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When you have been blogging for a close to a decade, nothing surprises you any longer. Bloggers come and go, some reach new heights while other switch to new avenues. Somewhere in the last 2-3 years, I have been closely monitoring the emergence of many recipe sharing platforms or recipe aggregators as one calls them. And having been a part of quite a few of them, I know that they are doing really well and helping people pursue their passion for cooking/food.

But working with Plattershare has proved to be something else ! Well I can say that because I have had the opportunity to interact with Kirti Yadav (one of the two founders) more than a few times. Take passion and cross it with vision. That's a deadly cocktail one would say. But I can safely say that it sounds more like her. From spotting food trends to cherry picking cooking talent for Plattershare, she does it all with a smile. God knows how she manages it with a kid ( I know that from my personal interactions with her which make really me feel like a team member ). She is a great inspiration and I loved the way she kept motivating and driving me as worked on a story for Black rice and it's recipes.

The best thing that attracts me to Plattershare has got to be the 'Food stories' because at times just a picture of a recipe is just not enough ! One likes to read a bit of history or something more that stimulate the grey cells. The second thing is the neatly structured recipes that come with a rating. Like all good cookbooks, they mention the preparation/cooking time and servings. A definite boon when planning for a party or gathering.

And finally, it has to be the overall structure of the website that reminds me of my favorite social media platform. One can just post a pic, add a recipe or when feeling more inspired, go for a full length story. And that kind of variety makes the browsing part rather interesting !

Does something so good needs to be bettered ? Well, when necessity fuels invention, one might build the refrigerator but when ambition fuels inventions one ends up with dreamy stuff like an ice-cream sundae !! So, why not !

The first thing that comes to my mind is related to regional cuisine. A basic search feature that allows one to search recipes by region/state/country may sound elementary but it is really useful for people who are new to cooking to want to explore recipes by region.

The second useful feature that I can think of is to have a separate tag/section for 'signature recipes', recipes that are exclusively developed by a particular chef/blogger. The biggest irritant that I have faced during my blogging days is that of plagiarism. And I sincerely hope that Plattershare does something about it !

Being on Plattershare has been a wonderful experience in every way.

Biryani Arancini with Burrani Dip ( Indo-Intalian fusion )

IMP - This i an original recipe created by the blogger and has been published for the first time on Oriyarasoi. 

The crafty Italians make Arancini from any leftover risotto. Makes complete sense given that the risotto itself is a labor of one's love. Throwing away such deliciousness is sheer criminal offence. So, shouldn't we take a cue from these people and give a makeover to one of India's most loved dishes. The biryani is something that takes much time and effort so there is no reason why any excess should be disposed off in an disrespectful fashion.

Hence was born the 'Biryani arancini'! A dish so delicious that it would win the approval of the Italians itself. After the superb success of the savory Panna cotta in three typical Indian flavors, I have added yet another signature dish to my name. Mama mia !! I should have been born an Italian . Or at least married one. On second thoughts, I am happy that the second option did not materialize. Coz the Italian MIL could purportedly given a run to her Indian counterpart when it comes to the 'saas-bahu' melodrama bit. Gawd !!!

But coming back to the recipe, the Biryani arancini is simple to prepare. Since it is already loaded with beautifully aromatic spices, it does not require any additional spices. It is just needs to be shaped into balls, dipped in egg wash and rolled in bread crumbs before being dunked into hot oil. And instead of serving it with Arrabiata that usually goes with the crunchy Arancini balls, just whip up a pretty elementary but incredibly flavorsome Burrani dip ( inspired by the Burrani raita ofcourse ).  A win-win situation !!

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 15-20 mins

Ingredients -

For the arancini -

• 2 cups chicken biryani
• 1 egg 
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 cup grated mozarella 
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 2 pinch salt 
• 8-10 peppercorns ( freshly ground )
• oil for deep frying

For the Burani Dip -

• 1 cup greek yogurt
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 pinch roasted cumin
• 2 pinch red chili powder (optional)
• black salt 
• 1/2 tsp sugar

Preparation - Remove any bones from the chicken pieces and shred them into smaller bits. 

If any whole spices (like cardamom, bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon, etc) are present in the rice, they too need to be removed.

Break the egg into a bowl, add the salt and beat it gently.

