Crispy Honey Chilli Potatoes are a super addictive snack – fried chilli potato fingers are tossed in a sesame honey chilli sauce that’s sweet and spicy and will give you sticky fingers that you’ll be licking clean!

Let’s just say we ate these straight from the wok.

If you have ever eaten honey chilli potatoes, what really stands out is how crisp these potatoes are, in spite of being tossed in the sauce. They retain their signature crunch and that’s really what this recipe is all about.

I really went all out to achieve that texture and taste but without all the excess oil, so hello to the crispiest honey chilli potatoes made healthier in the air fryer! But don’t worry, this does not the change the texture at all; everything’s still crispy, crunchy, but it’s sooo much healthier that you’ll want to eat it all the time!

The Secret To Crispy Potatoes

The key to making super crispy honey chilli potatoes is to air fry the potato fingers twice. Air frying or deep frying them only once results in potatoes that don’t hold their shape and get soggy after a few minutes.

So the potatoes are first coated in a dry mixture, air fried or deep fried till they are almost cooked and then cooled for a bit. They are then coated in a second coating of batter and fried again till they are really crisp outside and cooked perfectly inside. This is a similar technique that a lot of people use to make French fries.

The last step is to coat them in a sesame honey chilli sauce that adds an extra layer of texture and is sweet and spicy.

Ingredients for Chilli Potatoes

Here’s what you’ll need for batter frying these potatoes:

• Potatoes: Use old potatoes. Cut into 1/3 inch thickness, approx 2-3 inches long. Ideally cut them all the same size so they cook at the same time
• Chilli Paste: Basically ground chillies made by soaking dried red chillies in hot water for 10-15 minutes and grinding to a paste
• Chilli Powder: Ground red chilli powder, different from ‘chili powder’ that you get in the U.S. which is a seasoning mix

The honey chilli sauce is really addictive. Its sweet, spicy, sticky and like a coating on the potatoes.

• Garlic: Finely chopped – lots of it because flavour bomb!
• Honey: Plain honey, flavoured will not work well here
• Ketchup: It has the perfect balance and umami
• Soy sauce: Light soy sauce to add saltiness and rich flavour
• Chilli Paste and Chilli Flakes: To pack in some heat. If you are not a fan, reduce both the quantities in the sauce
• Sesame Seeds: They add flavour and crunch and stick to the potatoes because of the sauce
• Cornflour: Thickening agent. You can substitute with potato starch or tapioca starch
• Vinegar: To add some acidity and balance

Richa’s Top Tips

• It’s important to cut the potato fingers into a uniform size so that they cook evenly while frying. I like to cut them into 1/4 inch to 1/3 inch thickness
• The temperature of the oil should be between 175C to 180C for frying the potato fingers. 
• You will need approximately two cups oil for deep frying, and you can use the same oil for the second frying
• You may adjust the quantity of honey as per your taste.
• A wok is the best way to coat the potatoes in sauce, because it provides enough space to toss them around, but if you don’t have one, feel free to use a frying pan

Serving Ideas

Honey Chilli Potatoes make an incredibly addictive Indo-Chinese appetizer, but they’re also super versatile. Here are a few ways to enjoy them:

• As a Party Starter: Serve them hot, straight from the wok, as part of your Indo-Chinese spread.
• With Fried Rice or Noodles: Pair with Veg Fried Rice, Hakka Noodles, or even Schezwan Rice for a restaurant-style combo.
• Loaded Lettuce Cups: Spoon the crispy potatoes into crunchy lettuce leaves for a fun bite-sized party snack.
• Wrap or Roll: Stuff into a tortilla or roti with some extra sauce and spring onions for an easy fusion wrap.

Once you try making these crispy honey chilli potatoes at home, there’s no going back! I have made these as snack for the family, as a party appetiser, as well as a side dish. And let me tell you, each time they’ve disappeared within minutes!

If you make this dish, don’t forget to send me pictures over on my IG @my_foodstory. I love seeing you guys make my recipe!

Watch the Recipe Video:

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Crispy Honey Chilli Potatoes

Crispy Honey Chilli Potatoes are a super addictive Indo-Chinese snack that usually deep fried, but we've made healthier in the air fryer without compromising on taste or flavor. It's sweet and spicy and will give you sticky fingers that you'll be licking to get every last bit of sauce!

Course Snacks & Appetizers

Cuisine Chinese

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4 Portions

Calories 437kcal

Author Richa

Ingredients

• 4-5 Potatoes 450 grams, peeled and cut into fingers (1/3-1/2 inch thick, 2 -3 inches long), refer to Note 1
• Oil for brushing/deep frying refer to Note 2

First Coating:

• 2 teaspoon Chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Paste
• 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Paste
• 3 tablespoon Corn Flour
• 3 tablespoon All Purpose Flour
• 1 tablespoon Salt

Second Coating:

• ⅓ cup All Purpose Flour
• ⅓ cup Corn Flour
• ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
• ¼ cup Water

For the Sauce:

• 2 tablespoon Oil
• 1 tablespoon Garlic finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Flakes
• 3 tablespoon White Sesame Seeds
• 1 teaspoon Vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Soy Sauce
• 2 tablespoon Tomato Ketchup
• 2-3 tablespoons Honey
• 2 teaspoons Red Chilli Paste
• 1/4 cup Water
• 1 teaspoon Corn Flour
• 2 tablespoon Spring Onion chopped (green part only)

Instructions

Prepping

• Wash potato fingers well in running water and set aside. This removes any extra starch in the potatoes.

First coating

• Mix together corn flour, all purpose flour, chilli powder, chilli paste and salt. Coat the potato fingers evenly with this flour mix.

First frying of potato fingers

For deep frying

• Heat oil in a wok or karahi and deep fry the potato fingers in batches till the potato is half cooked. It’s important that you drop one potato finger at a time into the oil so they don’t stick together (watch video above to see how to do this). Remove potato fingers on a tissue lined plate and let them cool.

For air frying

• Preheat the air fryer at 180C, brush the air fryer mesh with oil, place potato fingers on the mesh with some gap between them so they do not stick together (watch video to know how to do this). Brush with oil and air fry for 4 minutes just until they are half cooked. Transfer to a plate and repeat the same for the rest of the potato fingers.

For second coating

• Make a medium thick batter with all purpose flour, corn flour and pepper powder by adding just a few tablespoons of water to make a thick batter. Add the half done fries and gently toss so the fries are coated with the batter.

Second frying of potato fingers

For deep frying

• Heat oil in a wok or karahi and deep fry the potato fingers in hot oil till crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper and keep aside.

For air frying

• Brush the air fryer mesh with oil, place the potato fingers on the mesh with some gap in between so they do not stick together. Brush with oil and air fry at 200 C for 6 minutes, flip once and air fry at 200C for 2 minutes till they turn golden and crisp. Transfer to a plate and repeat the same for the rest of the potato fingers.(important to note that the air fried potato fingers must be used immediately in the stir fry and served hot as they tend to turn soggy & chewy later)

Honey chilli stir fry

• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in another wok, add chopped garlic and stir fry for a few seconds. Add chili flakes, sesame seeds and saute for another minute to toast them. Add vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, honey and the red chilli paste and stir together.
• Mix 1 teaspoon corn flour with 1/4 cup water to make a slurry and add this to the honey- vinegar mixture in the wok and stir for a few seconds till it thickens.
• Add the fried potato fingers and spring onion greens and toss together so that they are coated evenly in sauce.
• Switch off the flame and serve immediately garnished with some more sesame seeds and spring onion greens.

Video

Notes

1. It’s important to cut the potato fingers in a uniform size so they cook evenly while frying.
2. The temperature of the oil should be between 165C to 175C for frying the potato fingers. 
3. You will need approximately two cups oil for deep frying, and you can use the same oil for the second frying
4. You may adjust the quantity of honey as per your taste.
5. air fried potato fingers must be used immediately in the stir fry and served hot as they tend to turn soggy & chewy later.
6. A wok is the best way to coat the potatoes in sauce, because it provides enough space to toss them around, but if you don’t have one, feel free to use a frying pan.

Nutrition

Calories: 437kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 1930mg | Potassium: 1046mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 751IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 4mg

This article was researched and written by Urvi Dalal.

The post Crispy Honey Chilli Potatoes appeared first on My Food Story.

If you’ve been looking for a tofu recipe that actually makes you want to eat tofu, this is it. A mix of spice, crunch, and that sweet-salty Indo-Chinese glaze – it’s everything you could want in one bowl.

If you’ve been putting off eating tofu because you’re not sure how to make it taste good, this Kung Pao Tofu recipe is going to change that. Crispy, golden tofu tossed in a glossy, spicy-sweet sauce with peanuts and peppers will turn any  skeptic into a fan. 

Kung Pao Tofu is the perfect mix of heat, tang, and texture that makes every bite exciting. If you’re feeling inspired to try more, you might also love Sweet Chili Tofu Stir Fry for something sticky and bright, or Soondubu Jjigae (Korean Soft Tofu Stew) for a cozy night-in kind of meal. But first, let’s get into this fiery, flavor-packed Kung Pao Tofu.

