Dine With Gitanjali - Page 15 of 24 - Recipes straight from the heart

Appetizers

Asian Style Sweet Corn

Come monsoons and our locales get peppered with street vendors freshly roasting corn aka bhutta! The crackling sound n tiny specs of fire, the familiar aroma of corn coming from the ancient coal fired Sigdi is an absolute multi-sensory treat!

Corn is truly multifaceted n can be cooked in a myriad of ways…Like my “Thai version” of “Buttery Corn”. These ones generously flavoured with lemon grass, red chilies, basil, coriander and unhesitatingly dunked in butter…

An indeed beautiful looking and equally delicious ‘Corn-on-the cob’, this one is great to serve as a side to any Asian meal or to be simply enjoyed solo as you lose yourself in the backdrop of those nostalgic rains !!!

Caution: serve with lots of paper napkins!

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July 15, 2020 By Gitanjali

Mains

Kolhapuri Misal Pav

“Misal”, A Kolhapuri enigma, best enjoyed in tandem with the ubiquitous Ladi Pav. A splendid rainbow of colours greets your eyes as you delve into this deliciously healthy preparation centred around steamed sprouts. The myriad of flavours released from the spicy coconut based curry, teekha (hot) sev mixture and the local thechas (condiments) truly send your senses for a delectable whirl. A common breakfast serving, this recipe was inspired by a very dear school friend Dipali…’Hey Dipali this ones for you ?’

For the novice, this Maharashtrian street food is different from Usal, which is typically a water based sprouted curry. While the popularity of Misal has ensured availability of ready to use misal masala across shelves, for the culinary sticklers, you can find the heirloom recipe on my blog!

So guys go ahead and spice up your barish ka season with a healthy sprouted Misal curry!

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July 8, 2020 By Gitanjali

Mains

Mumbai Street Style Masala Pav

The aroma emitted from steaming pans at any street side pav bhaji vendor in Mumbai, even today, sends my senses and heart in a frenzy…The Masala Pav is a spin on the ubiquitous Pav Bhaji, deliciously comparable and yet with its own distinct personality!

Even though my first tryst with this road side luxury was @Shiv Sagar several years ago, the images and sounds of butter being smothered on sizzling Tava’s as the Pav and Masala ingredients plunge into it, makes me nostalgic at the mere thought itself….

Since travel restrictions will be keeping me away from Mumbai for the foreseeable future, the city which has given me the best years of my life growing up, I decided to reproduce street style Masala Pav at home. Food is truly an amazing way to stay connected with your memories and seems like the perfect mantra for me.

Time to sit by your window and celebrate deliciousness as you watch the baarish pitter patter….and a word of advice, please do not let the dollops of butter intimidate you…after all such beautiful crimes aren’t committed every day….

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June 25, 2020 By Gitanjali

Mains

Ladi Pav

Ladi Pav – Quintessential Mumbai memories!

Typically paired with street food stars such as “Vada Pav”, “Pav Bhaji” besides staples like Keema, Misal etc., the Ladi Pav boasts of a unique texture and flavour, which at times, can be daunting to replicate!

Originating in Goa with the Portuguese invasion, this bread was fermented using toddy in the absence of yeast n from here, it transcended straight into the lap of Mumbai.

If you are looking for that true Mumbaikar experience, this simple recipe will surely not disappoint!

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June 20, 2020 By Gitanjali

Drinks

Litchi Lemon Fizz

Litchi mania continues …a gorgeous sweet ‘n’ sour Mocktail with distinct flavours of Lemon and Mint amidst the sugariness of Litchis! This apart, the chilled fizz feels like a breeze in the heat of summer! While the spirit of my preference is Gin, you may opt for Vodka as well…for those wishing a play with senses simply add generously.

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June 17, 2020 By Gitanjali

Desserts

Litchi Almond Pie Rabri

A gourmet spin on our archaic “Sandesh” with the added richness of almonds. Sandesh, a quintessential Bengali dessert typically made with full fat milk and sugar, can be effortlessly teamed up with wide ranging fruits or infused with aromatic flavours such as cardamom, saffron etc. Since “Litchi” undeniably rules the roost as fruit of the season, it forms the underlying theme of my recipe.

This luxurious concoction goes that extra mile where the Pie is dunked in a creamy Kesar Rabri releasing a myriad of tastes and textures with every slice wedged out and devoured. The ensemble of ingredients, flavours & textures makes this dessert literally melt in your mouth leaving you craving for more…

My husband, who not only has a sweet tooth, but is also an über connoisseur and critic of desserts simply loved this one…making my day and his for sure!!!

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June 11, 2020 By Gitanjali

Mains

Yeast Free Pizza

Pizza à la Yeast Less Dough…for those itching to try something different and delectable ! This beautiful thin and crisp bread base transformed into a gorgeous pizza is sure to leave you salivating !!! besides a high probability of never resorting to store bought bread options, even after the lock-down is a thing of the past….I loaded my pizza with generous amounts of veggies and it was devoured in what felt like nano-seconds !!!

Hope you guys relish this recipe as much as my family did..Do share your feed back as always.

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May 27, 2020 By Gitanjali

Appetizers

Fresh Pineapple Salsa

The 4 pm hunger pangs!! What to do when the kids refuse to eat the fruits you have called for. Well whip the fruit into a salsa and sooner than u realize the bowl is over. So here’s another fruit salsa that can be whipped up in a jiffy. Yes, the Pineapple Salsa – a sweet, spicy, and tangy appetizer. As always, feel free to modify the sweet and sour elements to suit your own palate. Pairs beautifully with chips or have them on crackers; and for those meat-eaters, grilled fish/chicken with pineapple salsa pairs deliciously well.

So hurry guys what are u waiting for!! Go ahead and try this ASAP

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May 14, 2020 By Gitanjali

Appetizers

Baked Potato Peel Chips

Baked Potato Skins!!! “Zero Kitchen Waste” is an added bonanza to this yummy n extreme low calorie snack. Amenable to an assortment of flavourings such as garlic, chilli, herbs, chat masala etc., these skins are great when dunked in Mayo, Mustard, old fashioned tomato ketchup OR any other condiment your mind can stir up!

Glued in front of your TV’s, replace those bowls of Popcorn or Nachos with this deliciously healthier option! Also an irresistible bar snack by any yardstick n likely to appeal to one and all!!!

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May 7, 2020 By Gitanjali

Appetizers

Kanda Bhajiya Waffles

“Kanda Bhajiya Waffle!!!” – There mustn’t be a locale in India where you won’t hear the sizzle of our age old “Kanda Bhajiya” aka “Onion Fritters” being deep fried! Whether in the hygiene of your home or the incredulous “Khau Galli’s” of our business districts, these bhajiya’s are literally omnipresent!

This Waffle recipe, effortlessly and neatly, wraps in all the authentic flavours n crunchy texture of its street cousin while graciously avoiding the forbidden deep frying. Ever in a dilemma as you watch the rains pitter patter, simply go ahead and enjoy your cup of “masala chai” with this lower calorie Bhajiyas!

This creation has been inspired by my childhood friend Mamta nestled in New York.

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May 3, 2020 By Gitanjali

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