This mouth watering delicacy originates from the state of Bihar in India. A favourite traditional tsste to mostly everyone of every age this is a very healthy option of snack. We remember craving for Litti Chokha whenever we used to go out and the taste of childhood still makes us remember those days.
Generally Litti is prepared from Bengal Gram Flour the food is healthy and too tasty. It is often paired with a Chokha made from aubergines and mashed potato mixed with various other aromatic ingredients. Kinds of relishes are also served which bursts into mouth and the experience is indeed heavenly.
It is now not confined to only Bihar, but is prepared all over the country and has managed to become one of the most savoured street foods throughout India.
The Craving Pumpkins will keep on craving for Litti Chokha and with quite certainty we know you will love it too.
When the heart craves for something yummy, happily dive into this❤
In Frame: A plate full of Chicken Biriyani with its partner, the Raita. This is an authentic explanation of the bombay style in which it is cooked here.
Have this homemade Italian dish with a twist as a
foodilicous evening snack.
The name of the
item in the frame is Bread + pizza= brezza, serving on bread as the base. Add
to this some veggies and lots of cheese to cherish its luscious taste.
Enjoy a smacking
evening!!!
To make the Brezza we need:
4 slices of bread – cut into triangles
2 small tomatoes – blanch, deseed and chop finely
Quarter of a small capsicum – cut
into juliennes
French beans – few
1 small onion – cut into slices
4 to 5 pods of garlic – finely chopped
Half of a small carrot – can be julienned or cut into roundels
Herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano etc)
Oregano
Basil leaves – a few – cut into small roundles
Salt- as per taste
Pepper powder or freshly crushed –
as per taste
Butter
Cheese
Tomyum Sauce ( cheese sauce or
melted cheese + tomato sauce maybe used as an alternative in 1:4 proportion of
tomato sauce: cheese sauce)
Method
Step 1 – The Tomato sauce
To make the tomato sauce, blanch, deseed and finely chop the tomatoes.
Heat butter in a kadhai and add to it the onion slices.
When it gets translucent add the
chopped garlic.
Sauté well and add the chopped tomatoes to it.
When the tomato gets soft and mushy tear some basil leaves to it.
Sprinkle some water and let it cook.
Check the seasonings and add salt and crushed pepper accordingly.
When the perfect consistency is acquired, add to it the herbs. Mix well
and put off the flame.
Take out in a bowl and let it cool.
Step 2
Heat butter in a kadhai and add to
it the cut vegetables (capsicum, beans, carrot etc.)
When they get tender and cooked check seasonings by adding salt and
pepper.
Take out in a bowl and let it cool.
Step 3
Take a triangle cut from bread and
spread to it the tomyum sauce (or the cheese + tomato sauce)
Take a small amount of the freshly prepared tomato sauce and spread it
over.
Add the sautéed vegetables.
Sprinkle cheese on top.
Step 4
Grill the bread till the cheese melts.
Step 5
Savour it with your favourite sauce.
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Have you ever dreamt of
visiting Paradise? Do you want to make it real?
Then Munnar would be the
perfect place for fulfilling your dream.
Munnar is a stunning hill
station of Kerala. It is situated in the Western Ghat Mountain Range and caters
to both amazing food and happy travelling. This place is perfect to spend your
leisure time. The local people often visit this place during weekends. It indulges
them in merrymaking. The valleys are reputed for their tea Plantations and
their different verities of Tea. It also harbours Kurinji Flower that grows
once in Twelve years!!
The climate over the place
is mainly cool all through the year which provides a place pleasant atmosphere.
Winters though are very chilly and sometime even drops below 0˚C. This is one
of the best tourist destinations of India brimming with quintessence. Munnar is
one of the best places where greenery resides in its own style, shares its
elegance and frankly presents picturesque beauty.
If you are travelling in a
team you may book a traveller bus from Ernakulam, or may even take a flight to
Kochi and book a cab from there to Munnar. This could be the easiest way to
reach the place, however, choosing a traveller bus would add to the beautiful sight
seeing experience.
Specialities of Munnar:
Home to a huge Spice Market
Has many natural spice gardens specially
growing cinnamon, green cardamom, peppercorn, Nutmeg, star anise etc.