Kung Pao Tofu Ingredients 

Here’s everything you need to bring this bold, spicy-sweet tofu dish together:

• Tofu: Firm or extra-firm tofu works best here. It holds its shape and crisps up beautifully in the air fryer or pan
• Light and dark soy sauces: Light soy is used in the marinade to add saltiness and umami to the tofu, while both light and dark soy sauces are used in the kung pao sauce to add umami, saltiness, and that authentic Indo-Chinese color
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a hint of sourness to the dish 
• Oyster sauce: Perfect to add a little sweetness and umami. Can be replaced with Hoisin sauce if you are a vegetarian 
• Honey: Gives the dish a sweet, sticky glaze authentic to Indo-Chinese cooking. Can be replaced with maple syrup too
• Corn flour: To coat the tofu evenly and make it crisp
• Salt and sugar: For balance and seasoning
• Oil: I have used a mix of sunflower oil and toasted sesame oil (for a lovely nutty flavor) for this recipe  
• Spices: Pepper powder, whole black pepper, dried red chillies, and sichuan pepper for a fiery kick 
• Aromatics: Garlic, ginger, and spring onion whites for flavor and aroma 
• Roastes peanuts: For some added crunch and texture 
• To Finish: Cornflour slurry to thicken the sauce, and a handful of chopped spring onion greens for freshness and color.

Richa’s Top Tips

• Use an air fryer: The air fryer makes this recipe a solid winner with less oil, more crunch. Just remember to give the tofu some space in the basket so it cooks evenly.
• Don’t skip the prep boil: Briefly boiling tofu in salted water seasons it from the inside and gives it a firmer, bouncier texture that holds up perfectly in the sauce.
• Keep the stir-fry quick: Once the sauce hits the pan, everything moves fast. Have your tofu, peanuts, and spring onions ready before you start so nothing burns.
• Adjust the heat your way: The spice level is totally flexible, use fewer dried chillies or skip the Sichuan pepper if you prefer mild, or add extra for a fiery kick.
• Finish strong: A drizzle of sesame oil right at the end brings out that nutty, restaurant-style flavor and makes everything taste a little extra special.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storage Tips

• Fridge: You can store leftover Kung Pao Tofu in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 
• Freezer: It’s best to freeze the sauce and tofu separately if possible. The tofu may lose its crispness once thawed but will still taste great when reheated. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheating Tip: If you want to revive that just-cooked crunch, pop the tofu pieces into the air fryer for 3–4 minutes before mixing them back into the reheated sauce.
• Avoid: Leaving cooked tofu out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, as the sauce contains soy and sugar, which can spoil quickly in warm conditions.

Serving Ideas

Here are some serving ideas, all of which pair beautifully with the sweet-spicy, nutty flavors of this dish:

• Veg Fried Rice: A classic pairing! The mild, savory notes of fried rice balance out the punchy Kung Pao sauce perfectly.
• Egg Fried Rice: Adds a little richness and protein for a wholesome, balanced meal.
• Garlic Noodles: The garlicky aroma and soft noodles soak up that glossy Kung Pao sauce beautifully.

• Crispy Veg Nuggets: Serve them alongside Kung Pao Tofu for a crunchy, crowd-pleasing appetiser combo.
• Honey Chilli Potatoes: The sweet heat of these pairs perfectly with the tangy tofu.

Customisation Ideas

• Add a veggie overload: Toss in broccoli florets, zucchini, or snap peas for extra crunch and color. They soak up the Kung Pao sauce beautifully while keeping the dish vibrant and fresh.
• Go nuts (in the best way): Swap peanuts with cashews or almonds for a richer bite. Lightly toast them before adding to the stir-fry for a deeper flavor.
• Try a protein remix: If you’re not in a tofu mood, swap it with paneer for a more Indian-style version or use tempeh for a chewier texture that still holds up to the sauce.
• Make it saucier: If you love extra gravy with your rice or noodles, double the sauce ingredients and add a splash of water or stock while cooking to thin it slightly.

Kung Pao Tofu proves tofu doesn’t have to be bland, it can be bold, satisfying, and genuinely addictive when cooked right. Once you try it, you’ll probably find yourself making it again and again (and maybe even skipping takeout altogether).

If you make this Kung Pao Tofu, don’t forget to tag @my_foodstory on Instagram, I’d love to see your version and how you make it your own!

Watch Kung Pao Tofu Recipe Video

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Kung Pao Tofu

This kung pao tofu recipe is easily the most delicious way to eat tofu. It's spicy, tangy, sweet, and has is a flavor and texture bomb. This recipe is a total must-try!

Course Snacks & Appetisers

Cuisine Indian Chinese

Diet Halal

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Rest Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 345kcal

Author Richa

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

To prep tofu

• 500 gms tofu cut into ½ inch cubes
• 4 cups water
• 1 ¼ teaspoon salt

Tofu marinade

• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons honey
• ½ teaspoon crushed pepper
• ¼ cup corn flour

Kung pao sauce

• 2 teaspoons vinegar
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons oyster sauce

Kung pao stir fry

• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil or any neutral flavoured oil
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 4 dried red chillies broken into 2
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger
• 4 spring onion whites thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon sichuan pepper crushed
• ¼ cup groundnuts roasted and de-skinned

Other

• 1 teaspoon cornflour mixed in ¾ cup water to make a slurry
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil additional ¼ cup cooking oil if deep frying
• ¼ cup finely chopped spring onion greens

Instructions

Prepping tofu

• Heat water in a pot with salt and when it boils, add tofu, cook on low for 2 minutes, take off the heat and rest for 5 minutes. Drain water and set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Discard the water.
  500 gms tofu, 4 cups water, 1 ¼ teaspoon salt

Marinating tofu

• Take tofu in a bowl, add all ingredients listed under marinade, give a good toss and set aside.
  1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon light soy sauce, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons honey, ½ teaspoon crushed pepper, ¼ cup corn flour

Air frying tofu

• Pre-heat air fryer at 180 C. brush the airfryer basket with oil. Place the marinated tofu with some gap between each other and air fry at 180C for 5 minutes, brush oil, DO NOT FLIP and air fry at 190 C for 4 minutes. Air fry them in batches and set aside. It’s important to wait for 4-5 minutes until the fried tofu cools a bit to remove them easily from the basket as they stick to the basket when they are too hot.
  1 tablespoon cooking oil

Deep Frying tofu

• Heat oil in a wok or kadai and once it’s medium hot, drop the marinated tofu & fry on medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until they turn golden and crisp. Fry them in batches and set aside.
  1 tablespoon cooking oil

Kung pao sauce

• Take all the ingredients mentioned under kung pao sauce in a bowl & mix to combine well. Set aside.
  2 teaspoons vinegar, 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon sugar, 2 tablespoons light soy sauce, 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce, 2 teaspoons oyster sauce

Kung pao stir fry

• Heat oil & toasted sesame oil in a wok, add garlic, ginger, red chillies, spring onion whites and saute on high for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add sichuan pepper, groundnuts and toss them once. Add kung pao sauce and cook for 2 minutes. Add cornflour slurry while stirring continuously and cook for 2 minutes(see note 2). Add the fried tofu, spring onion greens and toss to combine well. Serve.
  2 tablespoons sunflower oil or any neutral flavoured oil, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 4 dried red chillies, 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic, 2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger, 4 spring onion whites, 1 teaspoon sichuan pepper, ¼ cup groundnuts roasted and de-skinned, 1 teaspoon cornflour mixed in ¾ cup water to make a slurry, ¼ cup finely chopped spring onion greens

Video

Notes

1. Tofu is prepped in this way to season them well, so do not skip it. 
2. Cornflour slurry forms lumps if it is not stirred continuously.

Nutrition

Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1755mg | Potassium: 197mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 321IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 203mg | Iron: 3mg

This article was researched and written by Harita Odedra.

The post Kung Pao Tofu (Air Fryer) appeared first on My Food Story.

Make street style momos at home with this super easy recipe! Learn how to make the dough for momos, pleat them and make a vegetarian and chicken stuffing. Trust me, you’ll never call for takeaway again!

Making momos at home is easier than you’d think! And this recipe makes really juicy and delicious momos, just like the one from your favorite street-side momo place!

Momos is the kind of dish that looks complicated, but is actually really quick & easy. And this recipe is also super versatile, because you can stuff it with just about anything – vegetables, paneer, cheese and mushrooms, chicken or pork. In this recipe, I am sharing instructions for steamed momos, but you can shallow or deep fry them just as easily.

This street-style momo recipe makes for a really hearty and filling snack or appetizer. But tbh, sometimes these even double up as dinner with some sweet corn soup or thukpa, and no one complains!

Ingredients For Momos

Here’s everything that you’ll need:

For the dough

• Flour: All purpose flour or maida forms the base of the dough. You can use whole wheat flour but the wrapper will be really dense and chewy. All purpose flour or maida also adds more gluten and makes the wrapper easier to roll and pleat.
• Oil: Helps make the dough moist and pliable. I have used sunflower oil, but any neutral-flavored oil like canola or rice bran will also work.
• Lukewarm water: This is important to make the dough soft, pliable, and easy to work with. Hot water can make the dough tough and stringy, while cold water can make the wrappers dense, chewy and difficult to roll out.
• Salt: For seasoning
• Corn flour: For dusting (if needed)

Chicken filling

• Chicken: Boneless chicken thigh pieces or minced chicken. Thigh chicken works best here as it’s juicer, and stays tender throughout the cooking process.
• Other ingredients: Onion, celery, spring onion greens, ginger, and garlic, salt, pepper, and oyster sauce for flavor, aroma, and texture. Sesame oil helps make the filling moist and adds a nice nutty flavor, while coriander leaves add freshness.

Veg filling

• Veggies: Finely chopped carrots, mushrooms, onions, cabbage, and celery form the base of the filling.
• Soya granules: Add texture and a boost of protein.
• Soy sauce: For umami and saltiness
• Other ingredients: Salt, sugar, pepper, ginger, and garlic for flavor, aroma, and balance.

