We have a massive collection of Christmas Cookie recipes in Central Europe. Seriously, you would be surprised by the number of different cookies our ancestors were able to create in time. From spiced Lebkuchen, to soft Coconut Cookies and Sugar Baiser, the choice is endless! Coming from a rich Christmas Cookie tradition, I am still surprised at times by new cookie … [Read more...]
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Elisenlebkuchen Cookies Recipe
Elisenlebkuchen are some of my favorite cookies in the world! Learn further below why :) As I had promised, my dear readers, we are kicking into the Cookie week with a load of different sweet treats. I have joined up with some of my food blogger friends to present you a colossal collection of the best homemade cookie recipes. There is something for … [Read more...]
Tropical Garden Goa India Part II
The last days have been super hot in the small Indian Coastline state Goa and the retrieving rains seem to be over. Yet the heat is dragging along and I am starting to turn into a raisin. I am looking for water and I am yearning for cooling sights. I remember the days when plump water drops would fall on the broad Elephant Ears in my tropical garden Goa. I … [Read more...]
Goan Para Fish - Marinated Fish Pickle
Something that I thought I would never eat back in 2007, ended up being one of my most favorite Goan dishes. Dried Fish curing in fiery red marination is definitely unusual for a European, but when I was introduced to the fried Goan Para fish served with a mountain of rice and a good dose of Dal, I was instantly hooked by the flavor tango on my tongue. At the … [Read more...]
Mushroom Duxelles Pasta Sauce
More then a year ago I had introduced you to Mushroom Duxelles, a mixture of finely chopped Mushrooms shallots and herbs. Back then I had shared my stuffed Tomatoes a la Duxelles at Cafe Terra blog, so a recipe was never shared here at Masala Herb. Mushroom Duxelles is usually used for stuffing's and the most known dish stuffed with Duxelles is Beef Wellington. … [Read more...]
Kohlrabi Potato Purée
The other day I came across a vegetable that I hadn’t seen for a while in my little neighborhood market here. As you must have guessed it from the title, I am talking about the humble Kohlrabi, a plump, whitish and roundish looking leafy bulb vegetable. Personally, I am very familiar with the taste of the bulb and I blame my mother for that. She had the habit to … [Read more...]
Chicken Roll ups with Ham and Cheese
A couple of weeks ago, I came up with some fun food. I had stumbled upon this dish by chance, and it is fun to make. You see, I have been going through a whole lot of time limits recently, somehow I am always out of time. Does that sound familiar to you? Among all the life-changing devices and technology, we all ended up having less time at hand. So, … [Read more...]
Masala Herb Feature & Mention
Regular mentions at Goan Voice.org.uk Interview in India Today Women - August 2013 Print Edition Top 30 Indian Food Bloggers @SocialSamosa.com- January 2014 Speaker at the Goa Arts and Literary Festival - topics: Blogging and Food Blogging - December 2014 Blogging for a Living - The Goan Newspaper- December 2014 online & print Edition 15 Heavenly … [Read more...]
Rice Patties Recipe with Carrots
Rice Patties are a great addition to your weekly meal plan to switch up things. These pan-fried savory rice cakes with carrots are prepared with leftover rice and are vegetarian and gluten-free. I created these rice patty cakes to celebrate rice in all its forms and shapes. Just FYI, rice patties are at times also known as rice cakes. 🔪 How to make rice … [Read more...]
Ridge Gourd Casserole Recipe
Ridge Gourd Bake Casserole is a delicious Week night dinner idea. The Ridge Gourd is a gourd vegetable growing in the tropical regions of this world, and most particularly on the Indian subcontinent. Learn how to use this healthy vegetable in this ridge gourd bake casserole with the step-by-step recipe further below: My all-time favorite vegetable on the … [Read more...]
Mini Gugelhupf Recipe
Mini Gugelhupf cake as a bite-sized dessert. Those are easy to make and oh so good. 📕 What is Gugelhupf? The Gugelhupf is the forefather of the American bundt cake and originated in Austria. This cake was especially popular during the Biedermeier period in central Europe. The Gugelhupf has many names and might be better known in some parts of Europe … [Read more...]
Tropical Fruit Garden India
I thought it was about time to show you all our Tropical Fruit Garden here in Goa, India. This is the best season for me to show off with all the wondrous fruit treats growing in our garden. We have many more trees, but they are still pretty young. In fact, most of them were planted a year ago, but more about that later on. Of course, we do have some … [Read more...]
