Indian Parsi Food Recipes Cookbooks – Good Food leads to Good Health and a Good Life
Yalda on December 21 is celebrated in many parts of the world. Eating watermelon in the winter is believed to keep you healthy in the new year. Watermelon seeds are one of the items in the health food – parsi vasanu and the gujarati word is “char jat nu magaj”. Yalda Festival Table (Shab e […]
In the beginning … From the very beginning of the world, food and Faith have been interwoven by the creative and loving hand of God, making food the meeting point between this world and the heavenly kingdom. Not only did God intentionally create us in such a way that food was required to sustain natural […]
Edible Candy Turkeys You will need: Bag of Candy Corn Cupcake containers Blanched Almonds for garnish Reeses Peanut Butter Cups Oreo Cookies with thick cream center Chocolate covered Raisins Assemble: Take a Oreo cookie and stick a peanut butter for the turkey body. Stick a chocolate covered raisin on top for the head of the […]
Fenugreek is known to lower blood sugar levels. In fact everytime I make this dish, I feel better the next day!
by Erik Treasuryvala Is minced meat good for you? Meat is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc and B vitamins. It is one of the main sources of vitamin B12, also found in milk. Advice from the Department of Health is to consume healthier meat or meat products, such […]
If you have made the parsi vasanu ever, you know it requires a huge amount of stirring for hours. Of course if you have a spouse or a muscular kid in the house, you can enlist their services! Take a break and look into purchasing the Gourmia GST210B Stiriffic Adjustable Pot & Pan Hands Free […]
By Rita Jamshed Kapadia Ingredients 250 gm mutton mince 1 tsp ginger paste 1 tsp garlic paste 1 green chilli, coarsely ground 1/2 tsp turmeric 1 tsp red chilli powder 1/2 tsp clove-cinnamon powder or garam masala 2 Tbsp potatoes, boiled and mashed 5 mint leaves , chopped coarsley 1 Tbsp chopped coriander Salt to […]
Saffron Elaichi Gulab Jamun by Rita Jamshed Kapadia The Gulab Jamun is one of the most popular indian sweet, served at restaurants in the states.”Gulab” means “Rose” and “Jamun” means a “Drop”. Translated these are literally “Drops of Rose”. In this recipe the flavor is real kesar (saffron) *and elaichi (cardamom) * so I call these “Drops […]
Ingredients 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 tbsp fresh lemon zest 2 cups / 4 sticks very soft butter (leave outside overnight) 4 cups self-rising flour 1 cup Sugar Cookie Cutters Method Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with liner Whip Lemon juice, zest, sugar and butter till creamy Add flour and […]
Parsi Style Dudh Na Puff (Milk froth) This delicious and nutritious drink is traditionally made in the winter. Fresh milk is used and to cool the milk, it was put out on an open terrace or flat roof overnight. In this century we use the refrigerator and USA dairy cow’s milk. Best served immediately in […]
Dhansak is a popular Parsi dish, originating among the community centuries back. This is served with caramelized brown rice, which is rice cooked in caramel water to give it a typical taste and color. The dal cooked with mutton and vegetables served with brown rice, altogether is called dhansak. In Parsi homes, dhansak is traditionally made on […]
Malai Khaaja Method 1 (with puff pastry) Ingredients 1 small cream 1 tin evaporated milk 1 lb. Mava / Khoya 3 tsp Sugar or to taste 1 tsp Elaichi Cardamom powder or to taste 1/2 tsp Nutmeg powder or to taste. 3 threads of Saffron or to taste. (Note I prefer only cardamon/elaichi) Puff Pastry […]
Ravo Recipe by Rita Jamshed Kapadia INGREDIENTS 1 liter or 4.5 cups of cold milk or as needed 4 tbsp. of Ravo (semolina or suji) 4 tbsp. (equal quantity ratio to ravo) of sugar (less for diabetics) 1 Egg 1/2 cup water or as needed 2-3 drops of Vanilla or Rose essence ½ tsp. of […]
The place of Tea in Indian Culture
Indians love tea, they are crazy about it – and they even have a special word for it – chai.
