Spices are synonymous with Indian cuisine. You don’t need to be in the kitchen to know something’s cooking. The strong aroma of Indian spices hits you wherever you are. That’s the secret of using even a pinch of these not-so exotic spices in your cooking. Spices are aromatic flavorings got from the stems, barks, roots, fruits, flowers, buds and seeds…
How does one describe the aroma and flavour of a spice as exotic as saffron? Floral? Earthy? Subtle? Musky? Definitely not spicy!And what makes it so priceless? Why is it often referred to as a luxury spice? Believe it or not, but the thread-like strands of saffron are actually a part of a flower called the stigma. Each flower, of…
This freshly ground green chutney is delicious and adds colour, flavor and nutrition to vegetable sandwiches, wraps, pakoras, chaat or any of the innumerable traditional Indian snacks. Ingredients 2 cups mint -pudina- (only the leaves, discard the stems) 1 cup cilantro / coriander (only the leaves and soft stems) 1 tbsp green chilies (roughly chopped) 1 tbsp ginger (roughly chopped)…
A low -carb dip made from thick yoghurt that is nutritious and spiked with spring onions that add color, flavor and a crunch to this creamy delight. Ingredients ½ cup of Greek yoghurt or regular yoghurt (if you are using regular yoghurt put it in a strainer and drain out all the whey so that it is of a thick…
Wake up and smell the coffee! Not just coffee, but a cup of refreshing masala coffee! A great way to kick-start your day! Here’s how you can brew your own aromatic, spiced-up cup of coffee. Ingredients 1 tsp instant coffee 1 cup of milk 2 pods of cardamom 1-2 sticks of cinnamon 2-3 cloves 1 tsp ginger powder (dry) or…
Even something as simple as toast can turn into a scrumptious snack when topped with cheese and spiced with chili (the green variety)! Ingredients 4 slices of bread (white, brown or multi-grain) 1 cup grated cheese (mozzarella/cheddar/ a mix of both, or whatever cheese is easily available) 1 green chili finely chopped, or 8-10 pieces of jalapenos (increase or decrease…
A salad often comes across as a healthy and nutritious dish, till you add that dash of mayonnaise or creamy dressing to it. Here’s how you can dress up your salad and keep it healthy too! Ingredients 1 cup chopped bell peppers (in cubes) 1 cup chopped cucumber (in cubes) ¼ cup finely chopped celery 2 tbsp finely chopped basil…
Also known as adrak, in India, the first thing you should know about ginger, or the part of the plant that is used as a spice, is that it is not a root, although it sure looks like one! This rough, gnarled part, though dug up from the ground, is a ‘rhizome’ meaning an underground stem that grows horizontally below…
A culinary delight- Thali It’s local, it’s indigenous, it’s nutritional, it’s aromatic, it’s colourful, it’s a harmony of flavors; a typical Indian meal that provides you with that ‘special’ taste of India, on one single platter! Introducing, the Indian thali, a platter in which is served one of the most aromatic and delicious traditional meals you could ever find in…
