Aloo Palak (Spinach & Potato Curry) is one of the most popular Indian dishes where spinach and potatoes are cooked together with spices. Naturally vegetarian and vegan, my easy homemade version of aloo palak uses minimal spices which makes it so comforting. Tastes best with flatbread like roti or paratha!
Potatoes are added to a lot of Indian curries and gravies. I think we have this habit of adding potatoes to anything and...
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This simple and comforting Moong Dal is one of the simplest Indian dals made with split petite yellow lentils. This wholesome dal has a tadka (tempering) of cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and curry leaves making it flavorful. This dal is vegan, easy to digest and light on your stomach and pairs well with rice, roti or any grain of your choice. You can make this moong dal recipe in 30 minutes using a traditional pressure cooker or Instant Pot.
Of all the dals that I grew up eating at home on a regular basis like...
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Namak Para is crispy fried savory Indian snack made with flour, spices and ghee (or oil). These are best enjoyed with a cup of masala chai. My mom would often make a batch of these crunchy namak para during festivals like Holi & Diwali. But if you ask me. you don’t need an occasion to munch on them. They are highly addictive! They are traditionally deep fried but you can also air fry or bake them for a healthier option.
When mom used to prepare for Indian festivals back home, I used to...
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Khaman Dhokla is a steamed Indian savory snack which is extremely popular in the western state of Gujarat. It is made with besan (gram flour) and leavened with leavening agents like baking soda and eno. A tempering of curry leaves, mustard seeds is often poured on it after it’s done. Khaman is best enjoyed with a side of cilantro chutney and a cup of masala chai.
Khaman dhokla or simply khaman is a popular snack not only in Gujarat but all...
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This is my mother-in-law’s simple homemade Punjabi rajma recipe. It has no frills, no special ingredients yet it makes the most comforting bowl of rajma. The kidney beans are pressure cooked and then an onion-tomato masala is added to them and they are cooked again until the masala and the rajma are very well combined with each other.
Like they say a good punjabi rajma should be “rassa hua” meaning the spices, masala, rajma should be intermixed so well with each other and the rajma...
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This one-pot Masala Macaroni has macaroni flavored with Indian spices. It’s spicy, packed with flavors, made in the Instant Pot and makes a great, easy meal for busy days. This was something that I would take in my lunch boxes during my high school years.
Back then, pasta had recently become popular in India and so we would demand pasta in our lunch boxes. My house help in India would make this masala macaroni aka Indian style Macaroni. Sometimes he would pack the masala macaroni as such in our...
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Bhakarwadi is a crunchy snack popular in the western parts of India. These pinwheels are stuffed with spices, coconut etc. and have a spicy, tangy and sweet taste. These are deep fried and go well along with a cup of chai!
I love all things crispy and crunchy with my chai like mathri, samosa etc. Most chai time Indian snacks are deep fried and crispy and I am low key addicted to them. I have zero self control when it comes to Indian snacks, I just cannot resist them and often end up eating the whole packet in one...
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Festivities are incomplete without a refreshing drink and this spicy Mango Mocktail is a drink that can be enjoyed by everyone alike. Made with mango juice, coconut water, ginger and fresh mint the drink gets the kick from jalapeños. Serve plain or top with sparkling water!
I love making mocktails for my dinner parties especially during the festive time. Whether it’s Diwali, Thanksgiving or Christmas, the addition of a good mocktail...
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This easy Lauki Kofta curry is a simple vegan dish made with lauki (bottle gourd) koftas which are dunked in a tomato-onion based curry. The koftas are traditionally deep fried, but I like air frying them. This makes a simple and comforting meal which can be served with boiled rice or any bread of choice.
One of the ways I enjoyed lauki as a child (other than lauki kheer) was when mom made Lauki Kofta. In Indian cooking, we refer to koftas as small dumplings which are deep fried and...
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Seasonal fresh figs, spices, sugar and vinegar are combined together in this delightful fig chutney which is good on just about everything. It’s vegan, made in the Instant Pot and can be enjoyed with any bread or crackers of choice. It will also make a fantastic addition to your charcuterie board!
I love making chutneys with in season fruits like peaches, apples etc. These chutney go well with so many things and make a great accompaniment to Indian breads. With figs being...
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Simple one-pot and nutritious Vegetable Daliya made with broken wheat and veggies is my go-to meal for busy days. It’s easy to make, vegan, minimally spiced and very filling with all the veggies and fiber.
When I was a kid, I wasn’t very fond of daliya aka broken wheat (it is also known as cracked wheat). My mom always made daliya for breakfast and it was made in 2 days in my house- meetha daliya (sweet daliya) and namkeen daliya (savory daliya). The sweet version...
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Here’s a fun take on the traditional south Indian Lemon Rice- this Lemon Quinoa has the same flavors as the rice but is more wholesome and protein-packed! Its a one-pot, vegan meal which requires minimal prep-work and can be easily made on busy weeknights.
Quinoa is something I have grown to like over the years. At first, I wasn’t a fan but then I developed the palate for it and now I enjoy it in various forms.
Sarvesh on the other hand...
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