Gluten-free

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

Matkichi Usal / Moth Bean Usal / मटकीची उसळ

The most popular usal (उसळ) dish in Maharashtra, the state in India I hail from, is undoubtedly the classic – matkichi usal. If that name sounds unfamiliar to you, then you just need to know what matki and usal are. Matki means moth beans (pronounced ‘moath’ or ‘mote’) and usal (pronounced ‘oo-sul’ or ‘oo-sal’) is […]

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. […]