Vegetarian recipes, desserts, indian recipes and health & fitness articles
Spinach and Split Peas (Moong Dal) soup flavored with garam masala and mint Spinach is not called a superfood without a reason! Loaded with vitamins and anti-oxidants, it is a very nutritious ingredient that does not have a very distinct taste, and hence can easily be added to several of your favorite recipes without altering their taste too much, like these Super Moist Spinach Banana Muffins. … [Read more...]
Tomatoes are in full season right now, and we had a huge harvest of large, red tomatoes this weekend, with all of us picking out almost 50 tomatoes from our backyard! So naturally, you are going to see some interesting Tomato recipes on this blog, like the Heirloom Tomato Salad, the Tuscan Tomato & Red Pepper Soup, or the Cherry Tomato & Avocado Pasta - all these capture the essence of … [Read more...]
Two days ago we observed a sudden change in the weather, and from warm and humid days, it suddenly became dark and gloomy, and the sky was overcast with clouds the whole day, as if officially announcing the end of Summer in the Bay Area! And today, as I celebrate Labor Day with my family and friends, I know this is probably going to be one of the last summer garden parties until next year! But … [Read more...]
Cabbage Thoran, a Kerala-style recipe that resembles a stir-fry Indian cuisine is so versatile and diverse, and yet food that comes from every part of the country bears its own mark, in terms of ingredients, flavors, cooking methods, and recipes. A dish that represents the state of Gujarat will be totally different from that which stands for Punjab, which in turn is in stark contrast to a … [Read more...]
Summer and Mangoes go hand-in-hand, and if I were in India, I would have seriously gained a few sounds in Summer, just because of eating Mangoes every single day! This sweet, juicy and fibrous fruit is undoubtedly the King of Fruits, at least for me and my family. There's nothing like squeezing out fresh mango pulp and relishing it to your heart's desire. Luckily, my little one also loves it like … [Read more...]
Spring Rice Pilaf Daffodils are smiling all around, people are planning their vegetable gardens, the sun keeps playing hide-and-seek with the clouds that occasionally burst into rain, and kids are off from school celebrating the sunny weather outside - all this means just one thing, Spring is finally here! As you all get ready to plan weekend getaways, a picnic on a nearby lake, a day at the … [Read more...]
Paneer Tikka Masala - Marinated paneer and veggies grilled and cooked in a spicy Indian gravy When it comes to Indian cuisine, Paneer needs no introduction. If there's a celebration that involves Indian food, then you are sure to find Paneer on the menu list. And why not - with its smooth and creamy texture, a chunky cubical form, and its ability to absorb and accentuate the flavors of anything … [Read more...]
Asian-Style Tofu Fried Rice When it comes to comfort food, there are a few favorites that spring right into your mind - Mac & Cheese, Parathas (flatbreads), Rice and Dal, warm soups or your favorite dessert. These are some of the things that you never go wrong with. But I think more innovative cooking happens when you take your favorite comfort foods and enhance them or re-design them with … [Read more...]
The eggplant, or Aubergine, is a large pear-shaped vegetable with a glossy purple skin and firm white flesh, embedded with tiny brownish seeds. It is a very versatile ingredient, as it can be fried, baked, boiled, steamed or grilled, and can be used in curries, appetizers, dips, spreads, and more. Its a popular ingredient in Indian, Middle Eastern, Italian and Moroccan cuisines. However, you will … [Read more...]
This might sound lofty, but its true! A food lover's culinary journey is incomplete until you have stopped by a street vendor in the crowded streets of India and eaten his plate of Pani-Puri, Ragda Patties, Pav Bhaji, or several other tasty snacks so aptly categorized as Indian Street Food. With the growing concerns over health and spread of diseases, many people are wary of eating at such food … [Read more...]
In India, Summer is synchronous with Mangoes - yes, you will find markets and homes flooded with this sweet juicy colorful fruit, which is known as King of Fruits for a valid reason! There are several varieties of Mangoes available in India, but Kesar and Alphonso are among the most famous ones. The former has a more elongated shape with a pointed tip, and is more sweeter than Alphonso, which is more rounded, fleshy, and has a nice sweet-tart flavor. Up until a couple years ago, these varieties were not imported to US, but now that Indian stores carry these Mangoes, I am thrilled, because it means we can savor the memories that we have grown … [Read More...]
Spring and summer are prime allergy season in most parts of the US. Between the pollen from plants, animal dander, and the molds caused by spring rains, this time of year could have your entire family begging for relief. Even if you have a prescription for allergy medication, there are probably times where it does not seem to make a dent. This could be because the allergens are actually stuck to your nasal membranes. Most allergy medicines get rid of histamines, chemicals in your blood that cause many of the classing allergy symptoms, but they can’t flush allergens out of your sinuses. Some nasal sprays can, but if you also have severe … [Read More...]
Healthy Black Bean Burgers Mother's Day is just around the corner, and I am sure most of you have a grilling BBQ party planned for the same, especially as it falls on a Sunday! Or if you are fishing for BBQ recipes for Memorial Day, especially a healthy vegetarian Burger recipe, then this nutritious and extremely delicious Black Bean Burger is perfect for your menu. Inspired by Divya's Bean Burger, I decided to give this a try. The use of leftover cooked rice gives it a nice dense texture, as well as acts as a binding agent. The soaked black beans mixed with onions and garlic help create a flavorful burger patty, which will leave … [Read More...]
Last week I told you guys about the latest project that I am working on - sprucing up my backyard on a very low budget! It wasn't much about creating a new look outside, but sometimes, small changes can make things more meaningful. I wanted to work on the patio since some time now, especially as the weather is getting nice and warm outside. The garden looks beautiful, with flowers blooming all around, and thought it would be good to spend some more time outside. I did not want to spend big bucks on a new garden set, so I decided to just re-use some of the existing furniture, move it around, and create a space outside where we could sit, chat … [Read More...]
Summer is slowly starting to show its colors, as the days get longer and brighter down here in Northern California! The garden is blooming, and we've already had glimpses of hot sunny days when sipping a cold coffee or eating an ice cream out in the backyard has become a favorite family activity. So to celebrate the weather outside, we tried a new recipe last week. Frozen Avocado SemiFreddo. Yes, I agree the name sounds a bit confusing, but the recipe is a mix between ice cream and frozen yogurt, so I couldn't think of a better name than SemiFreddo. And Avocado does not seem to be a great pick for a frozen dessert, but when it's accentuated … [Read More...]
