Upma is a savory South Indian pilaf usually made with cream of wheat and vegetables. Upma is made by roasting cream of wheat which is then seasoned with spices and veggies and then cooked until fluffy and soft. The spices in upma are minimal making it a simple dish that kids really enjoy. Upma can me made with any variety of vegetables such as cauliflower, spinach, potatoes, green beans, and carrots. Upma makes a delicious lunch or brunch option served with a side of plain yogurt or raita. Here is a recipe for a quick and easy upma that my Mom used to make with frozen mixted vegetables. Give it a try!
Tag Archives: spices
Spinach and Leek Saag Paneer
This Indian spinach dish called saag paneer is usually made with spinach, garlic, onions and paneer, but in this variation I thought I would experiment with leeks instead which gives this dish more of a green onion flavor. When leeks are in season I like to use them in leu of onions as they add a different type of onion flavor and a creamy texture to whatever dish they are used in. Leeks and spinach are a great combination and in this saag paneer they taste great together with all the spices and paneer. Continue reading Spinach and Leek Saag Paneer
Asafetida Cumin Vinaigrette
You’ve heard me mention asafetida many times as I have used it in plenty of my Indian recipes, but this is the first time I am sharing a recipe with asafetida in salad vinaigrette, and it tastes awesome! I love asafetida, I grew up with this spice in our South Indian cooking, and I love how it brings back warm memories of Mom’s cooking every time I get a whiff of asafetida. In a salad dressing this rather eclectic spice really adds an unexpected fragrance punch that I love. Continue reading Asafetida Cumin Vinaigrette
Broccoli Sauté with Turmeric and Asafetida
Broccoli sauté with turmeric and asafetida is the simplest side dish to make with the most delicious of results. Doesn’t take long to cook, tastes amazing, and is healthy as it gets. With just a couple good for you spices broccoli gets a flavor kick making it a wonderful veggie to have as a side dish or serve it along a side daal and rice for a delicious light dinner. Asafetida adds that uniquely asafetida flavor while turmeric gives the broccoli that golden color, then add a bit of garlic – well because garlic just makes everything taste better, and you get a delicious broccoli stir fry. This is always a hit in our family and I hope it becomes your new favorite way to eat broccoli. Give it a try! Continue reading Broccoli Sauté with Turmeric and Asafetida
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
Broccoli Zucchini Tomato Stir Fry Curry
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I made a stiry fry with broccoli, zucchini and tomatoes as I had never combined these veggies in a curry before, but what a delicious curry this trio of vegetables turned out to be! I ended up with a juicy, saucy, flavorful veggie dish that the whole family devoured 😋. Try this saucy spiced up veggie dish with naan, chapati, lemon rice, coconut rice or even ladled over grilled fish. Continue reading Broccoli Zucchini Tomato Stir Fry Curry
Cucumber and Green Onion Raita
With so many garden fresh cucumbers delivered by my neighbor, I had already made cucumber salad and cucumber sandwiches and still had loads of cucumbers left over. I was wondering what else I could make when this cucumber and green onion raita seemed like a perfect summer dish. Served as a side dish along with fried rice or served as a dip, this is a great way to use op cool summer cucumbers. Continue reading Cucumber and Green Onion Raita
Spinach and Swiss Chard Rice
Looking for a delicious rice dish loaded with good for you super greens such as spinach and Swiss chard? Look no more. Here is a rice pilaf that is positively scrumptious that you’ll be having bowls full. Made with over 10 cups of super greens – that’s 6 cups of spinach and 4 -5 cups of Swiss chard – over 10 cups of super greens in this rice dish! The recipe couldn’t be any easier – toast a few spices with shredded coconut, sauté super greens with onions, and combine them all with fluffy rice. Simple, easy, and delicious. Give it a try! Continue reading Spinach and Swiss Chard Rice
Capsicum and Potato Curry
Potatoes and green bell pepper curry is one of my fond memories of my Mom’s cooking when I was growing up in India. When Mom made this curry she always served it with her homemade chapatis and daal. Wholesome, delicious, and comforting – this is a feel good meal with goodness packed in every bite. Green bell peppers also known as capsicum in India add a wonderfully unique bell pepper flavor and aroma to a potato curry. Though the curry can be made with the any multi-colored bell pepper like the red, yellow or orange peppers, these tend to get sweeter when cooked, on the other hand green bell peppers partake a strong bell pepper taste and aroma that’s totally unique. Capsicum and potato curry tastes great served as a side dish, used as stuffing in a burrito, or serve it with chapati or naan and daal, just the way Mom used to serve us back in India. Continue reading Capsicum and Potato Curry
Vegetarian Jambalaya
Just pile on the vegetables, add the herbs, toss in the rice, splashes of Tabasco and voila! Jambalaya at your table! This classic Louisiana rice dish is one that I’ve wanted to make forever but had a hard time finding a good vegetarian recipe. Finally I decided to mess around with a traditional jamabalaya recipe and make it vegetarian. I used a recipe by local Louisiana chef Amelia Durand which I found on foodnetwork.com. Though Amelia’s recipe is very meat heavy with lots of spicy sausage, ham and shrimp, boy did that jambalaya look delicious. I figured with so many good things in this dish like tomatoes, celery, carrots, peppers, onions, garlic, herbs and Tabasco sauce, it has to taste good even if I made it without the meat. I was right! This is one delicious jambalaya! Continue reading Vegetarian Jambalaya
