Indian

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

Sorghum ‘Bhakri’ Flatbread / Jowar Bhakri / Jwarichi Bhakri / ज्वारीची भाकरी 

When it comes to flatbreads India has so much more to offer than the ubiquitous chapati or naan. Different regions all have their own specialities, often making good use of locally available grains. You don’t have to limit yourself to wheat and rice. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a properly made whole wheat chapati, […]

Gluten-free, Indian, Maharashtrian, My Signature Dishes, Recipes, Snack, Vegan

Hurda Bhajani Thalipeeth / Tender Sorghum Flatbreads

India has an endless variety of flatbreads. Some are simple, like the humble chapati or roti, merely accompaniments to a ‘main dish’. Others are more elaborate and serve as a meal in themselves. Thalipeeth, packed with a mixture of healthy grains, spices and veggies, is definitely in the latter category. Thalipeeth is a perfect example […]

Ridge gourd curry aka dodkyachi bhaji
Gluten-free, Indian, Maharashtrian, My Signature Dishes, Recipes, Vegan

Ridge Gourd Curry / Dodkyachi Bhaji / दोडक्याची भाजी

Ridge gourd or Dodka in Marathi, was never my favourite. But since I moved away from my homeland and saw less of it, the more I missed its mild flavour and subtle sweetness. So recently I decided to make it slightly more interesting by adapting my Mum’s recipe a bit.  It’s not the most visually […]

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

Fresh Fenugreek Stir-Fry / Methi chi Bhaji / मेथीची भाजी 

There are some jobs in the kitchen that still need to be done the hard way. The labour-saving gadget that my husband craves the most is the auto-methi-leaf-picker™. Alas, modern science has yet to fulfil his needs. So I know that I’m going to get a few moans whenever I bring 3 or 4 bunches […]

Lehsuni Sev
Gluten-free, Indian, Recipes, Snack, Vegan

Lehsuni Sev / Lasooni Sev / Garlic Sev / लहसुनी सेव / spicy vermicelli snack

If you like a punch of garlic in your snacks then there’s nothing more garlicky than this ‘lehsuni sev’. Every year for Diwali I peel a load of garlic and my husband, who has a thing about garlic breath, usually says something like ‘… there goes our social life this Diwali..’ Needless to say, this […]

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 […]

Puran poli thali
Indian, Indian desserts, Maharashtrian, Recipes, Regional, Vegetarian

Puran poli / पुरणपोळी / Maharashtrian sweet lentil flatbreads

Whether it’s the Hindu festival of colours (called Holi), or a farming festival of oxen (called Bail Pola), a Maharashtrian puran poli is not to be missed. It’s traditional to make this Marathi delicacy for festivals like Holi, Diwali, Bail Pola, Ganesh Chaturthi and Gudi Padwa. I feel obliged to roll some of these sweet […]