Category: News and Updates

There is something unique about appetizers: they are the most wanted and interesting part of the meals. Appetizers can be served any time but in India mostly it is served at teatime and is known as snacks. This is a wonderful feeling among all where we can forget about all the rules of healthy eating. While mingling with friends, we indulge in these aromatic and good-looking treats. Appetizers provide a great time for icebreakers, where you can get to know better people you may be unfamiliar with. It is easy to make these delicious looking appetizers the center of the conversation.

When I invite friends for dinner in a small group or big parties, appetizers are the most important part of the meal. I always put most effort toward appetizers and make the rest of the menu around them. I always serve appetizers in small portions, making sure my guests have the space to also enjoy the dinner.

As every other cuisine food can be healthy or just plain delicious, it is on the individual what they want. But I think sometimes it is good to indulge yourself and your friends.

Punjabi Samosa

Crispy Vegetable Pakoras

Crispy Potato Balls

Baked vegetable Idli

Samosa pinwheels

Paneer Pakoras

Khasta Kachori

Dhokla

To all the lovely married people: Happy Karva Chauth!

This year Karva Chauth fall on October 11th. It is celebrated with great joy in the northern states of India. My elder daughter-in-law enjoys this special festival very much. She really takes pleasure in all the rituals associated with Karva Chauth.

This day is celebrated by married women, who fast all day as a way to wish for their husband’s health and long life. Many husbands also join in on the fast as a way to show their suport for their wives. In the evening, families typically get together in groups to await the moon.

Women dress up in their finest outfits and jewelry. Bright colors and gorgeous outfits are a must! The moon usually takes a long time to appear on this day! Finally, when the moon makes its appearance, everyone celebrates. Prayers are then done and the fast can then be broken. Dinner is typically a huge feast as it should be!

This year I will be making Gulgula, Gatte Ki Kadhi, and crispy Spinach Pakoras:

Breakfast is unarguably the most important meal of the day. So why not start your day off right with a healthy and delicious meal?  Many people skip breakfast because they’re rushing to get out the door – either to get to work, drop kids off the school, or both! Breakfast kick-starts your day.  Below are some easy-to-prepare breakfast suggestions that will give you the energy you need to tackle the day. Much of the preparation for these meals can be done in advance.

Besan ka Puda
This is an all-time favorite with my family. This dish is both vegan and gluten free. Besan is also good for diabetics. Serve this dish with yogurt, pickle or hari cilantro chutney.  You can prepare the batter in advance and add the shredded zucchini just before making the puda.  Puda batter can be refrigerated for 3-4 days.

Moong Dal Dosa

This is another vegan and gluten free healthy breakfast. You can serve this with aloo masala, sambar, and your choice of pickle or chutney.  This is another dish where the batter can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Yogurt Sandwich

If you are tired of the usual toast or bagel, this is a good replacement.  The filling can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.  This can also be a quick lunch dish.

Upma Sooji
This is another family favorite.  You can prepare part of this dish in advance.  Follow steps 4, 5, and 6 to prepare the sooji mix.  You can refrigerate this for about one week.  Simply add boiling water with peas when ready to serve.

Enjoy!

Eggless Chocolate Cake

I have been working on how to make eggless chocolate cake, baking is not what I am good. Some times I like to bake for my grand kids and that I enjoy. Many of my viewers have been requesting to do more cake recipes. I have been trying chocolate cake, I have looked many recipes and to substitute eggs I am still playing with some ingredients, I don’t want to use the egg replacer for sure, my choices are tofu, condense milk, yogurt. I have used tofu before to make chocolate brownie and used condense milk for pineapple cake. Both recipes were good but I keep feeling something is missing so last few days I am trying again, my kitchen has been mass and I think I am getting there. For Easter I baked cup cakes using condense milk, kids loved it because I baked that’s a good part it is so easy to please your grandkids most of the time or they really know what to say when.

