Ghevar Recipe | Rajasthan’s Iconic Disc-Shaped Teej Sweet
The first time I watched my friend’s mom make ghevar in her Jodhpur kitchen, I was convinced she was doing something wrong. She poured a thin, watery batter into hot ghee a ladle at a time, and it hissed and bubbled into a lacy, honeycombed disc right before my eyes. That mix of nervousness and […]
Bhindi Masala Recipe | Punjabi-Style Crispy Okra Stir-Fry
Growing up, bhindi was the one sabzi my grandmother never let anyone rush. She’d stand by the kadai with her wooden spatula, patiently tossing okra over medium flame until every piece turned crisp and dry, never sticky. Years later, her trick is still the only way I make bhindi masala at home, and it’s the […]
Uttapam Recipe | South Indian Thick Rice-Lentil Pancake for Breakfast
What is Uttapam? Uttapam is a thick, savoury South Indian pancake made from the same fermented rice and lentil batter used for dosa and idli, but poured thicker so it stays soft rather than crisp. Chopped onions, tomatoes, green chillies and coriander are sprinkled directly onto the batter as it cooks, so every bite has […]
Sundal Recipe | South Indian Legume Stir-Fry for Festival Prasad
Sundal is a traditional South Indian snack made with boiled legumes such as chickpeas, green gram or black chickpeas, tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, chillies and fresh coconut. It is especially popular during Navratri, when different varieties of sundal are prepared as offerings and served as prasad. It is also commonly enjoyed during festivals, temple celebrations and […]
Ada Pradhaman Recipe | Kerala’s Festive Onam Payasam with Rice Ada and Jaggery
Ada Pradhaman is a beloved traditional dessert from Kerala, made with rice ada, jaggery and coconut milk, and finished with ghee-roasted cashews, raisins and coconut. It is especially famous as part of the Onam Sadya, where it is served as a festive dessert after the elaborate vegetarian feast. It is also prepared during Vishu, weddings and other special […]
Dal Baati Churma Recipe | Rajasthan’s Iconic Wheat Dumplings with Lentils
The first time I had real Dal Baati Churma was at a roadside dhaba somewhere between Jaipur and Udaipur, where the baatis were roasted over coal until they cracked when you pressed them. I have been trying to recreate that smoky crust in my own oven ever since, and while it is never quite the […]
Puliyodarai Recipe | Tamil Nadu’s Tangy Temple Tamarind Rice
The first time I had puliyodarai was from a temple prasadam plate, wrapped in a banana leaf, and I remember thinking no restaurant version had ever tasted that good. It’s tangy, mildly sweet, deeply savoury all at once, and somehow it only gets better as it sits for a few hours. I always make extra […]
Kaju Katli Recipe | Rakhi Special Cashew Diamond Fudge
Every Raksha Bandhan, my brother’s first question isn’t about the rakhi, it’s whether I’ve made kaju katli yet. There’s something about that thin, diamond-cut cashew fudge with its silver shimmer that makes any occasion feel festive. It looks like it took hours of work, but once you know the trick, it comes together in one […]
Vada Pav Recipe | Mumbai’s Iconic Spicy Potato Fritter Burger
Every time I’m rushing between errands, I make a beeline for the nearest vada pav stall. There’s something about that spicy, garlicky potato fritter squeezed into a soft pav that just feels like home to me. I finally recreated my favourite station-stall version in my own kitchen, and honestly, it tastes just as good, no […]
Adai Recipe | Tamil Nadu’s Protein-Rich Mixed Lentil Dosa
Growing up, adai was the answer to “there’s no dosa batter left”. My mother would just soak a handful of different dals, grind them fresh that morning, and we’d have a thicker, heartier dosa on the table in no time, no fermentation required. It’s still the recipe I reach for when I want something filling […]