Making the Dough

The dough is a simple mix of all purpose flour, sunflower oil, salt, and lukewarm water. Kneading with lukewarm water creates some steam and a really pliable dough which is perfect for making momos. Once you finish kneading the dough, cover it with a damp towel and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before cutting it into small pieces – each piece should be approx 7 grams.

Filling – Veg and Chicken

The chicken filling is made simply by mixing all the ingredients together and is raw. It cooks along with the momos as they steam

For the vegetarian filling, we stir fry all the ingredients together. When steamed, veggies release a lot of water. So if they’re not precooked, you’ll end up with soggy, unappetizing momos.

How to Wrap Momos

1. Once the dough has rested, divide the dough into 2 parts & roll one portion into a cylinder roll on the counter top. Cut out small pieces of dough, each weighing 9 grams. This is about ½ tablespoon of dough. 
2. Prepare a greased plate or parchment paper and damp towel.
3. Take each piece of dough and roll it into a ball. Using the fleshy part of your palm, flatten each ball of dough into a disc. Using a rolling pin, roll out each individual piece into a very thin round wrapper. They need to be thin enough such that they appear to be slightly translucent. Thicker wrappers tend to taste very doughy so make it as thin as you can.
4. Place about a tablespoon of the prepared filling in the centre of the rolled out wrapper. Shape and seal the wrappers as shown in the video. In order to ensure that it is properly sealed, apply a little bit of water along the edges with your fingertip.
5. Place the stuffed momo on the greased plate and cover with the damp cloth.

How to Freeze Momos

Don’t get overwhelmed by the number of steps in this recipe; everything is really straightforward. I usually make a large batch and freeze the rest for later to save so much prep time. Frozen momos can easily last for up to a month without going bad. Here’s what you need to do:

• Step 1: Make your filling, roll out the wrappers and stuff them.
• Step 2: Place the stuffed momos on a silicone lined baking sheet in rows, making sure none of the pieces touch each other. Cover the tray with a clean, wet towel as you prep to prevent them from drying out.
• Step 03: Once all your momos are ready, place the tray straight into the freezer and freeze for 1-2 hours.
• Step 04: Transfer the frozen momos to a ziplock bag after divding them to into smaller portion. This why you can pull out only one bag at a time to prevent the rest from going bad.
• Step 05: When you are ready to cook, just place the frozen momos straight into the steamer and steam for an extra minute or two. There is no need to defrost them first.

Richa’s Top Tips

• Make sure to roll the dough thin to prevent thick and chewy momos.
• Feel free to customise the stuffing based on what you like and have available. Just avoid adding really water-y veggies like cucumber and tomatoes as those will break the momos during the steaming process.
• Do not overcrowd the pan when steaming the momos. These tend to expand on steaming and overcrowding the pan will make the momos stick to each other.
• To check for doneness, check the skin. It should be transparent-ish and non-sticky. If it feels sticky, steam for another minute or two.

Storage Tips

• Fridge: If the momos are cooked, allow them to come to room temperature and store in an air-tight box and refrigerate for up to a day. Cooked momos tend to dry out fast, so it’s best to eat them as quickly as possible.
• Reheat: Steam for 3–5 minutes to soften and refresh. Avoid microwaving as they can turn chewy.

Serving Tips

• Dips: Sweet Chili Sauce or schezwan chutney make excellent dipping sauces for momo.
• Soups: Eight Treasure Soup, Hot & Sour Soup, Or Thupka make for the best accompaniments for momos, especially if you want a light yet filling meal.
• Salads: Serve with this Asian Spicy Chicken Salad, or Three Bean Salad for a refreshing meal.

I bet everyones going to get super excited when you set the table with these homemade momos that taste street style!!

I love serving these with an assortment of dips to keep each bite interesting. Some of my favourite dips to serve these with include my homemade schezwan sauce and thai sweet chilli sauce. I recently drizzled a bit of chilli oil over my momos, and I don’t think I am ever have it any other way!

Watch the Video

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Momos Recipe – Veg and Chicken

Make momos at home with this easy recipe for momo wrappers, veg and chicken filling. The result are momos that have a thin wrapper and are stuffed to the brim with the most amazing fillings

Course Snacks & Appetizers

Cuisine Indian Chinese, Nepalese

Diet Halal, Vegetarian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Resting Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 22 Momos

Calories 61kcal

Author Richa

Equipment

• 1 steamer

Ingredients

Momo Wrapper

• 1 cup all purpose flour maida
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons sunflower oil or any neutral flavoured oil like canola or rice bran
• ¼ cup + 4 teaspoons lukewarm water we’ve measured this accurately so please stick to this water measurement
• 1-2 tablespoons cornflour for dusting if needed

Chicken Filling

• 200 grams boneless chicken thigh or chicken mince ground chicken
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
• ½ cup finely chopped spring onion greens
• ½ teaspoon finely chopped ginger
• ½ teaspoon finely chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornflour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander leaves

Vegetarian Filling

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• ½ cup finely chopped cabbage
• ½ cup finely chopped carrot
• ¼ cup finely chopped mushrooms
• ½ cup hydrated soya granules see note 1
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• ¼ teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Momo Wrapper

• Add the flour, salt and oil to a mixing bowl. And lukewarm water and stir using a wooden spoon or your hands to combine. Do not over knead at the stage, just bring the dough together till you don’t see any dry spots & set aside for 5 minutes covered with a damp towel.
• After 5 minutes, remove and place the dough on a counter and knead for 2 to 3 minutes to a smooth dough. You do not need to dust the surface with flour unless the dough is very sticky. The dough is supposed to be slightly tacky, but not sticky.
• Place the dough back into the bowl and cover with a damp towel to rest for 10 minutes.

Chicken Filling

• To make chicken mince: Cut chicken thighs into large cubes and pulse in a chopper or mixer to get coarse mince. Do not grind it too fine as it will turn very dry when cooked.
• Combine all the ingredients for the chicken filling in a bowl. If the filling is very loose, you can add some extra cornflour. Cling wrap or cover with a lid and store in the refrigerator until the momo wrappers are ready.

Vegetarian Filling

• Heat oil in a wok or heavy bottomed pan on a high flame. Add ginger, garlic, celery, onions and sauté till onions turn translucent. Add cabbage, carrot and mushrooms, reduce flame to medium high and sauté for 3 minutes. Add soya granules and saute for a minute. Add soy sauce and sugar and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from flame and keep aside to cool before placing it inside the wrapper.

Chicken & vegetarian combo filling

• Take 1 cup of chicken filling, 1 cup of vegetarian filling in a bowl, mix them well and use as a filling in the momo

Wrapping and Pleating Momo

• Once the dough has rested, divide the dough into 2 parts & roll one portion into a cylinder roll on the counter top. Cut out small pieces of dough, each weighing 9 grams. This is about ½ tablespoon of dough.
• Prepare a greased plate or parchment paper and damp towel.
• Take each piece of dough and roll it into a ball. Using the fleshy part of your palm, flatten each ball of dough into a disc. Using a rolling pin, roll out each individual piece into a very thin round wrapper. They need to be thin enough such that they appear to be slightly translucent. Thicker wrappers tend to taste very doughy so make it as thin as you can.
• Place about a tablespoon of the prepared filling in the centre of the rolled out wrapper. Shape and seal the wrappers as shown in the video. In order to ensure that it is properly sealed, apply a little bit of water along the edges with your fingertip.
• Place the stuffed momo on the greased plate and cover with the damp cloth.

Steaming Momo

• Bring the water in the steamer to a boil and grease the steamer plate. Place the stuffed momo on the greased steamer plate. Ensure that they are not sticking to each other. Brush each momo with oil so they cook to be soft. Cover the lid of the steamer and cook for 14 minutes on medium flame. Rest for 5 minutes, remove from the steamer and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

1. To hydrate soya granules: Soak the soya granules in 1 cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes, drain & squeeze out water & use.  
2. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes for best results.
3. It’s best to roll each momo wrapper, stuff them with the filling & roll the next momo wrapper. 
4. If you roll all the wrapper at once, they dry out very fast, and it will not be possible to shape momo.
5. Wrapped momo (uncooked) can be kept frozen for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container, separated by parchment paper. 

 

Nutrition

Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.005g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 522IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

This article was researched and written by Urvi Dalal.

The post Momos Recipe – Veg and Chicken appeared first on My Food Story.

Chicken Lollipops are everyone’s favourite party starter for a reason. And making them at home is so much easier than you think!

If there’s one appetiser that never lets you down, it’s Chicken Lollipop. Crispy edges, juicy meat, and that hint of spice that hits just right. There’s a reason you will find it at every celebration, from family get-togethers to late-night takeout orders. 

With this recipe you can bring that crunchy, flavourful magic straight to your kitchen. I usually serve this with my homemade schezwan sauce, or Thai sweet chilli sauce, but it tastes really good with ketchup, mayo, or any other dip of your choice. 

