Author Archives: The Weekend Baker

About The Weekend Baker

Weekend baker, cook book collector, gatherer of family recipes.. I have inherited my love for baking, cooking and experimenting in the kitc

K for Kheema (mince) on crackers

Posted on April 13, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

My family has always been crackers over Cream Crackers and we treat them like toast, slathered with strange and various toppings. The origins of this version go way back to the 1930s when my grand-aunt, Ini, was a young child. Apparently, there was … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z 2016, Fish and Meat, Meat and Poultry, Savoury snacks, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

J for Jeere-Mire (Cumin- Black pepper) Prawns

Posted on April 12, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

This is my version of the original ‘jeere- mire chicken’. I found this rather unusual dish in Nana’s recipe book but it was more ‘a notes to myself’ page than a recipe. I’ve substituted prawns for the chicken, but used … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z 2016, Fish, Goan cuisine, Gravy dishes, Seafood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I for Idli stuffed with chutney (aka Vafole)

Posted on April 11, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

The puritans may argue that idli and vafole are not interchangeable. However, for all practical purposes, I think that idli batter does the job beautifully. In the days of yore, when everything was made from scratch, I would watch in … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z 2016, Savoury snacks, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

H is for Kelyacha Halwa (Banana Halwa)

Posted on April 9, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

Kelyacha halwa or halwa made from very ripe plantains is my Aji’s specialty. She made it a few times during the Indian monsoons, when the long red plantains (known as rajeli keli) are in season. We ate it as fudge, and Aji sometimes stuffed … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z 2016, Desserts, Festive food, Seasonal food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Ganpati special – Green Peas or Vataanyachi bhaaji

Posted on April 8, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

I wrote about the Ganpati celebrations at my grandparents’ home and the festivities that followed. If you’ve read about it here, you will have noticed the rather unusual menu for that day. There is a simple explanation to it. The … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z 2016, Festive food, Seasonal food, Seasonal Veggies, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Fasting and Feasting in true Maharashtrian style

Posted on April 7, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

Fasting and Feasting may seem contradictory, but not to a true blue Pathare Prabhu. The logic is simple – you can abstain from food groups but you don’t have to eat boring. Can’t argue with that, can you? There is … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z 2016, Potatoes, Savoury snacks, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

E for Eggs on crackers

Posted on April 6, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

Now this certainly does not qualify as an heirloom recipe by any stretch of imagination. And no, it didn’t come from my grandmum’s recipe books, though it does come from my mum’s repertoire. That’s excuse enough – because with a theme … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z 2016, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

D for Dhapate

Posted on April 5, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

Dhapate, in Marathi, usually means a sharp slap on the back. These pancakes, similarly, derive their name from being slapped onto the griddle. They are a close cousin of ‘Thalipeeth’ – a fiery, tear inducing version of the same and also … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z 2016, Savoury snacks, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

C for Chicken Cafreal

Posted on April 4, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

I can truly say, hand on heart, that I have never eaten chicken Cafreal in my childhood. This dish often featured in stories about Marianne, reportedly an outstanding cook, and also the housekeeper of the ancestral home in Goa. My dad would … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z 2016, Chicken, Goan cuisine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

B for Batatewade

Posted on April 2, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

These golden balls are a very popular street snack in India. The one rule of eating out in India is that if it’s fried, hot, and spicy, you’re probably good to go. Oh, and always follow the crowds. That won’t be … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z 2016, Batate (Many ways to cook potatoes), Savoury snacks, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A for Appe

Posted on April 1, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

The Befores and Afters theme kicks off with a slightly unusual and not very frequently made recipe. This dish also has the ability to switch forms from a ‘Before’ to an ‘After’: depending on whether you choose to make the … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z 2016, Desserts, Festive food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

A-Z 2016 Theme Reveal : Befores and Afters

Posted on March 21, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

In April, this blog will feature an eclectic collection of ‘Befores and Afters’ – appetisers and desserts, inspired by my Pathare Prabhu and Goan heritage. I hold onto precious memories in the form of handwritten recipes and cookbooks that I … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Konefal (Purple Yam)

Posted on January 19, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

If you are looking for a healthy and delicious, bright purple snack, look no further. Yes, you read that right. If your new year resolutions include discovering the new and interesting, give purple purple yam a twirl. Of course, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Festive food, Savoury snacks, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Let’s go fly a kite..and celebrate Sankranti

Posted on January 15, 2016 by The Weekend Baker

I’m sure you’ve hummed that along as you watched Mary Poppins, but have you ever flown a  proper Indian kite? Sankranti, which is celebrated mid January, heralds the arrival of Spring in the Indian subcontinent and is a harvest celebration. You … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts, Festive food, Seasonal food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Besan ladoo

Posted on November 12, 2015 by The Weekend Baker

Despite the many variations of besan ladoos I have tasted, nothing brings back Diwali for me as these do. The aromas of besan roasting in ghee till it was brown and fragrant, the ping of the mortar and pestle as it pounded cardamom pods and … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts, Festive food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment