My Easy Homemade Soda Bread.

There is nothing I love more than freshly baked, homemade bread. But making your own bread can be time consuming. That’s why most days I make soda bread. It’s easy to make, quick and darn right yummy.

For special occasions, I add dried fruit and or nuts. Mixed herbs and/ or, sundried tomatoes and olives.

If you want the bread to be dairy free, you can substitute the milk with soy or almond milk.

Easy Homemade Soda Bread

Makes 1 loaf

350g plain flour      1 teaspoon salt      1 teaspoon baking

Soda (bicarbonate of soda)      300 ml milk     

1       tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

1.     Preheat your oven to 220C / 200C fan / gas mark 7 / 425F. Dust a baking tray with a little plain flour.

2.     Put the measured milk into a bowl or cup and then add the lemon juice or vinegar and stir into the milk to make it curdle.

3.     In a mixing bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together thoroughly. Add the soured milk, and stir to combine.

4.     Keep stirring until the ingredients come together as a dough, then knead together to form a ball.

5.     Place the ball of dough on the baking tray and cut a deep cross in the centre. This helps the centre of the bread to cook properly.

6.     Cook for around 30 minutes until golden brown. Tapping the bottom, you should hear a hollow sound, this means the bread is cooked.

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Golden Triangle 3 nts, 4 days Package Tour

This tour can be done for 3 nights 4 or 4 nights 5 days or 6 nights 7 days. It will include a private guide and a private car.

First choice for all travellers, relevantly called “Golden Triangle”, consists three most beautiful and charming places of India - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

This tour takes you sightseeing of New and Old Delhi, Agra, Early Morning Visit the magnificent Taj Mahal - one of the Seven Wonders of the World surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife.

Visit to the Red Fort - the rusty and majestic red-sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna. (If time Permits)

Then to the Pink City of India. Sightseeing to Amber - the old capital of Jaipur rulers. Sightseeing tour of Jaipur including Maharaja's Museum and Jai Singh's Astronomical Observatory and Hawa Mahal.

Varanasi & Ganga Package Tour

North India

This tour can be done for 2 nights 3 days or 3 nights 4 days. It will include a private guide and a private car.

Being a picturesque city, Varanasi is thronged by numerous tourists every year. This city of India is also known as one of the popular tourist destinations that boost tourism in India. 

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This tour will take you across Sightseeing of Jalianwala bagh and Wagah Border (Changing of Guard ceremony). Later half, Sightseeing of the Golden temple of Amritsar.

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North India

This tour will include a private guide and a private car.

When it comes to architecture and sightseeing, Jodhpur and Udaipur are equal in awesomeness. If you were planning to club Jodhpur and Udaipur in the same trip, this would be an interesting itinerary for you. The itinerary covers Jodhpur and Udaipur in four nights and five days. The trip starts and ends in Udaipur and allocated two days in Udaipur and Jodhpur, each.

Chandigarh, Shimla, Manali 5 nts, 6 days Package Tour

North India

This tour will include a private guide and a private car.

This tour can also be clubbed with Agra, Delhi or Amritsar as per your choice

At approximately 380kms from Delhi, the easy journey to Shimla can be accomplished in less than 6 hours. Although one can take up road to reach Shimla, the ‘Toy Train’ journey from Kalka can be an exotic voyage. The train passes through number of incredible tunnels and bridges before finally completing its 96kms run.

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North India

This tour can also be done either 2 nts, 3 days or 3 nts, 4 days or it can either be clubbed with Golden Triangle or Taj package

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Mumbai Tour

The Ajanta Caves are 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India.

This tour will be by car and will take you to an Evening Visit to the 5 Star Taj Heritage Property for a High Tea or Dinner... at your cost, City Tour of Mumbai + Dharavi Slum Tour, than to Aurangabad to the caves.

Mumbai 2 nt, 3 days package tour with slum, Dhobi Ghat & evening tea at Taj

Mumbai Tour

This tour can be done 1 night 2 days or 2 nights 3 days. It will include a private guide and a private car.

Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) is a densely populated city on India’s west coast. A financial centre, it's India's largest city. On the Mumbai Harbour waterfront stands the iconic Gateway of India stone arch, built by the British Raj in 1924. Offshore, nearby Elephanta Island holds ancient cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The city's also famous as the heart of the Bollywood film industry.

In this tour we will take you across Gateway of India, Chor bazaar· Victoria Terminal,  Hanging garden, Dhobi Ghat, High Court, Mani Bhavan. (*entry fee applicable), Prince of Wales Museum. (*entry fee applicable), Mumbai University, Marine Drive.  Evening Visit to the 5 Star Taj Heritage Property for a High Tea or Dinner... (At your own cost) And next day Dharavi Slum Tour... 

Elephanta caves or Bollywood tour is extra cost.

Dudhsagar Waterfall Trip & Spice Farm Goa

Goa day trips

Dudhsagar Falls literally translates to “sea of milk” owing to its milky white colour. Amidst the Mollem National Park or rather the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary you will find the majestic and stunningly flowing Dudhsagar Falls. A spectacular view of the Mandovi River spouting down from the steep side of the mountain from over 1017 feet.

The Jeep will take you to the bottom of Dudhsagar waterfalls site through the famous Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary in South Goa, there you can swim and only play & love the elephants, there are monkey also around which you can treat.

Crocodile Trip (2hrs Trip)

Goa day trips

Cruising along the back waters of the Zuari River. A chance to see some of Goa’s exotic bird life as well as the Indian Mugger Crocodile which lurks along the river banks. 

The Cumbarjua canal near Panaji that links the Zuari and Mandovi rivers is a thriving place for mugger crocodiles. Crocodile watching in Goa is a unique experience. The carnivore is spotted in the dense mangrove of Cumbarjua. 

Crocodile watching in Goa is something you are sure to remember with great delight for a long time to come. Our Cruise - Boats have all Modern Amenities which includes Modern Toilet and Life Safety Equipment’s.

Bangalore Mysore 3 nts, 4 days Package Tour

South India

This tour is for 5 nights 6 days or 3 nights 4 days & it will include a private guide and a private car.

‍5N/6D : 2N MYSORE / 2N OOTY / 1N BANGALORE
WE will take you across Srirangapatna (Dariya Daulat Bagh, Gumbaz, Tippu Fort and Temple) and Bird Sanctuary, Evening to Maharaja Palace and Brindavan Garden, Chamundi Hill, Big Bull, St.Philomina’s Church, Jagan Mohan Palace and Mysore Zoo & Mysore Palace tour to see the Palace lit up. (All in Mysore)

Than to proceed to visit Ooty Lake, Rose Garden and Botanical Garden. Coonoor by train from Ooty to Coonoor Sight Seeing (Sim’s Park, Lam’s Rock, Dolphin Nose, Tea Factory and Tea Gardens) and Doddabetta Peak. Then to Vidhanasaudha and ISKON Temple, Lalbagh, Museum and Cubbon Park in Bangalore.

Contact:

To check for the best deals for a trip or to enquire for a detailed itinerary contact me, Valerie:
Call: +91 76288 96491
Email: valerierodrigues76@yahoo.com

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Lunchtime Review – Husna Dine family restaurant Panjim Goa

MR R and I have frequently passed Husna Dine. Obviously a popular place, as always seeing people coming and going. So it will come as no surprise, Husna Dine has been on my- to review list, for some time.

Husna Dine, is a small, simple restaurant, but I always say, I’m not bothered about plush surroundings as long as the food is good. And it was.

Upstairs, there is an air conditioned section.

The menus covers a wide selection: Indian Chicken, Mutton, North Indian, Seafood, Goan South Indian, Tandoori and snacks. All reasonable priced.

What we ordered:

Veg Diwani Handi, Bhendi Masala, Rice and 2 Roti

Veg Diwani Handi Rupees 160/£1.85/$2.59/€2.33

Oh my goodness, this was a never ending bowl of sheer delight. A rich creamy curry made with cashew paste, onions, tomatoes and cream. A sweet and mild taste.

