BAINGAN BHURTA OR SPICY EGGPLANT CURRY
Baingan bharta or mashed eggplant is prepared by mincing roasted, or grilled, or boiled, or baked eggplant and mixing it with tomato, onion, herbs and spices. Roasting the eggplant over charcoal or direct fire infuses a smoky flavor to the recipe. Mashed eggplant is then mixed with cooked chopped tomato, browned onion, ginger, garlic, fresh coriander leaves, red chili powder, and mustard oil. Traditionally, the dish is eaten with flatbread (roti or paratha). Also served with yellow toor and chana dal, rice, raita, and salad. In some places, it is served with baati (baked wheat flour dumpling).
Here, I’ve used baked eggplants to create Baingan Bhurta.
Ingredients
- 2 medium Eggplants 🍆
- 3 to 4 Cloves Of Garlic 🧄
- 1 medium Red Onion (finely chopped) 🧅
- 2 medium Tomatoes (finely chopped) 🍅
- 1 to 2 Green Chilies (finely chopped) 🌶
- 1/2 to 3/4 inch piece of Ginger (finely chopped)
- 1 to 2 tbsps. Fresh Coriander Leaves (finely chopped)
- For Seasoning:
- 1 to 2 tsps. Olive Oil
- 1/4 tsp. Fenugreek Seeds
- A good pinch of Asafetida (hing)
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
- 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. Red Chili Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Garam Masala
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Salt

Nicely wash and dry the eggplants. Place them separately on a foil paper sheet.

Give 3 to 4 vertical slits to the eggplant. Insert halved or whole garlic cloves into it.

Same for other eggplant. Wrap them into individual foil sheets. Bake them on the lower rack, for about 40 minutes at 425 degrees F.

Let the eggplants cool down for a while…

You have a choice to peel off the skin of these eggplants, or let them be as it is.

Roughly chop the eggplants into pieces.

Chopped veggies for the seasoning of our baked eggplants.

In a heavy bottom pan, prepare the seasoning on a medium-high heat. Add oil, asafetida, fenugreek seeds, onions, ginger, turmeric, red chili pepper, and tomato.

Once the Once the seasoning is well done, add eggplants, and salt. Cover a lid and cook on low-medium heat for 5 minutes. Open the lid and mash the curry, using a ladle into a finer texture, Repeat the process of covering and mashing for another 1 to 2 times, until we get an even mixture of tomato and eggplant. is well done, add eggplants, and salt. Cover a lid and cook on low-medium heat for 5 minutes. Open the lid and mash the curry, using a ladle into a finer texture, Repeat the process of covering and mashing for another 1 to 2 times, until we get an even mixture of tomato and eggplant. Finally, add garam masala and fresh coriander to it. Combine well and our delicious Baingan Bhurta is ready to serve.

Delicious Baingan Bhurta or Spicy Eggplant Curry, topped with onions, tomato, and coriander.
Notes: Baingan Bhurta is one of of our family favorite curry recipes. Served with homemade Roti or Chapati. Traditionally, ghee is added towards the end of its cooking process but I do skip ghee. Still tastes absolutely delicious. It’s a must try recipe! Sometimes, I roast the eggplants directly on my electric stove instead of baking them in an oven. Yes! A quicker version is to cook all ingredients together in a pressure cooker.
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INTERESTING PANEER PAKORA WAFFLE
Paneer pakora is a popular North Indian deep-fried snack, with a crispy outer layer of spicy gram flour batter and a soft-moist paneer slice inside.
There are many other versions of the same using bread slices, potato filling, chutneys etc. All are deep-fried.
Here, I‘ve created the basic version of it with No Oil or a very little oil to grease the waffle maker plate. These waffles are a must try. So very easy and interesting to kids. These make an excellent breakfast or evening snack or lunch box recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Gram Flour
- 4 Paneer Slices (about 2 mm. of thickness)
- 1/4 tsp. Carom Seeds
- 1/4 tsp. Turmeric Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Red Chili Powder
- A pinch of Asafetida
- 1 medium Green Chili (finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp. Fresh Coriander Leaves (finely chopped)
- Salt (as per our preference)
- About 1/2 cup of water (to prepare a batter of pouring consistency)
- 1 to 2 tsps. Olive Oil to grease the waffle or waffle maker plate (optional)

Gramflour Batter

Homemade Paneer Slices

Preheat the waffle maker.

