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KIMCHI, TOFU & NORI FRIED RICE

I’ve been writing on here for more than 9 years now. Many things have changed and evolved along the way—priorities, methodologies, ideas—but one thing remains intact: I still forget to cook my rice. Just thought I’d point out that some things are still familiar around here. (A nifty trick – once the rice is cooked… Read more »

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CHICKEN OATMEAL CONGEE

Eating a hot breakfast is a rarity in my world. It’s usually a cup of coffee and a banana (with a protein shake in hand) before I rush out the door with my toddler in tow. We do find time to make it a family affair on the weekends though, and for that I’m grateful…. Read more »

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GARLIC EGG FRIED RICE

Soft scrambled eggs and crispy garlic bits are my favourite additions to fried rice. If you buy and stock garlic granules by the pound like this alliomaniac writing the recipe, use that by all means. (A word! For the garlic obsessed!) Don’t  worry if you don’t though – I’ve put instructions below for how you… Read more »

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MUSHROOM AND SPINACH ORZO

If you’re someone that enjoys a good risotto but could do without all that one-ladle-at-a-time fuss, orzo is just the ticket. Whoever thought up the idea to make pasta that resembles rice?! (albeit a large grain of rice). Ingenious! What’s also great about this short-cut pasta is that it cooks in half the time because… Read more »

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PUMPKIN SPICE OATMEAL

While I may never attempt to deconstruct tarts, masquerade zucchini for noodles or do a rainbow sprinkled-anything, pumpkin spice is definitely a clichéd food trend I can get behind. Agreed that their cult status is a bit of an overkill, but there’s no denying that some flavour combinations just work. And in my opinion, as… Read more »

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GRITS + CHICKPEAS & SMOKY VEGETABLES

Corn grits—albeit not a South Indian staple—are easily available in Chennai. They come packaged in a few different varieties in bigger stores and are also sold by the kilo, wrapped in newspaper, in smaller shops. They work as a great replacement for polenta, so if you’re someone that shells out ₹₹₹ for that expensive stuff… Read more »

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COCONUT THAI CURRY FRIED RICE

When you look up ‘Thai curry fried rice’ online, the only method you’ll find follows this basic outline: cook the curry paste in the wok with the veg and meat, add cooked rice and toss it all up. Basically a regular fried rice but with Thai curry paste stirred into it. Not that there’s anything… Read more »

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KHICHDI WITH GREENS

This recipe for khichdi is by no means unconventional, but I took the liberty to change things up a bit using what I found at the local market and what I had on hand. The most obvious one being the addition of greens (and local greens at that). I basically use whatever is fresh here… Read more »

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MEDITERRANEAN-ISH QUINOA

If you’re someone that always has cooked quinoa lurking about in the fridge or freezer—or both (hi, we should be friends)—then this recipe is for you. Cooking quinoa is not hard work, but it definitely makes sense to do it in bigger batches than you’d immediately need, and stash the rest away for a day… Read more »

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RAGI KOOZH (FERMENTED FINGER MILLET AND RICE PORRIDGE)

Finger millet (ragi) porridge has an infamous reputation for being dull, bland, and—especially if you went to my boarding school—a stodgy mass that you’d be forced to eat at breakfast every morning. Although I could always tolerate it, it definitely was not something that I particularly enjoyed eating. Fast forward a decade, and here I… Read more »

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EGG AND SILKEN TOFU FRIED RICE

   If sticky-rice fried rice is something you enjoy eating, then this might be the recipe for you (fyi, and achieved without using sticky rice). Silken tofu is broken up into small curds—resembling scrambled eggs—and when tossed with the rice, gives it the most desirable soft-set consistency. The tofu completely disintegrates into the rice and… Read more »

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COCONUT QUINOA PORRIDGE WITH CARAMELIZED BANANAS

   I don’t do a lot of breakfast foods on here and that’s primarily because breakfast for me usually consists of scrambled eggs, a whey shake and a banana. I have however started incorporating more millets and whole grains into my diet, and the easiest way to do this I’ve found, is to add them… Read more »

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BARLEY SALAD WITH GREEN MANGO & DRIED SHRIMP

     In the diverse world of whole grains, barley occupies a prime spot. Aside from its stellar, nutrient dense profile, it’s been regarded as one of the best foods to eat for women with PCOS (me) and for women prone to UTIs (also me). I can attest to its remedial benefits from personal experience…. Read more »

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QUINOA WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES + HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING

   Salads that double up as main course are the best kinds of salads. Load it up with vegetables—fresh as well as roasted —lots of herbs and a punchy dressing and Bob’s your uncle, that’s a meal! Use any vegetables you have on hand: root veggies like potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets and carrots hold their… Read more »

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MILLET BOWLS WITH SPICED LAMB AND AVOCADO

   As someone who’s negatively biased about any dish on the menu that has the word ‘bowl’ in it, this feels slightly hypocritical. Unless it’s soup..and they tell me they serve it in a bowl. Which would make sense. Because how else would you eat soup. I’m talking rice bowls, veggie bowls, and my personal… Read more »