Cool as a Coconut
Mint & Coconut Milk Komal Lassi or chaas is a big part of Indian cuisine, rooted in Ayurveda, these yogurt drinks are cooling and work as a digestive aid, a fact that we now know as being rich in probiotics that support a healthy gut. When I’m in India, every meal is accompanied with the Gujarati version of lassi – Chaas is […]
Succotash, Native New England
Cranberry Beans + Gold Cherry Tomatoes + Arugula + Corn + Apples I’d heard about succotash when I lived in Rhode Island, but had never really had any before. Each week as I develop recipes, I also enjoy learning about our local foods, their origin, transformation and transference into mainstream cuisines. In the case of […]
A Flat World – Naan
Naan at Home Made Simple Breads in my mother’s home kitchen was made up of the traditional flatbreads like roti, theplas, parathas and naans. After leaving India, my world stretched beyond, and now I count tortillas, pita, lavash and focaccia in my ever-expanding flat world. The common theme I found in ancient food traditions, is, that bread was mostly […]
Be a Peach – Salad
Grilled Peach & Kale Salad + Blueberry Mustard Dressing When the season is peaking with fruit and vegetables, it’s inevitable that I want to showcase more than just one ingredient in the recipe at the market. Farmer Dave’s juicy peaches and dark lacinto kale make an interesting pair this week, and to jumpstart that party, […]
Southern Semolina
A Savory Breakfast Popular in Southern India, Upma was the first thing I learnt to make from my mum when I was around fourteen or fifteen. Usually made from suji – semolina or cream of wheat. It’s a quick comfort food for cold January days in New England. Similar to creamy polenta or grits; but unlike grits or polenta, […]
Sunday Sheet-Pan Sabzi
Sheet-Pan Sabzi – Roasted Vegetables, Indian Style When I want comfort food, the first thing that comes to mind is dal, chawal and sabzi; or what is a spiced lentil stew served with basmati rice laced with home-made ghee, vegetables cooked with spices, and a crunchy chopped salad, kachombar, much like an Israeli salad. Most folks think that Indian food is complicated, […]
Egg Bhurji – Spiced Scamble
Anda Bhurji – Spiced Scrambled Eggs After attending boarding school and having traversed the country back and forth for holidays, all my egg memories are tied to daily breakfast or travel in India. These memories are so strong, that my internal palate thinks that it’s Monday if there’s scrambled eggs for breakfast; or if it’s extra […]
Ghee – Liquid Gold
Homemade Ghee Ghee is considered culinary gold in Indian cuisine for millennia. Its significance in Ayurveda along with its spiritual applications are many. It tolerates high temperatures, is shelf-stable, and adds a delicious nuttiness to any dish, especially when used as a garnish or chonk. While a complex ingredient and traditionally labor-intensive, nothing is simpler than […]
Peach Shrikhand
Peach Shrikhand – Greek Yogurt, Fresh Peaches and Spices One of the simplest desserts made across Western India, in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat just needs some hung yogurt, sugar, spices, and nuts. The simplicity belies the punch of flavor, freshness, and comfort each bite brings when eaten with hot puris or like I […]
Paneer – Homemade Cheese
Homemade Paneer – India’s Favorite Cheese Paneer is a traditional homemade cheese usually made from cow’s milk in India. It’s a primary staple in Punjabi cuisine and the favorite in your palak or saag paneer and tikka masala. It’s similar to the Greek or Middle-Eastern cheese haloumi, it retains its shape, is spongy, absorbs flavors […]
