A powerfully flavored spice typically used as a “tadka” (tempering in hot oil) ingredient in Indian dals and curries. Asafoetida is especially popular in Jain and Ayurvedic cooking, as an alternative to the strong flavors of onions and garlic.
13 Dec
Chayote slow-cooked in a tomato base – simple flavors that get their kick from a tempering of mustard and asafoetida. This is one of those curries that only ask for time, not exceptional skill or effort.
19 Oct
When you have run out of vegetables, make jhunka.
This piece of wisdom that I received from my Punekar friend was worth its weight in gold during the pandemic lockdown. With just besan and my backlog of onions, the barebones jhunka recipe gave me several filling, comforting meals.
So, what exactly is jhunka? Wikipedia defines it as:
…a vegetarian traditional Indian dish prepared in Maharashtra, Goa and North Karnataka. It is essentially a chickpea flour porridge.
Hmmm. Calling it a “porridge” is rather a stretch! Do they mean pithle? I’ll let the matter rest with a Shakespearean reference and point you to the blog becauseanyonecancook, which describes pithle and jhunka with more nuance.
13 Nov
One of the joys of winter is getting to cook with in-season fresh fenugreek leaves. Lush green and fragrant, fenugreek leaves lend their distinct character to any dish they are part of (case in point: methi chhole). In aloo methi (potato fenugreek stir-fry), fenugreek leaves find a happy companion: the creamy earthiness of aloo makes a welcoming base for bitter green methi.
6 Aug
Sundal is a simple legume preparation from south India – a style of cooking in which boiled legumes are tempered with spiced oil and fresh coconut. The sattvic ingredient profile of sundal makes it a popular prasadam (i.e. blessed by the Gods) dish. During the nine days of Navarathri, south Indian homes traditionally offer sundal to their guests, prepared with a different legume each day.
28 Jun
Wondering what to do with zucchini in Indian cooking? Here’s your answer! With each bite, dhania nimbu wali zucchini delivers a delightful lemony jolt to the senses. Green, light and tangy, with a quick tadka of Indian spices, this zucchini side dish is summer exemplified.
29 May
Zucchini is a godsend on days when you have little time to spend in the kitchen. The vegetable is as easy to chop as it is to cook. This zucchini tomato curry takes under 20 minutes from getting the vegetables out of the fridge to having it ready to gobble up. And it tastes wonderful!
Discover how to easily adapt traditional Indian flavors into a vibrant, customizable Indian Buddha Bowl. Plus, get 10 delicious Indian Buddha bowl combination ideas!
Tomatoes are an essential ingredient for most curries – but you CAN do well without them! A collection of Indian vegetarian curry recipes without tomatoes.
Hindi idioms inspired by the tastes, colors and characteristics of food.
Rice-dal-ghee is all you need for a happy tummy. Turn to khichdi when comfort beckons stronger than culinary sophistication. [Yes, you can make khichdi without a pressure cooker.]
Cucumber, orange, salt…no, this is not an ingredient list for a salad. These are names of products/concepts from the world of technology.
A guide to juicing recipes that you could follow during the week: this 7-day juicing plan gives you a range of colors, nutrients and ingredients.
Set aside the surface similarities: chia seeds and sabja seeds are NOT the same. Here’s a rundown of the differences between these two wonderfoods.
Is it art or is it science? Making the perfect homemade yogurt is a bit of both. An easy step-by-step guide on how to make yogurt at home.
With each bite, dhani nimbu zucchini gives a delightful lemony jolt to your senses. Green, light and tangy, this veggie side dish is summer exemplified.
Stop overpaying for “health drinks”. This savory, incredibly refreshing sattu jaljeera will keep your wallet happy. Requires no cooking and comes together in just minutes!
A seasonal take on the conventional rice phirni. Serve mango phirni in silver bowls for a classic feel, or layer it parfait-style with nuts and mango cubes.
When melons and oranges are about, get your juicer out! This musky, citrus-sy melon orange juice does wonders for your health – AND tastes great.