Manufacturer of Chocolates
Tea plantations
Coffee farming
A reserve to Kurinji flower
Special Aromatic and Ayurvedic Spa Treatment
Majestic Elephant rides
Beautiful Flower Gardens
Not only these Munnar also
very famous for its mouth watering delicacies. To name a few would be:
Jackfruit Fritters
Chilli Fritters (special chillies, not the
regular ones are used for this purpose)
Banana Chips
Masala Fruit Chaat
The main medium of cooking
is Coconut Oil which adds to the flavour of the dishes.
Do visit this place and
share your experiences with The Craving Pumpkins. Also, if you like this post
please do like, share and comment. We Are Waiting!!!
Just few days back, the Pumpkins went on a lunch date at Chowman in Sinthimore. Located in Northern Kolkata, just a few steps from the renowned Rabindra Bharati University, it is one of the best restaurants of Kolkata. The place is very well connected by Bus routes and other public transportation. The restaurant is also easily visible from the main road, making it easy to find. The entrance door resembles the entrance of Chinese Royal Courts which will take you to the golden era.
As we entered we were greeted by the associates and the restaurant supervisor. All the tables were ready to be served at anytime. Chowman, Sinthimore opens at 12:00 Noon and closes at 10:30 PM. It is a casual dining restaurant serving mainly Chinese and Thai Cuisine as well as Asian Cuisine.
AMBIENCE:
Chowman outlets are renowned for their decoration. The huge Buddha face carved on the wall brings forth a serene environment; the wall decorations with red and the significant dim lighting manifests their upscale presentations of service. The ongoing soft music helps the mood to calm down and de-stresses the mind.
FOOD:
Chowman, Sinthimore has a wide array of foods. The menu is finely categorised and even the variation of hotness in food is clearly mentioned. The dimsums (kind of momo) are must haves. From the wide choice of starters, the Pumpkins ordered-
A plate of Prawn Sui Mai (an open dimsum) @270 INR. One portion contains 8 pieces and comes along with a special sui mai sauce. The prawns were evenly cooked to the bite and were well succulent and juicy. The sauce added to its deliciousness.
They have a wide variety of rice and noodle preparations. We wanted to have both which is near to impossible. So we ordered a plate of Shanghai Styled Mixed Meifoon or Rice Noodles @250 INR. The portion size was more than enough for 2 persons. It tasted extremely yummy. All the ingredients could be felt in individual and the flavours burst in our mouth.
We were suggested to pair the Meifoon with Kung Pao Chicken (gravy) @280 INR which had the whooping quantity of 12 pieces per portion. The pair was the best we have ever tasted. The cashew nuts added to the flavour. The Chicken dices melted in mouth along with the mouth-watering gravy.
The Pumpkins were so full by the end they had to order Fresh Lime Soda (salted). At 90 INR per portion it wass more than enough.
To rate the food the Pumpkins will like to give:
Sui Mai Prawn – 5/5
Shanghai Style Meifoon (mixed) – 5/5
Kung Pao Chicken – 4/5
Fresh Lime Soda – 4/5
SERVICE:
Truly speaking, Chowman provides you with world-class service. The associates are very well behaved. They have a very good knowledge of the menu and suggested some excellent dishes to us. Querying about the food taste clearly mentions how concerned they are about their food taste and quality.
The Pumpkins had a great time at the Chowman, Sinthimore. Their tagline “Think Chineese…Think Chowman” is justified by their food taste and quality and we are looking forward to visit soon and try out the other amazing items. We would always recommend the restaurant as a must visit if you really want to experience quality food and world class service.
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Do you prefer eating out a lot? Do you even think of an International taste at a very reasonable price? If it’s a Yes, Marco Polo in Park Street Area would be the perfect place for you. As you enter you will definitely be taken back to the Old English Days yet in a very modern way that will bring to you a legendary feeling. The restaurant is divided into two storeys and is quite spacious. It is absolutely ideal for spending time with family, or hanging out with friends or enjoying some precious time with loved ones. The best quality of the restaurant is that it suits everyone, and is abled to impress every age group.
AMBIENCE:
The lights are nicely lit, that makes one feel comfortable and even the soft music helps in soothing mood. The interior decor caters all that is needed- an air of elegance along with its niceness.
