# Quichentell

> Delicious Food Recipes Blog


## Posts

- [Pressure Cooker Pork Ribs](https://www.quichentell.com/pressure-cooker-pork-ribs/): These Pressure Cooker Pork Ribs will satisfy your craving for something meaty, hearty and saucy without you having to break a sweat. Sticky,savoury, sweet and juicy, these areready in less than an hour. Thanks to the pressure cooker. Pork is the tastiest meat by far, in my opinion. It doesn’t take much to cook a delicious dish of pork. I made this in the thick of winter when both my spirit and stomach yearned for food that would provide nourishment to both.  The traditional way is to put the ribs in the oven for 2 hours or more till they’re […]
- [Easy Rice Pradhaman](https://www.quichentell.com/easy-rice-pradhaman/): Onam is here and it’s time to indulge in delicious sadyas (traditional Onam feast served on a banana leaf). The twin desserts of paal payasam (milk-based kheer-like dessert) and pradhaman (jaggery and coconut milk-based kheer-like dessert) are one of the chief attractions of this meal. So I’m sharing an Easy Rice Pradhaman recipe that’s both simple and quick. At the end of every sadya, the payasam and pradhaman almost always are the chief topics of  intense discussion with strong opinions and preferences offered from every quarter. Personally, I’m partial to pradhaman. usually, it is less sweet and more complex in […]
- [Podi Mamsam](https://www.quichentell.com/podi-mamsam/): Have you eaten Podi Mamsam? If you have, you know. And if you haven’t, read this post and let it be the next dish you cook and you too will be privy to the knowledge…that it’s the bomb. These kinds of low and slow dishes are so intense that if you eat with your fingers (like me), you have to wash your hands a couple of times with soap to get the fragrance out. What is Podi Mamsam Podi Mamsam is a slow-cooked, spice-heavy, bold, semi-dry mutton dish from Telangana that is little known outside the region. Mutton (goat meat) […]
- [Meatball Coconut Curry - Kerala Style](https://www.quichentell.com/meatball-coconut-curry-kerala-style/): In India we have many types of mutton (goat) kofta curries from different regions of the country. This Meatball Coconut Curry hails from Kerala where it’s called ball curry (with a straight face). The food-loving Anglo Indian community also has a yummy ball curry in their repertoire. But this one from Kerala is very different in its use of spices and flavours. In my home, this Meatball Coconut Curry is comfort food cooked on a lazy Sunday, where lunch is followed by sweet slumber. How to perfect make the best meatballs How to make coconut milk The sauce or gravy […]
- [Stuffed Bitter Gourd - Maharashtrian-style recipe](https://www.quichentell.com/stuffed-bitter-gourd-maharashtrian-style-recipe/): Every region of India has its own recipe for Stuffed Bitter Gourd (karela). We as a country have embraced this intensely bitter vegetable and made it our own in numerous little delicious ways. Today’s post on Stuffed Bitter Gourd focuses on bharli karli –  the Maharashtrian style of preparing it with a bold and spicy coconut-based filling. How to prepare the bitter gourd How to make the stuffing for Stuffed Bitter Gourd Kopra What I love most about this recipe is its robust, hot, tangy, slightly smoky stuffing. This bright orange, spicy filling works like a delicious foil for the […]
- [Chicken Salad with Grapes](https://www.quichentell.com/chicken-salad-with-grapes/): A chicken salad has to be one of the easiest and most versatile dishes to make. It literally calls on your creativity to build it, based on what kind of salad you’re craving. My Chicken Salad with Grapes was born out of my need to use-up a heap of sweet, green grapes I had in my fridge. And I didn’t just chop and drop them in the salad. I roasted them. Why roasted grapes are better This Chicken Salad with Grapes hits differently because when these cool, jade-green orbs of sweetness are roasted, they give up a lot of water […]
- [Black Chickpea Falafels](https://www.quichentell.com/black-chickpea-falafels/): These Black Chickpea Falafels were a result of me trying to use up some of my kitchen cupboard staples. But there’s a twist; these falafels also have tofu. Yes, you read that right. It’s unusual I agree, but they did turn out pretty delicious. And the happy experiment gave me a spice-scented, scrumptious, protein-rich, vegetarian option that I can make on a regular basis. What makes black chickpeas different from regular chickpeas? Black chickpeas are actually dark brown and are commonly known as Bengal gram, kala chana or desi chana here in India, which is where they’re probably consumed the […]
- [Easy Oven Baked Chicken](https://www.quichentell.com/easy-oven-baked-chicken/): These Easy Oven Baked Chicken are a weeknight staple in my home. It’s one of those dishes that require very little to no advance preparation while providing a nutritious meal packed with protein, fibre, fat and flavour. I make it in my oven but an air fryer would also do the job nicely. How to make Easy Oven Baked Chicken The chicken: Use an entire leg of a chicken, that includes the thigh and drumstick, per person. You could make this dish with just drumsticks or chicken thighs.  I prefer and recommend leaving the skin on, which keeps the meat […]
- [Nellore Fish Pulusu](https://www.quichentell.com/nellore-fish-pulusu/): The Nellore Fish Pulusu is a humble, Andhra fisherman’s fish curry. It is hot and tangy and eaten with a mound of plain, steamed rice. But don’t  let that description fool you. Albeit, the Nellore Fish Pulusu is made with simple, everyday ingredients, but it is comfort food that is not shy about its bold, some would say, even gaudy colour and punchy flavour. What is a pulusu? A pulusu is a staple of the Telugu table. It is essentially a thin, runny curry with a base made of tamarind, sour local tomatoes, ground red chillies and coriander seeds and […]
- [Chicken Shawarma Salad](https://www.quichentell.com/chicken-shawarma-salad/): If you love shawarma, then this post on Chicken Shawarma Salad is just what you need. It takes the best part of the shawarma; that’s the smoky, juicy meat and the finger-licking tahini sauce, and builds a summer-friendly salad with them.  What is a shawarma? Put simply, shawarma is spit-roasted meat (chicken/lamb/beef) cooked on a continuously turning spit. Slabs of meat are seasoned with olive oil, salt and shawarma seasoning, skewered in layers on a tall, vertical rod, fixed at the top and bottom, with a panel of heated coils at the back. As the rod turns slowly, the meat […]
- [Badam Thandai Barfi](https://www.quichentell.com/badam-thandai-barfi/):  Holi is incomplete without thandai. My Badam Thandai Barfi  is a soft, chewy, delicious mithai, rich with the beloved flavours of thandai.  What is thandai Thandai is a milk-based drink flavoured with an aromatic, traditionally stone-ground  paste or masala of blanched almonds and pistachios, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, aniseed, poppy seeds, melon seeds, dried rose petals and sometimes a few strands of saffron. Thandai comes from ‘thanda’ in Hindi meaning cold. All the ingredients in the drink are meant to cool the body and thandai is always served chilled in clay cups. The ground paste was mixed with chilled water […]
- [Lentil and Spinach Shakshuka](https://www.quichentell.com/lentil-and-spinach-shakshuka/): Wholesome. That’s a Lentil and Spinach Shakshuka in a word. Meal planning is a daily challenge for most of us and we should all have a dish such as this to back us up when we’re all out of ideas. Everyone has some kind of lentil and a few ground spices in their kitchen cupboard, some leafy veg  in the fridge and the usual, onions, garlic, tomatoes and of course, everyone has eggs. Basically, that’s all you need to make this one pan, tasty, healthy, protein-rich and easy Lentil and Spinach Shakshuka. How to cook lentils right For this recipe, […]
- [Matar Tikki Chaat](https://www.quichentell.com/matar-tikki-chaat/): Chatpata, often used to describe chaat, is a Hindi word without an English equivalent. My Matar Tikki Chaat, celebrating the bounty of winter-fresh, sweet green peas turned out to be deliciously chatpata(a combination of tangy, salty and hot flavours). I had stuffed them with a paneer and raisin filling. If you’re a chaat lover, you must try this green version of the usual aloo tikki. I’ve included recipes for the sweet, tamarind chutney and green, mint (pudina) chutney too intricate post.  How to perfect your matar tikki Accompaniments for Matar Tikki Chaat  Sweet tamarind chutney with dry ginger (saunth ki […]
- [Guava Cheesecake Bars](https://www.quichentell.com/guava-cheesecake-bars/): Today I’m sharing the result of my happy experiment making Guava Cheesecake Bars. Fruit and cheesecakes are old friends; everything from blueberries, raspberries and strawberries to bananas, oranges, lemons, mangoes and kiwi have been incorporated into cheesecakes. In baking, guavas are usually incorporated in the form of jams, jellies or pastes. So I thought, “ Why not use fresh guava?”.  Guava and chilli – naughty but nice Driving on holiday, I saw cartloads of ripe guavas being sold all along the highway and just had to buy a couple of kilos. These were the white variety, not the pink ones. […]
