Avocado Paratha
Avocado Paratha, these days I’m spending a lot of time at home, so I decided to experiment in the kitchen. I had one extra avocado left after making some guacamole dip. Avocados seem to be very popular these days most often served as “Avocado Toast”. I decided to put an Indian twist and use the extra avocado in delicious flavorful parathas. It actually turned out great and I enjoyed, but I think it needed a few tweaks. I added some extra spices and it turned out even better.

Basil Pesto Sauce
Lately pesto has become one of my favorite condiments to keep. Basil Pesto is an Italian delicacy. It is super easy to make, and you can use it in so many ways, making variations of dishes. My grandkids enjoy pesto pasta, my son’s favorite is making pesto sandwiches, and I like salad and roasted vegetables with pesto. Pesto has a vibrant color and brightens up any dish you make. Basil is a very aromatic herb. I have basil plants in my backyard. Because basil is the main ingredient for this recipe, I am always prepared. This is also vegan and gluten free recipe.

Chocolate Pudding
Chocolate Pudding is a simple and delightful dessert. My son is on a vegan diet and one day he mentioned he was craving a dessert like a chocolate pudding or mousse. I think he was giving me a not-so-subtle hint that he wanted me to experiment with this! I decided to give a try and he was very happy with the results! Soon after that this became a favorite dessert with others in my family. It’s funny because my family’s favorites keep changing! This is a super simple and easy recipe to make. I can prepare this dessert on demand and with limited notice for my grandchildren, who love to request dishes last minute! This rich chocolatey dessert is vegan and gluten-free.

Coconut Paratha
Coconut Paratha is a delicacy, I make parathas with so many different fillings, but I will say this is very different from others. Coconut Paratha can be served with the main meal, but one can also enjoy this as a snack with a hot cup of chai. One day, my younger sister Kumkum, who is an excellent cook, called me from India and told me that I must try this coconut paratha, that I will love it. So, in fact, this is her recipe. She is also a big help who I can call when I get lost with the new recipes I am trying. She always has good suggestions. This paratha has a complex flavor. Usually, stuffed parathas are not very thin, but coconut paratha is very thin and mildly spiced. They taste best when they are served hot. The paratha is crispy from outside and its inside filling has a different texture that is well balanced. Coconut parathas also taste as delicious when they are served at room temperature with pickle.

Kamal Kakdi Ki Chaat (Spicy Lotus Root Appetizer)
Kamal Kakdi Chaat is a truly unique and tasty dish. I wanted to make something new and delicious but also healthy and easy to make. kamal kakdi, is an edible lotus root that has a crunchy texture and slightly sweet taste. After doing some research, I was surprised at how much nutrients kamal kakdi has. I was excited to try out a spicy chat recipe using it. An added plus is that this recipe requires no frying and is a nice healthy savory snack.

Kokum Coconut Kadhi
To make Kokum Coconut Kadhi, we have to know what is Kokum. Kokum is a fruit used as a souring agent in many parts of India and it is mellow in taste compared to tamarind. For me, how it can be a kadhi without besan? So, this Kokum Coconut Kadhi is my twist, by adding a little roasted besan (gram flour). This is both delicious and very refreshing. You can serve this as a soup or with rice. My son who is a very picky eater thoroughly enjoyed it! This is a quick and easy recipe which you must give it a try. This Kadhi is also vegan and gluten free.

Methi Bajra Paratha (Millet Gluten Free and Vegan Bread)
Parathas always have been a family-favorite treat. Lately I have been trying to make gluten-free breads. A combination of bajra and besan with methi parathas taste delicious. These spicy Methi Bajra Parathas have a biscuit texture, which makes it very enjoyable. They also pair well with gravy-based dishes like Mixed Dal, Aloo Tamatar or you can serve with plain yogurt. You can enjoy these as a proper meal, or even as a great on-the-go lunch! I also enjoy these parathas with just hot cup of chai.

Moong Dal Halwa (vegan)
Moong Dal Halwa is a delicious and festive sweet from North India. It is a rich, creamy pudding-like dessert. I like Moong Dal Halwa, but it is a long process and for me stirring the halwa was becoming difficult. While trying to make the process easy I also decided to make it vegan. I was happily surprised by the result. This is a must to try the recipe.

Palak Kadhi (Spinach Ki Kadhi)
Palak Kadhi is a tasty side dish. It is spinach cooked with yogurt and besan (gram flour) and mildly spiced. I think Kadhi is one of the most enjoyed dishes all over India. Kadhi is made in so many ways in different parts of the country. One main ingredient remains the same: besan. At my house, kadhi was made thick and with dumplings. In Gujarat, Kadhi is made very watery and taste like sweet and sour soup. I enjoy the dishes which are made using besan. Palak Kadhi has become a comfort side dish for us. It is easy to make and can be served with any meal.

Paneer Tomato Curry
Paneer tomato curry is a delicious and sophisticated side dish. My husband, who enjoys paneer dishes in every form, asked me to make a paneer dish, which is different than what I have made before. It should not be creamy. So, I decided not to add cream or nuts. Also, as per Alex’s request, I did not add spinach. After trying to make a new recipe, I landed on Paneer Tomato Curry. Alex really enjoyed this. I knew this was a hit with him because he cleaned up the entire plate. You all know he is my videographer, so this was the next recipe he wanted me to make.I have done many paneer recipes. They all are starting to look the same. In this recipe the paneer is first grilled and then simmered in tomatoes. This is an amazingly simple and quick recipe and is very satisfying. Hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy!

Rava Uttapam (Instant Sooji Uttapam)
I have been wanting to do a video it should be easy and more versatile, ingredients maybe you have in your pantry. Utttapam a South Indian popular dish. Traditionally Uttapam is made with rice and lentil batter, which can be a long process, soaking, grinding then fermenting the batter. Rava Uttappam, on the other hand is instant and easy to make, with a variety of vegetables of your choice. It tastes delicious also can be served for breakfast, as a snack or for dinner. Rava Uttapam will be enjoyed by all ages.

Scalloped Potatoes (Spicy Baked Potatoes) in Creamy Sauce
Scalloped Potatoes are a classic dish with layers of potatoes topped with a delicious creamy sauce! It is the perfect comfort food and side dish to any meal.

Tawa Pulao Mumbai Style (Pav Bhaji Pulao)
Tawa Pulao is a popular street dish of Mumbai that is very similar in style to Pav Bhaji. The secret behind this flavorful Tawa Pulao is that it’s mixture of spices that creates the perfect balance of flavors. The recipe incorporates vegetables that are still crunchy and not mushy like Pav Bhaji. This is a one dish meal and also a good lunch box meal.

Vegan Rice Kheer (Payasam)
Kheer is a very traditional Indian dessert and is enjoyed by people of all ages. Kheer is made in many different ways using rice, different nuts, and vegetables but milk is the main ingredient to make kheer. I have been wanting to make rice kheer for my son who happens to be vegan and loves kheer. This is my version of vegan kheer: instead of milk, I used almond and coconut milk. After trying many different dairy free milk, this was the best combination I enjoyed. This recipe is also quick and easy to make and is delicious. You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy this kheer.
