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Makhana kheer (Foxnut Pudding)

in on 26th October 2020 26th October 2020

कौसल्या सुप्रजा राम पूर्वा सन्ध्या प्रवर्तते
उत्तिष्ठ नरशार्दूल कर्तव्यं दैवमाह्निकम् ॥ १॥
उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ गोविन्द उत्तिष्ठ गरुडध्वज
उत्तिष्ठ कमलाकान्त त्रैलोक्यं मङ्गलं कुरु ॥ २॥
मातस्समस्तजगतां मधुकैटभारेः
वक्षोविहारिणि मनोहरदिव्यमूर्ते ।
श्रीस्वामिनि श्रितजनप्रियदानशीले
श्रीवेङ्कटेशदयिते तव सुप्रभातम् ॥ ३॥
तव सुप्रभातमरविन्दलोचने
भवतु प्रसन्नमुखचन्द्रमण्डले ।
विधिशङ्करेन्द्रवनिताभिरर्चिते
वृषशैलनाथदयिते दयानिधे ॥ ४॥

विजयादशमी की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। Dussehra festival has several mythological stories. In some part of India, people celebrate Vijaya Dashami as the day when Goddess Durga killed demon Mahishasur and that signifies the victory of good over evil. This is the reason why nine avatars of Goddess Durga are worshipped on the Navaratri. It is also said that Goddess Durga immersed in water with the devotees who signifies the departure of Goddess Durga from the material world after maintaining Dharma.

The other mythological story of Dussehra is when Lord Ram killed Raavana. According to Hindu mythology, it is said that Ravana kidnapped Lord Rama’s wife Sita. Lord Rama managed to shoot an arrow in the belly of Ravana and killed him. That is why the Dussehra festival is celebrated as a victory of good over evil.

On this festival we offer dessert as prasadam. Today I have made a very special Makhana kheer that is an Indian milk pudding made with foxnuts, whole milk, sugar or jaggery, lots of dry fruits, and flavoured with cardamom & saffron. This delicious dessert is truly addictive and sinful, that can be served on any occasion especially during the fasting day. I have made this yummlicious dessert, especially for (Ram bhog) Vijayadashami parasadam. This flavourful, creamy makhana kheer is perfect for a party or any day meal dessert.

Makhana is also known as Phool makhana or foxnut. It is very healthy and has nutritional properties. I usually prefer makhana slightly roasted with salt and pepper. When you add this healthy fox nut in your pudding that takes this particular authentic dessert next level. In India, we celebrate lots of festivals and do fasting as well. Dessert makes festivals more special.

This is my to-go and easy to make dessert. As I grew up in a traditional Marwari family, I am used to eat lots of variations in sweets and lots of desserts. But kheer is always my one of favourite. I can’t resist this beautiful dessert, when you serve it as chilled “oh goodness”; there is no comparison. This delicious dessert made of full-fat milk that simmered until it gets thicken with roasted foxnuts and dry fruits. It is flavoured with saffron and cardamom. No compromises on your sweet carving during fasting or festivity or make it as a prasadam.

What is Makhana (Foxnut) or Lotus seeds and what is health benefits of it?

• Makhanas is also known as foxnuts or gorgon nuts or Phool makhana.
• The seeds obtained from the lotus plant are cleaned and then roasted. Roasting makes the lotus seeds or foxnuts pop open and fluffy Phool makhana emerges out of the seed.
• These makhanas are falahari and used in Indian sweets, snacks, curries.
• Great and healthy substitute for popcorns.
• Makhana is vegan, gluten-free, rich in protein and fibres so almost everyone can enjoy it.
• These makhanas are said to have an anti-ageing enzyme which helps to repair damaged protein.
• Makhana contains good fat and low saturated fat so it makes an ideal snacking option
• Good for during and post-pregnancy.
• Makhanas are low in sodium content and high in potassium and magnesium, making them useful for people with high blood pressure.
• The high calcium content makes them great for bone and teeth health.
• The astringent properties in foxnuts help reduce kidney problems.
• They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that make them excellent for reducing chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
• Makhanas are low glycaemic index foods, which make them good for diabetes.
• The calcium and iron content present in makhanas make them great for pregnant women.

