Tawa Pulao is one of the popular North Indian rice dish rich with flavors and vegetables. Servings 6-8, Cooking time including preparation: 40-45 mins. Method: Soak Brown rice for 30 minutes. In a large sauce pan, dry roast cloves, bay leaves, elaichi (crushed), and cashews for 45 secs.  Add ginger…

Subz Jalfrezi or Vegetable Jalfrezi is a spicy and tasty Indian style stir-fry. It is best served with rice or roti. Servings: 4-6, Cooking time including preparation: 25 mins. Method: In vessel, boil/steam carrot and beans for 10 mins. Simultaneously, in a medium sized sauce pan, dry roast fennel seeds,…

Dal Makhani is a traditional North Indian dish made with whole black lentils. It is best served with rice or roti. Servings: 4-6. Cooking time 30 minutes. Method: Soak dal for 30 minutes. Pressure cook dal for 10 whistles with 1 and half cup of water. Alternatively dal can be cooked…

This homemade almond milk is so easy to make. We use it in breakfast cereals/oats, baking and making of various desserts in place of cow's milk. Method: Soak almonds for 8-10 hours. (If you are in crunch,  soak them for one hour or microwave the almonds with 1 cup of…

Carrot Halwa (or Gajar ka Halwa) is one of the most popular Indian desserts. The traditional Halwa recipe has milk and ghee (clarified butter). Here is a recipe for a tasty Carrot Halwa with no dairy and no oil. Several of our friends tasted this and were pleasantly surprised by…

This is an authentic spicy South Indian dish made with Cauliflower and black pepper Servings: 4-6 , Prep time: 20 mins Method: Cut cauliflower into half inch pieces. Boil them for 6-8 minutes with pinch of turmeric and ¼ tsp salt. In a pan dry roast mustard seeds, urad dal, fennel seeds,…

Palak Dal is lentil stew with spinach. It is one of the staple south Indian foods. It is best served with rice. Servings 8-10, Cooking time: 30 mins Method Pressure cook toor dal with 4 cups of water, salt, and turmeric for 4 whistles.  ( For cooking without pressure cooker…

Pongal (hot pongal or ven pongal) is a traditional spicy south Indian breakfast. Usually pongal is made with lot of ghee (clarified butter) or oil. Here is a recipe for tasty and healthy pongal with brown rice and that is  free of ghee and oil. Servings 6-8, Cooking time  35-…

Coconut milk is an excellent substitute for dairy milk in cooking various dishes. It is a common ingredient in many tropical cuisines. We love using it in making of pudding or kheer. Method: Remove coconut flesh (white part) from coconut. Cut it into 1 to 2 cm pieces. Blend them…

Dal Tadka is cooked lentils tempered with spices and herbs. It is one of the most popular Indian dishes. It can be served with cooked brown rice or roti. Serving 4-6 Method: Boil Dal (lentils) in a half litre of water. Cook  Dal till it is soft for about 15-20…