Herb & Spice Olive Oil Bread | Eggless Baking

This bread was baked around the time I did my Nutella Swirl Bread. Ever since its been too hot around here to even approach the oven!! I am glad I saved this recipe in my blog drafts, as I have been receiving so many requests from friends for more bread recipes:) Its a very simple loaf to bake, and is so very flavorful too. Just toss in your favorite herbs and spices and you are good to go.

Daring Bakers January 2013: Gevulde Speculaas (Eggless)

What a way to begin the year!! It was such fun to learn about Gevelde Speculaas and the history of spices in the Netherlands from our hostess Francijin. Though I have made Speculaas at home in the past (I have a recipe from a really ancient cook book), and bought them from local bakeries, I had not yet tried the stuffed version.

Daring Bakers April 2012: Armenian Nutmeg Cake (Eggless)

This month's Challenge from the Daring Bakers was one of the best yet. Jason who writes at the Daily Candor was our host and he chose two traditional recipes from Armenia. We could do both or just one. Though I chose to do only one for the Challenge: the Armenian Nutmeg Cake, I know I would like to make the Nazook too some day!!

Atta Nankhatai | Eggless Whole Wheat Cardamom Cookies

I've always been intrigued by the great Indian festival cookie: the Nan Khatai. Soft, buttery, and flaky, it holds all the promises associated with a melt in the mouth shortbread cookie. Pair it with a a tall chai latte or sweet milky tea and its the ultimate pick me up after a long day!! Its also a great festive treat or holiday cookie to be enjoyed with family and friends after a hot supper.

Daring Cooks September 2011: Herbed Consomme with Spicy Tomato Brioche

The September 2011 Challenge to the Daring Cooks was to create a delicious consomme and serve it up with some brioche!! Loved it. I make soup really often at home and there is always a batch of vegetable based vegetarian soup stock in my refrigerator!!

Shahi Tukre | Double ka Meetha aur Kesariya Rabri (Crispy Bread Pudding in a Pistachio Saffron Sauce)

Its been days since I made a good desi meetha or Indian Sweet!! The festival season has begun in India and I have been wanting to begin my Festive Fayre series again!! And what better sweet than the one called Shahi Tukra | Shahi Tukre | Double ka Meetha or quite simply Royal Morsels in English.

Achari Baigan / Eggplant / Brinjal | Aubergine in Pickling Spices

The eggplant is as versatile as it is delicious. With the summer crop of fresh tender eggplants coming in in the farmers market, I am raring to try so many lovely recipes that I have collected. I always make an eggplant pickle every summer - in fact we are enjoying last years batch presently, and Eggplant Pakoras (fritters)! Both are simply divine.

Dal aur Til Tarka Wali Patta Gobhi | Lentil and Sesame Tempered Cabbage

Things have been so hectic in the last few months we have not had time to catch a breath. With packed schedules, it is easy to be tempted with take-out or making do with some snacking. Both being seriously unhealthy as meal substitutes, I try to do some quick cooking everyday. Usually a vegetable and a lentils is a must with chappati and or rice. We love yogurt/curd and I always keep some handy in the refrigerator. Off late I have begun making the simplest of recipes, which are packed with flavour, but not time consuming in the effort to keep meals healthy.

Sooji Halwa / Rava Halwa / Sheera | Semolina Pudding

Sooji Halwa is a delicious, melt in the mouth sweet prepared across the country. It is often made on religious occasions, as a Prasad (offering to God). Its also a great quick fix dessert and can be made in a cinch with just a few ingredients from the pantry.

Makkai / Bhutte ki Bhaji | Stir-Fried Corn Kernels

Makkai or Bhutta is fresh corn and usually seen in the Indian markets only during the latter part of the monsoon season. It is sold roasted fresh over coal embers on street carts. Seasoned with spices and lemon juice, it makes for a tasty treat and perfectly compliments the chill of the seasonal downpours!!