Alle Belle Recipe - Coconut Crepes
Sweet Coconut Crêpes prepared with coconut milk and stuffed with sugar cane molasses and Coconut bits or flakes. You can add food coloring, too, to change the appearance to a bright-colored dessert. These are coconut crêpes, which are a common sweet delicacy in Goan homes. They are also known as Alle belle. The specialty of these stuffed coconut rolled … [Read more...]
Herb Soup Dumplings (Biskuitschöberl)
Nearly two weeks ago I had posted our Austrian Semolina dumplings recipe and in the same post I had promised to share more traditional Soup dumplings. Back then I had also come up with a Clear Vegetable Consommé, and today you'll be able to reuse this Clear soup recipe together with some typical, easy and quick herb dumplings. These dumplings are commonly known as … [Read more...]
Buchteln Recipe with Vanilla Sauce
Buchteln are sweet baked buns. This recipe is with a hazelnut filling and it's from Austria. 📕 What are Buchetln? Buchteln are sweet yeast rolls with a filling. These sweet Buns are stuffed with jam or sometimes even with other surprises such as Topfen (fresh cheese) or even nuts. You will find this traditional dish all around the alps in the heart of … [Read more...]
Austrian Jagertee Recipe
The alpine skiing slopes are famous all over the world. Why? Mostly because of the tipsy making hot beverages, such as the heart-warming Jagertee. 📕 What is a Jagertee? Jagertee, Jägertee or Jagatee means Hunter's tea and Jaga is the local Tyrolean (regional Austrian German) word for Jäger in German. My conclusion is that in the old times, Hunter's used … [Read more...]
Vegetarian Potato Goulash Recipe
This Potato Goulash is completely vegetarian and a common weeknight dinner meal during the cold winter months in Austria. The one-pot wonder is easy to make and you just need a few ingredients to prepare the soup within 30 minutes. 📕 What is this dish? The Austrian Goulash soup with potatoes is a dish we all grew up with, in Austria. The authentic goulash … [Read more...]
Coconut Ball Macaroons Recipe
For Christmas, light Coconut Macaroons are always common in each Middle European house. 📕 What are Macaroons? In German they are better known as Kokosbusserl and I can tell you, there are many variations. These cream/white shaded cookies are very simple to recreate and I guess, that and the taste are the reason for its popularity. Now you might be … [Read more...]
Amla Candy
In India, one fruit has gained more more importance over the years. I am speaking of the Indian Gooseberry, which is commonly known as Amla all over the country. The Amla Berry has been popular among Indians for ages, but not for its culinary uses but mostly for its medicinal Ayurvedic properties. The benefits are countless, yet the fruit never achieved a … [Read more...]
French Onion Soup Recipe
I bet all of you have had an opportunity to indulge in an onion soup. But have you ever had the chance to enjoy a French Onion soup? This is the queen of all onion soups. What makes it so special is the use of simple common ingredients such as a good stock and flour to give it thickness. Another main ingredient, that simply can't be overlooked, is the choice of … [Read more...]
Coco Loco Brain Juice [Halloween]
As you have already realized, Halloween is nearing and some of us, including me, are all busy creating new Halloween Food Idea. If you click on the link, you 'll be able to see our Halloween Pinterest Pin board, already stuffed with great creative and spooky Halloween goodies from the Food Blogger community. Head over for some … [Read more...]
Layered Polenta Casserole Recipe
📕 What is Polenta? Polenta is a typical Italian, central European maize (cornmeal) porridge type. Polenta resembles grits, but it's deep yellow. Before polenta was introduced to Europe, they used other ingredients such as chestnut flour or millet. Polenta is cooked with liquids such as water, stocks or milk for a couple of minutes. It's a very quick side dish … [Read more...]
Orange Blossom Tea
In the last years, I have changed my habits from prepacked tea bags to homemade teas. The reason for the switch was the fact, that homemade teas are healthier. You know what's in it and that's the case wih this orange blossom tea too! The herbs and spices are mostly grown in our Gardens, and lucky as I am, we got one on 2 continents. Yet, my knowledge all … [Read more...]
Esterhazy Torte
We grew up with french pastries and Desserts at home all the time. My mother had some knowledge of Austrian cakes and cooking and would present us some of her creations every once in a while. However our food at home was a 90% French. I had studied Hotel management in college and learned THE Austrian/ Middle European food. This of course leased my … [Read more...]
