Spinach with Yogurt-”Paalak Bhareet”

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“Paalak Bhareet” (Serves 2) The Superbowl’s here and we’re having company. I am all set for a fun evening with friends, pizza (from Grimaldi’s), and those over-the-top Superbowl commercials! One of the sides I have to serve with appetizers this evening is “Paalak Bhareet” or Spinach in Yoghurt. My mom would often make this delicious and cooling side dish with spicy lentils and rice. As children, my sister and I would eat this by the bowl. It’s really the perfect way of getting greens into your kids’ diet. The vegetables typically used are eggplant (where the eggplant is roasted), spinach and pumpkin. Growing up, one of these 3 kinds would be a regular at the dinner table. I was thrilled . . . CLICK TO READ MORE

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Mango Lassi

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Check out this newly uploaded video on how to prepare easy and simple mango lassi. In India, alphonso mangoes are known as “the king of mangoes” on account of their unmatched taste and texture. They are simply the tastiest and also the most expensive of the 1500 different varieties of mangoes you can find in India. As a child, I remember the boxes of alphonso mangoes delivered to our home every season (April-May) from our family farm in India’s most prominent mango-growing regions, Ratnagiri, in the state of Maharashtra. Here in the US, I use mango puree tins (marked “Alphonso” and from that same region) from the Indian grocery store to make mango-flavored smoothies (“lassi”) all year around. Yoghurt-based mango lassi . . . CLICK TO READ MORE

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Lentil Dumplings In Yogurt Sauce “Dahi wadas”

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  Wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali and a Prosperous New Year.”Diwali ” is the festival of lights. The triumph of good over evil and worshipping ” Laxmi” the goddess of wealth. Traditionally Diwali is the time when we light small oil lamps all around the house, make lots of good food and sweets. It’s a time for family and friends to get together. We also have a  family “puja” on the main Diwali night followed by a lavish meal and lots of fireworks. Another tradition is that we go to my friend Divya’s house for a Diwali party. Divya decorates the house beautifully and makes the most delicious Indian sweets. This year, I made ‘Dahi Wadas” which is ground . . . CLICK TO READ MORE

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