- [Red Braised Chicken Rice](https://www.quichentell.com/red-braised-chicken-rice/): Red Braised Chicken Rice is my riff on the much-loved Chinese classic red braised pork. Chicken is perfect when you’re short of time and you want to cook a delicious one-pan meal. The best part is it doesn’t require many ingredients, just chicken thighs and rice and the usual Asian pantry staples and it can easily be scaled up to feed a big crowd. Tips to make your Red Braised Chicken Rice perfect Use skinless, chicken thighs. Both bone-in and boneless thighs work here. I don’t recommend using chicken breasts because thighs add a lot more of that gorgeously savoury […]
- [Tofu in Peanut Sauce](https://www.quichentell.com/tofu-in-peanut-sauce/): Tofu in Peanut Sauce is one of my favourite ways to eat tofu. On meat-free days, I’m always looking for interesting ways to incorporate plant protein in my meals and tofu is a great option. If you like satay sauce, and all things peanutty, this Tofu in Peanut Sauce is a must in your recipe collection. How to make a killer peanut sauce The peanut sauce is the star of this dish and has to be perfectly creamy to coat the tofu and vegetables, saucy enough to be eaten with rice or noodles and have just the right balance of […]
- [Easy Masala Roast Chicken](https://www.quichentell.com/easy-masala-roast-chicken/): A roast chicken is supremely tempting. And yet it can be one the most intimidating things to cook. Reams have been written on how to turn out that perfect, golden bird, plump with delicious promise. So I made an Easy Masala Roast Chicken, an aromatic, spice-infused bird with wonderful crispy- skin wrapped juicy flesh. In this, slightly longish post, I’m sharing how I did it, and how you can too; without the stress and pressure.A roast chicken is supremely tempting. And yet it can be one the most intimidating things to cook. Reams have been written on how to turn […]
- [Keema Kaleji Masala](https://www.quichentell.com/keema-kaleji-masala/): Keema kaleji masala with hot methi parathas for lunch on a cold winter afternoon, hit the spot, made my soul smile; grateful for the pleasure and the sustenance. Rich and aromatic with a meaty savouriness that makes mouths water, keema kaleji masala is one of those OG recipes that has remained a firm favourite with meat lovers in this country.   Before I share the recipe for this dish, it is important to talk about buying and cleaning kaleji ( liver). How to build flavour in the keema kaleji masala My keema kaleji masala has the usual spices but there are […]
- [Simple Chicken Soup Recipes](https://www.quichentell.com/simple-chicken-soup-recipes/): Winter has come and it’s time to cosy up with some hot soup. I like to make simple chicken soup recipes for dinner. The 3 recipes I’ve shared here are very straightforward; anyone can make them. These easy soup recipes do not require special ingredients and make for hearty, wholesome meals especially during the cold winter months. I used my homemade chicken broth in these recipes. You could choose to use readymade broth / bouillon cubes. The post is on simple chicken soup recipes and the recipes are just that, but I do suggest you take the time to make […]
- [Roast Beetroot Feta Walnut Salad](https://www.quichentell.com/roast-beetroot-feta-walnut-salad/): Post-Diwali, I went back to eating lighter, nutrition-dense meals like this Roast Beetroot Feta Walnut Salad. This may be  a salad, but it is hearty and filling. I eat it on its own or sometimes I serve it on wedges of toasted tortillas for dinner or serve it as a delicious side dish with a pasta or a meat dish. Making beetroot delicious Now beetroot can be a difficult vegetable for some people. But it can be cooked to maximise its sweetness and minimise the astringent taste that some people dislike. Roasting beets in the oven like I did in […]
- [Thai Tofu Vegetable Soup](https://www.quichentell.com/thai-tofu-vegetable-soup/): This Thai Tofu Vegetable Soup is a regular on my weeknight menu. Simple and easy with pantry staple ingredients, it makes an excellent  protein-packed meal. It takes 15-20 minutes to put together and can even be made in advance. A flexible, forgiving soup My Thai Tofu Vegetable Soup had pumpkin and carrots, this time. Each time, I use the vegetables I have in my fridge. I don’t shop separately for it and neither should you; everything from potatoes and carrots to green beans, cauliflower and peppers can be used. The tofu is firm or semi-firm tofu. It’s spongy texture absorbs […]
- [Sourdough Pull-Apart Rolls (With Beetroot & Ricotta Filling)](https://www.quichentell.com/sourdough-pull-apart-rolls-with-beetroot-ricotta-filling/): Pull-apart rolls are for friends and / family gathered around the table to break bread together (literally!). I made these squishy, tangy Sourdough Pull-Apart Rolls bursting with a creamy beetroot and ricotta filling, with communal eating in mind. There’s something comforting and relaxing about the idea of casually hanging around a table, sharing drinks and easy food that one can simply pick up and eat with your fingers. The appeal is so organic. Making the dough I chose these Sourdough Pull-Apart Rolls instead of doing a regular pull-apart dough, because I had a jar full of sourdough discard and I […]
- [Sourdough Quiche Crust](https://www.quichentell.com/sourdough-quiche-crust/): It took me long enough, but my post on a Sourdough Quiche Crust is here. I cannot fathom the reason for the delay, but if you’re a baker of sourdough loaves and quiches like me, this is just what you need. It’s another delicious way of putting your ever- abundant store of sourdough discard to good use. I’m sharing some tips on mastering quiches and my recipe for the crust as well as a lamb mince yoghurt quiche I made. How to make a flaky, crack-proof quiche crust Instructions How this crust is different from a standard quiche crust A […]
- [Corn Handvo](https://www.quichentell.com/corn-handvo/): This post on Corn Handvo is my nod to snacking season. With the monsoon rains pouring down, a cup of chai and snacks are a must-do activity with family and friends.  A lighter handov Handvo, as we know is a baked, savoury cake made from a fermented batter of rice and a couple of varieties of lentils, a vegetable (like the bottle gourd or lauki) and yoghurt. Corn Handvo, as the name indicates, is made from a batter of fresh (or frozen), sweetcorn. Since it is corn season, I prefer to use the tender, juicy and sweet kernels of fresh […]
- [Cherry Ricotta Cake](https://www.quichentell.com/cherry-ricotta-cake/): My birthday cake this year was a homemade Cherry Ricotta Cake. Not a lover of rich frosting, fondant and other forms of coloured sugar decorations, baking a light, egg-rich ricotta cake full of the season’s plumpest cherries, was my way of showing some self-love. Ricotta makes the lightest cakes A Cherry Ricotta Cake, if you think about it, is a cheesecake; albeit made with a light cheese. Ricotta is similar in flavour and texture to our Indian chchana (chchena) –  a very very soft, moist paneer made by splitting milk, (that has been boiled and cooled a little) with lemon […]
- [Murgh Hara Masala](https://www.quichentell.com/murgh-hara-masala/): This is a quick post on Murgh Hara Masala. I cook this green masala chicken dish quite frequently, but somehow always forget to take pictures and share the recipe. So here aia am, with an easy and delicious chicken curry.  And that’s all there is to it. The curry cooks itself and yet tastes as if you spent time slaving over it. Whether it’s a family meal of chicken curry and rice or a dinner party dish, this Murgh Hara Masala fits right in. You can jazz it up by adding a little coconut cream at the end if you […]
- [Lemongrass Chicken Skewers](https://www.quichentell.com/lemongrass-chicken-skewers/): These Lemongrass Chicken Skewers I made were simply the best. Sounds like a brag? Maybe it is, a little bit but it’s also an admission. None of the lemongrass chicken recipes I’d cooked before, stood up to these juicy, salty-spicy, packed-with-flavour chicken skewers. How to boost the flavour of your Lemongrass Chicken Skewers I served these deliciously aromatic chicken skewers with a side of hot mango relish. Since this is the season for sour raw mangoes, this piquant relish pairs beautifully with the rich fattiness of chicken thighs. We like our food a little spicy so I’ve added three bird’s […]
- [Mango Kesar Kulfi](https://www.quichentell.com/mango-kesar-kulfi/): I cannot let the summer go by without making my Mango Kesar Kulfi. I’m sure you have your own favourite kulfi recipes, but do try this one. It’s easy and a delightful embodiment of everything that is an Indian mango – sweet, fragrant and indulgent. How to make a luxe  kulfi  Traditional kulfi recipes require patiently boiling milk to reduce it to a desired thickness. This is time consuming and tedious. An easier way to make rich creamy kulfi is to boil a combination of milk and light cream. My Mango Kesar Kulfi is made this way and  the texture […]
