared in all parts of Orissa during festivals like Manabasa guruvar, Durga Puja, Kumar Purnima, Gamha Purnima etc. INGREDIENTS: Rice-1 cup(instead of rice you can also use semolina(suji)) Water-3 cups Grated Coconut-1 cup Jaggery/sugar-1/2 cup Crushed Cardamom-2-3 Black pepper powder-1/4 tsp Edible camphor powder-a pinch Sugar-1 tsp Salt-a pinch or two METHOD:- 1-Soak the rice for 1 hours,then wash and drain all the water completely and then spread the raw rice in a soft towel and allow it to dry completely. 2-Then heat a pan and dry roast the dried rice(this is to ensure that the moisture is completely gone).Grind it to a fine powder in a mixer and keep it aside. 3-In a pan 1st melt jaggery,then add shredded coconut and keep stirring till the jaggery starts sticking to the coconut. 4-Add cardamom powde...

The Jagannath Temple in Puri is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath and located in the coastal town of Puri in the state of Odisha, India.The name Jagannath (Lord of the Universe) is a combination of the Sanskrit words Jagat (Universe) and Nath (Lord).This temple was built in the 11th century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. The temple is an important pilgrimage destination for many Hindu traditions, particularly worshippers of Krishna and Vishnu, and part of the Char Dham pilgrimages that a Hindu is expected to make in one's lifetime.It is one of the holiest Hindu Char Dham (four divine sites) sites comprising Rameswaram, Badrinath, Puri and Dwarka.It is said and believed that He takes His bath at Rameswaram, meditates at Badrinath, dines at Puri and retires at Dwarika. It is therefore, a lot of importance is given to the temple food "Mahaprasad" (not simply prasad) here at Puri. The temple's kitchen is considered as the largest kitchen in the...

Kheer also known as Payasam ,Payasa or Payesh is a rice pudding,which is a traditional South Asian sweet dish.It is made by boiling rice or broken wheat with milk and sugar,and flavoured with cardamom, raisins, saffron, cashew nuts, pistachios or almonds. It is typically served during a meal or also consumed alone as a dessert.It is  prepared in festivals,temples,and all special occasions.It is an essential dish in many Hindu feasts and celebrations.While the dish is most often made with rice,it can also be made with other ingredients such as vermicelli (seviyan, seviyaan, sayviah, or other spellings). INGREDIENTS:- Basmati rice-1/2 cup Whole milk-2 ltrs Sugar-3/4 cup(as required) Ghee-1 tbsp Bay leaf-1 Crushed cardamom-1 tsp Salt-a pinch Handful of cashews & raisins METHOD:- 1-Wash the rice & drain water.Keep aside for about 25-30 mints.Roast the dry fruits with little ghee and keep aside. 2-In a thick bottom pan heat ghee,add 1 tbsp of sugar an...

INGREDIENTS:- Raw banana(kancha kadali)-2 Pumpkin(kakharu)-200g Papaya(amrutabhnda)-1 small Eggplant(baigana)-2 medium Arum(saru)-6 Yam(matialu)-1 pc Sweet potato(kandamula)-2 Spine gourd(kankada)-4 Beans-6 White chickpeas-1/2 cup Ginger-1 inch Green chili-5 Cinnamon stick-1" Cardamom Pod-2 Peppercorns-1/2 Fennel seeds-2 tsp Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp Mustard seeds-1 tsp Grated coconut-1/2 cup Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp Salt 2 taste Roasted cumin powder-2 tsp Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing FOR TEMPTING: Ghee-1 tbsp Panch phutan-1 tsp(Cumin Seed,Mustard Seed,Fennel Seed,Fenugreek Seed,Black cumin seed) Dry red chili-2 Asafetida-a pinch METHOD:- 1-Wash and soak chickpeas overnight or about 4-5 hours.Wash,peel and cut all the vegetables in small pieces. 2-Crush ginger and green chili.Grind cinnamon,cardamom,peppercorns,fennel seeds,cumin seeds,mustard seeds with little water until it is a rough paste. 3-Boil vegetables,soaked chickpeas,salt,tur...

MITHA DALI is one of the "MAHAPRASAD" which offered to lord Jagannath(Jagannath temple,Puri) in his madhyanha dhupa(midday meal served to lord).Mitha dali is prepared by mixed dal(mix with toor and chana) cooked with jaggery,bay leaf,coconut and tempted with ghee and panchu phutan.This is my mom's recipe,she learned this recipe from one of her relative who lives in Puri(Near Jagannath Temple).I tried it first time at home and it turned out to be delicious.Thanx mom for such a wonderful & delicious recipe. INGREDIENTS:- Chana dal-1 cup Toor Dal-1 cup Turmeric powder-1 tsp Jaggery or Sugar-2 tbsp (or as per ur taste) Salt to taste FOR PASTE: Freshly grated coconut-1/4 cup(you can also use frozen and dried coconut) Cinnamon stick-1" Cardamom Pod-2 Cloves-4 Peppercorns-1 tsp Coriander seeds-1 tsp Cumin seeds-1 tsp Fennel seeds-1 tsp Fenugreek seeds-1/2 tsp water-1/4 cup(I used dried coconut that's why i used hot water) FOR TEMPTING: ...

INGREDIENTS:- Rice-2 cups Moong dal-handful Crushed ginger-2 tbsp Bay leaves– 2 Asafetida-1/2 tsp Grated coconut-1/4 cup Ghee-2 tbsp Sugar-1/2 tsp Salt-1/4 tsp METHOD:- 1-Wash and soak rice and moong dal in water for about 15-20 mints. 2-In a pressure cooker heat 1 tbsp ghee,add asafetida,ginger and bay leaves. 3-Stir,add the soaked rice and dal,mix well and fry for a min.stirring continuously. 4-Add 4 cups of water,grated coconut,1 tbsp ghee,salt and sugar. 5-Close the lid and pressure cook the rice till 2 whistles on medium heat. 6-Open the lid when cooker get cool down.Mix the rice slowly.Your ada hengu khichdi is ready to serve.Enjoy it with besara ,mahura or meetha dali .

The word quiche comes from French,It has a pastry crust and a filling of eggs and milk or cream which, when baked, become a custard.My husband and I loved this! You can easily add some extra veggies you have on hand—mushrooms, asparagus,corn,potatoes,peas etc. My husband couldn't believe something that tasted so good was also nutritious !!! INGREDIENTS:- Whole Eggs-5 Milk-1/2 cup Potato-1 large(cut into cubes) Green peas-1/2 cup Chopped Onions-1 large Chopped Garlic-3-4 cloves Chopped green chilies-2 Chili powder-1/2 tsp Grated Cheddar cheese-1/2 cup Olive Oil-2 tbsp Salt as per taste Pepper as per taste Cooking spray for grease METHOD:- 1-Preheat the oven to 350 F. 2-In a pan heat olive oil and add chopped garlic and onion to it. 3-Cook onions,garlic and half chopped green chilies on medium heat 5 min,stirring frequently. 4-Add potatoes,green peas,chili powder,pepper powder,salt and cook for 5 min,stirring frequently. 5-Remove from heat and let th...