Smoky Masala Onion Bharta Pasta Bake

  Before we get into the recipe, let’s take a moment to appreciate the humble brown onion, an ingredient that has quietly travelled through centuries, carried stories, traditions, and healing wisdom from one generation to the next. Long before it became the flavour foundation of our favourite curries, stews, sauces, and comfort meals, the onion was already treasured by ancient civilisations. From the kitchens of Egypt, Greece, and Rome to traditional remedies around the world, onions were valued not only for their ability to transform simple dishes into something extraordinary but also for their natural health benefits. The ancient Egyptians…

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Spicy Chicken Pasta

In the early 18th century, the English East India Trading Company ventured into India in search of affordable spices. By 1820, its influence expanded, and by 1858, the British government had taken official control of India. This colonial rule, though marked by exploitation, also influenced culinary exchanges between India and the West. Queen Victoria, a trendsetter in the Western world, helped popularise curry powder, a blend of spices brought back by soldiers from India. Though "curry" and curry powder became staples in Western cuisine, they are Western inventions. In India, a similar blend called garam masala is used, but it…

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Creamy Macaroni Delight with a Spicy Twist

Macaroni and cheese has a rich history dating back to 14th-century Italy and medieval England. While it's often baked in the oven, it can also be made on the stovetop or with a mix. The secret to a creamy mac? Blending cheese into a Béchamel sauce to create a velvety Mornay sauce. No wonder it's a comfort food favorite for most people in the world! Ingredients: 1 packet of macaroni 1 onion, sliced (as much or as little as you like) 2-3 jam tomatoes, puréed 2-3 small potatoes, cubed Crushed chilli, ginger, and garlic paste Turmeric powder Your favourite cheese…

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Bhinda and Potato Curry

Bhinda, also known as okra, bhindi, Bendekayi, Dhenras, and Vendai, is a popular vegetable enjoyed worldwide. While it’s used in Caribbean gumbo, in India, it's a favorite in tiffins and lunch boxes. Its origin is debated among West Africa, Ethiopia, and South Asia, with the name "okra" coming from a West African language. Technically a seed pod, bhinda is low in calories and carbs, high in fiber, Vitamins C and K, and antioxidants. Its mucilage helps bind cholesterol, and it contains lectin, which may inhibit cancer cell growth. Okra also supports healthy blood sugar levels and is rich in folate,…

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Chicken Curry with Potato and Broccoli

Curry originated in the Indian subcontinent and the word comes from the Indian Tamil word “Kari” meaning a sauce or soup to be eaten with rice. It consists of a mix of spices of which coriander, turmeric, cumin, and red chilies are almost always a constant. Rajah curry powder and pure spice blends are as rich and diverse as the people that make up unique South African families. From mild and subtle, to hot and spicy, they’ve got a range of aromas and flavours to suit all palates and tastes. Whether it’s a fiery Durban curry, a creamy butter chicken…

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ORANGE AND PEAR SALADWITH TOASTED PECAN VINAIGRETTE

The word "salad" comes to English from the French salade of the same meaning, itself an abbreviated form of the earlier Vulgar Latin herba salata (salted greens), from the Latin salata (salted), from sal (salt). In English, the word first appears as "salad" or "sallet" in the 14th century. I have created this amazing summer salad that is comforting and so delicious and fresh: Ingredients 3 -4 cups of salad mix; 6 mandarin oranges peeled and segmented; 2 pears, cored and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices ½ red onion small and thinly sliced For Dressing 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon…

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