Bigmama’s recipes

Bigmama’s Samosas (Vegan)

By , June 15, 2019

This recipe is in loving memory of my grandmother, whose recipes are my guide to know she is always by my side. I was very nervous about cooking this dish and have therefore been putting it off inadvertently. This was my grandmothers signature dish, you know, like when you battle on Beat Bobby Flay, you …

Balala (Vegan, DF, GF, May contain Nuts)

By , April 18, 2019

These are boiled nuts…But look closer….and a little closer still and you’ll find a hidden treasure trove of travel and childhood memories These boiled nuts are a snack that my grandma used to make in Africa, the recipe and tradition of which she brought to the UK (some say the nuts too). I have only …

Stir Fried Yellow Cabbage (Vegan, DF, GF)

By , April 17, 2019

‘Work hard is silence and let success make the noise’ This is a quick stir fry recipe, but the mustard, curry leaves and turmeric give the depth of a dish that has been cooked for days. This was one of my grandma’s side dishes, so humble and inconspicuous on the table, but so wholesome and …

Vegetarian Shami Kebabs  (V, DF, GF)

By , April 17, 2019

‘Food has a story, a history, relationships’ I adapted this recipe from Season by Nik Sharma, using Quorn to make it vegetarian. Kebabs have a long and interesting history, and mostly trace their origin to the influence of Mughlai cuisine. This cuisine is strongly influenced by the cuisine of Central Asia, the region where the …

Happy New Year!

By , January 1, 2019

  Dear Friends of Tasha. Kitchen, Happy New Year! My wish for you is to Live Better, Strive Harder, Be Bolder, Dream Bigger, Climb Higher and Seek Greater. These too are wishes for myself and in the pursuit of this at the end of the year I took some time out to self reflect on …

Delhi Green Beans with Ginger and Green Chillies (Sem Ki Sabzi)  (Vegan, DF, GF)

By , November 17, 2018

This dish is from the north of India and is normally served with lentils, rice and yogurt. My grandma had a special dish for everyone, cheese rolls for my brother, rice porridge for me and green beans for my cousin Sabrina. I actually think Sabrina is the only person I know, as well as my …

Sweet Potato Tikki  (GF, Vegan)

By , September 22, 2018

Sweet Potato Tikki  (GF, Vegan) One of my dreams is to write a book of recipes that reflect my grandma’s food and mine together. I did think of just writing her recipes down, as that would take up a whole book in itself but with some of the allergies and dietary requirements that have occurred …

Chole Masala (Chickpea Curry)  (GF, Vegan)

By , August 25, 2018

Chole Masala (Chickpea Curry)  (GF, Vegan) Food is love when words are inadequate My grandma always made you feel like she had been waiting for you all day and when you arrived her day was now complete The first thing I had to do after taking off my shoes and putting away my bag was …

Okra Pakora (GF, Vegan)

By , August 11, 2018

Okra Pakora (GF, Vegan) My grandma used to make Pakoras all the time. Here classics were potato, bread with chutney in the middle and chilli (which Mr B would eat till his eyes watered). She also used to make pakoras to use up the leftovers, as she hated waste, so we would get spinach or …

Apricot Chutney (Vegan, DF, GF)

By , June 24, 2018

Apricot Chutney (Vegan, DF, GF) I saw these beautiful apricots glistening in the market and I had to get some. I love apricots, they have amazing nutrients, vitamins and minerals and taste as sweet as candy when ripe. Since I just got the newest addition to my recipe book collection, Rasoi by Vaneet Bhatia and …