Posted in Continental, Desserts, Entertaining

Chocolate Brownies

Rich, Cakey, Chocolatey Goodness !! I bet you are smiling already. 🙂 This is one thing I have found hard to resist. Even though they are easy to make at home, next time I would rather but them by the piece just to keep my weight loss goal on track. I found couple of recipes with slight variations in amount of chocolate, cocoa powder and eggs used. The one I used came from my colleague’s mom. She has been baking these brownies for last 50 years, how wonderful is that! I think i did a good justice to her recipe and made…

Read More

Posted in Maharashtrian, Quick n Healthy, Subji / Curry

Vangi Batata (Eggplant Potato curry) Unbeatable!

Eggplants in Creamy Sauce loaded with Healthy Fats! I have adapted my mom’s recipe of “bharli vangi” (भरली वांगी) to make it super simple and extremely delicious. The one thing I like about eggplant is it’s readily available in all grocery stores and this curry does not need any special ingredients. It’s super easy and super delicious. Ingredients 5-6 medium sized eggplants 2-3 small potatoes (optional) For masala – 1 tb spoon cumin-coriander powder 2.5 tb spoon peanut powder (दाण्याचे कूट) 1 tsp kala masala (गोडा मसाला) 1 tb spoon shredded coconut 1/2 tsp red chili powder 1/2 tsp sesame seeds…

Read More

Posted in Breakfast, Continental, Quick n Healthy, Snacks

Spinach Pancakes

Hearty and Healthy twist to traditional pancakes Imaging a light fluffy pancake topped with butter, maple syrup, whipped cream and fresh berries…. Yum! Pancakes are great for breakfast pleasures but they are not healthy! Today I decided to transform this classic American breakfast into a savory, healthy dish with Indian touch. I used multi-grain flour instead of all purpose flour. I substituted sugar with salt and red chili powder, stirred in lots of  veggies like finely chopped spinach, cilantro, tomatoes and red onions with some coriander-cumin powder together with fennel seeds and ajwain seeds for an extra kick. The result? Outstandingly tasty and…

Read More

Posted in Desserts, Entertaining, Maharashtrian, Superfoods

खजूर साटोरी (Stuffed Dates Paratha)

Healthy twist to  a traditional Maharashtrian dessert Satori (साटोरी) is a traditional Maharashtrian dessert prepared with khoya, coconut and suji (semolina) stuffed in a poori made with maida. I have given a healthy twist to this traditional sweet dish by adding khajoor (dates), poppy seeds, sesame seeds and dried coconut stuffing inside a puri made with mainly whole wheat flour and some maida. Instead of deep frying, I lightly roasted them with ghee. The result was delicious yet healthy khajoor satori ! [purerecipe] Method Stuffing – Chop pitted dates as small as possible. Roast sesame seeds in a small frying…

Read More

Posted in Maharashtrian, Rice & Dal, Soup, Subji / Curry

पालकाची ताकातली भाजी (Palakachi patal bhaji)

Spinach goodness with Garlic tadka in one pot dish This is yet another Maharashtrian classic recipe. Spinach cooked with buttermilk and besan (chick pea flour), ginger and green chilis, chana daal and peanuts for added crunch; topped with garlic tadka; you cannot go wrong with this one. I  enjoy it with rice, bhakri or even like soup. It’s quick and delicious.   Ingredients a bunch of spinach – washed and chopped 1-2 tea spoon grated ginger 1/2 cup yogurt or buttermilk 4-5 tea spoons besan (chana daal flour) 3-4 tea spoon chana dal 3-4 tb spoon peanuts (ground nuts) 4-5…

Read More

Posted in Desserts, Entertaining, Maharashtrian, Spring - Summer Special

आम्रखंड / Amrakhand / Mango Mousse

Alphonso mango with thick creamy yogurt – divine delight! Admittedly, my whole family has a sweet tooth – I just have the biggest! Whenever my mom asked my preference for dessert I answered with only one word – Amrakhand. Alphonso mango pulp mixed with very think yet very smooth yogurt and sugar with some cardomom and saffron, who wouldn’t like it? For me it’s simply a divine pleasure! It’s very famous in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. Gudhi padwa (Hindu New Year) was the perfect occasion to prepare this special dessert at home. Making this at home does have…

Read More

Posted in Maharashtrian, Smoothie, Upvasache Padarth

ताक / Chaas / Buttermilk

A pure, simple summer refresher Buttermilk has always been an integral part of traditional Maharashtrian meal. Imagine coming home from scorching heat and sipping on a glass of cold, lightly spiced homemade buttermilk. There is no better thirst quencher!   It’s very simple, just takes 5 minutes to mix everything together. [purerecipe] Surprisingly not everyone knows about buttermilk. One of my colleagues thought it was made by adding milk to butter. It actually referes to the liquid left over after extracting the butter from churned yogurt. The churning process causes some of the lactose – milk sugar, to be converted into lactic…

Read More

Posted in Breakfast, Continental, Snacks

Homemade Granola Bars

I had a bunch of plain oatmeal packets stacked in my pantry and I used to wonder there has to be a better way of having original/old fashioned oatmeal. I saw this recipe by Ina Garten on Food network and I was so happy to discover my new favorite snack – “Granola Bars”, healthy and delicious  Here is a slight modified version of the original recipe –   Ingredients – 5-6 packets of old-fashioned instant oatmeal 1 cup sliced walnuts (or almonds if you like) 1 cup shredded coconut 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 2/3 cup honey 1/4 cup sugar (or brown…

Read More

Posted in Breakfast, Maharashtrian, Snacks, Upvasache Padarth

साबूदाण्याची खिचडी / Sabudana Khichadi

Scrumptious Maharashtrian Delicacy It was the very first time, since our marriage, when my husband was visiting me in Pittsburgh; I wanted to make something he loves. He asked for “साबूदाण्याची खिचडी” (Sabudana Khichadi). I somehow managed to serve him what he wanted but I was not at all happy with my attempt. I knew I had to learn the trick from my mom to make him happy. And now I have excelled it 🙂 I made it again after almost a year and I am really proud of myself 🙂 [purerecipe] The most important part is amount of water used…

Read More

Posted in Appetizers, Entertaining, Gujarati, Snacks

Masala Khakra

Crunchy tasty bite A very easy-to-assemble dish, goes well with any potluck menu or as a quick appetizer for your Indian party. Make it byte sized and enjoy at your next cocktail party.   It’s very easy but very tempting – A good packet of Khakra – my favorite is Deep Khakra finely chopped tomato finely chopped onion finely chopped cilanto chaat masala red chili powder salt lime juice Chop onion, tomato and cilantro and mis together chaat masala, red chili powder and salt and some lime juice. Make sure you spread this masala on the khakra just before serving…

Read More