Aayi’s Recipes Konkan/Konkani food blog, Indian culinary treasures

About

Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
-George Bernard Shaw

From time immemorial, culinary has remained an important skill which has been passed on from one person to another and most of the times from mother to daughter. The word ‘skill’ itself speaks something which can be learnt over a period of time provided one has certain degree of inspiration, interest and perseverance. This certain or rather I must admit most part of inspiration has come to me from my mother or as I fondly call ‘Aayi‘ in my mother tongue Konkani. Hence is name, Aayi’s recipes. Coming to interest part of it, I assume I have it enough without which I would not have had enough patience to prepare these dishes and draft the recipes. The last but not least, perseverance, I would leave it for you to understand. Only thing I can assure is this site will keep getting updated with my almost every visit.

The style of recipes would be Konkani homemade, originated in and around North Kanara district of Karnataka. May be even down South in Mangalore or up North in Goa, or may be even they match Maharashtrian food. But its individualistic taste stands apart from the rest.

I will also share some of the recipes which are non Konkani traditional food. I have learnt them from different people, books, watching different TV programs, internet etc due to my interest in cooking and the guidance from my Aayi & Pachi.

As mentioned earlier, my Aayi is the person from whom I learnt cooking. My mother’s sister Pachi is also a good cook, albeit all her preparations are simple ones. So these two sisters, by and large provided basic ‘ingredients’ for this site. My father and brother though by profession are doctor and engineer respectively, they are good cooks too. Their caustic comments added much essential ’spice’ to this site. My husband, who is also a software engineer, is responsible for look and feel of this site. In other words he is responsible for ‘garnishing’ of Aayi’s recipes site. Last, but not the least, my sis-in-law, who has the entire hard copy of this site, mostly does the proof reading of every new posting. These are the people whom I owe a lot for this site becoming a reality. Above all, some one needs to be there to relish as well and I anticipate you would do that job for me. Please come up with your thoughts. Whether good or bad, I will oblige your responses.

Finally, something about myself, I am a software engineer by profession. Born and brought up at a tranquil place called Kodkani on banks of river Aghanashini. This is a tiny place in North Kanara district of Karnataka state on West coast of India. I did my engineering from Belgaum and worked in Bangalore for nearly 4 years as a software engineer. Currently I am living in Kansas, USA with my husband. Apart from this, I don’t have much to say about myself, perhaps someday I may have or may be this site will do the job on my behalf.

I am dedicating this blog to my father and mother. Above is their picture infront of my home at native.

Come… Savor the delicacy.

- Shilpa

344 Responses to “About”

  1. Hey Shilpa,
    my name is Chaya, my native is Kumta [Aghanashini] am living in Georgia now,
    was searching for pongal and came across with your blog….will try your version for sure,
    n wanna try more recipes….can i share any recipes with u?
    keep up your good work…good luck.

  2. Hello Aayi
    Well it is so good see these many items in a single blog.
    I cant keep myself without appreciating ur patience and dedication towards ur work.
    Really i was pleased by seeing ur recipes.
    So nice, keep working.
    Only the thing what can i say is “ALL THE BEST” and go head i can say surely that u can reach the top no limit for ur hard working.

    bye
    Deepa

  3. Hi Shilpa, I have been visiitng ur website for quite some time. Its truly a wonderful job ur doing . A variety of recipes. Seeing ur blog, I have started of my own. U may like to visit and leave comments pls. thanks

  4. Hello Shipa,
    I came across your site while searching for deepawali recipes, It was like finding a lost treasure,obviously I immediately bookmarked this page,.When I was a child I used to watch keenly every food my mother cooked ,some recipes I remember but many i have forgotten,And now i find on your site much more.
    Thanks to you and your mother

  5. Hi Shilpa,
    I just came across your blog and really liked it. It is very obvious that you have put in a lot of effort to make this blog. Great work!
    I come from mangalore and am very familiar with Konkani cuisine. I too am writing a food blog, but i dont find time to update it much. i will let u know once it is ready, please do visit my blog and comment.
    Hey, i have a question. How do u find the time to do so much inspite of ur work???hats off to u!

  6. I came across your site while i was googling for konkani dishes. I am from Karwar. Recently got married and moved to UK with my husband. My hubby is a manglorean and he loves his mom’s food. Although I know a few dishes, I wanted to learn more varities and live up to my mom-in law standards.
    I have to say, i visit your site almost daily now. I try your recipies and they turn out wonderful.
    Amazing varities of authentic konkani dishes. The photography of dishes are a great help.

    God bless & Thanks a ton!