Take the rice in a mixing bowl. Add the mozzarella and half of the beaten egg. Mix together. 

Scoop out small amounts of the rice mixture, press into a compact mass and shape into balls. 

Roll each ball in the flour, then dunk into the egg wash ( add the powdered peppercorn to it before doing so ) and finally roll over the bread crumbs to form a uniform layer.

Repeat the same process with the remaining rice mixture.

To make the dip, take all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix together. Let it stand for 15-20 mins for the garlic flavor to infuse into the yogurt. 

Pass the yogurt through a sieve to make a smooth creamy dip.

Cooking - Heat the oil and gently place 2-3 arancini balls in it at a time to prevent overcrowding and to allow the balls to cook uniformly.

Cook on medium flame for about 4 minutes each. A crunchy brown layer should form all over.

Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to absorb the excess oil.

Serve immediately with the Bhoorani dip.

Adai Burgers with Vegan Soya Pattice ( Healthy Breakfast Recipe )

April was a very hectic month for me as I spent close to three weeks travelling and taking care of guests. Needless to say my workout routine went for a toss. But I have been staying true to my diet chart ( the mental one ofcourse ) with very few exceptions. Now that things have finally settled down, I am putting in a bit of extra effect to make up for the exercise that I skipped during the past weeks. And to make it more effective, I have made a few simple (but minor) changes in my meals. 

Less of carbs and more of protein is one. It is actually simpler than it looks (do check out my Instagram @swetabiswal to find out how I manage it !!). The other one is more important given that one tends to feel drained out during the summers. Lighter and more frequent meals keep one feeling energetic throughout the day and ensure that the metabolism does not slow down.

So, when Plattershare and FarmzToFamiliez came up with this #breakfastmarathon as part of 
Belly Nirvana, it got me all excited. Out of the many 'Ready to Prepare' variants that were delivered at my doorstep, one was a Multi-dal (Adai) batter. For those who are unaware, Adai is a kind of dosa where the proportion of lentils is higher as compared to rice. Hence, these are higher in protein and make for a more filling breakfast.

I have transformed the high protein adai batter into delicious burger buns and a mildly spiced soya (made from soya chunks) pattice completes it . Some tomato slices, onions, lettuce and a dash of pungent mustrad sauce adds to the feeling of Nirvana !

Read on for the recipe - 

Preparation Time - 30 mins

Ingredients - 

• 2 cups FarmztoFamiliez Adai (Multi-Dal) batter
• 1 cup soya chunks
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1/4 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp Ginger garlic paste
• 2 tsp chopped coriander leaves
• 2 tsp chopped mint leaves
• 1 large onion ( sliced into long pieces )
• 1 small boiled potato (or boiled raw banana)
• salt to taste

For assembling the burger - 

• 2 tomatoes ( cut into thin round slices )
• few lettuce leaves
• 2 tsp mustard sauce
• onion rings 

Preparation - Mix a little salt in the adai batter and keep it aside.

Cooking - Cook the soya chunks and squeeze out all water from them. Blend into a paste in a mixer jar along with the red chili powder, garam masala, ginger garlic paste, boiled potato, mint leaves, coriander leaves and salt.

Divide the soya mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each one into a disc.

Heat a large tawa or skillet. Pour small amounts of adai batter to make the buns. Drizzle a little oil on the sides . Once it turns a light brown, flip over and cook on the other side as well.

The soya pattice can be cooked simultaneously. Once it is a little firm and brown on one side, press the onion slices on the uncooked side before flipping over. Let it brown on the other side as well.

Remove the adai buns and pattice from the tawa.

Assemble the burger by placing a soya pattice over a adai bun. Top with tomato slices, lettuce leaves, raw onions and a dash of mustard sauce. Close with another bun.

Serve immediately. Enjoy !!

Israeli (Pearl) Couscous Salad

Considered as the spiritual home of the Jews, Israel is one of the more westernized countries of the middle east with a high life expectancy and enviable standards of living. The latter fact hardly strikes one as surprising given that the 'typical Jewish trader' has been the immortalized in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. While the 'Shylock' stereotype is quite too extreme, no one denies the business acumen of their tribe. And it makes for good reading too.

