Food Fashion Recipe Blog

Medhu Vada with Dill / Ulundu Vadai / Urad Daal Vada

May 5, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

A delicious, crispy, and spicy vada with lots of dill, pepper, and onion. This Medhu Vada is an authentic South Indian treat.

The iconic breakfast that’s popular, not only among South Indians but around the world, is Idli-Vada-Sambhar. It’s a dish that makes an awaited appearance every weekend in many homes. Vada might not necessarily happen often, but it is arguably the most popular among the three. Vada is considered a snack in South Indian cuisine. And we cannot confuse it with its cousin, the pakora/bajji, or another street snack, the Vada Pav. Medhu vada is made during festivals, for parties or for an evening snack. There are quite a lot of varieties of vada. It’s mostly made out of legumes, in contrast to the often chickpea based pakoras and bajji. I also have a version of vada with mint and cashews that is crispier and heartier in texture….

Avocado Banana Muffins – Dairy free/Gluten free

April 24, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Avocado Banana Muffins – Dairy Free/Gluten free. These easy and delicious avocado and banana muffins that’s dairy free, an easy bake and you can make it gluten free./ It’s a great breakfast on the go.

A lot of the south Indian recipes are gluten free, the savory stuff and many desserts. When I do bake non Indian I usually stick to gluten, because that works well. In the past many months, every time I make BANANA BREAD on insta stories, which by the way is our favorite, I’ve had so many messages to blog and show how to make gluten free banana bread. Many times I’ve directed them to Alanna’s cookbook and blog. She has some amazing gluten free options and great desserts.

But, this is probably the first time I’ve tested with gluten free flour and I have gotten the results that I love. And here I’m sharing my new favorite gluten free bake. …

Easy and Quick Chicken Lo Mein – 15 Min. Dish

April 19, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

This simple, easy and quick chicken lo mein requires only a few ingredients and just fifteen minutes. You’ll have a good, nutritious meal in no time.

Hello there!!

And today, I guess a fifteen-minute chicken lo mein it is!

I’ve had a huge list of dishes I wanted to cook, shoot, and share. The fancy ones that don’t take time, but great for parties and to entertain, also amazing for family.

My teen loves to cook and eat, and while I was gone for a few weeks to India, he cooked quite a few dishes from the blog. He cooked the quick EGG CURRY, there was a huge pot of ZESTY AUTUMN SOUP, and there was this easy FISH CURRY. What is common with all of these dishes are: they’re easy, filled with flavor, and packed with nutrition. And the teen will be going off to college soon. He’ll fly to the other end of America, NY. Knowing him, he’ll need homemade Indian few times a week, and that’ll only be possible if he cooks it….

Caramel Crunch Raspberry Ice Cream Cake

April 5, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

So happy to partner with Werther’s Original to bring you this easy and delicious Caramel Crunch Raspberry Ice Cream Cake. I absolutely love Werther’s Caramel. It is the only candy I use in my caramel desserts. Here, we have a beautiful caramel crunch raspberry ice cream cake.

Happy Spring!!

I’ve been to two countries, visited different places, witnessed different cultures, and had loads of good food. India treated me well in the last few weeks. I spent some quality time with friends and family. Well, now I’m back home and back in routine just before spring break.

And this happened….

Shrimp Scampi in Coconut Rum Sauce with Linguine

April 1, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

This shrimp scampi in coconut rum sauce with linguine is perfect for a thirty-minute meal. A restaurant quality meal, right at home!

HAPPY APRIL!!! Happy Easter!!

My last few months were all in fast forward motion, with one deadline after another, and one project after another… The book release was a huge relief. A sense of a huge responsibility went off my shoulder, replaced by a sense of happiness, contentment, and accomplishment. Masala and Meatballs is doing well, thanks to all of you. Very little things happen overnight, but what’s the fun in that anyway? The excitement is in the anticipation, the work and that time which brings pleasure in ticking off all the boxes. It is the journey that matters, not the destination.

After a beautiful launch party, book signings, and a few other events later, I felt the need to take a breather….

Kovakkai/Tindora/Ivy Gourd Curry Easy Curry with Chickpea Flour and Peanuts

February 22, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

This is a simple delicious curry for vegetarian and meat lovers. This kovakkai/tindora Ivy gourd curry with chickpea flour and peanuts is absolutely a treat for the vegetarian lovers. Have it with rotis, and it’s perfect.

We all hail from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures, and have limitations on what we do eat and not.

There are many myths in different cultures, and we Indians are quite famous for it. When you grow up in a distinctive culture, it’s bound to influence your lifestyle, your belief system — and perhaps most enjoyably, your diet. Eat okra, you’ll do well in math. Eat too much ivy gourd, your brain will not be as smart (no joke, I’ve seen people say this), don’t have banana after 6 p.m, or my favorite one, don’t have yogurt rice after you eat meat. I’ve heard it all….

Caramel Cardamom Affogato

February 13, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Caramel Cardamom Affogato. It’s simple, it’s classy, it’s refined yet unfussy, it requires almost no effort and a mere two or three ingredients, yet it can finish a meal on a note as strong and sexy, as the espresso used to make it.

I run away from pinks and hearts as far as I can. I remember the days, when giddy young girls/friends would wait for a flower or pink balloon or a card and I hid under tables. Valentines was never my thing. Didn’t understand it then, don’t get it now.

But, desserts are my thing. Being a big fan of coffee, affogato is as sexy as it can get. Simple and absolutely non fussy, can be whipped up in no time and hits a spot always….

Bailey’s White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Amaretti Cookies

February 5, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

This white chocolate panna cotta is smooth, silky, and perfect for any occasion. The white chocolate adds a touch of sweetness, the blood orange gelee adds a citrus punch, and the amaretti cookies add a great crunch.

Happy February!!

This dessert was inspired by my love of white chocolate and blood oranges. I think they are a match made in dessert heaven. I tried hard to capture both of their strengths while maintaining their integrity.

I’m generally not a big fan of citrus fruits, but blood oranges are something I wait for, every year. A good glass of fresh juice in its freshest form is such a refresher, but I also love using it desserts like this. This panna cotta is such a sexy and smooth dessert, and I thought, what better day to share it than on Valentine’s Day?…

Best Indian Style Chicken Nachos – how to construct the perfect Nachos

January 30, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

The BEST Indian style chicken nachos ever!!!! The thin crisp corn chips with the spicy chicken mince, its so so good. And it’s all in one single pan. MINIMAL CLEAN UP! YES!!!! Hit in all parties!!

I sit here, a fully shot and styled post staring at me and I am blank. I’ve made these Indian style nachos for years now, but how am I not finding the words to describe a dish that disappears in minutes of getting to the table.

It’s one of my best back-pocket meals, the chicken mince. One I can make on short notice, assuming that I can get my hands on the freshest mince from my butcher. It’s one of the things I get asked plenty of times:”can you share your Indian style nachos”. It’s one of those recipes that missed getting into my book MASALA AND MEATBALLS, it sure gave a tough fight with hush puppies:)….

Blood Orange Fizz

January 28, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

The vibrant color of blood oranges makes this blood orange fizz a beautiful drink and absolutely delicious and special.

It’s January and there is an abundance of blood oranges in my farmers market and I cannot get enough of it. Even better when a friend who has a major green thumb, with a large yard who grows all sorts of citrus trees shares some of her precious stash. She is like, I better get to it before my squirrels. I get lucky because she doesn’t know what to do with all the beauties. It’s probably my favorite citrus fruit, so I happily offer to take any amount she gives:).

Few weeks and it’s gone. POOF. And we have to wait a year for blood orange season….