Pakoda Stories | Food & Life Blog

5-Minute Recipes | How to Make Cilantro Cheese Æbleskivers

January 5, 2021 No Comments

Discovering Æbleskivers

On one of our trips to Southern California, we stopped at a city called Solvang in Santa Ynez Valley. Once you enter the exit to Solvang via another city called Buellton, the architecture is more German/Danish than American. You see a traditional windmill which is rare in this side of the country. As you drive further down into Solvang, you are transported to the midst of a very Danish city. The only American things are the currency used and the way they drive their cars.

Paula’s Pancake House in Solvang, California

One of the highlights of this trip was definitely food. It was delightful to see so many Danish families carry forward their traditions to this day. Interestingly, this was also the trip we had Æbleskivers for the very first time. On our first day in Solvang, we had breakfast at a popular spot – Paula’s pancake house. I was amazed at how very similar these little bite-sized pan-fried doughnut holes were to our Tamil “Kuzhipaniyaram”. Our paniyarams are both sweet and savory. I loved it and we make it a point to stop at Paula’s every time we drive by Solvang.

Celebrating New Year’s Eve during the Pandemic

On New Year’s Eve, we celebrated a quiet evening at home. My husband and I cooked up a simple and sumptuous meal. The day before, I was looking through recipes to plan a simple menu for New Years’. I had already decided on a Spinach Mushroom Lasagna and a squash and fig salad.

Paniyaram or Æbleskiver?

I was looking up recipes for an appetizer. I wasn’t in the mood to fry up anything or bake more. I needed something that was quick, savory, and never tried before. The only thing that came to my mind which would qualify for an appetizer without baking or frying was Kuzhipaniyarams. That recipe needs an overnight fermented batter. This is when I had an A-ha moment. Why not make savory Aebleskivers? They are like paniyarams except they don’t need all that fermentation. The batter takes all of 2 minutes to put together. And the topping options are endless.

I made a simple cheese and cilantro stuffed Aebleskiver. It takes all of 5 minutes to cook up a batch of Aebleskivers. It is delicious, light, fluffy, and mildly spiced. Overall, this is one recipe I will be revisiting.

Notes

You can deseed the pepper if you find it very hot.Take 2-3 cardamom pods. Lightly crush and remove the seeds. Powder the seeds

I’m not sponsored. But these are some of the pans I like. Cast iron is always the best. But sometimes a non-stick pan can help especially for those with weak hands!

FOOD

How to Make Ghee Rice

December 21, 2020 1 Comment

Origins of Karnataka

The first time I had this dish was at a restaurant in Karnataka. I remember being amazed at my friend’s choice to pick Ghee Rice. It seemed rather mundane. How can rice with just ghee be something you order at a restaurant? It’s after all only ghee and rice! For us from Tamil Nadu especially, ghee and rice is an everyday ritual. On tasting it for the first time, I was blown away at the simplicity of the ingredients and the abundance of flavor. It was the highlight of our table even with the ghee-laden luscious paneer butter masala in front of us.

Simple and Elegant

This recipe is so simple yet very elegant. You can make it for a simple everyday meal or as an elegant rice dish to serve at your evening party. It goes well with rich curries and dals. The smell of home-cooked cow ghee infused with the whole spices is spicy, sweet, and floral. The aroma and the warmth are what make this extra special. I honestly can eat this rice dish plain without any sides. It is that good!

Notes:

The Ambe Mohr Rice is why this dish tastes just like the restaurants back in Karnataka. The rice varietal goes by different names in different parts of the country. Ghee Rice tastes the best with Ambe Mohr.
Raisins are a personal preference. Add more than a tbsp if you like a touch more sweetness to your ghee rice!
I make my rice in an Instant Pot. You can make it in a rice cooker with the same ratio. For manual pressure cookers, you would need about 2 whistles / 7-8 mins on medium and 3 minutes simmered.

LIFE

Christmas cookies and traditions

December 16, 2020 No Comments

The holiday season is great for a couple of reasons. One is definitely putting up the tree and decor. And the other is the countdown to the next year! Last year, my daughter brought home a gingerbread man cookie she decorated in her preschool. I loved it and instantly knew I wanted to start a new family tradition (one that is an old tradition though). I wanted to decorate cookies every year with her.

I am not a serious baker. I am the occasional home baker who can bake decent breads, mean chocolate chip cookies, cobblers and cakes. But I’ve never been one for decorating mainly because it requires a lot of patience and takes time. Decorating cookies for Christmas is great though because you do it once a year and then go back to baking your favorite cookies that don’t require the fancy decoration. So this year I started a whole new tradition of decorating cookies for Christmas with my daughter. And I can promise you it is a lot of fun.

Here are some pictures of the cookies I made. We also decided to throw in some princess-y cookies because my daughter is obsessed with fairies and princesses now. And the totally random plane and rainbow with a very July 4th vibe!

Oh did I mention this is my first time decorating cookies ever?!

On a side note, I really wanted to finish this post by adding a few thoughts about holiday waste. Celebrating holidays are fun and important! But grandeur is not necessary to get the most of out of your holiday.

Gingerbread house – First of all, this is my opinion. They don’t taste very good. They are also super wasteful. I have never met anyone who actually loves to eat the gingerbread house with a passion. Yes, they are cute and can add to the christmas-y vibe. But the same can be achieved by placing a fake gingerbread house in your home.
Live trees – Just why?! I am someone who loves traditions that have a purpose and also don’t disturb the environment. Why people will go through the hassle of hacking live trees every year is beyond me. I’m assuming they had this tradition back in the day when towns/villages were less populated and they genuinely needed a reason to hack trees and make more space to develop the towns. I’m not sure this makes sense anymore.
Lights – This is a touchy subject for many. Although I have never had a massive display of lights, I’m also equally guilty of putting up lights myself. The amount of electricity we waste every year just to make our homes look pretty in the holidays is wasteful. If you really must have lights, Amazon has some great solar lights that add the same cheer minus the energy waste. There is also no need for timers and reminders to turn on the lights.
Christmas Cards/New Year Greetings – I used to think seasons greetings were the best thing ever. As an adult, I love making cards myself because it gives me a chance to do some artwork. But the amount of paper and unnecessary use of postal (both local and global) services we go through during the holiday season just to send out 7 words “Merry Christmas and a happy New Year” to people we don’t visit often seems like a terrible idea.
Christmas sweaters and PJs – First of all, sweaters are used for a maximum for 1 or 2 months here in California. Unless you live in the North Pole or anywhere that gets extremely cold, it seems like a crime to buy new sweaters every year. Also, don’t get me started on the cute family PJs just to open presents and click family pictures on Christmas Day!

I could go on and on with what is wasteful. But the point I’m trying to make here is “let’s be mindful of our choices”. If there is anything we have all learned and experienced this year from the pandemic, it’s that we have to assess our choices every single time. You can still have the best decor and display in town. Just make sure it’s reusable and less wasteful.

Note: My favorite Christmas tradition is solving a jigsaw puzzle on Christmas Day with my family. What’s yours? Leave them in a comment!

TRAVEL

Things to do in the Bay Area/Silicon Valley

December 12, 2020 No Comments

This one runs close to home. If there is one question I get from every person who visits the Silicon Valley, it is “What is there in the silicon valley beyond tech?”. Many visitors who do come by the valley are here mostly for work. It is very rare that we see someone pass by the South Bay especially for tourism. So if you do happen to be here, what do you do?

San Francisco is definitely the center of attraction for anyone visiting the Bay Area. The city is rich with culture, chaos, cuisines, celebration….. so many Cs. Even though the history of this region runs deep, much of the US itself is new in comparison to the rest of the world. And far newer than the East Coast. We are, what I like to call, the new face of America. This is a true melting pot of cultures from around the world!

Inch your way down to the South Bay and you’ll find yourself amidst large highways and concrete towers. All the giants who run the tech world today are headquartered in this region. You can also view hundreds of promising startups than any other place in the world. For Facebook lovers, there is always the ‘Like’ sign that tourists love to flock. Every single company has a special something for tourists to have a look at. All you need to do is walk into one of the many buildings and the security would be happy to point you in the right direction.

