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Recipes

Beetroot raita, a condimen​​​​t in pink that delights the soul

Tooting Mama
33 Comments
May 9, 2019
2 Mins read
768 Views
beetroot raita
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

I love this recipe for beetroot raita. The shock of pink on the side of your plate is simply a thing of beauty.

This raita is sweet, earthy and tangy. Beetroot is the perfect companion for the thick, creamy Greek yoghurt. What works is the sweetness of the beetroot, against the nuttiness and crunchiness of the freshly ground cumin, and the tang of the freshly squeezed lime.

No doubt if you have been in any Indian restaurant you will have had cucumber raita. The yoghurt and cucumber served on the side to cool down a fiery curry.

Beetroot raita – more than just a condiment

This yoghurt dip is easy and takes minutes to make. You don’t have to serve it with curry.

Beetroot raita works perfectly as a dip, a relish, alongside a salad or part of a mezze platter. I will be making this dip this summer for barbecues and picnics.

I love making this raita to eat with fish cutlets. The fusion of mackeral and beetroot is a sublime.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Flavour Thesaurus, by Niki Segnit (my head is often stuck in this book in the name of research), pairs beetroot with oily fish. This combination is popular in Scandinavian and Baltic countries where beetroot is often matched with herring. Sweden and Estonia have a fish and beetroot salad mixed with onion and potato, dressed with a vinegarette or a mustard mayonnaise.

If you love beetroots, then check out my recipes for beetroot hummus and beetroot curry. Beetroot works well with lamb too.

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beetroot raita

Beetroot raita, a condimen​​t in pink

★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Tooting Mama
Print Recipe
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Description

This yoghurt dip is easy and takes minutes to make. You don’t have to serve it with curry.

Beetroot raita works perfectly as a dip, a relish, alongside a salad or part of a mezze platter. I will be making this dip this summer for barbecues and picnics.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 fresh small beetroots, peeled and quartered
  • 1 tbs vegetable oil
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 250 ml Greek yoghurt (full fat is best!)
  • A generous helping of freshly chopped coriander
  • Juice of one freshly squeezed lime
  • Salt, enough to lift the flavour

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees Celcius.
  2. Place the chopped beetroot into a bowl, add the oil and salt, and using your hands coat the beetroot with salt and oil before scattering onto a baking tray.
  3. Place the baking tray in the oven, and allow the beetroot to roast for around 30 minutes. The beetroot is done when you can glide a skewer easily through the flesh.
  4. Take the beetroot out of the oven, and set aside.
  5. Dry roast the cumin in a solid based frying pan. When the seeds darken and release their fragrance, tip half into a pestle and mortar and grind into a powder. Keep the remaining whole roasted spice for later.
  6. Spoon the yoghurt into a mixing bowl. With a fork whip until it becomes light and creamy.
  7. When the beetroot has cooled, chop it into small cubes, and drop into the yoghurt, along with the ground cumin and half of the coriander. With a spoon gently stir.
  8. Add the lime juice, and salt and give a final stir.
  9. Garnish with the remaining coriander and whole, roasted cumin seeds.
  10. Now get dipping!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @tootingmama on Instagram

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33 Comments
  1. Neha

    May 21, 2019 10:42 am

    Wow tooting mama I am making this with fish soon. It sounds easy yet bet it tastes amazing and the pink addition is great.

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 21, 2019 9:23 pm

      Please do and be sure to send me a picture!

      Reply
  2. Kara

    May 20, 2019 5:16 pm

    Oh wow, this looks so delciious
    Kara recently posted…Silent Sunday – 19th May 2019My Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 21, 2019 9:23 pm

      Thank you my lovely!

      Reply
  3. Tracey Kifford

    May 17, 2019 1:17 pm

    I love beetroot – and I have all the ingredients in my kitchen right now to make this raita. I’m going to give it a go over the weekend.
    Tracey Kifford recently posted…The Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour, Dublin, IrelandMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 18, 2019 3:33 pm

      Oh fantastic! I hope you love it!

      Reply
  4. Treasure Every Moment

    May 16, 2019 2:00 pm

    Oo this sounds really nice! My daughters would love the fact that it’s pink too 🙂

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 18, 2019 3:36 pm

      Fabulous, the colour is stunning!

      Reply
  5. Romina

    May 16, 2019 11:25 am

    Love beetroot! Will definitely be trying this one day soon

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 18, 2019 3:37 pm

      Yay! I hope you do, it’s delish!

      Reply
  6. fashionandstylepolice

    May 16, 2019 9:32 am

    I love the sound of this recipe. Hope to try it one day.
    fashionandstylepolice recently posted…3 Fashion Tips To Stay Stylish This SpringMy Profile

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 18, 2019 3:37 pm

      Thanks lovely.

      Reply
  7. Talya

    May 16, 2019 9:31 am

    I love anything with beetroot in it – looks nice and easy to make!
    Talya recently posted…How meditation can help youMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Laura - Dear Bear and Beany

    May 15, 2019 8:29 pm

    This looks delicious and easy to make. I will have to give it a go!
    Laura – Dear Bear and Beany recently posted…My Girls…May 2019My Profile

    Reply
  9. Anne Fraser

    May 15, 2019 5:47 pm

    I love the look of this. It sounds easy to make.
    Anne Fraser recently posted…Coombe Down and the story of Bath StoneMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 18, 2019 3:38 pm

      Yup, it’s very easy to make. I think you’ll love it!

      Reply
  10. Clare Minall

    May 15, 2019 2:29 pm

    That looks so amazing! I will have to try this with my family. I can’t wait to try it! I bet it’s going to be good.

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 15, 2019 3:52 pm

      I hope you do, and I really hope they love it!

      Reply
  11. Anita Faulkner - Brazen Mummy Writes

    May 15, 2019 1:21 pm

    Yum, you’re making me so hungry! This would go nicely in a sandwich too, I think. Will give it a go! Thanks for the inspiration. XX
    Anita Faulkner – Brazen Mummy Writes recently posted…Beat Overwhelm – The Brazen Mummy GuideMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 15, 2019 3:50 pm

      Ohhh in sarnies, yes, I must try this with salmon or tuna. Yum!

      Reply
  12. Stephanie

    May 14, 2019 9:15 pm

    Oh this looks and sounds very yummy , a perfect summery recipe
    Stephanie recently posted…Adding Dimension To Your Kitchen With Kickboard LightsMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 15, 2019 3:49 pm

      This is going to be my bbq dip and when it’s teamed up with guacamole, it’s going to be amazing!

      Reply
  13. Lyndsey O'Halloran

    May 14, 2019 5:13 pm

    I’d not heard of this before but look at the colour! It looks lovely.
    Lyndsey O’Halloran recently posted…Our Woodland Adventure At Kelling Heath Holiday ParkMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 15, 2019 3:48 pm

      Thank you, so much.

      Reply
  14. Laura Dove

    May 14, 2019 1:46 pm

    I’ve never heard of this but that colour is so vibrant! I’m not a fan of beetroot, but this does look appetising!

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 15, 2019 3:47 pm

      Awww, we can’t like everything. But the colour is pretty lush.

      Reply
  15. Jenni

    May 14, 2019 1:40 pm

    What a gorgeous colour! I love beetroot, so will have to give this a try.
    Jenni recently posted…Eurovision Song Contest Quiz – Free DownloadMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 15, 2019 3:46 pm

      Thank you, and when you do, send me a photo!

      Reply
  16. Wendy

    May 14, 2019 1:29 pm

    Wow, never ever heard of this! I love the pink colour though, would really brighten up your plate!xx

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 15, 2019 3:46 pm

      Thank you, it looks amazing on the plate, really stands out!

      Reply
  17. Jon

    May 14, 2019 9:31 am

    What a great recipe. Will have to show the wife this as she is beetroot mad!
    Jon recently posted…Washare – Get paid for doing other peoples laundryMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Tooting Mama

      May 15, 2019 3:46 pm

      I hope the wife like’s it, let me know!

      Reply
  18. Anosa

    May 14, 2019 8:53 am

    The colour alone has me wanting to recreate this condiment recipe, thanks for sharing.
    Anosa recently posted…How to Help a Senior Living at HomeMy Profile

    ★★★★★

    Reply
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I'm Ranji! I am a food photographer, recipe creator, lover of Sri Lankan food which I want to share with you.

