The long eggplants or baingans are either known as Chinese or Japanese, depending on the shade of purple and length. They have really tender and soft skin and are often found in Asian, Indian, and Middle Eastern stores. While selecting eggplants pick those that…
Sweet potatoes are very popular in the US and have been enjoying increased popularity as fries. In India, they are popular as a fasting food and can be cooked with milk and jaggery to make a sweet kheer, or grated and made into a…
This no-fuss noodle salad can be served hot or cold and is so very easy to make. This dish can be broadly classified as Indian Chinese, which is a fusion of both these cuisines, unique to India. Using the noodles you have, combined with…
Also known as Moroccan lentil soup, this is a warm and hearty soup that offers robust texture and flavors. The use of cinnamon, cloves, and cumin is what gives this soup its unique yet familiar taste and reminds me of the various dals we…
Baby or small potatoes can be cooked in so many yummy and different ways and they never fail to command the spotlight because of their looks. These spuds, the size of key limes, can be made into either a dry sabzi or they can…
This is a very easy chutney that I make almost weekly as it can be used in so many different ways. I use it as a spread for sandwiches and tools, as a dip for dosas and parathas, and sometimes as a base for…
Chillas or cheelas, similar to dosas and dhirdes, are more popular in North India and are made with chickpea or moong dal flour. I have been making these for several years for brunch as they are easy and filling. Sometimes I add chopped spinach…
This is a traditional breakfast served on the second day of Diwali, known as Naraka Chaturdashi but is a great way to start any morning of the year, especially in summer. A simple mix of pohe (flattened, dry rice), yogurt and milk is tempered…
This broccoli curry is mostly dry and delicately spiced with a light coating of plain yogurt This version has been a staple at our dinner table and the Little Birdies simply adore it. I serve it with rotis or rice and dal.
This is a simple dip that is served with sabudana vada, sabudana thalipeeth, or varai and sabudana dhirde. Basically, it is a dip that is made with roasted peanuts, plain yogurt, and a few spices. Made with ingredients permitted for fasting, this dip usually…
