A couple months ago, I had a Cardamom-Rose truffle at Eclipse Chocolat, a local chocolate shop. I was in love! I had never had chocolate cardamom and rose together but somehow it felt very familiar, very Indian. The candied rose petals on the truffle were so yummy. A crunchy sugar-y taste of rose that’s not… Continue reading Chocolate Cardamom Shortbread Cookies with Candied Rose Petals
Pistachio and saffron (known as kesar pista) is a classic Indian combination. The buttery flavor of pistachio goes superbly with the metallic notes of the saffron. You will find all sweets from cookies to ice creams to traditional desserts made with this delicious flavor combination. I have been making pistachio tuiles for years. I make… Continue reading Pistachio and Saffron (Kesar Pista) Tuiles
Some time ago I told my friend, E, I would make her cupcakes for her birthday. She and her husband are big Indiaphiles. She said she wanted caramel and she was having her birthday at a wine bar so I thought of a red wine caramel sauce I made for a pear tart a few… Continue reading Saffron Cupcakes with Red Wine Caramel Sauce
I’m going to a food swap today! A food swap is an event where people bring homemade goodies including homegrown fruits, vegetables and herbs, or like me, bring snacks and desserts. It is a great little event where there are lots of food samples to taste and goodies to swap for. The last time Steve… Continue reading Chili Caramel Popcorn for the Food Swap
There is a little shop called Mapro near where I went to boarding school in the Western Ghat mountains. They make their own syrups, jams, jellies and candies with fresh fruits and juices. They are famed for their strawberry jam. But my favorite thing from their shop has always been their rose syrup. It tastes… Continue reading Rose Creme Brulee
January 14th is one of the most exciting days of the year in many parts of India, especially Gujarat. Growing up, my brother and I looked forward to it every year. It’s the day of the Kite Festival. The Kite Festival in India is not the peaceful event you may be picturing. In India, flying kites… Continue reading Kite Wars and Puffed Rice Brittle (Chikki) Recipe
For me, jalebi is one sweet that instantly triggers deep feelings of nostalgia. I grew up always eating them to celebrate our parents wedding anniversary. Steve and I had some delicious apple jalebi for my birthday one year at Rasika in Washington DC. We also served jalebi at our Mehndi Party (a pre-wedding celebration where… Continue reading Celebrating the New Year with Rhubarb Jalebi in Cardamom Syrup
I can’t believe we’re already half way through December. This year’s gone by way too fast. And it’s about to get even busier. Our niece is about to be born (any day now!) and of course the Holidays are coming up. So much excitement. I love it! Yesterday was a cold and rainy day here… Continue reading Ginger Cupcakes with Chai Cream filling for the Holidays
One of my favorite Indian desserts is Malpuda with Rabri and it is perfect for the big Diwali dinner. When I was a kid living in India, I always wanted to bake cakes for desserts. That was a challenge because we didn’t have an oven. My mom used to borrow an old-fashioned baking contraption from… Continue reading Ricotta Pancakes with Condensed Milk (Malpuda and Rabri)
Diwali is one of India’s most important festivals. Diwali means “festival of lights” and lasts five days. It was always the best time of the year while I was growing up in India. For Gujarati’s like me, Diwali is our New Year’s Eve. (Everyone celebrates Diwali, but it’s only New Years for us Gujus. India… Continue reading Celebrating Diwali with Homemade Hand-Pies (Ghoogra)
A savory semolina crepe, better known as a rava dosa is one of my standard quick fix meals. Rava dosa are the instant version of the South Indian classic dosa. The classic dosa is a lot of work and not easy to do for people like me who do don’t plan dinner 3 days in advance.… Continue reading Semolina Crepes with Caramel Sauce (Sweet Rava Dosa)
Cardamom is the Indian vanilla. It basically functions as a vanilla substitute in Indian cuisine. We use it in pretty much any sweet dish ranging from rice pudding to nut fudge to masala chai. I love the flavor so much, I chew on cardamom pods in place of mints…I know I’m weird. Don’t judge! I have a method.… Continue reading Cardamom Semolina Shortbread Cookies