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That'll be a full Sri Lankan for me.​​​​​​​​​
@cynthia.uma I want to say good luck as you welcome your first guest to your new Sri Lankan restaurant @rambutan_ldn.

I know this project has been in gestation for a long time, and I can only imagine the excitement you are feeling as you welcome your first guests to dine with you. 

I also know you're going to smash this while putting Tamil Sri Lankan food on the map!

If you can't wait that long, grab a  copy of Cynthia's awesome cookbook Rambutan. 

This is the roasted butternut squash curry, perfect for soaking up fragrant spices that pack a punch. 

My husband and I, we are hooked on seeni sambol toasties. This was something my mum used to make, and you'll find it in the book. Think cheese toasties with an onion jam on acid! Try it, you'll be hooked too! 

🍀Good luck Cynthia, I'm rooting for you! 👊🏾

Recipe: Sri Lankan butternut squash curry, recipe from Rambutan cookbook
Photography: Moi 
Food styling: Moi

#srilankanfoodrecipes #srilankanfoodphotograher #srilankanfoodlovers #srilankanfoodiesaroundtheworld #srilankantraveldiaries #srilankantravel #foodandflatlay #foodstylingandphotography #foodstylingphotography #foodphotographymagazine #restaurantphotographer #londonfoodphotographer #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale
My creative juices are feeling drained, and I’ve My creative juices are feeling drained, and I’ve sucking up the last dribbles from my creative well.

I did a shoot for two recipes I had created. 

I loved the recipes, hot spicy traditional Sri Lankan curries, kalupol chicken and a side of sambar. The flavours that had depth, the kind of flavours reach into you and touch your soul! 

But, I hated the pictures.

It was frustrating. 

Even though I had meticulous planned my shots, they just didn’t work.

It sometimes happens, especially when you feel sapped of your creativity. 

Creativity is a muscle that has to be exercised, and then there are times when it simply needs a rest.

I gave my brain a break from food photography, and embarked of a photo walk in the fascinating company of @step_hen_les_lie, a brilliant and insanely knowledgeable street photographer.

I needed to engage and see the world, in a different way.

With street photography, the shot comes you. If that sounds easy? Think again. 

Street photography tests your mental sharpness, your power of seeing the out of the ordinary. 

It’s a case of walking, waiting and watching, waiting for something unusual, out of place or something just plain old god damn bonkers to happen. 

And you need a truckload of patience, and be ready to catch that shot! 

