Category Archives: Vegan

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

Posted in Goan cuisine, Varan, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

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

Hummus and carrot sandwiches

Hummus and grated carrots might sound like a strange sandwich filling. I discovered this combination while exploring a newly opened cafe near work. They had peri peri hummus and carrots in some delicious brown bread. This is the inspiration for … Continue reading

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

V for Vaangyache Kaap (Fried aubergines)

Vaangyache kaap are thinly sliced aubergines, spiced and shallow fried. These are different from the bhaje/bhajias/bhaja as they are variously known in India. The bhajias are dipped in a chickpea (besan) batter before they are fried but the kaap are … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z 2016, Accompaniments, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Ganpati special – Green Peas or Vataanyachi bhaaji

I wrote about the Ganpati celebrations at my grandparents’ home and the festivities that followed. If you’ve read about it here, you will have noticed the rather unusual menu for that day. There is a simple explanation to it. The … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z 2016, Festive food, Seasonal food, Seasonal Veggies, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

B for Batatewade

These golden balls are a very popular street snack in India. The one rule of eating out in India is that if it’s fried, hot, and spicy, you’re probably good to go. Oh, and always follow the crowds. That won’t be … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z 2016, Batate (Many ways to cook potatoes), Savoury snacks, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Carrot Koshimbir

Next up, in the salad repertoire this week, is Carrot Koshimbir. As with most recipes featured here, this salad can be rustled up quite quickly making it a great addition to a weekday dinner.  It never fails to liven up a … Continue reading

Posted in Accompaniments, Seasonal Veggies, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Y is for Yam (suran) patties

This is an unusual one – it’s an adaptation of one of our childhood favourites. Shopping trips with the family meant that we were usually in for a treat of some sort. Once the shopping bags were full, it was time … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

V is for Vaangi Pohe (Beaten rice with aubergines)

Although pohe are a popular choice for breakfast or brunch, they were always a tea time or a tiffin snack at my Aji’s house. Breakfast, as we know it, was restricted to Sundays and was usually toast and eggs. On other … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

U is for Umber (Banana fritters)

Unusual? Perhaps. Addictive? Without a doubt! Umber (pronounced oom-burr) or banana fritters were part of the Shravani shanivar menu. The month of Shravan is one of the holy months in the Hindu calendar and coincides with the Indian monsoon. It is … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015, Desserts, Festive food, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

S is for Sabudanyachi Bora (Potato and Sago dumplings)

You probably are familiar with this in another form – the famous sabudana vada. This bite sized version makes a great bar snack or a tea time treat. They are called ‘bora’ because in this shape they resemble an Indian … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015, Batate (Many ways to cook potatoes), Savoury snacks, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

O is for Onion and Tomato Pole (faux Omelette)

These savoury pancakes are also called faux omelettes since there are no eggs involved.They are a quick brunch or tea time snack that is a filling yet quick fix. This used to be another Thursday special for very different reasons from … Continue reading

Posted in A-Z Blogging Challenge 2015, Teatime snacks or Brunch ideas, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments