"Street" Food Provençal - Pissaladiere by Helene Dujardin

Dear readers... Thank you so much for your warmth and all the wishes that you have been showering on me and my humble blog this past month and over the years. When I came up with the idea of the Street Food Series, I was indeed a bit selfish as I LOVE street food. But I am so thrilled to discover that this particular genre of food shares a soft spot in so many of your hearts as well!!!!

Today, I have a special treat. We are transported to one of my favorite cultures and a region that I fervently hope that I get an opportunity to live in and relish atleast for some time... FRANCE!!!!!! Vive le France.

Vous savez combien j'aime toutes les choses "Français ". J'essaie d'apprendre la langue, la culture et la cuisine autant que je peux. Aujourd'hui, je suis honoré que Hélène est écrit pour mon blog et elle partage avec nous, la recette de la Provençal Pissaladiere.

I (as many of you, as well) have been an admirer of Helene's work, her photography and mouthwatering creations for sooo long!! Across this blog, you would and will see many mentions of her blog as inspirations, ideas and a massive source of learning!

When I finally met her this April at the Food Blog Conference, it was like meeting an idol, only she was sooo down to Earth, friendly, helpful, warm and approachable that I really was just in cloud #9 :-))). And, then her much looked-forward-to book, Plate to Pixel, came out and once again I was awe-inspired... and the learning continues...

oui, bien sûr .. Je peux en dire plus .. beaucoup plus. Mais je vous laisse lire ses mots... :)
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Whether one has been blogging six days, six months or six years, blog anniversaries are a big deal. Lots of love, passion, dedication and bits of one self go into putting a post together. Whatever your purpose, whatever your goal, blogging is an intimate moment when you let someone onto a page you create.

When I met Asha last April during Food Blog Forum Orlando, it felt as if I were finally meeting a long distance friend although her pictures and words had been right at my fingertips for two years now. Asha is not shy, nor is she flamboyant. Asha has a craving for learning. And working. And constantly making her work better and more beautiful.

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Street Food Asia - Tang Yuan re-defined by Xiaolu

We are travelling further East today on the Street Food Series. I am especially thrilled to present this to you today because for one, it is by one of most talented people I have met and two, this dish is a beautiful fusion of two ancient cultures....

I have been reading Xiaolu's gorgeous blog, 6 Bittersweets, for a while now. Her beautiful styling and thoughtful recipes are always mesmerising. And, she is a student! How she finds time to do so much and balance a hectic student's life, I have no idea but I admire her even more for it!

She recently started a mini-business catering sweet bites to the DC area! I think it's super cool and awesome and wish her much success with it. Check out all the great stuff that she can make for you!! DC isn't so far from me, so I do hope to meet her sometime...
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Just as starting a food blog 2 years ago introduced me to friends around the globe, joining Twitter this year has enriched my life with even more incredibly talented, caring, and equally food-obsessed pals. Asha was one of the first among these new friends. Early on she reached out to me, impressing me with her warm and cheerful spirit, exciting recipes, and wonderful photography. When she then invited me to contribute to the celebration of her 3-year blog anniversary, of course I said yes right away!

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South indian "Street" Food - Sundal (Chickpea Salad)

Apologies for the short interruption in scheduled programming. I had some time management issues. anyway sorted out now. :D.

So, I am back today with something that I grew up with on the coastal shores of South India! Sundal, is a savory snack that is very popular inside and outside the homes of Tamilians.

This is one dish that cannot be termed as just street food as it also shares the venerable place as "Prasad", something that is blessed by the gods and shared with friends and neighbours on good and festive occasions.

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Berry Season...

Spent some time this weekend relishing fresh raspberries many ways and storing them for later enjoyment...I have also been making colder stuff.. but that's for another day! :)

I am bit delayed on the posts for this week, so I leave you with these photos and promise to be back ever so shortly! :)

Have a great week!

Street Food Italy - Crispelle di Riso di San Giuseppe by Al Fangano

We are hopping over the pond again. This time into the land of one of rich history the most spectacular empires, the Roman Empire with a cuisine is the much beloved across the world - Italy!!

The history of Italy reflects in it's wide range of cuisine across various regions much as it does in India. The North and the South are distinct and very individualistic. From the bold, meaty flavors of the Roman food to the fresh, light seafood preparations down by the heel, there is a wide spectrum for the palate.

Today, I am thrilled to have Al, share a gem from his native land. A sicilian, now living in Germany, an astrophysicist by education and an artist at heart, he is indeed a true reflection of Italy ;-). His blog, Recipe Taster, constantly surprises me with unique flavor combinations and beautifully presented dishes. As he himself puts it, he does not recreate, he re-envisions!! :)

So, without further ado...Crispelle di Riso di San Giuseppe.
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From the streets of Sicily a sticky and sweet comfort food

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Filipino Street Food - Pork Barbecue by Trissa Lopez

This week, we taste the native cuisine of one of my favorite bloggers, Trissa Lopez!! My enjoyment of Filipino cuisine has been enhanced over the last couple of years through my participation in Kulinarya Cooking Club. The fusion of Spanish and Chinese cuisine is ever intriguing and some of my favorite creations have been inspired by this cuisine like these Chipotle Empanadas, Pancit Bihon and Blood Orange Leche Flan.