Due to sugar maybe this recipe not as healthy as it should be. But, you can skip the sugar and use jaggery to make this authentic kheer more delicious and healthy. Serve your makhana kheer chilled or hot as you like.

Enjoy this festival season more. Stay healthy, stay humble!

Aloo Gobhi Masala

in on 18th October 2020 18th October 2020

Aloo gobhi means the start of winter. I am not a very big fan of cauliflower but this very special curry I usually like it very much. It is spicy cauliflower and potato curry. This is a very popular north Indian dish especially during winter and weddings because it is actually a fascinating winter vegetable with warm spices. In this popular curry potatoes and cauliflower florets are cooked in very special masala, spices and herbs.

This curry can be made in several ways depending on person to person. Today I am sharing my favourite version in ginger-onion-tomatoes based masala with spices. This very special aloo gobhi masala is one the most like vegan dry Indian curry often enjoyed with naan or paratha or chapati.

Indian cuisine is a kind of treasure for food and curry lovers. It is easy to make curry which is always s party winner and an everyday meal with simple ingredients as well.

This gluten-free and vegan recipe is must try dry curry during winters when you easily buy fresh cauliflower for your everyday meal.

This Aloo Gobhi is:
• Vegan
• Gluten-Free
• Quick & Easy
• Delicious
• Perfect to pack in Lunch Box, pa

So go back to your authenticity and enjoy winter specialty… my version aloo Gobhi masala. Stay healthy, stay humble!

Aloo Paratha (Spiced Potato Stuffed Flatbread)

in on 4th October 2020 4th October 2020

Aloo paratha is not a paratha; it’s a feeling of cold grey days of fall and winter season. Actually, aloo paratha is an Indian stuffed bread with spicy potato filling. We Indians always adore paratha. Basically, our morning starts with heavy breakfast that includes different variety of paratha and a hot cup of masala chai with homemade pickle.

The best part of parathas is that you can serve in breakfast as well as pack in the lunch box for your kids. I have learned these delicious aloo parathas firstly from my Punjabi landlady we call her “Bi Ji”. She actually makes parathas super delicious with lots of love and most of the times parathas are cooked with lots of ghee and served with dollops of butter.

Charred, flaky “aloo ka paratha” is the most favourite breakfast in Punjabi families and mine too. You will simply love aloo paratha, it is packed with lots of flavours that melt in the mouth texture.

To make aloo parathas, you need two main ingredients:
• Whole wheat and chickpea flour dough: a basic dough made with whole wheat flour and chickpea flour, a little bit of salt, oil and water.
• Potato stuffing: boiled or steamed mashed potatoes with few spices, herbs and salt.

You can make these paratha vegans too by just simply skip the ghee/butter and use oil instead. These are so delicious anyways, just add some love and voila.

A bowl of homemade curd, white butter, and pickle along with this aloo paratha is all you need to make your weekend more delightful.

So ENJOY! Stay healthy, stay humble!

Vegan Coconut Ladoo

in on 27th September 2020 27th September 2020

Perfect coconut ladoos meant soft, delicate coconut snowballs for me that’s exactly I define my one of favourite ladoos. Like other ladoos, coconut ladoo is a famous sweet in India for the festivity or gathering. It is not a special occasion or any festive today; I don’t need any special reason for enjoying these sumptuous ladoos.

Coconut ladoos are made using very few ingredients like desiccated coconut, coconut milk and sugar. Even these ladoos are so delicious but if you want to add cardamom powder or lemon zest, saffron, rose water; you can add nuts as well as per your liking.

I like fresh coconut flavour in these coconut ladoos. I always use fresh coconut for this recipe, that actually gives the tender, rich coconut flavour to this sweet but you can use dry coconut as well.

If you are using fresh coconut, then dry roast it for 5 min over a low flame to remove moisture just make sure not to brown. Continuously stir while roasting then adds coconut milk or any other whole milk of your choice. Maintain low flame while cooking.

