Chole Bhature is the most popular vegetarian food duo loved by people worldwide. It can be eaten in breakfast as well as in lunch. The dish features spicy curried chickpeas (chole), and puffy flour bread (bhaturas). It is also accompanied by a salad of red onion, carrot pickle, ginger batons and green chilies. To eat, the bhatura is ripped off and is used to scoop the chole.
Vegetarian
Mochar Ghonto or Stir Fried Banana Blossom
Growing up I was fortunate enough to be exposed to all sorts of different foods and regional Indian cuisine. My dad served in the Indian Air Force and was posted at various states across India. Hence my mom got the opportunity to learn how to cook and prepare some of the local dishes. Many of which she included in her everyday cooking. One such dish was ‘Mochar Ghonto’. It is a traditional Bengali preparation of the banana flower. It is a healthy, tasty and an easy dish but preparing the flower for cooking is a bit tedious process. However for your convenience I have made this dish with canned banana blossom.
Aloo Gobhi
A quintessential Punjabi sauté of cauliflower and potatoes. It’s also the dish that became so associated with the film, ‘Bend it Like Beckham’ that (back in 2003) the DVD’s include an aloo gobhi cooking lesson from the director and her mom. This dry dish is ideal to serve as an accompaniment to meats or poultry or lentils or on its own with chapatti or paratha. And if you can save some for the next day, sandwich it between 2 pieces of bread and take it to school or office for lunch.
Creamy Kala Chana Soup
A healthy, creamy and chunky soup that is mild enough to be kid friendly and layered with flavors of cumin and ginger to please adult taste buds.
Jhatpat Masala Noodles
The quick and easy masala noodles recipe is super addicting. It will bring back some childhood memories.
Baghare Baingan / Tempered Eggplant, hyderabadi style
In honor of National Heart awareness month I am sharing a heart healthy recipe today which your family will enjoy and your heart will love. When I say heart healthy, the ingredients you use, the way you cook and the portion size make a big difference. Baghare baingan or tempered eggplants is a classic dish from the city of Hyderabad that contains healthful nutrients from seeds and nuts. It is made with baby eggplants and is cooked twice, first shallow fried and then later cooked in fragrant and delicious gravy. I didn’t fry the eggplants prior as recommended but simmered them directly in the gravy, creating a healthier version of the traditional dish.
Vegan Meat Masala
I know what you are thinking right now, “How can a vegan dish have meat?” ‘Well, it can”. Jack fruit or ‘kathal’ is one of those unique fruits that is used as a meat substitute for vegetarians and vegans. When young and green, the fruit has a mild flavor and meaty texture. When ripe, it has a strong fruity flavor that can be eaten raw as a fruit or used in desserts. In India people don’t wait for the fruit to ripen and consume it while it is still very tender. I grew up eating it in curries, pickles, semi dry dishes, and rice preparations like biryani. The fruit is rich in energy, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals and free from saturated fats or cholesterol making it more nutritious than many starchy staples. When cooked well, using heavier spices like black cardamom, cinnamon and bay leaf in the preparation, it is indeed a satisfying meat alternative.
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