Egg rolls are undoubtedly the most popular of all junk food that is available in Kolkata. Though rolls are now available in avatars such as Chicken roll, Egg chicken roll, Egg mutton roll, Double egg chicken roll, and various innovative flavors, the original egg roll still continue to rule the average Indian palate. Food lovers swear by the mouthwatering taste of a piping hot egg roll! The interesting fact is, though egg rolls are available in almost every part of India and have made their foray in the major Indian restaurants and eateries throughout the world, this popular fast food has its origin in the City of Joy!(Kolkata, formerly Calcutta). Egg rolls are wholesome food and prepared with ingredients that are easy to digest. Hence they are safe for children also. If you eat an egg roll for breakfast or lunch, you can sustain hunger for a long time. Rolls are much similar to egg or chicken wraps available in the western countries, especially the U.S.

Here's a simple way to prepare egg rolls at home:

Ingredients--1 or 2eggs(medium), white flour 1 cup, butter 1tsp(optional), cucumber 1(grated), tomato 1(diced in small pieces), onion 1(grated), 1green chili(chopped evenly), coriander(chopped), white oil(cooking oil such as sunflower/mustard), tomato sauce, chili sauce, salt to taste.

Directions: Beat the egg separately in a small container and add salt to it. Keep aside. Now make a soft dough with the flour, adding some butter and salt to it. Heat a medium sized flat pizza pan in low flame and heat 2tsp of cooking oil. Make a paratha(flat bread) with the dough you have prepared(in the same way you prepare Naan bread or Roti), frying lightly with cooking oil. Now pour the egg which you have beaten previously, on top of this paratha. Fry both sides in low flame until crisp and golden brown. The egg will stick on one side of the paratha like an omelette. Take a flat tray or plate and wrap this paratha with chopped coriander, grated cucumber, grated onion, diced tomato, and chopped green chili. Add tomato and chili sauce.

Wrap the egg roll finally with a baking wax paper. In Kolkata rolls are even wrapped in newspapers:) But the taste is always the same!

Tags: Indian food, how to prepare egg rolls

Fast Food: Anyone?

Hey guys! here's a small quiz for you all....what makes Kolkata everyone's favorite city? In my opinion, it is the mouthwatering array of street food or fast food, available here. Very few cities in India have such a wide range of fast food and amazing flavors.

Whether it's visitors coming from other states or tourists from foreign countries, Kolkata has something to offer to everybody! And if you are too concerned about the hygiene factor, then....well...:) you have to give them a pass. But if you are a foodie like me, then you must try these yummy dishes, and forget about hygiene at least for a while:)

But not all fast food stalls or street food corners in the city are alike. Some are quite clean and take special care to serve food in the best way possible. You just cannot resist the lingering aroma of the roll corners(I'll discuss about this authentic delicacy of Kolkata in my forthcoming posts), or the chowmeins, fish fries, cutlets, chops, biriyanis, momos, jhalmuris(puffed rice with condiments) or the most favorite phuchkas! The prices vary accordingly, but you'll find fast food stalls throughout the length and breadth of the city. The tastes of these junk delicacies are almost heavenly! So, the nest time you visit Kolkata, make sure to dig into a yummy roll or phuchkas, and tell me how you liked it:) I'm sure you'll come back to the city just to savour these specialties!

How To Make Naan Bread

Naan bread is a common name in any Indian household. Normally it is eaten with any curry, veg or non-veg. Naan is mostly common in Northern India, though this delicious bread has now become every food lover's favorite. Typically, a naan is a round shaped bread made of white flour. Nowadays, it is even served with various toppings as well.
I found this video that I thought of sharing with you. It teaches the entire process of making Naan bread in a simple way. Now you can prepare this yummy bread at home!

VideoJug: How To Make Naan Bread

Hey guys! Sorry for not being able to post of late; I was away on a tour, and had a great time! Here's another fantastic recipe that's made of Hilsa fish, which I spoke of in my last post. Prepare it in your home and let everybody thank you for this mouthwatering recipe!! It is a wholesome dish prepared mainly with rice and fish. So you can consider it for your lunch or dinner.

Hilsa Fish Pulao

You will need: Hilsa fish-600grams, Rice(like basmati or any nice smelling varieties for making pulao), Mustard oil, Green chilies(slit in the middle)7-8, Black Pepper-1 and a half tsp, Turmeric powder or paste 1 tsp, Sugar 1/2 tsp, Salt to taste, Whole mustard(without grounded)15 grams.

Directions: First, wash the fish properly and chop it into even pieces. Smear the fish with mustard powder/paste and salt. See that the pieces are coated properly with mustard. Keep it for half and hour. Rinse rice in water properly and soak it for half and hour. Now drain the water from rice. Prepare rice in boiling water; when ready, drain water totally, to make it dry. Keep aside.
In a separate hollow pan, heat mustard oil and add whole mustard seeds and slit green chilies. Add half of the hilsa fish pieces now. Stir for some time. Do not deep fry. Sprinkle mustard powder and salt to taste. Keep the flame low. Now pour half of the prepared rice on top of this. Place some more fish pieces on top and cover it with remaining rice, like a double layer. Put a lid on top. Cook it on low flame for some time. Check if the fish is ready to eat. Serve hot!