But hold on, isn’t there more to do in this tech jungle? If you drive a little further away from the tech companies that dot the major highways of the Bay, you will find yourself lost in a true jungle. Lush forests, cascading mountains and serene little lakes are the true beauty of the Bay Area. Our redwood trees are estimated to be roughy between 1000 and 2500 years old. We have some of the friendliest parks & rec staff who go out of their way to ensure we experience nature at its best. With tons of bike and hike trails, the Bay Area has a different terrain for every level.

The best season to visit the Bay Area is between February and May. The mountains are green and the lakes are full. You might even be lucky enough to bump into waterfalls during the period. This is not to say the other months aren’t good enough. Infact, the Bay Area has almost always perfect weather. There are only a few heat waves that barely last a few weeks in the summer. This is also the reason for the sky high prices in the real estate market here.

Besides our national and state parks and beaches, you can experience different cultures. Since the Bay Area is home to people from every part of the planet, you will structures and monuments from each culture. If you are in the mood for religious and spiritual architecture, head to the Livermore Hindu Temple or the Japanese Zen garden in Saratoga.

The food scene of the Bay Area is some of the best in the country. We have great coffee, ice creams and world cuisine. We are also a stone’s throw away from some of the world’s finest wine in Napa Valley and Sonoma. A special mention is Gilroy, about 30 miles south of San Jose. Nicknamed the ‘Garlic Capital of the World’, Gilroy certainly boasts many garlic farms in one small city. There is so much garlic here that they even have a garlic flavored ice cream. While you are in Gilroy, it is definitely worth visiting the Gilroy Premium Outlets for some factory outlet stores for considerably lower prices than directly buying in stores. The Gilroy Gardens are also worth a visit for families with small kids.

The next time you do visit the Bay Area, check out the following websites to plan an unforgettable visit.

https://www.mysteryspot.com – Because who doesn’t want fun in nature? Nestled among the redwood forests, the mystery spot is not only fun but is also a great spot to truly appreciate the beauty of the redwood trees.
https://www.alltrails.com and https://www.bahiker.com provide some of the best information about the natural and scenic spots to visit in the Bay. You will be surprised at just how much there is to see here.
https://www.parks.ca.gov/ParkIndex – Just the best information you can get about nearby parks and beaches!
https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/gilroy – For savvy shoppers, this is a must visit. The site also has access to deals and coupons.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/shiva-vishnu-temple-livermore-livermore and https://www.yelp.com/biz/hakone-estate-and-gardens-saratoga?osq=japanese+garden – For the spiritual
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sankat-mochan-hanuman-temple-watsonville?osq=hanuman – Another spiritual site that takes a bit more planning and effort but totally worth a visit. Located on Mount Madonna, this place also has a retreat with spiritual and yoga classes.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/bi-rite-creamery-san-francisco – For some of the best ice cream in all of US!
https://www.yelp.com/biz/philz-coffee-san-jose-2 – For some of the best coffee you will ever have!

PS: I would be happy to help anyone plan a travel itinerary for the Bay Area!

FOOD

How to Make the Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie

December 9, 2020 3 Comments

Finding the pearl in the ocean

It is an ocean when it comes to food recipes on the internet. They are EVERYWHERE. WordPress, Instagram, Youtube, Pinterest …. I could go on. Learning to make something is not that hard anymore. We have so many blogs or websites to choose from. But there comes a time when you make a golden recipe that is so precious you don’t want to let it go. You put it carefully in your recipe box… in my case, a recipe folder. And you revisit this special one over and over again!

The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Combo

One such recipe from my recipe box that is a prized possession is the recipe for Chocolate chip pecan cookies. Since I chanced upon the wonderful pairing of chocolate chips with pecans, I have never gone back to anything else. This is big coming from someone who is not big on pecans otherwise and used to adore a creamy macadamia nut white chocolate chip cookie!

Why not just chocolate chip cookies?

Why not just chocolate chip? What is so great about adding in the pecans? Because once you have had the combination of chocolate chips and pecan in a cookie, there is no going back! It is dreamy, delicious, and festive all in one bite. The cookie is soft and chewy on the inside and chunky on the outside. This recipe, especially, demands you put more chocolate chips than mentioned in the recipe. Because… why ever not?! If you are looking for the ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe, this might be it!

