basic Kerala spicy ground beef with mixed vegetables

This is a favorite of my family, and it is  recipe that grew out of necessity and convenience.
Again, the possibilities are endless with this one. As a filling in a wrap,for  a bun, for a puff pastry shell, for a samosa, for a pita pocket. Or as a topping for noodles, traditional or spiralized vegetable, for pizza,  a side for hot rice, with plain yogurt or Kerala yogurt salad, or the Kerala buttermilk curry, ..... Great with bread, it work well as a sandwich filling, a side for roti. Could be served in lettuce leaves, could be cooked wrapped in cabbage leaves. It is the Kerala meat masala and the onion , ginger and garlic that gives it its special flavor. like I said, endless.

blueberry muffins

The go-to muffin made with whole wheat flour.

Spiralized

I resisted this till now.

And once I got my spiralizer, I found that it is quite interesting and helps create some beautiful fun meals. Started with a simple garlicky zucchini-shrimp combo. Delicious!

beets and shrimp

Then couldn't wait to incorporate other traditional Kerala tastes. Did a mix and match noodles, topping and side thing. Sauteed the spiralized vegetables and onion in some olive oil with some garlic, red pepper flakes, salt/ And they did not disappoint. Very nice!

spiralized potatoes, carrots, beets, zucchini

And to go with the noodles, Spicy ground beef, pan-seared spicy fish, lamb chops .

And here are a few ways to serve the above. Of course, there are a lot more options here.

We could mix the beef with the noodles, saute them together too, of course. and we can go the way of any world cuisine here. say, Italian, Indian.... The other day I had it with the Keralan yellow lentil soup - parippukoottaan. And it tasted fabulous. Possibilities are endless.

Isn't it lovely?

Chelsea buns

An English tea time favorite, Chelsea bun is my favorite too. The other day, in my little breakfast room, with the sun shining warmly on me, and sipping a cup of tea, I bit into one of those. It was a pleasing experience that took me back in time, back home. Brought back the taste of those tutty-fruity raisin buns from then. Chelsea buns are loaded cinnamon rolls and the Swedish julbullar.

Chelsea buns

Banana muffins

Over ripe banana that everyone avoids looking at, and that no one would throw away, as no one wants to be the wasteful one? Make banana muffins,  and try making it a bit healthy by using whole wheat flour, oil for butter and a little less sugar. Or forget the sugar altogether, and pretend you meant to do so all along because the bananas were so sweet! ;) or make  my favorite pazham unda. Should get hold of a pic of that now.

banana muffins

Masala Dosa

One of my favorite things to eat is the masala dosa. It is a delicious evocative experience for the palate bringing back memories of carefree college days and youth.

Making it today was easier because I had readymade batter prepared by my mom and sis, along with the accompaniments, sambar, tomato chutney and coconut chutney. I just had to make the dosa! Thought of making a mint chutney too, but was too lazy.

Christmas 2013

It was around the Christmas of 2013 that I first heard of Springerles. I had to try my hand at making those. So among the sweet stuff for that Christmas I made those. Found a recipe and bought a couple of molds on amazon. 

Also, looked into  a couple of Goan specialties. Like the kulkuls and the layered Bebinca. and made those too, along with a few other cookies.

The Goan sweets

kulkuls

bebinca









And the rest of the sweets :

chocolate - cherry cookies

At the party place:

xmas cookies 2014

christmas plum cake