OUR VEGETARIAN BLOG
Garam masala
A masala is a mixture of spices, either dry or in the form of a paste, and there are many masalas for many uses. This one is a fragrant blend of spices—not especially hot—which is sometimes added to food during cooking and sometimes sprinkled over a dish just before…
Potato chat puris
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…
Akni
Akni is a delicate, aromatic broth made with a combination of spices. It is used to poach or flavor certain Indian foods, and can be kept for several days in the refrigerator. • 1½ Tbs. butter or Ghee • 1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped • 4 cloves garlic, sliced • 2…
Akuri (spiced scrambled eggs)
Serves 3 to 6 • 6 eggs • ¼ cup milk • ½ tsp. salt • black pepper to taste • 3 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) • 3 Tbs. butter or Ghee • ½ onion, finely chopped • 1 small green chili (jalapeño), minced • 1 Tbs. minced fresh ginger • ½ tsp. crushed dried…
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…
Khagina (Indian spiced omelet)
Serves 4 to 5 • 5 large eggs • 5 Tbs. chick-pea flour • dash of black pepper • ¼ tsp. ground coriander • crushed seeds from 4 to 5 cardamom pods • ½ tsp. salt • ½ cup minced or finely chopped onions • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley • 3 to 4 Tbs. yogurt • 3 Tbs. butter…
Raisin and tamarind chutney (a fresh chutney)
• Makes about 1½ cups. • 1 cup raisins • 1 Tbs. tamarind concentrate* • 6 to 8 Tbs. water • ½ tsp. ground ginger • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper • ¼ tsp. salt 1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and purée, scraping down as necessary, until there are…
Uppama farina with vegetables and spices
Serves 8 to 10 • ¼ cup vegetable oil • 1 medium-sized yellow onion, chopped • 1½ tsp. whole mustard seeds • 1 green chili, minced • 1 tsp. crushed dried red chilis • 1 cup farina • 5 cups hot water • ½ cup sliced green onions • ⅓ cup finely diced carrots • 1 large,…
Cachumber (an Indian salad)
Serves 4 to 6 • 2 large tomatoes • 1 large cucumber • ½ cup chopped green onions • ½ cup thinly sliced radishes • 2 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) • 2 Tbs. lemon juice • ¾ tsp. salt • 1 tsp. finely minced green chilis • black pepper to taste…
Eggplant raita
Serves 6 to 8 • 1 large eggplant (about 1½ lbs.) • 2 Tbs. vegetable oil • ⅓ cup chopped onions • 1 tsp. peeled and grated fresh ginger • 1 tsp. Garam Masala • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper • 1 small tomato, coarsely chopped • 1 tsp. salt, or more to taste • 2 cups yogurt • 1…
Cucumber raita
Serves 4 to 6 • 1 large cucumber • 2 to 3 Tbs. finely chopped onions • 2 cups yogurt • ¼ tsp. ground cumin • ⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper • salt • chopped fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) 1. Peel the cucumber, seed it, and coarsely grate it. Stir together the cucumber,…
Banana and coconut raita
Serves 6 to 8 • 2 Tbs. butter or Ghee • 1 tsp. mustard seeds • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper • ½ cup flaked unsweetened coconut • 2 ripe bananas, mashed • ½ tsp. salt • 1 tsp. sugar • 2 cups yogurt 1. Heat the butter or ghee in a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan and add…