Ever since we visited the middle east last year, we’ve been Hummus addicts. Instead of trying to find the best hummus around town (mostly unsuccessful) we decided to make our own. It turned out to be very good and extremely satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of dry chickpeas soaked in water overnight  (alternatively, you can get a can of chickpeas, but the dry chickpeas are better).
• 1 cloves of garlic (optional)
• 1/3rd cub tahini (available at most local middle eastern and/or major grocery stores)
• 1/4th tea spoon salt
• 1/4th tea spoon paprika
• pinch of  black pepper powder
• 1/4th tea spoon lemon juice (optional)
• Za’ataar (optional)
• 1 tea spoon of olive oil

Method:

1. Boil the chickpeas until they are soft.
2. Save a few boiled beans on the side.
3. Crush the garlic cloves in a blender.
4. Add a few chickpeas and crush them.
5. Add the tahini and the rest of the chickpeas, black pepper powder, paprika, salt,  olive oil and lemon juice.
6. Blend until desired consistency is received. If required, add a little bit of water and blend.
7. Transfer the contents from the blender to a serving bowl and garnish with the beans that were set aside and some olive oil and paprika and/or za’ataar.

Serve with warm pita bread!

Ingredients:

• Spinach (170-200 grams)
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon ginger paste
• 1 large tomato (made into a puree)
• 2 green chillies (optional)
• Garam masala (a pinch)
• 1/2 tablespoon turmeric powder (haldi)
• 2 cloves
• 2 small pieces of cinnamon
• 1/4th tablespoon black pepper powder
• 250 grams paneer (either deep fried or stir-fried and cut into cubes)
• 1-2 table spoons oil (or ghee or butter, but ghee is best)

Steps to prepare:

1. Wash and clean the spinach.
2. Add some salt and boil it until it is wilted.
3. Cool the spinach and then put it in a blender and make a soft paste
4. Heat the ghee (or oil/butter).
5. Add the cloves, cinnamon and black pepper.
6. Add the ginger, garlic and chillies paste. Saute till light brown.
7. Add the chopped onions and continue to saute until the whole mixture turns light brown.
8. Add the tomato puree and continue to saute for 1/2 a minute
9. Add the cubes of paneer. Sautee for another minute
10. Add the spinach puree and mix well
11. Add a 1/4th cup of skim milk (or whole milk).
12. Add a little bit of water and boil for 2-3 minutes  (or longer if you want a thicker texture).

Note: You can soak the fried paneer in warm water for 10 minutes to make softer cubes.

As a kid, my parents took me on many road trips that involved driving from Gujarat to Rajasthan. It was customary to make a stop at Kesariyaji to have the famous “mirchi-vadas” (literally green chilli dipped in a batter and deep fried). While telling Rahul about this and he started craving them. I finally got around to making some for him last week.

Ingredients:

• 4 large long green chillies
• 3 medium sized boiled potatos
• 1/2 tea spoon mustard seeds
• a pinch of turmeric powder
• 1 tea spoon aamchur powder (dry mango powder)
• 1 tea spoon salt
• 1 table spoon of cilantro to sprinkle
• 2 cups besan (gram flour)
• Pinch of baking soda
• Oil for frying

Method:

There are three stages to make the mirchi-wada:

Stage 1: Tempering the mashed potato

1. Mash the potatoes
2. In a pan heat some oil and add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
3. Now add turmeric powder and mashed potatoes and sprinkle the aamchur powder, salt and cilantro.
4. Stir well until all the ingredients are mixed and cooked properly (approximately 2 minutes)

The mashed potatoes

Stage 2: Making the batter ( gram flour paste )

1. Mix gram flour, baking soda, a pinch of salt and a cup of water in a bowl and keep it aside. The consistency of this dough should be slightly less than that of pancake batter so that it forms a uniform coating on the chillies.
2. Keep this batter aside

Stage 3: Frying the chillies

1. Slit the chillies length-wise (If they are too large, you can cut the chillies in parts)
2. Fill the chillies with the stuffing from stage 1
3. Dip it in the batter from stage 2
4. Deep fry these chillies

The stuffed chillies

The final product!
Enjoy!

