Author: livinginleuvenbelgiumeurope

I am originally from India living in Belgium for the last 20 years. Over the years my family and friends have requested me to share my recipes many times. Most of my foods are cooked from a memory of an event or a taste remembered or a food appreciated and measurements are approximate (or from internet search) In this Blog I would like to share my experience of living in Europe and Foods from around the world. There are many versions of the same recipe with a different name in different cultures. I try to keep most of the recipes simple and healthy so that Working Women, Young Mothers with small children, Single people and Students living away from home can eat balanced meal in their busy week without much effort. Some of the recipes are Sugar free or gluten free or Eggless keeping in mind friends and relatives with different habits and needs. I also share some positive thought on my blog so that we can bridge the gap between traditional and modern thinking. Thank you, my whole family, cousins, friends and followers and readers of my blog, for your support. Peace and Happiness is my Motto. NJ

Tangy Tomato Hummus Chutney

Easy Recipe Tomato Hummus Chutney

Boil – Wash Soak Cook Chickpeas – Till Soft – 1  Cup

Toast –  1 tbsp. Sesame Seeds – Pan – Low Flame – 1 -2 mnts. – cool  – Grind – to smooth paste.

Chop – 1 Cup Soft Sun Dried Tomatoes – Small Pcs.

Spice – 1 tsp. Chilli Powder – 1/2 tsp Garlic powder – Salt to Taste

Blend  – Chickpeas – Sesame Powder – Chopped Tomatoes – Spices – 1 tbsp. Oil –  +/- 2 tbsp. Water – Juice of 1 small Lemon – Smooth Paste  – Ready

Enjoy Spicy Tangy Tomato Hummus Chutney as a Spread or Dip or a Side Dish.

Note :  Use Tinned Chickpeas if available.  Adjust Spice to taste.   Soak Sun dried tomatoes to make soft.

Recipe for Spicy Tangy Tomato Hummus Chutney ready to Serve with Chapati  or Pita Bread or as Spread for Sandwiches or as a Party Dip with Carrot – Cucumber Sticks.

 

Mani Puttu Rice Dumpling in Coconut Sauce

 

Rice dumplings Maniputtu Coconut Milk sauce Dry Fruits Berberry
Mani Puttu Dry Fruit Garnish

Dough – 2 cups water – 1 tsp ghee – Pinch Salt – Boil – Stir – +/- 2 cups rice powder –  turn off  stove

Dumpling – Roll to form cherry sized ball

Cook – 2 -3 cups  Water –  pinch – cardamon powder/ Salt -Sugar to taste – Boil – add Dumplings – 5 mnts

Finish – Add 1 cup thick coconut milk – Boil 2 mnts – Dried Berberry to Garnish – cool 2 mnts. – Done 

Enjoy Delicious – Gooey – Coconutty – Traditional comfort food.

Note : Steam  balls if preferred. Use regular Milk instead of coconut milk. Add more Milk if preferred. Use Raisons instead of Berries.  Enjoy without Garnish too.

Mani Puttu in Coconut Sauce Recipe.  Traditional Breakfast receipe from kerala India.

Homemade Aromatic Garam Masala

Recipe Easy Homemade Garam Masala

Spices – 2 Bay leaves – 3 -4 Cinnamon Sticks – 1 tbsp. Each – Coriander seeds – Cumin seeds – Cardamom seeds – Cloves – Fennel Seeds

Optional Spices – Pepper – Dry Red Chilli – Turmeric – Nutmeg – As per taste

Dry Roast – Spices – Low Flame – 2 -3 mnts.

Grind – Roasted spices – Coarse Powder

Store – Cool – Store in Airtight Container – Use 1 to 2 tsp.  to Flavour dishes.

Use  Garam Masala to Flavour Rice, Sautéed Vegetables, Stews, Curries and Marinades.  Garam masalas recipes differ region to region, home to home.

My European Friend Gina who is an Indian food Fan made Homemade Garam Masala last week and shared her Pictures with me.

Easy Recipe for an aromatic mixture of spices.  Homemade  Aromatic Garam Masala to Flavour Rice, Sautéed Vegetables, Stews, Curries and Marinades.