Serves 6 to 8 as an hors d’oeuvre or snack. • 18 small Puris • ⅓ cup slivered onions • 2 cups cubed, cooked white-skinned potatoes (waxy) • 1½ cups cooked garbanzo beans • 1 Tbs. minced hot green chilis • 3 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) • 2...
Pakoras (hot vegetable fritters)
Serves 4 to 6 Pakoras are spicy fritters, ideal to serve hot as an appetizer or snack, with a tall, cool drink. Try them with a gin and tonic, or a Pimm’s and soda with a slice of cucumber in it. ⅔ cup chick-pea flour ¼ tsp. baking soda 5 Tbs. cold water ¼ tsp. ground...
Smothered potatoes
Serves 6 • 2 lbs. potatoes • 2 tsp. ground turmeric • 1 Tbs. Garam Masala • 2 tsp. salt • ½ tsp. ground cumin • ½ tsp. black pepper • ⅓ cup yogurt • 3 Tbs. butter • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp. crushed dried red pepper • 1 tsp. sugar 1. Peel the potatoes and cut them in...
Spiced eggplant
Serves 6 to 8 • 2 lbs. eggplant • 3 to 4 cups Akni • 2 Tbs. ground coriander • 1½ tsp. salt • ½ tsp. ground black pepper • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper • 2 tsp. peeled and minced fresh ginger • 3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice • 3 Tbs. butter or Ghee garnish • chopped chives or...
Cantaloupe water
Serves 6 to 8 • 5½ lbs. ripe cataloupe (about 3 medium sized) • 1 to 1½ cups cold water • ¼ cup honey • 10 to 12 large ice cubes 1. Peel and seed the cantaloupes and cut the fruit into chunks. Purée the fruit in a blender, doing about 2 or 3 cups at a time and adding...
Tortitas con queso (savory Mexican cheese tarts)
We were having margaritas before dinner one evening in a wonderful restaurant in Mexico City and thought we should have something to nibble with them. The young waiter read our minds—he knew just what we wanted even though we had never heard of it and brought us a...
Spicy refried beans
Serves 6 • 1½ cups dried red kidney beans • 6 cups water • 2 Tbs. corn oil • 1½ onions • 3 tsp. salt • ¼ cup olive oil • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 cup peeled, chopped tomatoes • 2 small jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced • 2 Tbs. lemon juice • ¼ tsp. cinnamon • ⅛...
Refried kidney beans
Serves 4 to 6 • 6 Tbs. vegetable oil • 2 Tbs. butter • 1½ yellow onions • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional) • 4½ cups cooked kidney beans • 2 cups cooking liquid from beans • salt to taste • garnish • grated mild cheese such as Jack, mild Cheddar 1. Heat the oil and...
Rajas con queso (peppers with cheese)
Serves 6 as a first course or 4 as a main course. • This makes an excellent sauce or filling for omelets. • 2¼ lbs. green bell peppers (about 5 large) • 1½ lbs. tomatoes or 4 to 5 canned tomatoes and 1 cup juice • 1 large yellow onion • 1 large red onion • 3 Tbs....
Chilaquiles with mushrooms
Serves 6 • 8 corn tortillas vegetable oil for frying • salt to taste • 1 lb. mushrooms • 2 Tbs. olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed • pinch of thyme • pinch of oregano • pepper to taste • 1 cup sliced green onions • 1 lb. tomatoes, peeled and puréed • 6...