I have always liked mixed lentils – be it the 10 bean or 15 bean soup mixes of dry lentils you get in any grocery store or any homegrown/made mix that’s born just to clear out the pantry. One of my cousins had a Tarla Dalal book with a recipe called ‘panchmel‘ daal, and lately…
Indian Recipes
Indian vegetarian recipes from north, south, west, east and central India, mostly Maharashtra. These vegetarian recipes are made from scratch and explained in detail and include appetizers, curries, vegetables, rice, side dishes, sweets and dessert recipes
Jeera Alu Shimla Mirch (Cumin flavored potatoes and peppers) – quick and easy all-time favourite
Lofty mountains, picturesque valleys, swirling mists, chilly breezes, and tummies grumbling for food – this is how I remember one nostalgic afternoon in Kodaikanal, one of the popular hill stations in Southern India. The resort had a restaurant perched on a hilltop with glass all around where you could see the valley view all around…
Rava Besan Ladu and Diwali Greetings
Diwali is here again, once again reminding us that the year’s almost over. Diwali brings with it several twinkling lights, great food, happy times, vacation for the kids, and alas, lots of smoke and pollution due to crackers. I have never really caught on to what fascination people find in things that make a loud…
‘Cool’ Millet rolls with a curried tofu filling – checking out a new whole grain
Millet is also known as Ragi or as NachNi in Marathi. My introduction to this grain has been limited to nachNi papads which I may have eaten more than 10 years ago. The NachNi bhakri( thick pan bread or roti) is popular in Mahrashtra, but I have never had the opportunity to sample it before….
Achari Dum Alu (Potatoes steamed in a sauce of pickling spices)
‘Achar’ is the Hindi word for pickle, ‘Dum‘ means steam. Achari Dum Alu is just a simple vegetable dish of potatoes steam cooked in a spicy gravy using pickling spices. The pickling spices here are not your salt and vinegar kind, but Indian pickling spices. Dum Alu was a favorite growing up, since it traditionally uses…
Mung Beet Cutlets – nourishing finger food
Low carb diets have been popular for a while now. Ranging from the controversial Atkins to the still in vogue South Beach Diet, they promote rapid weight loss. There are several other factions who also promote whole grains, and ‘whole grains’ have become such a buzz word that even a box full of chocos or…
Beat the Heat – Pudine ki Paneer Kadai ( Grilled onions, peppers and paneer cheese in a yogurt mint sauce)
Summer has come early to Pune and the heat is unbearable. We are always looking for natural ways to cool the body and what could be more refreshing than a bunch of fresh mint? Spending the least possible time in the kitchen is desirable. Even the not so fresh variety of paneer available with the…
Hara Bhara Kabab Masala ( Spinach cheese balls in a creamy tomato sauce) – Favourite appetizer goes mainstream
Hara Bhara Kabab Masala recipe is an adaptation or enhancement of something that I learned to make years ago – the Hara Bhara Kabab, when it was not common to see this kind of a ‘kabab’ on restaurant menu cards. They served a version of it at our club. Very different from now, when almost…
Sweet and Sour KaDhi ( Savoury Buttermilk stew)
KaDhi is a traditional Indian dish made across various parts of India. Each region has its own way of making it – Gujarathi, Rajasthani, Punjabi, Maharashtrian – we have all had and savoured various versions. KaDHi is supposed to be the quintessential ‘brahmin’ dish in Maharashtra. It is supposed that those learned men of yore…
Nimona – a fresh twist on Alu matar
Independence Day is here and there is a lot of green and orange around with people portraying their patriotic spirit. I decided to do my bit and try something green. I love the colour green, especially in food – yes I really like all kinds of greens like palak, methi, sarson, etc. and the other…