Check out my photographs and let me what you think. 
#streetphotographylondon #londonphotographer #documentaryphoto #londonrestaurantphotographer #foodphotographerlondon #visualstorytelling #candidstreetphotography #streetphotomag #streetlifeworldwide #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale #capturestreets
We connected over fish. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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After connecting on Instagram and following her foodie adventures around the world across Australia and India, I finally got to meet Sohini, who runs the fabulous food account @smokeandlime.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sohini creates inventive menus for her line of supper clubs inspired by her Kolkata heritage.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We met, in South London, in the Elephant and Castle.I’ve worked around the Elephant for almost twenty years. With jobs that took me down the Aylesbury Estate; I’ve seen tea dances in the Elephant & Castle shopping centre where I played ten pin bowling when I volunteered with a cub troupe from Peckham. This was at a time when the Elephant was a no-go for gentrification.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
How it has changed. Sprouting out of the earth like giant stalagmites are these huge glass towers with apartments commanding eye watering rents. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Like the old housing estates, the old carbuncle of a shopping centre has been bulldozed; In its wake are small eateries and boutiques. The big brands aren’t here yet, but it’s only a matter of time. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
At Sohini’s suggestion we met at a little Peruvian place, @saborperuano_elephant, just under Strata Tower in a brutalist concrete parade of shops. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This restaurant is old school, no frills, white vinyl tablecloths, giant-screened TV. Yet the food is…..EPIC!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The ceviche, marinaded in tangy cheeksuckingly good leche de tigre, succulent beef hearts threaded on to skewers, fresh crispy deep fried squid, and I’m pretty sure we ate vegetables to. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And, for two hours straight, we spoke about nothing else but food. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It’s was great. And my heart is lost in Peru! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#londonfoodphotographer #Londonfoodie #restaurantphotographer #commericialphotographer #stilllife #stilllifephotography #stilllifestories
Thai aubergines. It's hard to believe these are ve Thai aubergines. It's hard to believe these are vegetables.​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
That green, they look like little semi precious stones, or marbles, the ones I used to play with when I was a kid.​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
I saw these in my local Sri Lankan grocers, and had to grab my phone and snatch picture!​​​​​​​​
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They're almost too cute to cook!​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
#pinkladysnapsfeb23 @pinkladyappleuk @davidloftus​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
 #myediblecaptures monochromatic bliss by @andreakoever judge @eli_and_co sponsor @blueberrybackdrops ​​​​​​​​
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When I was a kid, we always made thin, French-styl When I was a kid, we always made thin, French-style crepes. And our topping was only ever lemon and sugar. 🍋​​​​​​​​
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The American fluffy pancakes were, well exotic. ​​​​​​​​
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We only ever saw them on American kids' shows. And they always seemed to have pancakes for breakfast. And they always covered them in syrup! I'd watch wide-eyed agog at these pile of delicious pile of pancakes.​​​​​​​​
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When I was a kid, pancakes were a once-a-year thing.​​​​​​​​
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The excitement and build-up was almost too much as we approached Pancake day, aka Shove Tuesday, gobbling up all the good stuff before we headed into Lent and abstinence before we crack open the Easter eggs. ​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
Now, I can make whatever pancakes I like. And I like to make fluffy American ones. Perhaps it reminds me of those Saturday morning American kids' shows, and those hearty American breakfasts, served by all-American moms to their all-American families.​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
There's something indulgent about a pile of fluffy buttermilk pancakes, ready and waiting, drenched with something delicious and to be devoured by a brood of hungry mouths. ​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
What pancakes did you make this year? And more importantly, what was your topping? ​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
#pinkladysnapsfeb23 @foodphotoaward @pinkladyappleuk @davidloftus ​​​​​​​​
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February open theme #foodphotobiteswithritu @foodphotobiteswithritu @happytummybyritumbhara judge: @ferraronierica ​​​​​​​​
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American pancakes: Recipe @marthastewart, Food styling: Moi​​​​​​​​
Photography: Moi. Syrup: @lylesgoldensyrup​​​​​​​​
Inspiration: @louisehagger - an incredible food photographer with so much wit & creativity 🤩​​​​​​​​
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#buttermilkpancakes #americanpancakes #pourshot #pancakeday #pancakeday2023 #foodstylistlondon #londonfoodphotographer #foodphotographylondon #londonrestaurantphotographer #commercialphotography #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community #hautecuisines
Making my mother Sri Lankan Love cake has become a Making my mother Sri Lankan Love cake has become a tradition. I like to make it about this time of year, you know, love and #Valentines and all that.​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
The recipe I bake yields a hefty portion.  Love Cake is dense, it’s not designed to be wolfed down in a single session. It’s a cake to savour and relishes to cherish while sipping a cup of Sri Lankan tea.​​​​​​​​
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Having made it so often it's only now that I am digging into its provenance.  Sri Lankan Love Cake has an interesting backstory of colonialism, culture, and personal stories of migration.​​​​​​​​
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If you want to know more about the history of this delicious cake, hop to the Tooting Mama website, there’s a link in my bio. You’ll find the recipe there too. ​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
Because, the only way to experience Love Cake is to make it. ​​​​​​​​
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#lovecake #srilankancuisine #srilankanfood #restaurantphotographer #londoncommercialphotographer #foodstylistlondon #saveurmag #bonappetit #londonfoodstylist #srilankanfoodphotographer #Londonfoodphotographer #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community #hautecuisines #raw_sweets #raw_sweets_
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That'll be a full Sri Lankan for me.​​​​​​​​​
@cynthia.uma I want to say good luck as you welcome your first guest to your new Sri Lankan restaurant @rambutan_ldn.

I know this project has been in gestation for a long time, and I can only imagine the excitement you are feeling as you welcome your first guests to dine with you. 

I also know you're going to smash this while putting Tamil Sri Lankan food on the map!