Trissa, how do I introduce?! She is a sweetheart and a fabulous cook. Her blog, Trissalicious, is a mouthwatering ode to not only Filipino food, including cherished resipes from her home, but also Australian cooking. Her recreations of famous restaurant dishes, like this and this and oh!!! this, are not just stunning but really make them approachable for the home cook!

I started reading her blog way back and was instantly captivated not just by her awesome recipes but also her writing. Her posts are witty and really offer a break from the daily routine. Never have I not smiled when I opened her blog and then it was quickly followed by an inhalation in awe at her dish of the post!

So, let's get to the food already, shall we?!:-) Ladies and gentlemen, Filipino Pork Barbeque!!
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To Filipinos, street food is nothing new. It's in our DNA and I credit my ability to eat anything from years of exposure to 'delicacies' such as Batchoy (noodle soup with pork liver and intestines), 'balut' (duck embryo) and 'sisig' (sizzling pork head). Of course not all Filipino street food requires a stomach of steel.

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Street Food Argentina - Pan de Leche from Cristina!!!

Welcome to the second edition of Street Food Month. Today we travel a little closer to where I live. Ok.. little relative to the last post! We are going into the sunny tropics of South America to the gorgeous land of Argentina!

Argentina is a land known for much natural beauty (not to mention the stunning women!) and a wonderful cuisine. For a meat lover, there is no better paradise. I have been planning a vacation in the country for Oh! so long and this Pan de Leche from Cristina is only pushing that yearning over the edge! :)

I met (virtually, for now) Cristina last year during the FoodBuzz competition. I was constantly amazed by her inventive creations and straight from the heart posts. Argentinian by origin, she now resides in France (I mean, can it get better?!) and she showcases her native food with French elegance.

She has recently kicked off an exciting, honest-to-soul-rocking venture called Menu Malbec. Check out her blog for the details! And I am super thrilled that she gracing my blog today with these luscious Pan de Leche with Dulce de Leche.

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When some days ago, my friend Asha, kindly invited me to participate in her three-year Blog Anniversary, writing about street-food, I have to admit I had to think long and hard...For some reason that I don't understand Argentinians are not very prone to street-eating (?!) But then yes! a clear image came to my mind...."Pan de Leche"

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"Street Food" Month - Papdi Chaat by Deeba Rajpal

I promised you a treat and here is the reveal. To celebrate my blog's third anniversary, I am hosting a series of guest posts from bloggers around the world, whom I adore. This is a month long indulgence in "Street Food Around the World". I am ever grateful to these fantastic bloggers for accepting to grace my blog with their mouthwatering creations.

Let's begin the journey from the streets of Delhi with Deeba Rajpal. Now, Deeba, who has a gorgeous blog at Passionate about Baking, needs no introduction of her work. A Delhi-ite, mom blogger, and from-scratch baker, she is one of my dearest friends and a blogger I have much respect for.

She was my first friend and mentor in the food blogging world. I will never forget her encouraging and thoughtfully supportive mails when I went through patches of self-doubt and her generosity in celebrating my successes. I am much honored to kick off this Birthday series with a full bodied yet subtle flavored chaat from her! :-))

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"Food is a central activity of mankind and one of the single most significant trademarks of a culture."

Mark Kurlansky

Talk street food and it throws up a myriad of colourful pictures in my head. It's an amazing food group, one that goes deep into culinary cultures and is fast becoming haute cusine, upmarket and constantly evolving. Yet, hit the streets and you find good old rustic appeal, presrved from the past and just the way culinary and cultural heritage meet! Walk the streets, especially the old city areas, of any city and you are instantly hit by the culture that time hangs on to.

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Happy Birthday FSK!!!! :) and a Pulled Tandoori Chicken Sandwich

Yes! Three years ago, this month, this wonderful creature was born. She came into this world, rustic and small and changed my life completely. I watched her grow and blossom, fondly listening to every breath, inhaling her sweet smells every morning and any number of times during the day.

I nurtured her and nourished her with constant attention, bestowing my deepest creative moments in a quest to mold her and a whole lot of hard work to prime her to be as perfect as I could. Isn't she beautiful?! :)

Yes, today, I sing a joyous birthday tune to celebrate her third year of existence! Happy Birthday to Fork Spoon Knife!! :)

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Homemade Pasta - Taleggio Agnolotti in Walnut & Thyme Brown Butter Sauce

It's been a while since a pasta post here. Ok! It's really just been a month. But, homemade pasta is something that needs to be talked about... constantly. Before I got my little pasta maker, I was, well, truth be told, ambivalent between fresh (between me and the rolling pin) and dried pasta. But, now, I am strongly in the camp of making pasta from scratch and to your taste.

Ever since watching Iron Chef, I have had the craving for making filled pasta. I would imagine all sorts of exotic and, let me confess, interesting, stuffings. Have you ever heard the sounds of gears turning and locking into place? If you sat next to me then, you would have heard the whir, click, lock sounds as well! :)

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