India’s popular snack that finds a place in almost every bakery or chaat shop – our very own Samosa. Savory comfort food at its best, a crisp exterior filled with a savory vegetable stuffing that goes very well over a hot cup of chai especially on a rain filled day.

Another of my favorite chaat, Bhel Puri, that is light on the stomach and super quick to bring together. A popular street food, Bhel puri, is prepared with puffed rice, an assortment of chutneys, peanuts and crushed papdi and sev.

Indians love their favorite chaat wala and spend many a evening eating their favorite masala puri or pani puri, relishing its magical, addictive flavors like there’s no tomorrow. And why not? Its comforting food that warms the palate, delicious and economical on the wallet.

Chaat is the most fascinating culinary concoctions prepared in the street corners or gallis of every city/town of our country. Isn’t the smell of street food enticing? Isn’t it exciting to watch the street food vendor swiftly assemble a plate of Chaat with all its colorful assortment of spices and chutneys?

Mumbai’s popular fast food snack prepared with curried dried peas aka ragda that is spooned over Aloo Patties/Cutlets along with an assortment of chutneys and garnished with sev and fresh coriander leaves. Also known as Aloo Tikki Chaat in North India, where its prepared without ragda.

Chaats are India’s National Snacks like hot dogs or burgers are to America or Tacos are to Mexico. The innumerable Chaats and snacks showcase a myriad of flavors and textures – sweet, salty, tangy, spicy, soft and crispy, that epitomize Indian food.

A party appetizer that is loved by all at my home. After a couple of trials, I have settled with this recipe. The secret to a flavorful Chicken Manchurian is the use of chicken stock. Marinated boneless chicken is deep fried and the golden balls are tossed with a cornflour based ginger-garlic concoction and garnished with a generous amount of spring onion greens. Serve hot to savor the true flavor of this Indo Chinese starter.

Hope you had a wonderful start into 2010. Wishing you a safe, happy and healthy 2010! Reflecting on 2009, I’ve had an enjoyable food blogging year and look forward to another year of good food, fun and cheer. Chilli Paneer I’m beginning the new year with a favorite appetizer, Chilli Paneer. Last week, I prepared [...]

My foray into rasam making wasn’t very impressive during the many trial and error sessions of my early kitchen days. I would try numerous versions to replicate a flavor that I tasted at my Tamilian friend’s home or at a restaurant in Coimbatore or elsewhere during my travels to Tamil Nadu. Each home has its [...]

Crispy Dondakaya I made this recipe on a whim. A popular dondakaya preparation usually served as part of the menu on special occasions like house warming ceremonies and weddings. Crisp, light and very subtly spiced, perfect for a gloomy waiting-for-the-rains day! My favorite, easy to make and stupendously good.   Dondakaya (Tendli, Tindora, Kovakkai, Ivy [...]