India is one of the largest tea growers in the world. Tea is grown in the north and the south – in exotic places like Munnar in Kerala, Darjeeling, Assam, and Nilgiri Mountains. The tea gardens are a sight to see. Beautiful terraces are carved into the earth and from far they look like manicured gardens. Tea from Darjeeling and Assam is world famous for its aroma and taste.
Tea was introduced in India by the British during early 1900’s, those were early days of the British Raj. Large swaths of land were converted for mass tea-production. Ironically, the British introduced tea in India to break the Chinese monopoly. Tea was originally consumed by the westernized Indians, but it became widely popular over time. Today, looking at the popularity of tea one cannot tell of its origins from China.
But the story of story of tea in India goes beyond the tea gardens in exotic mountains and valleys, covered with mist and lush greenery. Tea is woven intricately into the Indian social fabric.
Chai is the common equalizer in India – from the rich to the poor. No matter what their position in life, an Indian relishes a cup of tea. The rich ones have their tea served in fancy tea-pots, delicate porcelain cups on well laid out tables with cookies and pastries. The not-so-affluent have it in more humble settings. But the joy and satisfaction is the same.
No matter where you go in India, even the remote village, you are likely to find a tea-stall, with a Chai-walla brewing the concoction, squeezing every last flavor. There is always a crowd of eager and tired folks waiting patiently for their chai. Tea re-vitalizes your body. It is a great anti-oxidant.
India has one of the largest railway networks in the world. Every train station has tea-stalls. Hawkers carry tea-buckets doling out hot cups to weary travelers as the trains pull into the train stations. One of my enduring memories growing up in India is traveling on the train in the sleeper-coach and waking up to the lilting calls of the tea-hawkers.
There are many stories of how tea brings people together. When you visit friends – tea and snacks are probably the most common offering. A cup of tea bonds friendships and heals differences. A guest rejecting an offer of a cup of tea may even hurt their feelings. The ultimate bonding is sharing a cup of tea – between two people – albeit in different saucers. When you visit a commercial establishment, as a sign of respect for the customer, tea is offered. Read more in my cookbook for Tea.
Recently, I was invited to speak and present “The Place of Tea in Indian Culture and the Kerala Tea Gardens” at the Boston Athenaeum. Here is a short synopsis. I am delighted that my Cookbooks were displayed and showcased in the museum! Thanks Hannah Weisman! Hannah is the Director of Education at Boston Athenaeum.
The museum is a historical place and encourages historical books. The Boston Athenaeum is steeped in history. Founded in 1807, the Boston Athenæum is one of the oldest and most distinguished independent libraries and cultural institutions in the United States.
Tea / Chai Recipes:
Ginger Tea
Masala Chai
Parsi Chai
Cardamom Tea
Teas of India Cookbook
More on The place of Tea in Indian Culture on ParsiCuisine.com
What do Nankhatai Biscuits & Nankhatai Band have in common? Answer: Both Biscuit and Band were popular in Surat, India. The soft crumbly nankhatai brings back many a fond memory. The word Nankhatai comes from the Persian word ‘Nan‘ meaning bread and ‘Khatai’ probably comes from ‘Catai’ or ‘Cathay’, the older name for China. Thus translating […]
Nan Khatai These soft cookies are similar to the European dutch shortbread cookies. I flavored them with Rose and Cardamon. Very easy and fun to make. Makes 12 Ingredients 1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup confectioners sugar 1/2 cup unsalted butter (salted is fine but omit the pinch of salt) 1/2 tsp. double-acting baking […]
