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...]
Search Results for: that
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Coconut
I have always been obsessed about coconut. It might be the taste of the white flesh, the unique coconut water or the fact that u have to crack it open so that you can get to the treasure inside. It was so special because coconut is a fruit which was rarely sold before in Europe. Surely you would come across some scraped dry coconut in a plastic packet but you would … [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...]
Goan Neureos recipe
We are in the middle of the Christmas celebrations, still enjoying the festivities with gorgeous food and our relatives and friends. It didn't snow, well, not that we expected (we are in the tropics), the weather has been lovely, warm and sunny the last days. Christmas is always more a quiet time, the new year is more like a storm. It has always been like that and … [Read more...]
Goan Vodde and Angel Ribs Cookies
Tomorrow is already Christmas! I am actually realizing the speed of time now only and I am starting to panic. So much happening around so much is left to be done but the time is too short. I guess most of us are experiencing "The Christmas rush". I stumbled through the TV channels yesterday late night and came across Nigellas Christmas show. Usually, I don't get … [Read more...]
Goan Kulkule and Nankatai Cookies
We are in the Christmas season, preparing cooking and baking for a merry Christmas at home to enjoy with our loved ones and the ones we care for. Advent is the time of the year when we realize to the other year is over and that time seems to be passing away, remembering the good and bad times. Goa celebrates Christmas with their traditions, their own way. That's the … [Read more...]
Bora Berry: Jujube Date
It took me 4 years to discover certain fruits, and the Bora berry was one of them. When you come to Goa for a vacation, you end up mostly on the beach hanging out or partying. Your head is all over the place, you get Sussegad and dreamy, enjoying the sun and culture. I was definitely not a foodie when I first landed in Goa, we'll back then I was enjoying my … [Read more...]