Suvir

Rase Ke Aloo (Potato Curry)

I was often called Kamla Bobo’s Chadi (walking stick to my paternal grandmother Kamla Bhatnagar). My grandma ran the house. My parents, siblings and I lived with her in New Delhi. This dish was one of the couple of potato dishes that she loved. This was mostly made in the evenings. She enjoyed it with Chapatis, pooris and parathas. Equally. 

 

On those days when we were observing festivals, this was the recipe that was followed to the tee. On rare occasions, the recipe could be made a tad bolder with the addition of some Garam Masala in the end. Sometimes some cumin seed powder, amchoor and ground mustard seeds were added as well. Those Rase Ke Aloo’s would be had with Kachoris, a special puffy bread that was stuffed with ground hulled and spiced black beans.

Pooris - Fluffy Puffy Bread

 

A poori is a most beautiful edible treat to behold. In the kitchen as it is made and fried, and as it arrives on the table, to be consumed. Puffy and light, crisp outside and chewy in its bite, it is a miraculous invention and one that always pleases. 

We grew up eating pooris on tyauhaars (religious festivals) and at special dinners where a "fancy meal" was being served. Channas (chickpeas), rase waale aloo (potatoes), khatta meetha kaddu (sweet and sour pumpkin) and halwa (semolina pudding) are some of the dishes I associate with the making of pooris. 

They are delicious. Easy to make. Its all about practice, practice and practice when it comes to the making of pooris. 

 

Sweet-Sour-Spicy Pumpkin (Khatta Meetha Hara Kaddu)

 

All three of my cookbooks have a recipe for Kaddu (pumpkin). In the US I love using butternut squash for the recipe. You can use green pumpkin or sweet ripe pumpkin. They are both used in India. This recipe/video is made using green kaddu (green pumpkin).

Covid-19 Leading to Harsh Awakening

Read my April 4th Slice of Life column in Mail Today, or continue here.

Chanda Aloo - Moon shaped potatoes

 

Chanda Aloo cannot be made in enough quantities at our home. Two people can finish what a dozen people might eat at a fancier meal where everyone is being a tad more formal. Such is the beauty and comforting deliciousness of this simple potato dish. It goes back to my grandmother’s family’s table in Kurwaar. A recipe that has been passed down generationally. It now has fans across the continents. Friends and family members have taken it with them.

Mushroom Biryani for Vani

It isn't every day that my friend Vani Tripathi Tikoo asks for something. Hers is a personality that gets glues to ones heart and being. She is what one calls "good people". Hers is an inclusive world in a world where we are all being torn apart into isms. She lives and loves with open arms and table. She gives herself with boundless empathy and a large heart. 

This biryani, a recipe from American Masala, is also bold, beautiful and soulfully flavorful. 

When Vani asked for its recipe just by looking at the photo, I had to oblige, and was fascinated at how similar. this dish was to Vani's own journey. Global and inspired. Inspiring and comforting. All at once.

Vani, this one is shared with you on my mind, my dear. Enjoy it! 

Lauki Tamatar (Bottlegourd & Tomatoes)

This is a dish I saw at our table more often that I wished for it to be there. A favorite of my grandmother. It was made almost daily. It also grows in abundance. Is as local as local can be. It defines the epitome of what it means to be local and sustainable. Vegetables that grow together should stay together. Both bottlegourd and tomatoes grow in abundance. No wonder that this dish was abundant at our table.

 

Make this your foundation and add to it as you wish. This is a basic form that is wonderful as a side dish. Light and flavorful. A wonderful contrast to other richer flavors. 

Mili Juli Dal

 

You can use whatever lentil you have at home, and in whatever mix you want. Today I used arhar, chana, dhuli moong and urad, and moong chilka.

Dal is something most Indian homes eat in some way, shape or form daily. It is a staple in our homes. Inexpensive, nutritive and delicious.

Soul Kitchen: Birbal Ki Khitcheree

Locked in, with grim scenarios spelled out across television screens and mobile apps, no place to run or hide? Under these circumstances, it almost seems facetious to say, don't worry, so we won't. But what we can do is bring you a series of comfort food recipes put together by some of the most celebrated Indian chefs in the world. These may qualify as comfort food, but it's definitely not ordinary. Our star chefs will tell you the magic ingredient that will nudge it up a notch to qualify as gourmet. 

This recipe of mine is the first of a series. Follow the series here and the recipe below. 

Beet Balls: A festive treat with comforting heft

At The House Of Celeste, my restaurant in Gurugram, Haryana, we cannot make enough of these crispy, smooth, oozing with cheese beet balls. We serve them tossed in Tamarind chutney. At home you can serve them that way, or with the chutney at the side. I know friends who would devour them as is, and others who would dunk them in ketchup and be in comforting heaven.