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How I make Lavender Iced Tea at home 💜

Summer is the time you want some cooling drinks and lavender iced tea is always a crowd pleaser. This is a super easy recipe and you can never go wrong.

Ingredients:
Serves: 1

Iced Tea Mix – 1/2 scoop (As per package instructions for a serving)
Lavender Syrup – 1 tbsp
Water – 1 cup
Ice – as needed

Step 1: Add the iced tea mix and lavender syrup to your cup.

Step 2: Pour a little bit of water to combine well.

Step 3: Fill the glass with water and serve with ice. 🙂

​ 4C Iced Tea Mix 💛
Product Link: https://amzn.to/3ANZY5A

Torani Lavender Syrup 💜
Product Link: https://amzn.to/3q4Rfr5

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How to make | Meatballs / Koftas

In this recipe, I’m making meatballs/kofta using ground turkey, you can use any meat you have or like, or even vegetarian substitutes. Whatever mix remains after I make meatballs/kofta, I make burger patties out of them, because why not. 😉

Ingredients:

Ground Turkey – 1 lb
Small onion – 1 (roughly chopped)
Green chillies – 2 (roughly chopped)
Ginger-garlic paste – 1/4 tsp
Salt & pepper – as per taste

Step 1: Blend all the ingredients until smooth

Step 2: Make mini meatballs/koftas.

Step 3: Air fry until done. I air-fried them at 325 °F for about 10-15 mins.

That’s it. Enjoy!!! 🙂

I made these to add to some ramen as I’ve been a little under a weather. Here’s how I put it all together 🙂

(I have a detailed post on how I make my ramen. Here’s the link to it.)

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How to make | Quick & easy Masala Chicken stir fry + Salad recipe✨

This Masala Chicken stir fry is my favorite because its SOOOO easy and tastes great. I make the same thing to enjoy in so many different ways. Today, I’m going to add it to a salad. 🙂

Masala Chicken Stir-fry Ingredients:
Serves: 1

Coconut oil – 1 tbsp
Chicken Breast – 1/2 (chopped into tiny cubes) // OR Chicken Tenderloins – 2
Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tsp
Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
Chicken Masala powder – 3 tsp
Salt – as per taste

Step 1: Heat some coconut oil in a pan.
Step 2: Add in the chicken and masala. Mix & cook until done.

Salad Ingredients:

Salad greens (I’m using a mix of spinach and lettuce) – 2 handfuls
Cucumber – 1 (chopped)
Tomato – 1 (chopped)
Olives – 4-5 (chopped)
Homemade Pickled beets/onions – about a tsp // This is optional. I just added it because I had it 🙂
Hemp seeds – 1 tbsp
Crushed Black Pepper – a dash
Crushed Pecans – a handful // you can use any kind of nuts
Olive oil – as needed (as dressing) // I’m using a Meyer lemon olive oil

Add the chicken along with salad ingredients into a bowl, mix & enjoy! 🙂


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How to make | Broccoli & Sausage Pasta ✨

Pasta is one of my favorite comfort meals and this is my current favorite way to make it. So easy, so flavorful. Lets jump right in.

Ingredients:
Serves: 2

Pasta – 1.25 cup
Sausage – as needed (chopped)
Avocado Oil – a few drops / sprays
Broccoli – 1-2 handful (finely chopped)
Heavy whipping cream – 5-6 tsp
Garlic powder – 2-3 tsp
Salt & pepper – as needed
Basil leaves – 4-5
Shredded Mozzarella cheese – a handful
Shredded Cheddar cheese – a handful
Parmesan – as needed
Olive oil – a drizzle or 2

Step 1: Cook pasta as per packet-instructions.

Step 2: While the pasta is cooking, grab another pan spray some oil / add a few drops of any oil of your liking. I’m using avocado oil.

Step 3: Once this is heated, add in chopped sausage (I’m using smoked turkey sausage) & cook until partly crisp / to your liking.

Step 4: Grab a handful or two of broccoli and chop finely in the food processor. Add that in and cook for a few. Turn off the flame once done.

Step 5: Then add in from heavy whipping cream, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Everything can be adjusted based on the kind of taste you’re going for. 🙂

Step 6: In goes the pasta. Some fresh basil, shredded mozzarella cheese + cheddar cheese. Mix well.

Step 7: Transfer to serving bowl. Garnish with parmesan, drizzle some olive oil (if needed) & enjoy! 😍


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How to make | Saudi Champagne ✨

Saudi Champagne was one of our favorite summer drinks while in Saudi. So easy to make and super refreshing. Let’s jump straight to it.

Ingredients:

Apple Juice – 2 cups
Club Soda – 1 cup
Apple – 1 (sliced)
Orange – 1/2 (sliced)
Mint leaves – a handful (crushed or chopped)

Step 1: Take a large pitcher. Add mint leaves, followed by apple and orange slices.

Step 2: Pour in apple juice. Cover and let it sit in the refrigerator.

Step 3: When it’s time to serve, add club soda and mix well, or else it’ll just be soda on the top.

Add an ice-cube to serving glass and enjoy! 😍

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How to make | An Epic Curried Egg Salad Sandwich ✨

I’m a sucker for good sandwiches. This one is so good because its homemade, made with some pasture raised eggs (apparently the best kind) AND it tastes unbelievably good. The addition of some ‘hot and sweet’ sauce and chips definitely takes it to a whole another level.

Ingredients:

Eggs – 4
Water – as needed
Spice mix*/ Curry Powder – 1 tbsp
Cilantro – 1/2 cup (finely chopped)
Green chillies – 1-2 (finely chopped)
Mayonnaise – 3-4 tsp
Salt – as per taste
Hot and sweet sauce – as needed
Chips – as needed

*For the spice-mix: Add a dash of each kind of powder: Turmeric, Ginger, Garlic, Cumin, Coriander, Black Pepper, Red chilli, Cardamom, Garam Masala)

Step 1: Boil eggs. I like to pressure cook them in the instant pot for 6 mins. That way its always perfect.