- [Black-Eyed Pea (Lobia) Salad](https://www.quichentell.com/black-eyed-pea-lobia-salad/): Sometimes a simple Black-Eyed Pea Salad is all one needs, when it’s too hot to cook and the body craves freshness. Black-eyed peas (actually a bean), commonly known as lobia, is something most of us have in our larders. Combined with crisp vegetables and a sharp, tangy dressing, they make a satisfying summer dish. This one is as delicious as it is colourful and healthy. How to prepare the ingredients for the Black-Eyed Pea Salad This dish is straightforward but like in most salads, the texture of the components must be right. Few dishes can be as bad as a […]
- [Bamboo Shoot Mutton Curry](https://www.quichentell.com/bamboo-shoot-mutton-curry/): I haven’t cooked much with bamboo shoot although I’ve eaten it quite a few times in curries, salads and pickles. Since both fresh and fermented bamboo shoots are available fairly easily, I decided to make a simple Bamboo Shoot Mutton Curry. This delicate curry with rice and papads was made for languid summer lunches with a cold drink on the side. Difference between fresh and fermented bamboo shoot If you’re trying bamboo shoots for the first time, it can be confusing as to which one you should buy. For this Bamboo Shoot Mutton Curry, I used fresh bamboo shoot. It […]
- [Easy Carrot Salad with Tofu](https://www.quichentell.com/easy-carrot-salad-with-tofu/): My obsession with nutritious summer salads continues with an Easy Carrot Salad with Tofu. This one again is a meal in itself, with a healthy portion of protein accompanied by crunchy vegetables and fat in the form of roasted peanuts. How to keep the salad fresh and crunchy This Easy Carrot Salad with Tofu like many other salads tastes best when the raw ingredients, i.e., the vegetables and herbs are crisp and fresh. When the mercury is touching 45℃, this can be challenging. Once you’ve cut the vegetables, they tend to wilt and dry quickly unless cooked or consumed immediately.  […]
- [Mango Yogurt Popsicles](https://www.quichentell.com/mango-yogurt-popsicles/): Mango Yogurt Popsicles are probably one of the easiest mango desserts I’ll make this summer. They’re cold and bursting with mango without being icy. It’s wise to make a big batch and line them up like little orange minions in your freezer, because you’ll be surprised how fast they’ll disappear. How to make a creamy mango yogurt popsicle Since popsicles aren’t ice creams, they don’t have cream or custard as a base and can turn out very icy sometimes. This Mango Yogurt Popsicles recipe has 2 tricks to reduce the formation of ice crystals.  This way, the mango popsicles acquire […]
- [Grilled Chicken and Mango Salad](https://www.quichentell.com/grilled-chicken-and-mango-salad/): This Grilled Chicken and Mango Salad is a celebration of salad weather. When the heat is rising and appetite’s are falling, it’s time to eat light, fresh and nutritious meals like this one. In my home, we eat this Grilled Chicken and Mango Salad as a light yet filling lunch / dinner. But, it makes an excellent side dish and even a starter, served with tortilla chips. How to marinate and cook your chicken perfectly This recipe calls for juicy, boneless chicken thighs, with their skin removed. I picked very Indian, kebab-like  flavours for the marinade. The chicken should be […]
- [Miso Chicken](https://www.quichentell.com/miso-chicken/): This easy Miso Chicken is one of my favourite high protein meals, that I cook quite often for dinner. It is quick, delicious, simple, needs very few ingredients and is light and healthy. I pan fried my Miso Chicken but you can choose to grill or even bake it in the oven. Know your miso An essential ingredient in Japanese cuisine, miso is basically soybean paste fermented with salt and koji, which is the fungus Aspergillus Oryzae. Sometimes it is made with soybeans and other ingredients such as wheat, rye, barley, buckwheat, millet, seaweed and many others. The taste of […]
- [Creamy Chicken Meatballs](https://www.quichentell.com/creamy-chicken-meatballs/): Creamy Chicken Meatballs –  the name is self explanatory isn’t it? Yet it only partially reveals how succulent, velvety and surprisingly flavour- laden this dish is. All it requires is a few, humble ingredients, but in the gentle heat of the pan they’re coaxed to bloom, and give-up their essences, which come together to make magic in the dish.  How to make soft and juicy chicken meatballs Ground chicken or minced chicken, is notorious for turning chewy and dry. So here are a few tips to ensure that your chicken meatballs stay fluffy, light and moist. The name Creamy Chicken […]
- [Thandai Shortbread Cookies](https://www.quichentell.com/thandai-shortbread-cookies/): I made Thandai Shortbread Cookies because I’m currently obsessed with all things thandai. Holi is around the corner after all. The festival of colours is incomplete without thandai. While the traditional method is to drink thandai – a cool, milk-based drink flavoured with thandai masala, there’s no reason why you can’t eat thandai as well. So the Thandai Shortbread Cookies are my way of enjoying the fragrant flavours of thandai on Holi and well after it too. Delicious and versatile thandai masala It must’ve been a genius culinary mind that came up with the thandai flavour mix. Who would’ve thought […]
- [Crispy Tofu Fried Rice](https://www.quichentell.com/crispy-tofu-fried-rice/): I know my Crispy Tofu Fried Rice looks loaded with more vegetables than is the norm. That’s because it’s meant to be a one-bowl meal. I love it. It has that salty umami that we love in Asian food and the added bonus of crisp-outside, juicy-inside chunks of tofu. This Crispy Tofu Fried Rice is a texture and flavour bomb, all in one bowl. How to cook the tofu to be crisp-soft without deep frying I used firm tofu. It’s important to drain the block of tofu of all the liquid and wrap it in a paper kitchen towel for […]
- [Baghare Baingan](https://www.quichentell.com/baghare-baingan/): uniquely Hyderabadi that along with kachche gosht ki biryani, it has become a culinary symbol of the city. So this post on Baghare Baingan is my (long overdue) homage to the deliciously rich food culture of the city.  How to choose and prepare the eggplants The eggplant, aubergine or brinjal, or baingan (Hindi), is considered to be a humble vegetable. It comes in different sizes and colours ranging from white to different shades of green and purple. To make Baghare Baingan, the small, deep purple variety, sometimes referred to as Nagpur baingan is the perfect choice. Select medium-sized, plump eggplants […]
- [Lamb Barley Turnip Soup](https://www.quichentell.com/lamb-barley-turnip-soup/): A Lamb Barley Turnip soup is a good way to get turnip-haters to eat their share. Turnips are a winter specialty and are said to provide warmth from the season’s chill. That said, I’m sure most home cooks will agree that it is far from being a popular vegetable. A turnip soup that packs in the fibre and goodness of pearl barley and the savouriness of meat will (in my opinion) find many takers. What is pearl barley? This Lamb Barley Turnip soup uses pearl barley. It is whole grain barley that has been hulled (its outer husk is removed) […]
- [Hyderabadi Mutton Dalcha](https://www.quichentell.com/hyderabadi-mutton-dalcha/): A hearty Hyderabadi Mutton Dalcha is a beautiful thing to grace your table on a cold winter day. I sought succour in this deliciously thick mutton (goat) and chana dal dish during a recent cold front. I made it as much for its taste as its ability to soothe the soul and evoke a sense of comfort and nourishment in inclement weather. Quintessentially South Indian, the Hyderabadi Mutton Dalcha is made with mutton-on-the-bone, masoor dal (red lentils) or chana dal (split Bengal gram) and sometimes vegetables like lauki or bottle gourd. The typical Hyderabadi touch is the tamarind or lemon […]
- [Garlic Spinach Baked Chicken](https://www.quichentell.com/garlic-spinach-baked-chicken/): This Garlic Spinach Baked Chicken comes after a long hiatus from posting. I will endeavour to be more regular this year (life willing). The cold has been biting down in these first few days of January, and what better than a gratin-style dish to warm up bellies on chilly evenings? Leaves et al Luscious chicken thighs and a boatload of leafy greens are at the centre of this bake. I harvested an armful of tender, sweet spinach from my winter garden, which prompted the creation of this simple dish. Garlic Spinach Baked Chicken – the name is self-explanatory but the […]
- [Keema-Stuffed Whole Wheat Buns](https://www.quichentell.com/keema-stuffed-whole-wheat-buns/): If you’re seeking a stuffed buns recipe that’s delicious and healthy, you’ve come to the right place. This post is all about a beautiful, domed, whole-wheat bun with juicy, spiced mutton(goat) keema (mince) centre. The bun itself is golden-crusted, and soft with the mild sweetness of whole wheat flour. Bread flour vs regular whole wheat flour In my stuffed buns recipe, I chose to use whole wheat bread flour in combination with whole wheat flour(atta) since bread flour has a higher percentage of protein (13%), to give the buns structure. Using only regular whole wheat flour or atta may yield […]