Chicken Lollipop Ingredients

• Chicken Lollipops: These are the middle segments of chicken wings that are trimmed into a “lollipop” shape.
• Marinade: A mix of soy sauce, red chilli sauce, vinegar, tomato ketchup, chilli powder, garlic paste, and salt.
• Batter: Cornflour, all-purpose flour, and rice flour make a light, crisp coating. 
• Egg: Helps the batter stick to the chicken while frying.
• Oil: Use any neutral oil with a high smoke point, like sunflower or vegetable oil, for frying.
• Ginger Paste: Adds warmth and a sharp kick. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Richa’s Top Tips

• Marinate long enough: Even 30 minutes makes a difference, but if you have time, let the chicken rest in the fridge for a few hours. The flavours go deeper, and the meat stays juicier after frying.
• Use rice flour for crunch: Don’t skip it! It’s the secret to that light, crispy texture that stays crunchy even after a few minutes.
• Keep the oil hot but steady: Around 175–180°C is perfect. Too hot and the coating burns before the chicken cooks; too low and the lollipops turn soggy.
• Double fry for extra crispiness: If you’re making these ahead for a party, fry them once to cook through, and again for a minute just before serving. 

Storage Tips

• Fridge: Store leftover chicken lollipops in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat them in an air fryer or oven at 180°C for 4–5 minutes to bring back some of the crispiness.
• Freezer: You can freeze marinated or fried (but un-sauced) lollipops for up to a month. To reheat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and air fry or deep fry for a few minutes before serving.
• Room Temperature: If you’re serving them later the same day, keep them loosely covered on the counter for no more than 2 hours to maintain their texture.

Serving Ideas

Chicken Lollipops fit right into any setting, from game nights to festive dinners. Here are a few delicious ways to serve them:

• With Schezwan Sauce: The classic combo that never fails, spicy, tangy, and just the right amount of heat.
• With Fried Rice: Pair your lollipops with something like Egg Fried Rice or Chilli Garlic Fried Rice for a complete Indo-Chinese meal.
• With Noodles: Serve alongside Hakka Noodles for that restaurant-style experience right at home.
• With Drinks: They pair beautifully with chilled drinks, mocktails, soft drinks, or even iced tea, balancing out the spice with a bit of freshness.

Customisation Ideas

• Turn it saucy: Instead of serving them dry, coat the fried lollipops in a quick honey–garlic glaze or toss them in a sweet chilli sauce for a sticky, glossy finish.
• Make it cheesy: Add a little grated mozzarella or processed cheese to the batter for a melty surprise once you bite in.
• Try a fusion twist: Swap the usual Indo-Chinese flavour with peri-peri or tandoori masala for something new but equally addictive.
• Experiment with the coating: Use crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs in the batter for an extra layer of crunch that holds up longer.

And there you have it, crispy, juicy Chicken Lollipops that taste just like your favourite restaurant ones, maybe even better. Once you nail this recipe, it’ll easily become your go-to for parties, weekends, or those days when you’re craving a little indulgence.

If you give this a try, tag @my_foodstory on Instagram, I’d love to see how they turn out in your kitchen!

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Chicken Lollipop made at home – so easy!

Make chicken lollipop at home with this detailed, easy to follow recipe. These lollipops are crunchy, juicy and taste just as good as takeout! Plus when you make them at home, no more soggy lollipops.

Course Snacks & Appetizers

Cuisine Chinese, Indian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 6 People

Calories 169kcal

Author Richa

Ingredients

• 500 grams Chicken lollipop
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 2 teaspoon Red chilli sauce
• 1 tablespoons Vinegar
• 1 tablespoons Tomato ketchup
• 1 tablespoons Red chilli powder
• 1 tablespoons Garlic paste
• 1/4 tablespoons Salt
• 1/4 cup Cornflour
• 2 tablespoons All purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons Rice flour
• 1 Egg
• 1 tablespoons Ginger paste
• Oil for frying

Instructions

• Whisk together soy sauce, red chilli sauce, vinegar, tomato ketchup, red chilli powder, garlic paste, salt in a bowl and toss the chicken lollipops in it. Marinade for half an hour.
• In the same bowl, add cornflour, all purpose flour, rice flour, egg and ginger paste and mix well to create a thick batter and coat the lollipops in it.
• Heat about two inches oil in a wok or kadhai to 350F/ 176C. Add the battered lollipops one by one to the oil in such a way that the meat is at the bottom and the bone is on top (watch the video to see how I do it). Fry these on medium high heat till golden brown – approx 3-4 minutes.
• Take these out on a tissue paper to blot out any excess oil and serve hot with schezwan sauce.

Video

Notes

1. Cutting chicken lollipop: Chicken lollipops are prepared using the middle segment of the chicken wing. You can watch this video to learn how to do this at home or just buy them pre-prepared from the store.
2. Marinade: marinade for at least 30 minutes. For the best results, marinate the chicken in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 10 minutes prior to frying.  
3. Oil temperature: Ensure the oil is at 350F/ 176C for frying the chicken. This temperature is ideal for perfectly cooked crispy chicken. 
4. Make these in advance: You can also make these ahead by frying them once and storing them for a couple of hours. When ready to serve, heat the oil to about 400F/204C and flash fry the lollipops for the second time for just a minute. This will give it a super crispy coating and you’ll have hot chicken lollipops ready to go.

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 737mg | Potassium: 172mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 493IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

This article was researched and written by Harita Odedra.

The post Chicken Lollipop made at home – so easy! appeared first on My Food Story.

The hearty soulful soup that will soothe your soul this winter while also serving you as a one pot meal is this restaurant style creamy corn and shrimp chowder!

Soup season has officially started and I can't keep calm! I mean, I love soup and that too those ones that double up as a one pot meal with all the goodness packed in a single bowl!

Today's recipe of creamy corn and shrimp chowder is exactly that dreamy soup recipe which will not only fill your tummy but also calm your soul on a chilly wintery night!

There is already a nip in the air in my city especially from evening onwards and I get drawn towards the hearty soups for my dinner during this winter-round-the-corner-but-not-there-yet season!

This shrimp chowder has been on my bucket list since ages and I finally served it on our dinner table last week after perfecting the recipe for you all and us too!

I'm sure you guys will love it as much as we did as soon as you give it a try; so what are you waiting for? Hurry up!

Let’s get cooking!

What is shrimp chowder?

If you are not familiar with chowder, let me then first decode it for ya!

Chowder is a soup primarily made of seafood with lots of veggies, potatoes being one of the key components. The soup broth of chowder is of creamy consistency thanks to milk and cream.

Even though the chowder broth is creamy, it is still quite light on your tummy and that’s a fantastic reason to include this insanely flavorful soup in your weekly meals this season!

The creamy corn and shrimp chowder is a one pot wonder which will serve you as a fancy and delicious dinner on the wintery nights!

This hearty soulful soup is full of incredible flavors, thanks to shrimps, rewarding you with a fancy meal right at the comfort of your home!

The post Best Ever Creamy Corn and Shrimp Chowder | Winter Special Prawn Chowder Recipe first appeared on Flavor Quotient.

Some days, you just need a one-pan wonder that makes you feel good without making a mess. That’s where this Basil Fried Rice comes in–light, aromatic, and ready in minutes.

If you’re like me and could happily eat fried rice every other day, you’ll love how quick this Basil Fried Rice is to make. It’s light, herby, and feels fresher than the usual Indo-Chinese stir-fries. 

A handful of basil, some leftover rice, and ten minutes in the kitchen, that’s all it takes to make this comforting bowl of Basil Fried Rice. The mix of garlicky aroma and fresh basil instantly lifts your mood and turns old plain rice into something crave-worthy. And if fried rice is your thing, you should also check out my Veg Fried Rice or Egg Fried Rice recipe next, they’re just as easy, just as delicious.

Basil Fried Rice Ingredients

• Rice: Use cooked basmati or long-grain rice. Day-old rice works best since it’s a bit firm and doesn’t turn mushy while stir-frying.
• Basil: Fresh Thai basil is key here. It brings a lovely fragrance and peppery flavor that makes this dish special.
• Veggies: Finely chopped carrots and baby corn add crunch and color. Feel free to add beans, bell peppers, or peas if you have them on hand.
• Aromatics: Garlic gives the rice its signature stir-fry aroma.
• Seasoning: Just salt and pepper to keep it simple.
• Oil: Any neutral oil works well. Sunflower or vegetable oil keeps the flavors balanced.

Richa’s Top Tips

• Use day-old rice: Freshly cooked rice tends to clump together. Cold, leftover rice gives you that perfect, non-sticky fried rice texture.
• High heat is key: Cook everything on high heat to get that signature smoky, restaurant-style flavor.
• Don’t overdo the basil: A little goes a long way. Add it right at the end so it stays bright and aromatic.
• Add soy sauce sparingly: If you decide to season further, start with a light splash, too much can overpower the basil.
• Chop small, cook fast: Keep the veggies finely chopped so they cook quickly and blend well with the rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storage Tips

• Fridge: You can let the fried rice cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. 
• Freezer: Basil fried rice freezes well for up to a month. Portion it into freezer-safe containers, thaw overnight in the fridge, and stir-fry again for a few minutes before serving.
• Reheating: Cook it in a pan with a splash of water or oil to bring back that just-cooked texture.

Serving Ideas

Basil Fried Rice is one of those dishes that goes with just about anything — here are a few ways to make it shine:

• With Chilli Paneer: The spicy, tangy sauce of Chilli Paneer pairs perfectly with the freshness of basil rice.
• With Sweet Corn Soup: Light, comforting, and a great way to start your meal.
• With Kung Pao Chicken: The nutty, spicy sauce adds a delicious contrast to the herby rice.
• With Garlic Tofu Stir Fry: A great vegetarian option that’s full of bold flavours.
• With Chilli Oil: Drizzle a spoonful of homemade chilli oil for that extra heat and crunch.
• As a Base for Curries: Works wonderfully with Thai-style curries like Thai Chicken Curry or Vegetable Korma Curry if you want something saucier.

Customisation Ideas

• Add Protein: Toss in some pan-fried tofu, prawns, or shredded chicken to turn it into a hearty meal.
• More Veggies: Throw in bell peppers, mushrooms, or snap peas for extra crunch and colour.
• Make it Spicier: Stir in a spoonful of homemade Chilli Oil or finely chopped Thai chillies for that fiery edge.
• Fried Egg on Top: A sunny-side-up egg makes this feel like comfort food with a little extra flair.
• Saucy Twist: Drizzle some soy sauce or a dash of fish sauce at the end for a deeper umami flavour.

And there you have it, a quick, flavourful Basil Fried Rice that tastes just as good as your favourite takeout version (maybe even better). It’s fresh, fragrant, and endlessly adaptable, whether you want to keep it veggie-loaded or toss in some protein.

If you give it a try, don’t forget to tag @my_foodstory  on Instagram. I’d love to see how your version turns out!

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Basil Fried Rice

Super quick and easy, this basil fried rice recipe is a refreshing, herby, garlicky dish that makes for the fastest dinner ever!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian Chinese

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 198kcal

Author Richa

Ingredients

• 1 ½ tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
• ¼ cup very finely chopped carrots
• ¼ cup very finely chopped baby corn
• 2 ½ cups cooked basmati rice got by cooking ½ cup raw basmati
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves julienned
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

• Heat oil in a pan or kadai, add garlic and saute for 30 seconds on high until fragrant.
  1 ½ tablespoons cooking oil, 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
• Add carrots, baby corn and saute on medium for 1-2 minutes until tender.
  ¼ cup very finely chopped carrots, ¼ cup very finely chopped baby corn
• Add the cooked rice, basil leaves, salt, pepper and toss for a minute or 2 and serve.
  2 ½ cups cooked basmati rice, 1 cup fresh basil leaves, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Notes

1. Basmati rice is most suitable for this recipe which may be replaced with any long grain rice.
2. Any cooking oil may be used, I have used sunflower oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 298mg | Potassium: 123mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1696IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

This article was researched and written by Harita Odedra.

The post Basil Fried Rice appeared first on My Food Story.

Green chilli sauce is a spicy and flavourful dipping sauce made with green chillies, onion, garlic and vinegar. It is a popular Asian condiment that adds a burst of flavour when paired with noodles, fried rice, spring roll, manchurian and momos. Whether you're using this for marinating meats or using it as a dipping sauce,...

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The post Green Chilli Sauce Recipe appeared first on Yummy Tummy.

If you love takeout-style chicken but want something lighter and homemade, this Bang Bang Chicken is your answer. It’s saucy, crispy, and ready before your food delivery would even arrive.

If you love recipes that balance spicy, creamy, and crispy all in one bite, then this Bang Bang Chicken Skewers is one to bookmark. It’s coated in a sweet-chilli mayo sauce that’s bold and comforting at the same time, and the airfryer does all the work to give you that perfect crunch without any deep frying.

This recipe will  fit almost any mood; quick dinner, weekend snack, or party appetizer. If you enjoy dishes like Honey Chilli Potatoes or Air Fryer Chicken Wings, you’ll love how easily this one comes together with just a handful of pantry staples and minimal cleanup.

Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Ingredients

• Chicken: Boneless chicken thighs work best as they stay juicy in the airfryer.
• Sauce Mix: A creamy blend of mayonnaise, chilli sauce, sweet chilli sauce, and soy sauce gives that signature bang bang flavor.
• Aromatics & Seasoning: Garlic, salt, pepper, and Kashmiri chilli powder add depth and color to the marinade.
• Oil: A light brush of oil helps the chicken crisp when air frying.
• Toppings: White sesame seeds and chopped spring onion greens add crunch and freshness.
• Skewers: Optional but handy if you want an easy-to-handle presentation.

Richa’s Top Tips

• Get the sauce right: The bang bang flavor depends on the balance of creamy, spicy, and sweet. Taste and tweak before using; every brand of chilli sauce hits differently.
• Airfry in two rounds: First to cook the chicken, and again after brushing with sauce. This double-cook method gives that glossy, caramelized finish, and depth of flavor.
• Keep pieces even – Uniformly sized chicken pieces cook evenly, so you don’t end up with a mix of dry edges and raw centers.
• Brush, don’t dunk: Instead of tossing all the sauce in one go, brush it lightly while airfrying. It helps the flavor stick without making the chicken soggy.
• Try my homemade mayo: My homemade boiled egg mayo is made with just three ingredients and is wayyy lighter and healthier than store-bought ones. 

Get My Indo-Chinese Ebook

My latest cookbook, The Indo-Chinese Ebook, has got over 105+ delicious Indo-Chinese recipes that can easily be recreated at home to. With lots of information on stocking up an Indo-Chinese pantry, maintenance guides, and exclusive cooking tips and tricks, whipping up restaurant-style Indo-Chinese dishes has never been easier!!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Storage Tips

• Fridge: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the airfryer at 180°C for 3–4 minutes to bring back the crispness.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken pieces in a ziplock bag or airtight box for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Sauce: The bang bang sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to a week. Store it separately and brush it over freshly reheated chicken before serving.

Serving Ideas

Bang Bang Chicken is delicious on its own, but it gets even better with the right sides. Try one of these easy pairings for a meal that feels complete and restaurant-worthy:

• With Garlic Fried Rice: A quick, fragrant side that soaks up all that sweet-spicy sauce beautifully.
• With Hakka Noodles: Soft noodles tossed in soy and veggies pair perfectly with the crispy chicken.
• With Stir-Fried Veggies: Toss together bell peppers, mushrooms, and bok choy for a crunchy, colorful, and wholesome plate.
• With Cucumber Salad: The cool crunch balances the heat and creaminess of the chicken.
• With Sweet Corn Soup: A cozy starter that complements the spice of this dish.
• Pair with Iced Apple Tea or Virgin Mojito: Light, refreshing drinks that cut through the richness.

Customisation Ideas

• Try it with shrimp or tofu: The bang bang sauce tastes amazing on both. Just adjust the air frying time,  shrimp cook faster, tofu a bit slower.
• Add crunch: Toss in some chopped roasted peanuts or sesame seeds before serving for extra texture.
• Play with the spice: Use sriracha for more heat or tone it down with extra mayo if you prefer it milder.
• Go fusion: Use the chicken as a filling for wraps, sliders, or even tacos, the sauce pairs beautifully with lettuce and pickled onions.

Crispy, spicy, and just the right amount of saucy, this Bang Bang Chicken proves that great flavor doesn’t need deep frying or fancy prep. It’s quick enough for weeknights and fun enough for weekends, especially when you’re cooking for friends.

If you give this recipe a try, tag @my_foodstory on Instagram, I’d love to see how it turns out in your kitchen!

Watch Bang Bang Chicken Recipe Video

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Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Crunchy, sticky, saucy chicken skewers with the same street style flavor, but in a healthier and lighter preparation that comes together faster than takeout–these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are a must-try!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian Chinese

Diet Halal

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4 persons

Calories 334kcal

Author Richa

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

sauce mix

• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoon chilli sauce
• 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

other

• 450 grams chicken thighs cut into ¾ inch wide x 1 ¼ inch long pieces
• 1 tablespoon grated garlic
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon crushed pepper
• 1 tablespoon kashmiri chilli powder
• 4-5 skewers
• 1-2 teaspoons cooking oil for brushing
• 1 ½ teaspoons white sesame seeds
• 1-2 tablespoons finely chopped spring onion greens

Instructions

• Take all the ingredients for the sauce mix in a bowl, mix well & set aside.
  3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 tablespoon chilli sauce, 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Add chicken to a bowl. Add garlic, salt, pepper & chilli powder, 2 tablespoons of sauce mix and mix well to marinate the chicken. Set aside for 25-30 minutes.
  450 grams chicken thighs, 1 tablespoon grated garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon crushed pepper, 1 tablespoon kashmiri chilli powder
• Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers. Make 3-4 skewers.
  4-5 skewers
• Pre-heat the airfryer to 200C and brush the basket with oil. Place the chicken skewers on the basket with some gap in between, spray or drizzle oil and air fry at 200C for 3 minutes until they are cooked through. brush with sauce mix & air fry at 200C for 2 minutes, flip the skewers, brush with sauce mix and air fry at 200C for 2-3 minutes until they are slightly browned around the edges.
  1-2 teaspoons cooking oil for brushing
• Garnish with sesame seeds & spring onion greens.
  1 ½ teaspoons white sesame seeds, 1-2 tablespoons finely chopped spring onion greens

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 812mg | Potassium: 303mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 703IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

This article was researched and written by Harita Odedra.

The post Bang Bang Chicken Skewers appeared first on My Food Story.

Craving that spicy, tangy, street-style Chilli Paneer you get from your favorite Indo-Chinese joint? This version brings the same bold flavors home and that signature glossy sauce you can’t stop eating.

Chilli Paneer has that perfect balance of spice, crunch, and comfort that makes it everyone’s go-to Indo-Chinese dish. The soft paneer, crisp veggies, and glossy, flavourful sauce come together so beautifully that it’s hard to stop at just one bite. 

Making it at home is so much easier than you might think. You just need a handful of pantry staples and a hot wok to get those street-style flavours right. These go perfectly with dishes like Veg Hakka Noodles or Egg Fried Rice, to make up the perfect meal for a cosy night in with family & friends.

