For a traditional Konkani person, a plate of rice without dali toye to pour over it is simply inconceivable; nay impossible; for such is the passion for this delicious, simplest of lentil curries. In fact, dali toye is so simple, one could safely call it a soup, rather than a curry. Dali toye is prepared…
Konkani
Agasthya Phulla Upkari – A stir-fry of good health (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Just outside my window is a beautiful hummingbird tree (Agati or Agasthy in Malayalam, Agasthya Rooku in Konkani, Heta in Marathi, Gaach Munga in Hindi, Sesbania Grandiflora). Every morning, I wake up hearing the happy chirps and songs of countless birds from tiny little lovebirds to bulbuls, mynas, parrots, hummingbirds, wild pigeons and several others…
Valval – A yummy Konkani soup (Vegan + Gluten Free)
The Konkani people usually have beautiful, smooth, glowing skin. The secret lies in the copious use of coconuts and vegetables in their diet. Did you know that rinsing one’s face with a teaspoonful of coconut water three or four times a day can rid one of pimples and acne? Massaging your body once daily with…
Cherry Umman – hot, tangy dipping curry (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Whenever we have boiled cassava (see note) for breakfast, my children ask for cherry umman as the side dish. I am only too glad to comply as it takes less than 15 minutes to make this marvelous dipping curry. So I hasten to the acerola cherry bush to look for ripe, red acerola cherries. You can have…
Uppatta Nonche – Traditional Konkani lime pickle (Vegan + Gluten Free)
I was born into a large joint family. My father was one of nine children, and my mother, the eldest of twelve siblings. My dear late father, a jeweler, was the smartest and the most handsome of the lot. He took it upon himself to conduct every marriage or thread ceremony of all my cousins….
Acerola Cherry and Ivy Gourd Pickle (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Konkani people make delicious, tender karonda cherry pickle called karinja nonche in Konkani. It is made using karonda cherries and tender ivy gourds. However, it is a tedious process as the karonda cherries are gummy and need to be processed for days before the pickle can be made. If you substitute the karonda cherries with…
Konkani Chili Pickle (Vegan + Gluten Free)
There are no newspaper boys where I live. Early morning, everyone goes to the tiny village marketplace to pick up their newspapers or to sell their milk and fresh farm produce, or to just gossip over a glass of tea at the local tea shops. This morning, when my husband went there for the newspaper,…
Jaggery Cucumber Juice – Scoop and drink! (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Do you feel like having a juice that freshens and energizes you, that cools and detoxifies your system? Do you wish to have a juice that you can enjoy in scoops, munching delicious, sweet grated cucumber in between heavenly nectarine sips? Something light and filling at the same time? Are you looking for a juice…
Sweet Taushali – A sweet cucumber pancake (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Sundays are special, because almost everyone in the family is at home. There is no school for children. No compulsions to rush away to work. All can enjoy a delicious, healthy breakfast at leisure. Let this Sunday turn out to be a cucumber breakfast day. Sweet taushali is a traditional Konkani cucumber coconut rice pancake…
Tomata Gojju – A quick and easy tomato curd curry-salad (Gluten Free)
Sometimes, when guests arrive unexpectedly, or when suddenly, friends accompany family members home at mealtimes, and you find that all you have is just a few onions, tomatoes, chilies and some curd, tomata gojju saves the day! You can serve a simple, satisfying, tasty meal of steaming hot rice, tomata gojju, deep-fried curd chilies or…