Snack

Edamame Kachori is a delightful alternative to the classic Gujarati tuvar-based snack. This recipe brings a fresh twist by incorporating edamame, offering a similar texture and mild flavor, complemented by the comforting addition of potato instead of besan. Perfect for those who love the classic but struggle to find tuvar lilva, this recipe uses readily […]

Chex Chevdo is a modern twist on a classic. It blends a mix of textures and Indian flavors into a subtle yet rich snacking experience. It’s a perfect snack mix for Diwali or any time of year. About the Recipe Chevdo is ubiquitous in my house and there are so many different kinds. I created […]

Papdi no lot is a beloved Gujarati treat. Traditional recipes often call for an ingredient that raises eyebrows: papad kharo, which contains the controversial ingredient, sodium benzoate. I have made a fantastic papdi no lot recipe that not only eliminates this concern but also simplifies the process.  About this Recipe Papdi is a traditional Gujarati […]

The sound of sizzling mustard seeds and crackling curry leaves as their aroma fills the air takes me back to when my mother would wake me up with a warm bowl of poha. Poha is one of those classic Indian comfort foods. So classic it has been enjoyed throughout India for over 2,000 years. About […]

Handvo is a traditional Gujarati lentil steam cake. It is savory, spicy, packed with vegetables, and topped with mustard and sesame seeds. It is usually made with dudhi (opo squash) but can be made with many different vegetables like onions, cabbage, carrots, or cauliflower. Every Gujarati family has their favored variations on handvo. This is […]

Spicy roasted makhana is a snack my Grandmother taught me to make. Hers wasn’t makhana, though. She used mamra (puffed rice). Makhana, or fox nuts, are a puffed seed with a texture similar to popcorn or very large mumra. They have the added benefit of being a fasting food, and many people prize them for […]

Dudhi muthiya is a steamed bread with grated opo squash that is sliced and pan-fried. It is a traditional and much-loved Gujarati farsan (savory snack). This has been a staple food in my home for generations.  Make this recipe because it is: Ingredients Dudhi – lauki / bottle gourd / opo squash – one of […]

Bajra halwa is a fantastic, gluten-free alternative to the traditional atta halwa. It has a great nutty caramel flavor and comes together in under 15 minutes. What a great dish to celebrate pearl millet. About this Recipe Bajra halwa is a traditional winter warming dish but can be eaten throughout the year. Bajri is known […]

Onion pakora is crunchy, deep-fried onions coated with besan and seasoned with Indian spices. They can be air-fried for a healthier snack with a similar texture, using very little oil. Onion pakora adapts very well to the air fryer, but you can also use this recipe for deep-fried pakora. About the Recipe Onion pakora is […]

With this recipe, you can make a crisp, flavorful zucchini and squash dish in your air fryer. It is inspired by one of my very favorite eggplant dishes, a Maharastrian dish called “vangyache kaap.” It uses panko breadcrumbs to crisp up in the air fryer, as well as paprika and cilantro for flavor. About the […]

Boondi are a crispy chickpea snack that are so simple to put together. I make them any time I make bhajiya. Boondi are often eaten as a snack on their own or added to snack mixtures like chevdo and bhel, to add a little flavor and texture enhancement. Boondi is also the main ingredient of […]

Pudla, or besan chilla, is a savory pancake made from besan (chickpea flour). They are a type of Gujarati comfort food. My mom used to make them often as a quick lunch or snack, especially if she was rushing to put something together for us. Why This Recipe This is my tried and true recipe […]

Methi na gota are fluffy fenugreek fritters with crispy outsides and soft insides. They have that savory, slightly bitter taste that you get from fresh fenugreek leaves. This is an essential Gujarati snack, often served with afternoon cha. About the Recipe This recipe is a family specialty. My mom and my grandma both taught me […]

These pakoras are made with spice-rubbed paneer dipped in a flavorful, crispy batter for a delicious afternoon snack. I’ll show you how to make the simple kind and the stuffed, sandwich-style paneer pakora. Sandwich paneer pakoras are double-layered and stuffed with cilantro-mint chutney. Why Make this Recipe Pakoras, or bhajiya, are a bite-sized snack made […]

