Naan – Oven Baked Flat Bread
Naan is the most popular Indian bread in the Western world. It is a flat bread that is traditionally cooked in a clay oven or “tandoor.” This recipe however uses a regular home oven (with a pizza stone). Serve Naan with Daal, Chola, Palak Paneer or any vegetable dish.
Vegetable Pakoras
Pakoras are an all-time favorite snack in India- perfect for a rainy day at home or at night for a cocktail party! Pakoras are delicious paired with a cup of hot spicy Indian Chai.
Kokum Coconut Kadhi
To make Kokum Coconut Kadhi, we have to know what is Kokum. Kokum is a fruit used as a souring agent in many parts of India and it is mellow in taste compared to tamarind. For me, how it can be a kadhi without besan? So, this Kokum Coconut Kadhi is my twist, by adding a little roasted besan (gram flour). This is both delicious and very refreshing. You can serve this as a soup or with rice. My son who is a very picky eater thoroughly enjoyed it! This is a quick and easy recipe which you must give it a try. This Kadhi is also vegan and gluten free.
Missa Paratha
Missa paratha is a traditional North Indian bread. At our house, this recipe was a staple. Adding spices to the dough makes these parathas very enjoyable. Missa Paratha is often mistaken by besan ka paratha. Missa atta (flour) is made with whole gram with the skin on and besan is made with split gram without skin. This makes a very noticeable difference in the flavor and texture of the paratha. This bread is healthy and a better substitute for people who are diabatic. I decided to use whole chana instead of buying the flour, which is not readily available. This also gives a better taste. You can also try spices of your choice. These parathas pair well with gravy-based dishes like Mixed Dal and Aloo Tamatar. Finish this great meal with Salted Mint Lassi, which is a good complement. I also enjoy these parathas with a simple cup of hot chai. This recipe will make 6 parathas
Banaras Tamatar Ki Chaat
Tamatar ki Chaat is a popular street chaat from Banaras. This vegan and gluten free tomato chaat is a unique dish that bursts with flavor. It is made with a delectable combination of tomatoes, potatoes, nuts, spices and drizzled with a spicy sugar syrup. I ate this chaat almost a decade ago while visiting Banaras and can remember the unique flavor till today! The unforgettable flavors of this chaat made me want to see if I could recreate it! After several tries, I feel like I came pretty close to making this dish how I remember it. I served it at a recent lunch with friends and was overwhelmed at the positive response. My friends raved about this chaat and insisted I do the video recipe for it as soon as possible.
Sweet and Sour Spicy Karela
Karela, also known as bitter melon. Sweet and Sour Karela has a very unique taste. This dish is a combination of all the flavor in one, it is spicy, sweet, sour, and bitterness of the Karela. That is what make this recipe very unique. Karela, (Bitter melon) also is a healthy vegetable with many health benefits. This was one of my favorite side dish specially for school lunch box, Karela rolled up with left over Puri or Paratha from previous day, tasted delicious. We also enjoyed this sweet and sour karela as a side dish with Toor Dal and Rice. This is multi flavor healthy side dish this can also be serve as a condiment. Enjoy!
Punjabi Aloo Paratha
Aloo Parathas make for the perfect lazy weekend brunch. Parathas can be made plain or with a variety of different fillings. A flavorful potato filling is by far the most popular. Aloo Parathas are very popular in North India, at any time of the day. In Punjab, Aloo Parathas are a staple for breakfast. Traditionally, Aloo Parathas are served with homemade butter and buttermilk known as chaas. I’m sure you are thinking that making these parathas is very time consuming. With our busy schedules and hectic mornings, how is possible to prepare these! Of course, parathas taste best when fresh off a hot skillet! An easy solution to this problem is to simply prepare part of the recipe in advance until you are ready to roll the parathas. You can prepare the dough and filling in advance and have the potato-mix filled balls ready to just start rolling. The prepared dough can be refrigerated for up to two days. Enjoy!
Zucchini Lentil Pakoras
As pakoras are one of the most welcoming snacks all over India. It is a popular street food. Everyone has their own favorites and there are countless recipes. Pakoras are a very comforting snack especially when it is cold, and it is raining. Here, we are experiencing both and I am wishing for pakoras with a hot cup of chai, blanket and a good TV show or movie. In a particular magazine, I saw a fusion pakora recipe. Instead of using traditional beasn batter, the chef had used red lentil batter. Several times, I have used moong dal batter, but I never even thought about using red lentil. I was ready to give it a try with another pakora recipe using lentil batter. I made some changes and added chopped ginger that added a nice kick to the pakoras. They turned out to be mouthwatering appetizers: crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. These pakoras are addicting! These work as a tasty pairing with your afternoon tea or a spicy delicious snack before any meal. These pakoras have a different crispness but are very delightful. Give these pakoras a try and enjoy! These Pakoras are also vegan and gluten-free.
Palak Kadhi
Palak Kadhi is a tasty side dish. It is spinach cooked with yogurt and besan (gram flour) and mildly spiced. I think Kadhi is one of the most enjoyed dishes all over India. Kadhi is made in so many ways in different parts of the country. One main ingredient remains the same: besan. At my house, kadhi was made thick and with dumplings. In Gujarat, Kadhi is made very watery and taste like sweet and sour soup. I enjoy the dishes which are made using besan. Palak Kadhi has become a comfort side dish for us. It is easy to make and can be served with any meal.
Punjabi Samosa
Samosas are probably the most popular Indian snack, and street food. Samosas when paired with cilantro chutney are simply out of this world. I think they are universally loved and hard to resist. I have made variations and minor changes to my samosa recipe over the years. Check out my new and improved recipe for this family favorite!
Sweet and Sour Guava Curry
Guavas, or “amrood” in Hindi, are simply delicious and probably one of my favorite fruits! This year I have an abundance of guavas growing in my backyard. I like to sprinkle chaat masala on guavas. The spiciness really brings out its flavor. Since I have so many delicious guavas, I decided it was time for me to make Guava Sweet and Sour Curry (Amrood Ki khati Methi Sabji).
Pineapple Sheera
Delicious Pineapple Sheera or Halwa. This delicious combination of flavors is sure to please. Sweet and sour pineapple sheera really compliments Sooji halwa nicely to make a unique dish! Especially on holiday times I enjoy making one dessert which I can serve many ways. Sooji sheera and pineapple sheera I will serve combining both and top with ice cream, drizzle with chocolate ganache, forming them small bite size cake. You can also serve them individually with some garnishing. any way you decide to serve this will have wow factor with adults and kids. I will like you to share with some other serving ideas.
Litti Chokha
Litti Chokha is a delicacy from the state of Bihar made with stuffed whole wheat dough balls with roasted chana dal and spices inside. These stuffed balls are known as Litties are usually roasted over charcoal but can also be baked. Litties are served with Chokha. Chokha is a dip prepared with mashing potato, tomato or eggplant with spices, but at my home it was always served with Dal Tadka.
Boondi Ka Raita
Boondi Ka Raita is a delicious and easy to make side dish which compliments any meal. Boondi ka raita is a yogurt based Indian condiment. Raita is an integral part of Indian cuisine.
Makki Ki Roti
Makki Ki Roti is a popular Punjabi bread made with corn flour and served with Sarson Ka Saag. Maki ki roti is also a Gluten Free flat bread.
Papad Ki Subji
Papad ki sabzi this is a traditional Rajasthani dish. Papad ki sabji is delicious and flavorful. Papad ki sabji has a distinct flavor and easy to make. Serve hot with roti paratha or plain rice.
