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...]
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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...]
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...]
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...]
Contact
You can contact me by sending an email to helene @ masalaherb. com (email without space please) Contact me if you have a question regarding the content (recipe, travel Qs) or if you are a brand representative (sponsored posts) and you are looking to collaborate. I don't entertain guest posts, spam and scam related emails. You can also reach out … [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...]
Strawberry Passion Fruit Jam Recipe
I love the process of making my own Jam. The reasons are numerous, and it is proof that anybody can make jam. As a child, I thought it was a lot of work and time-consuming. Jam culture is deeply rooted in our family, so my mum would cook a huge batch of different fruit jams every year. Strawberry jam is a favorite at home. They are the first fruits to be … [Read more...]
Quail Egg Salad Recipe
Have you ever tried Quail eggs? These miniature eggs are truly natures gift, loaded with healthy nutrients and well appreciated for its dietary qualities. Our Ancestors knew back then its benefits and used the eggs to fight and prevent numerous allergies, illnesses, and health conditions. Not only the eggs, but the Quail meat is utilized and relished until today … [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. I completely adore this sweet too, especially for breakfast, it gives a boost for the day. I thought I would … [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...]
Sapodilla Fruit Smoothie
My sapodilla fruit smoothie prepared with fresh sapodillas, aka chikoo, chiku, sapote/sapota fruit. This smoothie tastes like a fruity caramel, and this recipe includes milk. I show you how to use this tropical fruit in this recipe. Sapodilla is that brown inconspicuous round oval fruit the size of an egg, which you might have encountered on your travel to … [Read more...]
Classic French Toast Recipe
Now you can make fancy french toast at home anytime! Here is a classic recipe for you with crystal clear instructions to make this deliciously flavored breakfast toast that is soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. 📕 What is it? French Toast is a popular breakfast or dessert prepared with bread, milk, and egg. The French variation is better known as … [Read more...]
Goan Recheado Prawns Stir fry Recipe
Fried Prawn with Lemon rice is a simple dish combination to prepare for busy days and perfect when you end up with unplanned guests, for you won't take too long to prepare and fry the prawns and boil the rice. The lemon rice compliments the prawns well and the colors of the spices a full yellow and red. It is another Indian dish but this time an uncomplicated one. … [Read more...]
Soursop Fruit (Guanabana)
Today I wanted to share an exotic fruit with you, the soursop fruit. 📕 What is the Soursop fruit? Soursop, also known as guanabana, graviola, or Brazilian pawpaw, is a tropical fruit with a green leathery and spiky skin, making it look like a plump little dragon. It is related to the custard apple and has a similar texture. Behind the rough facade hides … [Read more...]
How to peel and devein fresh Shrimp
I show you how to deshell and devein raw and fresh shrimp. This applies to small and large ones. You won't need special kitchen tools for this. 🔪 Why clean shrimp? Shrimp need to be cleaned for food safety reasons and because the shell isn't edible. When someone says they are cleaning a shrimp (or prawn), they mean to say that they are removing the head, shell, … [Read more...]
One Pot Brown Lentil Sausage Recipe
Lentils are full of healthy benefits, easy to cook and a tasty way to enrich your daily meal plan. I will show you today how to make a simple delicious brown lentil pot with sausage. … [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...]