This is first time I have tried adding some corn starch and tapioca powder. I like corn starch that made a big different. Today I think it came out good and decided to garnish few pieces with sugar powder and few pieces with chocolate ganache. It was time to get the approval from the family and wow my older granddaughter and son approved.

Good thing is you can use same batter for cup cakes or cake. You should see this recipe soon and really hope you will approve because that’s count the most and I will wait for your unbiased comment.

You’ve watched all of the videos and followed all of Manjula’s time tested Recipes on the website. Now, you can have the best of Manjula’s Delicious Recipes, all in one book.

This beautiful 2nd Edition is now available as a PDF ebook with updated and revised recipes, full color photos, and embedded links to the online videos.

If you love Indian vegetarian cooking and wish you knew how to create magnificent dishes for your friends and family, this book of delicious recipes is for you.

You will learn how to make over ONE HUNDRED mouthwatering Indian vegetarian dishes including Samosas, Naan, Roti, Palak Paneer, Vegetable Korma, Gulab Jamun, and many more. Best of all, you can follow my time-tested recipes without any prior cooking knowledge and feel confident of surprising yourself and impressing your friends with your achievement.

Buy this e-book

Buy this e-book

Buy this e-book

Celebrating the Richness of Indian Vegetarian Cuisine: Manjula Jain’s Culinary Journey
Indian vegetarian cuisine is renowned for its diverse flavors, vibrant colors, and nutritional benefits. Manjula Jain’s e-book, “Best Indian Vegetarian Recipes,” Second Edition, serves as a testament to the rich culinary heritage of India. This collection offers an exquisite array of recipes that cater to both novice cooks and seasoned chefs, enabling them to create authentic Indian dishes with ease and confidence.

The Essence of Indian Vegetarian Cooking
Indian vegetarian cooking is more than just food; it is an art form that combines tradition, culture, and health. Each region in India brings its own unique flavors and cooking techniques, resulting in a wide variety of dishes that are both delicious and nutritious. The spices used in Indian cuisine not only enhance the taste but also offer numerous health benefits. From appetizers and snacks to main courses and desserts, the recipes in Manjula’s e-book showcase the versatility and richness of Indian vegetarian food.

About the Author: Manjula Jain
Manjula Jain, born in a vegetarian family in North India, has been passionate about cooking from a young age. Her mother, an excellent cook, taught her the intricacies of using spices and fresh ingredients to create flavorful dishes. After moving to the United States in the late 1960s, Manjula continued to follow a vegetarian lifestyle, adhering to the principles of Jainism, which emphasizes non-violence and compassion towards all living beings.

Manjula’s love for cooking led her to start a YouTube channel, where she has shared over 350 video recipes, many of which are vegan and gluten-free. Her dedication to sharing the traditional cuisine of India in a practical format has inspired millions of viewers worldwide.

Exploring the Recipes
Manjula’s e-book is organized into several sections, each offering a variety of recipes that highlight the diversity of Indian vegetarian cuisine.

Appetizers, Snacks, & Chaat:

Bhel Puri: A popular street food from Mumbai, Bhel Puri is a simple, spicy snack made with puffed rice, sev (vermicelli-like snack made from gram flour), and a mix of vegetables and chutneys. It is a low-fat, nutritious, and delicious treat.
Bread Potato Rolls: These crunchy rolls with a spicy potato filling make a perfect snack or appetizer. They are easy to prepare and can be served with hari cilantro chutney and tamarind sweet and sour chutney.
Chole Chaat: A zesty snack made with chickpeas, potatoes, and a blend of spices. This aromatic dish is easy to prepare and can be served warm as a snack or as a lettuce wrap for a crunchy twist.

Beverages:

Mango Lassi: A refreshing yogurt-based drink blended with ripe mangoes, sugar, and a hint of cardamom. This cooling beverage is perfect for hot summer days.
Chai: A traditional Indian tea made with a mix of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. It is a comforting beverage enjoyed by millions across India.

