Recipes From My Kitchen

A popular South Indian breakfast dish Vermicelli Upma also known as Semiya Upma, is a quick and healthy snack that you can cook easily in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients. A versatile ingredient, vermicelli is used to make sweet dishes like kheer (in North India) and payasam (called semiya payasam in Tamil Nadu). Though relatively bland in taste, it readily absorbs the flavors of ingredients it is cooked with. Low in sodium and fat, it is a great source of energy as it is rich in carbohydrates, hence it may not be very filling when just eaten plain, but the inclusion of a variety of vegetables increases its nutritional content helping you feel full and satisfied for longer. Carrots are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Peas are rich in protein, folate, and high in antioxidants. Bell peppers are low in calories, high in potassium, vitamin A and C. The health benefits of the vermicelli combined with the vegetables make this an appetizing, delicious dish which can also b...

After having classic palak paneer at the dhabas during my time in Delhi. Another palak recipe that I found unique and experimental was Palak Corn. We usually have a combination of palak with paneer, dal, mushroom, etc but with corn I never thought that it would taste so good. The sweetness of corn goes really well with the bland taste of palak and makes the dish interesting. In case, you do not have paneer it can substitute it in the palak paneer recipe. This recipe is a complete pack of nutritional values due to the presence of palak and corn, also it is delicious and full of flavours because of the Indian tadka of the spices and garlic. Garnished with some fresh cream and served with hot homemade roti, nan, or jeera rice. This makes me crave for the food at the dhaba every time. Serves – 4  Ingredients:  2 cup palak puree (spinach) 1 large tomato, pureed, 1 large onion, finely chopped, 1 cup of frozen corn, 2 small bay leaves (tej patta) 2 cardamoms (ell...

Being a runner and a fitness freak, I’m always on the lookout for healthy foods that are rich in nutrients, easy to make, and would serve as a good pre or post-workout snack. Salads are my favourite and I love experimenting and rustling up new salads by combining simple, yet tasty ‘health foods’ to create a quick appetizing dish! The Indian twist of adding a bit of seasoning or ‘tadka’ to the salads gives it a unique flavour that you’re sure to enjoy! Green Moong Salad is one such dish that I relish. Made by combining pre-soaked green moong, pomegranate, and cucumber, this salad is not only healthy but also visual delight due to its colourful appearance. The earthy flavour of the green moong, crunchiness of the cucumber and the sweet-tangy taste of the pomegranate is sure to be a treat for your taste buds! An excellent source of protein, green moong has a myriad of health benefits. Containing vitamins that have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, this legume helps...

Bored of your regular breakfast fare? In the mood to try something different? Here’s a healthy, delicious and exotic breakfast dish! I’m sure reading the word ‘exotic’ you’re assuming that it’s a complicated dish that can be made only by someone who is an expert at cooking. Well not necessarily! Eggless Whole Wheat Pancakes are easy to make and even more delicious to taste! Fluffy and soft, these pancakes can be eaten plain or topped with juicy fruits, honey or maple syrup. Traditionally made with eggs, milk, sugar and flour, here’s the healthier and vegetarian-friendly version of this popular international breakfast dish. Very similar in appearance to our South Indian ‘set dosa’ this wholesome, and nutritious dish with divine sweetness in every bite is surely going to leave you happy and sated. Whole wheat - rich fiber, protein, and great source of carbohydrates, milk – one of the best calcium sources & jaggery which contains essential antioxidants & minerals that b...

Healthy avocado toast is super easy to make and makes the perfect addition to any breakfast or an anytime snack! Mashed avocado spread over crusty whole-wheat bread, finished with olive oil, some crushed black pepper, and salt—does it get much better than that?  It’s full of healthy, unsaturated fats, packed with fiber, and it’s an effortless breakfast or snack. Avocado toast has become my new favorite breakfast/snack. It’s healthy, simple, and delicious and best of all, it’s super easy to make and ready in under 5 minutes. In fact, this recipe is so simple we can hardly call it a recipe, but I had to share it with you because of how good it is! This recipe is for simple avocado toast but the possibilities are endless. Sometimes we like to zest up the avocado toast and top it with tomatoes, jalapenos, spinach, mushrooms, or pretty much anything else! To begin, simply toast your bread. You can use any kind of toast or sliced bread you have but I like to use cru...

Salads are not everyone’s favourite. The term ‘salad’ conjures up images of bland, boring & tasteless spinach & sprouts. Well not this protein packed salad! Loaded with crunchy, flavourful vegetables & delicious legumes combined with cottage cheese (paneer or tofu), this nutritious salad lightly seasoned with spices, is a great Indian go-to snack to satisfy those early evening hunger pangs and is also an excellent pre-workout snack & energy booster. Rich in dietary fiber, Vitamin B, and an apt substitute for meat, legumes are a great source of protein especially for vegetarians. Having a low glycemic index & low saturated fat, it also helps to reduce bad cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. The other main ingredients used in this salad - peanuts & paneer are also a great source of protein, healthy fat and folate, aiding in overall weight loss. This recipe does require a bit of pre-planning in terms of soaking & boiling the chickpeas, but onc...