Chilli Paneer Ingredients

• Paneer: Use fresh, firm paneer so it holds shape when fried but stays soft inside.
• Coating Mix: A blend of cornflour, maida (all purpose flour), Kashmiri chilli powder, soy sauce, salt, and a splash of water to give the paneer a crisp outer layer.
• Aromatics: Ginger, garlic, and green chillies add that signature Indo-Chinese punch and depth of flavour.
• Veggies: Onion and capsicum (green bell pepper) for added texture 
• Sauces: Soy sauce, red chilli sauce, ketchup, vinegar, and a touch of cornflour creates the glossy, spicy-sweet base.
• Oil: For frying and stir-frying.
• Spring Onions: To garnish and add freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Richa’s Top Tips

• Use quality paneer: Good paneer will take on flavours really well and stay soft instead of becoming rubbery when deep fried. Store bought paneer will do, but if you’ve got that extra 15 minute window, try out my Homemade Paneer Recipe!
• Fry on high heat: Keeps the paneer crispy on the outside and prevents it from turning chewy.
• Keep the veggies crunchy: Onions and capsicum should be just cooked, still bright, crisp, and full of bite. That’s where the street-style texture comes from.
• Don’t skip the wok toss: Once you add the sauce, toss everything quickly on high heat to coat the paneer evenly and get that glossy finish.

Storage Tips

• Fridge: Store leftover Chilli Paneer in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The paneer might soften a bit, but it’ll still taste delicious.
• Freezer: It’s best to freeze just the sauce (without paneer) for up to 10 days. When ready to eat, thaw and toss with freshly fried paneer cubes.
• Reheating: Warm it up in a pan over low heat. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce and keep it from drying out. Avoid microwaving too long, as paneer can turn rubbery.

Serving Ideas

This Chilli Paneer tastes amazing on its own, but if you’re putting together a full Indo-Chinese spread, here are some delicious pairings to try:

• With Schezwan Fried Rice – Double up on bold flavors with this fiery rice that complements the paneer perfectly.
• With Garlic Fried Rice – A milder option that balances the spice in the paneer.
• With Veg Manchurian – A saucy, veggie-filled side that pairs well with Chilli Paneer.
• With Spring Rolls – Crisp, flaky, and just the right amount of contrast to the saucy paneer.
• With Momos – Steamed or fried, both go perfectly with this spicy appetizer.
• With Soup – Serve alongside Hot and Sour Soup or Manchow Soup to start your meal right.

Customisation Ideas

• Make it saucier: Want that restaurant-style gravy version? Just add an extra half cup of water to the sauce and let it simmer till slightly thickened.
• Try it with tofu: Swap the paneer with firm tofu for a vegan-friendly version that’s just as satisfying.
• Add veggies: Toss in diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or baby corn for more texture and flavor.
• Use baked or air-fried paneer: Skip deep-frying for a lighter, equally tasty version that still has that crisp bite.
• Add crunch: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or crushed roasted peanuts on top just before serving for a fun twist.

And that’s your street-style Chilli Paneer, mouth watering crispiness, spicy, and full of flavor. You can trust it to always hit the right spot, whether you’re cooking for friends or just craving a quick fix for yourself. Every bite has that balance of heat and tang that makes you reach for another piece before you even realize it.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to see how it turns out! Share your version and tag @my_foodstory on Instagram, I can’t wait to see your kitchen magic.

Watch Paneer Chilli Recipe Video

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Street Style Chilli Paneer

Make street style chilli paneer easily with this recipe! Sweet, spicy, tangy with soft cubes of crispy paneer – this recipe is irresistable!

Course Snacks & Appetizers

Cuisine Indian Chinese

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 308kcal

Author Richa

Ingredients

• 200 grams Paneer cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons Cornflour
• 1 tablespoon maida
• 1 teaspoon Kashmiri Chilli Powder
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• A splash of water
• Oil for Frying approx half cup

Sauce Mixture

• 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
• 2 teaspoons Red Chilli Sauce
• 1 tablespoon Ketchup
• ¼ teaspoon Kashmiri Chilli Powder or paprika
• ½ teaspoon Vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Cornflour
• ½ cup Water

For the Stir Fry

• 2 teaspoons chopped Ginger
• 2 teaspoons chopped Garlic
• 2-3 Green Chillies slit lengthwise
• 2 Onions cubed
• 1 Capsicum cubed
• 1 tablespoons chopped Spring Onions

Instructions

• Add cornflour, maida, kashmiri chilli powder, soy sauce, salt to a bowl. Add the paneer cubes and toss to coat. Sprinkle a little water just to get the coating to stick to the paneer. Toss and set aside.
• Heat oil in a wok or pan and add the paneer piece by piece to prevent them from sticking to each other. Fry them on high heat for 2-3 minutes, turning once or twice till they are golden brown. Take them out on a plate and set aside.
• Whisk together all the ingredients under sauce and set aside.
• Remove any excess oil from the wok, leaving behind 1.5 tbsp oil. Once the oil is hot, add ginger, garlic and green chillies. Saute for a minute or two and add onions and capsicum.
• Stir fry for 2-3 minutes on high heat and add the paneer cubes. Toss the paneer with the aromatics for a minute.
• Give the sauce a whisk and add it to the wok. Toss together on high heat for 2 minutes till the cornflour is cooked and the sauce takes on a thick, glossy finish and coats the paneer pieces. Add a little water if you want a little more sauce. Sprinkle with chopped spring onions and serve hot.

Video

Notes

1. Chilli Paneer Gravy: For saucier chilli paneer, add an extra half cup of water to the sauce
2. Vegan Chilli Paneer: You can easily substitute the paneer for tofu to make chilli tofu
3. You can substitute the store bought chilli sauce with homemade chilli garlic paste. I highly recommend making it yourself. I used Kashmiri Red Chillies for this recipe which have more colour than heat
4. If using homemade chilli paste, once you add it to to the wok, be sure to fry it until almost all of the raw aroma goes. This will help you avoid the raw chilli taste and smell in the dish. 

Nutrition

Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 850mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1152IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 264mg | Iron: 1mg

This article is researched and written by Harita Odedra.

The post Chilli Paneer – Street Style appeared first on My Food Story.

Firecracker Crispy Potato is the most PERFECT snack to serve if you’re hosting this festive season! It’s a fun, crunchy appetizer that’s bursting with Indo-Chinese flavors, and ready in no time. 

Meet my ultimate party trick: Firecracker Crispy Potatoes! These crunchy, golden bites are bursting with Indo-Chinese flavours and wrapped to look like little firecrackers 🎉  

The filling combines a spicy, aromatic potato, paneer, and Schezwan sauce  filling, rolled in thin samosa sheets, and fried (or air-fried!) till crisp and irresistible. Perfect for Diwali, house parties, or even along with your evening chai, these crispy potatoes are fun to make, look super impressive, and taste even better. 

These are one of those instantly hit unique recipes just like my Achari Paneer Naan Bombs and Papad Bowl Katori Chaat which you have got to try as well! For more festive snack ideas, check out my Diwali Recipes Round-Up which is my OG hosting guide!

Crispy Potato Ingredients Overview

Filling Base – Potatoes and paneer
Aromatics – Garlic, ginger, onions, green chillies, and capsicum for a fragrant, spicy punch.
Sauces – Homemade Schezwan sauce, and soy sauce bring the signature Indo-Chinese heat and umami.
Binders – Oats powder or cornflour to make the coating batter and hold everything together.
Wrappers – Thin samosa sheets rolled around the filling for that firecracker look + crunch.
Oil – For deep frying or brushing if air-frying.

Richa’s Top Tips

• Don’t overfill, make sure to make a lemon-sized ball for easy wrapping.
• Make sure to cut the samosa sheets in 2 for the perfect bite-size firecrackers. 
• Work in batches for even frying and perfect crispness.
• Want to prep ahead? Shape and freeze the rolls and fry straight from frozen when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Ideas

• Serve hot with Schezwan Sauce, Sweet Chilli Sauce, or my creamy Boiled Egg Mayonnaise. 
• Pair them with other festive favourites like Spring Rolls, Chilli Paneer, or Veg Manchurian from our Diwali Party Snack Round-Up.

Crispy, spicy, and full of fun, these Firecracker Potatoes are guaranteed to light up your snack table. Quick to make, endlessly addictive, and bursting with flavour – they’re the perfect bite for your next festive get-together!

Recreate this and send me pictures of your festive spread over on my IG @my_foodstory! 

Watch Firecracker Crispy Potato Recipe Video

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Firecracker Crispy Potato

A fun, crunchy appetizer that’s bursting with Indo-Chinese flavors, and ready in no time, this Firecracker Crispy Potato is the ultimate Diwali party snack of this season!!

Course Snacks & Appetisers

Cuisine Indian

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 12 firecracker potatoes

Calories 176kcal

Author Richa

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons groundnut oil or any neutral flavored oil divided (+ ⅓ cup oil for deep frying)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
• ¼ cup finely chopped onions
• 1 green chilli finely chopped
• ¼ cup finely chopped capsicum
• 4 medium potatoes boiled, peeled & mashed – approx. 2 cups
• ½ cup grated paneer
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon schezwan sauce
• 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon crushed pepper
• ¼ cup oats powder or cornflour
• ¼ cup cornflour
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons water
• 10 samosa sheets cut into 3mm wide x 6-7 cm long, strips

Instructions

Potato-paneer filling

• Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a pan or kadai, add garlic, ginger and saute for a few seconds on high until fragrant. Add green chillies, onions, capsicum & saute for 2-3 minutes till onions turn translucent. Add mashed potatoes, paneer, schezwan sauce, soy sauce, salt, pepper, oats powder and saute for a few seconds till the sauces get absorbed well. Set aside to cool.