This is a modernized version of the chevdo, or chevro, that my grandma used to make. This recipe uses easy-to-find cereals, and I rely on baking more than frying, so the results are not overly oily. Baking also simplifies the recipe. The results are a snack food that is familiar to any Gujarati, or anyone […]

You’ve gone through all of the work of preparing a batch of a rotis, but didn’t eat them all in one sitting. Now you are faced with a problem: what do you do with the leftovers? Make one of my favorite Indian dishes, vaghareli roti. You don’t have to use old rotis, and you can […]

Tuvar ni kachori, or lilva kachori, is a much treasured Gujarati snack made from fresh tuvar, called toor in Hindi  or pigeon pea lentils in English. Tuvar is in season in winter in India, and I have fond memories of collecting tuvar, making these snacks and eating them with my family. It was always an […]

Indian-style boiled peanuts are a special treat, completely different from the standard dry-roasted peanuts you find in stores. Boiling them completely changes the texture. Instead of being hard and crunchy, they are softer but still have a nice bite. Still, you get that softness and sweet, oily taste of the peanuts. What Are Peanuts? Peanuts […]

Upma is one of my go-to Indian breakfast foods. It is a type of porridge made from rava, or semolina in English. Semolina has a texture similar to Cream of Wheat, and I often describe upma to people as “Indian Cream of Wheat.” Rava (“sooji” or “suji” in Hindi) is a type of wheat flour […]

Sabudana Khichdi is a khichdi-like dish made with tapioca pearls. Khichdi is a dish that is normally made with rice and dal, but in this case, the rice and dal are replaced by tapioca. “Subudana” means “tapioca” in English. It can also be called “sago” or “sagu” in different Asian and Southeast Asian countries. Sabudana […]

When I opened our CSA box this month the first thing I saw was a huge bunch of green– carrot greens. I normally throw out carrot greens because you pretty much have to use them right away or they dry up and become useless, but with all of these greens I knew I couldn’t let […]

There was a lone white cloud in the sky ahead of us. We watched it struggle against the heat of the sun, as it transformed from one shape to another. “A bird,” “An elephant,” “A frisbee,” Puja and I called out the shapes we saw as we watched it change. Each transformation threatened to obliterate […]

I made my curried vegetable mixture with potatoes, leeks, fava beans and mushrooms. I stirred in the beets at the end so that they wouldn’t turn the whole mixture pink. I added some tangerine juice to the egg wash thinking it would add a touch of sweetness. Although I did not taste any tangerine, the […]

Khandvi are a traditional Gujarati snack, or “farsan,” that are made with besan flour (garbanzo bean flour) and seasoned with sesame seeds, mustard seeds, chilies, and coconut. They are bite sized and easy to pick up with your fingers and pop into your mouth making them a great party appetizer. And best of all, they […]

These spicy potato fritters are one of my go to recipes when I’m cooking for a crowd. I made them recently for my birthday party. They are an easy to eat finger food and taste great served warm or at room temperature. There are two ways I like to make them: Mumbai style with garlic […]

Steve and I went to a bluegrass jam and barbecue last weekend at a friend’s house. Steve’s been playing bluegrass guitar for a few months now.He’s always practicing around the house. And now it’s as if we’ve always been surrounded by bluegrass music. I’ve learned a whole bunch of songs and can sing them start […]

Khari Biscuits are simple puff pastry bites. They can also be made the way I like them, sprinkled with spices for extra flavor. They are perfect dippers for a cup of chai. My last two posts were about chai masala and chai, so I thought I’d round it off with a post on Khari biscuits. […]

Paneer is an Indian cheese made with either cow or buffalo milk. The flavor is very fresh and milky. It is great added into Indian curries but can also be used as a topping for pizzas and salad. Use it to make paneer pakora or paneer bhurji. It is super easy to make and only […]