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You can make the same recipe with coriander leaves replacing the mint leaves or a mix of both. I sometimes add mint and sometimes coriander leaves while making this mint coconut chutney variety. Another South Indian variety of pudina chutney that I make is Pudina thogayal – this is a thick chutney that is served with steamed rice or a rice-based dish. I have grown mint in my balcony garden so that I always have ample stock of mint for chutneys or for garnishing any dish or for making recipes like Pudina Rice or pudina paratha....

About Quinoa Upma Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah or kin-uwa) is a nutrient-dense superfood that’s loved for its mild nutty taste, fluffy and slightly chewy texture, and terrific health benefits. Although it is technically a seed, quinoa is often classified as a whole grain and is treated as such in most recipes. Each serving of quinoa is packed with protein, iron, manganese and phosphorus. Therefore it is a popular ingredient in vegetarian and vegan cuisines....

About Rice Pakora The best thing about this Rice Pakora is that it is made with leftover cooked rice. So, no more racking your brains over what more to do with the cooked rice that is left from today’s lunch or dinner meal! Just mash it up, combine it with the rest of the ingredients, drop in hot oil and fry away to glory. These Chawal Ke Pakode have a crisp texture from the outside and are soft within....

Let’s talk about roasted red peppers! Roasted red peppers are one of my favorite recipe components. They offer rich, deep bell pepper flavor and a lovely, tender texture. I love to add roasted red peppers to dips, salads, sandwiches and more. Homemade roasted red peppers taste the best, no doubt about it. Since it’s bell pepper season, I’m sharing my tested and perfected roasted red pepper recipe. Now that I’ve finally nailed down all the factors, I’ll be roasting my own more often!...

About This Broccoli Recipe Simple and delicious sautéed broccoli is one of my favorite healthy side dishes. It’s so easy to make with just a few ingredients, and is loaded with healthful nutrients like fiber and vitamins. Plus, broccoli is great to cook with hearty extras – I include chopped potatoes in this sautéed broccoli recipe for an even more filling and tasty dish. It is satisfying enough to enjoy alone for a vegetarian lunch or dinner, or pairs great with nearly any main dish....

What Is A Scallion Pancake Scallion Pancake is a popular street food from China that is often served as a breakfast or snack. They are essentially unleavened flatbreads stuffed with alliums. They have a crispy, flaky texture and a delightfully savory flavor powered by toasted sesame oil and green onions. Some years back, I came to know about the existence of these super tasty pancakes from the Mainland China Cookbook. From there on I started making these pancakes – also known as Cong You Bing in Chinese – adapting them to locally available ingredients....

I make this Hyderabadi pulao on special occasions and so thought of adding the recipe. This shahi pulao is spiced and not on the sweeter side. Whole spices as well as, spice powders are added in the pulao making it aromatic and spiced. This shahi pulao is more Hyderabadi style than Mughlai style. In this Hyderabadi pulao you can add your choice of vegetables. The veggies that I usually add to this pulao are carrots, sweet corn, french beans, cauliflower, potatoes and green peas....

Crispy, fried potatoes and eggs make up this popular Spanish Omelette (Tortilla) recipe, perfect for picnics, parties, bbq’s, or your traditional Tapas menu! Upgrade your omelette! This tortilla has been in my life for as long as I can remember. It was with me at breakfast times when I couldn’t look at another bowl of cereal, with us at family barbecues and picnics, with me through breakups, and saved me from eating plain eggs AGAIN when I couldn’t stomach any more plain, scrambled eggs....

Meet my favorite black bean soup! It takes advantage of canned black beans and comes together quickly. Yet the soup tastes remarkably fresh thanks to the carrots, celery and garlic. Cumin and a little bit of sherry vinegar (or lime juice) add a Cuban flair that takes it over the top. This lightly creamy black bean soup is packed with flavor. This homemade soup is a million times better than the store-bought variety....

What is Sundal Sundal is primarily a mildly spiced stir-fried preparation of legumes, lentils or grains and coconut. A special from the cuisine of Tamil Nadu, this is a favorite choice in vrats/fasts during the Navratri season. Because a traditional sundal recipe has satvik ingredients and no onion and garlic, it is also a preferred dish in other religious festivals. In fact, it is believed that during the 9 days of Navratri in South India, each day a special sundal is prepared with a specific legume or lentil....