This coconut ladoos recipe is:
• Easy to make
• Delicious and melt in the mouth
• Vegan friendly and gluten-free
• An exotic and simple sweet platter to brighten up your day

Green Onion Fritters

in on 19th September 2020 19th September 2020

Delicious and finger-licking snacks for Sunday evening. Also known as pyaz ke pakore… for a lazy beautiful sunny day but tastes absolutely amazing and crispy in texture. These crispy and delicious fritters are undetectable Indian snack made with spring onion, gram flour, rice flour, and few spices. A perfect tea-time snack for tea parties and even great for a movie night.

During monsoon, it is most favoured in Indian families. You can find many street vendors also selling them along with a hot cup of masala tea or some special Indian dips and chutneys. These deep-fried yummlicious fritters are total bliss, you can even use other vegetables in this batter such as potato, cauliflower, baby corn or any vegetable of your choice instead of spring onions also goes always good.

You can add spices, according to your taste buds. I actually love more spicy food, so I always make my food little spicier than the normal one. But it’s totally up to you. AND totally vegan friendly and easy to make. Crunchy outside and soft inside these lip-smacking fritters can be served with any kind of dip or chutney of your choice.

So ENJOY! Stay healthy, stay humble!

Vegan Rajwadi Mix Vegetable Curry

in on 12th September 2020 12th September 2020

Rajwadi curry is a gem among other sabzis and curry; a very special yet simple curry with mix vegetables. It can be part of Friday night special dinner even fits in a big dinner party or lunch with family get together. It’s simply delicious and vegan as well. Curry is a special part of Indian cuisine and families. A very famous rajwadi style curry simmers in rich cashew and onion-garlic gravy with whole spices that served with hot pooris or parathas.

You always choose your favourite vegetable in this type of curry – the base is gravy and voila. Even you can prep this gravy in advanced so when you need to add vegetable and spices just heat it up and serve. Authentic food has its own flavour and charm that is impossible to resist. For me, food is like my family’s legacy and it doesn’t matter where do I live. Every single dish I have learnt from my baba, it has its own unique taste and flavour. Subtle flavours and aroma that’s exactly you feel when you take a bite of authentic recipes and dishes.

This is a really simple and flavourful curry that need only pantry staple ingredients and seasonal vegetables of your choice. It is a delicious curry, every part of India people has their own version, yet you fell for every single version of it; even though no onion-garlic also. Another favourite curry in my family is rajwadi mix vegetable curry. The spicy and subtle flavour of spices, rich, creamy, so sumptuous. If you want more richness so, add a spoon full of ghee while is hot.

Vegan Kadhi Pakora

in on 6th September 2020 6th September 2020

When I think about comfort food, Kadhi Pakora comes in my mind first. While the weather is changing this comfort yet delicious kadhi pakora with hot rice keeps you warm. Kadhi Pakora (spiced yogurt gravy with fried chickpea fritters) is a popular north Indian dish and also is comfort food in Indian kitchen.

It made of deep-fried chickpea fritters, known as pakoras that simmered in a tangy, spiced, and aromatic yogurt based gravy. Here I am sharing my vegan version that means I have used non-dairy yogurt for this recipe but trust me on this almost same taste as the normal kadhi pakora. There are many different types of kadhi recipes are cooked in different Indian cuisine. Most of them are different in taste and texture but still, all kadhi recipes have one common ingredient that is chickpea flour or besan and most of them contains yogurt as well.

This kadhi tastes quite aromatic, flavourful, tangy, spiced and adding pakora make it more delightful.

This Kadhi Pakora:
֍ tastes just like the one from your favourite kadhi
֍ is spicy and so flavourful.
֍ Is creamy and so comforting
֍ has fritters made with onion and chillies.
֍ tastes even better with rice!

The base of this kadhi is made with 2 main ingredients and they are: Vegan yogurt, Besan (gram flour)

This Kadhi Pakora is gluten-free, vegan and simple and unique flavours of simple and comforting curry never fails to impress. Just served with hot steamed rice or chapati.

Enjoy! Stay healthy, stay humble!