Step 2: Once done, peel and chop finely.

Step 3: Add the chopped eggs into a bowl along with spice mix/curry powder, cilantro, green chillies, mayo & salt. Mix until well combined.

Step 4: Spread on bread. Drizzle some hot and sweet sauce. I’m using the one by ‘Mother’s Recipe’.

Step 5: Top with some flamin’ hot ‘Ruffles’ or any kind of chips.

Enjoy each bite with some extra sauce and chips, and of course, some chai. 😉

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How to make | Beef Curry✨

Beef is something that is loved by all in Kerala, be it a curry, dry-fry, roast etc…. This is my Dad’s recipe (with some minor tweaks based on what I had at hand) and it’s super delicious and simple. I like to buy beef with bone as it always tastes better and the bone/fat adds a lot to the taste of the dish. The consistency of the gravy is something I adjust using the amount of broth I add at the end, and you can do the same. Some times, I also set aside some of the broth*, and I add it to the curry once it has cooled down since it tends to thicken after it sits for a bit.

Ingredients:
Beef – 2 lbs (chopped into small pieces)
Water – as needed
Turmeric – a pinch + 1 tsp
Salt – as needed
Coconut oil – 2-3 tbsp
Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Onions – 1 to 2 (chopped)
Green chilli – 2 to 3 (chopped)
Curry leaves – a handful
Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tbsp
Tomato paste / tomato – 1 tbsp / 1 (optional)
Instant beef masala – 1 tbsp (I use Mutton Masala instead of beef masala at times, doesn’t matter)
Red Chilli powder – 2 tbsp
Coriander powder – 3 tbsp
Pepper powder – 2 tbsp
Beef broth: 1/2 cup + as needed
Garam masala – 1 tsp

Step 1: Pressure cook the beef with water just enough to cover the beef, a pinch of salt and turmeric for 20 mins.

Step 2: While the beef is cooking you can make the masala. In a pan, heat some oil and add mustard seeds. Let them splutter.

Step 3: Add in the onions & green chilli. Saute onions until translucent. Add salt for quicker browning.

Step 4: Add in a handful of curry leaves, some ginger-garlic paste & some tomato paste (optional), followed by the spices. Heat on low-flame for a few.

Step 5: Once the beef is done cooking, separate the beef and the broth. Add 1/2 a cup of the broth into the pan and let it simmer until the oil separates. At this point, add in the beef and remaining broth. Cook until done.

Step 6: Add 1 tsp garam masala at the end. Adjust salt as per taste. Garnish with curry leaves.

*(I kept about half a cup of the broth aside to add to the curry once it’s cooked as it tends to thicken after sitting for a bit.)

Serve hot with porotta or rice, moru and a vegetable dish. 🙂

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How to make | Kerala Red Fish Curry✨

Fish is a staple in most houses in Kerala. I remember I wasn’t a fan until I moved away from home. I guess I didn’t appreciate the good stuff then. I’ve come to love fish so much, I prefer it over meat. Red fish curry was what Mom mostly made and its sooooo good. This recipe is super easy and if I can make it, any one can. 😉

Ingredients:

Coconut oil – 2 tbsp
Methi (fenugreek seeds) – a pinch
Mustard seeds – a pinch
Onion (Large) – 1 (chopped
Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tsp
Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
Red chilli powder – 4 tsp
Water – 1/2 cup + as needed
Fish pieces – 500 gms
Kudam Puli (Kerala Tamarind) – 1 // Soak this in water when you start cooking and microwave it for a minute before adding it to the curry
Salt – as needed
Curry leaves – to garnish

Step 1: Heat some coconut oil in a pan. Add methi seeds & mustard seeds.

Step 2: Once the methi seeds start to brown & the mustard seeds start to splutter, add in the chopped onions. Adding salt at this point will allow for quicker browning. Sauté until it starts to brown.

Step 3: At this point, add in ginger-garlic paste & cook for a few.

Step 4: Add 1 tsp turmeric & 4 tsp red chilli powder. Cook on low flame until the rawness goes away.

Step 5: Now add half a cup of water and heat until the oil separates. Once it starts to separate, you can add in more water & the fish pieces along with the soaked Kudam puli. Add water depending on how much gravy you’ll need considering its going to thicken.

Step 6: Cook until done & gravy ‘almost’ reaches the desired consistency. Its going to thicken once you turn off the flame and let it sit for a few. Adjust salt if needed & garnish with curry leaves.

Enjoy with rice, moru and a thoran like we did! 🙂

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How to make | Quick Semiya Payasam (Vermicelli Kheer)✨

Growing up, Semiya Payasam was my fave! Mom always made it on my birthday (among several other days that she did) because of how much I love it. The traditional version is pretty time consuming as I remember it took a while. This is a super quick recipe and just as satisfying.

Ingredients:
Serves: 2

Ghee – 1 tbsp
Cardamom pod – 1 (crushed)
Oddly chopped cashews – 1 handful
Fine Vermicelli – 1 handful
Milk – 2 cups
Sugar – 4 tsp / as needed
Cardamom powder – a pinch
Vanilla essence – 1 tsp

Step 1: Heat some ghee. Add in a crushed cardamom pod along with cashews. Sauté until slightly brown. Transfer to a bowl when done.

Step 2: Add in the vermicelli. Roast for a few. Pour in milk and let it come to a boil. Turn off flame once done.

Step 3: Add the sautéed cashews, some vanilla essence, cardamom powder & sugar as per taste.

Enjoy!!!