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...]
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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...]
Mirabelle Plum Tart Recipe
The Mirabelle Plum is a delicate fruit, commonly grown in France. This is a Mirabelle tart with almond flour and a homemade shortcrust pastry. When I take a bite of our homemade Mirabelle Tart, it is as though I end up in another world. Drifting away with its taste and aroma. Well, in fact it's not just any tart, it is a complete inspirational … [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...]
Rhubarb Strawberry Jam Recipe
Homemade Rhubarb Strawberry Jam Recipe with fresh ingredients that are in season. Make a batch of this delicious jam to spread a spoonful of it over your toasted breakfast bread. Minus the Rhubarb and you have a strawberry jam recipe to make. We love Rhubarb, don't we? The sour, tart flavor of those crisp stalks have become quite popular … [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...]
Detox Herbal Tea
Some time back I had introduced you to a creative home made Dandelion flower jelly, and back then I had promised to share a few other healthy culinary uses for the plant. Before the Austrian alps were commercialized, folks of the mountains had ways and secrete family recipes to their disposition. The chosen ingredients were commonly available products, such as wild … [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...]
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
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...]
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...]
Cold Tomato Orange Soup with Buffalo Mozzarella
A cold tomato orange soup prepared with fresh peeled tomatoes, orange juice and enriched with chunks of soft buffalo mozzarella and basil leaves. 📕 What is this soup? A simple, flavorful cold summer soup to beat the heat. This soup is like a Spanish cold gazpacho soup. It's served cooled. This soup doesn't require cooking it, it can be prepared within 20 … [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...]
Ficelle Picarde Recipe - Savory stuffed Crêpes
The Ficelle Picard is a savory rolled and stuffed crêpes from the Picardy region in Northern France. 📕 What is it? A creamy luscious savory crêpes recipe called crêpes ficellle Picarde. This recipe was originally developed in the 50s in Amiens (Picardie, North of France) by a cook named Marcel Lefèvre. To date, it has been a hit in the region and … [Read more...]
Java Plum Juice
Finally, I am feeling a bit better after that vicious food poisoning attack last weekend. My husband did eat the same dish as I, but he was barely effected, luckily! Definitely I am not looking forward to weakening my body again, no Idea why I thought that I could eat prawns in the summer heat. My taste buds were crying for some seafood flavors, for a change of … [Read more...]
Tropical Mix Fruit Jam
By the end of last week, I had my bomb of fresh Fruit Salads with curds, and I am excited to announce that I got used to the heat. Some days ago it rained a bit early morning and since that it's even hotter, (38 Celsius and I guess the humidity is easily over 80%). My husband is still in the fruit salad craze because he can't get used to the validity. … [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...]
Fruit Skewers and Coconut Yogurt Dip
Rainbow colored fresh Fruit Skewers and a coconut yogurt dip to serve along. This is a fun adult-only fruit snack to entertain your guests. When the days get hotter, and you are hosting some friend, make these refreshing fruit skewers. Colorful and inviting, they are a fun way to enjoy a get-together. Pick a set of colorful fresh fruits, cut them into chunks, … [Read more...]
Strawberry Dumplings
We Austrians life for our Knödel. Seriously we wouldn't be able to think those round dumplings away from our lives, simply because they are so versatile and because we enjoy them savoury and even sweet. There are so many versions, you would be surprised! I am aware that many people out there in the world don’t even know the existence of Knödel, our floury middle … [Read more...]
Goan Choriz Sausage
Some years back when our restaurant used to be open in the monsoon, we had one young couple which would come every day, and they would sit there for hours speaking with each other. They were Russians and they didn't know much English. The first time they sat in our place they got attracted by the word “sausage” in the choriz sausage bread and so ordered it. The … [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...]
Wheatgrass Shots with Fresh Wheatgrass
You can make a fresh wheatgrass shot at home from scratch. Here is how it's done! You love sprouts? Here is a guide to sprout mung beans. What is a Wheatgrass Shot? A wheatgrass shot is made by processing wheatgrass that grows from seeds into a concentrated punch. Wheatgrass, sometimes spelled wheat grass, is the young green grass that grows out of your wheat. … [Read more...]
Marzipan Candy with Honey Recipe
A natural marzipan candy with honey and whole almonds. Instead of using peeled almonds, as it is usually done, I use whole almonds for this honey and rose water flavored marzipan. These can be shaped in various ways. I like my marzipan candies shaped into balls because they are easier to handle that way. This sweet homemade almond paste is one of my … [Read more...]
Fresh Moroccan Mint Tea
Moroccan mint tea is a simple yet refreshing blend of green tea and fresh mint leaves, lightly sweetened for a perfect balance. It’s a fragrant and flavorful tea that’s perfect for unwinding or sharing with friends. TL;DR We have long been enjoying a cup of freshly brewed Moroccan mint tea at home, and our love for this herbal brew only increased over the … [Read more...]
Candied Sweet Potatoes (Daigaku Imo)
When guests come to visit us, I usually get excited. I start to go through my mind, thinking what treats I could try serving my unsuspecting companionship. My husband tends to get nervous at this times. He is normally my testing bunny these days, if he doesn't like something then I better leave it or improve it. So in my mind I had decided on a little … [Read more...]
Spirulina Smoothie Recipe with Banana
Green Spirulina smoothie is prepared with a powder of dried spirulina algae. Spirulina is a super food and tastes a bit like bubble gum but it's green. I combine Spirulina with Banana because, well, that's what people used to request for the most when I used to prepare Spirulina Smoothies in our former Café. Spirulina is for you if you love to try new things, and … [Read more...]
Indian Spiced Stuffed Eggplant
Occasionally I just don't know what to do with my Vegetables at home. I like vegetables but not in masses and I mostly enjoy them in combination with any meat and some carbs such as bread. As a kid, I had a lot of Veggies and already back then I was never much a fan of them and neither my stomach, who gets very unsatisfied at the prospect of Vegetables. It's so … [Read more...]
Beef Dumplings (Bratknödel)
Some months ago I had posted a dish called Pressknödel. Knödel are dumplings and there are many different variations, from savory to sweet, from round to flat. Sometimes you enjoy them with a soup or sometimes they fit better with a salad. Today I thought of a savory bread Knödel version to share with my readers called Bratknödel. Knödel are so-called … [Read more...]
Apple Beet Carrot Juice (ABC Juice)
Beet Carrot Apple Juice is one of my favorite juice combinations out there. I came across this wonderful fresh “ABC” juice in my travels to India, where it is often served. TL;DR I came across the ABC juice in Goa, India. Back in the 2000s, popular juice bars would freshly prepare this juice combination, and it was already a hit back then. Paul and his family got … [Read more...]
Indian Masala Chai Recipe
The Indian Masala Chai is prepared with spices, milk, and tea leaves. I show you how to make your own spiced milk tea with my real Indian chai recipe from scratch. Furthermore, you can choose to prepare your Indian tea with whole spices or with a spice blend. What warms you up when cold winds and weather threaten your comfort? A good cup of hot tea. In Europe, … [Read more...]
Onion Pakora
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 a foreigner that eventually, 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...]