Grilled Veggie Sandwich

My school days were nothing short of jail time. I went to a strict girls only convent school. We weren't allowed to step outside the school gates until school was over. The nuns oversaw everything we did. Our socks had to be pulled up, hair tied back, skirt had to hit the knees - you get the picture! I had no idea a free world existed outside those walls. I accepted my destiny for the longest time, until, I finished school and headed to college.  A whole new world opened up! I had no idea you could speak your mind in the free world, laugh out loud, talk about boys and generally do as you please! Can you imagine how shocked I was. I adapted very quickly to my new found world and new found freedom, ofcourse. Some would say, too quickly.

Kati Rolls

I consider myself somewhat of a street food connoisseur ( is that an oxymoron? ) so when I found out the existence of such a thing called Kati Rolls (through this place in NYC http://thekatirollcompany.com/) I was a bit perplexed that I hadn't ever heard of these rolls before. I had to make up for so much lost time, which I did.

Black Bean Tacos

Ever since I made this grilled corn salad, I've been thinking of making tacos to go with it. Yes, that's backwards. But like most foodies (yes, you!) if you think of making something or trying out a new recipe, you can't rest until you've done it.

Pav Bhaji - a revelation

Much has been written about Pav Bhaji in the blogosphere and if you follow any of the many Indian blogs, you are likely to have come across these posts. There are several versions of the recipe itself and secrets to the authentic flavor, but one thing is consistent across the board, Pav Bhaji evokes emotion! Anyone who grew up eating Pav Bhaji in India - the quintessential street food, truly misses the experience when they move away from home. It is just that, an experience.

Grilled Corn Salad

Too many salads you say? Perhaps. But it is summer and I am trying to eat healthy and well, I do love salads. This one, like other things I make, was born out of things sitting in my crisper that needed immediate attention. Half a green pepper and three corn ears looking at me with sorry eyes (yes if I talk to my food, they also have eyes), asking me if I was going to let them sit there and spoil away and destine them to the trash bin or if I was going to put them to good use. Ofcourse, I hate throwing food out and I hate looking away from things and wait for them to meet their fate. So I decided, when I had 15 mins - between finishing work and going to pick up my son at daycare, that I was going to make this salad. I wanted a bhutta (grilled corn smeared with lemon, salt and chilli powder)  in a bowl.

Easy Lentil Salad

Aren't those lentils gorgeous?! I'm feeling so relieved today, the stress of the past few days, when I was waiting in anticipation to determine my fate with something, has dissipated. The outcome, not so great, but I'd rather know which way I'm going than hang in mid-air. Yeah, I'm one of those people, I have to know. Good or Bad, just tell me, I can take it.So now I know and I say, c'est la vie! Maybe another time.

Beet Carpaccio

I've worked in New York City for several years now and I love it for so many different reasons. It truly is a melting pot and I've met so many people from so many different cultures, just at work. There are also a ton of options to eat there. Lunch with colleagues is a great way to get to know people outside of what they do at work.

Black Bean Burrito Bowl

You read and hear of so many ways to get healthy in the media, it makes your head spin. The self doubt it brings is terrible, because what you thought was good and right once, suddenly isn't. Do you ever wonder if some marketing gurus are orchestrating all this madness and sitting back and laughing at all of us. The cynic in me thinks so.

Chickpea Tagine with Green Harissa

Last summer my friends and I, with our respective spouses and kids headed to Bar Harbor, ME for a long weekend getaway.
The idea of a few days away relaxing in a vacation rental and eating out, drinking late into the night and chitchatting with friends is my very grown up idea of a vacation. Gone are those days when these same friends and I would hang out late at pubs, get wasted , or dance all night long till our legs gave away. Amongst us friends, there was a secret competition to see who stayed on the dance floor the longest. I lasted almost to the end. I miss those carefree days I must admit.

broo skéttə or Bruschetta

I love saying broo skéttə. Apparently, that's how the Italians say it. Everytime I order this at a restaurant, I ask for "broo skéttə" mostly because of how much fun I have saying it. I'm pretty sure the waiter thinks I'm pretentious :)

Creamy Chana Daal

Chana Daal isn't the daal of choice in most maharashtrian homes, so I came about this only more recently and very quickly fell in love with the creamy texture of the daal you get when you overcook it. You could consider this an originally north-indian recipe.

Kerala Karela

I didnt learn cooking the traditional way - my mom didnt teach me to cook. Not that she didnt want me to  learn, I just refused to. I didnt go through the much needed learning to turn me into a good wife for my future husband. I was convinced I brought plenty else to the marraige table. Add to that the fact that I was a picky eater as a child, karela was never in my food repertoire as a child.