Portal -a gastronomical journey

04/18/2019

Shubho Noboborsho - Happy New Year!
What I adore about this season is the variety of ways Spring is celebrated around the world. This week several cultures in Asia "drummed" in the New Year and I find it fascinating how the dates are all over the timeline. The Yezidis in Iraq celebrated the advent of year 6,769; the Nepalese are in year 2076 and my own home country Bangladesh, in year 1426.
It's important to practice these rituals and keep them alive as they are part of our inheritance but also holds ancient wisdom of the world. In a way, they allow us to bring the past and future into the present and remind us that the master time keeper *is* and always will be mother nature🙏

The celebrations across Asia are colorful from the Yezidis dying boiled eggs, the Thai throwing water at each other and Bengalies young and old adorn themselves with fresh blooming flowers. More than anything else, we Bengalies celebrate everything with our palates. For Pohela Boishak (literal translation "first day of Spring") we delve into an assortment of "Bhortas" which is basically a mashed concoction of roasted or steamed veggies/ legumes or dry fish/shrimp. Mustard oil is a common denominator in most of these bhorthas giving it an almost wasabi-esque zing factor.

I dropped everything on my (Gregorian) calendar and let the craetive forces of my ancestors flow through me...but not without a few fusion tricks up my sleeves. Keeping with the Bengali mustard baseline for each bhortha, I got playful and did some crossover flavors with smoked trout, edamame beans, broccoli and char grilled veggies👌
Shubho Noboborsho!
May the Spring/Monsoon rains cleanse and lift your spirits and bring abundance in all the seasons of life 🌺🌾💜🌻

10/05/2018

The past week ushered in the Autumn equinox and our first slightly breezy fall weekend in California. It's time to slow down, pause and gather your resources for the long nights. I find
scarcity is the mother of all inventions and the kitchen is no exception to that rule.
School nights are demanding but I try not to let that stop me from eating healthy. I've been on a mission to add more fish to my kids' diet but this requires some tricks up my sleeve. Luckily mothers come with an innate ability for this. With no time to head to the stores I worked with what I had in my fridge. The magic to getting children to buy-in is to focus on one ingredients they like. In my household that was Edamame. I spun the entire meal around these beans, dunked the fish fillets in coconut cream n flavoured it with kaffir lime leaves. A sprinkle of spices and pomegranate seeds from our garden and into the oven it went. Kids lapped it up like satisfied cats licking their whiskers.
Don't let the stress of weeknights stop you from eating healthy. Many have requested for this recipe on my personal page. So it's available to all. Please let me know how it went for you if you try it. I understand feeding children a proper nutrition is a huge struggle for many and I promise to focus in this area a little more. Stay tuned and thank you for staying with Portal and its journey as we go through these transformative season.
Always to your health 🙏
Recipe with picture.

03/24/2018

Pokè me... but is it spring already? 😜 The rain and freezing temperatures has us California folks in a tizzy. Yes we are spoilt!
It's been a while since I posted but I've been busy with an exciting project in Asia and finishing up a certification. The over working led to some health issues which was the universe's way of telling me to take care of myself. The sunshine is doing me good and I finally feel like I have the "spring" back in my feet. Haha!

I wanted to share this quick n easy tuna poké recipe I made today just to try and keep on a light protein diet and healthy lifestyle.
You'll need:
-1lb sushi grade Ahi tuna (buy it fresh from your local fish monger and ask if the person would eat it raw.)
Next it's a few splashes of
-tamari (or regular soya sauce),
-toasted sesame oil,
-sliced spring onions,
-red chili flakes,
-rice vinegar and
- a pinch of seseame seeds
-mirin ( I add it to give it a tinge of smokey earth flavor).
The savory, tangy, slightly sweet and spicy, will infuse just the right amount of flavor into the tuna. If you wanna turn up the fuego factor 🔥 dribble some sriracha mayo on top.
Happy spring my friends!
Stay well.

12/31/2017

If you can gift yourself anything, give the gift of travel. I've been lapping up the unparalleled hospitality of the Mexican people.
In the eyes of the world a third world country but their open hearts, deep rooted respect for Mother Earth and human connectivity tells a story of abundance.
Yes! All this just on the other side of .

It doesn't get more authentic than this folks!
Ceviche, tacos de camarones, nopalitos con huevis (cactus with eggs) and the list goes on n on.