If you can't wait that long, grab a  copy of Cynthia's awesome cookbook Rambutan. 

This is the roasted butternut squash curry, perfect for soaking up fragrant spices that pack a punch. 

My husband and I, we are hooked on seeni sambol toasties. This was something my mum used to make, and you'll find it in the book. Think cheese toasties with an onion jam on acid! Try it, you'll be hooked too! 

🍀Good luck Cynthia, I'm rooting for you! 👊🏾

Recipe: Sri Lankan butternut squash curry, recipe from Rambutan cookbook
Photography: Moi 
Food styling: Moi

#srilankanfoodrecipes #srilankanfoodphotograher #srilankanfoodlovers #srilankanfoodiesaroundtheworld #srilankantraveldiaries #srilankantravel #foodandflatlay #foodstylingandphotography #foodstylingphotography #foodphotographymagazine #restaurantphotographer #londonfoodphotographer #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale
My creative juices are feeling drained, and I’ve My creative juices are feeling drained, and I’ve sucking up the last dribbles from my creative well.

I did a shoot for two recipes I had created. 

I loved the recipes, hot spicy traditional Sri Lankan curries, kalupol chicken and a side of sambar. The flavours that had depth, the kind of flavours reach into you and touch your soul! 

But, I hated the pictures.

It was frustrating. 

Even though I had meticulous planned my shots, they just didn’t work.

It sometimes happens, especially when you feel sapped of your creativity. 

Creativity is a muscle that has to be exercised, and then there are times when it simply needs a rest.

I gave my brain a break from food photography, and embarked of a photo walk in the fascinating company of @step_hen_les_lie, a brilliant and insanely knowledgeable street photographer.

I needed to engage and see the world, in a different way.

With street photography, the shot comes you. If that sounds easy? Think again. 

Street photography tests your mental sharpness, your power of seeing the out of the ordinary. 

It’s a case of walking, waiting and watching, waiting for something unusual, out of place or something just plain old god damn bonkers to happen. 

And you need a truckload of patience, and be ready to catch that shot! 

