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 […]
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 […]
January in Maharashtra is closely tied to Makar Sankranti, a harvest festival that celebrates winter crops. It’s a time when millet and sesame naturally find their way into everyday cooking, shaping dishes that are practical, nourishing, and seasonal. Tilachi bhakri — a sesame-studded pearl millet flatbread — is one such winter staple. While bhakris are […]
Puran poli and katachi amti go hand in hand and quite rightly so, given the process of making the former. You could say that this amti is a by-product of the puran poli making process scoring well on its zero-waste credentials. But more than that, it’s the dish that completes the puran poli. What is […]
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. […]
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. […]
Thecha is the quintessential condiment of my home state, Maharashtra. It takes its name from the verb ‘thechne’ meaning ‘to pound’ and the basic recipe simply entails pounding green chilli and garlic. In Maharashtrian cuisine, this term is applied to a wide range of savoury semi-dry ‘chutneys’ that are prepared by pounding ingredients together, either […]
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 […]
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 […]
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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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