Many cultures have embraced the joy of a brittle. Be it with nuts or seeds, it is usually held together by cooked sugar that breaks with a satisfying snap. Indian Til Chikki takes it to the next level. It is made with sesame seeds and jaggery, India’s unrefined cane sugar that gives the brittle its deep flavour. I love adding some ground cardamom and a pinch of salt to elevate the flavors even further – from a nutty sweetness to a heavenly aroma.
Fill a table with these and I shall commit gluttony. This popular food from Mumbai is one of my favourite examples of how the simplicity of street food delivers a complex culinary experience through layers of flavours and textures. The three different chutneys balance sweet, sour and spicy flavour notes that beautifully accompany the savoury potato patty, while the chura adds a satisfying crunch amidst the soft bun. It’s a symphony that happens to be traditionally vegan and begs to be repeated again and again.
Chutneys are a powerful way to enrich a great many Indian dishes with varying flavors and textures. To add a little bit of heat, Kara Chutney is a fiery asset to have in your chutney repertoire.
Dosa needs no introduction. It has long gained popularity around the world as a thin, cylinder-shaped, crispy pancake that is served so large, it reaches far over the edges of the plate. In South India’s Bengaluru, however, another version of dosa reigns supreme. Here, the batter is spread out into a smaller but thicker pancake that is fried until dark golden and simply folded in half. The result is a crispy exterior with a slighty softer interior. Whichever version you prefer, this easy Indian Dosa recipe takes you through all the steps on how to make dosa at home.
Ever since I made Idli for the first time, they have become a firm favourite. There is something magical about being able to mix together a simple batter made from rice and lentils and let it ferment all by itself without the need for any form of added yeast. A similar batter is used for Dosa, another Indian staple. With both Idli and Dosa having such a sacred place in Indian food culture, it comes to no surprise that there are a range of recipes that emerged from the need to use up any leftover batter. Kuzhi Paniyaram is one of them.
South Indian Uttapam are thick, fluffy pancakes loaded with fresh aromatics, offering a delightful alternative to idli and dosa. With its crispy edges and soft, flavorful center, Uttapam is perfect for breakfast, lunch or even a light dinner. Topped with tomatoes, onions and chilies, each bite is a burst of flavor.
This Coconut Chutney is the ideal condiment to serve alongside Idli Sambar, a traditional South Indian breakfast. Dipping the fluffy idli into the soothing chutney, with bursts of nutty flavours from the tempered urad dal was one of the first experiences that convinced me of the ingenious way of Indian cooking, with its many layers of flavours and textures.
Idli are steamed fluffy rice cakes that are made from a fermented rice and lentil batter. A South Indian specialty, they are traditionally eaten for breakfast, but make a fantastic lunch or dinner, especially when paired with a sambar & coconut chutney.
Sambar is a quintessential South Indian dish that is often served alongside Idli. It’s a tangy and spicy lentil-based stew that is made with a variety of vegetables, tamarind juice, and a blend of aromatic spices that give it a distinct aroma and taste.
Besan is the Hindi word for gram flour (chickpea flour) and Chilla translates to pancake. It’s a popular North Indian breakfast, but it makes for a protein-rich, gluten-free and quick meal at any time of the day.