Soya fried rice with spicy Sichuan chilli oil

in on 30th August 2020 30th August 2020

Hello friends. Happy weekend to all.

A rainy and windy day calling this super easy and delicious quick fried rice. When you have leftover rice and soya; make this beautiful, super easy and dame delicious vegan rice with a special ingredient – spicy Sichuan chilli oil. It is my lazy day kind of lunch. It is a Chinese restaurant-style fried rice that is absolutely delicious and you can add your any favourite mix-in ingredients, totally up to you. I like soya… I always love fried rice even I can eat a full plate of fried rice.

Fried rice is a quick and delicious way to transform leftovers rice into something beautifully delicious. I have used soya granules with homemade Sichuan chilli oil, that’s how my munchkin prefers to eat. But, the best thing is that in this special fried rice you can feel the aromatic, spicy flavour of chilli oil, vegetables and soya in one single bite. And the flavours are so well combined and mix together that gives this fried rice a very special flavour.

Instead of calling a Chinese restaurant to take away fried rice, make your own style vegan fried rice. It’s such an easy and dame delicious weeknight dinner that you can whip up in no time and the leftovers are great for lunches. To make this vegan fried rice you gonna need sesame oil, favourite veggies, tamari and long grain leftover rice, soya granules and very special ingredient chilli oil (you can also buy from your Asian superstore) of course.

As you can see, the ingredients are so easy to get and you can use your favourite vegetables. I have used garlic, ginger, onion, green onion. Hot, full of flavour and this quick one-pot meal barely require any time, is a great option for lunch or dinner.

Kesar Pista Modak

in on 23rd August 2020 23rd August 2020

“Let us get ready to welcome Lord Ganesha into our lives with great celebrations and festivities to make this Ganesh Chaturthi the most beautiful one.” Most favourite time of the year, when Bappa Morya (lord Ganesha) comes to my home and bring lots of joy and happiness in our family. The celebration began with lots of sweet, desserts, different kind of festive food and fun.

Mostly we made the first day of Ganesh festival is modak. Well, Modak is Bappa’s favourite special sweet from Maharashtra. It is rice flour dumpling stuffed with coconut, jaggery and spices known as “ukadiche modak” that is a popular dessert consumed during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.

There is lots of different kind of modak and stuffing as per your like. This is an easy one with the rich flavour of saffron & pistachio and spiced up with ginger and nutmeg. It’s a bit different from the traditional modak but irresistible in the flavour. Most important thing is that you need very few ingredients and do not requires much hard work, come together in no time…

I am really fond of traditional sweets and dessert that’s why festivals are the best time of year for me. I never miss an opportunity to indulge myself in festive food. Here is a busy day kind of modak with nutty flavour and texture is so creamy and luscious.

I love making these Kesar Pista modaks. Stay blessed and enjoy modaks.

Khasta Nimki (Spicy and Savoury Fried Pastry)

in on 17th August 2020 17th August 2020

There is always something special about snacks and tea on a rainy evening. I prefer something dry savoury spicy style snack with my tea. So, what about khasta nimki with a hot cuppa of masala tea? Nimki is a crisp snack bursting with the distinct flavour of kalonji (onion seeds) – perfect for any time snacks. Nimki is actually Bengali jar snacks that should be crispy and flaky or khasta in texture. I love making these tringles in rainy season and winter.

Nimki is easy to make with very few ingredients, the nigella seeds are essential that gives the Nimki special flavour. When you bite this flaky savoury pastry you can feel it’s lusciousness. These spicy, savoury flaky pastry snacks are rolled and folded with ghee and then deep-fried for perfection. It tastes wonderful with your favourite hot beverage, on a rainy evening. There are always someday snacks in my pantry so that I can just take them out and enjoy with my tea.

Packing and moving, lots of stuff going on in my life right now. So I am really short of time but my pre-made snack saves me when I am hungry. Nimki can be made pre and stored in an airtight container for a month. So, if you are looking for an easy and savoury snack recipe for a busy day, you can make nimki and store in an airtight container.

Enjoy this perfect tea time snack. Stay healthy, stay humble!