Sago Kueh (Sago dessert)

Southeast Asian desserts are delicious, delicately flavoured and not as sweet as South Asian ones. They are lighter as well, mostly made from sago, sticky rice or jello. This particular dessert, Sago Kueh, has the lovely flavour of pandan and rose. Ingredients Sago 2 cups Water 3 cups Rose syrup or Roohafza 5 tbsps Sugar…

Corn bread

I love the corn muffins sold at Kenny Rogers restaurants and decided to try and make them at home. The same recipe I use to make corn bread that goes well with soups and chilli. You can use corn meal or corn flour or makki ka atta to make this bread. Ingredients Corn flour or…

Käsestange

I fell in love with the German bread Käsestange almost three decades ago while on a research fellowship in the beautiful Bavarian city of Munich. Once I bought it from a bakery close to the train station on my way back home, a flat at the Schloss Blutenburg, built in the 15th century. After eating…

Banana Bread with Walnuts and Raisins

When I was working on the newspaper desk in Singapore, we would start work at the unearthly hour of 4.30 am and the one thing that kept us going was that we would take turns to bring in warm bread for an early breakfast. One of my colleagues used to make this really divine banana…

Green Garlic Chutney

Garlic cloves are said to be good for your health, but fresh green garlic is even better. It is available only for a limited season in winter. Fresh green garlic is easier to consume than garlic cloves as the smell is less pungent. It can be had in salads or made into a chutney. This…

Mac and Cheese

A comfort food and a favourite with my son throughout his schooldays was Mac and cheese. I used to make it three or four times a week. I use sharp English mustard and chilli flakes, which impart a unique flavour to the dish. Ingredients Elbow pasta 2 cupsAll-purpose flour 3 tbspsButter 2 tbspsOlive oil 2…

Apple Pie

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. This is maybe even more relevant in today’s pandemic-ridden world. And there are so many ways the apple can be eaten. Apple Crumble, Apple Pie or Stewed Apples, to name a few. And there is no better smell than an apple pie baking in the oven. It…

Tomato soup: Comfort in a Cup

I feel that tomato soup is like the Indian dal — there are as many ways of preparing it as there are people in the world. And each recipe is unique. With winter setting in, there is nothing more comforting than a bowl of hot tomato soup. This particular recipe I learnt from a friend…

Mutter-mushroom Curry (Peas and Mushroom Curry)

The combination of mushrooms and peas in a delicately flavoured tomato gravy is delicious. This is a dish that I fell in love with when I was a young girl. I loved the version of this curry sold at a restaurant called Chic Fish near my home. I have experimented till I have managed to…

Cabbage leaves stuffed with chicken and rice

I was inspired by the Polish dish Golabki to experiment with Indian basmati rice and minced chicken. The gardener brought me fresh cabbages and the result is this really delicious dish. It makes a very satisfying dinner or Sunday lunch. Ingredients Cabbage 1 large Basmati rice 2 cups, cooked Chicken 500 g, minced Onion 1…

Creme Brûlée

This can be made the long-winded way or by the quick and easy method. Both turn out really good. I am offering both recipes below. Ingredients For the custard: Fresh cream 2 cups Sugar 1/2 cup Eggs 3 Vanilla essence 1 tsp For the quick and easy custard: Custard powder 3 tbsps, vanilla flavour Full-cream…

Chilli Cheese Toast

I have grown up with Chilli Cheese Toast. I loved ordering it all the time and I still go back to it often. It is like a security blanket. It takes me back to my childhood and a less complicated, happy life. Ingredients Bread 2 slices of any bread Mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup, grated Green…

Palak Paneer (Spinach with Cottage Cheese)

The best palak paneer I have had is from a restaurant called Moti Mahal, not far from where we grew up in Delhi. I had to try a few times before I developed this version that is quite close to the taste I remember from my childhood. Ingredients Spinach leaves 1/2 kg, washed, steamed and…

Atta Biscuits (Whole wheat flour biscuits)

These biscuits are very similar to those that I had as a child. My dad would take ghee or clarified butter, atta or whole wheat flour, and sugar to the local bakery and they would turn the ingredients into the most delicious biscuits. Through these biscuits nostalgia meets taste. Ingredients Atta or whole wheat flour…

Za’atar Manaqish (Flat bread with spice)

This Middle Eastern bread with the flavourful za’atar spice is an ideal snack. It can be served with a green salad, lab Meh or feta cheese. I was introduced to za’atar when I was suffering from nausea and it cured me. I have been a fan since. Ingredients (Makes 20) All-purpose flour 3 cups Yeast…

Broccoli and Mushroom Pasta

This dish with garlicky cream sauce with peperoncino flakes and aged cheddar cheese is delicious and healthy. You can use any pasta though I have used macaroni. The broccoli and capsicum give it a lovely fresh green colour. Ingredients Macaroni pasta 2 cups, cooked al dente Broccoli florets 1 cup Capsicum 1 medium, sliced Mushrooms…

Pav Bhaji ( Dinner rolls with vegetable medley)

The fresh light as air buns go very well with a mixed vegetable curry that is slow cooked and mashed. A street food from the western part of India, this dish is great for any meal— breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is a lovely snack as well. Ingredients For the pav (buns): Milk 1 1/4…

Choley Bhature

This combination of fried Indian bread made from all-purpose flour and chickpea or garbanzo bean curry is a favourite across the country. It is easy to make as well. I have broken down the recipe into workable bytes. Ingredients For the chole (chickpea curry) Kabuli chana (dry chickpea or garbanzo beans) 1 cup Onions 1…