Notes:

The recipe calls for toasted pecans. Toast them in a hot skillet until fragrant about 3-5 mins on medium heat. Wait until they become fragrant. Do not burn them.

FOOD

How to Make Fluffier Chocolate Chip Waffles with Buttermilk

December 8, 2020 No Comments

‘Tis the season to be jolly!

There is something about Christmas that brings in a feeling of calm and relaxation. We look back at our accomplishments and failures for the year. Every December, we rest our old baggage and look forward to the new year. The cookies and Christmas cheer also help!

Fluffier Waffles with Buttermilk

I worked on a shopping list for recipes I was going to make for Christmas when I realized I had a ton of buttermilk that wouldn’t make it to the end of the year. I needed to use it up ASAP. The recipes that instantly came to my mind were waffles and pancakes. I opted to make the waffles. This would be a good opportunity to use my waffle iron which is used only a few times every year. I threw in some chocolate chips to the mix. If you are doing it, you must do it right! What do you say?!!

Notes:

The softened butter has to be added in small pieces before mixing. This will allow it to melt and cook the waffles evenly.
The batter can look lumpy after adding the butter. That is ok. The butter will melt when cooking the waffles.
Each waffle iron maker cooks differently. Cook for a minimum of 2 minutes to allow the batter to cook.

STORIES

Toilet Paper Wars

November 30, 2020 No Comments

Rubens slumps his shoulders as the forklift drops off another load of boxes to be put away. Today was not a good day. He was informed his store had decided to terminate a special plan which guaranteed employees a package of toilet paper every month. This way, even though he witnessed people’s toilet paper troubles first hand, he was never affected by it.

His local mega department store had been facing so many toilet paper management issues recently due to the pandemic. They needed someone whose only role in the store was to ensure the toilet paper aisle were fully stocked at all times. He landed this special job – Toilet paper manager. Rubens thought this was the best idea.Handling one product would be easier and give him more time off to focus on his other goals.

This quickly changed within the first week at the supermarket. His life had turned upside down. Over the next few weeks, he witnessed what could only be described as toilet paper wars. The store had become tired of telling people not to hoard. They even brought in limits. Nothing worked. Families had become smart. They took turns and came everyday to fill their trunks. People purchased these wads of paper in unimaginable numbers. He wondered if they were going to wash an elephant’s bum.

Fast forward to today, Rubens received the horrible news of the store shoving the special benefit as the pandemic had stretched everyone’s limits. And now he was going to have to be in this battlefield first hand. He was beyond frustrated working long hours. He had worked non-stop with 5 min breaks everyday. And now he wasn’t given even a strand of the only silver lining.

Rubens stacked the packages one on top of the other with little regard to perfection. Suddenly, he heard a couple standing a few feet away from him discuss how they were going to purchase toilet paper. The man wanted the 2 year plan. The woman was indignant. She was not going to leave without a 5 year plan. Rubens had had enough. He was angered at the couple planning to hoard. He turned around to give them a piece of his mind. He started to say “Your plan is …….” when he had an A-HA moment. “GENIUS”.

He left his packages mid-way. He ran to his backoffice and turned on his computer. He was due to place an order anyway. Rubens quickly emailed the toilet paper company. The company responded the same day that they would have to consult with the store’s head office. The response had not seemed positive. Rubens went back to stacking multiple packages for the rest of the week. He had not heard back from his client.

On Monday, Rubens walked into work. His manager and colleagues were waiting for him in his toilet paper aisle with wide grins. Rubens was confused. The manager handed him an envelope. He opened up the envelope to find the store’s brand new 2 year toilet paper contract that guaranteed and limited toilet paper to every household with a considerable discount if they purchased from the same brand.

Medical researchers were working hard to get a vaccine out. The government was rolling out orders to practice social distancing effectively. Stores, no longer faced shortages. Thanks to Rubens’s 2 year contract plan. Businesses were now rolling out contracts that guaranteed products to customers rain or shine.

