Mughals, Nawabs and Nihari

For me Eid-ul-zuha (Bakhrid) was not just any celebration, it was a day that I got to go to my Nani’s place and enjoy an unlimited supply of meat—all day long. Eating vegetables is like a sin in a Muslim household on this festival. My prime reason for visiting my hometown was largely based on…

Read More

Paruppu Thogayal

We have Cake Day, Chocolate day and so many other days but not a single day which celebrates Indian food. But on 24th September, I am going to be celebrating Chutney Day. It’s amazing initiative by Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal to celebrate and document chutnies of India. I love South Indian food, I think it has…

Read More

Where Did the Idli Come From?

Idli (and the process of steaming) was known in India by as early as 700 CE. The process of steaming was influenced from Indonesia subsequently between 800-1200 CE, giving rise to the modern-day Idli.(Wiki). This famous south Indian Delicacy has attracted a lot of controversy. There is a serious contention between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as to who can lay claim to the invention of Idli….

Read More

Vapa Pitha/Steamed Rice Cake

Vapa pitha (bhapa pitha) or puli pithe is the most simplest form of pithe made by Bengalis during Poush Parbon Vapa basically means steamed. This amazing dish is a kind of dumpling with the outer shell being made from rice flour and stuffing being prepared with jaggery and grated coconut. There can be several kinds of stuffing for Pitha, I…

Read More