Welcome to my messy kitchen! I’ve been so busy living and breathing recipe development for my cookbook that I’ve done a lousy job sharing the process. So today, I thought I’d give you an update and a very real look at my kitchen while we’re at it. On the cookbook front, I’ve created and worked through about half of the recipes for the book so far (that’s fifty recipes, with fifty more to go!...

There are many variations of sambar in the South Indian cuisine. Sometimes they are made with just one vegetable. As the name implies tomato sambar has tomatoes as the hero ingredient. In Tamil this sambar variant is called Thakkali Sambar as tomatoes are called thakkali. I make both Onion Sambar and tomato sambar regularly. Both of these two sambar varieties come handy when you do want to make sambar and there are no mix veggies at home....

Why This Vegetable Biryani Recipe Is A Winner This restaurant style Vegetable Biryani was first posted more than a decade back. That time, I would always make the Hyderabadi Veg Biryani or my mom’s version of the biryani at home. But since the time I’ve started making this particular recipe too, I haven’t stopped. Usually in most restaurants, they do not make biryanis the way it is traditionally made, that is assembling the rice and gravy layers and cooking these in a tightly sealed pot....

One of my friends swears she’s happier when it’s cloudy and gray outside, but I couldn’t be more the opposite. June has brought longer days and an abundance of sunshine. I feel so energized by all the light that I have to remind myself to pause and soak up the summer vibes. Cookie is pretty jazzed, too, since it means that we can go for a quick walk at 9 pm and watch fireflies blink along our path....

Honestly, I can’t look at the title of this post without hearing my little brothers sing that silly song about beans. We didn’t grow up eating beans. The funny thing is that after I stopped eating meat after college, I naturally started craving them. I quickly discovered that beans are hearty, satisfying, rich in protein and fiber, and gloriously inexpensive. Now that I’ve gotten on the bean bandwagon, my family has, too....

Do you have a Friendsgiving tradition? I attended our annual Thanksgiving with friends (otherwise known as Friendsgiving!) yesterday and my belly is still recovering from the second round. I’d regret not going back for more, though. No regrets here. Nope, not a one. We had a potluck feast of mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, wild rice casserole, two big green salads and homemade challah. We followed that up with pecan pie, pumpkin cheesecake (!...

Nov 10, 2023 For 2023, I’ve put together gift guides with a variety of themes that should cover all your family, friends, loved ones, and coworkers! Perhaps you’ve got some foodies or wellness lovers, or would like to keep your gifts under $50. No matter who you’re shopping for, I’m sure there’s a gift that might spark your interest! Cooks & Foodies Gift Guide Do you need to buy a gift for that person who gets excited about the best kitchen tools?...

Enjoy this tasty Indian treat for Diwali, or any special celebration. What is Badam Halwa? Badam Halwa is an extremely popular southern-Indian dessert that’s known for its rich and creamy texture and taste. The traditional recipe from scratch starts by blanching almonds, drying then grinding them into a fine powder. This powder is cooked in ghee along with sugar to make a delicious pudding. My recipe takes a time-saving shortcut by using store-bought almond flour and achieves the same luxurious taste in just 30 minutes....

My daughter, being the little genius she is, saw Buffalo wings on her Instagram somewhere and suddenly wanted (okay, more like craving, clawing at my shirt and begging me), for a KFC all out Zinger binge. Oh, hell no child… How did she relate Buffalo to Zinger? I don’t know. Teenagers and their raving lunatic hormones. Since trying Buffalo wings in NYC a few years ago…I was a mild-ish fan and much younger, ignorant to Buffalo chicken since we don’t (or didn’t) really do Buffalo flavours in Australia…or I should say, they aren’t as readily available in comparison to American restaurants and diners....

The perfect balance of flavours soaked into thick brioche slices, makes this classic French toast the best you’ve ever had! Watch them swell with flavour in a hot, buttered pan, crisping to a rich, golden brown. With a hint of vanilla and cinnamon, a touch of sweetness, and crispy pan fried edges, this is one recipe the whole family will go crazy for. FRENCH TOAST RECIPE This is my family’s favourite Sunday morning recipe which I’ve been making for years....