Friends be it Parsi, Gujarati or Maharashtrian these delicacies from Parsi Dairy are distinctly superior. Make it at home the easy way – Recipe HERE Bombay Ice Halwa / Mahim Halwa or Ice Halwa Another Mumbai delicacy best available at Dayaram Damodar and Parsi Dairy. It’s available in two colours white and yellow and I […]
There are many Irani Bakeries in Mumbai, India. You must have heard of the Kayani Bakery, but have you heard of the Yazdani Bakery? Yazdani Bakery is an Irani cafe or Persian style bakery in Mumbai, India. The bakery was opened in 1953 by Meherwan Zend, an Irani baker. All products in the bakery are handmade, and baked in diesel ovens. The bakery draws […]
Where there is chocolate, there is magic! ⠀ It’s International Chocolate day! Wrapped in deliciousness, holds childhood memories, stress buster, mood lifter and what not. Let ’s indulge in some chocolate lusciousness together. Chocolate or Coffee Almond Lassi Recipe Total Time: 2 mins melting chocolate + 3 minutes of grinding Serves: 3 people Ingredients 200 […]
Folks, there are many words on this site that are Gujarati, Hindi, and other languages. You can translate to English very easily. Click HERE to get this Google Translator for Gujarati to English. If you want the entire site to be read in another language, there is a handy translator. Please scroll down to see […]
This Malido is made from “Bisquick“. Similar Malido was prepared for 600 people by Sheroo Kanga at the Inauguration of the Dar-E-Mehr in Pomona, NY. Video Recipe 2 oz canola oil 2 oz butter 1 cup coarse semolina 1/2 cup bisquick 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups water Garnish 2 oz chopped / slivered […]
Lord Ganesha’s favorite sweet, Modaks are sweet flour dumplings stuffed with coconut, jaggery, nutmeg and saffron. This modak recipe is a steamed version, which is also known as ‘ukdiche modak’, however there is a wide variety of this Indian dessert which includes fried modak as well. A popular dessert from Maharashtra which is consumed highly […]
Ingredients: 1lb Eggplant (also known as Vengnu or Baingan in India) 2 chopped onions 2 tsp Ginger/garlic paste 1 finely chopped green chilli 2 tsp Cumin Jeera seeds 3 sprigs of green garlic (I grow it ) 1 green scallion chopped fine 1 tsp Salt or to taste 1 cup Yogurt and 2 tsp sugar […]
I just made this awesome dish for my cookbook club and it was a hit! Learnt the indian plain khichri is a european fav! Kedgeree (or occasionally kitcherie, kitchari, kidgeree, kedgaree, kitchiri, or khichuri) is a dish consisting of cooked, flaked fish (traditionally smoked haddock), boiled rice, parsley, hard-boiled eggs, curry powder, butter or cream, and occasionally sultanas. According to “Larousse Gastronomique”, what we call kedgeree originated from a concoction of spiced lentils, rice, fried onions and ginger […]
by Ervad Dr. Ramiyar Karanjia Many a Parsi customs, because they are not properly understood or traced to Avestan times or scriptures, are believed to be of Hindu origin. This is not entirely correct as we will shortly see. Only perhaps 20% of the customs are of later origin. Some have undergone minor changes on […]
Household tips before and after pregnancy by Thrity Tantra A few tips – Pre and post Delivery of the baby……These tips are traditional from personal experience only. In case of any medical conditions, please consult your doctor without fail……Click Here to view and download A few recipes – Pre and post Delivery of the baby……(including […]
My daughter Roshni says: After years of observing and searching and finally finding the right vessel in Ahmedabad, I have finally achieved Parsi akuri just like my grandmother’s! (yes, the pot/pan makes a difference). Akuri is basically scrambled eggs. Akuri is basically scrambled eggs. You can have it for breakfast. Serve it with Rotli or […]
Ingredients 1.5 pounds chicken1 tbsp Ginger garlic paste 4 large Potatoes , peeled cubed ( large ) and fried 3-4 Kashmiri chilies or red dried chilies 1-2 1 inch stick Cinnamon 3-4 Cloves1 tsp Cumin seeds 4 Cardamom seeds ( Smash open the pods and get the seeds out) 1 large Onion chopped 1 cup heavy cream ( I used milk ) […]