- [Thandai Mousse](https://www.quichentell.com/thandai-mousse/): Thandai mousse is such a perfect dessert for our scorching summers. It’s airy, tangy with a gentle sweetness that hints delicately at roses and saffron. Nothing about a thandai mousse should be overpowering. When you put a cloud-like spoonful in your mouth, it should dissolve on your tongue, like you’re getting a cool, butterfly kiss of  sweetness. Keep it light I’ve eaten many mousses, and a large number were too rich and heavy on the cream. Some, like a decadent chocolate mousse can get away with it because chocolate is a bold flavour that’s balanced by the heavy cream. A […]
- [Meen Manga Curry](https://www.quichentell.com/meen-manga-curry/): A meen manga curry is mandatory on the menu several times during the mango season. Tart, green raw mangoes are wonderful with fish and prawns. The sour notes elevate the sweetness of seafood and a hot and sour fish curry with rice never fails to hit the spot. A humble, country-style curry This meen manga curry is a naadan-style curry, a rustic dish cooked by fisherfolk and farmers alike. Locally sourced ingredients like mangoes and mackerel (plentiful and inexpensive) are cooked with onions, garlic, ginger and curry leaves along with a few basic spices. It’s simplicity itself and yet, has […]
- [Banana Amaranth Muffins](https://www.quichentell.com/banana-amaranth-muffins/): I made the softest, moistest, amaranth muffins to kickstart 2023. The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2023 to be The International Year of Millets, and what could be more apt than getting back on my blog with a millet-based recipe. These made-for-breakfast muffins are fibre and nutrient rich from amaranth flour, whole wheat flour and rolled oats and bursting with banana. The chocolate chips are the cherry on the cake. Baking with amaranth Millet flours for the most part, can be challenging to bake with. Drier and gluten-free, it’s difficult to use them to produce soft and fluffy baked […]
- [Vaangi Bhat (Spiced Eggplant Rice)](https://www.quichentell.com/vaangi-bhat-spiced-eggplant-rice/): Vaangi Bhat literally means eggplant/aubergine/brinjal rice. And that’s exactly what it is – a dish of eggplant and rice lightly fried with an aromatic and nutty spice mixture. Vaangi bhat belongs to the cuisine of Karnataka in South India. It is an excellent one-dish meal and one of my favourite ways of cooking small, purple eggplants. Choose your eggplant Eggplants come in so many shapes and sizes and it is important to pick the right type for every recipe; because this has a direct bearing on how the dish turns out. For example, large eggplants (Globe and American varieties) are […]
- [Chocolate Cherry Clafoutis](https://www.quichentell.com/chocolate-cherry-clafoutis/): A chocolate cherry clafoutis eats just as elegant, luscious and sophisticated as it sounds. It’s stone fruit season and I’ve been bingeing on darkly delicious cherries, which are at the cheapest right now. Apricots, plums, nectarines are filling fruit stalls now, jostling with mangoes, watermelons, litchis and melons. The abundance of fruit is my silver lining this scorching summer. What is a clafoutis? Trust the French to make even a rustic dish elegant. A clafoutis (pronounced kla-foo-tee) is a simple dessert of (usually unpitted) black cherries ensconced in a custard-like mixture of milk/cream, eggs, cinnamon and a little flour in […]
- [Murgh Kairi Pulao (Chicken And Raw Mango Pilaf)](https://www.quichentell.com/murgh-kairi-pulao-chicken-and-raw-mango-pilaf/): The celebration of sour flavours in Hyderabadi food is the inspiration behind the recipe for kairi pulao in this post. The abundance of raw mangoes in summer is used to make sour khatti  (sour) dal, chutneys, pickles, curries, raita, chicken and meat dishes and even a kairi mutton biryani. My recipe for kairi pulao is a lighter, summer-friendly, less spicy version of chicken and raw mango pulao (pilaf). It’s ideal for hot summer days when you want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible and still turn out delicious meals. Why everyone must know to cook a […]
- [Whole Grain Chocolate Banana Bread](https://www.quichentell.com/whole-grain-chocolate-banana-bread/): This recipe for whole grain chocolate banana bread is another step in my learning towards developing, baking and eating more whole grain foods. I don’t always succeed in this and recipes don’t always turn out the way I had visualised them. But every once in a while something works and that joy and satisfaction is what keeps me going further on this journey. Baking with barley flour Barley or jau as it’s known in Hindi, is a grain from the old world, grown first in Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent. It can withstand both dry heat and subarctic temperatures […]
- [Watermelon Tomato Salad](https://www.quichentell.com/watermelon-tomato-salad/): Watermelon tomato salad – cold, crunchy, sweet and somewhat sour with a whisper of spice, what could be better when the mercury is touching 43℃? I’m sure you’ve seen many versions of a watermelon tomato salad, this is my take on this hit summer salad. Pick your tomato A generous tomato harvest prompted me to make this salad. So I used the small, extremely juicy variety of tomatoes that grow in my garden. You can choose cherry tomatoes or the commonly available, larger hybrid tomatoes or any other varieties that you like. Just chop them to match the cubed watermelon […]
- [Raw Mango Chutney Andhra Style](https://www.quichentell.com/raw-mango-chutney-andhra-style/): Raw mangoes are celebrated in Andhra cuisine. Mamidikaya nuvvulu pachadi or raw mango chutney Andhra style is a delicious example of that. A pachadi, in Telugu, refers to a chutney rather than a yoghurt-based dish, typical of the cuisine of Kerala. Sour, green mangoes grow profusely in Andhra Pradesh and are available for quite a few months unlike in North India, where they are seen only in summers. Besides raw mangoes, this chutney has the subtle, creamy flavours of white sesame seeds to compliment the acid of the fruit. Choose the right mango The large, raw, green mangoes that are used […]
- [Oven-Grilled Mackerel With Chermoula](https://www.quichentell.com/oven-grilled-mackerel-with-chermoula/): On hot days, a serving of  oven-grilled mackerel makes for a light, nutritious meal. One that  doesn’t demand long hours in the kitchen. What makes this dish for me, is the tangy and herbaceous chermoula, generally slathered over the fish. Teamed with a helping of garlic-fried spinach, this plate of oven-grilled mackerel leaves you feeling sated, not stuffed. How to make chermoula Chermoula is a North African marinade/condiment eaten mainly by fishing communities, who stuff their sardines and mackerel with it. It’s made with fresh coriander, flat-leaf parsley, garlic, lemon juice, red chillies, cumin, saffron and olive oil but each […]
- [Lemon Sheet Pan Cake With Jowar (Sorghum)](https://www.quichentell.com/lemon-sheet-pan-cake-with-jowar-sorghum/): A lifelong lover of lemons, I baked a lemon sheet pan cake with sorghum or jowar (hindi). It was a happy surprise with its light, flaky crumb. And so here I am, sharing it with you. With the summer heat steadily rising, I crave tart, lemony flavours and skinny sweets. This lemon sheet pan cake fits the bill perfectly. Why you should bake with sorghum Sorghum or jowar as it is known in Hindi, has been consumed in India since ancient times. Much before wheat replaced it as the staple in North India, jowar was the grain of choice. It […]
- [Indian Yellow Fish Curry](https://www.quichentell.com/indian-yellow-fish-curry/): I’m happy to be finally sharing this Indian yellow fish curry recipe on the blog after life threw my routine off the rails for a few weeks. Now, you would think this to be a yellow fish curry from East Asia, and I wouldn’t blame you. In truth, I don’t know of any specific Indian yellow fish curry recipe, this one is just what I choose to call this curry. What’s in a name and all that. Fresh turmeric for taste and colour Winter brought its bounty of fresh, fragrant turmeric and this fish curry is one of the dishes […]
- [Spinach And Corn Quiche](https://www.quichentell.com/spinach-and-corn-quiche/): This spinach and corn quiche had to be made to use up some of the big batch of fresh, tender spinach from my garden. The rest went into a raw spinach salad and spinach  pararthas.  Whole wheat and olive oil quiche crust  A quiche crust is meant to be a light and flaky shortcrust pastry made with cold butter and AP flour. Now, I love a flaky, buttery crust but could do without the thousands of calories that come with it. So I chose to make my quiche crust with olive oil and a 50/50 mix of whole wheat and […]
