Sambhar (or Sambar) is a tangy, spicy, and savoury South Indian lentil-based stew or curry made with pigeon peas (tur dal), mixed vegetables, tamarind broth, and a unique spice blend called sambar powder, a staple served with rice, idlis, dosas, and vadas. It’s known for its complex flavours, balancing sourness (tamarind), spice, and savoury notes from…
Creamy Celery Soup
Ingredients: 1 small bunch Celery, coarsely chopped along with the stalks 1 medium sized Onion, cut lengthwise 1 small Potato, peeled, diced and washed 1 tsp Oil Salt, to taste. Method: In a pressure cooker, heat the oil. Add the onions and sauté till they turn transparent. Add the potatoes and celery and sauté…
Sakkarai Pongal (Sweet Pongal)
Ingredients: 1 cup raw Rice washed and drained 1/2 cup Yellow Moong Dal 1 1/2 cup grated Jaggery 4 1/2 cups Water 1/2 tsp Cardamom Powder 2 tbsps Ghee A few Cashewnuts and Raisins Method: Heat 1/2 tbsp of ghee in a pan and toast the cashewnuts and raisins till golden brown. (You could also…
Healthy, Sugarfree Smoothie
Ingredients: Fruits of your choice, 1 cup Plain Yogurt (Dahi) 2 Tbsps *I have used fruit combinations of 1)Strawberry-Banana(I use the small yellow bananas, called Elaichi Kela, as they have lesser calories, compared to the regular ones) -Watermelon-Pomegranate. 2)Strawberry-Banana-Apple (with skin) 3) Banana-Apple-Pomegranate 4)Watermelon-Apple-Pomegranate-Yogurt You could choose as you like, just avoid very fibrous fruits….
Overnight Oats or Bircher Muesli
I first tasted Bircher Muesli at breakfast at the ITC Grand Chola in Chennai in December 2012. I loved it so much that I began googling the recipes for the same. After trying out a few, I came up with my own, and here it is. Caution: This recipe has converted too many people from…
Broccoli and Almond Soup
Even if you may not be a fan of Broccoli, you are sure to enjoy this soup. The crunch of roasted Almonds adds texture and flavor to it. Serves 2 Ingredients: 2 medium sized broccoli flowerets, with stalk 1 medium sized Onion, grated 4-5 flakes of Garlic, grated 1 tsp Olive Oil 4-5 Almonds, roasted…
Amla Chutney
Ingredients: 5 Amla’s, deseeded and chopped 4-5 Dry Red Chillies, chopped 2-3 Green Chillies, chopped 1 tsp Jeera 11/2 Tbsp Oil Salt, to taste Method: Heat oil and fry the Amla pieces in it till they turn soft. Spoon them out from the oil and keep aside to cool. In…
Chatpate Aloo
Ingredients: 4 medium-sized potatoes, boiled, skinned and diced 1 ½ Tbsp Oil ¼ Tsp Rye ½ Tsp Chana Dal ½ Tsp Urad Dal Hing, a very generous sprinkle 2 green Chillies, slit 2-3 dry Red Chillies, chopped fine 1 medium sized Onion, chopped fine A few curry leaves Dry Masala’s: Salt, Turmeric Powder, Red Chilly…
Sisters
As girls we grew up hearing, ‘There is safety in numbers’. We started believing it when we were whistled at, or followed, or deliberately brushed against, or had filmy songs sung loudly for us as we walked the streets alone. We protested, we raged, we swore to change things when one of our ilk…
Palak Paneer
Ingredients: 1 bunch Palak (Spinach) Leaves, cleaned and washed thoroughly 150 grams Paneer (Cottage Cheese), cut into cubes Jeera: 2 tsps Onion: I medium sized, finely chopped Tomato: 1 small, finely chopped Ginger-Garlic Paste: ½ tsp Dry Red Chilles: 2 Oil:1 tsp Salt: To Taste Method: In a large pan, boil enough water to soak…