Light and spongy, salty, sweet and spicy – dhokla is a very popular appetizer prepared in the state of Gujarat in the Western region of India. The basic recipe for dhokla uses chickpea flour, rice flour, or semolina (cream of wheat) that are combined with yogurt and spices to form a thick batter. This batter is then steamed until a spongy cake of sorts is formed which is then cut into bite-size pieces and lightly pan-fried with mustard seeds. Served as an appetizer with mint chutney these are delicious cake-like savory bites. Continue reading Dhoklas. Steamed Cream of Wheat Savory Bites
Tag Archives: appetizers
Bhajias. Indian Chickpea Flour Veggie Fritters
Bhajias are deep fried Indian chickpea flour fritters that are a very popular snack and one of the most popular street vendor offerings in India. Bhajias are usually made with sliced potatoes that are coated in a lightly spiced chickpea flour batter and then deep-fried until golden and crispy. Continue reading Bhajias. Indian Chickpea Flour Veggie Fritters
Spinach and Bell Pepper Quiche
Quick and easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen, spinach and bell pepper quiches make for an awesome appetizer or for a light lunch served with a side salad. These litte bites are flavor-packed egg based bites with baked cheesy goodness. Made with wilted spinach and chunks of bell peppers and lots of yummy Swiss cheese, these mini quiches are so flavorful that it’s hard to stop at just one. Continue reading Spinach and Bell Pepper Quiche
Fig and Onion Tart
Fig and onion tart might sound intimidating but is actually surprisingly easy to make with the most decadent of results. Sweet, salty, cheesy and crispy, this is an intense tart with over the top flavors and oh so good! Caramelized onions, plump dried figs and Gruyere cheese all baked in a buttery puff pastry. Drizzle with honey for a little extra sweetness and you have a really really delicious fig and onion tart that tastes like it came from a specialty caterer! Served in little bite size appetizer pieces or in large squares for lunch, this fig and onion tart will have your guests impressed at your culinary skills 😋😄. Continue reading Fig and Onion Tart
Puff Pastry Bell Pepper Quiche for a New Year”s Eve Dinner
Quiche is synonymous for many with a good crust and a great egg filling. For me however quiche will always be about the veggies that go in it, because without a great tasting veggie mix, that quiche can taste rather boring in my opinion. When I make quiche I make sure my veggie mix is packed with lots of veggies, lots of flavor, and lots of good quality cheese. These are to me what make any quiche taste outstanding. Continue reading Puff Pastry Bell Pepper Quiche for a New Year”s Eve Dinner
Mint Chutney on Pita Bread with Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Looking for a totally original, delicious, and healthy appetizer to serve at your next dinner gathering? This appetizer is the most creative and delicious appetizer I have had in a while – spicy homemade mint chutney spread on pita bread and then topped with roasted Brussels sprouts. It’s so unique and delicious. Continue reading Mint Chutney on Pita Bread with Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Wild Mushrooms & Leeks with Melted Brie
Wild mushrooms and leeks with melted Brie is an appetizer that my daughter Rani and I made for our Thanksgiving dinner and what a spectacular dish it turned out to be. Delicious, cheesy, flavorful and beautiful – melted Brie with mushrooms and leeks is one showstopper of an appetizer! Continue reading Wild Mushrooms & Leeks with Melted Brie
Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash
Roasted butternut squash with an exotic spice rub elevates a sweet squash into something delectable. If you like roasted butternut squash and the wonderful flavor of spices, I promise this spicy roasted butternut squash will knock your socks off. My friend Shalini brought this variation of roasted butternut squash for a dinner gathering and I can honestly say the platter was wiped clean by all 😋. Everyone loved it! Continue reading Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash
Peach and Arugula Caprese Salad
Peach and Arugula Caprese Salad
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe peaches thinly sliced
- 4 cups arugula leaves
- Fresh mozzarella slices – about 10-12 slices
- 4 tbsp finely cut shallot
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- Balsamic vinegar
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh basil leaves – 4-6 julienned
Feta Mozzarella Caprese Salad
I wanted this caprese salad to be the kind where one gets a surprise with the first bite and maybe even the second bite – like a surprise in the palate. When I made this feta/mozzarella combination in a caprese salad I was thinking that Feta with its briny tangy fresh flavor would make the perfect accompaniment to the milder fresh mozzarella cheese. The caprese is unexpected in that you don’t know what you are getting when you take a piece – since both fresh feta and fresh mozzarella are the same color and look similar, its hard to tell them apart creating an unexpected flavor surprise when eaten. Continue reading Feta Mozzarella Caprese Salad
