Indulge if you may…A deep fried delight. Aloo = Potato; Vada = Dumpling (well deep fried in this case).

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Dal Makhani is a classic north Indian dish where the lentils are slowly simmered for hours in a very aromatic buttery, creamy tomato sauce. (Dal=Lentils Makhani: Makhan/Butter based). Rich, decadent and extremely detectable, this is a recipe to savor and treasure.

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Makhani Masala is the very aromatic butter based tomato cream sauce seasoned with spices and herbs – the base gravy for most of the tomato based creamy dishes in the Indian restaurants. If you are familiar with the lip smacking, finger licking  Paneer Makhani/Paneer Butter Masala (Indian Cheese in a Butter Sauce), Malai Koftas (Cheese balls stuffed with nuts raisins and spices  cooked in a creamy sauce), Dal Makhani (Creamy buttery lentils) or the internationally famed Murgh or Chicken Makhani/Butter Chicken served in the Indian restaurants, this is one sauce they are all based on. The Makhani masala can be  adapted to form a gravy/sauce with a thick tomato base or with more cream/milk added, it makes the more popular light orange creamy sauce usually found in the restaurants. 

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Legumes play a big role in the regular Indian diet. Today’s recipe is a simple but fragrant cranberry beans cooked in a sauce flavored with cinnamon, cardamom, coriander and other fine spices.

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A very quick sides recipe; raw, tart green tomatoes and earthy mushrooms stir fried in fragrant sesame oil.

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Here is a mashed pumpkin recipe with a big twist from the traditional, with very different flavors.

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A delightful week night side dish; quick, easy with a slight hint of spice. The cauliflower florets are cooked in the pan till tender and then sprinkled with nuts, dried fruits, green onions and some dressing.

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Talking of  Dum Aloo…There are some hundreds of ways to make Dum Aloo. In West Bengal it used to be a must dish served for weddings with “Radhaballavi” (lentil stuffed puri), and I loved the slight & subtle sweet taste of that kind of dum aloo.

Also during fall/winter time, when there would be small new baby potatoes, & the peas in the shell, my mom would make peas kachori and dum aloo with the bite size potatoes. It used to be an all evening activity when we would all sit and shell the peas and rub the potatoes to skin the already peeling skins.

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Chicken Tikka makes regular appearance  in all Indian restaurants. The Malai kabab is little different from the usual orange hued chicken tikka that you see in the appetizer section of the restaurant’s menu. These are irresistible tender succulent pieces of chicken that melts in your mouth as they are marinated in thick yogurt, creme (malai), cheese, herbs & spices and grilled to perfection. This makes great appetizers or have it as a main meal with grilled vegetables and your choice of rice, or couscous.

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This one is a Treasure in my kitchen. A delicious preparation of Paneer(soft Indian cottage cheese) gently simmered in curried Palak(spinach), this dish is relished with hot naan breads or chapatis. Or serve it as a delicious side accompaniment to any meals. Me & my kids spoon out & eat atleast half a bowl even before we start with the bread:-D. The origination of this dish is from the Northern Parts of India but is enjoyed all over the country & all over the world.

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