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 […]
Tag: gluten-free vegan
Low Waste Stuffed Bittergourd / Bharli Karli / भरली कारली
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
Instant Turmeric Mango Pickle
Frothy Vegan Chai
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Kothimbir Vadi / कोथिंबीर वडी /Steamed Coriander bites
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 […]
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 […]
Lal Mathachi Bhaji / Red Amaranth Stir-Fry / लाल माठाची भाजी
I have almost zero recollection of the time as a kid when I enjoyed red amaranth stir fry in India. Lal math, as it’s called in my native language, Marathi, never enticed me as a kid. But last summer when I decided to grow red amaranth from seed purely as an experiment, I was astonished […]
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