May or may not grease the waffle plate.

Pour about 1 tbsp. of gram flour batter.

Place a paneer slice on top of it.

Top it again with 1/2 tbsp. of gram flour batter.

Close the waffle maker for 3 to 4 minutes.

Golden brown top side of the waffle.

Similarly, well-done bottom side of the waffle.

Our delicious spicy paneer pakora waffle is ready to serve.

Served with tomato ketchup and fresh coriander-mint chutney.
Notes: My family loved it like anything. Decent size, delicious, and satisfying with a tiny amount of oil. Served hot with Maggi Tomato Ketchup and Fresh Coriander-Mint Chutney.
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DELIGHTFUL LAUKI RAITA OR BOTTLE GOURD YOGURT
Lauki Raita or Bottle Gourd Yogurt is a very healthful side dish. It is easy to create using fresh yogurt, boiled bottle gourd, and a few common spices.
It‘s low in calories, hydrating, and rich in fiber. Great for weight loss and digestion. Goes well with rice preparations and/or any kind of Indian meal.
Ingredients
- 1 small Lauki or Bottle Gourd
- 1 and 1/2 cup Fresh Plain Yogurt
- 1/4 tsp. Black Salt
- 1/4 tsp. Salt
- 1/4 tsp. Roasted Cumin Powder
- Seasoning:
- 1 tsp. Olive Oil
- 1 pinch Asafetida
- 1/4 tsp. Cumin Seeds
- A good pinch of Red Chili Powder

Wash the bottle gourd.

Using a peeler, peel the bottle gourd. Then carefully, grate it on a plate.

Grated bottle gourd.

Place the grated bottle gourd in a steel or heavy bottom pan. Add 1 tbsp. of water. Adjust the heat to low-medium. Cover the lid and let it cook for 10 minutes until nice and tender.

Transfer the cooked bottle gourd to a bowl. Let it completely cool down to room temperature.

Add it to the plain yogurt.

Gently, combine them together.

Add black salt, salt, roasted cumin powder, and the seasoning. To prepare the seasoning, heat the oil and add Asafetida, cumin seeds, and red chili powder.

Mix well and it’s ready to serve. We may also refrigerate it for 20 to 30 minutes before serving it in summertime.

Our delightful Lauki Raita or Bottle Gourd Yogurt!

Topped with an extra roasted cumin powder.
Notes: Lauki Raita is a summer special yogurt recipe. Very soothing and comforting to the gut. Apart from bottle gourd, black salt, and roasted cumin powder imparts an absolutely delightful flavors to it.
Today, I served it with Rajma or Kidney beans curry, and mixed cabbage curry. I personally like this Raita with the freshly cooked Basmati rice.
Sometimes, I season it with asafetida, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and whole red pepper.
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DELECTABLE KALAKAND
DELECTABLE KALAKAND
Kalakand is a delectable, melt-in-the-mouth dessert created in Indian homes for festivals and celebrations. A moist and flavorful milk cake, Kalakand has a nutty floral aroma and delicate grainy texture. Laced with cardamom and saffron, and dressed up in bright green pistachios, this exotic mithai always stands out amongst the finest of Indian dessert spreads.
Traditionally, Kalakand is made from coagulated full-fat milk and sugar. The milk is curdled to get Indian cottage cheese (paneer) and mixed with sugar. This mixture is then cooked on medium heat till all the moisture evaporates and it attains a moist and grainy-crumbly consistency. However, the traditional recipe takes hours to make, involving complex steps and multiple pots and pans.
So here is an easy take on this Indian dessert with the same authentic flavors! With this quick and simple ingredients recipe, we can make heavenly Kalakand under 30 mins of hands-on cook time. I use homemade cheese and sweetened condensed milk to make this effortless yummy burfi. The homemade Kalakand is delicious and similar to its traditional counterpart in taste, flavor, and texture.
Kalakand makes a perfect treat on our festive or holiday table. It’s a must-try recipe for the Indian festival season and also for the upcoming holiday season.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Whole Milk
- 1 cup Homemade Paneer
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1/2 tsp. Cardamom Powder
- 1 to 2 tbsps. Pistachios
- 1 tsp. Ghee