- [Ganth Gobhi Gosht (Kohlrabi Mutton Stew)](https://www.quichentell.com/ganth-gobhi-gosht-kohlrabi-mutton-stew/): It’s unlikely that the term ‘kohlrabi recipes’ scores among your top searches on Google but I have one for you anyway. The variety and glut of beautiful seasonal vegetables has been inspiring me through the winter. We’re gorging on red and black carrots, peas, methi (fenugreek greens), radishes (both red and white), many leafy greens and of course, kohlrabi or ganth gobhi. This is one of the first kohlrabi recipes I made. Know your kohlrabi Kohlrabi, German turnip, knolkhol, lump cabbage or ganth gobhi ( it’s Hindi name), is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables related to cabbage, […]
- [Orange and Honey Loaf Cake](https://www.quichentell.com/orange-and-honey-loaf-cake/): Breakfast, dessert or anytime snack, an orange and honey loaf cake can be all of those things. The citrus saga continues in my kitchen with this fragrant and satisfying tea loaf. If you, like me, enjoy everything about fresh oranges, you may want to save this recipe. Choose an orange you like It’s a delicious thought to bake this orange and honey loaf cake using a different variety of orange each time. Kinnows went into this one, but clementines, Nagpur oranges, tangerines and blood oranges would all imbue it with interesting new scents and flavours. Basically any citrus, even lemons […]
- [Easy Chicken Meatballs](https://www.quichentell.com/easy-chicken-meatballs/): My easy chicken meatballs are exactly what they claim to be. They can be assembled and cooked in a jiffy; no special ingredients and techniques required. Everyone loves meatballs –  as finger food with cocktails or wrapped in a tortilla with salsa, or bunged between slices of bread, or slathered with marinara nestled within reams of spaghetti; there are so many ways to eat them. It’s all about the mince A good chicken meatball must be moist and juicy. Dry, chewy meat is the downfall of even the best-flavoured meatball. Typically, breast meat is less fatty and can very easily […]
- [Chocolate Strawberry Cake](https://www.quichentell.com/chocolate-strawberry-cake/): A chocolate strawberry cake is always welcome on any table, especially if it’s a flourless cake. Strawberries in India, arrive at the end of the year; a happy coincidence when the mood  and food are both celebratory. At a time when menus are loaded with rich offerings, a skinny yet scrumptious cake is a smart way to cut out a few calories. A flourless, butterless batter There’s no grain flour in this chocolate strawberry cake. As in many of my earlier cakes, I’ve used almonds in this recipe. The only difference is that for this cake I used a toasted […]
- [Upside Down Orange Cake](https://www.quichentell.com/upside-down-orange-cake/): Pineapple is passe ́ when there’s an upside down orange cake on the table. A full orange – flesh, juice, pith and skin, goes into this grown-up, bittersweet cake. A generous drizzle of brandy and the golden crown of candied fruit slices on top make this upside down orange cake worthy of parties and celebrations. Choose your orange The Nagpur orange is India’s most popular orange. I use the term ‘orange’ in this post in an inclusive sense extending to related citrus fruits like tangerines, clementines, minnows etc. Nagpur oranges are sweet but loosely packed with space between the peel […]
- [Narangi Chicken](https://www.quichentell.com/narangi-chicken/): Orange chicken curry or narangi chicken is as fruit-scented and zesty as it sounds. Poultry and citrus have always been friends and so, in orange season it’s only natural to cook a dish celebrating this camaraderie. Oranges, tangerines, kinnow, clementines,blood oranges, I love them all. This orange chicken curry is an unpretentious, home-style dish with a smattering of spices and generous glugs of fresh orange juice. Keep it fresh My narangi chicken curry recipe is very forgiving in terms of the effort, skill and ingredients. You’ll get it right even if this is the very first curry you cook. But […]
- [Applesauce Loaf](https://www.quichentell.com/applesauce-loaf/): When life gives you apples, bake an applesauce loaf. That’s what I did when my fridge was inundated with juicy, red fruit. It’s the cold season and I have a hankering for spiced treats, both sweet and savoury. This applesauce loaf is a rustic,farmhouse-style bake and is wonderful for breakfast,warmed with a pat of butter accompanied by a steaming mug of coffee.  How to make the applesauce Making applesauce is simplicity itself. Chopped apples, a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg, some sugar and water are left to cook on low heat for 30 minutes till the fruit breaks down into […]
- [Spicy Prawn Soup](https://www.quichentell.com/spicy-prawn-soup/): Spicy prawn soup in November is like winter haiku in a bowl. Just a few ingredients celebrating the season creating deep, warming harmony on your palate. The heat hums in this spicy prawn soup, never jarring, just right. I started the season of soups with one that’s not too hearty and heavy, yet it’s filling enough to be a meal by itself. Surf and turf This soup is spiced with Goa sausage or chouriços de Goa or choris, its popular name. A desi cousin of the Portuguese and Spanish pork sausage, the chorizo, it is hotter since it has Indian […]
- [Coconut Almond Laddu](https://www.quichentell.com/coconut-almond-laddu/): I’m always looking for easy homemade sweets for festivals like Diwali. This coconut laddu fits the bill perfectly. Diwali cleaning, shopping and other prep leaves me little time to make complicated sweets, so this recipe works beautifully for me. Also, people are up to their gills in sweets and rich snacks; and so I believe in keeping what I serve, light, both in terms of sugar and fat (ghee in this case).   My coconut laddu requires very few ingredients, all of which are easy to find; most you may already have in your kitchen cupboard. Besides coconut, this laddu has […]
- [Chocolate Coconut Creme Brulee](https://www.quichentell.com/chocolate-coconut-creme-brulee/): I was excited  when the folks at BeeTee’s asked me to try Melt, their range of artisanal chocolates in my recipes. I received 3 of their chocolates and used one in the recipe I’m sharing with you today. They paid for this post but the opinions expressed here regarding the product are completely my own. Coconut milk chocolate anyone? When you get a delivery of free chocolates, you make chocolate creme brulee! It began when BeeTee’s, www.beeteesmelt.in a bean to bar chocolate company sent me 3 of their wonderful, Melt-brand artisanal chocolates. Their sinful treats are 100% vegetarian, gluten, soy, […]
- [Barley and Beetroot Cake](https://www.quichentell.com/barley-and-beetroot-cake/): A beetroot cake is not the most exciting type of cake to most people. I understand that reaction to the idea of a cake with beets in it. Honestly, I never understood why cakes needed vegetables in the first place. That disdain has long been replaced by an interest, even enthusiasm for cakes that use vegetables in surprisingly delicious ways. This beetroot cake is my humble shot at creating a healthy and delicious sweet snack. Your daily cake Cakes can be fancy and complicated with crafty decorations and exotic ingredients. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But those are treats […]
- [Marinated Tofu and Watermelon Salad](https://www.quichentell.com/marinated-tofu-and-watermelon-salad/): A watermelon salad was just what the doctor ordered when my stomach needed rest from rich, heavy food. Watermelon and feta salads are popular but this post is an Asian take on that classic combination. This watermelon salad has silken tofu marinated in a tangy, savoury dressing – it’s lighter with a beautiful balance of sour, sweet and salty flavours. Why you should marinate the tofu I like the soft, delicate, steamed- pudding-like-texture of silken tofu For my watermelon salad.  It’s a healthy, vegan protein that sits light in the tummy and is easy to digest. Use the ‘firmest’ silken […]
- [Vegan Lemon Curd Cake](https://www.quichentell.com/vegan-lemon-curd-cake/): Vegan lemon curd cake is my answer to all the lemons life is showering me with these days. Ever since I moved into my current home a month ago, the lemon tree in the quiet corner of my garden has been blessing me with its bounty of fruit. Every morning I wake up to at least 15-20 ripe, yellow orbs scattered at the base of the tree. When lemons are this fresh, their scent, zest and juice are at their headiest. The first jug of lemonade I made had my senses floating on a cloud drenched with lemon mist. So […]
- [Hyderabadi Fish](https://www.quichentell.com/hyderabadi-fish/): Hyderabadi fish for someone like me, who calls the city home, is a dish that never gets its due. Biryanis, salans and meat dishes tend to dominate the narratives on Deccani and Hyderabadi cuisines. The city is landlocked but it more than makes up for the lack of seafood, with freshwater fish dishes. There are spicy fried fish dishes, tangy, tamarind-based fish curries and fiery masala fish preparations.This Hyderabadi fish though is more from the Muslim-style of cooking because it has a spice-laden (but not hot), creamy sauce reminiscent of Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine. Choosing the fish Rohu, Katla […]
