Recently the famous west Indian mountain chain, the western ghats, made it to the coveted list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. For that reason alone, we should all celebrate! You wonder why? Well, the western ghats are known to be one of the eight hottest hotspots of biological diversity in the world. The mountain chain runs, in a narrow strip from north to … [Read more...]
Search Results for: goan
Spiced Yardlong Beans Recipe
In India, or at least in Goa, bhaji means Vegetable. When you go to a local restaurant, which serves up simple food, you can ask for a bhaji. For example, potato bhaji, beans bhaji and so on are readily available on the menu. Those food places which serve up tasty bhaji are quite popular with their Vegetarians. You will not just see locals, but even foreigners … [Read more...]
Tindora Salad with Coconut Vinegar Dressing
This Ivy Gourd salad was created by me after falling madly in love with the ivy gourd fruit/vegetable. As you may remember, I had posted last month a Veg Goan tendli bhaji recipe, where I explained all the uses of this delicious fruit/vegetable. By the way, I am intending to take seeds back to Europe, so I'll be able to report its growth here online. It would be … [Read more...]
Karonda Berry
Recently, some 10 days back I had requested desperately for some help and information (here) about some of the rarest berries, which grow between March - May on Goas beautiful jungle hills. I want to thank all those who have been supporting me in this quest but especially I would like to thank Finla Noronha who took the time and researched a bit. You are sweetheart … [Read more...]
One Pot Pork Fillet with mushrooms and potatoes
This is my first pork dish here., and it has been a while. It is very rare that I cook pork at home and in general its not a meat which everybody enjoys. I myself, I am quite difficult and choosy when I cook and eat pork Nowadays I have seen more useless cuts of pork meat around than ever before. Another factor is the fat content, and I am the type of person who … [Read more...]
Green Mango Pickle
Its the Mango season, the time when you indulge the fruity gems in masses, the time when you end up eating only fresh mangoes the whole day and the time when you have to be aware that some of your house tiles might get jammed by falling fruits. What would we do without the juicy, refreshing goodness? It is unimaginable, so deeply rooted and needed are the mangoes. … [Read more...]
Rare Indian Berries
I am looking and searching and reading and going crazy with the thought that I won't find the name or any other information about some of the tastiest culinary berries out there. Those berries are nearly forgotten in between Goas hills, known only by the former generations and the poorer populations of the villages. It is frustrating to watch a fruit disappear in front … [Read more...]
Tindora Fry Recipe
This is a quick Goan Indian tindora fry recipe, also called ivy gourd or tendli (in Goa). Serve it up as a side dish with curry and rice. 📕 What's the Tindora? Meet one of my favorite fruits used for savory dishes, the Tindora. If the name isn't familiar in English, maybe you know it better as ivy gourd, baby watermelon, gentleman's toes, little … [Read more...]
Air Potato - Karaino
Some time back I had posted a picture on Twitter of a dark brown "root". My question was, what this unusual edible plant was called in any language, the feedback as expected was that nobody knew or ever had seen this funny looking "vegetable" before. The joke was that I had asked previously my family members and neighbors in Goa if they knew it. Well, they … [Read more...]
Basilico Italian Restaurant - Anjuna Goa
Sadly Basilico closed down in 2021. I'm keeping this up in memory of all the good times that we had there. Thank you, Susanna and Selwyn! Susanna shared her Passatelli recipe lately. So maybe we can have a tiny bit of Basilico at home. You know the days when you crave for authentic Italian food, the anti Pasti surprises, the delightful thin crust pizzas, the satisfying … [Read more...]
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Course Ingredients Homemade Popular Categories Sweet Corner Cuisines … [Read more...]
Onion Pakora and Green Chutney Dip
I had mentioned in my previous posts, sweet lassie day and warm ginger lemon honey tea, how I had landed in India and how I managed to keep myself over the water level. If you want to see India by backpack traveling the country, you have to know as foreigner that sooner or later you ll get stomach sick. Once you had your tummy ache you are free of future food … [Read more...]
Soji Semolina Recipe
Soji or Sooji/Suji is a stir-fried semolina dessert in Goa, India. Semolina wheat is known as Rawa, so the term Rawa Soji is more common. Some places in India call this a Halwa. I am constantly looking for quick, tasty recipes. Life around us is always a buzz, time scares, precious, and we try to do the maximum in a day. My plan for today's day, was to … [Read more...]
Basic Brown Rice Congee Recipe (Rice Gruel)
This is a basic brown rice congee recipe, which is an Asian rice gruel dish. My recipe is based on the Goan, Indian variation. 📕 What is this Congee recipe? Rice congee is one of the simplest dishes in the world. At its base, it's just rice water and salt, and it's a rice gruel. The word “congee” derives from the Tamil word “kaanchi” which means porridge or … [Read more...]
The Big Fish Restaurant review - Palolem beach Goa
That's my first Restaurant review post here at Masala Herb and I am a bit excited about it because it is simple looking but their food is awesome and its located at a special place. ^.^ Some days ago we had decided to go for a little holiday of 3 days, and since my relatives from Europe were down in Goa, it was the perfect excuse for some quality relaxation time. … [Read more...]
Breakfast Poha Recipe
Phovu, pronounced Fo, is a typically celebrational sweet from around Goa. It reminds me of Müsli, for the choice of ingredients is similar to that, just the Indian way, with rice flakes, Jaggery, Coconut, and Raisins. Sounds simple enough and quick to prepare. With a healthy touch of natures resources, enjoyed as in between snack, dessert or even breakfast, you can … [Read more...]
Pan-Fried Spiced Bombay Duck Fish (Bombil)
A homemade bombay duck recipe prepared with fresh fish. This fish is briefly dried and then pan cooked in oil with spices. 📕 What is Bombay Duck? Bombay duck, also called Bombil or Bummalo or Bombay dak in Western India, is a small fish with a large jaw. They are called that way because their habitat is the Mumbai area, and they are also native to the Gujarat and … [Read more...]
Tradition, Goa and Food
Recently, I had the honor to participate in a Goan Christian Traditional food pre wedding Ritual. These rituals are rare, barely known and practiced and they are holding a couple of weeks before the actual wedding of the couple. Its all about food, prepared by “3 wise local women”. All the ingredients are homegrown, hand plucked an dried. Even the white flour for … [Read more...]