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About Puran Poli Puran Poli is a flatbread stuffed with a sweet lentil stuffing. In Marathi language the sweet stuffing is known as Puran, and the flat bread is called Poli. While puran poli is considered a sweet, the ingredients make it quite healthy. There are a few variations of this delish flatbread found in the Western and Southern parts and regions in India. A similar variation in South India and from the Andhra and Karnataka cuisine is called Bobbatlu or Obbattu or Holige, where the proportions of flours may vary together with the kind of flavoring spices and lentils used....

Do you love pickled onions as much as I do? Pickling transforms raw red onions from pungent and crunchy to irresistibly tangy and crisp. I add some red pepper flakes for extra spice and a splash of maple syrup or honey to round out the other strong flavors. These onions are the perfect condiment for tacos, burgers, salads, and more. The best part? These quick-pickled onions are ready to serve after a brief 30-minute cooling period....

Enjoy this authentic recipe for Punjabi rajma masala! This recipe always brings back sweet childhood memories for me. Piping hot Rajma served over steamed basmati rice used to be (and still is!) at the top of my comfort foods list. And my mom would make this for lunch on my birthday…. every year 🙂 My mom makes Rajma in a 2-step process. She pressure cooks the soaked beans with salt and turmeric....

About This Rava Dhokla This recipe I learned when I was working in a school. The teacher colleagues were discussing on how to make this recipe of rava dhokla. When they were talking, my mind was registering all the details of this dish. When I went home, I told my mom the whole method and she made it the very next day. It was hit in our home and till today mom makes rava dhokla often....

About Red Sauce Pasta Red Sauce Pasta is a popular pasta variant made with a bright, tangy homemade tomato sauce. This tomato based sauce is usually made by sautéing onions & garlic in olive oil to which fresh or canned tomatoes or tomato puree is added. The ingredients are further cooked until the sauce thickens. This red sauce is later flavored with herbs like basil, parsley, thyme or oregano and spices like black pepper or red chilli flakes....

About Rice Puri Whenever I make Rice Puri or bhakri at home, I usually make the black peas curry or Usal that goes as a perfect accompaniment with these breads. As rice is called as ‘tandul’ in Marathi, the Rice Poori is also referred to as the Tandalache Vade in Maharashtra. You can also call them as Rice Vada (singular) or Rice Vade (plural). But don’t confuse Vade with the vada, which can be varieties of batter-coated spiced fritters like Batata Vada, Dal Vada, Sabudana Vada and the likes, or the popular South Indian savory donut Medu Vada....

About Sambar Powder While I love the convenience of prepared spice mixes – I just don’t want to use them. Oftentimes the store bought versions are weak and/or stale. To remedy this, I often make my own pre-mixed dry masalas using fresh, whole spices and herbs. The result is so much more flavorful! Today I’m sharing my Mom’s sambar powder recipe with step by step photos – I’m certain you will love it!...

It occurred to me in a disturbing way that I’m always sharing pizza type recipes, like the Barbecue Chicken Pizza Pull Apart Bread and that Barbecue Chicken Pizzadilla…or the Cheesy Pizza Pull Apart Bread. Then there was those Margarita Pizza Stuffed Chicken Breasts, that was kinda pizza-genius. But there is not one single pizza recipe on my blog. Pizza Recipe So cheesy and full of healthy good-for-you-stuff, this pizza is incredible....

Sooji ka halwa is one of the few Indian desserts that can be whipped up with basic ingredients in no time, which makes it perfect for weeknight festivities. Here’s my easy 20-minute recipe with tips for making the best sooji halwa! In this recipe, I’ve simplified the steps to make the halwa in one pot, so there’s no need to make sugar syrup separately. Let’s get started! What is Sooji Halwa?...

Strawberry Coconut Cheesecake Salad… It’s similar to a parfait but with no layering necessary! Ripe and juicy strawberries (or any berry/ies of your choice) smothered with an easy to make thick and creamy cheesecake cream! YUM! Most recipes for this popular ‘salad’ call for pudding mixes, marshmallows, heavy whipped cream and mixing banana slices through it. I can’t imagine a cheesecake anything made up of only flavoured dry pudding mix....