FOOD:
The menu is affordably priced. They have SPECIAL ITEMS on special occasions as well. The Pumpkins ordered-
Murg Malai Nazakat @395 INR – six pieces of meat marinated in milk fat and spices and cooked in clay oven which was extremely succulent and delicious;
Murg Biryani @425 INR – quantity was good enough for two portions but the taste lacked the originality of Biryani;
Chicken Steak Poivrade @385 INR – was enough for one portion, craving of the meat was praiseworthy, the stuffing and the sauce tasted extremely good;
Orange Custard from special menu (Christmas special) – which was too bitter to be consumed, and
Walnut Brownie @150 INR – came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate syrup it tasted the best among them all.
Murg Malai Nazakat – 4/5
Murg Biryani – 3/5
Chicken Steak Poivrade – 4/5
Orange Custard – 2/5
Walnut Brownie – 5/5
The Service associates were very polite and had a good knowledge of the menu and always wore a smile on their face.
The Pumpkins recommend this place, give it a 4/5 and also recommend to try out the continental section, which tastes remarkably good.
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Just 4 years since the Tsunami we went to visit
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Having heard a lot about Cellular Jail,
Kalapani and Coral Reefs we were quite excited about the trip. Though, Andaman
– an Island rather a group of about 300
islands is not attached to the mainland of India but is administered by
the Indian Government.
Andaman is not very well
connected by any means of transportation throughout India being an island
surrounded by water; however, it has a good connectivity with Kolkata and
Chennai in terms of flights. A couple of flights fly throughout the day from
the places to Port Blair and vice-versa and help reaching the destination in
only about 2hours and 30minutes. However, if one has got the time, the person
may try availing the waterways which is about a week’s journey to reach Port
Blair, and the experiences would surely be incomparable.
10 years
from now we visited the place and still the memories are so very clear. Port
Blair being the capital city is very well connected to the mainland and also to
the other islands as well. All commercial practices take place from this very
place. Talking about Port Blair we first think of Cellular Jail. Memories and
pain of the freedom fighters can still be felt from inside the prison. The jail
itself depicts the mourning and sacrifices of our ancestors for the fight of
independence. Innumerable lives have been lost as they tried to run out of Cellular
jail and fell into the Sea; thousands of freedom fighters were hanged and their
bodies were dumped into Bay of Bengal. Thus, the name Kalapani (Black waters)
was given to the water body. A light and sound show is conducted during the
evening hours which narrate the struggles of our freedom against the British
Rule and the consequences our ancestors had to face as a result of that.
Andaman
is not only about Cellular Jail, but also has some beautiful beaches. Sagarika,
the biggest shopping centre in Port Blair would help you take back home
memories or souvenirs from the place. Corals are a big attraction of Andaman
Islands. They come in various colours, shapes and sizes. One must try
snorkelling to live the underwater beauty. The crystal clear water attracts
like a magnet and lets you take pleasure in the moments. Scuba Diving is even
allowed. And, if you have problem going into the waters, they have some very
interesting Glass Fitted Boats and Semi-Submarine rides through which you can
clearly see what’s beneath.
Not only
Port Blair, there are amazing other islands too. Ross Island is just at a short
distance from the capital city and was home to the Russians during Russian
invasion in India. The remains are still maintained. Jolly Buoy Island, Neil
Island, Elephant island, Red Island are some of the other attractions. The
offices still remain as a memoir to us. The places yet have a picturesque which
could hardly be found elsewhere. The whole island is a Plastic free region
which believes in saving the planet and the ecosystem as a whole.
Jarwa
tribes are still one of the under civilised human community who live in the
Baratang Region. People are allowed to see them from a distance through a
convoy lead by local Policemen. However, it is permanently closed for visitors
due to some unexpected reasons. The Government of India has taken initiatives
to educate and civilize them. Rangat is a place in few miles from there where
one would find Mud Volcano, a volcano which is still active and oozes out hot
mud instead of fire. The limestone caves are just at a distance from the place.
A person can never miss visiting Havelock
Island during the tour. It is one of the most beautiful places on Earth – full
of greenery as they believe in preserving wildlife. A 2 hours journey from Port
Blair in Cruise liners to the island is a journey unforgettable. It is home to
the Best and Cleanest beaches in Asia – Radhanagar Beach. The beauty of the
beach is incomparable. One would definitely regret not visiting it once in a
lifetime. Other beaches include Vijayanagar beach and Kala Pathar Beach. It is
home to an active volcano in Barren island as well where no visitors or
islanders are allowed to go.