  7. I just noticed that your website is designed very beautifully. Did you do it your self? Good choice of colors and not goddy at all. The imp matter draws attentin.
    Neat work. Bravo.

    Shilpa: Thanks Anjani. Yes, we designed the site :)

  8. Hi Shilpa,

    You made our day. We were short of ideas on how to make a crunchy-perfect sugar dry fruit chikki until we came across your blog, and were able to churn out the most fabulous chikkis ever.

    Thank you,

    Nandini, Vijay

  9. Hi Shilpa,

    As I had messaged u before, I have opened my blog to public now. But lots to write and do still. Please visit my site and do give me your suggestions. I would really appreciate it. I would be privileged to be linked with ur site.

    Thanks,
    Keerthana

  10. Dear Shilpa,
    I stumbled upon this site my chance,because of the name! and I must say I am in love with it. IThe picture of your Aayi and Baba brought back memories long lived but not lost.
    They remind me of my Amma and Appa.I am from south kanara,living in NZ.but even this picture brings me succour.Thanks and God Bless.
    Vidya

  11. Shobha Kamath says:

    By chance i happen to come across your blog. I was looking for kanchipuram idli recipe and was surprised to see typical konkani recepies. Your work is really appreciable which something I always wanted but couldnt. Authentic recipes. Nice to see somebody is taking initiative in documenting the good old recipies. Keep it up!

  12. fantastic job.. being a big lover of home food this blog is very useful when away from home..
    all recipes are quite accurate and work perfect…
    thanx..
    again gr8 job..

  13. Hello Shila:

    I am a great fan of good tasting and good looking food.

    I was going through your website, and found it so extensive. It is like a whole lot of research here on food.

    Though, I am not a great cook, I can say with certainity that all this must make a fantastic trip to tasteland!!

    I congratulate you on having a splendid website like this and for sharing it with all of us.

    Kudos

  14. Hi, I am Tennen-Perman,E-mail from Japan.
    I visited your site sometimes so far.
    You have a cool site.
    I linked your site in my blog.
    I administer a blog talking about cooking.
    Please link to my site in your ones if you like it.

    http://impact-cook.blogspot.com/

    thank you!

  15. Hi Shil,
    Can I request something simple please? It is rice (Anna), the way your Mother-In-Law prepares, that soft fluffy rice. I am interested in the way it is prepared in an open bowl (unlike cooker and 4 whistles) I did note ‘how to prepare’ way back in 2003 but have forgotten :-( . Now I want my wife to learn that… could you please help?

    Thanks in advance
    Cheers
    –A

  16. Hi shilpa,
    I am a fellow blogger, just happened to stumble on ur site…glad I did. nice collection.

  17. Shobha Karnik says:

    Dear Shilpa ,
    I am so exited to know that you are from Kodkani and doing such a lovely work. Really appriciable work you are doing in your busy schedule. I am very proud of you as I spent my lovely childhood in kodkani (in 80’s) and you are from that place.(Kodkani is like my native too.)

    Last week I refreshed recipe of yengai with the help of your website and prepared it. I am forwarding the link to my dear once also.
    I have bookmarked this link and taking advantage.

    Thanks to you for such a wonderfull work and quality of website and information with picture is very impressive.

    Regards
    Shobha

  18. wonderful site….with more of mangalorean delicacy…..
    thank you shilpa……..

  19. hey this is a great website…i’ve tried many dishes and they tasted absolutely lovely…thanks to you…

  20. Hi,

    A great work. Simply no words to comment.

    Regards,
    Reshma

  21. Dear Shilpa and all other readers,

    I am the Editor of http://www.dadinani.com, where we are capturing a variety of Indian memories, including traditional recipes, along with a story. Please see

    http://www.dadinani.com/capture-memories/read-contributions/dadi-nani-cooking

    I would love to get contributions from all of you. My email is scmathur@gmail.com.

    Thanks.

    Subodh Mathur

  22. Hello Shilpa and the Team Aayi, This is a fantastic job!…..both in terms of the presentation of the web site and its contents. Your work is an inspiration …I am from Manipal and currently residing in Bahrain…! Keep you the good work…this way, you can immortalize the Konkani cuisine…Regards…Madhava Rao

  23. Shilpa:

    Have enjoyed your site; I made your airawwaat for Thanksgiving and it was a great hit with all the family; I came from Bangalore at age 9 but feel at home when I read your site; Do you by chance live in the KC area of Kansas; that is my hometown in the US?

    Mala

    Shilpa: Yes Mala.

