Category: Gravies/Curries

Gujarati Kadhi

Tangy, creamy yogurt based gravy with sweet notes
05/24/2016 8:51:36 PM vindhyadesai

Kadhi is a yogurt/curd based dish made using besan(chickpea flour) to thicken it into a gravy like consistency. Besan also prevents yogurt from splitting when it is heated. Yogurt can be sour or sweet, it depends on the type of Kadhi you are making. Yes, there are various types of Kadhi that are made in India. Almost every state has its own type of Kadhi, from the Punjabi version which has pakodis to Rajasthani Kadhi which is not as sweet as Gujarati Kadhi. Then there are more variations from South India like majjige huLi from Mysore/Bangalore, majjige paladya made in North Karnataka, Mor Kulambu from Tamil Nadu. There are so many variations and every version is very comforting.
Gujarati Kadhi is sweet because of the sugar or jaggery. You can make this in a jiffy after a long day and feel comforted on a cold winter night or a hot summer evening. Kadhi has cooling properties, it is known that it prevents formation of phlegm and can be eaten for dinner as the yogurt is cooked.I generally serve this with ‘rotlis’ (rotis with ‘L’ are Gujarati rotis or phulkas smeared with desi ghee) or plain steamed rice. ... “Gujarati Kadhi”

Aloo Masala

Potato gravy or aloo masala for rava idli
05/22/2016 11:50:35 AM vindhyadesai

Aloo masala is a light gravy to accompany rava idli or chapathis or rotis. Boiled and mashed potatoes are mixed in tangy tomato gravy. Simple ingredients and easy to make. MTR hotel serves rava idlis with aloo masala along with ghee and chutney, a unique combination not found in a lot of eateries. I have already posted Rava Idli recipe and here is the aloo masala recipe to go along with it. Enjoy it for a sumptuous weekend breakfast! ... “Aloo Masala”

Mixed Bean Veg Chilli | Chilli non Carne

A spicy and tangy stew made with different kinds of chillies and peppers
05/11/2016 9:39:33 PM vindhyadesai

Vegetarian chilli or chilli non carne is a dish from the American and Mexican region. It is a spicy and tangy stew made with different kinds of chillies and peppers with tomatoes and beans as the base. It is thick like a gravy with different vegetables adding a lot of texture along with the beans.  This dish is high in protein and has various layers of flavours with each type of chilli adding its own flavour.
It can be served with various types of accompaniments like plain salted tortilla chips, pita chips, plain tortillas or tacos, cooked and fluffed up couscous. It can be served as starters with a big pot of chilli in the centre or even just on its own. I use this as a base for other dishes like enchiladas, burritos, filled tacos, all mouth watering Mexcian dishes. Make a big batch and use it for different recipes. I do this for atleast 2 meals.
Only one type of bean can be used or a mix like black eyed beans, red kidney beans, butter beans, lima beans, mung beans etc. If you do not have the types of chillies mentioned in this recipe substitute them with any type of Mexican chillies or bell peppers. Most supermarkets do stock these kinds of chillies in jars as pastes or powders, they stay good refrigerated for a few months. ... “Mixed Bean Veg Chilli | Chilli non Carne”

Tamatar Kaju Paneer

Lightly toasted paneer pieces in a thick creamy tomato cashew gravy
05/01/2016 12:34:59 PM vindhyadesai

A thick and creamy gravy made from tomatoes with lightly toasted soft paneer pieces to accompany rotis or naans. Tomatoes form a base for most gravies and generally never get highlighted. Thick, red, tangy and juicy, tomatoes add body and volume to any gravy. Here I have exclusively used tomatoes for the paneer pieces to float in and absorb all the flavour and tanginess. ... “Tamatar Kaju Paneer”

Rajma Masala

Cream and smooth rajma in rich tomato gravy. Goes well with rotis, steamed or jeera rice
04/05/2016 11:00:51 PM vindhyadesai

One of my favourite comfort foods. I make this for a Sunday afternoon with rice and we also eat it for dinner with rotis. The gravy is tangy because of the tomatoes yet creamy because of the butter and cream. Sounds quite rich. But one can even skip adding the butter and cream, they’re totally optional.
Rajma or red kidney beans are originally from Mexico. They use it to make Mexican chilli dishes. Rajma is very popular in North India especially in Jammu and Kashmir which forms a staple part of their food. Rajma is very high in protein. The most important thing to remember while cooking rajma is to soak them for atleast 10-12 hours. I usually soak them for 24 hours to reduce cooking time. You can pressure cook them or boil them in water till done. ... “Rajma Masala”