He went back home that evening a happy employee. He opened his laptop to check his emails. His application for online education had been approved. Ruben’s new job was indeed a great role.

FOOD

Spiced Vanilla Chai Cake Recipe

November 29, 2020 1 Comment

Tuck into this easy spiced vanilla chai cake

Ask any Indian, and they’ll tell stories of their 4 pm chai routine. Our lives are incomplete without the 4 pm chai. This is usually accompanied by a quick, nibbly snack. The British introduced the tea plant to India in the mid-1800s and with it came the beloved afternoon tea routine that the British

Serve small slices of this beautiful cake with whipped cream, fruit and chai. Enjoy!

FOOD

How to Make Idli – Essential South Indian Breakfasts

November 28, 2020 1 Comment

Fermentation – The Foundation of South Indian Cooking

One must learn to ferment to get a true understanding of South Indian cuisine. From our pickles to our idlis/dosas to our yogurt, we rely heavily on the process of fermentation. So what is fermentation? To put it in simple terms, it is to simply wait. If you learn to wait, half the cooking is already done.

Practice the art of waiting

Wait for the pot to get hot.
Wait for the water to boil.
Wait till you get a sour smell in fermentation
Wait a few days before you mix the pickle before you wait again!
Wait… Wait… WAIT!

Good for your Guts

The best way to learn the art of waiting is to learn fermentation. The recipe that will teach you that is the humble Idli. This fermented and steamed recipe is the most essential South Indian breakfast. The fermentation creates good bacteria in the batter that is good for your gut health. Indian doctors recommend idlis as the first solid food for babies. If you are sick, have idli. If you are celebrating, have idli. Idlis are perfect for every occasion.

Use this recipe to make crispy dosas too!

Over the weekend, I made a fresh batch of idlis with a delicious instant pot sambar. Some families are so particular about their batters. They will use separate ratios and ingredients to make their batters. I use one ratio for most batters. Why? Because it makes my life easy and also the closest thing to home.

Notes:

There are variations. But the base ingredients of rice and dal remain the same. Some add poha or flattened rice flakes. Some add a handful of cooked rice and some add broken rice.
You can soak the urad dal an hour before grinding.
Ensure the pot is only filled halfway through to allow the fermented batter to rise.
I like mixing the batters with my hand to allow some bacteria from my hands to propel the fermentation process. I follow it up with a quick turn of my hand blender.
I like to place the batter in my instant pot or the microwave. The instant pot ferments the batter on yogurt mode. This usually takes about 6-10 hours in the summer and 18-30 hours in the winter.

Once fermented, the batter should have risen. Idlis can be made using a special idli cooker or by simply steaming the idli plate in a closed pot with a little water at the bottom. For either method, you will need to purchase a set of idli plates for the authentic idli.

LIFE

Exploring the world of Madhubani

November 27, 2020 No Comments

A decade ago, I received a clock from an old employer/colleague/friend as a gift for my wedding. A simple clock in a rustic distressed wooden frame with a madhubani-esque design. Little did I know at the time that it was inspired by Madhubani art. Of all the expensive gifts I might have received during my wedding, this simple clock remains one of my prized possessions.

Tracing the art’s origin to Mithila (now Bihar), the Madhubani art form has remained relevant through the years all the way back from the times of Ramayana. With prominent eyes, pointy noses and the use of natural elements such as lotuses, fishes, peacocks and other animals, the characteristic Madhubani art is used to put forth powerful messages or stories with these intricate designs and bold depictions of gods and goddesses. The women of Mithila typically decorated their homes and walls using natural materials such as twigs, sandalwood, kumkum, dyes from flowers such as indigo and turmeric to create their works of art. Thanks to modern technology, we are now able to practice this art form using any art medium we want.

This pandemic has been a horrendous place so far. And we could all do with some wellness therapy to deal with the lows of this period. Art is a great way to get just that right in your very own home. I love turning to art to channel some of the bottled up anxiety, anger and frustrations. It has not only soothed me and helped me move to a better place. It always rewards me with the greatest gift in the end – an amazing piece of art to adorn my walls just like the women from Mithila.

Here are some of my baby steps in Madhubani. I have drawn inspiration for my art from various other artists.