Rava Ladoo for Diwali (Sweet Semolina Balls)

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy and safe Diwali.  Hope you are all having a wonderful time celebrating Diwali with family and friends. Deepavali/Diwali called Festival of Lights inadvertently has been one of my favorite festivals. It symbolizes the victory of righteousness along with the removal of spiritual darkness. In India, the streets, markets are filled with people, bustling with activities; making the whole atmosphere charged up and filled with festivities. Growing up as kids we got to wear new clothes, decorate our homes, indulge on varieties of goodies, light up fire crackers, beautiful diyas(lamps), meet with friends…

Spinach Pithla

Pithla is a delicious, spiced gravy made with Besan (chickpea flour). It’s a quick and handy recipe, perfect for those times when you’re out of vegetables or need to whip up something simple yet satisfying. The iconic combination of Pithla Bhakri or Jhunka Bhakri holds a special place in North Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra. The dry version of Pithla is often called Jhunka or Zunka. Growing up, my mom would often prepare this for breakfast, pairing it with Jowar Bhakri and a flavorful garlic (lassuni) chutney. I wasn’t a big fan of Pithla back then—especially with rice—and would come…

Diwali Sweets and Snacks

Now that Diwali is just few days away, I am sure many of you are busy dishes in advance. Just like last year,I have put together recipe links to sweets and snacks recipes that I have posted earlier.  Hope you find something fun and interesting: Sweets/Mithai Besan Ladoo Microwave Besan Laddoo Wheat Flour Laddos (Churma Laados/ Atta Ladoo /Pitta Undo) Coconut Ladoo Coconut Burfi/ Nariyal Burfee Banana Halwa (Burfi) Mango Peda Coconut Mango Burfi Easy Ras Malai (using Ricotta cheese) Kalakand Recipe Milk Dates Peda in Microwave (Doodh Peda) Instant Carrot Laddoo in Microwave Snacks Corn Chivda/ Corn Mixture Masala Peanuts…

Vada Pav Recipe

Remember the recipe for Batata Vada I posted last time? The popular sinfully good spiced potato patty which is deep fried and the one we relished?  Well as if that indulgence was not good enough, we took it to the next level and enjoyed even more. We re-created the street food magic at home and ate them as as Vada Paav.  Vada Paav is a popular street food in Mumbai. It is an Indianised version of vegetarian burgers. The vada called as Batata Vada (burger) is a spicy potato filling, dipped in gram flour batter and then deep fried. This…

Aloo Bonda /Batata Vada

After the scorching summer we had here, the weather has taken a U turn and turned into a mild, pleasant one, reminiscent of the autumn season. Added to this it got cloudy and we had some drizzle over the weekend making it even cooler. There is something about the rain that gives me that cozy, nostalgic feeling. And on days like this, I cannot think of a better way to spend the day than to indulge in some crispy deep fried stuff. The most common deep fried stuff I resort to are these fritters/bhajjis or medu vada. But this time…

Microwave Apple Crisp

The fall season is here and that means it good bye to the hot and humid summer! (Agree, I am weeks behind in welcoming fall, but hey nevertheless). Fall or autumn is between winter and summer and it can be a mixed season with warm days and cooler days. In some areas nature does a beautiful show where in the leaves turn from green to vivid colors creating an awesome sight. It is a visual treat and a photographer’s delight. The weather in Texas has cooled down considerably a huge relief from the relentless heat. It must be at least…

Banana Sooji Halwa/Sheera/ Balehannu Sajjige

Wishing all readers a happy and blessed festival of Navarathri. This Banana Semolina pudding or halwa or sheera is one of the easiest Indian sweet dishes that I know of. Although it involves three different processes, all made simultaneously it comes together in no time. If I need to make something quick for a pooja neivedya then I either resort to preparing this or the Sweet Poha. This recipe is also a good way to use up any overripe bananas. This Sheera or the plain one (without any fruits) is usually prepared during SatyaNarayana Pooja and offered as Prasad. While…