Malaidar Palak Paneer | Creamy Spinach with Indian Style Cottage Cheese

Its snowing here again and we got around half a foot of the fluffy stuff today!! The trees look really pretty but he roads are another story altogether!! Back home in the early afternoon, I decided to get some cooking done and stock the refrigerator for the next few days - look like the chill is going to set in and by Friday the temperatures will be in the minus F numbers!!

I began with making some fresh paneer (Indian Style Cottage Cheese), then chopped some apples for a crumble, soaked some soya nuggets for a curry, and finally set the pressure cooking off with chilka mung (split green mung beans) with Swiss Chard.

Soya Nugget aur Palak ki Tehri | Soy Nuggets and Spinach Rice

Here is a really indulgent little recipe for a comfort food I love to prepare in the winter. Rice, spinach, peas in home made (by Mum), Kolhapuri masala, drenched in fresh cream and ghee!! Yumm!!

Cinnamon Raisin Bread with Oats | Eggless Baking

The one bread I have become rather partial to in the last few years is Cinnamon Raisin Bread. The thing, however, that I do not like about the store bought brands is that they are invariably made with white flour and other ingredients that one cannot get one's tongue around!!

Do Kaddu Erisseri | Two Pumpkin Erisseri

If you eat pumpkin, you will love this recipe!! On the other hand, I am tempted to say if you always ignored the this humble vegetable, this recipe may win your taste buds and possibly your heart. The spiciness of the curry paste and the sweetness of the pumpkin give this dish a delicious flavour. You can make this with any kind of pumpkin, but I like to prepare it with a combination of the acorn squash and butternut squash. The combination of these two different types of pumpkin helps balance the flavours in this dish beautifully.

Matar Khumbi Ki Bhaji | Peas Mushroom Stir Fry

Cooking is a passion. I love reading the food pages in the Sunday papers, mags, and in cook books, trying new ideas and cuisines, and experimenting at my leisure!! But most of the everyday meals I cook tend to be simple, balanced,  and wholesome home cooked meals - something I picked up from my Mum :)

Methi Matar Tofu Malai | Fenugreek Peas Tofu Curry

Tofu is one of my favourite foods. I use it in a variety of ways including to make Indian style vegetables and curries. Last night I paired it with one of my favourite vegetables - methi or Fenugreek. Fresh methi leaves are not very easily available to me so I tend to get the fresh frozen variety or the dry ones. For making methi vegetable, the fresh frozen variety is best.

Khumbi-Matar Pulao | Mushroom Peas Pilaf

I always have a box of mushrooms in the refrigerator. They perk up stir-fries, pasta sauces, bakes, soups, grilled toasts, and salads!! Interestingly, mushrooms do well with Indian dishes as well - they can and do take on the flavour of Indian spices and herbs beautifully.

Chana Dal Sookhi | Punjabi Style Bengal Gram Lentils

Dals or lentils are a staple of the Indian Kitchen. They are prepared in a variety of ways that can often be identified as regional. Dals from the Punjab are often hearty and made with a combination of big flavours!! Chana Dal Sookhi is a fragrant combination of lentils, spices, fenugreek leaves, onions, and garlic.

Phool Gobhi Aloo Matar Ki Tehri | Cauliflower Potato Peas Rice

Tehri is a classic rice dish that comes from Uttar Pradesh. It is usually vegetarian and prepared with rice and some vegetables. These typically include some combination of potatoes, cauliflower, peas, carrots, capsicum, and French/ Green Beans. It is cooked with Khara Masala or Whole Spices including Kali Elaichi (Black Cardamom), Sabut Kali Mirch (Whole Black Peppercorns), Lavang (Cloves), Dal Chini (Cinnamon), and Zeera (Cumin).

Baigan Pakoras | Baigan Bhajis (Eggplant | Aubergine Fritters)

Its been grey, cold, and rainy here over the weekend. Some snow flurries would have been welcome and pretty, but somehow they never really made it and all we got was a chilly drizzle all day for two days!!Sunday turned out to be long and exhausting and by evening, I could not wait to dig into some comfort food, stick my achy feet up on the couch and relax!!