For all my friends, who love the Rajma at my place, I had to post this recipe. Rajma or Kidney beans curry, is a popular dish in a Punjabi household. I have hardly come across anyone who does not like Rajma Chawal . My daughter loves it and when ever I make it , I make a little extra for her to eat the next day as well, as she is sure to ask! One of my friends who travels from Delhi for work to Bangalore every few months, and stays here for a week, requests for rajma rice on…
indian
Aam Ki Launji – Raw Mango Relish
No Indian meal is complete without pickles and relish. Aam ki launji is a sweet and sour relish from North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. It is made with a few spices and is quick & easy to make. Having spent my childhood in eastern Uttar Pradesh, I came across many dishes that required panch phoran. As the name suggests it is a mix of five spices. Unlike other mix of spices , panch phoran is a mix of whole spices, all of which are seeds, in equal quantities. I use lesser fenugreek seeds for milder taste and…
Radish and Raw Mango Salad
Salad is a must for Lunch and dinner for me. While lemon, salt and pepper are a regular dressing for my cucumber tomato salad, I make it a little interesting over the weekends. One salad that goes well with the Indian fare is grated radish salad ( or lachha , as it is called in Hindi). I gave a little twist to the traditional grated radish salad by adding grated raw mango, instead of lemon. Talking of Radish, are you aware about a place called Jaunpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. I have lived in Jaunpur for…
Dum Aloo
Potatoes are an integral part of every cuisine. One of our family friends used to say that in their family irrespective of how many dishes are made for a family get together, the culinary skills of the hostess will be assessed based on how well the potatoes are prepared. In all the states of India potatoes are cooked in various forms, dry and curry. Each family has it’s favorite potato preparation. There are various preparations of Dum Aloo- Kashmiri, Banarsi, Punjabi etc. My mother used to make this recipe of dum aloo whenever we had a vegetarian guest. It is…
Chanaa Masala
Many friends have asked what is the secret of your Chole and I would say none. Recently a friend complained that her Chole does not come out the way mine do. We looked at the recipe, she was using. The ingredients and ratios were OK, the only difference was that I use home made Chanaa masala. So I promised her to share my home made chanaa masala recipe. If the masala is ready then making chole is not very time consuming. Else, taking out all these spices in required measurements it self is very time consuming. Earlier my sister would…
Aam Panna
In North India as the temperature soars high the roads would get deserted. Most people try to avoid commuting or being out doors in the afternoon, and for the few who are on the roads, Aam Panna vendors are a blessing. You will spot people selling Aam Panna from Big earthen pots covered with red cloth with boiled mangoes tied around the top, on a cart. Aam Panna is an excellent cooler. Not only does it quench thirst but good source of Vitamins and iron. It is also considered good for digestion. Mom used to give it to us after…
Goan Fish Curry
This fish curry is may favourite fish curry. Till I started working , I used to eat only fried fish, however my first assignment as a management trainee was in Kolkatta . I started off with the Bengali fried fish and graduated to curries. Buying fish was still a problem. I started cooking fish curries couple of years back. Thanks to my kid’s nanny who is a Goan and knows how to buy fresh fish.This curry is not very spicy and yet not bland. It is not thick and not very heavy. It is tangy and mild. Just perfect for…
Steamed Basa
 I am the first person in my family who started cooking fish. My dad is very particular about buying chicken and mutton. He has his fixed shops, and spends a lot of time telling butcher on the kind of cut and how the meat should be cleaned. But, somehow he did not ever buy fish. I started buying and cooking fish after I started working. The love for fish increased after i moved to southern part of the country. My daughter is also a big fan of fish.
Kanjako wale kaale chane
 Recipe for Kale chane / black gram made for Kanya Poojan during Navratri.
Sooji Ka Halwa ( Kesri Bhaat )
Sooji Ka halwa or Kesri bhaat is the most commonly made sweet in an indian household. It is offered as prasahad in Kanjake ( as mentioned in my Kala Chana post ). Each family it’s own recipe of Sooji Halwa. I add Besan ( Gram flour ) and it gives it very earthy taste and a lovely colour. Also, there are various types of sooji, coarse or fine. For Halwa we use fine sooji.