  24. deepa joseph says:

    haiii
    My name is deepa and have been visiting this site for a while…today i went to the about page to read about u and lo and behold was surprised to learn u live in kansas…I live in kansas city too…Anyways it was a nice surprise…do write back if u can..also keep up the good work..and unlike other sites u have new recipes so often..thanku…
    byeee
    deepa

  25. atula shirur says:

    dear shilpa, u have done a great job by posting this site of authentic amchi dishes!keep it up!

  26. atula shirur says:

    all amchis, we should all get together and chat ? what do u say,I am atula shirur and i live in phoenix, do contact me on atula_shirur@yahoo.co.in, I would like to be in touch with amchis including u shilpa.

  27. Wera Wernicke says:

    Dear Shilpa, I spent hours today going through your blog. I just read ‘about’ you and find it extraordinary what you are doing. Congratulations! You are helping and making so many people away from home happy. Keep up the good work. I am sure I will have a lot to gain from your recipes (but not in weight I hope :o )! Thanks a lot.
    Wera Wernicke from Germany, originally from Mangalore

  28. Samina Mahmood says:

    Shilpa thanks for your website I was looking for a gajjar recipe and stumbled onto your website. I must say I enjoyed it. I will be trying some of your recipes. Since I am from Pakistan, it really interests me to read about Indian diversity. It will be nice to find out more about karnatka.

  29. Hi Shilpa,
    We are from North Kanara too (Karwar).I came across your site incidentally when searching for a recipe on the net.Must say you have spent considerable effort in making the site a ‘must-know’ for all konkani people.Your recipes combine both the traditional ‘comfort’ food as well as the modern dishes.Good luck and best wishes
    Shobhana
    T

  30. Hello Shilpa
    At the onset, an amazingly well done site!!!!! A very good collection of recipes!!!!
    I stay in Belgium and am cooking my dinners. One of the most frequent issue is how much water to add to rice while cooking it. How do I come to know whether the rice is cooked or not?
    While making sabzis (usually potatoes and other assorted available vegetables), I find that the black pepper or garam masala powder gets stuck to the base of the vessel. I add oil first, heat it, add onions, saute them, add chopped chillies, ginger garlic paste and stir, then I add cubed potatoes (raw) with other vegetables, stir them, then I add the garam masala. Should I be adding a little water also? or should I add the garam masala after the vegetable is done?
    Please advice….
    Also, I would be grateful if you could suggest some alternatives for curry leaves, tamarind which are not always available here….

    Shilpa: The time and water for cooking rice depends on the kind of rice used. New rice takes less time and as time passes, it takes more time. Usually, you can start with 1:2 rice:water ratio and 3 whistles in cooker. You have to do trial and error to get the exact consistency of rice.
    Yes, add little water helps. Cook on low medium low flame to avoid sticking.
    There is no general alternative for curry leaf or tamarind. It can be replaced with something depending on the dish

  31. Yogesh Prabhu says:

    Hello Shilpa,

    My name is Yogesh Prabhu. I live in Sacramento, CA with my wife and two kids. I could not believe I just found your website with “amchigeli” recipes. Well I and kids wanted to surprise her with Idali Sambar and I have no clue how to make sambar :-)

    My wife is enjoying a ladies night out with her “konkani” friends and will be back in few hours. We have a group of about 12 konkani families here within 15-20 mile radius and call ourselves “AAA” members (Americantu Amchigeli Association).

    I will pass on your website to Jaya; she is crazy about recipe collection and keeps on trying different items.

    Thanks for the recipes and your website.

    With Best Regards,

    Yogesh

  32. Christine says:

    Just made Mysore Pak again this weekend. Your recipe is the best! I am not Indian. A friend from work brought some back from India and I loved it so much I decided to make it myself. I have tried a few recipes but your’s is the best. The only thing I add, is to sift the besan first. The Mysore Pak is a huge hit at work and I get requests to make it regularily.

  33. Dear Shilpa,

    Thanks a lot for the wonderful website. I have tried most in this. I got to know that you are from Kodkani. Actually i had also visited many times this place as my aunts are from this place.

    Thanks,
    Smitha.

    Shilpa: Hi Smitha, nice to see your message. I have modified your comment to remove any personal information. Hope you don’t mind.

  34. Hi Shilpa,

    Hats off for your efforts on this site, I also convey regards to your whole family whose has contributed to this website.. its really very interesting and useful…

    I was attracted to this website because of “Aayi” word. Its a nice thought to bring in and also retain ur mom’s / aunt’s recipes and tips..

    Wishing you all the best for ur continuing efforts on this website…

    Best wishes and Regards
    Suma Mahesh

  35. hi i am from mumbai .your blog is very very good i cant write english proparly sorry .