This is a quick and easy stir fry recipe that comes together in 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, plus it’s lighter and healthier than takeout! Takeout is often dripping with sweet, salty and oily sauces but this 4-ingredient sauce is light and so flavourful. So, what can be replaced with the regular noodles which are good for the health and also will not change the taste of the dish? The substitute that I found was 'Rice Noodles'. Rice noodles are simply made of rice flour and water which helps in healthy digestion and is very easy to prepare at home as well. After doing so much research and replacements, I have come up with a delicious yet wholesome recipe. Serves – 4 Ingredients:  1 medium-sized pack of rice noodles (boiled) 1 cup broccoli florets 1 medium sized onion and tomato, chopped  1/2 cup coconut milk or fresh cream 1/2 cup yellow and red bell peppers (both half cup) 5-6 chopped mushrooms 7-8 garlic pods ...

Soups are perfect for lunch with some bread on the side, or can be served for dinner with a sandwich. Broccoli is a low-calorie source of fiber and it’s also rich in many essential vitamins and minerals. A cup of cooked broccoli has just as much vitamin C as an orange, and it’s also a good source of B vitamins beta-carotene, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. I prefer making broccoli soup by cooking the broccoli until soft then blitzing it up to make a naturally thick and creamy soup. This way you actually get lovely broccoli flavour in the soup, rather than a generic creamy broth with bits of broccoli in it. Bonus is that it’s healthier! 

When it comes to choosing a quick, delicious, yet nutritious breakfast option, or a pre-workout snack packed with nutrients & healthy fats, peanut better is a popular choice. Spread it on a slice of toast, smear it on hot parathas, or indulge in a spoonful of this lip-smacking snack when those hunger pangs strike! Peanut butter is relished by kids and adults alike. Peanuts, the main ingredient used in the making of peanut butter is a nutritious nut that is a great source of high protein, fiber and healthy fats. Despite being calorie dense, peanuts are low in carbohydrates and hence also aid in weight loss when consumed in moderation. This gooey spread of goodness is easily available in supermarkets; however, the store-bought ones are loaded with hidden sugars, preservatives, and hydrogenated vegetable fats. The best alternative is to make your own peanut butter at home. A simple process using easily available ingredients from your kitchen pantry, you can make the p...

This classic coconut chutney, a must in every South Indian household. This is one chutney which goes with any classic South Indian breakfast dishes. Serve it with Dosa, Adai, Idli, Vada, Upma, Pongal, just about anything, and this will do the trick. Fast and easy, just throw in the ingredients and its ready in a jiffy. What Is Coconut Chutney ? Coconut chutney is basically a condiment or a dip made by finely grinding fresh white coconut meat. A simplest coconut chutney would have green chilies or dry red chilies and salt added to it. Chilies lend a bit of heat and spice in the chutney. Even garlic or ginger can be added. A tempering of oil with crackled mustard seeds, fried urad dal (black gram), crisp curry leaves and asafoetida (hing) brings more flavor to otherwise plain coconut chutney. Coconut Chutney Variations Myriad variations of coconut chutney can be made by adding various ingredients like fresh mint leaves, coriander leaves, garlic, curd (yogurt), tamarind, ...

Quinoa is the perfect ingredient to incorporate into your diet if you’re looking to make smarter food choices and lead a healthier lifestyle. Quinoa is a real superfood for many reasons. It’s a whole grain, which means that it’s packed with fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. It’s also gluten-free and easy to digest. Plus, it’s one of the few vegetarian foods that’s a complete protein, meaning that it contains all of the essential amino acids. This makes quinoa an excellent option for anyone following a plant-based diet. And for those of us who always feel rushed to get a nutritious meal on the table in the evening, the good news is that quinoa is also really easy to prepare. It only takes 15 minutes to cook! One of my tips is that I like to cook my quinoa in vegetable stock because it infuses it with great flavor. If you haven’t cooked with quinoa a lot, a good place to start would be to substitute it into any recipe that calls for rice. You can use it in salads ...

Its quite hard to believe its the last week of the month almost. This month has been a whirlwind of sorts. Among almost accepting a job as an English teacher, struggling to fix the ignition in the stove and trying to get the bike up and running, i also managed to bake some  chocolate doughnuts  and get in my hands into a delicious  pie . I also managed to kick start a baking class and read up on a few favorite recipes. And that s where this Kashmiri Gobi Aloo figures. The Avant Garde Cookies  chose Kashmiri cuisine as the theme for week 3. And i m kicking off the week with this delicious and ridiculously simple recipe. Believe me, its so simple yet so rewarding that it will put a few family favorites like  shahi paneer  to shame. After my tryst with the   malai kofta , which is the most demanded recipe in the neighborhood when i cook, i had a thoroughly awesome time making this curry. It calls for very few ingredients and is amazingly fla...