Apple Tart
It's Time to bake some Apple Tarts! What do you think? Apples are falling and besides that, other fruits are ready to be harvested. Again, I wished I were in Europe now. Just to be able to pick what I had planted and to preserve the surplus fruits. Occasionally, we even make juice of certain fruits. My parents belong to the local gardening club there, … [Read more...]
Amboli, Tilari - South Maharashtra - Western ghats - India
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...]
Goan Sauteed Ridge Gourd Recipe
Luffa is a funny name for a Vegetable that is just so tasty! When I hear the word Luffa, I think of soap and a hot bath. In fact, my thinking isn't that wrong because this particular vegetable isn't just a wonderful food item but at the same time a very popular natural sponge since the beginning of time. However, the Luffa vegetables here in Goa/India are actually … [Read more...]
Spinach Parmesan Frittata with Shrimp Recipe
Sometimes I feel I should come back to the staple food reality, even though the exotic food world is ever so tempting and exciting! The past days I have been working and testing a wild leave bhaji type, commonly cooked in Hindu houses in the rains in Goa. However it will take some time till I am ready to share it with you all since I am looking for some … [Read more...]
Goan Sautéed Okra Recipe
Delicious easy Okra stir-fry with a blend of aromatic spices. This is a Goan (Indian Recipe) okra stir-fry, locally known as Bhende Bhaji. Okra is a little healthy vegetable also better known as ladies' fingers or okro. It is one of the main staple foods in South Asia and some parts of Africa Its origin is disputed between these two locations, but nevertheless … [Read more...]
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...]
Herb Infused Vinegar DIY
Who knew that making homemade herbal vinegar dressing was that easy. You'd be surprised too by the lovely flavors and intensity of the fresh herbs infused for a lovely herbal vinegar. Learn how to make this DIY herbal vinegar step by step. Furthermore, learn about the herbs used in this recipe and their health benefits further below. A punch of sweet … [Read more...]
Rhubarb Tart
Our house is a real treasure cove, with useful old things and precious collectables. Whenever the time allows it, (which doesn't happen often) I like to search through forgotten attic boxes and cellar cupboards. I had picked up that habit as a kid one fine afternoon when I was alone at home. Precisely, I had actually started to rummage through the house when I … [Read more...]
Austrian Farmer's Open-Door Day
Austria might be a small country, barely remembered and known by the world in the middle of the European continent, but this friendly little country has a remarkable tradition with friendly inhabiting people. Traveling the world, I was asked several times for my country of origin and whenever I tried to explain that I grew up in Austria, the first thing I was told was "AHA, … [Read more...]
Egg Liqueur Cake
We Europeans love Egg liqueur! It's an omnipresent treat at family meeting, feasts and the such. It is served and used simply as a digestive drink after a meal or as an improve in desserts such as ice cream or even cake dishes. The creamy yellow goodness is a smooth, egg-based alcohol type, which can be easily reconstructed in your own home kitchen. … [Read more...]
Bavarian Sauerkraut and Sausage Recipe
A traditional Bavarian Sauerkraut with Sausage recipe. It's an effortless one-pot meal which you can prepare with either homemade or store-bought Sauerkraut. This Sauerkraut recipe is as per Bavarian and Austrian customs (we share a culture), and if you have traveled to the area, this is the recipe you are looking for. What is Sauerkraut and Sausage? Sauerkraut is … [Read more...]
Zunna Berry (chunna) - Ziziphus Rugosa
We love berries don't we? The best part is to collect them in the wild and either take them home or even better to indulge them here and there in the forest/jungle. We don't feel like it is a waste of time! It's an urge, like a desire deep from our subconscious selves, telling us “Come on, it is fun and tasty at the same time!”. Granted, I for once don't … [Read more...]
Karonda Berry
Karonda is a berry found growing on shrubs in Goa and the Western Ghats in India in the wild. Karonda Berry Names So here we go today with some interesting knowledge about the Kantam berry (known as Kanta in Bardez). This particular black ball of a fruit is known in the botanical world as Carissa Carandas, in English as pickle berry and in other parts of India as … [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...]
Blanquette de veau a l'ancienne
The other day my husband bought some excellent veal belly which he found in a corner at market. Usually, these kinds of meats are uncommon or asking for their prices. I have to confess I wouldn't know where to buy veal or other meats such as lamb, buffalo, or even deer. The later meat will not be available. Game meats such as deer boar, tortoise, and … [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...]