Stir-fry asparagus is healthy and simple to prepare, yet very delicious. It is a beautiful dish to serve and makes a great appetizer or a side dish.

Battura is fried puffed bread and is traditionally served with chola (chickpeas). The combination is called Chola Battura and is very popular with youngsters.

This is a simple spicy snack with a light crunch! This is very popular with street vendors in Mumbai, Bhel puri. Every street vendor has his own twist but it doesn’t matter how you make it. Two main ingredients remain the same . . . puffed rice (murmura) and fine sev.

Black-eyed pea salad is very colorful and delicious. Ginger dressing gives a nice tangy flavor. This is great for quick and light lunch.

Spicy hot bread pakoras are great as an appetizer, finger food for any type of the gathering, and a tasty compliment for your afternoon tea.

Appetizers are typically finger foods that are easy to pick up and eat while waiting for the main course. So I decided to come up with an appetizer that has all the flavors of a traditional chaat and at the same time has the convenience of being able to be made ahead of time and is also a finger food. After some thinking, I came up with these yummy Chaat Bites – a crowd pleaser for sure!

Cheese is produced and consumed throughout the world in various forms. Shakkar para or Namak para are very popular snacks served in India during Diwali season. Combing cheese with Namak Para has resulted into what I call “Cheese Para”. The cheese adds a little zing to the Namak Para taking it to a whole new level.

Chola Tikki is a spicy snack. Tikkis are also known as a chat. Just the smell of Tikki can make you hungry.

Dahi Vadas are lentil dumplings topped with a spicy savory yogurt and tamarind chutney. These are great as a side dish for a formal dinner or served as a chaat. Dahi vadad are made using wash urad dal or moong dal or with a combination of both dals using different proportions of dal.

Dhokla is a popular dish in the state of Gujrat. Dhokla is a great appetizer.

This is a mildly spiced, refreshing and healthy appetizer. Tomatoes and cucumbers are filled with sprouted moong or flavored cream cheese. It makes an amazingly colorful finger food that is easy to prepare and tastes incredible.

Khasta Kachoris are a delicious, spicy, fried puff pastry appetizer for any occasion.

Masala French Fries are an exciting twist on french fries, and they are great to serve with cocktails or as an appetizer.

Mathris are similar to salted crackers and are a popular afternoon snack. Traditionally, mathris are served with spicy pickles.

Mushroom Sesame Fingers are a great choice for a light, crispy and low-fat appetizer. Prepare it in advance whenever there’s a party, and store it in the oven. Reheat for 10 minutes before serving.

Namak paare is pastry like crunchy snack lightly seasoned with carom seed. This is great snack with cup of tea. I like them with spiced mango or lemon pickle.

Potato Paneer Tots are a great blend of potatoes, paneer and jalapeno pepper.