Author Archives: The Weekend Baker

About The Weekend Baker

Weekend baker, Yoga enthusiast, curious cook, collector of cookbooks and traditional recipes. Stop by and say Hello!

Vaangyache bhareet – Aubergine raita

Vaangyache bhareet is a cooling and tummy friendly aubergine raita. Baingan bharta just got a Maharashtrian makeover! Flame roasted aubergine, onion, tomatoes add body to this dish. Chillies and some basic spices start a flavour party. Yoghurt adds the cool … Continue reading

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Gulab Jamun cake – a tribute post

This Gulab Jamun cake by Hetal Vasavada was the discovery of 2020 for me. It continues to be a firm favourite despite the list of ingredients that can seem daunting at first. I love the fact that it combines the … Continue reading

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Kees – a Maharashtrian raw mango preserve

In our childhood, the excitement over the mango season began when the mango tree in our grandma’s garden started flowering. That was a sign of a good harvest, the promise of delicious summer meals that featured mangoes in their raw … Continue reading

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Paandhra Varan aka ‘No Turmeric’ dal

Dal without any turmeric is inconceivable, yet here is proof that it can be equally delectable. One from the Goan side of the family this time.  It remains a firm childhood favourite and still features on the request list for … Continue reading

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Moong dal 101

This is a simple dal with basic ingredients found in all Indian kitchens. It is, in fact, simple enough for a teenager to make with no prior cooking experience. That was me, at 14 and this dal is the very … Continue reading

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Firecracker peanuts – baked not fried

Masala peanuts (or spicy peanuts) are popular as a ‘bar snack’. My earliest memories of these are of parties at home: watching the adults scoff down vast amounts while we little ones were restricted to tiny bowls. That adults only … Continue reading

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Sai bhaji

Sai bhaji is a traditional Sindhi dish made with greens, veggies and lentils. It is packed with proteins and iron and makes for a healthy and delicious meal when served with steamed rice. I was first introduced to Sai bhaji … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z 2018 | 2 Comments

Rajma pulav

Rajma pulav is the ultimate one-pot comfort food for the six year old who can eat rajma any number of times in a week.  This was an accidental recipe. I was trying to do half a dozen different things one … Continue reading

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Quick cooker dal (oil free)

This recipe is courtesy of a friend and former neighbour who had introduced me to the wonders of oil free cooking. I must confess this one is all I retained in my memory. I found it hard to believe that … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z 2018, Quick Weeknight Recipes, stews, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Potatoes for Puri-bhaaji

Potatoes made this way have always been our favourite side dish with puris and shrikhand, and still is. This is part of a classic Maharashtrian lunch. As anyone who has grown up in India will testify, variations of the puri-bhaaji combination are … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z 2018, Batate (Many ways to cook potatoes), Potatoes, Quick Weeknight Recipes, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Okra Pachadi

The words crunchy, indulgent and more-ish are rarely associated with weeknight meals but every one of these can be used to describe this okra pachadi. Add a few notches of excitement to a mid week dinner and serve these crispy … Continue reading

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Nachni and rava pole

Nachni (finger millets) and rava (semolina) pole are very similar to uthappams except for the fact that they do not use a rice-lentils base. They make for a quick meal without the hassle of soaking and fermenting the rice-lentils batter … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z 2018, Quick Weeknight Recipes, Savoury snacks, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mushroom soup

Mushrooms are top on the list of divisive foods in our household and the battle lines are very clearly drawn. The little man and I can have mushrooms intravenously whereas the better half would much rather be clubbed on the … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z 2018, Soups | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lentil soup

Lemony lentil soup is one of my must order dishes at a Turkish or Anatolian restaurant. The creamy lentils with a hint of spices and herbs and a generous kick of lemon juice are a wonderful way to start the … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z 2018, One Pot Meals, Soups, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kokum amti with steamed rice

Kokum is a sour fruit belonging to the mangosteen family. It is native to the Western Ghats region of India and is widely used in Maharashtrian and Konkan cuisines. The combination of kokum, garlic, cumin and chilli powder give this amti … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z 2018, Curries (Kaalvan, varan, sambhare etc.), Quick Weeknight Recipes, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments