Happy Ganesh Chaturthi and a happy welcome to the ‘Vighnaharta’ – the harbinger of troubles; the ‘Vinayaka’ – the god of wisdom. This pot-bellied-single-tusked God of new beginnings is perhaps the most recognisable of Hindu deities as well as one of the most loved. Today marks the start of a 10-day festival when people install […]
A pakoda or pakora is a deep-fried Indian snack typically made with besan or gram flour batter and usually some sort of vegetable. Onion is a popular choice. In Britain, it’s called onion bhaji. But pakoras can be made with pretty much any vegetable – spinach, cauliflower, green peppers, potatoes to name but a few. […]
A green curry for a green pulse – the mung bean (pronounced ‘moo-ng’ bean). Boasting an impressive nutritional profile, mung beans (or moong beans) are abundant in protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Leaving the nutrients aside, most people in India consume them regularly for their unique nutty flavour. Whether you’re looking to make dosas or […]
In the heart of Maharashtra, where flavours dance in harmony with spice, there exists a culinary masterpiece that tantalises our taste buds and showcases the diversity of regional cuisine. Meet the delectable ‘Peeth Payroon Dhobli Mirchi Chi Bhaji’, a dish that not only reflects the vibrant spirit of Maharashtra but also celebrates its rich and […]
If ever there were a vegetable that deserves the label ‘an acquired taste’ it is the karela or aptly named bitter gourd. The first time you taste it you could be forgiven for thinking that the chef has made a mistake and served some inedibly bitter vegetable. Some give up after that first mouthful, but […]
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 […]
I don’t know about you but my day doesn’t really get going until I’ve had my morning masala chai. English breakfast tea doesn’t come close. So what is it about Indian chai? It’s served in a cup or glass a bit smaller than an English tea cup or mug. Generally, chai is milky*, sweet and […]
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 […]
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 […]
Many ingredients that I grew up with are hard to come by in the UK. So it’s always exciting to see a tray of cluster beans at my local Indian grocer. And this is how I love to cook them. It has to be simple and rustic. I want straightforward flavours that don’t overpower the […]
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 […]
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Hi, I’m Rieethaa, a food photographer and recipe developer but most of all I just love cooking simple flavourful food that wakes up the sleepiest tastebuds, and I want to share some with you here. So come in and help me chop some onions, will you?
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