Place a heavy bottom pan on a medium-high heat. Pour in the milk and let it boil for about 10 minutes.

Keep stirring and adjusting the heat between medium and low heat.

Add fresh homemade paneer to the thickened milk.

Homemade paneer in milk.

Paneer getting cooked in milk on a low-medium heat.

Occasionally, check how much milk has left and adjust the heat accordingly.

Usually, milk gets absorbed by the paneer under 10 mins.

Once the milk is completely absorbed, we are ready to move to the next step.

Add the sweetened condensed milk to it.

Gently fold and keep cooking on a low heat.

Turn off the heat when the mixture starts gathering (leaving no liquid behind).

Place the pan on a cooling rack. Add cardamom powder, and sliced pistachios to the mixture.

Gently fold the mixture for an even distribution of cardamom and pistachios.

Transfer the Kalakand mixture to a greased plate.

The mixture can be spread easily in an even 1/2 to 3/4 inch layer.

Top it with some more pistachio slices. Cover and let it set for 3 to 4 hours on room temperature.

Cut it into desired size and shape.

Our super moist, granular, and delicious Kalakand is ready to serve.

To give it a festive look, added a few home dried rose petals.
Notes: Kalakand is one of my favorite dessert recipes. The best part is I can use my homemade paneer and can have a full control on the quantity of sugar.
This one is the basic version. Whereas, I‘ve also tried it with the pulp of seasonal fruits.
Mango, and Strawberry Kalakand turned out absolutely fantastic.
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REFRESHING FRESH FRUITS CHAAT
REFRESHING FRESH FRUITS CHAAT
Fresh Fruits Chaat is quite a popular fasting recipe from Northern India. It can also be served as an evening snack. There are many variations to it. Some like to add only fruits, whereas others add boiled or pan-fried potatoes and sweet potatoes as well. No matter what you add, it always turns out delicious.
The uniqueness of the recipe lies in the interesting combination of spices, distinct flavors and textures of all the fruits in there.
Ingredients
- 1 Banana
- 1 Baby Cucumber
- 2 Cuties ( oranges)
- 1 Gala Apple
- 1 and a 1/2 cups Grapes
- 1 Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 to 2 tsps Local Honey (or organic cane sugar)
- 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper Powder
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Sindhav Salt or Black Salt

Place the clean up/washed fruits of your choice in one plate.

Cut them into bite size pieces.

Season the fruits with a generous amount of freshly ground black-pepper, dry roasted cumin powder, fresh lemon juice, and honey.

Combine well, taste, and adjust the seasoning. Cover and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, our refreshing fresh fruit chaat is ready to serve.
Notes:
This sweet, savory, and spicy Fresh Fruit Chaat is super nutritious and delicious in taste. I am so proud to mention that it’s my maternal grandmother’s time recipe. She used to add fruits like guava and papaya as well.
Then I saw my mom always preparing it during Navaratri Fasting with her favorite pomegranate arils.
Following her footsteps, I too create it with lots of love and fond memories.
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SPICY POTATO STUFFED PARATHA (FLAT BREAD)
Delicious, filling, and satisfying, Indian Alu Paratha is basically a whole wheat pan-fried flatbread stuffed with a spicy potato filling. This paratha is best enjoyed with yogurt, pickle, butter and a side of chai!
In short, it’s a classic perfect breakfast and lunch box recipe.
Ingredients
- Multigrain Flour Dough:
- 2 cups Multigrain Flour
- 1 to 2 pinch of Asafetida
- 1 tsp. Ghee or Olive Oil
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 3/4 to 1 cup of Warm Water
Spicy Potato Filling:
- 2 to 3 medium Potatoes (boiled & peeled)
- 1/2 inch piece of Ginger (finely chopped)
- 1 to 2 small Green Chili ((finely chopped)
- 1/2 to 1 small Red Onion (finely chopped)
- 1 to 2 tbsps. Fresh Coriander (finely chopped)
- 1/4 tsp. Red Chili Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Garam Masala
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Pink Salt
- Olive Oil to cook Paratha (flat bread)
Directions:
To prepare the dough, place multigrain flour, asafetida, salt and ghee into a bowl. Mix well and form a crumb like mixture. · Add warm water as and when required and knead it to form a soft dough. Let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes to set properly and before using it for Paratha.