Samosa sheet strips

• Cut each samosa sheet into 2 & cut out 3mm wide x 6-7 cm long strips. Transfer the strips to a plate.

Making firecracker potatoes

• Mix cornflour in water to make the coating batter. Take approx. 2 tablespoons of the potato mix and make lemon sized balls. (You may grease your hands with oil if needed) set aside. Dip each ball in the coating batter, roll on the samosa sheet strips, dip again into the coating batter and roll again on the samosa sheet strips to form a fire cracker (watch video for more details) and set aside. Coating & rolling ensures that the strips stick well & firecrackers hold shape, so do not skip it. Repeat the same process for rest of the balls.

Deep frying method

• Heat ⅓ cup of oil in a deep kadai or pot and deep fry the firecracker potatoes on medium heat till they turn crisp & golden. Do not overcrowd the kadai so they get fried well. Fry in batches and set aside.

Airfrying method

• Preheat the airfryer at 140C and brush the basket/tray with oil. place the firecracker potatoes, gently brush or drizzle oil on them. Air fry at 140C for 12-15 minutes & at 190C for 3 minutes till they turn golden brown and crisp.
• Serve immediately as they stay crisp when hot.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 275mg | Potassium: 342mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 1mg

This article was written and researched by Navya Khetarpal.

The post Firecracker Crispy Potato appeared first on My Food Story.

Sticky, garlicky, and just the right amount of sweet – this Honey Garlic Chicken is truly finger-licking. It’s quick, crowd-pleasing, and goes perfectly with rice, noodles, or just on its own. 

It is no secret by now that I loveeee all things saucy!! I mean, my Indo-Chinese recipes are ALWAYS on rotation and this Honey Garlic Chicken is a new favorite I have added to the list. 

Imagine crispy, juicy chicken coated in a glossy, garlicky, sweet-spicy sauce that clings to every bite – I don’t think you’ll need more convincing! You can choose to either deep fry or air fry the chicken, it’ll turn out perfect either ways. Quick and so totally delicious ❤️

Frequently Asked Questions

Richa’s Top Tips

• Chicken thighs work best for juicy, tender chicken pieces.
• Don’t skip making clumps in the flour dredge — it gives the chicken that signature crispy texture.
• If you’re making this in the air fryer, make sure to brush oil generously and don’t overcrowd for even crisping.
• Want extra sauce? Double the honey garlic sauce ingredients so you have plenty to spoon over rice or noodles!

Serving Ideas

• Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, or hakka noodles.
• Pair with a crisp cucumber salad or stir-fried greens for balance.
• You can even load this Honey Garlic Chicken in lettuce cups 

Storage Tips

• Eat this fresh hot and crispy for the ideal experience!!
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days, and you can reheat in an oven or air fryer to revive crispness.

Customisation Ideas

• Add a splash of sriracha or more chilli sauce for some more heat
• Garnish with spring onions or fresh coriander
• Stir-fry with bell peppers, broccoli or any veggies of your choice

I’m telling you guys – this Honey Garlic Chicken is better than takeout! Whether you make it as a starter to serve guests or as your next weeknight dinner along with some noodles, I can guarantee that you’ll be making this again. 

Tried it? Tag me over on my Instagram @my_foodstory so I can see your pictures! 

Watch Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Video

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Honey Garlic Chicken

Spicy, sticky, saucy, with the most perfect crispy bits of chicken, this Honey Garlic Chicken is an Indo-Chinese Recipe you need to make ASAP.

Course Snacks & Appetisers

Cuisine Indian Chinese

Diet Halal

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4 portions

Calories 601kcal

Author Richa

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup oil (if deep frying) + 2 tablespoons for brushing

For marination

• 500 gms boneless chicken thigh / cut into ¾ inch cubes
• ½ cup all purpose flour maida
• 15 garlic cloves grated
• 2 teaspoons kashmiri chilli powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper powder
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons cooking oil
• 2 egg whites whisked

For dredging

• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour maida
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon water

For honey garlic stir fry

• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons red chilli sauce
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• 2 teaspoons kashmiri chilli powder
• ½ teaspoon red chilli powder

Instructions

Marinating chicken

• Take all ingredients for marination in a bowl, mix to combine well. Set aside for 30 minutes.

Dredging chicken

• Take maida, baking powder & salt in a deep plate or a flat bowl, sprinkle water and mix the flour to get large clumps in it. Dip marinated chicken and ensure it is coated well on all the sides. Place it on a plate and repeat the same process for all the marinated chicken cubes.

Deep Fry method

• Heat ½ cup of oil in a deep pan and once it’s medium hot, drop dredged chicken into the oil & fry on medium heat for 4-5 minutes or till they turn crisp. Set aside.
• OR

Airfryer method

• Pre-heat airfryer at 180 C. brush the airfryer basket with oil. Place the dredged chicken with some gap between each other and air fry at 180C for 13 minutes while flipping and brushing oil on chicken every 7 minutes. Air fry at 200 C for 2 minutes till they turn crisp.

Honey garlic sauce

• Take all ingredients under honey garlic stir fry except oil & garlic in a bowl & mix to combine well. Set aside.

Making honey garlic chicken

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan or wok, add garlic & saute on high for a minute. Add the honey garlic sauce & cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the fried chicken, toss well for 1-2 minutes and serve.

Video

Notes

1. I have used chicken thighs in the recipe as its more juicy but boneless breasts also work well.

Nutrition

Calories: 601kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 1392mg | Potassium: 526mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 5mg

This article was researched and written by Navya Khetarpal.

The post Honey Garlic Chicken appeared first on My Food Story.

Eight Treasure Soup makes eating your veggies feel like a treat; colourful, crunchy, and full of flavour!

Some days you just want something quick, warm, and full of veggies without thinking too hard about it. That’s exactly what this Eight Treasure Soup is. Just toss in whatever’s in your fridge, and somehow it comes together into a proper, flavour-packed meal.

It’s light, but still feels like you’ve eaten well. Nothing complicated, no special stock or tricky steps, just chop, stir, simmer, done. It’s the kind of soup you make once and then keep coming back to because it’s that easy (and tasty!).

Eight Treasure Soup Ingredients

Veggies

• Carrots, beans, and cauliflower – these get blanched first so they stay tender, not mushy.
• Cabbage, bok choy, zucchini, and mushrooms – added later so they stay crunchy and bright.
• Sweet corn (cream of corn) – gives the soup body and a little sweetness.

Aromatics

• Ginger, garlic, and green chilli – the base flavours that bring warmth and depth.

For the broth

• Vegetable stock or water – the base of the soup.
• Cornflour slurry – thickens it slightly so it’s brothy but not watery.
• Salt, sugar, and crushed pepper – to season and balance the flavours.

Other

• Cooking oil – just a little to sauté everything.
• Water – for blanching the firmer veggies before adding them to the soup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Richa’s Top Tips

• Blanch firm veggies first: This helps them cook through without turning mushy. Carrots, beans, and cauliflower need a quick head start so they cook through but don’t turn mushy later.
• Don’t overcook the leafy veggies: Cook leafy veggies briefly: Add cabbage, bok choy, and zucchini towards the end, they only need a minute to stay bright and crunchy.
• Don’t skip the corn slurry: It gives the soup just enough body so it’s not watery, but still light and brothy.
• Use high heat for aromatics: Sauté ginger, garlic, and green chilli on high heat (this releases their flavour without burning them).
• Taste and adjust before serving: The soup base is simple, so balancing salt, pepper, and sugar at the end makes a huge difference.
• Add stock slowly: Start with less vegetable stock and add more only if needed, so the soup doesn’t become too thin.

Storage Tips

• Fridge: Let the soup cool completely, then store it in an airtight container for up to 2 days. 
• Freezer: Skip the cornflour slurry if you plan to freeze it, add it fresh while reheating. The soup will stay good for about a month in the freezer.
• Reheating tip: If the soup thickens too much in the fridge, add a splash of water or stock while reheating to loosen it up.

Serving Ideas

Eight Treasure Soup is light and full of veggies, so it works best when paired with sides that balance it out, some equally wholesome, some a little heartier if you’re building a full meal:

• Chicken Fajita with Cilantro Lime Quinoa adds protein and fibre while staying flavourful and satisfying.
• Crispy Tofu Broccoli Stir Fry will give you a simple protein boost that pairs well with the mild soup.
• You can have it on the side with Veg Hakka Noodles  for a heartier option that still brings in more veggies.
• Asian Slaw Salad is bright and crunchy, perfect alongside a warm soup.
• Steamed Momos and hot soup are perfect together for a night in. 

Customisation Ideas

• Make it creamy: Stir in a splash of coconut milk or a spoon of cream at the end for a richer, silkier broth.
• Give it an earthy depth: Add a small handful of soaked shiitake mushrooms along with their soaking liquid for an umami boost.
• Add a citrus lift: Finish with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice just before serving to brighten the flavours.
• Bring in some crunch: Top each bowl with crispy fried shallots or toasted garlic chips for texture.
• Layer in some warmth: Add a tiny pinch of white pepper or freshly grated nutmeg for a subtle, cosy depth.

Did You Know?

Eight Treasure Soup gets its name from the traditional Chinese belief that the number eight symbolizes luck and prosperity. The “treasures” were originally a mix of eight specific ingredients like lotus seeds, jujubes, peanuts, and chestnuts, often served during Lunar New Year for good fortune. Over time, the recipe evolved, and many modern versions (like this one) use eight colourful vegetables instead, keeping the lucky number while making it lighter and fresher.