Talking
about food habits of Andaman, it is a mixture of South Indian and Bengali
cuisine. The islanders are mainly from Southern Parts of India, Myanmar and
from Bangladesh. Sea food is a must have. Lobsters and crabs and other fishes,
also their special Surmayi fish cannot be missed. The breakfast items mainly
include dosa, idly along with sambhar and chutney; but main course includes
rice with sambhar, a curry, yoghurt, pickle etc. Coconut Trees are found in
abundance, which makes the availability of coconut water, milk, oil and other
products easily obtainable and. Thus, the use of tender coconuts and other
coconut products are more prevalent. Banana or plantain chips are also a
delicacy there.
As the
major part is surrounded by water body, the only means of transportation is
barge which would take you along with your vehicle from one island to another
in a short course of time.
Being distant from the mainland,
the island faces some major network issues but that does not stand in the way
of the tourists. If one enjoys Beauty of Nature, The Pumpkins would earnestly
like to recommend Andaman as a must visit. The place is definitely no match to
any city – it is full of life that we need. If one wants to live a peaceful as
well as blissful life for even few days, please do visit the place.
If you
like the post, please do like, share and comment. And, share with us your
exiting stories of food and travel. We Are waiting!!!
Noodle is one of those items of food that fills the stomach to its full and appeases the heart ❤
Do you know how to keep it non-sticky?
It is nothing but the very oil that we use to cook. A light oil like the sunflower, olive oil, etc. Needs to be poured after boiling the noodles. This releases on strand of noodle from the other.
Feel free to share your ideas, advice, and experiences in the comments section below.
February is the month of Love. This maybe the shortest month compared to others, but the importance is quite deep. As per Mythological sayings, Cupid, the God of Love, ushers his blessings by pointing arrows at boys and girls to make them fall in love and create a unique bond. This is bondage of heart and mind of two people who become one single soul for ages. Valentine’s Day is now celebrated across the Globe on 14th of February every year. Every country has different ways of celebrating this day and every person has their own different view towards this, but their focus remains the same. They dedicate a whole week to their valentines by celebrating teddy day, rose day, hug day, promise day etc.- excuse to spend time with the special ones. Valentine’s Day is one such excuse, one such special day totally dedicated to the loved one where nothing else matters. “Love is indeed magical, before which iron has even melted and fire has come cold”- The Pumpkins Since it is a couple’s day, one can indulge in trying a hand at surprising each other by making something especially for the Valentine. One of such an item preferred by all on this day is CHOCOLATE. Let’s take a quick look into its interesting recipe: INGREDIENTS: Cocoa powder – 150gm Powdered sugar – 200gm Coconut oil – 150ml Milk powder – 70gm
METHOD: Sieve the cocoa powder, powdered sugar and milk powder together in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Place a bowl on double boiler (boil water in a pan and place a heatproof bowl over it). Pour the coconut oil in it and add the sieved mixture slowly so that it does not form any lump. Stir continuously. When a semi thick consistency is acquired, turn off the heat and pour the liquid into silicon moulds. Refrigerate this for 2-3 hours. Take out and preserve in an airtight container. Enjoy it!!
The singles are not alone. Don’t they worry! We have recipe for them too! Sharing here one such delicacy- Homemade Chocolate Cheesecake INGREDIENTS: Butter (melted) – 35gm Milk – 35gm Granulated Sugar – 10gm Refined Flour – 30gm Egg yolks – 3 Lemon juice Cheese Slices Melted chocolate Dry fruits
METHOD: Take the melted butter in a bowl and add milk to it. Stir with a whisk and add the granulated sugar slowly. Sieve the flour and add it to the bowl and mix by folding. Take out the egg whites of 3 eggs in a separate bowl and add the yolks to the batter. Whisk properly the batter. Whisk the egg whites, add the lemon juice to it and add sugar at regular intervals. Whisk very well till peaks are formed. Add the whisked egg whites to the batter and mix by folding. Take a baking mould and grease the sides with butter. Put half the batter to it and spread evenly with a spatula. Put cheese slices and shredded parmesan cheese on top and cover by adding the remaining batter to it. Add shredded parmesan cheese on top and bake for 60 minutes in a pre heated oven at 150˚C. Or, In case one does not have an oven, they can prepare in a pressure cooker without the weight. In that case the cake needs to be cooked in a double boiler. Just check by pressing lightly with your finger on the cake, if it attains back the shape then the cake is fully done. Take out, cut slices, pour hot melted chocolate over them and sprinkle chopped dry fruits and enjoy!!
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Cravings of The Travelling Pumpkins 