A Vrat Special Thali includes sattvic dishes like kuttu puri, aloo sabzi, samak rice, sabudana khichdi, spiced yogurt, and rajgira halwa. These dishes are prepared using fasting-friendly ingredients like buckwheat flour, barnyard millet, and rock salt. The meal provides a balanced and nutritious option during fasts like Navratri.
To make tacos, cook seasoned protein, warm the shells or tortillas, and prepare toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Assemble by layering the filling and toppings in taco shells. Add garnishes such as sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. Serve hot with a side of rice or chips for a complete meal.
Kebabs are a popular dish made from seasoned minced meat or vegetables, shaped onto skewers. They can be grilled, baked, or pan-fried until cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges, onions, and your favorite chutney. They make for a great snack, appetizer, or main course.
Garlic naan is prepared using yeast-activated dough combined with flour, yogurt, and oil. After letting the dough rise, it's shaped into small rounds, topped with garlic and cilantro, and cooked on a skillet. The naan is then brushed with butter, adding a rich, flavorful touch. This flatbread is a great accompaniment to curries and gravies. You can also add a bit more garlic for extra flavor.
To make sushi at home, cook and season sushi rice, then fill nori sheets with fresh fish or vegetables. Use a bamboo mat to roll the sushi and cut it into pieces. You can also make nigiri by placing fish on small rice ovals. Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
Homemade chicken hamburgers are made by mixing ground chicken with spices and forming patties. Cook the patties in a skillet and toast the buns until golden brown. Assemble the burgers with your choice of toppings and serve with sides. This recipe is customizable for a personalized flavor.
Lofah Ciabatta bread involves making a flavorful poolish and a sticky dough that rises twice. After shaping and proofing, the loaves are baked at a high temperature for a crusty finish. It's perfect for dipping in olive oil or making sandwiches. Homemade ciabatta offers a delightful taste and texture.
Quiche is a versatile French dish made from a pastry crust filled with a mixture of eggs and cream. The filling can include various ingredients like cheese, vegetables, or meats, allowing for customization. After baking, the quiche is served warm or at room temperature, making it suitable for any meal. It's a delicious option for brunch or as a light dinner.
Jalebi is a traditional Indian dessert made from a fermented batter of flour, deep-fried into spiral shapes, and soaked in sugar syrup. The batter is fermented for several hours to develop flavor, then fried until golden and crispy. The hot jalebis are soaked in a warm sugar syrup flavored with cardamom and saffron. The sugar syrup should have a one-string consistency for optimal sweetness absorption. Serve warm and enjoy with nuts or a drizzle of saffron for added flavor.
To make a sandwich, layer your choice of deli meat, cheese, and fresh vegetables between two slices of bread, adding condiments for flavor. You can grill the sandwich for extra crunch if desired. Cut it in half for easier handling and serve with sides. This dish offers endless customization options to suit your taste.
Handvo is a savory Gujarati cake made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils, mixed with vegetables and spices. The batter is tempered with mustard seeds and cooked until golden brown, either on the stovetop or in the oven. It is served warm with chutney or yogurt for added flavor. This dish offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes.
To make peanut butter at home, roast peanuts, blend them into a smooth paste, and adjust with salt, honey, or oil. You can customize the texture, whether creamy or chunky, and store it in an airtight jar. It lasts two weeks at room temperature or longer when refrigerated. Homemade peanut butter is fresher and healthier than commercial versions.
Motichoor Ladoo is made by frying tiny besan pearls (boondis), soaking them in sugar syrup, and shaping them into ladoos. The syrup is flavored with cardamom and saffron, adding richness. Once the boondi absorbs the syrup, they are shaped into round ladoos and garnished. These ladoos are perfect for festive occasions.
Mirchi Bajji is a popular Indian street snack made by stuffing large green chillies with a tamarind-peanut filling, coating them in a spicy gram flour batter, and deep-frying until crispy. The dish can be customized with various fillings and is typically served with chutneys. It's a perfect companion for tea time.
Aloo Shimla Mirch is made by saut ing potatoes and bell peppers separately and then cooking them in a rich tomato-onion masala. The dish is finished with garam masala, amchur, and coriander. It's perfect with roti, paratha, or rice.
Kachoris are made by stuffing a firm dough with a spiced urad or moong dal filling, then frying until crispy. The dough should be well-kneaded, and the filling dry. Serve hot with chutney or potato curry.
Amriti is made by frying urad dal batter into spirals, dipping them in sugar syrup, and serving with rich, creamy Rabdi. The Rabdi is prepared by reducing milk and adding saffron, cardamom, and nuts. This combination offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
Ras Malai involves making soft chenna balls from curdled milk, cooking them in a sugar syrup, and soaking them in a rich, flavored milk mixture called rabri. The dessert is garnished with nuts and saffron, then chilled before serving. It's a popular Indian sweet known for its creamy texture and delicate flavors.