- [Keema Kofta Kadhi](https://www.quichentell.com/keema-kofta-kadhi/): Kadhi, Not Curry A keema kofta recipe is a good way to restart my posts, I think. Since my last post, I’ve moved to a different city and have been living in temporary digs waiting for the current wave of the pandemic to calm down before I can move into my new home. Locked down, I try to keep my cooking interesting in my tiny, temp kitchen. This is one such attempt. Keema kofta curries are popular in different regional cuisines in India and this recipe borrows influences from them. Kadhi is a curry (feels wrong to call it that […]
- [Coffee Almond Thins](https://www.quichentell.com/coffee-almond-thins/): This almond thins recipe is a result of my need to nibble. Often around 5 in the evening or mid morning I feel like a smallish snack, more to satisfy my mouth rather than my stomach. At such times, these slender and chewy, a little sweet, slightly salty, coffee almond thins hit the spot. A hit of coffee Chewing on these thins is like sipping black coffee…well almost. The coffee is intense and that’s what I love – a flavour for grown-ups. Their rich brown colour gives them a certain sophistication and maturity I think. Maybe I’m making a lot […]
- [Carrot Thogayal](https://www.quichentell.com/carrot-thogayal/): This carrot thogayal recipe was shared by a dear friend’s mother, who has a vast repertoire of thogayals in her culinary quiver. Thogayal or thuviyal is essentially Tamil for chutney. Thick  and on the drier side, it has similar versions in Kerala known as chammanthi and thokku in Andhra. This particular carrot thogayal is typical of the cuisine of the Iyer community of Palakkad; Tamil brahmins who migrated to this verdant, predominantly agricultural part of Kerala. Their pure vegetarian food (without onion and garlic) is a delightful melange of typically Malayali ingredients cooked in their signature Iyer way. Coconut, ash […]
- [5 Things to Consider Before Buying Cookware](https://www.quichentell.com/5-things-to-consider-before-buying-cookware/): A good dish isn’t made using just a good recipe but it also requires quality raw material, fresh ingredients, of course, good cookware. Although we do not give it all the importance it deserves, it is really important to choose appropriate cookware for anything you cook. Quality cookware can add a lot of taste to your dishes. Today, the market is flooded with a lot of options in cookware. Often it becomes confusing regarding what to select and what not to. So, below are some tips that you can consider before buying cookware. Everyone must have heard the quote “Quality […]
- [Baked Chickpea Cakes](https://www.quichentell.com/baked-chickpea-cakes/): Baked chickpea cakes for dinner on a weeknight were exactly what I needed –  a healthy, easy-to-put-together, light meal. After the indulgences of the winter, now fading fast, it’s time to shift to menus suited to warmer weather. Chickpeas are wildly popular, present in every store cupboard and are incredibly versatile. These baked chickpea cakes can be anything you want them to be –   appetisers at a party, a healthy breakfast option, patties in a vegetarian burger or sandwich, easy lunchbox meal…the choices are many. Here in India, we cook chickpeas or kabooli chana the old fashioned way. They […]
- [Sorghum Muffins](https://www.quichentell.com/sorghum-muffins/): Try sorghum muffins to start your day. You could also call it a banana muffin or even a whole wheat muffin. In short, a healthy, delicious low-fat breakfast. Bake it on the weekend and be rid of breakfast worries for the next few days. I’m partial to whole grain recipes and try to incorporate gut-friendly, nutrient-dense whole-grain and flours in my baking wherever I can. This sorghum muffin recipe is one such attempt that turned out exactly as I had hoped it would.  Know your sorghum A hardy plant, the grain has been cultivated and eaten in India since ancient […]
- [Konkani Chicken Curry](https://www.quichentell.com/konkani-style-coconut-chicken-curry/):  I must begin by confessing that my Konkani chicken curry is not based on some age-old recipe created by grannies, and that it may induce some lip curling among experts of Konkani cooking. And for that I apologise. This recipe is inspired by the Konkani style of dry chicken curries which have earned them legions of fans (myself included) who swear by their bright, bold and beautiful flavours. The western coast of India is home to some of the most delicious coastal cuisines – from Maharashtra, across Karnataka upto Kerala, the foods of the many communities that reside here, is […]
- [Tandoori Prawns](https://www.quichentell.com/tandoori-prawns/): Tandoori prawns are a surefire crowd pleaser; whether you’re cooking it for just for your family or for a large party. Seafood is delicate, yet the ground spices in the marinade for these tandoori prawns builds a savoury patina of flavour that complements the intrinsic sweetness of the prawns. Now, tandoori dishes – chicken, lamb and seafood must be grilled in a tandoor as the name suggests, but in the absence of tandoors in most urban kitchens, they turn out equally delicious when grilled in regular ovens. Tandoori Prawns – Spices & Marination A smattering of carom seeds (ajwain) and […]
- [Fish Pulao](https://www.quichentell.com/fish-pulao/): An everyday fish pulao is a wonderful dish to have in one’s repertoire. It makes a nice change from fried and curried fish. Like many if not most Indian home cooks, I cook from instinct, adding flavours and seasoning without always adhering to recipes and measurements. Cooking over time, one develops a sense of which ingredients complement each other and how much needs to be added to achieve a certain flavour. Food memory has a lot to do with this way of cooking. Anyway, sufficeth to say that this fish pulao recipe was born out of an ‘idea’ of what […]
- [Jowar Lemon Cookies](https://www.quichentell.com/jowar-cookies/): I made jowar cookies because I wanted to try whole grain cookies using some kind of millet flour. These sweet little discs could also go by lemon cookies. Now, traditional baked goods with lemon are always made using butter and all-purpose flour because together they create tender (cakes), crisp (cookies) and light, buttery textures. By making lemon-flavored jowar (sorghum) cookies using oil, my aim was to cut a few calories by trading-off flakiness for chewiness. The lemony taste and scent remains unchanged. Why jowar/sorghum flour? White wholewheat flour would’ve been ideal for this lemon cookie but it’s not available here […]
- [Guava Pickle](https://www.quichentell.com/guava-pickle/): Guava pickle. Yes you read that right. All the regional cuisines of India have such an ancient tradition of pickling and preserving all kinds of vegetables (including vegetable peels), fruits, meats and seafood but rarely do you hear of a hot guava pickle. I knew of green guava chutneys, a sweet North Indian guava pickle (flavoured with fennel, fenugreek and mustard seeds like mango chchunda) and even a Rajasthani amrud ki sabzi but had never tasted a savoury guava pickle.  An abundance of guavas this time of year inspired me to try making a quick pickle, one that doesn’t require […]
- [Apple Crumble Cake](https://www.quichentell.com/apple-crumble-cake/): I’m currently obsessed with apples. And so, a buttery apple crumble cake follows the post on apple pie. The weather is pleasantly nippy and sweet, crisp apples tumble into my basket (well, almost) every time I’m out grocery shopping. Obviously,I can’t wait to cook with them and fill my home with warm, cinnamon-tinged scents of apples. The apple crumble cake is a rich, butter cake filled with squishy chunks of stewed apples and topped with a crunchy walnut streusel. A butter cake is delightful with a fluffy, moist and tender crumb. The last thing you want is a dense cake […]
- [Coconut Almond Laddu](https://www.quichentell.com/coconut-laddu/): I’m always looking for easy homemade sweets for festivals like Diwali. This coconut laddu fits the bill perfectly. Diwali cleaning, shopping and other prep leaves me little time to make complicated sweets, so this recipe works beautifully for me. Also, people are up to their throats in sweets and rich snacks; and so I believe in keeping what I serve, light both in terms of sugar and fat (ghee in this case).   My coconut laddu requires a few ingredients, all of which are easy to find; most you may already have in your kitchen cupboard. Besides coconut, this laddu has […]
- [Murgh Rezala](https://www.quichentell.com/murgh-rezala/): The murgh rezala is a celebration.Of the happy blend of Bengali and Muslim cooking, of the sophistication of the subcontinent’s food, and of India’s composite culture. A rezala refers essentially to the sauce in which the murgh or chicken is cooked. Food historians estimate that this dish evolved when the descendents of Tipu Sultan were forced to leave their royal abode in Srirangapatna, Karnataka and exiled to Kolkata, Bengal, by the British East India Company. The royal cooks who travelled with the household and nawabs brought with them rich treasures of Muslim cuisine perfected in palace kitchens. Murgh rezala is […]