translated by Rita Kapadia Chokha ni Rotli * or Rice Flour Rotli * is an age old bread enjoyed in India by the parsi community. Yes, all rice (in its natural form) is gluten–free. This includes brown rice, white rice and wild rice. In this case, the “glutinous” term refers to the sticky nature of therice and not the gluten protein found in wheat, barley […]
On this #NationalPieDay Pastry + Filling = pie. #PieDay here is a parsi favorite recipe in this Video to share, make and enjoy. I’m linking this recipe to Fiesta Friday #286, co-hosted this week are Mollie @ Frugal Hausfrau and Laurena @ Life Diet Health. Recipe Ingredients2 cups chicken breasts1 tsp black pepper1 onion2 green chillies1 tsp Garlic Powder1/4 cup ghee1 cup […]
Celebrate with this glorious Mango Murraba anyday. #mangoseasonison #ilovemangoes #mangoisthekingoffruits #mangolove #mango Ingredients 1 kg semi-ripe mangoes (any variety, but for best results and taste, either alphonso, or, even better still, the `bottle’ mango, `batli keri’. Best to use are small green, totally unripe mangoes. But then add more jaggery, according to taste.) White or […]
Coconut Mango Burfi Note: No artificial colors used. This post and recipe were created for #SummerDessertWeek! I was sent samples by some of the sponsor companies but as always the opinions are 100% my own. Ingredients 1/2 kg aamras (mango puree) 1/2 cup sugar 250 gm desiccated coconut 1/2 cup milk powder 1/2 tsp cardamom powder 1/2 cup […]
This is a pastry filled with sweet lentils and dry fruits. To top it all there are cherries, which are so festive. I specially like the red auspicious color they add, my mother used to get these added along with green, yellow and red Tutti-Frutti! ( candied fruits ) Question: Did you know why the […]
All cultures have meatballs. It is just not an Italian favorite! This such an universal food. Parsis have Kavab, Muslims have Kabab, Indians have Kabobs, Turks have Kebabs, and so on Let us know what your culture calls a meatball?
by Davis Tanis YIELD 6 to 8 servings TIME 45 minutes, plus 1 hour’s soaking Kichri, a traditional Indian dish, is a delightful savory combination of dal and basmati rice cooked together. Lots of other cultures serve something similar: rice and pigeon peas throughout the Caribbean, or rice and brown lentils in many Middle Eastern […]
Drink Indian Cumin Lassi without sugar. Great for Diabetics. Salted Lassi is healthy and nutritious for your body. This drinks is like the indian chaas which is very good for the digestion. Enjoyed as a breakfast drink to cleanse the body of toxins. Ingredients: Plain Yogurt 1 cup Water 1 cup Coriander leaves 3 Cumin […]
This is an energy drink best taken at breakfast time. Increases your energy levels for the day and keep you vitality strong. Good for nursing mothers and pregnant mothers. Keep this Raabri/Kaanji masala prepared for winter and enjoy your cuppa once in a while or regularly! Research suggests that our brain and body thrive on […]
Recipe Ingredients 2 lbs Cod or Prawns or Pomfret or Surmai slices5 Cloves of Garlic 1/2 tsp Jeeru 1/2 Onion 1 Ladle Oil Note: for a brown saas – I use Gram / Besan flour. See photo below. 5 tbsp Rice Flour (or white flour) 2 Glasses of Water 3 tsp sugar 2 tsp salt […]
FAKE SITE – KAYANI bakery, PUNE has published in the newspapers that they do not sell their products online nor do they have any branches & that someone is either selling fake products or are selling unethically that is without their permission. They’ve also requested public not to buy online
2019 Shahenshahi New Year Navroze / Nowruz / Nooruz is on August 17, 2019. Commemorated in a grand and elaborate fashion, preparations for Navroze begin well in advance. Houses are cleaned to remove all the cobwebs and painted new. They are then adorned with different auspicious symbols, namely, stars, butterflies, birds and fish. New […]
Quick and easy to make Channa Dal Palak. Subscribe and like my video, my channel, Happy Life.