Serve it with cilantro or mint chutney, and cumin rice for a flavorful and protein-packed meal. Of lately, I’ve been trying to get my family to eat more fish on a regular basis. Since salmon is packed with health benefits (more on that below), I knew I had to try my favorite Tandoori spin on it. All I needed was a little bit of inspiration and this Indian fish recipe has been on repeat in our house ever since....

I intended to write about springtime in Kansas City today—about how the hum of my space heater had been replaced by the roar of the air conditioning unit, how the tulips are on fire and the whole city seems to be joining us on our evening walks—but it snowed yesterday. Unwelcome snow flakes covered our green grass in a patchy white blanket during a most unusual May flurry. I’m glad to report that it has melted already....

Here is my fool-proof, authentic guacamole recipe. It’s creamy, fresh and completely irresistible. I’m sharing it with you today because my friends keep asking for the recipe! You’ll only need six basic ingredients to make the best guacamole: You won’t find any funny business in this guacamole recipe. No sour cream or mayonnaise. No peas or preservatives. Just fresh and healthy ingredients! I knew I nailed my guacamole recipe when my friends would not stop gushing about it at our latest gathering....

Who wants a mimosa?! My answer is yes, always. Mimosas are supremely simple bubbly cocktails made with sparkling wine and orange juice. They’re light, fizzy and easy to sip. I love ordering mimosas at weekend brunch, and serving them to family and friends on holidays—Easter, Mother’s Day, July 4th, Christmas, you name it. Mimosas liven up wedding showers and baby showers. I bring mimosa supplies to football watch parties, and no one complains....

About Tomato Chutney Recipe The first variation is this simple Tomato Chutney which has no onion or garlic and is tempered with basic spices. The use of ginger in this Tamatar ki Chutney brings an earthy flavor to it. It really pairs well with the fresh, plump and tart tomatoes. In addition to the tangy taste of tomatoes, one more ingredient which gives this Thakkali Chutney its distinct aroma and warm flavor is the use of cloves (laung/lavang)....

More on Tomato Curry This Tomato Curry recipe is a family recipe, a special of my mother. It has the coastal flavors of ground spices and coconut, and I have been making it for many years now. When there are no other vegetables in the kitchen, I go for this vegan Tomato Curry as tomatoes are always available as a default option. Two more Goan curries that I make without vegetables is this coconut based Sorak Curry or this Solkadhi....

About Tomato Thokku Tomato Thokku is a variety of a pickle or relish from the South Indian cuisine. In Tamil language this condiment is called “Thakkali Thokku” coming after the Tamil word for tomatoes which is ‘Thakkali’. There are may ways this Tomato Pickle is made. My recipe is a simple and yet easy that features fresh tangy tomatoes, tart tamarind, savory spices and herbs. It also does not have any onion or garlic....

Updated Jan 29, 2023 I love to travel (read: I may be addicted) but I understand that travel can be unsettling for some, especially for those who are gluten-free or gluten-sensitive. As a celiac, I can attest to the fact that getting glutened is never fun (especially when you’re away from home), but being prepared can make all the difference. When you’re prepared, you’ll recover quickly and get back to your old healthy, happy self in no time!...

Updated Apr 08, 2019 At the beginning of every year I like to sit down and think about what I’d like to accomplish for the year. It’s a little thing, but it helps to give some direction to my life both personally and professionally (which, with Downshiftology, is so intertwined). Travel goals always seem to be the first to pop into my head – and this year visions of Greece, Costa Rica and Denmark keep fluttering around....

It’s cold outside here in Kansas City, so I’m sharing my favorite soup recipes available on the blog. These soups and stews are warming, hearty and packed with veggies. All of the recipes are vegetarian, of course. Many are vegan as well, either as written or with slight modifications. From creamy, yet cream-less tomato soup (perfect with a grilled cheese sandwich) to contest-winning vegetarian chili, you’ll find just what you’re craving below....