- [Radish Pachadi](https://www.quichentell.com/radish-pachadi/): It’s both delightful and amazing how a humble dish such as this radish pachadi or radish chutney can so dramatically elevate a simple home-style meal of rice and dal. Telugu cuisine, both from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is famed for its pachadis – the word is used for both chutneys (which are generally ground or pulped) and pickles (which usually have chunks of the fruit/vegetable). In this case, the radish pachadi is a chutney. Pachadis may be formally classified and condiments meant to bring spice or tang to a meal, but as any Telugu person will proudly tell you, pachadis […]
- [Whole Wheat & Oatmeal Crust Apple Pie](https://www.quichentell.com/apple-pie/): It’s apple pie season. It’s an American classic and arguably the most popular kind of dessert pie. I’ll never say no to a slice of apple pie. The pleasure I get from a forkful of flaky, buttery crust topped with soft and sweet cinnamon-scented, apples with a hint of lemon never gets old or tired. The rains finally paving the way for a tiny hint of winter and loads of apples at my local vegetable store, put me in the mood for some warm apple pie. The idea of experimenting with a whole grain pie crust has been on my […]
- [Prawn Pickle](https://www.quichentell.com/prawn-pickle/): Prawn pickle, whether it’s eaten with dal and rice, spread on hot toast, or enjoyed with crispy dosas and fluffy uttapams – everyone has their favourite way of relishing this tangy seafood treat. I’ve always had store-bought prawn pickle, but this time the abundance of prawns sold by my fish lady inspired me to make my own. Eating homemade pickle is like eating vegetables from one’s kitchen garden, it’s a special feeling. What kind of prawns should you use? Medium-sized prawns are the best. Very small shrimp have a tendency to turn dry and tough since the cooking process renders […]
- [Pressure Cooker Mocha Pudding](https://www.quichentell.com/pressure-cooker-mocha-pudding/): This post should be titled, pudding in a pinch. My oven was on the blink for a few days and I had a craving for dessert and necessity (happily) drove me to throw together this pressure cooker pudding. It was so silky and airy in texture and yet so intense in flavour that I decided as an afterthought to write a post on it. My pressure cooker pudding takes all of 40 minutes from start to finish. It has simple, everyday ingredients from your pantry and fridge. Put it together in 10 minutes flat, then steam for 25-30 minutes and […]
- [Red Fish Curry](https://www.quichentell.com/red-fish-curry/): My red fish curry was born from my love of fish curries from the western coast of India. It’s not ‘authentic’ in the sense that it incorporates elements from Malvani, Goan and even Malabari cuisines. Although each of these regional cuisines is different in its basic flavours and in the way it combines seafood, spices and other aromatics to create unique dishes, more than a few ingredients are common to all of them.     All along the Arabian Sea, whether it’s southern Maharashtra, Malvan, Goa, Coastal Karnataka or Kerala, you will find dishes redolent with coconuts, curry leaves, kokum (garcinia indica […]
- [Mom's Odia Mutton Curry](https://www.quichentell.com/moms-odia-mutton-curry/): Today I’m sharing an Odia mutton curry with you. My mother, 72, is a gynaecologist who also works with  HIV positive people and tuberculosis patients, besides dishing up a mean Odia style mutton curry. A pure vegetarian (who didn’t even eat eggs) when she joined med school, she discovered the pleasure of eating meat when she started seeing Dad, a fish and meat eating Odia classmate. From then to now she has honed and perfected her non-vegetarian cooking –  mutton biryani, fish besara and keema pulao (a favorite on this blog) are a few of her specialties. This mutton curry […]
- [Coconut Milk Rasam](https://www.quichentell.com/coconut-milk-rasam/): I refuse to call coconut milk rasam mulligatawny soup with coconut milk just because the English (read British) decided to call rasam by that ridiculous if not incorrect name. Rasam or milagu (pepper) tanni (water), a  literal translation from Tamil, according to me, is actually anything but that – pepper and water. Rasam or charu (in Telugu) like this coconut milk rasam has a unique aroma and flavour that comes from rasam masala – a spice blend made by grinding a specific combination of spices such as cumin, coriander, dried red chillies asafoetida and black pepper.  Rasam, in its classic […]
- [Sukha Chicken](https://www.quichentell.com/sukha-chicken/): I should call this post sukha chicken for bachelors because of how easy it is to cook this dish. But plenty of bachelors are great cooks so I’ll just say that this is arguably one of the easiest chicken dishes to make. Perfect for newbies, it is a go-to dish in a pinch or when time’s at a premium. Sukha chicken or dry chicken is simple and yet disproportionately chock full of flavour. It’s pointless to write a treatise on something so straightforward so I’ll keep it short. All you need are spices from your store cupboard – staples of […]
- [Pineapple Gojju](https://www.quichentell.com/pineapple-gojju/): This post on pineapple gojju, is about pinning a food memory from my Bengaluru school days  on the blog. It’s a testimony to all the delicious gojjus – tomato, bitter gourd (bitter melon) and onion – that I ate at Kannada weddings and delicious, home-style meals. I used to visit my aunt on weekends (boarding school rules); and became great friends with her neighbour’s daughter and was lucky to share many of their lovely meals which always meant a large dollop of deep red gojju on my plate.  A gojju is part curry and part pickle/chutney. It’s salty-sweet-sour notes still […]
- [Lehsuni Murgh Tikka](https://www.quichentell.com/lehsuni-murgh-tikka/): Lasooni tikka or lehsuni tikka is a little less famous than its cousin the murgh or chicken tikka. But in my book, it gets more points for its bold, garlicky, savouriness. This past weekend we ate fresh, homemade whole wheat pitas with meaty mounds of velvety lasooni murgh tikkas and crunchy salad nestled within with a dousing of tangy mint chutney and a creamy cashew nut sauce. What a lunch it was; every mouthful a mardi gras of punchy flavours. Tikkas and kebabs probably came to India from Central Asia, Persia, Afghanistan and other places on the Silk Route. This […]
- [Pineapple Coconut Cake](https://www.quichentell.com/pineapple-coconut-cake/): I was delighted by this pineapple coconut cake. It’s inspired by the Upside Down Pineapple Cake in Rose Bernbaum’s The Cake Bible with omissions, additions and some change in technique. My first attempt tasted delicious but had issues with  the texture of the crumb. A couple of tweaks made all the difference and on the second attempt it tasted, looked and felt  just right.  Summer has segued to the monsoon and I just love how a fresh variety of fruits and vegetables appear with the change of season. It’s nature’s way of inspiring us and firing up our imaginations. I […]
- [Prawn Pulao](https://www.quichentell.com/prawn-pulao/): A prawn pulao is always a crowd pleaser. Seafood and rice have a synergetic relationship and together create the most soul-satisfying dishes, paella for example. One of my favourite comfort foods is a plate of fish curry and plain steamed rice. It needs nothing else, no side dishes, relishes or accompaniments required. The prawn pulao is similar.  We’re a seafood loving family and when my local fish seller had a heap of large, succulent prawns for me, a fuss-free prawn pulao for Sunday lunch was my first thought.  Now there are biryanis and there are pulaos (or pilafs if you […]
- [Mango Phirni](https://www.quichentell.com/mango-phirni/): In this post, I celebrate the season’s bounty of mangoes with a mango phirni – a coconut and mango rice pudding that’s 100% vegan. No dairy at all. If you’re familiar with kheer and phirni, you’ll know that they are Indian, milk-based rice puddings. Now purists may turn up their noses but this phirni is made without so much as a drop of milk. Neither does it use non-dairy milk such as almond or soy. And yet it is creamy and feels rich without being so. Summers in India are sweltering with heat and humidity rising daily. But even this […]
- [Eggless Yoghurt And Honey Muffins](https://www.quichentell.com/eggless-yoghurt-and-honey-muffins/): Freshly baked yoghurt and honey muffins for Sunday breakfast in the midst of self-imposed quarantine brought a quiet but much-needed joy to my family’s table. Not fancy, or pretty with a plump swirl of buttercream, but they were satisfying and comforting. Their subtle, honeyed sweetness and yoghurt-enriched, pillowy crumb tasted of delicious, home-baked reassurance. These yoghurt and honey muffins are eggless. Eggs are used in muffins to aerate the batter, provide fat and flavour and also work as binding agents, giving the puffed towers their structure. My recipe replaces the eggs with Greek or thick, hung yoghurt, which performs all […]
