Sundals are a hallmark of South Indian Navratri celebrations — light, wholesome snacks made from steamed or boiled legumes such as chickpeas, black-eyed peas, green gram, horse gram, or peanuts, lightly tossed with coconut, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and a hint of lemon or grated raw mango. Because they rely mainly on lentils and pulses,…
Tag: #gluten-free
Bengali Dry Fruits Payesh: A Plant-Based Festive Delight
Bengali dry fruits payesh, a festive rice pudding cherished across West Bengal, is an indulgent yet comforting dessert traditionally prepared to celebrate birthdays, religious occasions, weddings, and harvest festivals like Poila Baisakh or Durga Puja, where it is offered as bhog (sacred food) before being served to guests; its preparation begins by simmering short-grain fragrant…
Plant-Based Vegan Meatballs: Eco-Friendly Protein Source
Vegan meatballs are plant-based versions of the traditional meatball, made from ingredients like lentils, beans, chickpeas, tofu, quinoa, oats, or mushrooms blended with herbs and spices. They offer a rich source of plant protein, dietary fibre, iron, folate, and magnesium while being naturally cholesterol-free and lower in saturated fat than meat-based options. Their high fibre…
How to Make Homemade Dijon Mustard: A Step-by-Step Guide
Dijon mustard is a smooth, tangy mustard from Dijon in France’s Burgundy region, prized for its pale yellow colour, creamy texture, and clean, sharp heat derived from brown or black mustard seeds mixed with verjuice, wine, or vinegar. Celebrated for its balance of pungency and elegance, it became popular worldwide as a versatile flavour enhancer…
How to Make Fluffy Khaman Dhokla in Minutes
Khaman dhokla is a light, spongy, savory steamed cake made from gram flour, originating from the western Indian state of Gujarat. Known for its bright yellow color, fluffy texture, and balanced tangy-sweet-spicy flavors, it is tempered with mustard seeds, green chilies, and curry leaves for extra aroma and taste. Traditionally, the batter is fermented overnight,…
Traditional Kerala Payasam Recipe: Pineapple Delight
Onam, one of Kerala’s grandest festivals, falls on September 5 in 2025 and is celebrated with a lavish feast where payasam, a traditional pudding, is indispensable—often with more than one variety served. I usually prepare ripe jackfruit payasam, though its availability is uncertain during the monsoon, since jackfruits need hot weather to ripen. At such…
Fresh Ginger Inji Pachadi Recipe for Festivals
Inji pachadi, a traditional South Indian dish often prepared during festivals like Onam, is a refreshing whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) side made with freshly ground ginger, coconut, green chilies, and tempered mustard seeds, with a touch of tamarind for natural tanginess. Prepared without oil in a WFPB adaptation, it retains its light, wholesome character while enhancing…
How to Make Aravana Payasam: Rituals and Ingredients
Aravana payasam is a sacred sweet offering prepared at the famed Sabarimala temple in Kerala, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. This thick, rich payasam is made with jaggery, rice, and generous amounts of ghee, symbolizing abundance and devotion, and is distributed as prasadam to devotees who complete the rigorous 41-day vratham (austerity and fasting) before undertaking…
Mochar Ghonto: Traditional Bengali Banana Blossom Curry
Mochar Ghonto is a quintessential Bengali vegetarian delicacy made with mocha—the banana blossom—slow-cooked with potatoes, grated coconut, and an aromatic medley of spices. In many Bengali homes, especially during festive vegetarian days or when guests prefer a no-onion, no-garlic spread, this dish holds a place of pride. Preparing mochaa is a labor of love: the…
Versatile Eggplant Recipe with Nutritional Perks
“Ennai” means oil in Tamil, and “kathrikkai” means eggplant — hardly the most appetising name for one of the tastiest dishes I’ve ever eaten. Eggplant, like the universally beloved potato, is a remarkably versatile vegetable, lending itself to innumerable dishes across the globe. Yet, unlike potatoes, eggplants evoke sharply divided opinions — people either relish…
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