Picture this: You’ve just wrapped up an intense workout session leaving every muscle in your body drained but elated, with a raging thirst that craves something truly revitalising to recharge your energy. Introducing aam panna, or as we Marathis call it – kairicha panha कैरीचं पन्हं. This quirky concoction is about to sweep your palate […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 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 […]
I am not one for compromising on taste to keep the waistline in check. Neither am I prone to shortcuts in my cooking technique just to save time if I know that flavour will be compromised. I have always been known amongst my peers for taking a rather long-winded painful path to achieve the desired […]
Kothimbir vadi is to Maharashtrians what pakoras are to the rest of the world. Not that we don’t enjoy pakoras too – both have their own charm, but kothimbir vadi is the classic. It even has its own designated spot on a Maharashtrian thali served at weddings or festivals. The mere sound of a thunderstorm […]
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 […]
.
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?
Recent Comments