A complete Indian festival season is in the air these days. Nine days of NavratriΒ is over followed by Dussehra. Now North Indian festival for married women Karva Chauth is on the way. Then preparations for five days grand Deepawali festival will start.
In between all these festivals sometimes we want a break from rich festive sweets and crave for some healthy food or snacks. For the last few days I wanted to have good homemade savoury snack. During Dussehra holidays we had gone to Goa for a week’s vacation and I was tired of eating restaurant food, though the whole trip was awesome as weather was fine and it was less crowded. Neat – and – clean beautiful beaches, historical forts surrounded with sea and wonderful flora and fauna. I am not at all good with photography, but still couldn’t resist clicking a few.
We went on a tour of spices plantation and I gained a lot of knowledge. I never knew that javitri andΒ jaiphal ( mace and nutmeg) are from the same plant. Javitri is dry flower and jaiphal is the fruit. But the best part of this spice plantation tour was the discovery of Garam Masala plant. I was amazed to see that there is actually a plant named as “Garam Masala”. Till now I knew that garam masala is a mix of various ground spices. But this Garam Masala plant was a new discovery. This plant originally belongs to Jamaica and is known as allspice plant. We tasted its leaves and they tasted exactly like garam masala mix powder.
Isn’t this amazing!!!
Well, no matter how much you enjoy your vacation, we crave for homemade food. Hubby and daughter both were fine, but I started becoming home sick after 4-5 days. Thankfully it was a short trip and after reaching home I baked my favouriteΒ Garlic Bread and this time I used wheat flour.
But now I wanted to prepare it exactly like we get in Pizza Hut. So I prepared a little bit more garlic butter (method is given in the recipe ofΒ Garlic Bread) . After slicing the bread, applied garlic butter,Β Β Pizza sauce, grated cheese, sprinkled pizza spices, added sliced bell peppers ,onions and tomatoes and sprinkled a little more pizza spices. Baked these bread coins in a preheated oven at 175 degrees, till the cheese melted and edges of the bread became crisp.
There was a wonderful aroma of garlic butter, pizza sauce and spices while baking!!! Couldn’t take more pictures, as no one allowed me…
Great post and beautiful photos. π
Thank you so much Lynette π
I love the photos Deeksha…but in the first place who lied to you that you suck when it comes to photography?cause from the pics above,I think you are an ace at thatπ§‘…and the pizza…bread! Oh my !! it looks yummyπ
Kelvin, you are very generous and kind with appreciation πβΊοΈ
Means a lot to me, thank you very much for your sweet words π€
Thank you for sharing your adventures and a part of your world!.. π
βLife gives us brief moments with another, but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a lifetime, So live that your memories will be part of your happiness.β (Author Unknown).
Always welcome Dutchllππ
Unknown author told the true philosophy of life. These memories and moments are the driving force to move ahead every day till we live.
I hope you are doing great…
Stop taking pictures, we want to eat them!!! π I do understand them, they look delicious!
Exactly this was the scene!!
And beautiful baking aroma made them so hungry that I couldn’t dare to stop them.
Thank you so much Stella ππ
Great post and you mentioning garam masala plants is also nice and that bird of paradise looks amazing. And that pizza π. I think you enjoyed those wonderful moments Deeksha.π
Thank you so much Suni. Definitely I learnt a lot with spice plantation trip that how much hard work and dedication goes in there to grow those tiny seeds of spices. It is completely a different thing from growing crops in the fields.
Yes Deeksha, there’s too much hard work and dedication. Have a great weekend! π
Beautiful foto!!!!πβΊβΊβΊβΊπ
Thanks a lot π π
Beautiful pictures Deeksha ! Hope u enjoyed your vacay….and the garlic bread, I can smell from hereππ
Thanks a lot Jyoππ
It was a great vacation to be remembered!
It sounds like a fun trip, but I am sorry to hear you got sick! I learned something new. Like you, I had always thought of garam masala as a mixture of different spices. Unlike you, I have not yet seen the actual plant!
I hope you are feeling better, Dee!
Best,
Tanja
It was a fun aand relaxing trip, but probably I am not used to of having too much outside food, so was feeling homesick… that’s all.
Learning something new during any trip is exciting, isn’t it…
I agree, travel broadens our horizons.
These look so good. I used to make mini pizzas on muffins for my kids, they were really easy. I know what you mean about missing home cooked meals when out on vacation, I miss that too. And your picture came out beautiful, I think so. It looks very pretty there and I always love all flowers.
Coastal areas are so rich with beautiful greenery that it is really difficult to leave such places.
Thank you very much π
Have a great week ahead!
A tour of spices plantation, what a great experience! And the pictures are so beautiful! A wonderful place! Sometimes all these celebrations can be overwhelming and too many sweets π I love this snack! So colorful and delicious π
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Goa is definitely a place to visit. Beautiful Portuguese architecture, full of flora and fauna, almost 100 big small beaches, best quality of fresh cashews and Goan musicπΆ πΆ and the best part is that it’s a small place so you can roam around conveniently.
Sounds really a wonderful place to take a break π
I thoroughly enjoyed your post! And I must say, I think your photography skills are just fine! What beautiful views you had the chance to take in. Are you feeling more refreshed? I hope so! π€
Spices Plantation sounds pretty fascinating. I never knew there was such a place. The way you describe it though sounds heavenly. For a cook – it’s a dream spot!