Place the potato stuffing ingredients (except onions) into a bowl.

Use potato masher to mash the potatoes evenly.

Combine the ingredients well to form a flavorful potato stuffing mixture.

Store the potato stuffing into a steel/plastic box.

Keep the onions separately. Add them in the stuffing while making Paratha.

Take a lemon size portion of multigrain flour dough. Pack some spicy potato stuffing into it.

Flatten the stuffing filled dough ball into a disc with your hands.

Roll it into a thin flat disc, using a rolling pin.

Cook it on a heavy iron tawa, over medium heat, from both sides. Use a little Cook it on a heavy pan or tawa from both the sides, over medium heat. Apply some olive oil or ghee to make it crispier and tastier.

Our Spicy Potato Stuffed Paratha (flat bread) is ready to serve with yogurt.
Notes:
Alu Ka Paratha or Potato Stuffed Paratha is very popular in North India. The trick to make perfect stuffed Paratha is to keep the consistency of dough and stuffing, same to same.
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SUPER NUTRITIOUS NUTS AND DRIED FRUIT TRAIL MIX
Nuts and dried fruit are energy dense, but they’re both good for us. The base of trail mix, nuts and dried fruit are two foods that can help us lose weight. Nuts are packed with healthy fats, protein and fiber, three nutrients that help keep us full. Fruit delivers fiber and other key vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 cups Makhana (Foxnuts)
- 1/2 to 1 cup Cashews
- 1/2 to 1 cup Peanuts
- 1 cup Almonds
- 1 tsp. Ghee
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Pink Salt
- 1/2 tsp. Curry Leaves Powder (optional)

Place Makhana or Fox Nuts in a heavy bottom pan. Adjust the heat between low and medium. Dry roast them until crisp and light pink in color. Make sure to stir them constantly. Should be done in 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer them to a wide bowl.

Add ghee and cashews to the pan. On a low heat, keep stirring until light pink. Transfer the cashews to a separate plate.

In the same pan and leftover ghee/oil, add peanuts. On a low-medium heat, keep stirring for about 3 to 4 minutes until start cracking or changing their color to light pink. Transfer the peanuts to cashews plate.

Finally, add almonds to the same pan and leftover ghee. Keep stirring on low-medium heat until fragrant and turn light pink. Transfer them to a plate.

Once all four cool down to room temperature. Place them together in the same pan.

Sprinkle some black-pepper powder, Curry leaves powder, and Pink salt. Toss them together and it’s ready to serve or store in an airtight container.

Our Super Nutritious And Delicious Dry Fruit Trail Mix Is Ready To Serve!

Yummy Nuts And Dried Fruit Trail Mix 😊
Notes: This Nuts & Dry Fruit Trail Mix combination is very very close to my heart. My mom used to make it for Navaratri fasting. Exactly, the same combination ( plus a handful of dry roasted melon seeds).
The trail mix is absolutely addictive. I remember that I started observing fasts (from my 8th grade) just because of this recipe. Only after offering prayers to the Goddess, mom used to give us a glass of milk and a bowl of trail mix.