Check out my photographs and let me what you think. 
#streetphotographylondon #londonphotographer #documentaryphoto #londonrestaurantphotographer #foodphotographerlondon #visualstorytelling #candidstreetphotography #streetphotomag #streetlifeworldwide #seedifferently #sonyalpha #sonyalphafemale #capturestreets
We connected over fish. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
After connecting on Instagram and following her foodie adventures around the world across Australia and India, I finally got to meet Sohini, who runs the fabulous food account @smokeandlime.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sohini creates inventive menus for her line of supper clubs inspired by her Kolkata heritage.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We met, in South London, in the Elephant and Castle.I’ve worked around the Elephant for almost twenty years. With jobs that took me down the Aylesbury Estate; I’ve seen tea dances in the Elephant & Castle shopping centre where I played ten pin bowling when I volunteered with a cub troupe from Peckham. This was at a time when the Elephant was a no-go for gentrification.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
How it has changed. Sprouting out of the earth like giant stalagmites are these huge glass towers with apartments commanding eye watering rents. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Like the old housing estates, the old carbuncle of a shopping centre has been bulldozed; In its wake are small eateries and boutiques. The big brands aren’t here yet, but it’s only a matter of time. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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At Sohini’s suggestion we met at a little Peruvian place, @saborperuano_elephant, just under Strata Tower in a brutalist concrete parade of shops. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This restaurant is old school, no frills, white vinyl tablecloths, giant-screened TV. Yet the food is…..EPIC!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The ceviche, marinaded in tangy cheeksuckingly good leche de tigre, succulent beef hearts threaded on to skewers, fresh crispy deep fried squid, and I’m pretty sure we ate vegetables to. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And, for two hours straight, we spoke about nothing else but food. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It’s was great. And my heart is lost in Peru! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#londonfoodphotographer #Londonfoodie #restaurantphotographer #commericialphotographer #stilllife #stilllifephotography #stilllifestories
Thai aubergines. It's hard to believe these are ve Thai aubergines. It's hard to believe these are vegetables.​​​​​​​​
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That green, they look like little semi precious stones, or marbles, the ones I used to play with when I was a kid.​​​​​​​​
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I saw these in my local Sri Lankan grocers, and had to grab my phone and snatch picture!​​​​​​​​
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They're almost too cute to cook!​​​​​​​​
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#pinkladysnapsfeb23 @pinkladyappleuk @davidloftus​​​​​​​​
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 #myediblecaptures monochromatic bliss by @andreakoever judge @eli_and_co sponsor @blueberrybackdrops ​​​​​​​​
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#aubergines #stilllife #stilllifegallery #stilllifephotographer #raw_minimial #belightinspired #shotoniphone #foodstyling #srilankanfood #restaurantphotographer #londoncommercialphotographer #foodstylistlondon #saveurmag #bonappetit #londonfoodstylist #srilankanfoodphotographer #Londonfoodphotographer #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community
When I was a kid, we always made thin, French-styl When I was a kid, we always made thin, French-style crepes. And our topping was only ever lemon and sugar. 🍋​​​​​​​​
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The American fluffy pancakes were, well exotic. ​​​​​​​​
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We only ever saw them on American kids' shows. And they always seemed to have pancakes for breakfast. And they always covered them in syrup! I'd watch wide-eyed agog at these pile of delicious pile of pancakes.​​​​​​​​
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When I was a kid, pancakes were a once-a-year thing.​​​​​​​​
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The excitement and build-up was almost too much as we approached Pancake day, aka Shove Tuesday, gobbling up all the good stuff before we headed into Lent and abstinence before we crack open the Easter eggs. ​​​​​​​​
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Now, I can make whatever pancakes I like. And I like to make fluffy American ones. Perhaps it reminds me of those Saturday morning American kids' shows, and those hearty American breakfasts, served by all-American moms to their all-American families.​​​​​​​​
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There's something indulgent about a pile of fluffy buttermilk pancakes, ready and waiting, drenched with something delicious and to be devoured by a brood of hungry mouths. ​​​​​​​​
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What pancakes did you make this year? And more importantly, what was your topping? ​​​​​​​​
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#pinkladysnapsfeb23 @foodphotoaward @pinkladyappleuk @davidloftus ​​​​​​​​
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February open theme #foodphotobiteswithritu @foodphotobiteswithritu @happytummybyritumbhara judge: @ferraronierica ​​​​​​​​
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American pancakes: Recipe @marthastewart, Food styling: Moi​​​​​​​​
Photography: Moi. Syrup: @lylesgoldensyrup​​​​​​​​
Inspiration: @louisehagger - an incredible food photographer with so much wit & creativity 🤩​​​​​​​​
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#buttermilkpancakes #americanpancakes #pourshot #pancakeday #pancakeday2023 #foodstylistlondon #londonfoodphotographer #foodphotographylondon #londonrestaurantphotographer #commercialphotography #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community #hautecuisines
Making my mother Sri Lankan Love cake has become a Making my mother Sri Lankan Love cake has become a tradition. I like to make it about this time of year, you know, love and #Valentines and all that.​​​​​​​​
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The recipe I bake yields a hefty portion.  Love Cake is dense, it’s not designed to be wolfed down in a single session. It’s a cake to savour and relishes to cherish while sipping a cup of Sri Lankan tea.​​​​​​​​
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Having made it so often it's only now that I am digging into its provenance.  Sri Lankan Love Cake has an interesting backstory of colonialism, culture, and personal stories of migration.​​​​​​​​
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If you want to know more about the history of this delicious cake, hop to the Tooting Mama website, there’s a link in my bio. You’ll find the recipe there too. ​​​​​​​​
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Because, the only way to experience Love Cake is to make it. ​​​​​​​​
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#lovecake #srilankancuisine #srilankanfood #restaurantphotographer #londoncommercialphotographer #foodstylistlondon #saveurmag #bonappetit #londonfoodstylist #srilankanfoodphotographer #Londonfoodphotographer #editorialphotographer #beautifulfood #f52community #hautecuisines #raw_sweets #raw_sweets_
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About Me

Ranji Thangiah

PHOTOGRAPHER & BLOGGER

I'm Ranji! I am a food photographer, recipe creator, lover of Sri Lankan food which I want to share with you.

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