Dine With Gitanjali - Page 21 of 26 - Recipes straight from the heart

Barnyard Millet Salad

Of the myriad of Indian festivities “Navratri” is truly widely celebrated, one wherein many North Indians fast for these auspicious 9 days, some to please the deity and others to rest and
rejuvenate their bodies. As a natural outcome respecting both, a conscious adherence to certain select foods has been practised over time. The “Barnyard Millet” or “Mordhan” or Samak” as many of us know it, is quite a multifaceted ingredient and can be used in an assortment of recipes including my all-time favourite salad.

Typically, of bland flavour, I add a host of veggies to these millets, transforming it into this salad which never fails to please even the most demanding palates…Those fasting, can simply avoid the spring onions and still savour this salad just as well! Health Facts: Fair source of protein, easy on our digestion and a low glycaemic index food… so should work well for those with diabetes as well!

Verdict: This salad is a sure shot joyous union of flavours and health….., designed in reverence to your body and respect for our deities….. As always, your feedback is invaluable

October 3, 2019 By Gitanjali

Soups & Salads

Cream of Mushroom Soup

A truly wholesome way to enjoy Mushrooms and savour its mystic flavours! A warm cup of this rich soup can be so comforting and invigorating…, especially when the mercury starts to dip typically with the onset of monsoons. Don’t let the whole wide range mushrooms deter you bcoz this one is made using “Button Mushrooms”, a variety which is commonly available across our country along with a few other basic ingredients such as onions, potatoes, milk and cream. Adding potato to the stock gives this soup a thick body and making it a fuller experience as well! Garnish it with an assortment of your favourite mushrooms topped with a hint of truffle oil and experience a whole new explosion of flavours and textures in your mouth. Add herbs of your choice (optional) for its multitude reasons and also to give it that beautiful splash of green!

Make a meal of it in a large bowl or simply serve it espresso-style at a party…It never fails to
deliver its magic!!!
As always .. would love to have your feedback.

September 24, 2019 By Gitanjali

Appetizers

Corn Cutlets

Corn Cutlets made with our very own Desi Corn…

Expect the unexpected as this assemblage of a crisp exterior with melting corn and cheese masala explodes in your mouth….

The beautiful rush of flavours and texture instantly prompting you to grab the next one….

A traditional recipe of my grandmother which always brings back sweet memories… Truly an infallible preparation which has survived four generations as they are loved by my children as well !!!

Apart from a great cocktail snack, this one can be kept frozen for those sudden demands as well !!!

September 15, 2019 By Gitanjali

Appetizers

Bhutte Ka Kees or Grated Corn Savoury

The splendour of corn is abundantly visible during the monsoons in India. Interestingly our rich diversity spins its own charm on the variety of gourmet dishes that are made using these golden pearls dotting the large Indian Landscape.

Indore, however, is particularly known for its “Bhutte Ka Kees”, a delectable savoury avatar of corn which is literally omnipresent in this part of central India – be it the streets or households across every strata.

Indeed simple to make with bare-minimum ingredients such as Corn, Milk, Coconut and some of our traditional spices.

An awesome tea time snack, which can be made ahead in time and kept frozen…, a delicious saviour for those unexpected hunger pangs or guests. A visual of those gorgeous rains while you sip your masala chai accompanied by our very own “Bhutte Ka Kees”, your Dil can only ask for more….

As always… please do share your feedback…

September 9, 2019 By Gitanjali

Mains

Skinny Enchiladas

Skinny Enchiladas”… Well, it almost sounded gibberish to me until when I first savoured it at my childhood friend, Rajul’s place in New York … What an awesome way to relish Mexican flavours sans the guilt! Can you imagine an Enchilada without the Tortillas !!! Exactly..neither could I… But you see that’s the first step to making it truly Skinny! And as if this wasn’t enough…..it’s loaded with “Gluten-free”, protein-rich, super plant food “Quinoa” and vegetables…literally transmuting these ingredients into one hell of a healthy recipe !!! For children and the fussy eaters… you can add from a selection of Cheeses or Paneer! For all the health aficionados out there.

I am sure this one will rock, you guys! As always, please shoot your queries if any and do share your feedback.

July 29, 2019 By Gitanjali

Mains

Stuffed Tomatoes Baked in a Makhani Gravy

Are you bored of the traditional Paneer Makhani being made at home? Are you looking for something that is a little easy on the cream? Look no further! This Tomato in Makhani gravy will satisfy all your cravings while keeping you light on the stomach. This recipe is something which will appeal to palettes, elders and kids alike.

Since the recipe does not call for onion and garlic so is perfect for those refraining from eating these due to religious or dietary restrictions. It is even a wonderful alternative for the people who are looking to avoid the typical North Indian dishes which are packed with the pungent garlicky smell. Whether you make it for your parties, or just at home for dinner, this dish is sure to get wiped out leaving everyone wanting for more.

