Recipes Archives - Cook With Manali

Vegan Mapo Tofu

mapo tofu served in a white bowl and garnished with green onions

March 5, 2021

Vegan version of the popular Sichuan dish, this Mapo Tofu has a nice kick to it from the Sichuan peppercorns and fermented beans paste. Pair it with jasmine rice for a filling meal.

Disclaimer: this is in no way an authentic recipe for Mapo Tofu. This dish is inspired by few vegan versions of mapo tofu that I have tried in restaurants and also from this recipe . I have also made it in a way which is more suitable to my palate (less heat) so this is far from an authentic Sichuan...

Kung Pao Cauliflower

cast iron skillet with cauliflower, onions and peppers tossed in a sauce

March 2, 2021

Sweet, spicy and bursting with flavors, this Kung Pao Cauliflower is a delicious way to enjoy cauliflower.

Cook the cauliflower in air-fryer or on a skillet and enjoy with some rice or noodles.

I love everything sweet and spicy and Asian inspired dishes which have these flavors are some of my favorites.

It’s no secret that I love the kung pao sauce, I...

Sabudana Khichdi

February 25, 2021

Sabudana Khichdi – a pilaf/pulao made with sago pearls! This vegan and gluten-free dish is extremely popular in India during the fasting season of Navratri. However if you ask me, you don’t really need an occasion to make and devour it.

This khichdi is extremely simple and yet so flavorful. I love my sabudana khichdi with yogurt on the side.

Sabudana Khichdi is often made during the...

Paneer Tikka Naan Pizza

Naan Pizza placed on a black round board and drizzled with chutney

February 23, 2021

Paneer Tikka Naan Pizza- a super flavorful Indian style vegetarian pizza made using paneer, spices, cheese and homemade naan.

This pizza is perfect for a date night or whenever the pizza craving kicks in!

Can we ever get tired of pizza? I don’t think so!

We order in pizza very often, especially as the weekend gets closer, my pizza cravings really start to kick...

Gajar Matar Sabzi

carrots and green peas stir fry in a white bowl and few rotis placed in the background

February 18, 2021

A simple Indian stir-fry made with winters carrots and green peas. This gajar matar sabzi was a staple in my house growing up.

Serve it with simple roti and dal for a satisfying meal.

We would eat a lot of gajar matar sabzi during winters. Another favorite was aloo gajar matar where potatoes were also added in addition to the carrot and peas.

There was a...

Simple Vegan Tomato Soup

bowls of tomato soup topped with croutons and cilantro

February 16, 2021

Easy Vegan Tomato Soup made in the Instant Pot!

This simple soup made with basic ingredients will warm you up on a cold day.

Tomato Soup was one of the only 2-3 soups that I was aware as a kid, the other being sweet corn and mixed vegetables soup.

We always made quick tomato soup during winters and it was almost always made from that packet of Knorr soup,...

Baked Feta Pasta

pasta served in a black bowl, garnished with basil

February 5, 2021

If you are looking for an easy weeknight meal, then look further than this Baked Feta Pasta!

It’s so easy and seriously good! No wonder that it’s everywhere on the social media these days. The original recipe is made with tomatoes only but I added some veggies and seasoning to make it more adaptable to my palate.

These days there’s always a new recipe trending on...

Gajar Halwa (Carrot Halwa)

February 2, 2021

Classic Indian dessert Gajar Halwa is made with carrots, milk, sugar and ghee!

It’s one of quintessential winter dessert especially in North India and is rich and decadent.

You guys! After 9+ years of living in the US, I finally found red carrots here! I almost can’t believe it.

Remember how much I cry over orange carrots while making carrot halwa?...

Chana Dal Recipe

January 22, 2021

Chana Dal is one of my favorite dals to enjoy with rice. Made with fresh ingredients and a handful of spices, this dal is packed with flavors!

It is also vegan and gluten-free.

Chana dal had a special place in my heart growing up. Mainly because it wasn’t made everyday in my house unlike toor/arhar...

Methi Paratha

January 19, 2021

Whole wheat flatbreads with fresh fenugreek leaves, this Methi Paratha is especially popular in northern India during winters.

Best enjoyed with white butter and a cup of chai!

Winters in Delhi are very specific food wise. There are certain things which you would see in every household only during winters – like gajar halwa , maaki ki roti & sarson ka saag & these methi...

Ragi Roti

January 15, 2021

Plain Ragi Roti made with ragi flour (finger millet flour).

These rotis are rich in protein, calcium and also gluten-free. They are also known as Nachni Roti.

Growing up in North India, I mostly ate wheat and rice, that’s what was on the menu everyday for lunch and dinner.

I was not very aware of different grains then. Maybe it was just the time, back...

My Favorite Chickpea Salad

pair of hand holding a bowl of chickpea salad served in a wooden bowl

January 12, 2021

Vegan and gluten-free, this Chickpea Salad is my absolute favorite.

It has cucumber, onions, dates and olives tossed together in a flavorful dressing. It’s also great for meal-prep.

As a vegetarian, chickpeas are one of my absolute favorites!

There’s so much you can do with them. Make hummus, chana masala, add to burgers and of course they make the best...