About.com Indian Food

Warm up with a hot cuppa...

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:07:39 +0000

Seems like a lot of people I know are down with either a cough or a cold. There's even a fever or two doing the rounds! Don't you just hate that?

Since winter is the time for sniffles, if you're feeling down, how about you cozy up with a hot cup of something or other to soothe you? Soups are a great idea and you just have to try my healthy Spinach and Minced Meat Soup. It will make you feel good in more ways than one. If like me though, you like things sweet, brew a cup of Masala Chai (spiced tea). My good friend Preeti, highly recommends some of her Spiced Apple Cider (pictured at left). In her own words, "it feels like a warm blanket on the inside!" It's also really quick and easy to make.

If you're sick, don't feel miserable, go drink something hot. At least you'll sniffle in comfort :-)

_{Photograph � Karin Lau | Agency: Dreamstime.com}

Warm up with a hot cuppa... originally appeared on About.com Indian Food on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 06:07:39.

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Indian Fast Food

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:19:12 +0000

My first job was writing for one of India's leading interior design magazines at the time - Inside Outside. I was only 20 and loved it! Not just because I worked with an awesome team, had a really great boss and got to work in the City, but because the city I got to work in was Bombay (ok for purists, Mumbai). The buzz and hustle-bustle of this 'megatropolis' (I just made up that word) is like nothing in the world! Bombay gets under your skin and it's hard not to fall in love with it. One of the major factors in my love affair with Bombay was the food... mainly the street food or fast food! In my opinion, it is to die for! Many a lunch break did I spend standing at some street corner or with friends in some Khaoo-galli (food street) sampling things. Ok, enough reminiscing...

India's vibrant street food culture has only grown over the years, with scores of vendors busily stirring things up for their eager customers. I call the tasty dishes they cook fast food not only because they can be prepared quickly but also because they are in fact, the Indian equivalent of Western fast food. Take a look.

_{Paav Bhaaji photo: Courtesy of www.himadrimasala.com}

Indian Fast Food originally appeared on About.com Indian Food on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 02:19:12.

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What's Your Comfort Food?

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:38:59 +0000

Everybody has one! Or a few if you're like me. Eating your comfort food not only soothes your tummy but also your soul! So what's yours? I would love to hear so take a few moments to share about what you love by clicking the Comments link below.

My all-time favorite comfort foods are:

Idli with Sambar and Coconut Chutney (pictured above)
Rasam
Anglo-Indian Beef Stew and
Lehsuni Daal with freshly prepared rice

Each of these seems to work like magic for me when I'm feeling really tired or unwell. Try them for yourself... you might find you want to add them to your list!

_{Image � 2009 Petrina Verma Sarkar, Licensed to About.com}

What's Your Comfort Food? originally appeared on About.com Indian Food on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 09:38:59.

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DIY Masala!

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:05:39 +0000

What would Indian food be without masala? Bland and boring! Getting the right balance and making a masala (Hindi for spice mixes and pastes) that enhances the main ingredients of a dish, is an art that Indian cooks have perfected over centuries. It's an art you can learn!

Making your masala ahead of time means you will save time when you want to put together a dish quickly. All you need is a clean, dry coffee grinder! Make sure to store the prepared masalas well in clean, dry, air-tight containers and they'll taste good for a fairly long time. I like to consume each batch of masala within 8 weeks of preparing it. That way, all the ingredients are still potent a and fresh-tasting.

_{Image � Photographer: Harrison Eastwood/ Getty Images}

DIY Masala! originally appeared on About.com Indian Food on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 04:05:39.

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Indian Cooking Email Course

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:39:50 +0000

Never cooked Indian food before and want to get started? Now's as good a time as any. Sign up for my Indian Cooking For Beginners email course. It will lead you, in a logical and easy to follow manner, teaching you about Indian cuisine, helping you stock your pantry and giving you tips, techniques and several really easy recipes to try in your own kitchen. Before you know it, you'll be cooking Indian meals like a pro!

Click here to sign up.

_{� Photographer: Sasha Davas; Agency: Dreamstime.com}

Indian Cooking Email Course originally appeared on About.com Indian Food on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 00:39:50.

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Got Chips? Make Some Indian Dip!

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:15:11 +0000

I was at a friend's place for tea this afternoon and among other things, she served a platter of prettily cut veggies with some yummy dips. Instead of satisfying me, it only made me want more.. dips I mean!

So, I have decided, that being Friday night and the eve of the weekend (which is a big event in our home), I will not cook dinner! I will just do a number of Indian dips with different 'chips'.

If you're thinking 'What? Indian dips?", consider this - through its history, conquest and colonisation meant India was subject to numerous different cultural influences. The beauty of the Indian way of life remains in the way it holds its own, yet effortlessly absorbs from these foreign cultures to create something unique and entirely Indian!

In food alone, the Mughal rule in India resulted in Mughlai cuisine, the Persians gave us Parsi fare, the Portuguese left behind what we know and love as Goan food and the product of the British Raj was the Anglo-Indian style of cooking.

And so it is with Chip and Dip! If you thought that was as far from Indian as it gets, think again. Treat yourself with these seriously yummy and very Indian tasting snacks as you settle down to that long-awaited movie or game in front of the TV at home. Even better, wow friends the next time they are over with creative and out-of-the-ordinary munchies. You won't believe how simple some of these are!

_{� Photographer: Rebecca Picard; Agency: Dreamstime.com}

Got Chips? Make Some Indian Dip! originally appeared on About.com Indian Food on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 05:15:11.

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Start with Chickpeas...

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:42:51 +0000

I have to admit, most times I am not the most organized person in the world! The occasions when I have planned my meals for an entire week in advance and then actually stuck to that plan, can be counted on the fingers of one hand! I like to 'go with the flow'. So, come 5 pm, you will find me standing in front of my fridge or pantry cupboard thinking, "What to cook for dinner?"

Sometimes I am led by my desire to eat something specific, other times my family will request a particular dish but most often, it is the contents of said fridge or pantry that will dictate what we have for dinner.

The other day, it was chickpeas. Not only did I feel the urge to cook and eat some, I also had several cans in the cupboard! Since there is a lot you can do with chickpeas, I definitely wasn't struggling for ideas. The fairly neutral taste of chickpeas means it goes well with a lot of things. Here are a few ideas...

In case you are wondering, I cooked Chole that night and served it with freshly made Bhatura. Yummmm...

_{Image � 2009 Petrina Verma Sarkar, Licensed to About.com}

Start with Chickpeas... originally appeared on About.com Indian Food on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 08:42:51.

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Sweet Festivities

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:37:13 +0000

Diwali, India's Festival of Lights, is just around the corner - October 17th. There will be huge festivities leading up to it and on the day, celebrations will include a visit to the temple for most Hindus. Homes will be decorated with oil lamps and pretty paper lanterns, fireworks will light up the night sky and more sweets will be eaten, all in true holiday style, than can possibly be good for anyone!

Talking of sweets, preparations for Diwali are probably well under way already! This is probably because most people make more sweets than they can eat themselves! Why? So they can set them out prettily in platters and exchange them with friends and neighbours!

My favorite is Besan Ka Laddoo but you just have to try Boondi Ke Laddoo (pictured above), Sandesh, Coconut Barfi, Gujia.... I could go on for a while actually! Don't just take my word for it though. Try out my recipes for these sweet treats in your kitchen. Once you have and you've eaten them, I don't know if you'll want to part with any for your friends though! Oh who cares, you have yourself some fun!

_{� Photographer: Picstudio; Agency: Dreamstime.com}

Sweet Festivities originally appeared on About.com Indian Food on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 08:37:13.

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Start with Potatoes...

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:40:03 +0000

The humble potato may not look fancy but it is definitely popular! No matter where one goes in the world, it is a well-loved food in some shape or form. From crisps in the UK to hash browns in the US and Vada Pav in India, potatoes are a favorite comfort food.

Being high in carbohydrates, potatoes have always been shunned by dieters. A little known fact though, is that they are a rich source of vitamins B6 and C, potassium and dietary fibre. Don't lose out by letting this versatile veg's looks or reputation fool you!

Love potatoes? Check out and try my popular Indian Potato Recipes.

While you're about it, why not post your favorite potato recipes on the Indian Food Forum.

_{Image � Photographer: Dimitri Vervitsiotis/ Getty Images}

Start with Potatoes... originally appeared on About.com Indian Food on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at 06:40:03.

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Kids' Lunch Box Favorites

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:24:28 +0000

Which parent does not want to pack their kids a tasty and nutritious lunch every single school day? It's not uncommon though, to soon run out of ideas. What makes things tougher is that what you think is healthy, your kids find boring!

Try Indian for a change. From Sandwiches Indian Style to Upma, Dhokla and Moong Daal Ka Cheela (pictured above), all these kid-friendly lunch box foods are not just yummy, they are also nutritious and really filling, to keep your kids going through the day.

_{Image � Linda & Colin Mckie | Dreamstime.com}

Kids' Lunch Box Favorites originally appeared on About.com Indian Food on Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 at 04:24:28.

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