Hi all!

I’m back! I have not been able to post for a while since I was taking some courses which required me to take exams twice a week.

Right after the exams, we had to plan our vacation to the middle east and that meant a lot of reading, figuring out logistics and, of course, shopping.

We just got back from a trip to Jordan and Israel. You can get the scoop of our trip on Rahuls blog.

I’ll post more recipe’s this year. For now, I leave you with the simplest recipe I picked up while in the middle east: Shaai (tea).

It’s simple, refreshing and addictive!

• Get a packet of Lipton Yellow Label tea (tea bags)
• Seep it in hot water
• Add some mint/sage/thyme (any one, do not mix)
• Let the tea and mint seep in the water for a while – depending on how strong you like the tea
• Add sugar as per taste

Voila! You got Shaai. This kind of tea is available all over the middle east, from the simplest roadside stalls to the expensive 5 stars! Its made the same everywhere (only the price varies). Enjoy!

Roti is similar to whole wheat tortilla, naan or pita bread. Every culture has its own style of making bread and in India there are differences within the country itself! For example, in the Northern part of India, the roti’s are thicker like a pita, whereas in the Western states they’re thinner, sometimes thinner than tortillas.

Although my ancestors hail from the state of Rajasthan, I grew up in the state of Gujrat and roti’s are a must with almsot every meal. Here in the US, I make roti’s very often, but I usually prepare the dough in a food processor.

Preperation Time: 15 mins

Serves : approximately 6 chappati’s

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour

• 1/4 tea spoon salt

• 1/2 tea spoon oil

• 1/2 cup water

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour( keep it aside for applying to the dough while rolling into flat circles)

Directions:

1. Put all he ingredients, except the water, in a food processor and run the processor on pulse once or twice.
2. Slowly start adding water and run the processor till you see all the ingredients blended into a ball like shape.
3. Now remove the dough in a plate, apply little bit of oil on your hands and roll it with applying some pressure and keep it aside for 5 min. This will make the dough more smooth and even .
4. Divide the dough into 6 equal size balls and apply some dry dough to the ball as shown in the picture.
5. Now try to roll each ball into flat circle and cook it on the flat pan and enjoy!

Notes:-

1) Make sure that the water blended dough is soft enough to roll chapati’s or else sprinkle some water and keep it aside for 5 minutes.

Pani Puri – This is something that everyone in India, young or old, thoroughly enjoys! While pani puri (or gol gappa for North Indians) is ubiquitous in India sold by street vendors to five-star hotels, the best pani-puri needless to say is found on the street!

It consists of “puris”: made from semolia. The puris are made round like a ball, hollow and deep fried until crisp.

“Pani” literally means water. The puris are filled with some “masala” and then dipped in the “pani” and then consumed! The “pani” consists of mint. cilantro and green chillies.

A couple of weekends ago was Raksha bandhan, which we celebrated at my aunts’ house. Like most Indian festivals, we had a ceremony followed for lots and lots and lots of food! For starters, we had pani-puri and sev-puri (another snack).

The puri’s are usually available at any Indian grocery store.

Preperation time: 30 minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients (for the stuffing)

• 2 medium boiled, peeled and mashed potatoes
• 1 cup chana (black chickpea) soaked and boiled (canned chickpeas can also be used)
• Finely chopped cilantro to sprinkle
• 1/2 tea spoon of roasted cumin powder
• 1/2 tea spoon of salt
• 1/2 tea spoon red chilly powder (optional)

Directions:

• Mix all the above ingredients in a bowl and keep it aside.

