Vadani Kaval Gheta - Quick and Easy

As most of you know by now, I am vegan by choice. I very rarely cook using any milk product. Recently I decided to make paneer when my nephews were coming for dinner. They like paneer and it was easy for me to try something new as well. I think it was second time I made something with paneer in recent years. I wanted easy no-spice recipe so that kids can enjoy. Here is the version I made which was enjoyed by adults and kids equally. I have made this twice after that and it was instant hit both the times. Here is how I made it - Serves 4-6 1 block of Paneer (1lb) 1 Red Bell Pepper 1 Onion 1 Tomato (optional) Salt per taste Chili Powder per taste 2-3 tbsp Oil Achari Masala - ( Modified version of The Cooker's Bihari style Chili Pickle Masala ) 1 tsp Mustard Seeds 1 tsp Nigella Seeds (Kalaunji) 1 tsp Fenugreek seeds 1 tsp Fennel Seeds 1 tsp Cumin seeds Preparation - Cut paneer in 1/2" cubes. Similarly cut onion, bell pepper and tomato in 1/2" cube. H...

Once in a while I get this urge to make nice parathas. Yesterday i made simple pav bhaji paratha. Idea was to make simple mixed vegetable stuffed paratha but decided to change things as I remembered pavbhaji midst of grinding vegetables! Here is how I made them - 1/2 cup Frozen Green Peas 1 medium Potato 1/2 small Tomato 1/2 Bell Pepper (I used red) - optional 1 medium or 5-6 baby carrots Cauliflower floret of fist size 1 tbsp Pav Bhaji Masala Salt as needed Fistful Chopped Cilantro Small blob of Ginger Whole wheat Flour as needed Preparation - Cook potato in microwave until done. Set it aside to cool.  Wash all the vegetables. Remove seeds from bell pepper if you are planning to use it. Add all the vegetables in grinder, add ginger and grind until coarse paste. Make sure there are no big chunks of vegetable left. Now peel potato, grate it in a large bowl you want to use to make dough. Add ground vegetable paste. Add salt, paavbhaji masala, chopped cilantro. Mix ...

I make this sprout salad very frequently in summer because weather is really good for making sprouts. I like it more with moong sprouts than mataki sprouts. Moong spruts has bit more bite to it than mataki. 2-3 cups Sprouted Moong 1 Large Green Apple or Plum (or any sweet & sour fruit you like) 1 small red onion Salt per taste 1/2 tsp Sugar Fistful of chopped Cilantro Juice from 1/2 Lime Preparation - Dice onion and fruit you are using. If using blueberries or blackberries, no need to chop. Mix everything in a large bowl. Adjust salt and lime juice according to taste. Let it sit in refridgerator for at least 20-30 minutes before serving. Enjoy on a warm summer day topped with little bit of sev. Tips - I also make typical cucumber-tomato-sprout-chat masala salad often. But this fruit version is my favorite. Partially raw mango tastes good too but not the sweet ripe mango :) 

This is very popular bhaji in Maharashtra. It is made on most of the festive occasions. Here is how I like it - 2 large Russet Potatoes, boiled 2-3 Green Chilies 1 small piece Ginger (1/2") 2-3 Cloves of Garlic 1 small Yellow Onion Salt per taste Sugar per taste (optional) For Tempering - 3 tbsp Oil, 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds, 1/4 tsp Cumin Seeds, Pinch of Hing, 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder, few Curry Leaves For Garnish - Fistful of chopped Cilantro, 1-2 tbsp freshly grated coconut (or Frozen) Preparation - Peel boiled potatoes while warm and can be handled properly. Dice them in 1/2" dice. Add little salt and chopped cilantro to potatoes, mix well and set aside.  Chop onion in 1/2" dice. Grind ginger-garlic and green chiles to coarse paste without adding water. I prefer using my mortar pestle. Heat oil in thick bottom kadhai, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Add hing and turmeric powder once mustard seeds start spluttering. Then add curry leaves and saute for...

This recipe is a very hit at my place. Awesome taste can be made in 5-6 minutes if you have boiled potatoes ready. A friend send me Maayboli link recently and vouched for the taste. I am glad I tried his suggestion. Original recipe can be found here -  http://www.maayboli.com/node/42898 I am just converting it to English with my additional notes - 3-4 Medium Potatoes 2 Small Tomatoes (I used Roma but it should not matter) 1/2 cup Chopped Cilantro 1 tbsp Coriander Seeds 1 tsp Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp Fenugreek Seeds 1/2 tsp Aamchur Powder (I did not use as my tomatoes were very sour) 1-2 tsp Red Chili Powder (or per taste) 1/2 tsp Garam Masala 1/2 tsp Sugar Pinch of Turmeric Powder 2 tbsp Oil Salt Per Taste Preparation - Boil potatoes as usual. Cool down and peel. Chop potatoes in 1/2" cubes. Chop tomatoes in 1/2" cubes. Mix tomatoes, potatoes and chopped cilantro. Grind coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds to coarse powder. Mix red chili powder, sal...