Bhendi Masala Rupees 160/£1.85/$2.59/€2.33

Boy this was darn good. The tangy gravy lifted sweetness of the okra

Rice Rupees 40/£0.46/$0.56/€0.50

Roti Rupees 15/£0. 17/$0.21/€019 Great rotis.

Ample size portions for two and value for money.

THE SCORES:

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 3/5 

STAFF SERVICE 5/5

HYGIENE 3.5/5 I only give this score as the restaurant was a worn, almost certainly from the amount of customers passing through. But as far as food wise, i.e. cutlery, food and staff I found no issues.    

FOOD 5/5 5/5  

OVERALL SCORE 4.2 Red Hot chillies 

Would I go again? Oh yes, now on my places to eat in Panjim list.

Husna Dine family restaurant

EL-Dorado Plaza

Municipality Market

Panjim

Goa

Apologies for a typo on my last blog.

I have to apologise for making an error on the recipe for my Homemade Chapatis.

It should be 125g grams of flour.

This has now been rectified

Sorry for any inconvenience.

                   Jo 😍 

Jo's Poached Chicken Breast with Okra and Tomato Stew Served with Homemade Chapatis

JO’S Poached Chicken Breast with Okra and Tomato Stew Served with Homemade Chapatis

Serves 2

This is a great, healthy mid-week meal, and great favourite in the Rawson house.

Poached chicken breast, smothered in a medium spicy, tomato and coconut gravy. Served with homemade Chapatis to mop up that beautiful gravy

1.     Cook two chicken breast in water, in a slow cooker for 3 hours on low.

2.     Forty minutes before chicken is ready, make the Chapatis as they need to rest. (see recipe at the end)

3.     While proving make the okra and tomato stew as follows:                   

Okra and Tomato Stew

1tsp olive oil      1/2Tsp black mustard seeds      1/2Tsp cumin seeds

1 onion thinly sliced      1 green chilli deseeded and finely chopped      1Tsp garlic and ginger paste      200g chopped okra      good pinch of salt         1/4Tsp Turmeric powder      3Tsp coriander powder     

1/4-1/2Tsp Kashmiri paprika      250g chopped fresh tomatoes      1/2Tbsp tomato puree      Another good pinch of salt      ¼ Cup water    2Tbsp coconut milk powder     1/2 cup of water

                 

1.     Heat the oil over a medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the mustard and cumin seeds until they start to pop.

2.     Add the onion, chilli, garlic and ginger paste. (Take care when adding the paste, sometimes it spits back.) Fry until the onions are translucent.

3.     Add the okra and a pinch of salt. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally checking that the heat is not too high. You can now start rolling out your Chapatis.

4.     Add the spices, tomatoes, salt and water and stir gently. Then add the coconut powder and remaining water. Stir gently, cover and cook for another 5 minutes.  Or until the tomatoes are soft and sauce thickened. Cook the Chapatis.

5.     Take the chicken out of the slow cooker, place on plate and smother with the okra and tomato. Serve with my homemade Chapatis.  

Homemade Chapatis  

Serves 2

125g plain flour      1/2Tsp salt      100ml water      oil for greasing

1.     Place the flour and salt in a bowl and make a well in the centre. Gradually add the water. A little at a time, and mix to form a soft supple dough.

2.     Knead the dough on a lightly floured work surface for 10 minutes and then cover the dough and leave in a cool place for 30 minutes.

3.     Knead again and then divide into four pieces.

4.     Roll out each piece of dough, with a Rolling pin on a lightly floured work surface. You want them reasonably thin, otherwise they will not puff up.

5.     Grease a heavy based frying pan (or griddle) with a little oil over a moderate heat. Add one chapati at a time, pressing down firmly with a fish slice. You will see the dough start to blister and puff up. Turn and repeat on the other side. Place inside a clean tea towel to keep warm and soft. Repeat with all the other pieces of dough.

IF YOU WANT TO BE NAUGHTY! THEN BRUSH EACH CHAPATI WITH MELTED BUTTER/ OR GARLIC BUTTER, BEFORE SERVING.