But we will save all that hard work for another day because it is the former that has got me all pumped up. The fitness freak in me has been reading a lot into the 'high life expectancy' part of it. Though I clearly do not wish to live up to a hundred years, I want to lead a life free from the lifestyle ailments that affect most of the adult Indian population. So, if taking a leaf out of another culture is going to help me deal with it, I will not mind doing it ! Ofcourse, we can take a lot of cues from Ayurveda or even our grannies notebook. And while I am a strong believer in the effectiveness of our inherited wisdom, I am not blind to a fault. I keep making efforts to augment it in every possible way.

Israeli food comprises of the usual Middle east suspects like Hummus, Msabbah, Falafel, Shakshouka and Couscous . The regular spices used are paprika, turmeric, cumin, thyme, salt, zaatar and even sesame seeds. Herbs like Parsley and cilantro are also popular. Sounds too good, doesn't it ? Not much of shopping to be done if one wants to enjoy some nice warm Israeli food this weekend !!

But if you not much of a weekend cook and would rather prefer to recharge your batteries, this is just the kind of recipe that you would savour. Assembling this easy-peasy Israeli Couscous salad is a child's play ( you still need to cook the couscous and chop the vegetables ). It is important to remember that Israeli couscous or pearl couscous takes more time to cook as compared to the other varieties that might just need soaking in hot water.

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 20 mins

Ingredients -

• 1 cup Israeli couscous (pearl couscous)
• 1 cup boiled chickpeas ( or canned ones )
• 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato
• 1 small red onion ( chopped into small pieces )
• 1/2 cup of fresh mozarella (chopped into pea sized bits)
• 3 tsp finely chopped flat leaf parsley ( I substitute it with cilantro for my fussy kid )
• 7-8 toasted and chopped almonds ( for a nice crunch )
• salt to be added while cooking the couscous
• 1/2 tsp oil to be added while cooking the couscous

For the vinaigrette -

• 1 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar ( or just use more of lemon juice )
• 1/4 tsp roasted cumin powder
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika 
• salt 

Preparation - Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to boil in a saucepan. Add the salt and olive oil.

Toss in the couscous and cook on a medium flame till it is still chewy ( a few degrees less than al-dente). Drain the excess water if any and keep the couscous covered for 10 mins.

Uncover and fluff it up using a fork.

Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, cider vinegar, cumin powder, smoked paprika and salt in a cup.

Assembling - Take all the ingredients in a big mixing bowl.

Drizzle the vinaigrette, sprinkle the herbs and toss it all into one delicious salad !!

Hey, isn't this recipe just the thing you need for the hot summers :) :) :) .

I am grabbing a bowl, what are you waiting for ??

Steamed Veggie Appams ( Collaboration with Plattershare & FarmztoFamiliez )

A great day begins with a great breakfast ! For someone like me, it is the most important meal of the day as I really get hungry in the morning. And any compromise on the quality/quantity has serious ramifications like dizziness ( due to low sugar levels ), migraine and even acid reflux. That is apart from struggling with low energy levels throughout the day.

But making a hearty breakfast for the family takes time and one tends to neglect doing it during the morning rush. That is when the 'Ready to Prepare' products like FarmztoFamiliez which their wide range of traditional batters come into the picture. They are specially designed to ease out the congestion in our everyday routine without computerizing on health and nutrition.

These easy to prepare 'Steamed Veggie Appams' is prepared from the FarmztoFamiliez 'Ready to Prepare' Appam batter that was delivered to me in collaboration with Plattershare. Freshly ground and free from preservatives, it has all the goodness and taste that one expects from a home made one. While it certainly delivers those crispy and perforated appams, I choose to make a healthier version by mixing it with veggies and steaming it.

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 35 mins

Ingredients -

• 1 1/2 cup appam batter
• 1 cup mixed vegetables cut into small pieces ( broccoli, carrot, beans ) 
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 small onion 
• 1/3 inch ginger (grated) 
• 2 garlic cloves (grated) 
• 1 chopped green chili (optional)
• 2-3 tbsp thick coconut milk 
• 1/4 tsp white pepper powder 
• 1 tsp sugar 
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp canola oil

Preparation - Adjust the consistency of the appam batter by adding salt, sugar and the coconut milk. (One can also add a little water instead of the coconut milk if required)

Cooking - Heat the oil in a wok. Add the chopped onions, green chili, ginger and garlic.
Saute till raw smell goes off.