I've been thinking of my grandmother a lot on this trip. She used to say you'll know the hearts of a people by the way they feed you. The descendents of the Mayans still uphold the timeless Mayan precept "Lak’Ech" - which means "You are another me".
I wish you all safe travels and happy new year from the land of pure magic!
Cancun, Mehico ❤

12/26/2017

Somethin about lazy holiday mornings (bed head & cozy PJs 😆) and a scrumptious breakfast.
These Ginger Bread Waffles were the bomb! Made with coconut flour, ginger, cloves n ghee...it's gluten free and one of the most fragrant waffles I've ever had.
Check out the steps in the post below. Super easy recipe.
It's the little things that matter.
Happy Holidays everyone far and near.
From my family to yours ❤

12/26/2017

Holiday Fun!
Gluten Free Ginger Bread Waffles
This was one of the most fragrant and scrumptious waffles I've ever had. Add family to the recipe and you'll have yourself the most delightful time.
Follow the steps and have fun!

12/21/2017

The Kaddo Bourani
This dish brought it altogether for me when it comes to Afghani food and what it represents. Which was a shocker because I love my kebobs and this was a vegetarian dish.

Afghanistan -the resilience of this arid terrain (now reduced to rubbles) and its people, have always fascinated me.
I'm drawn to its cuisine because of its composition of well balanced yet bold, contrasting flavors. Their food seems to emanate the boldness in their hearts. Take this baked pumpkin dish. It's an odd combination of caramelized sweet pumpkin with a garlic yoghurt sauce and tangy dried herbs.

While making the Kaddo Bourani I realized how it embodied many classical aspects of Afghan cooking, which historically speaking, has influences from India, Persia and Mongolia. I was impressed how the pumpkin was given all the respects of an entrée. It used several classical spices which is usually reserved for meat in other cultures. Here I used cinnamon, cardamom, mint and turmeric to marinade the pumpkin. Then drenched it in a sour, garlic yoghurt sauce, which is ubiquitous with Afghani cuisine.
The combustion of flavor seemed perfectly timed with every bite. Like a well choreographed dance, each flavor at its own pace...falling away in beautiful layers.
Yep! The Kaddo Bourani - sweet & savory & cool and minty all at the same time.
Absolutely amazing!

12/17/2017

The key to eating healthy is planning ahead. It keeps you on track when you have everything on hand. What motivates me even more is going to the local farmers market. The variety of organic, seasonal (which means non-stored) fruits and vegetables make my cells pop.
You get to meet the people that grow the food and a sense of community. This time I found an organic egg vendor. $5 for a dozen!
Go set yourself up for the week and catch a Farmer's Market right now.
Happy Sunday!

10/24/2017

Our daily food choices hold more power than almost anything we do. I can't stress the importance of checking the product ingredients.
Parents, orange juice is a go to with winter coming up. Glyphosate is known to weaken the immune system and affect neurological development. We feed our children all these harmful chemicals and wonder why so many kids now are diagnosed with autism, ADHD, Asbergers etc. The FDA is unscrupulous in what it allows on to the shelves of American stores.
Make juice at home if you can or buy organic and ones that are not made from concentrate.
Shop smart.

Your orange juice may contain Monsanto’s weedkiller. Testing by Moms Across America found glyphosate in FIVE of the most popular orange juice brands. Protect your health and buy organic, as even low levels of glyphosate may cause harm. http://orgcns.org/2kYFJig

10/15/2017

Farm to Table
A few things make me happier than sharing a meal with the people in my life. We can show love in so many ways. Mine is through cooking and sharing a meal. This experience becomes priceless (I mean literally too 😉) when I'm able to serve the food that I also grow with my own soiled hands. Lucky for my friends the trip from the farm to my table is quite short.

Here's what I churned out with the gifts from my garden - Ball zucchini, lettuce and pomegranates.

10/08/2017

Sunshine and more gifts from the universe 👐❤ My kids and I have put in a lot of effort and love into our little garden. We use all organic soil, make our own compost and trying to learn more about regenerative farming.
Very excited to incorporate this incredible bounty from my garden into today's cooking. Come check out my page later to see what I whip up.

If you're not growing your own fruits and vegetables, don't fret. Its the perfect day to head out to a farmer's market. Support local farmers/businesses. You're bound to get fresh, organic produce plus you get to know the people and their food ethics.

May your Sunday be blessed.

10/03/2017

Getting ready for soup season.
This summer, I tasted the most amazing roast duck soup while vacationing in Thailand. Ever since, it's been my quest to replicate that exact flavor (chef issues). Plus I'm SO done with chicken!

Made from scratch broth with cold fighting agents like ginger, garlic and browned onions.
The roasted duck skin offers the perfect amount of buttery flavoring... almost like a warm hug on a cold night 😉
Slurp it up!
Inbox for delivery options.