Ideally, Tomato in Makhani gravy can be enjoyed with fresh, crisp tandoori roti’s or chapatis. But, for the rice lovers out there, just like any other gravy vegetable, you can add this on a bed of basmati rice to enjoy a nice comforting and scrumptious meal. As always, feel free to reach out to me for any queries and feedback.

July 21, 2019 By Gitanjali

Drinks

Sol Kadhi

Good friends are an important part of life! They introduce you to new foods and drinks. One such friend, Deepa, introduced me to Sol Kadhi, a drink popular in Goa and the Konkan regions. This drink is made out of coconut and kokum. While it was ideally supposed to be eaten with rice, it can also be served straight up as a drink during the summer months. And there are a number of reasons why you should serve this drink!

Kokum or Garcinia indica is a superfood, known to its properties to cool the body as well as reduce acidity. Ayurveda too mentions the importance of Kokum in regulating the pitta levels in our body.

Now, my drink mentions the use of the Pink Goan variety Kokum. I specifically use this variety as it imparts certain tanginess to the drink in addition to giving it that beautiful light-
pinkish colour. So those of you travelling to Goa the next time, remember to pick this up. But even if travels are not in the books for you, don’t worry! With the existence of the miracle, that is the internet, almost everything is available online today, including this Kokum.

While I know other varieties of Kokum are available, I personally did not find any variety in Indore which gave me such a beautiful result. And, believe me; I tried experimenting with a few different ones. So my advice to you would always be to try and source the best possible ingredients as they have a huge impact on your final dish. However, feel free to try any other Kokum varieties and if you do find one that you like locally, stick to it.

As always, I appreciate all your feedback and happy to respond to any queries you may have.

July 11, 2019 By Gitanjali

Appetizers

Dahi ka Samosa (Samosas stuffed with Curd)

Samosas are the ultimate comfort food and a foodie’s delight. While you can eat a samosa at any time, to truly enjoy the Indian delicacy, the rainy season is the perfect time to indulge in this dish. This is why, today, I’m going to share my Dahi Ka Samosa recipe. A little twist on the traditional samosa, this dish is just easy to make and is packed with the abundant flavour of ginger and chillies. It’s smooth, buttery cheese-like texture can never disappoint you. Whether you whip up a plate for unexpected guests, hungry children coming back from school, or even just an office snack – this dish is related by all leaving everyone asking for more. So go ahead, and give this recipe a try. After all, this beautiful weather calls for you to give into your indulgences once in a while.

As always, I’m happy to help with any of your queries and would love your feedback.

July 6, 2019 By Gitanjali

Drinks

Sattu Drink

Clean eating is not just a fad, but a lifestyle. And I was introduced to this lifestyle by Luke Coutinho and today, I can imagine no other way of life. It was he who also introduced me to the ‘Sattu Drink’, a natural protein shake perfect to supplement any workout. This fantastic composition is so light that it is easy for the body to absorb. Not only is this drink packed with flavour, but is also proved to be extremely beneficial to those suffering with ailments such as cancer and osteoporosis.

With growing, active kids, I always worried whether they were getting enough protein given our vegetarian diet. This drink is going to put the worries of all those mothers in similar situations away, as it offers the highest source of protein available in the vegetarian diet. Apart from protein, it is also an excellent source of iron as well.

This drink can also act as a mid-afternoon filler, keeping those unhealthy munchies away. Moreover, it also helps reducing overall bloating, so it’s a definite must-have for all those struggling to maintain their diets.

So go ahead, ditch the protein powder for this all natural sattu energy drink. As always queries and feedback are always appreciated.

July 4, 2019 By Gitanjali

Desserts

Mango Sandesh Pudding

A desi dessert with a videshi twist- the mango Sandesh pudding is sure to appeal to both kids and adults alike, and I can personally vouch for this since both my husbands and kids cannot get enough of this dessert. Sandesh is a quintessential Bengali dessert made with cottage cheese and sugar, flavoured with fresh fruits or dry fruits. As a result, it is relatively lighter and contains fewer calories as compared to the other indulgent Indian sweets.

Typically in the summer months, I like to use mangoes for this recipe. I tend to favour the Alphonso mango, which I feel work best with this recipe, as these pack a punch of the delicious sweet flavour, unlike the other varieties of mango. However, if you like this recipe, don’t worry about the Mango season ending! The mangoes can just as easily be substituted to strawberries during the strawberry season.

Do give this recipe a try, and indulge guilt-free in this dessert. Let me know in questions or feedback you have in the comment section below.
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June 30, 2019 By Gitanjali

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