Quick Meals for Busy Families
Quick Meals for Busy Families
Quick Meals for Busy Families
Do you know, there is a technique that I use in my Indian recipes that wakes hunger in everyone at home? It naturally pulls the humans in my house straight into the kitchen and makes them ask, “Is lunch ready?” “Is dinner ready?” Every. Single. Time. Well… this simple technique is called tempering. It amazes me how something that takes less than a minute can create such a powerful reaction. The moment mustard seeds start …
Most mornings, I want something warm and savoury for breakfast. It just makes the day start right. But not every day calls for something heavy like upma or dosa. Some days I want something warm, light, creamy, and still flavour-packed. That’s how this Warm Savoury Beetroot Porridge came together. Porridge is usually sweet — fruits, honey, all of that. But on mornings when I don’t feel like sugar, this savoury pink bowl hits the spot. …
Kerala food is defined by the magic of coconut meeting spices in the pan. One dish that beautifully captures this essence is thoran. Traditionally, a thoran is a dry stir-fry made with finely chopped vegetables, grated coconut, and a tempering of mustard seeds, red chilies, and curry leaves. You’ll find it as a staple side dish in everyday Kerala meals and also gracing festive sadyas. It is humble, nourishing, and deeply connected to the agrarian …
Onam is one of those times of the year that instantly fills the air with nostalgia from back home. It’s the harvest festival of Kerala, celebrated with grandeur and joy, and of course the Onam Sadya—a traditional feast served on banana leaves. Each dish in the Sadya has a unique role to play, from the tangy pickles to the mellow curries and the sweet payasams. Among them, pachadi holds a special charm. Pachadi is usually …
Asha GUpdated on Leave a Comment on Skillet-Fried Potatoes – Easy and Quick Comfort Food Fix2 min readSome recipes are so simple that you almost take them for granted, yet they end up being the ones you keep making again and again. For me, pan-fried potatoes in a cast iron skillet fall into that category. They’re quick, they’re versatile, and they taste like home. Whether I’m putting together a comforting plate of rice and rasam or serving roast chicken for dinner, this little potato side dish fits right in. What I love …
Some snacks go beyond taste — they become a feeling. They remind you of slow, comforting weekends brunches or tea time, the clink of steel tumblers, and the stories and laughter shared with family. For me, Uzhunnu Vada is one of those nostalgic dish. Amma always made it for tea time on weekends. She’d serve them piping hot with coconut chutney and tea. It wasn’t just at home either. Every time we hit the road …
I’ve been trying to be more mindful about how I start my mornings. I try to make something light but nourishing, tasty but not sugar-loaded, and definitely quick. Because let’s face it, we don’t all have the luxury of leisurely chopping papayas or waiting for oats to soak. Now, this Berry Blast Smoothie is my little secret weapon. This smoothie came about during one such chaotic morning. I had a few strawberries and blueberries that …
Asha GUpdated on Leave a Comment on How to Make Delicious Rajma Chawal – A Cozy Indian Classic3 min readRajma Chawal. Just the name brings a sense of comfort, doesn’t it? In most Indian homes—including mine—it’s not just food, it’s an emotion. Rajma (red kidney beans) cooked in a luscious, spiced tomato-onion gravy, served over warm rice… it’s not only simple but also hearty, and hits all the right notes. When I moved to Bengaluru for my first job, it was a whole new world. Not just the independence, but the food from all …
Asha GUpdated on Leave a Comment on Lemon Pound Cake: Easy, Buttery, Tangy, and Irresistible!2 min readEvery weekend, I try to meal prep for the upcoming week. It helps keep things organized, ensures that there are quick meals ready to go, and most importantly, means that there are always some homemade snacks on hand. One of my go-to recipes for this is this Lemon Pound Cake. I stumbled upon this recipe a few years back, and since then, it has been my absolute favorite for tea-time treats. Not only is it …
What better accompaniment to a meal than a spicy, tangy chutney? This Tomato Coconut Chutney pairs beautifully with breakfast staples like idli and dosa. Growing up, our breakfast was often served with sambar, podi, or chutney, and among the many variations of coconut chutney, this one was a family favorite. Weekends were special—Amma would make this chutney alongside an elaborate breakfast, and we would compete to see who could eat the most hot dosas. Fast …