I often get asked by friends how to cook Indian-style vegetables. Indian dishes are usually cooked in three simple steps: preparing the base (usually cumin, onions, or both, spices), caramelizing the main ingredient (veggies, meats, poultry) and adding finishers/ enhancers (broth, water, herbs). For veggies, we usually skip adding any liquid since they are usually … [Read more…]
This is ultimate comfort food for the South Asian kid. Ask anyone in their 30s or 40s what they love most? Chances are they’ll say “daal” (lentils). Poor man and rich man alike, everyone loves this stuff. Lentils are varied, cheap and extremely nutritious. Time: 1 1/4 hour Ingredients 1 cup yellow split lentils, soaked … [Read more…]
Paneer is an unaged, acid-set, non-melting farmer cheese made by curdling heated milk with lemon juice or another food acid. This cheese method probably came to India from Iran or Turkey. Paneer doesn’t usually have any salt and despite its water content, can be stir fried like tofu as long as you do it *quickly*. … [Read more…]
Paneer (cheese) with peas and tomato curry is a staple in North Indian homes. Paalak (spinach) paneer is also a main veggie course at Indian weddings. I’m not a huge spinach fan – the only way I can eat it is raw or sauteéd with garlic and olive oil – so I mostly make it … [Read more…]