Posts

CHHILKA MOONG DAL KHICHDI | INDIAN RICE & LENTIL PORRIDGE

Image
Khichdi is a wholesome and delicious one pot meal recipe that is made with rice, lentils and often few vegetables. Light on the palette, it is easy to digest and can be made just under 30 minutes. If you are looking for an easy meal preparation that is also loaded with all the nutrition, Khichdi, undoubtedly is a right fit. Having said that, while many-a-times, it is made using dhuli (split yellow) moong dal, I prefer mine to be made with the chhilka (split green) moong dal. Also, it can either be made plain or with an array of seasonal veggies, which further makes it tastier, nutritious and wholesome. Pair it with some yogurt, papad or pickle to make it even more comforting. The recipe is gluten-free and can also be made vegan by replacing ghee with oil. Without wasting any time further, let's scroll down for the recipe of khichdi below. CHHILKA MOONG DAL KHICHDI | INDIAN RICE & LENTIL PORRIDGE INGREDIENTS Rice - 1/2 cup Split green moong dal - 3

BENGALI SPONGE RASGULLA

Image
Sponge Rasgulla is one of the most popular and delectable sweet recipes from East India, particularly Odisha and West Bengal. The beautiful dessert is made from fresh chhena or the curdled milk solids, which are kneaded to a smooth dough and then boiled in sugar syrup until light and spongy. Not to mention, the juicy milk-based dessert is loved by people all across India and besides being addictive, it is also quite light on the palette unlike other heavy Indian sweets  that are usually made using khoya. Though making rasgulla is not difficult, it still requires a little practice and patience to get that right texture, which means it should have that porous net like appearance inside when cooked. This porous net ensures that syrup is perfectly absorbed making them immensely juicy. And it is due to this net that when rasgullas are squeezed, they get back to their shape again. Having said that, getting that perfect texture requires few points to be taken care of:   Qualit

South Indian Style Farali Dahi Vada | Vrat ka Dahi Vada

Image
I have always been an ardent fan of South Indian Style Dahi Vada or Thayir Vadai . The first time I had this lipsmacking curd and vada preparation was at the famous restaurant chain Sagar Ratna and trust me, I was completely bowled over with the mild taste of the dish. The crispness of lentil vadas, the subtle sweetness of yogurt and that delicious and aromatic tempering of curry leaves and green chilies lent the humble delicacy a unique medley of flavors. Not to forget, the crunch of boondi sprinkled on top was just to die for. Although I love our very own North Indian Style Dahi Bhallas too, but this variation in South Indian Style was such a lovely delight that I became a fan of it in no time. Reminiscing the Thayir Vadai preparation, I thought of making the same today but a farali version of it because I am observing the Navratri fasts . So, the lentil vadas in this recipe have been replaced with vadas made of samak rice, potatoes, sabudana and foxnut meal. Fried till

Maharashtrian Kanda Batata Poha Recipe

Image
Poha in Marathi language means flattened or beaten rice, Kanda means onions and batata refers to potatoes, hence its the flattened rice made along with potatoes and onions. Not to mention, it is one of the most famous and delicious breakfast recipes from the Maharashtrian cuisine. Often, it is also made as a quick snack recipe good to enjoy with tea in the evening. Frankly telling, I have grown up having poha in the breakfast apart from other delectable delicacies like SPROUTED MOONG DAL DOSA , IDLI, MEDU VADA, OATS & VEGGIE APPE and sometimes the yummilicious AMRITSARI ALOO KULCHAS or crisp pooris along with spicy  MATHURA KE DUBKI WALE ALOO . I have made this poha recipe with both onions and potatoes, however, if you wish, you can omit the potatoes and just add onions, which would make it to be called as Kanda Poha. Maharashtrian Kanda Batata Poha Recipe FEW TIPS FOR MAKING POHA For the best poha, ensure you are using the thicker variety of pohe. The

Mathura ke Dubki Wale Aloo Recipe | Spiced Potato Curry for Poori

Image
Dubki wale aloo is a lip-smacking potato curry that comes from the city of Mathura in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. A popular street food delicacy as well as a homely sabzi, it is mostly enjoyed with some khasta kachoris or pooris, specifically the Bedmi Pooris on the side. Mathura ke Dubki Wale Aloo | Spiced Potato Curry for Poori Mathura, the city famous as Lord Krishna's birthplace, is also well-known for its mouth-watering street food and scrumptious sweets & milk products such as peda, jalebi, lassi and malpua. Among the savory varieties, the spicy aloo ki sabzi along with khasta pooris is something that needs a special mention. One would find an aloo-poori stall on every nook and corner. The combination comprises of a semi-thick potato curry which is lip-smackingly delicious. The flavour of hing, fennel and methi gives it a unique flavor that lingers on your taste buds for very long. While this sabzi goes very well with pooris, for t

Vegetable Pulao Recipe

Image
Vegetable Pulao is one of the most basic rice dishes made in the Indian households. Most of the times, it uses the fragrant long grain basmati rice that are cooked along with a mix of vegetables and flavored with aromatic spices like green cardamom, cinnamon and star anise. Frankly telling, this one pot wholesome meal is something I make often, especially when I don't want to spend hours in the kitchen cooking the elaborate spread comprising of dal, sabzi and roti. Having said that, there are various varieties of this veg pulao and every home has its own recipe of making it. What I am sharing today is the one that I have been eating since childhood. Very easy and fragrant! Do try it with a bowl of plain chilled curd/yogurt. I am sure you'll be left asking for more.... Vegetable Pulao Vegetable Pulao INGREDIENTS Basmati Rice - 1 cup Finely chopped ginger - 1 inch piece Finely chopped garlic - 5 to 6 cloves Cauliflower florets - 1 c

Diabetic Friendly Gluten Free Karela Muthiya

Image
Muthiya or Muthia is a popular snack/appetizer delicacy that comes from the state of Gujarat in India. The most famous version of these delicious steamed dumplings are often made with grated bottle gourd, some ginger, green chilies and a subtle hint of every day spices, all of which are further kneaded with gram flour into a dough. The dough is then rolled into a log, steamed till perfection and then sliced and tempered with an aromatic mix of mustard seeds, curry leaves and a handful of sesame seeds to lend it that beautiful flavor. Frankly speaking, muthiya makes for the most delicious and healthiest snacks to enjoy anytime with a cup of hot tea or coffee. Having said that, there are many variants of Muthiya. The one that I am sharing today is a diabetic friendly version which uses karela or the bitter gourd scrapings that are kneaded into a ragi and jowar dough for more health and nutrition benefits. Ragi and jowar are also good for those looking to shed some weight; if y