Gluten-free

The carom pakoras are kept in a bowl alongside some ketchup
Gluten-free, Indian, Recipes, Snack, Vegan

Indian Borage Leaf Pakoras / Carom Leaf Pakora / Ajwain Patta Pakoda / ओव्याच्या पानांची भजी

Indian borage leaf, also commonly called carom leaf or ‘ajwain ke patte’ is no novelty to Indians. Like many, I grew up watching my Mum tend this herb in her garden and when the Monsoons hit Indian shores, she’d make these pakoras as our evening snack. I decided to have a go at growing this […]

Dum Ka Murgh is served in a tiny shallow pan and served alongside naan and steamed rice
Gluten-free, Hydrabadi, Indian, Meat based, Recipes, Regional

Dum Ka Murgh / दम का मुर्ग

Dum ka murgh is the legendary Hyderabadi chicken curry, slow cooked in a richly spiced creamy sauce. I cooked it today for Gatari Amavasya (गटारी अमावस्या), the new moon night when Maharashtrians indulge in meaty feasts and binge on booze before the onset of the holy month of ‘Shravan’ when they’re required to abstain from […]

A bottle gourd peel thecha is shown in a shallow pan laid on a dark brown wooden board with bottle gourds seen in the background
Gluten-free, Maharashtrian, My Signature Dishes, Pickles & chutney, Recipes, Vegan

Bottle gourd peel thecha / Bhoplyachya salancha thecha / भोपळ्याच्या सालांचा ठेचा 

Bottle gourd, also known as dudhi in India, is a very versatile vegetable. Although it’s classed as exotic produce in the UK, it has become a common find in Indian grocery stores across the UK. A long pale green bottle gourd with delicate white flesh inside dotted with soft edible seeds is rather delicious (and […]

Gluten-free, Indian, Maharashtrian, Recipes, Regional, Vegan

Sabudana Vada / Sago Patties / Sago Balls / Tapioca Patties

It’s that time of year again when I binge on delicious and fairly healthy vegan fasting treats under the guise of celebrating ‘Mahashivratri’, a Hindu festival honouring Lord Shiva. I say ‘under the guise’ because this festival is anything but fasting for me and many Indians like me. It is believed that Shiva performed his […]

Gluten-free, Maharashtrian, Recipes, Regional, Vegan

Khamang Kakdi Koshimbir / Maharashtrian Cucumber Salad

There’s always a place for salad in a Maharashtrian thali. A typical accompaniment in a wedding thali served alongside a myriad of chutneys and pickles, is this ‘khamang’ kakdi koshimbir or cucumber salad. It’s like a cucumber raita, only better. A well-balanced thali will usually include this cool cucumber koshimbir to offset the spicier dishes. […]

Gluten-free, Maharashtrian, My Signature Dishes, Recipes, Regional, Vegan

Olya Harbharyachi Amti / Saar / Green Chickpea Soup / ओल्या हरभऱ्याची आमटी

We take so many things for granted in our kitchen; if we want to make a quick ‘chole’ we can easily grab a tin of chickpeas from the store cupboard, pop it open, pour it into a pan with some fried onion, garlic, spices etc. turn up the heat and a few minutes later it’s […]

horse gram sprouting
Gluten-free, My Signature Dishes, Recipes, Vegan

How to sprout horse gram and other legumes?

Other than increasing the nutrient value of legumes, sprouting also enhances their flavour and makes them easily digestible.  Horse gram, a much underrated and inexpensive legume from India, is actually one of the most protein-rich lentils on the planet. It’s a powerhouse of protein, essential amino acids, carbohydrates, calcium, iron and fibre so no wonder […]

Gluten-free, Indian, Indian desserts, Maharashtrian, Recipes, Regional, Vegetarian

Tilgulachi Vadi / Sesame Peanut Flapjacks

We Indians, never pass up the opportunity to make jaggery-based sweet treats in the cooler months. And the festival of Makar Sankranti gives all the more reason to make these ‘til-gulachi vadi’, as we call them in Marathi or ‘sesame-peanut flapjack’ as my English husband once described them as he popped one in his mouth […]