Brussels Sprouts ki Bhaji | Brussels Sprouts Stir Fry

I like a light weekday lunch, usually a roti, a cup of dal, and vegetable. Brussels Sprouts just fit the bill for a simple vegetable on the lunch menu. Though Brussels Sprouts are the bane of many a cook's existence, and often saved for a Christmas meal, at which time they are supposed to be a delicacy, I rather like their bitter nutty taste. This was one vegetable that I loved cooking throughout the year back in London. It really quick, very nutritious, and wonderful with chappatis!

Mixed Dal Vada | Mixed Lentil Fritters

I have a soft spot for Dal Vadas | Lentil Fritters. I am always on the lookout for opportunities to make them. They are so good with tea or a glass of lemonade. They make a perfect snack - deliciously crunchy with a soft centre. Dal Vadas are a lunch box favourite and they travel well. Pack a box for your next holiday and enjoy with a glass of sweet milky tea. I promise you will not regret it:)

Khasta Aloo | Crispy Pan Fried Potatoes

Potatoes are said to be the perfect food. While I am not so sure about that, they certainly are universal. Pretty much every culture boils, mashes, and fries potatoes and seasons them in its own unique way. Interestingly almost everyone who loves potatoes enjoys them in any form available!! I know people who always look for potatoes on the menu when traveling in an attempt to ensure a vegetarian and filling meal!!

Sour Cream Bread with Onions and Peppers

Here is another of my favourite go-to bread recipes. Whenever I make soup or stew this is the bread I bake to accompany it. Not only does it have a great texture, it slices and toasts really well too. Making bread sometimes seems like a really tricky job. But I can assure you that it is not. In fact whats really difficult is staying away from it once it ready to eat!! Try this beautiful loaf. After the compliments you receive, you won't regret it!!

Kamut Chivda | Crispy Spiced Puffed Kamut

I always like to prepare some sort of Chivda around the festival season. Usually it is the Poha version | Beaten Rice Chivda. Last year I made Jowar Chivda | Crunchy Puffed Millet Snack. This year I had a bag of Puffed Kamut in the pantry just crying to be used!! So Kamut Chivda it is! This a the perfect low calorie snack for tingling tastebuds. Its great for festival snacking but also on game night or movie night!! Try it, you will be hooked.

Chana Masala | Spicy Chickpea Curry | Garbanzo Bean Curry

Kabuli Chana is a very popular and loved food in my family. Its made almost on every festival or celebration with Puri, Paratha, or Luchi. However we never really seem to stick to a particular recipe. As I was getting this post together, I realised I already have two recipes of Chole on my blog: Tari Wale Chole | Curried Chickpeas and Rice Plate Chole | Chickpeas with Rice. The first is a recipe that TH likes to make every so often, and the latter is a reminiscence of my days at DU!

Lasun wala Shimla Mirch Aloo | Garlicky Green Peppers and Potatoes

We have been visiting the farm  every two weeks. The harvest has been fantastic and unexpectedly so given the heat we experienced this summer. I have been making pickles, chutneys, and we are enjoying fresh vegetables on our table every day now!! Last night I made a simple vegetable dish with farm fresh green peppers and potatoes. No store bought vegetable that has made it to the table via the cold chain can compare. Enjoy this simple and tasteful vegetable with chapatis, parathas, and plain curds (yogurt).

Vegetable Manchurian | Indo Chinese Kitchen

Our city is cosmopolitan in character and this is reflected the wide food choices available in restaurants here. Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Indian, Caribbean, Peruvian, Afghan, Lebanese, Fusion, Korean, Vegan, Deli, French Bakeries, you name it and its available. But did you notice I left out Chinese cuisine. This is because this is possibly the one city in country that does not have a single Chinese restaurant with good food. Not even a a cheap and cheerful variety. This has become so obvious that people actually discuss it and not many send out for Chinese take-out, a staple of many other cities!

Matar Aloo Tamatar ki Sabzi | Potato Peas and Tomato Stir Fry

Matar Aloo is a classic in the North Indian Kitchen. There are so many ways in which it is prepared in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and UP. The recipe I have today is a classic Matar Aloo from UP. The vegetable is a staple of the diet there. It is made with tomatoes for a delicious tanginess, and the ginger, garlic, and green chilies, all add to the flavour. This Sabji | Sabzi is best enjoyed with hot rotis or parathas, freshly chopped salad, and some plain yogurt on the side.

Khara Biscuits | Masala Biscuits | Indian Spice Crackers

Khara Biscuits are a typically Indian bakery biscuit. Khara means salty or savoury, and this biscuit could be spicy too depending on where in India you buy it. Like the Nan Khatai, Khara Biscuits are a wonderful accompaniment to hot sweet tea and are often served at tea time in small local bakeries hot out of the oven. These biscuits can be of two types. One is crunchy on the outside and flaky within and is usually made with a puff pastry kind of dough. The other is made with a biscuit or cookie dough and is crumbly and soft. Both are equally delicious!! I made a batch of these for Holi this year with some mint and cilantro. They turned out just yummy.

Jowar Chivda | Crunchy Puffed Millet Snack

Every year around Diwali, my kitchen is a whirlwind of activity. I love making delicious sweets and savouries that we enjoy over the festive month! This year I had planned to try my hand at some sweets I have never attempted at home and share them with you. But time has been moving swiftly and things are so busy for me suddenly that I barely step into the kitchen to make a meal.

Fada / Dalia ka Upma | Healthy Broken Wheat Porridge with Green Peas and Sweet Corn

Sunday breakfast is always special. Sometimes I get round to making it so leisurely after morning tea and papers that it kind of morphs into a brunch! In the good old days when I had a proper desi mixie, I'd make idli, dosa, vadas, dal cheelas, all of which my husband just loves. While we miss these, I now have the opportunity to explore a different range of healthy breakfasts that we had been missing out on!!

Aloo-Paneer Parathas | Potato-Cottage Cheese Flatbread

Paneer or Indian style cottage cheese is both a delicious and low fat food. Its light and fluffy yet creamy texture combines well with potatoes, green chilies, and cilantro to make a lip-smacking filling for parathas. While I love parathas made with just paneer, blending it with potatoes and spices adds a whole new taste to the filling. I usually make these when we are travelling - they are so flavourful and healthy, and they make a wonderfully tasty replacement for sandwiches.