- [Chicken Drumstick(Moringa) Curry](https://www.quichentell.com/chicken-drumstick-moringa-curry/): I want to kick-off this post by clarifying that in my chicken drumstick curry the ‘drumstick’ refers to the moringa fruit (commonly known drumsticks in India). The moringa has caught the world’s imagination as a superfood and everything from its leaves to its fruit are consumed in the form of teas, capsules, health powders, drinks etc. Moringa oleifera or murunga, murungakkai, morunga, munaga, sojana, sajana, shajna and the many other names by which we know it in India, has been a part of our cuisine for ages. We’ve grown up eating its tender leaves and drumstick-shaped fruit in curries, dals […]
- [Lemon Almond Cake](https://www.quichentell.com/4-ingredient-lemon-almond-cake-easy-gluten-free-pantry-friendly-and-easy-to-make/): Baking a simple lemon almond cake in the midst of a crippling pandemic gave me much needed joy and feeling of gratitude for the life that I have. Forced to be frugal, with shortages of ingredients, my choices had to be based on what was in my pantry and fridge. Craving a cake and having run out of all things chocolate, I had to make do with what I had. Rifling through my recipes I happily discovered this one for a lemon almond cake. Luckily, I had a bag of almond flour, castor sugar and eggs as most bakers would. […]
- [Thandai Kulfi](https://www.quichentell.com/thandai-kulfi/): Holi is around the corner. And it’s time for thandai. It’s also time for kulfi. Spring is almost done and the door to summer has been opened. Daytime temperatures in many parts of the country are in their mid 30s (Celsius of course) and threaten every day to take off from the edge and soar into the sun. So thandai, kulfi and all other cooling concoctions are more than welcome.  Puranic accounts mention Holika as a farmers’ celebration of bountiful harvests and bonfire related to the story of Prahlad. This period also happens to be the culmination of the short […]

## Pages

- [Home page](https://www.quichentell.com/): Desserts & Sweets Recipes Badam Thandai Barfi By Quiche'n'Tell March 11, 2025 Rating: 0.00 Breakfast Recipes Lentil and Spinach Shakshuka By Quiche'n'Tell February 11, 2025 Rating: 0.00 Recipes Seafood Vegetables Matar Tikki Chaat By Quiche'n'Tell February 6, 2025 Rating: 5.00 Desserts & Sweets Recipes Snacks Guava Cheesecake Bars By Quiche'n'Tell January 28, 2025 Rating: 0.00 Poultry & Meat Recipes Rice, Grains, Noodles & Pasta Red Braised Chicken Rice By Quiche'n'Tell January 18, 2025 Rating: 0.00 Find Your Perfect Recipe Search for: Search 0.00 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Yummly WhatsApp Desserts & Sweets Recipes Badam Thandai Barfi  Holi is incomplete without thandai. […]
- [About Us](https://www.quichentell.com/about-us/): Cooking is an art, a science, a meditation, love…and life itself. “I love natural and healthy food, and good coffee. Welcome to Lemon & Limes. I am here to help you cook delicious and healthy food with easy to follow step by step tutorial. Hi! I’m Supriya, food lover, enthusiastic cook and occasional caterer. I began chronicling my cooking journey on this blog in 2015. The earliest recipes were written when we were in South Africa. I have since returned to India but did move around the country a fair bit. You must’ve noticed that my recipes are from all […]
- [Submit Guest Post](https://www.quichentell.com/guest-post-submission/): Hi, I welcome guest posts on my blog from like minded bloggers interested in all things food. My blog embraces foods from all over the world, with a preference for healthier recipes. That said, it does not follow fads and here, you will happily find the occasional post on an indulgent favourite. The idea is to celebrate food. To submit a guest post simply follow the few simple rules listed below and mail me your submission. Submission Rules Your post must be between 1000-1500 words long. Obviously, it must talk about food, which doesn’t necessarily have to focus on a […]
- [Terms and Conditions](https://www.quichentell.com/terms-and-conditions/): Last updated: October 7, 2021 Please read these Terms of Use (“Terms”, “Terms of Use”) carefully before using the https://www.quichentell.com website (the “Service”) operated by Quichentell (“us”, “we”, or “our”). Your access to and use of the Service is conditioned on your acceptance of and compliance with these Terms. These Terms apply to all visitors, users and others who access or use the Service. By accessing or using the Service you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of the terms then you may not access the Service. Intellectual Property The Service and its […]
- [Contact Us](https://www.quichentell.com/contact-us/): LET’S GET CONNECTED Contact Us We’re happy to hear from you! Let’s Make Something Great Together! Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae; Fusce porttitor metus eget lectus consequat, sit amet feugiat magna vulputate. Phasellus iaculis tellus augue, at ultrices lacus efficitur a. Mauris a nibh erat. In sed massa sed erat consectetur convallis vel vitae felis. Vivamus in tempus erat. Cras porta nisi sit amet leo dictum, non suscipit neque tincidunt. Ut et enim ligula. For all business inquires, please contact lemonlimes@gmail.com Need shopping help or have shop-related questions? Please send questions to help@lemonlimes.com General […]
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## Products

- [Red Lentils Split Seeds](https://www.quichentell.com/product/split-red-lentils/): It is the softest and squashy in all lentil family and can cook effortlessly without soaking prior to cooking, unlike many other legumes. Split red lentils take less time in cooking because its seed coat has already been removed which makes it hard and denser. 100% Organic Product. 
- [Pink Cast Iron Enameled Cookware](https://www.quichentell.com/product/pink-cast-iron-enameled-cookware/): Cast iron with a glossy enamel finish, it has exceptional heat conduction, retention, and distribution for reliable cooking. Enamel cast iron is evenly heated, which will not affect the taste of food. Can be used to marinate, cook, and store food. Compatible with induction, gas, electric, and ceramic glass cooktops. The two handles are very convenient to use, and easy to clean without blind side.
- [Premium Culinary Butane Torch](https://www.quichentell.com/product/premium-culinary-butane-torch/): Torch Lighter for Creme Brulee, BBQ, Baking, Soldering, Crafts. It is not just for meals in the kitchen, you can also use this in other ways - from searing meat, sous vide, bar cocktails, to starting a campfire, outdoor cooking, cigar lighters, and of course BBQ grill for camping. Butane Gas Not Included.
- [Matcha Green Tea Powder](https://www.quichentell.com/product/matcha-green-tea-powder/): Matcha green tea is specially grown green tea leaves ground into a fine powder. You ingest the whole leaf and every last bit of green tea good stuff. Commonly used in a variety of sweets and baked good recipes, including ice cream, pies, mousse, cupcakes, shortbread cookies, and pancakes.
- [Blueberry & Blackberry Juniper Jam](https://www.quichentell.com/product/blueberry-blackberry-juniper-jam/): Blueberries, blackberries, crushed juniper and gin. A refreshing, botanical jam. Juniper provides a nice piney, peppery bite to the berries and the subtle hit of gin is a perfect aromatic nuance. A delicious, light component to any charcuterie board or on top of ricotta toast, yogurt, fresh bread or mixed into a cocktail.
- [Homemade Strawberry Jam](https://www.quichentell.com/product/homemade-strawberry-jam/): Our home canned strawberry jam is fresh and delicious. It is perfect for breakfast, on toast or English muffins. Or even over ice cream!! We use berries from garden for the freshest tasting jam you will find. If you are ordering more than one item, please let us know and we can adjust shipping costs.
- [Rose Bubbles Sparkling Wine Crown Cap](https://www.quichentell.com/product/bubbles-sparkling-wine/): The bright red fruits of cherries, strawberries and watermelons are in harmony with the fresh, soft acidity, and the swelling fruit lasts for a long time.
- [Organic Whole Grain Rye Flour (Stone Ground)](https://www.quichentell.com/product/organic-whole-grain-rye-flour/): Rye flour is excellent for all bread including naturally leavened bread (sourdough) and breads using commercial yeast. Great for rolls too. Choose the sprouted option for even more digestibility and optimal nutrient absorption. A bit more dense than hard red wheat. Many Bakers combine this with other wheat but is delicious used alone. This wheat is a powerhouse full of nutrition.
- [Kimino Yuzu Sparkling](https://www.quichentell.com/product/yuri-wine-sake/): This yuzu sparkling juice is made only from hand-picked yuzu, natural water from Hyogo prefecture, and organic sugar cane. Yuzu is a citrus fruit with a unique aroma and acidity, which is rich in vitamin C and polyphenols. The taste is best described as a blend between a lime and a grapefruit.
- [Gourmet Basics 4-Piece Dinnerware Set](https://www.quichentell.com/product/gourmet-basics-4-piece-dinnerware-set/): Made with dark clay, with the top surface covered with a white glaze. Enjoy exotic food presentation with this set of 2 traditional handmade dinner plates. Our plates are purely made in organic clay, lead-free for healthy living.


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