A popular Punjabi dish made with eggplant roasted on an open flame for a smoked flavour, then mashed and combined with spices. It is perfect served with warm rotis for a light meal, as a side or dip. Baingan bharta is a popular North Indian dish. Baingan is eggplant/aubergine/brinjal and bharta means mashed. It…
Indian
Cucumber and onion raita
A perfect cooling accompaniment to almost any spicy main course. This raita can be enjoyed as a side dish or dip. Raita is a side dish made with yogurt and spices. It is popular throughout India offering a cooling balance to accompanying spicy dishes. There are many different types of raita, some are made with…
Red lentil dal: masoor dal tadka
This easy red lentil dal is healthy, full of flavour and delicious with steamed rice. Masoor dal tadka is a popular dal in India and one of the easiest to make. The tadka (tempering), is a combination of Indian spices which are fried and immediately poured over the lentils to infuse the flavours. NicoleBrowse my…
Masala tea
Spicy and soothing, this masala tea is perfect for the colder months, and as a digestive aid after a heavy meal. Masala tea is popular in India for breakfast, during monsoon or in cooler weather. Made with black tea leaves, it is deliciously spiced and aromatic, milky and sweet. Most homes in India have their own…
Kheer
This kheer is rich and creamy, with a light cardamom flavour. A popular Indian dessert made with rice, milk and sugar, kheer is similar to rice pudding but not as thick. NicoleBrowse my site for traditional Indian & Italian recipes, read about great ingredients, and get handy tips for working in the kitchen. Also, check…
Quick kheer recipe
This kheer recipe turns leftover plain rice into a delicious dessert! Instead of keeping leftover rice for the next day, why not make this wonderful dessert. NicoleBrowse my site for traditional Indian & Italian recipes, read about great ingredients, and get handy tips for working in the kitchen. Also, check out my restaurant reviews for…
Chocolate cardamom pudding
This 15 minute, egg-free chocolate pudding is silky smooth with a sophisticated cardamom flavour. The chocolate and cardamom work wonderfully well together. Cardamom is one of those spices which work incredibly well in sweet and savoury dishes. Popular in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine – and in Sweden where it is used in cakes, pastries, to flavour drinks and…
Carrot Halwa
Carrot halwa, or Gajjar ka halwa, is a wonderful North Indian dessert made with carrots, cardamom, milk and sugar. It is probably the most popular of all halwa, and is particularly enjoyed in the winter, served warm, or on warmer days with a scoop of ice cream. The flavours come together beautifully creating an aromatic,…
How to cook fluffy rice
Follow these simple steps to make delicious fluffy rice every time. There are just 4 steps to cooking perfect basmati rice every time: wash, sauté, boil and steam. Many years ago I found a really old Turkish cookbook which suggested sauté the rice first in butter. This gives a wonderful nutty aroma, the grains are fluffy, and…
Lamb Chops
These masala lamb chops are incredibly tasty and full of flavour. These flavoursome Lamb chops are melt-in-the mouth perfect. For best results, first tenderise the meat by pounding with a mallet, and then marinate in this yoghurt and masala paste for at least 2 hours before cooking. Allow to rest before serving with rice and vegetables…
Shami Kebabs
Shami Kebabs are a popular North Indian food, normally served as an appetizer or snack. They are full of flavour, crispy on the outside and soft, smooth and silky inside. The Nawab of Oudh (18th Century), Asad ud Daula, is said to have been so fond of food that he commissioned the royal chefs to come up…
Kashmiri Dry Lamb
This Kashmiri Dry Lamb has a wonderful flavour; it is succulent with a crispy exterior. This recipe for Kashmiri Dry Lamb, was given to me by my mother, who received it many years ago, from a wonderful lady from one of the old households of Kashmir. It was one of her family recipes, passed down…
Health benefits of Turmeric
Why eating Turmeric is good for you. Turmeric, known for its ability to stain a white shirt yellow while eating Asian food, is most commonly recognised as a cooking ingredient in its powder form. In Asia, for generations it has been well-regarded for its health benefits. Used in millions of homes and restaurants, it is…
Turmeric pickle
A delicious healthy and popular pickle from the Indian state of Gujarat. Turmeric has many health benefits (click here for more information). It is intense, earthy and pungent. This recipe is for the popular pickle from Gujarat, India, ‘Kachi Haldi Achar’. It is easy to make and it will keep in the refrigerator for…
Goan Prawn Curry
A popular tangy prawn curry from Goa. Goan prawn curry, cooked in most Goan households on an almost daily basis, is made with fresh fish using spices which grow in abundance locally. This curry is normally served with Goan bread (pão) or Goan rice (which is unpolished and has a reddish brown colour). The tamarind gives…