Add the chopped vegetables along with the curry leaves. Sprinkle a little salt and cook till half done.
Add the white pepper powder and mix. Remove and keep aside.

Switch on the stove . Put water in the steamer and get it to a boil.

Take a steamer plate and pour half of the appam batter over it. Spread the veggies in a uniform layer. Top with the remaining appam batter.

Let it cook for about 15 mins or till firm.

Remove from the steamer and let it come down to room temperature .

Cut into pieces and serve with tea and chutney / ketchup or even just as it is .

Sankha Saru Tarkari ( Arbi cooked with tomatoes and lentil dumplings )

Taro (Arbi) or Saru is perhaps one of the most widely consumed vegetables in Odisha and finds it's way into a variety of dishes like dalma, santula, besara and ghanta. Though used in a smaller proportion as compared to other vegetables, it lends a thick consistency and sweetness to the curry. Upon being thoroughly cooked, the vegetable turns sticky and this kind of binds the lentils and vegetables together. This is why one should not add too much of this vegetable to any curry as one does not want to end up with a sticky gloopy mess.

But apart from the culinary aspect, this is one vegetable that boasts of multiple health benefits. It is easy on the digestive system, controls sugar levels, boosts the immune system and even speeds up the blood circulation. No wonder this vegetable is widely used during the fasting period of Navratri and even the  'no onion no garlic' days which are an integral part of the Hindu culture.

In Odisha, the taro plant along with the plantain, used to be an integral part of every garden/backyard in earlier days. The tubers used to be harvested only after the plants died off naturally (else they tend to be itchy) and then stored for use throughout the year. My parents still grow taro in our garden though not in very large quantity. It is enough to last us a few months. The 'Sankha saru' is a relatively larger variety of Taro and is so called as the shape resembles a conch. Apart from being used in the regular Odia dishes, it is often dipped in a rice batter and pan fried. But at times, when the vegetable supply dries up, as it usually does during the summer months, it is made into a light curry with some tomatoes, badi (lentil dumplings) and a light mustard gravy.

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 15 mins

Ingredients -

• 200 gm Taro cubes
• 2 medium sized country tomatoes
• 1/2 of a small onion
• 1 dry red chili
• 2 pinch mustard seeds
• 2 pinch turmeric powder
• a handful of badi ( dried lentil dumplings ) 
• 3 tsp vegetable oil
• salt to taste

For the mustard paste -

• 2 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 dry red chilis
• 2-3 garlic flakes 

Preparation - Grind the mustard seeds, garlic and red chili into a fine paste.

Cooking - Heat 2 tsp oil in a wok. Add the badi and fry on a low flame till they start turning red. Remove and keep aside.

Add the remaining oil to the same wok. Once hot, add the mustard seeds and broken red chili. Once the seeds start spluttering, add the coarsely chopped onion.

Once onion turns translucent, add the chopped tomatoes. Sprinkle a little salt over them and cover with a lid for 2 mins to soften them.

Remove the lids and smash the tomatoes. Cook for another 2-3 mins .

Dissolve the mustard paste in 1 cup water and pour slowly into the wok . This ensures that the sediments of the mustard paste do not go into the curry and turn it bitter.

Now add the taro cubes, slat and turmeric. Cover with a lid till just cooked. Do not overcook as they will turn sticky.

Crush the badi lightly and add to the curry jsut before removing it from the flame.

Taro tends to absorb water and so does the lentil dumplings. So do not worry if there is any excess liquid remaining.

Serve at room temperature with steamed rice or even pakhala.

Blueberry and Mango Iced Tea

The scorching summers are tough for tea addicts like me ! We want our favorite brew and then end up feeling hot after a cup or two. Drinking the regular variety holds no charm if it is no longer steaming. So, the best solution is to go for iced ones with or without some kind of fruit in it.

While I do love the lemon iced tea that they used to serve at CCD, i prefer making my own brew these days. There is no harm in pampering oneself, isn't it ? I love to have mine in a tall glass while being propped up on a comfy sofa and flipping through a book. Or still better with a couple of friends.

There are just endless options of the things you can add to the iced teas. But my favorite turns out to be the kind of summer fruits. Yes, it is the mango which I love to infuse into my cold tea. Along with a couple of blueberries to amp up the charm. Wont u love to try some ? It is a pretty simple one too !!

Read on for the recipe -

Ingredients -

• 1 tsp tea leaves ( enough for 2 ppl )
• 300 ml mango juice
• sugar syrup as per taste
• chopped mangoes
• blueberries ( use fresh if available )
• ice cubes 

Preparation - Steep the tea leaves along with 2 cups of water for 4-5 mins in a glass kettle .  Drain carefully into a flask and pop it into the fridge.

Once the tea is cool, remove the flask from the fridge.

Assembly - Pour some mango juice and sugar syrup into the glasses. Top it with the chilled tea.

Garnish with the mango cubes, blueberries and ice cubes.

Serve immediately.

Omelette with Betel Leaf Pesto

IMP - Omelette with Betel Leaf Pesto is an original recipe created by the blogger and has been published for the first time on oriyarasoi.com. 

After almost a decade, I am visiting my native in Western Odisha during the scorching summer. While I always time my visits to coincide with the pleasant weather prevalent during the months of October-November, circumstances dictated my travel plans this time. It is strangely comforting to be back in the midst of an oppressive heat wave that makes its presence felt even as early as daybreak and extends well into the late hours of the night. A train journey to this part of Odisha presents a stark contrast with the Coastal regions of the state which still has some greenery to boast. A landscape of yellowed, wilted, scorched and burnt vegetation stretches out for as long as one cares to look. Everything stands still and if at all the winds blow, they are hot enough to scald the skin.

Pakhala seems to be the only source of respite for most folks as the roads wear a completely deserted look during midday. But today's post is not about Pakhala. This one has been in the drafting stage for sometime as I had been tied up with a couple of things in the past weeks. A very daring and experimental recipe that involves making a pesto out of betel leaves, this is part of my efforts to add a touch of gourmet to everyday food. Getting the flavors of the pesto right is the toughest part of this recipe. One might just need to tweak the proportions of the pesto ingredients to adapt it to their taste-buds.

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 15 mins

Ingredients -

For the pesto -

• 1/2 of 1 tender betel leaf
• a handful of coriander leaves
• 2 garlic cloves
• 4 tsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp lime juice ( or tamarind paste )
• 1 tsp oil
• salt to taste

Other ingredients -

• 2 eggs
• a few cherry tomatoes
• 2-3 betel leaves
• 2 pinch salt
• a few drops of oil

Preparation - Grind all the ingredients for the pesto into a coarse paste. Taste and modify the proportions of the coriander, sugar and lime to balance the acrid taste of the betel leaf.

 Cooking - Break the eggs into a bowl. Add a little salt and beat gently.

Heat a non stick frying pan . Smear with a few drops of oil.

Toss a few cherry tomatoes and sprinkle a little salt over them. Cook for 2-3 mins and then remove.

Pour the egg onto the same pan and spread it into an even layer. Cook on both without browning.

Remove and keep aside.

Spread a layer of the pesto on one half of the omelette and fold.

Serve on betel leaves along with the cherry tomatoes.

Zero Butter/Oil Butter Chicken

Call it the ultimate contradiction, an oxymoron or even a paradox, the Zero Butter Butter Chicken is here to stay !! Yes, you read it right the first time. A butter chicken without the butter, oil or even the cream. Difficult to imagine. Yes, I grant that but not entirely inconceivable. The trick lies in replacing the bad fat with a small amount of good fat and replicating the creamy texture of the gravy minus the cream.

Of course I had my doubts about tinkering with this dish classic which is one of the most popular Chicken recipes. I made a mental list of all those who love Butter Chicken and imagined their reactions to a zero grease version. Thankfully I have a vivid imagination and I realized that it would not be an easy task to win their approval. It took me a few trial runs to perfect this recipe but I have now nailed the formula for a Zero butter butter chicken that has been embraced happily by my family.

