Sabut Masoor Dal (Whole Red Lentils)
One of my favourite lentil curries often made at my in-laws, I have just reduced the use of oil to the bare minimum 😊 Enjoy with naan, boiled rice or fragrant zeera (cumin) rice for a wholesome, healthy and heart-warming dish on a cold winter’s day. Prep time: 5 mins Cooking time: 45 mins Serves […]
Spicy Aubergine Stew
Last night I was ‘Desperately Seeking Spice’ and discovered a plump aubergine hiding out in my refrigerator 😊 I had 45 minutes to present something palatable and suitably spicy before it was time to break my fast. So I decided to cut out the elaborate prep and just throw it all into one of my […]
Chickpea & Rocket Salad
I just love this salad as a healthy, high protein, low-fat zingy variation of a desi chaat. Completely versatile as either a quick lunch or a starter dish, you can be as imaginative with the ingredients as you wish! Prep time: 10 mins Serves 4-6 Ingredients 480g chick peas (2×400 tins, drained) 1 medium or […]
Gluten-free Besan (Gram Flour) Rotis
Prep time: 10 mins Cooking time: 30 mins Serves 4 Posting on demamd, this is a healthy, gluten-free easy alternative to regular chapatis which I have adapted from the mum-in-law – the inspiration behind much of my creative cookery 😊 A runny batter ensures the rotis are spread thinly and cook inside out without burning. […]
Cauliflower and Lentil Curry tempered with Fennel, Cumin and Mustard Seeds
Where do I even begin! I have been run down most of the week struggling to teach my yoga class on Wedneaday and not able to go to the gym since Monday 😱 I was determined to make the day count so at the first sign of recovery I felt my creative juices flowing again. […]
Fish Kofte
These super healthy, gluten-free Fish Kofte taste delicious with a fresh mint raita and can be served either as an appetiser or a side dish with any meal. Prior to cooking, the fish balls were rolled in rice flour and then coated very liberally with olive oil to give a light golden and slightly crispy […]
Ramadan Inspirations
Our blessed month of fasting instils upon us a calm and discipline like no other time of the year. In the UK, our fasting days are nearing 19 hours as we endeavour to go about our everyday lives to the best of our ability, whilst abstaining from all food and water. During this time we […]
Mackerel with Spinach (Macher Chorchori)
Based on the traditional Bengali dish known as ‘chorchori’ (medley) this is variation which I learnt to cook from my father, a master of culinary creativity. An easy to cook recipe bursting with flavour and goodness. Prep Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 30 mins Serves: 2 3 tbsp oil 1 tin mackerel fillets in brine, […]
Aloo Bhorta
Aloo Bhorta (spicy mashed potato) is a timeless comfort food which can be enjoyed equally with rice or rotis. As a Bengali, my staple meal growing up consisted of boiled rice and my mum often prepared this bharta in traditional Bengali style, either using mustard oil as a base or ghee; the latter treating one’s […]
Shobji Bhaji (Vegetable Stir Fry)
Sometimes there really is nothing like good old Bengali cooking. This is a very simple, yet beautifully presentable recipe, representative of the staple ‘dry’ vegetable dish served with every Bangladeshi meal. The panch phoron seeds lend a wonderfully aromatic flavour that is so typical of Bengali cooking. The key here is to stir fry the […]