Rose Sandesh (Indian Dessert Made with Cottage Cheese)

The last week of October heralds the fabulous festival of Diwali, marching in with all its glory, urging Indians all around the world to gear up to celebrate one of the biggest festivals of the season! Marked with Diyas (decorated oil lamps), beautiful clothes, lovely colors of the Rangoli, and lots of delicious snacks and sweets, this is one Indian festival you don't wan to miss! Diwali is … [Read more...]

Heart-Warming Carrot & Sweet Potato Bisque To Kill The Chill

The days are getting even more chilly than before. With temperatures shooting to -40 degrees in some parts of US, I am sure most of us want to just lock ourselves indoors, crank up the heater in the house, and cozy up with a favorite book and a cup of coffee or a bowl of heart-warming soup, right! This Sunday, we took our weekly trip to the Farmer's Market - it's always refreshing to see all fresh … [Read more...]

Stuffed Tomatoes In Indian-Style Gravy

It's getting really chilly out here, with temperatures reaching in the 20's, noticeably cold for the bay area. So I decided to harvest all the tomatoes from my garden before they died in the frost, and also because I was craving for something hot and comforting on the weekend menu, and Soup was not on my mind, as you can guess form the title of the recipe. We picked about 30 large, red tomatoes … [Read more...]

Grilled Paneer Sliders With Avocado Mint Salsa

Two days ago there was a Halloween potluck at my daughter's pre-school. When I saw the sign-up sheet, there were tonnes of cookies, cupcakes, brownies, chips and juices on the list, but nothing healthy or filling! I understand these days it's mostly about convenience, and most parents prefer grabbing pre-packaged foods from the stores as they don't have time to prepare food at home. But still, as … [Read more...]

Spinach & Lentil Soup

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...]

Fried Broccoli & Cheese Fritters

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...]

Kerala-Style Cabbage Thoran

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 recipe … [Read more...]

Mango Lassi & Strawberry Shots

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

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

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...]