The oil + butter + cream has been replaced with milk and some extra almonds ( I always put almonds in my gravy as they contain a generous amount of good fat ). Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 40 mins

Ingredients -

For the marinade -

• 500 gm Boneless chicken pieces
• 1/2 cup thick yogurt
• 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 10 almonds
• 2 nos green cardamon
• 3 nos cloves
• 1 inch cinnamon
• 1 no bay leaf
• 2 dry red chilli
• 2 medium sized tomatoes
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• salt 

For the gravy  -

• 4-5 crushed garlic flakes
• 1 large onion (roughly chopped)
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder (adjust as per taste)
• 1 1/3 cup skimmed milk
• 2 tsp finely chopped coriander leaves
• 1/5 tsp garam masala
• 1 1/2 tsp honey 
• 1 tsp kasuri methi
• salt to taste

Preparation: Rub salt and turmeric on the chicken pieces and keep aside for 10 mins.

Grind the whole spices, almonds (blanched and peeled) and tomatoes into a smooth paste. Add yogurt, ginger-garlic paste and blend for 5 secs.

Transfer the chicken pieces to a large bowl. Pour the paste into the bowl and mix well. Keep aside for 1-2 hours.

Cooking: Heat a non-stick wok. Add the chopped onions and crushed garlic .Fry for a few minutes on a low to medium till the onions start turning brown. Remove and keep aside till it cools down.

Grind into a smooth paste along with 2-3 tsp of milk.

Transfer this paste back to the wok and cook for a few minutes on a low flame.

Add the contents of the marination bowl. Stir fry for 10-12 mins or till the chicken starts to acquire a glaze. Add the milk and simmer for 8-9 mins.

Rub the kasuri methi between the palms and add to the wok. Also stir in the honey. Simmer for 5 mins.

Sprinkle garam masala and coriander leaves, and remove from the stove. Serve hot with steamed rice or Laccha paratha .

Wood Apple-Vanilla Smoothie ( A Western Take on Odisha's summer drink 'Bela Panna' )

 IMP - Wood Apple-Vanilla Smoothie is an original recipe created by the blogger and has been published for the first time on oriyarasoi.com.


Think summers. Think icecreams, kulfi, lemonades, lassi, pina colada, fruit punch and endless other tantalizing concoctions. But somewhere in a remote corner of the world, summer is the time when the air hangs heavy with the smell of ripened tropical fruits. Mangoes, jackfruits and even the wood apples carry a scent which can only be described as heady. While the first two are much more popular and find their way into multiple cuisines, the wood apple is mostly confined to Odisha. A sad thing given that it is endowed with innumerable health benefits.

The wood apple has an intoxicating scent that reminds one of an overripe mango. Not something for the faint hearted for sure. But the flesh is sweet and varies widely from plant to plant. Some fruits have a nice creamy pulp with very few seeds and fibers, and a rich tatse that can be described as akin to a mango shrikhand. But much less sweeter ofcourse. Others have an astringent taste, a profusion of seeds and so much fiber that extracting the juice becomes a challenging task.

Wood apple is posessesd with multiple health benefits like aiding digestion, purifying blood, removing toxins, controlling diabetes, good for liver and kidney, curing earaches and also boosting energy levels. Not surprisingly, the seasonal fruit is available during the summer months when there is an abundance of stomach related ailments. That's Mother Nature watching over us and giving us hints to stay healthy throughout the year.

Coming back to the recipe, it is adapted from the traditional drink or 'panaa'. In Odisha, 'panna' refers to a drink in which diary products like milk, yogurt and cottage cheese have been added. But I wanted a vegan version with a gourmet twist to it, hence I skipped the milk products and went for some lime, vanilla extract and honey.

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 20 mins

Ingredients -

• Bael/wood apple 
• lime juice
• a few drops of vanilla extract
• honey to taste
• ice cubes
• 2 tsp chia seeds (soaked for 2 hours)

For garnishing -

• vanilla beans
• colored sugar

Preparation - Break the shell of the wood apple on a hard surface and scoop out the ripe flesh.

Put the flesh in a mixing bowl and add some cold water. Mix the flesh with the water using your fingers to extract the juice. 

Strain the juice using a sieve. Transfer the remaining pulp back to the mixing bowl and add a little more cold water and extract any remaining juice.

Strain the juice and throw away the pulp.

Transfer the juice to a blender jar. Add lime juice, vanilla extract, honey and 1-2 ice cubes. Give it a quick buzz. Adjust consistency by adding water in required quantity.