Know more about Hilsa fish.....

Ilish Maach Bhape/Sorshe Ilish

Hilsa Fish remains an eternal favorite among food lovers. Fish rules the platter of any Indian household, and scores much higher than chicken and mutton.Varied recipes of fish continue to rule the hearts of quintessential Bengali gourmets. Bhetki, Koi, Rui or Catfish, Prawn, Lobsters, and Hilsa remain the perennial favorites among the numerous varieties of fish. Hilsa or 'Ilish' as it is commonly known as, is one of the most liked variety of fish, and there are plenty of dishes available with this fish. Hilsa is not just a fish, but a symbol of Bengali culture. Hilsa is found plentiful in the rivers-Padma, Meghna, Yamuna and Ganges, however, most of this sweet-tasting fish is caught from the sea. Most of the Hilsa dishes are cooked in mustard oil.

Among all other hilsa delicacies, Ilish Maach Bhape or Sorshe Ilish remains my priority:)
Here is a simple and easy way to prepare this recipe at home:

Ingredients:
Hilsa fish-(chop it into pieces for better results)
Mustard Paste
Mustard Oil
Turmeric Powder
Green Chilli
Salt to taste

Preparation: First, wash the fish pieces properly and mix a paste of mustard paste, salt, mustard oil and turmeric with it. Then keep the fish pieces in an air-tight container for some time. Pour some mustard oil on top of those pieces and sprinkle 4/5 green chillies. Then take 2/3 cups of water in a hollow fry pan or container and place the air-tight container in it. Keep the flame low and place something on top of this container, so that the lid doesn't fall off. Bring it to boil for around 10-12 mins and remove it from flame. Your delicious smoked hilsa is now ready to eat! Serve it with smoking hot rice or nan bread.

How To Prepare Spicy Chick Peas

Hello guys!Here is a delicious Indian recipe that is quite popular among food lovers. You can team it with breads, chappatis(made of wheat flour), Naan Breads(white flour bread which are typically flat)or with plain rice. Watch this video carefully which will provide you with necessary details.

Indian Cuisine

Indian cuisine has a rich history behind and has flourished over the years, under the influence of rulers that India had in the past. Since India is a land of rich cultural diversity, Indian food is equally diversified, with different spices, ingredients, herbs and seasonings, which are again region specific. The hospitality in an Indian household is well known. Indians feel happy if they can serve food to guests or people who are hungry!

The golden heritage of Indian cooking dates back to the times of famous kings, or ' rajahs', who were great patrons of art, music and architecture, as well as connoisseurs of exotic delicacies. Under the patronage of the rajahs of India, the art of food was elevated to a high level of advancement and professionalism. The royal chefs understood the finer points of food, the art of presentation and created exquisite preparations. Over the years, those royal recipes have retained their popularity in common Indian household, alongside ethnic Indian dishes.

Indian cuisine is becoming vastly popular throughout the world because of its exotic flavors, colors and healthy preparations. Indian food is rich in fresh veggies, fruits, seasonal food items, which are garnished with fresh herbs, spices, vegetable oils and other natural seasonings. Of course, there are many dishes which use spices sparingly, like some preparations of fresh prawns and fishes. You will find Indian food in all possible flavors--salty, sweet, sour, bitter, pungent and the like. You will find people in India who are vegans, hence a wide assortment of vegetarian dishes occupy a major portion of Indian cuisine. Our cuisine has been influenced by the Aryans settlers, the Arab and Chinese traders and conquerors such as the Persians, Mongolians, Turks, the British and the Portuguese.

Today, you will find Indian cuisine being vastly popular in Europe, America, and the Asian countries. Thanks to the various Indian restaurants abroad and its expert chefs, Indian culinary art has touched the skies today! Acclaimed politicians, world leaders, diplomats and celebrities like Bill Clinton, Prince Charles, Tony Blair, Ricky Martin, and others are big time admirers of Indian curries, kebabs and chicken tikkas.

The best part of Indian food is its easy preparation and health benefits. There are meals that are rich in carbohydrate or protein, or high on fibre. The benefits of different spices and herbs like turmeric, cumin seeds and ginger, is well known today. Yoghurt is an essential ingredient of Indian delicacies, which make many dishes easy to digest. Many dishes can be cooked in a pressure cooker or electric pan, which saves time. The whole wheat dough for chappatis and rotis can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator. Full menus can easily be prepared in half an hour.

People residing in Southern part of India prefer food which are sour in taste, while those in the Northern part have a liking for spicy dishes. However, spices are used skilfully, because not all dishes are meant to be smoking hot! Spices are used in a way which adds aroma and color to the dish. Cooks in India have mastered the art of using spices and seasonings, keeping the health benefits in mind. Butter or ghee(clarified butter) is a favorite for frying and seasoning, but mustard oils, sunflower oils, sesame oils, and coconut oils are also widely popular.

Very few Indian dishes will be complete without condiments. You will find an array of various mouthwatering fresh herbal chutneys, dried fruit chutneys and hot pickles which complement an Indian meal. Popular fresh chutneys are cilantro, mint, amla, coconut chutneys and popular pickles include lime, mango, and eggplant. Indian pickles are preserved in oil as opposed to vinegar.