Recipes By the Minimalist Indian
5 recipes found
Eggplant Fritters - Crispy on the Outside, Buttery on the Inside
Coating the slices in a thin batter prevents creates a creamy inside and crispy outside. This fritter recipe is the Bengali's favorite way to eat eggplant.
Fresh Spinach with Vegetables - Eat your greens and love them too!
Greens are a popular first course in Bengal. Make this slightly smoky, sautéed spinach with creamy aubergine and a sweet vegetable (winter squash or sweet potato) for a unique blend of flavors. Nigella seeds add a nice smoky flavor. They are a common ingredient in Middle-Eastern or North African baked products like flat-bread. Naturally also in Indian cuisine. You should get these black seeds in any middle-eastern or Indian store, or on the internet.
How to Make Ghee at Home, Pure and Simple
I see people buying ghee and I want to ask them why? Why not make it yourself? Because it is really easy! Just use butter. That is what my mother used to do, after she figured out that saving up cream from non-homogenized milk for days to make ghee is just too complicated. Not to mention a bit smelly when the cream starts going sour on you. Just get the kind of butter you like, organic, unsalted, local, supermarket brand, whatever. Boil it gently on the stove-top until it clarifies. Filter. Store in a jar for months. Just make sure not to introduce moisture. Enjoy the aroma and the decadence it introduces to even simple dishes, like lentils, rice, savory porridge or mashed potatoes. Ghee is good for you too. According to Ayurveda, ghee cleanses the blood, is good for colon health and the brain. Just don't combine it with sugar if you want to avoid adding on the pounds.
Masala Chai or Spiced Indian Tea
Masala chai Indian spiced tea is cooked in milk and spices and is aromatic, a tad spicy and often rather filling.
Padrón Peppers with Toasted Cumin and Coriander
The Spanish Padrón peppers are eaten straight, after a brief grilling or stir-fry to give them brown blistery spots that greatly add flavor.