Ingredients (for the “pani”):

• 1 bunch of mint leaves
• 4-5 green chillies (adjust as per spice tolerance)
• 5-6 sticks of cilantro
• 1 thin slice of ginger
• 1/2 tea spoon black salt
• 1/2 tea spoon roasted cumin powder
• 1lemon juice
• 3 cups of water
• 1/2 tea spoon salt(adjust as required)
• 1 table spoon boondi’s (optional)

Directions

• Add mint leaves, green chillies, cilantro, ginger, lemon juice, salt and few sprinkles of water in a blender and blend it to a smooth paste.
• Put the paste in a large bowl and add the three cups of water, black salt, roasted cumin powder and stir well. Add salt and lemon as per your taste.

Consumption

To eat the pani puri, pour the “pani” in a largish bowl, then make a small opening in the puri and put some stuffing in it. Finally, dip the entire puri in the bowl with the “pani” until the liquid fills the “puri”. Open the mouth wide and consume!

Warning: Once you start, its hard to stop eating!

I usually keep a bag of spinach around in the house since there are so many delicious recipes that call for spinach! And if not that, the spinach leaves are a great addition to my lunch salad.

Moong dal is commonly found in most Indian kitchens. It is high in protein and easy to store (usually lasting for 6-8 months in an airtight container).

Moong dal Palak is a combination of spinach and lentils. The flavor comes from the spinach because the moong dal is added only to give the texture of a gravy/curry. It can be enjoyed with the rice or roti . I prefer to enjoy it with roti’s since Rahul loves to eat roti’s

A bag of spinach was lying around in my fridge, but I never got around to using it. So, I decided to make this simple and extremely satisfying meal.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients:

• 1 tea spoon ghee /oil (optional)
• 2 dried red chillies
• 1/2 tea spoon Cumin seeds
• 1/2 tea spoon red chilly powder (adjust as per taste)
• 1/2 tea spoon coriander powder
• 1/2 tea spoon Salt (adjust as per taste)
• 1 bag of baby spinach (14.oz)( I prefer to use a prewashed bag of baby spinach)
• 1/2 cup moon dal
• 1 cup water

Directions:

1. Run your knife roughly over baby spinach and put it in to the pressure cooker.
2. Take the moong dal in a bowl, run it under water 2-3 times, drain the water and add it to the spinach in the pressure cooker, along with 1 cup of water and cook it up to 2 whistles.
3. Take a deep pan and heat the ghee in it. Add the dry red chillies and cumin seeds and let it cook until the cumin seeds are golden brown.
4. Now switch off the flame and quickly add the turmeric powder, chilly powder and coriander powder and the cooked dal mix (from the pressure cooker).
5. Then, switch on the flames and let the mix cook for a couple of minutes.
6. While serving sprinkle some chopped cilantro on the top of the dal, and serve it with roti’s . Enjoy!

I have been meaning to put up this recipe ever since I found out that my family and friends love it when they come over and I make it. Before coming to the US, I had never heard of avocado, but after coming here I’ve probably consumed a few gallons of it!

Avocado has a smooth, creamy, greenish-yellow flesh with a high concentration of dietary fiber, vitamins and potassium. It also has fat – mostly monounsaturated fat.

While shopping for avocado, make sure it is ripe, especially if you plan to use it the same day. The unripe one’s are very hard, whereas the ripe ones can be gently pressed.

When cutting the avocado make sure you cut it in the middle, but do not attempt to cut the seed. When both parts are apart, just scoop it up with a spoon. The flesh is typically greenish yellow when ripe and oxidizes, turning brown very quickly after exposure to air. To prevent this,lemon juice can be added to avocados after they are peeled.

Let’s make the dip now.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients:

• 1 Avocado

• 1 slice of onion

• 1 slice tomato

• 1 very small garlic bud (optional)

• 1/4th tea spoon lemon (adjust as per taste)

• Jalapeño (as per spice tolerance)

• Salt and Pepper as per taste

Directions

1. In a blender add the onion, garlic, tomato and jalapeño, and blend all of it.
2. Take the avocado in a bowl, add the above mix, salt, lemon and pepper and mix it with the help of a fork.
3. Enjoy it with tortilla chips.

Note:

1. If you do add garlic, add very little, since it has a very strong flavor.
2. Mixing with the fork is important as it gives the “chunky look”.

Khichadi means a mix/combination of rice and dal as the main ingredients. Some veggies are added as well. It is easy to cook, does not require much effort and/or ingredients either and is perfect when you just want quick Indian comfort food!

Since the weather was nice and warm, I wanted to spend some time at Union Square with Rahul relaxing and chatting with him. We both wanted to eat Indian food, but did not want to eat that greasy restaurant food. So I decided to make some khichadi and bengan aloo sabji (eggplant and potatoes) when we returned home. It took me 30 mins to prepare and lay the table, but the satisfaction you get is worth million dollar. Khichadi can be eaten with sabji, Kadhi or yogurt. This recipe is very simple with few ingredients, yet tasty. Hope you all enjoy it as well!

Preparation time:20 minutes

Serves:4 people

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice

• 1/2 cup toor dal

• 2-3 table spoons ghee

• 1 tea spoon cumin seeds

• pinch of asofotedia (optional)

• 1/4 tea spoon turmeric powder

• 1/2 tea spoon red chilly powder (adjust as per taste)

• 2-3 cloves

• 2/3 cup frozen veggies (carrots and peas)

• 1 3/4 th cup water

• 1 tea spoon salt (adjust as per taste)

Directions:

1. Take the rice and dal in a bowl and rinse it with water 2-3 times.
2. In a pressure cooker , heat the ghee and then add cloves, cumin seeds and asafotedia, and sautee until it all turns golden-brown.
3. Now add turmeric powder, red chili powder, frozen veggies and stir for for a minute.
4. Add salt, water, rice and dal mix and stir well.
5. Close the pressure cooker lid and switch off the gas flames and let the rice and dal saok for 10 minutes.
6. Turn on the flames and cook up to 1 whistle and then switch off the flames again.
7. Once the pressure cooker cools down, ENJOY!

Note:

1. Kichadi can be eaten with pickles (Indian style achaar), chaas (buttermilk) or Yogurt.
2. While serving add a spoonful of ghee for more ehananced taste, if you like it.

Sprouts are good for health since they are high in protein. They taste delicious with onion, tomatoes, black salt and and a hint of lemon. A few days ago Rahul was craving sprouts for breakfast and I made it for him. So let me share this recipe and I hope you will like it too. Its perfect for a protein packed breakfast that keeps you going during the day!

How to sprout Mung beans at home?

• Day 1:Soaking: Take one cup mung beans and soak them overnight. Make sure they are soaked in double the quantity of water as the beans.
• Day 2: In the morning remove the water and wash them 2-3 times. Put them back in the same container and loosely close the container as if we are letting them breathe. Shake the beans such that the ones at the bottom of the container are at the top. Spray few drops of water. Do not let the water dry out.
• Day 3: Check the beans, they have sprouted.

Time to cook!!

Preparation time : 10 mins (after the mung beans are sprouted!)

Serves:4-5 people

Ingredients:

• 1 tea spoon cumin seeds
• Spouted Mung beans
• Pinch of Turmeric Powder
• Pinch of Red chilly powder
• 1 table spoon coriander powder
• 1 tea spoon oil
• 1 cup onions (finely chopped)
• 1 green chilly (finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup tomatoes (finely chopped)
• Lemon juice as per taste
• Salt as per taste
• Pinch of Black Salt (optional)
• Pinch of sugar (optional)
• Cilantro to garnish (finely chopped)

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add cumin seeds. Cook them until they diffuse their aroma.
2. Add turmeric powder, chili powder and quickly add the sprouts (make sure you do not burn the turmeric and chili powder).
3. Sprinkle a few drops of water and add coriander powder and close the lid and cook it up to 1 whistle.
4. Carefully remove the mix from the pressure cooker in a bowl and add onions, tomatoes, chillies, lemon juice, salt/black salt, sugar(optional) and garnish with cilantro and serve.

Note:

1) You can find ready sprouts in the grocery stores.

2) You can also sprinkle some thin sev and yogurt for a change.