Milk, trail mix, and a fruit was our typical Navaratri breakfast 🥛🍌
Now I make it whenever I feel like, and finish it in no time.
We may always add or skip any of the nuts and dried fruits of our choice. Walnuts, pecans, pistachios, pine nuts, and coconut are some of my other favorites. Edible seeds such as melon, and pumpkin seeds are also good to add to it.
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DELICIOUS KALA CHANA OR BLACK CHICKPEAS
DELICIOUS KALA CHANA OR BLACK CHICKPEAS
Black Chickpeas or Kala Chana is an incredible source of vitamins like B6, C, folate, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin and minerals including manganese, phosphorus, iron and copper.
The wealth of nutrients in Kala Chana is beneficial in boosting the immune system, promote muscle mass, regulates diabetes and enhance hair, skin and nail health.
Here, I am creating a very easy breakfast recipe from it.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Boiled Kala Chana (Black Chickpeas)
- (overnight soaked in water)
- 1 to 2 tsps. Olive Oil
- A good pinch of Asafetida
- 1/2 tsp. Cumin Seeds
- 1/4 inch piece of Ginger (finely chopped)
- 1/2 to 1 medium Red Onion (chopped)
- 1 to 2 medium Green Chilies
- 1/4 tsp. Red Chili Powder
- 1/2 to 1 tsp. Coriander Powder
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Garam Masala
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Pink Salt
- 1 to 2 tbsps. Fresh Coriander Leaves
- 1 Fresh Lemon (Juice)

Get the seasoning ready… Heat the oil on medium, add Asafetida, cumins. Sauté in ginger, onion, and green chilies.

Add boiled black chickpeas, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt to it. Cover the lid. Let it cook on low heat for 5 minutes.

Open the lid. Add garam masala, and some fresh coriander leaves. May also add lemon juice. Combine well and it’s ready to serve.

Our flavorful Kala Chana or Chickpeas 😊

We may also serve Kala Chana with an extra lemon wedge.
Notes:
Kala Chana or Black Chickpeas is one of our family favorite breakfasts. It makes a perfect breakfast or snack for all ages.
Sometimes, I prepare it as a Salad or Chaat as well. Simply, toss boiled black chickpeas with chopped cucumber, tomato, onions, green chilies, coriander, lemon juice, and salt.

Black Chickpeas Salad
During Navaratri festival, I prepare it with no onions.
Indian restaurants, serve it with Sooji or Rava Halwa or Sheera and Puri.
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GREEN PEAS AND POTATO STUFFED TOAST
There is a wide variety of sandwiches, available in the restaurants. Veggie Grilled Sandwich, Cheese Toast, Paneer Chilly Toast, and Corn Cheese Toast are some of them.
Personally, I love the sandwiches and try to make them in my own kitchen. Here, I have created yummy green peas and boiled potato stuffed toast. It is a very easy, quick, and a must try recipe.
Ingredients
- 6 to 7 Boiled Potatoes
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup
- 1/4 inch ginger ( finely chopped)
- 1 Green chili
- 1 medium Tomato
- 1/4 cup Fresh Coriander Leaves
- (finely chopped)
- 1 to 2 tsps. Olive oil
- Pinch of Asafetida
- 1/4 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 1/4 tsp. Turmeric Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Red Chili Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Garam Masala
- Salt as per preference

Frozen Green Peas

Boiled and peeled potatoes.

All set to prepare the stuffing.

Season the stuffing ingredients in a little olive oil, cumins, turmeric, red chili powder, and garam masala.

Add some salt, combine well, and cook for another 2 minutes.

Preheat the grilled sandwich maker. Place one bread slice. On top, place a spoonful of stuffing and spread it evenly.

Now place another bread slice on top of the stuffing. Close the sandwich maker.

As per the preference, keep it light and soft

Cut it into two halves and it is ready to serve
Notes:
These stuffed toasts make a perfect breakfast or anytime recipe. Just prepare the stuffing, let cool, and store into box. Rest everyone can make a nice and crispy toast for him/herself.
Served with Maggi’s sweet n sour tomato ketchup and fresh coriander chutney.

Sandwich Grill 🥪
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