Breads | Puda:

Naan: A soft and fluffy bread that is a staple in Indian cuisine. It can be enjoyed with a variety of curries and gravies.
Aloo Paratha: A popular North Indian bread stuffed with a spicy potato filling. It is often served with yogurt, pickle, and butter.

Chutney, Pickle, Raita, & Condiments:

Hari Cilantro Chutney: A vibrant green chutney made with fresh cilantro, green chilies, and lime juice. It adds a burst of flavor to any dish.
Tamarind Sweet and Sour Chutney: A tangy and sweet chutney made with tamarind pulp and jaggery. It pairs well with snacks and appetizers.
Dals, Soups, & Salads:

Dal Makhani: A creamy and flavorful lentil dish made with black lentils and kidney beans, simmered with butter and cream.
Tomato Soup: A simple and comforting soup made with fresh tomatoes, flavored with Indian spices.
Desserts:

Gulab Jamun: Soft and spongy milk-based balls soaked in a sugar syrup flavored with cardamom and rose water.
Rasmalai: Soft paneer (Indian cottage cheese) dumplings soaked in sweetened, thickened milk, flavored with cardamom and saffron.
Rice & Quinoa:

Vegetable Biryani: A fragrant rice dish cooked with a mix of vegetables, spices, and herbs. It is a complete meal in itself.
Quinoa Vegetable Pilaf: A healthy and nutritious dish made with quinoa and mixed vegetables, flavored with Indian spices.
Vegetables:

Aloo Gobi: A classic Indian dish made with potatoes and cauliflower, cooked with a blend of spices.
Palak Paneer: A creamy spinach curry with paneer (Indian cottage cheese), flavored with garlic and spices.
Testimonials and Acknowledgements
Manjula’s e-book includes testimonials from her fans who have successfully tried her recipes and appreciated the simplicity and authenticity of her cooking style. She acknowledges the support of her family, friends, and website viewers who have encouraged her to share her culinary skills with the world.

Conclusion
Manjula Jain’s “Best Indian Vegetarian Recipes” is a treasure trove of mouthwatering recipes that celebrate the essence of Indian vegetarian cuisine. Whether you are new to cooking or an experienced chef, this e-book offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to create delightful dishes that will impress your family and friends. Embrace the flavors of India and embark on a culinary adventure with Manjula’s tried-and-tested recipes.

For more recipes and cooking videos, visit Manjula’s Kitchen.

Many festivals are coming soon, starting with Navratri, Durga Ashtami, Ram Navami, Dussehra, Diwali, Bhai Dooj, and the list goes on. I am always planning to what make something new. Something different and festive but not needing too much work, at the same time the family should enjoy it. I thought why not make the sweets and snacks that my family likes and I will also like to share this with my extended family by the series of blogs.

First one I selected is gulab jamuns because I just made them. Also gulab jamun is one of my favorite dessert. It is easy to make and also have a long shelf life. Gulab jamuns can be served in many different ways and the bonus is they make good holiday gift.

I have fond memories of the festivals while growing up. On special occasions we will receive box of sweets from family and friends and most of the time the box will have gulab jamuns. Of course these gulab jamuns were not in the syrup but they were still moist. They tasted great and almost appeared to be a different dessert.

These are some of the variations and suggestions the way I serve them. I think warm gulab jamuns taste the best, they are my boy’s favorite. For serving them with any other variations, take gulab jamuns out from the syrup for about half an hour before garnishing. Drizzle gulab jamun with chocolate gnash, you may also put few pieces of sliced almonds. This is my grand kids favorite.

Roll them in coconut powder, this is the only way one of my daughter in law likes them.
Slice them in center making them in two pieces then topped them with malai (reduce milk),
Slice them thinly and serve them with vanilla ice cream and garnish with few pieces of broken pistachios. I will like to hear from you, how you like to serve them.

Gulab Jamun (2014)

Gulab Jamun