Serving - Rub a little honey on the rim of the serving glass. Dip it in the colored sugar. Let it stand for a few minutes to dry. Repeat this step for all the glasses/

Pour the Bael smoothie into the glasses, add the chia seeds and garnish with a vanilla bean.

Serve immediately.

Check HERE for the traditional 'Bela Panaa' recipe !

Patra Ni Macchi ( Navroz Collaboration with ADollopOfThat & DelishPotporri )

The Parsi New Year Navroz or Nowruz literally means a new day or new light ! Celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Shehenshai calendar, it almost always falls on March 21st according to the Gregorian calendar. And just like everyone else, Parsis celebrate the day with new clothes and some great food. Of course there is the mandatory visit to the Fire Temple and the laying of the festive table with various items that symbolize the Parsi way to life. A copy of the Gathas, a lit lamp that symbolizes fire, a bowl with live goldfish, sprouted wheat, silver coins, painted eggs, flowers and sweets along with seven food items are some of the things that one can expect to find in every Parsi home on this day. Each one of these things is supposed to hold some kind of significance in life.

For the rest of us, it can be just about the food. While it does sound cliched, almost everyone thinks that Parsis are synonymous with great food. Of course they are but that is not all. Parsis are actually a very intelligent breed with an added sense of humor ( did anyone say Cyrus Broacha ) and immense business acumen ( Tata, Godrej, Wadia and so on.....). For an ethnic group with a population that does not even breach 6 digits, they sure have a way of making themselves seen and heard !

Getting back to the food (thank God for that), there are some favorites that feature on the Navroz menu every year. Prawn Patio, Ravo, Mithu dahi, Sev, Patra ni Macchi, Sali Chicken, Faludah are some of delicacies that are simple and yet sure to make one drool.

And simplicity was what I was looking for when I zeroed in on the 'Patri Ni Macchi' which literally means fish wrapped in leaves. Yup, it is a Pomfret or Ravas smeared in simple spices and very little oil, wrapped up carefully in tender banana leaves and steamed till done. That's it. Simple, rite ? But wait the best part is yet to come ! As one unfolds the leaves, a tantalizing aroma starts tickling the nostrils and as if one cue, the mouth starts watering. The final blow to the senses comes when one takes a bite of the succulent flesh. It can only be described as 'heady'. Trust me, I am not going to be thinking about grilled or fried fish for a long time.

But save some of that drool for there is more delicious to be sampled. Check out  Parinaaz's  and Saswati's !

Read on for the recipe of 'Patra Ni Macchi' -

Preparation Time - 40 mins

Ingredients -

• 6 pieces of rawas (fillets)
• 2 tsp lime juice
• 1 tsp oil
• salt to taste
• 2 banana leaves

For the green chutney -

• 1 cup freshly grated coconut 
• 1-2 green chilis
• 1 cup coriander leaves (lightly packed)
• 1/2 cup mint leaves (lightly packed)
• 1/2 inch ginger
• 5-6 garlic cloves
• 2 pinch cumin seeds
• 2 pinch sugar (optional)
• salt to taste

Preparation - Wash the fish pieces and dry with a paper towel. Add 1 tsp lime juice and salt to taste. Mix and let it stand for 20 mins.

Take all the ingredients mentioned under 'green chutney' into a mixer jar. Make a smooth paste using as little water as possible. Mix the lime juice into this paste.

Wash the banana leaves and dry them. Remove the stiff middle spine and cut into decent sized squares for wrapping the fish.

Brush a little oil on each leaf. Place a teaspoon of the chutney in the center and a fillet over it. Heap the fish fillet with more of the green chutney till it is completely smeared with a thick layer.

Fold each leaf individually and tie it up with a string. Repeat the process for each fillet.

Cooking - Get a steamer ready . Place the parcels inside it and steam for 20 to 25  mins.

Transfer to the serving dish and remove the strings.

Serve with the banana leaves. (To be opened just before eating)

And before you set off to buy fish, just take a few minutes to go through these two delicious recipes !! Maybe it will save you another trip to the market ;)

Check out the delicious Mithu Dahi by Parinaaz on 'A Dollop Of That!'

and the luscious Lagan Nu Custard by Saswati on 'Delish Potpourri'.