  36. Shilpa Shetty says:

    Hi Shilpa,

    I got married 2 years back but still i am biggener in in this field,i was totaly depending on Moms sarina pudi.But now i can prepare curry without that..Thank u very much dear.U r dishes are simple and tasty.Me and my hubbys is big fan of U.

  37. hello shilpa,
    u r sight is too good with simple,easy receipes.
    it’s really useful.
    i just wanted to know the receipe of beetroot vadi.i’m saying it vadi & not burfi as i don’t want to use khava.milk ‘ll be ok.
    pls can u send me this receipe.

  38. Dear Shilpa,

    I came across your site while searching for a recipe and was pleasantly surprised to find so many good simple Indian recipes.

    Just love the house you grew up in. I am from Pune but my aai and babas native place is Lanja in konkan. We have a similar house there and your photo brought back loving memories.

    We that is my husband, my 3 yr old son moved to US last year and while coming i also brought a soft copy of my aai’s recipes :) If you anytime need recipes for Puran poli, Ukadiche modak, Katachi amti please get in touch.

    God bless you and your near and dear ones

    keep up the good work..

  39. Hi Shilpa,

    good job on the website. I am an aamchi and enjoy reading your recipes. Could you kindly suggest few dishes, if i am low on vegetables? Hardly get any time to visit the market, so looking for good varieties in root veggies and pulses.
    Keep up the good work and hear from you soon.
    regards,
    Bakul K

  40. Hello Shilpa,

    You have a great site. I cook a lot of recipes from your site especially when I am at my wits end as to what to cook other than the usual. I am from Mangalore and so the recipes match my taste too.
    It would be great if there were more recipes with vegetables we find in regular American grocery store.

    Rgds,
    Sumana

  41. Asha Shetty says:

    Hi Shilpa,

    Loved everything about this site. You brought back memories of my mammamma’s cooking tome. I am a shetty grown up bang in the middle of konakni homes savoring the love of mami’s mama’s and above all mammamma (I used to call my neighbor’s mom that and she used to introduce me as her oldest granddaughter :) )

    Always loved konkani cuisine and thank you for putting them together here.

    Regards,
    Asha

  42. Kirtana says:

    Hi Shilpa,

    Thanks a ton for all the yummy Konkani and Non-Konkani recipes. I have tried so many of the recipes from your blog and they have all come out delicious.. Kudos to all the mom’s (especially Vranda :) , who gave us great food besides inspiration to cook!

    Keep up the great work!

    Regards, Kits

  43. Kirtana says:

    Oops sorry about spelling ur mom’s name wrongly in my earlier post :(

    Kits

  44. Hi Shilpa,

    This is indeed an excellent website on our Konkani recipes. All these years my wife & I have always depended on the ‘ Rasachandrika’. But this website explores a wider range of Amchingele dishes.

    Thank you for giving us another option to look into .

    Vijay
    Toronto, Canada

  45. Jonathan Kandell says:

    Sorry to bother you. Do you know any place in USA where one can obtain Karnataka spices like marati moggu and kalpasi? I know there must be an indian shop with connections to bangalore!
    yours,
    j kandell
    tucson az

  46. Hey,

    Great work. I really admire ur site. All these recipes reminds me of home food cos even i am from north kanara

    Keep up the great work :)

    Regards,
    Shweta

  47. Deepa Raut says:

    Hi,
    You know, i accidentally stumbled on your website n loved it so much!! I am GSB n now a maharashtrian (post-marriage), but i so much miss the amchigele food… Reading your recipes i feel so nice n proud dat I AM A GSB!!! Thanks for all da lovely recipes…..

  48. Sonali Mundkur says:

    I love your recipes and the way you have developed your website. Nowadays, if I am at lose ends for an idea I will visit your website and chose an item to cook.
    Your website must take a lot of time and dedication.
    Keep up the great work- I hope you get enjoyment out of this also as it is a lot of hard work.
    sonali

  49. Hi Shilpa,

    I came across this recipe “Luck by chance” and my first expression was “WoW”…I am not a great cook myself but I miss a lot of Konkani recipes which my grandma used to prepare..like khotu,jeere meere kadhi…
    This site really gives me some motivation to try new dishes..Its really great thing that your entire family has put together..hats off

    swarna

  50. deepali shetty says:

    Dear Shilpa,

    I will never be able to thank you enough for all those wonderful mouth watering recipes that you have posted.

    My name is Deepali and I live in Nigeria with my husband. I am basically from Belgaum. Your website is like home away from home. Almost everything that I cook in my house comes from your website. I really appreciate your hard work and will always be grateful for really saving my marriage (not so seriously), that is I can keep my husband happy because of these lovely recipes.

    Regards,

    Deepali

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