Who doesn’t love samosas! Traditional samosas are great but we don’t always have the time to make the dough from scratch like our mom would. This version makes it easier and much faster to get the same great taste but with a lot less work. I made this recipe recently for a family dinner and…
Category: Appetizers
Corn Salsa
Our friend, Jess, brought this salsa over for a pot luck and it was an instant hit. We’ve made it countless times since and its always been a crowd pleaser. The best part…it requires no cooking! You simply chop and combine the ingredients. The salsa is made up of a few ingredients: Trader Joe’s Corn&…
Falafel
If there is one food Chef Palak doesn’t get sick of, it’s FALAFEL! For those that haven’t had it before, it’s a Middle Eastern dish made from chickpeas or fava beans, spices and herbs. There are several variations of this dish but most of the recipes use these key ingredients in varying portions: Chickpeas: Only…
Middle Eastern Red Sauce
Our go to Middle Eastern restaurant growing up (Pita Inn for the Chicago burbs folks) always served a spicy red sauce and our mom decided she’d make a version of her own. Her sauce combines red bell pepper, serrano, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, cilantro and sriracha sauce to make a healthy and flavorful addition to just…
Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing
I’ve been wanting to add more plant based meals to my diet, but eating the usual salad or noodles can get boring quickly. This salad is a fun way to switch things up by incorporating Thai flavors with freshly chopped vegetables, chewy noodles and creamy peanut dressing. I’m a visual eater and try to make…
Corn Dip
I’m obsessed with corn anything! In college I used to drive through the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago to find the street cart vendors that would be selling authentic elotes before it became so mainstream. I love the flavor and texture of corn combined with mayonnaise, cheese and spices. I wanted to take the idea of…
Orzo Chickpea Salad
I have been in search of a simple and healthy salad to pair with grilled protein, and THIS IS IT. If you question how great this orzo salad is, just note that I’ve already made this twice in two weeks! The fresh veggies and zesty lemon vinaigrette make this salad feel light and refreshing while…
Cilantro Chutney
As a huge fan of sauces, cilantro chutney tops our list for favorite Indian “sauce.” It is so delicious and versatile you can pair it with literally anything! Samosa, our Tandoori Kebabs, sandwiches/wraps, dhokla, and tikki are just some of the options. This chutney is super easy to make and will last in an airtight…
Blistered Tomato Ricotta Crostini
If you’ve checked out our blueberry ricotta crostinis these use similar base ingredients with a few key differences. Roasting the tomatoes and allowing them to blister adds a great flavor and texture as these explode in your mouth. The real star is the balsamic glaze which brings together all the individual components and adds a…
Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Crostini
These flavors and textures work beautifully together and this recipe is a must try! The toasted baguette is crispy and crunchy and the ricotta is fluffy and light and the lemon brings out the flavor and gives it a fresh, clean taste. This dish really is simple to put together and lends itself to effortless…