Palak or Spinach is one of the most easily available greens and I try to make as many different dishes with it as I can. This version of pappu or dal is something I learnt from one of our Tamil neighbours (Mrs. Balakrishnan) and is a great favourite with my family. I love it because…
Paala Koora Pappu, Palak Dal, Lentils with Spinach – 1
Macaroni and Cheese with Vegetables
This recipe is for Anand, my brother; and Abhi, my niece; both are Macaroni and Cheese freaks! Many years ago, my mom worked for a year in Canada. She used this as an opportunity to broaden not only her horizons but also my brother’s and mine. One of the directions she pursued was international cuisine….
Mango Lassi or Mango Smoothie
It is that time of the year when we bid fond farewell to Summer and along with it goodies like Mangoes, and welcome the rains. Till a decade ago, Monsoons would arrive on or about June 13. This date is very significant as it also signalled the day on which Mumbai schools reopened after the…
Kanda Vepudu (Elephant Yam Fry or Senaikizhangu Fry)
Kanda Gadda (Elephant Yam in English, Senaikizhangu in Tamil, Suran in Hindi) is a particular favourite in our home. While we cook it most often as Kanda Koora or Kanda Bachali Koora, my personal favourite is Kanda Vepudu or Crisp Yam Fry. Ingredients Kanda Gadda, Suran, or Elephant Yam – 250 gms Chilli Powder – 3/4…
Kashmiri Dum Aloo (Baby Potatoes in a Yoghurt Gravy)
The other day I spotted the season’s first baby potatoes in the market, and they were so fresh and tender that I had to get some make Dum Aloo, a Kashmiri speciality. It involves frying baby potatoes and then slow cooking them in a lightly spiced yoghurt gravy. The result is a rich, yummy potato…
Home made paneer- How to prepare indian cottage cheese!
I have had many requests for posting how to make Paneer, especially in response to my posts on Paneer Bhurji and Kadhai Paneer. Here is a recipe that is very similar to what I use to make Paneer and from a seasoned chef, Vinita whose blog I follow regularly! Related articles Paneer Bhurji (Spicy Cottage…
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Mushrooms. I love them. One good thing about globalization is that I can get all kinds of mushrooms in India and can indulge myself. In the days of yore the only type of mushrooms available in India were button mushrooms (Kumbh as they are called in India) and we had to make do with them….
Potato Curry for Masala Dosa… Also for Roti and Puri
One of my favourite dishes ever is Mysore Masala Dosa as served in Ram Ashraya in Matunga, Mumbai. Perfect crisp dosa, with the insides lathered with Mysore Chutney, stuffed with potato masala. Apart from the Mysore chutney that they coat the dosa is the perfectly cooked potato curry. As a child my brother and I…
Paneer Bhurji (Spicy Cottage Cheese Crumble)
Mumbai Street Food or Bombay Street Food in unique in so many ways. It is not junk food but economical nourishing sustenance. Think about it; Vada-Pav is loaded with carbs but wa originally meant for people involved in hard labour. They needed it. And so cheap. Fill your stomach for INR 8-10. Misal-Pav combines proteins…
Kerala Egg Roast
I have this fascination for curries that involve boiled eggs. So when Sridevi of Coconut Craze posted the recipe for an Egg curry/ Egg roast/Spicy egg masala, I had to try it. This is also turning out to be the year of “everything to do with Kerala” for me so the fact that this recipe for Kerala Egg Roast had an…
Vegetable Manchurian
I don’t think I would be very far from the truth if I said that for people who grew up in the 80s and 90s in Mumbai, Vegetable Manchurian (or Chicken Manchurian) with Fried Rice or Noodles would have been the first introduction to “Chinese” food. These were the days before globalization, before Indians were…
Vegetarian Chinese Fried Rice or Vegetable Fried Rice
Mumbai is famous for its street food; Vada Pav, Pani Puri, Bhel Puri, and of course, ‘Thelewala Chinese’. Thela means a hand-cart and the Mumbai street corners are dotted with thelas which make and serve fresh Chinese food. Well, this thelewala Chinese food is uniquely Bambaiyya (Bambaiyya in Hindi for ‘of Mumbai’). Very few Chinese would recognize the food if it is…
