Sliced aloo “chokha style” is a spin on Bihar’s aloo chokha, with the potatoes sliced instead of mashed. The trick to making this recipe is in boiling the potatoes just right: neither so soft that they give way when pressed, nor so firm that they need extended sautéing post-boiling to make them bite-friendly.
Onions
Kachumber Salad: Classic Indian Cucumber Onion Tomato Salad
Kachumber – a classic Indian cucumber onion tomato salad that’s light, fresh and oil-free. This healthy side dish made with raw, fresh vegetables gives a pleasant counterpoint to rich Indian curries such as baingan masala, gobi musallam, dahi arbi. And of course, kachumber salad is most famously paired with dhansak.
Vegetable Masoor Dal: Red Lentil Soup
A Turkish-inspired masoor dal recipe that weaves the goodness of root vegetables in a wholesome, comforting soup.
Methi Toor Dal Dry, with Caramelized Onions
Methi toor dal dry was a revelation when I first tasted it. I was keen to learn what ingredients and techniques went into preparing this flavorful dish. My friend’s mom who had cooked the meal for us assured me that the secret was just a generous addition of onions, and the patience to caramelize said onions on low heat.
Goji Berry Dal Tadka
While wolfing down gobi manchurian, I wondered what to do next with my pack of wolfberries. That’s when sudden inspiration struck me. Allow me to present goji berry dal tadka, a happy marriage of Indian dal tadka with the Chinese “superfruit” goji.
Aloo Pyaz ki Bhujiya: Potato Onion Dry Sabzi
Staple, durable veggies – potatoes and onions – join forces to give us this easy dry sabzi: aloo pyaz ki bhujiya. It’s vegan and very light on spices, just right for the lunchbox or a shared picnic basket.
How to Boil Shelled Peanuts
Raw unsalted shelled peanuts, when boiled, acquire a rich softness, a departure from the taste and texture of roasted peanuts. While the crunch of roasted peanuts sits well with chutneys and in jhalmuri, boiled peanuts are great in salads.






