Chole Aloo – Chickpeas & Potatoes

Chole Aloo - Chickpeas & Potatoes

Sundays. They were the best. Sundays meant no school, no waking up early to buy bread, and a lavish breakfast made by mom. Not all Sundays featured breakfast made by mom. We (my siblings and I), lived with our grandparents as Dad’s job took him to remote places which did not usually have good schools. But some Sundays, when mom and dad were visiting, were deliciously divine. They would start with the whiff of aromatic Kehwa being brewed.  We would land in the kitchen for a cuppa. And hover around to see what was being cooked for the special breakfast. …

Dal Makhni – Buttery lentils

    They saw each other from a distance, walking a gentle walk on the terrace of their own homes.  Their eyes met and that was all it took to ignite a lifelong passion.  It all started one monsoon evening, in a small city called Chandigarh, in India.  There were two of them. One was young, restless and ready to take on the world.  The other was gentle, kind and had seen the world.  And they met on that fine monsoon evening. It is because of their meeting, my dears, that you are getting to read this story and have …

Kadhi Pakoda – Yogurt & Chickpea Flour Soup with Baked Fenugreek Fritters

    Dahi in Hindi/Urdu, Zamut do’dh in Kashmiri, Thayir in Tamil, Doi in Bengali, Perugu in Telugu and yogurt in English. Yogurt is  an important part of the Indian food culture across the nation.  And it was an important part of the meal at home. It was served with every meal.  As a lassi – watered down with an addition of mint and spices or just as is.   It is my grandmother’s favorite food.  On most days she adds in yogurt to her rice, with a pinch of salt and some mint – walnut chutney and her lunch …

Masala Bhindi

Dark! Deep! Mysterious- This lady’s finger will make you twirl and sing to its tune and you will irrevocably be in a culinary love.  It’s Feisty, Spunky and full of Flavor. Make this on a rainy day in spring with home made roti that has seen the touch of ghee and you will be truly madly deeply in Love. Why Okra or Bhindi is called  the Lady’s finger – is a secret that many have tried to find out. The secret stays elusive – even to the modern tell-all looking glass ( Google and Wiki ). And if you thought the ritualistic macarena dance will …

Paneer Makhani

Fresh paneer, puree of tomatoes, yogurt and aromatic spices resulting in a Velvety smooth gravy– paneer makhani or butter paneer. The use of the term ‘makhani’ means buttery ; smooth as butter. As with all great foods, using fresh ingredients takes this dish many notches up.

Punjabi Chole

Chole – A classic dish from the Northern regions of India, especially Punjab, Delhi and Haryana, the taste of which lingers on