This garlic bread looks divine too. Oh my goodness! I am practically drooling just thinking about how yummy this must have tasted. And I could practically smell the way you described your home while it was baking in the oven…mmm mmm mmm! π
Sending you all my best dearest Deeksha. I hope you are recovering from all the activities as of late. Thank you for sharing it with us π
Dear Holly, heartfelt thanks for your warm wishes and blessingsβ€οΈ π€π
I’m so glad that you liked the pictures! Goa is definitely a beautiful place to go for a vacation. Beaches attract foreign tourists also a lot!
Spice plantation tour was wonderful. Got to know about many minute details related to growing different spices. Never knew black and white pepper are from same plant. And yes, you are right, trying out different spices in cooking would be so mush fun there.
Garlic bread is all time favorite snack for everyone. And if pizza sauce is in there in the fridge, then preparation is less time consuming.
I am doing good and very busy with the cleaning marathon going on in the house for upcoming festival Deepawali.
I hope you are in good health and doing well!
Have a nice day!
Such beautiful pics. Nature has surprises at every step. I have never been to Goa. Don’t ask me why ππ
I lovvvve garlic bread ….. You have baked such yummy ones Deeksha π
I am not going to ask, but I am definitely surprised that TravellerinMe has not touched this part!!!
Coastal areas are blessed with phenomenal beauty of nature and one can feel it the moment we start entering here.
Bread baking always makes me calm and composed.
Thank you so much Monika πβΊοΈ
Have a great week!
…… And yes this garam masala plant is an interesting trivia. I too didn’t know such a plant existed π§π§
None of us in the group also had no idea about this plant. Funny part is that I had stayed in Jamaica for 3 years, still didn’t know anything. As people at spice plantation told that it’s dry leaves are sold in the shops. I will definitely try to search.
It all looks so yummy, it always seems easy with your descriptions…also loved the scenic pictures… Can’t wait to try it out! Thanks for sharing πΈπΈ
Thank you so much Gunjan for your lovely appreciation π π
Me too first time hearing about the garam masala tree. Amazing pictures you have shared here. At last yammy Garlic bread π it’s delicious!!!
Thank you very much Tanusri βΊοΈ
If anytime going to Goa, try to include this plantation tour. It would be an amazing experience.
Yes, Sure. Thank you for informing
looks amazing!:)
Thank you very much π
Loved the photos and of course the bread!β€οΈβ€οΈ
Thank you very much Richa
Lovely pictures of Goa and hope you enjoyed, Deeksha. I too never knew so much about these plants. Thanks and simply love your garlic bread and eating like a pizza bread with the delicious recipe. Too good. I tried your Baigan Bharta it was awesome.
I am so glad to hear that recipe worked well for you Kamal !! Thank you so much for the feedback π πβΊοΈβΊοΈ
Goa trip was great!! It is always nice to learn something new.
Got a lot more information about about this place through a little chit-chat with cab drivers and some locals.
And getting homebread is always a treat for family members, so this time it was a little extra treat!!
Great to hear ππππ π that Deeksha and Goa is such a beautiful place to be. Welcome always dear. Take care
Thank you so much for your lovely post ! Itβs really cognitive π! And yummy idea for bites π!
I am deeply humbled with your kind words, means a lot π€ πβΊοΈ
πππ
Delicious!
Thank you π π
Youβre welcome π
Lovely π
Thanks a lot π
Beautiful pictures and that garlic bread!!!!
Thank you so much Diane, and yes it was a great vacation!
Yumolicious. ππ
Thank you very much βΊοΈβΊοΈ
Those plants, flowers, and view are amazing! And I do love your discovery. Going on the tour is a journey of learning new thing! We never stop learning. ^^
Me too. I enjoy eating out, but I eat my home cooking mostly. When I am on the tour, I just have to find something similar to my usual foot… Good for you! Always cook something you like , and that makes you happy.
beautiful clicks and nice informative post ..love the garlic bread!
Thank you so much πβΊοΈ
It is seen that they were a holiday lived intensely with the family. Enjoying it like this, together, makes it possible to accentuate family ties. Their parties are full of colors, good food and delicious sweets. The final pizza recipe, a delicacy. The series of photos gives the ideal complement to your story. They are very good and give us an idea of ββwhat they have enjoyed. Regards.
Thank you for making effort to introduce us delicious and healthy food.
Enjoyed your series, Deeksha!
Thank you so much Amy for your encouragement βΊοΈβΊοΈ
ππ
Your beautiful pictures tells how enjoyable your trip is. Garam masala plant! surely never heard before. This yummy pizza is telling to have a try.
Thanks a lot Subbashini βΊοΈπ
Trip was definitely good and rejuvenating. The most memorable part was visiting spice plantation. Probably first time I encountered so many spices at a place and knowledge about them made me excited!!
ππ
π And, the outdoor pictures are so beautiful, too!
Thank you very much π
Brilliant,
artistic
garlic bread
colorful look
and oh
the
anticipated taste!
Thank you very much π π
Wow mouth watering
Thank you very much Hitesh!
MΓ²st welcome deekshajee …
Your recipes are very classy, nice and pleasnat, all of them.
Thank you very much π π
Deeksha, this delicious, yummy Garlic Bread seems so wonderful. When I look at the photos, I think I can smell the delicious scent and I want to bite off a piece right away. Definitely not just a small piece, but I would eat the whole round piece of pizza right away.
Thank you, Deeksha and ππstay happy!
Rosie, many thanks for your sweet kind words of appreciation π
I guess if someone likes garlic, they just can’t say no to Garlic Bread. My daughter used to say no to pizza and her favorite food at Pizza Hut was Garlic Bread only.
Once again thanks a lot Rosie and be happy and healthy π