Honestly, this soup just makes life easier. It’s quick, it’s full of veggies, and it somehow feels like comfort food without weighing you down. One pot, very little effort, and you’ve got something that tastes like heaven.

Make it once and you’ll probably end up doing it on autopilot whenever you need a reset meal. And if you do, tag me on Instagram @my_foodstory, I’d love to see your bowls of this veggie magic.

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Eight Treasure Soup

Hearty, comforting, loaded with veggies, and insanely easy to make, this Eight Treasure Soup recipe is the perfect low-effort, healthy dish to add to your meal rotation.

Course Snacks & Appetizers

Cuisine Chinese

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4 portions

Calories 76kcal

Author Richa

Ingredients

• ¼ cup finely chopped carrots 35 gms
• ¼ cup finely chopped beans 30 gms
• ¼ cup tiny florets of cauliflower 25 gms
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
• 1 green chilli finely chopped (optional)
• ¼ cup finely chopped cabbage 25 gms
• ¼ cup finely chopped bok choy 20 gms
• ½ cup finely chopped zucchini 60 gms
• ½ cup finely sliced mushrooms 60 gms
• ¼ cup cream of corn 25 gms
• 1 tablespoon cornflour mixed in ½ cup water to make a slurry
• 1 ½ cups veg stock or water
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon crushed pepper

Instructions

Blanching veggies

• Boil 1 ½ cups of water in a pot, add carrots and cook on medium heat for a minute, add beans and cook for another minute, add cauliflower & cook for 30 seconds. Take off the heat and drain immediately. Discard the water and set aside the veggies.
  ¼ cup finely chopped carrots, ¼ cup finely chopped beans, 1 ½ cups water, ¼ cup tiny florets of cauliflower

Making 8 treasure soup

• Heat oil in a wok or pan, add ginger, garlic, green chilli and saute on high for a minute till they turn light golden.
  1 tablespoon cooking oil, 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger, 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic, 1 green chilli
• Add cabbage, bok choy, zucchini, mushrooms and saute for a minute till they cook about 70% and stay crunchy. Let them not get overcooked.
  ¼ cup finely chopped cabbage, ¼ cup finely chopped bok choy, ½ cup finely chopped zucchini, ½ cup finely sliced mushrooms
• Add blanched veggies, cream of corn and saute for a few seconds.
  ¼ cup cream of corn
• Add vegetable stock, salt, sugar, pepper and bring to a boil on high heat.
  1 ½ cups veg stock or water, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon crushed pepper
• Add cornflour slurry while stirring continuously and once it boils, cook for 2 minutes on low heat for the soup to thicken and serve.
  1 tablespoon cornflour mixed in ½ cup water to make a slurry

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 554mg | Potassium: 197mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1828IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.4mg

This article was researched and written by Harita Odedra.

The post Eight Treasure Soup appeared first on My Food Story.

The charm of General Tso Chicken is simple: bold, sticky flavours wrapped around juicy chicken. And with this recipe you don’t need a takeout box to get it.

General Tso’s chicken has always been one of those dishes I can’t resist ordering– crispy little bites wrapped in that glossy, sweet-spicy sauce; it’s absolute perfection. On the surface, it looks like it would be a lot of work, but once you break it down, it’s actually super doable at home. And honestly, it tastes even better because you get to control how saucy, spicy, or tangy you want it.

You can go classic with a deep fry for that crunchy bite, or air fry if you want to keep it lighter. Either way, the sauce clings beautifully to the chicken, and yes, you’ll probably end up fighting for the last piece.

About This Recipe

General Tso’s chicken became so iconic in the US that it even got its own documentary—The Search for General Tso (2014). The film follows the story of how this dish, which doesn’t really exist in China, became one of the most loved “Chinese takeout” meals in America. It traces its roots back to Chinese chefs who moved to the US and adapted flavours for local palates, and shows how a simple, sweet-and-spicy chicken dish ended up as a cultural phenomenon.

General Tso’s Chicken Ingredients

For the marinade

• Chicken thighs (boneless, cut into cubes) 
• Ginger + garlic (grated) – for flavor
• Cornflour – for a light coating
• Salt – for seasoning.
• Egg whites – to bind everything together and make the coating crispier.

For dredging

• All-purpose flour (maida) – The main coating that makes the chicken golden.
• Baking powder – Makes the chicken light and crispy. 
• Salt – for seasoning
• Water – for binding 

For the General Tso’s sauce

• Sauces: Light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, ketchup, and vinegar for lots of flavor 
• Sugar – That hint of sweetness General Tso’s is known for.
• White pepper – Gentle heat and flavour.
• Cornstarch + water – Thickens the sauce into a glossy glaze.
• Toasted sesame oil – Nutty aroma that finishes the sauce beautifully.

For the stir-fry

• Cooking oil – Any neutral-flavored oil such as sunflower, peanut, canola, etc. 
• Garlic + ginger (finely chopped) – Punchy aromatics that flavour the base.
• Whole red chillies – For heat and spiciness 
• Red capsicum (bell pepper) – A pop of colour and crunch.

Other

• Cooking oil (extra) – For brushing or deep frying

Richa’s Top Tips

• Marinate properly – Even 30 minutes makes the chicken more flavourful and tender.
• Get clumpy dredge – Sprinkle water into the flour so you get those rough clumps that fry up extra crispy.
• Use thighs, not breasts – Thighs stay juicy after frying, while breasts can dry out quickly.
• High heat = flavour – Stir-fry garlic, ginger, and chillies on high heat for that punchy aroma.
• Don’t rush the sauce – Let it bubble until glossy before tossing the chicken in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storage Tips

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a pan or oven so the chicken gets some of its crispiness back.
• Freezer: The fried chicken (without sauce) freezes really well for up to a month. Re-crisp it in the oven or air fryer, then toss in fresh sauce.
• Sauce ahead: Make the General Tso’s sauce and keep it in the fridge for 3–4 days. When ready to serve, fry the chicken and toss it in.
• Meal prep tip: If you want to save time, dredge and air fry the chicken earlier in the day, then just reheat and coat in sauce before dinner.

Serving Ideas

General Tso’s chicken is bold, saucy, and a little fiery—it deserves sides that balance or soak it all up. Here are some recipes from the blog that make perfect pairings:

• With rice: Keep it classic with Steamed Rice or go fragrant with perfect Jeera Rice.
• With noodles: Pair with Vegetable Hakka Noodles for a full Indo-Chinese spread.
• With fried rice: Try Egg Fried Rice or Veg Fried Rice to soak up all that sauce.
• As a party plate: Serve alongside Chilli Garlic Noodles or Paneer Chilli for a crowd-pleasing combo.
• With stir-fry veggies: Balance the richness with Stir Fried Vegetables or even a fresh Asian Salad.
• Fun twist: Turn leftovers into wraps using Homemade tortillas, with lettuce and a drizzle of extra sauce.

Customisation Ideas

• Add nutty flavour by tossing in roasted cashews or peanuts when stir-frying.
• Balance the heat with pineapple chunks for a sweet-tangy bite.
• Bulk it up by adding broccoli, snap peas, or baby corn to the stir-fry.
• Finish with crunch by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds just before serving.
• Turn up the spice with extra chilli paste or fresh green chillies.
• Brighten the sauce with a splash of orange juice or a little zest.
• Make it richer by swapping some of the sugar with honey for a deeper glaze.
• Add freshness with spring onion greens, coriander, or Thai basil on top.

General Tso’s chicken is proof that bold flavours don’t have to stay in the takeout box, you can bring them straight to your table. Whether you deep fry or air fry, pile it over rice or sneak bites right from the wok, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll keep coming back to. 

And if you do make it, tag me on Instagram @my_foodstory, I’d love to see your General Tso’s plates!

Watch General Tso’s Chicken Recipe Video

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Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken

The charm of General Tso’s Chicken is simple: bold, sticky flavours wrapped around juicy chicken. And with this recipe you don’t need a takeout box to get it.

Course Snacks & Appetisers

Cuisine Indian Chinese

Diet Halal

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 361kcal

Author Richa

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

Marinade

• 500 gms boneless chicken thigh / cut into ¾ inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon grated garlic
• 2 tablespoons cornflour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 egg whites

For dredging

• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour maida
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon water

For General Tso sauce

• ¼ cup light soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• ½ cup water
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

For stir fry

• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger finely chopped
• 6 red chillies whole
• ½ red capsicum cut into ½ inch squares

Other

• 1-2 tablespoons cooking oil for brushing additional oil if deep frying

Instructions

Marinating chicken

• Take all ingredients for marination in a bowl, mix to combine well. Set aside for 30 minutes.
  500 gms boneless chicken thigh / cut into ¾ inch cubes, 2 teaspoons grated ginger, 1 tablespoon grated garlic, 2 tablespoons cornflour, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 egg whites

Dredging chicken

• Take maida, baking powder & salt in a deep plate or a flat bowl, sprinkle water and mix the flour to get large clumps in it. Dip marinated chicken and ensure it is coated well on all the sides. Place on a plate and repeat the same process for all the marinated chicken cubes.
  1 ½ cups all purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon water

Deep Fry method

• Heat ½ cup of oil in a deep pan and once it’s medium hot, drop dredged chicken into the oil & fry on medium heat for 4-5 minutes or till they turn crisp. Set aside.
  1-2 tablespoons cooking oil for brushing
• OR
  1-2 tablespoons cooking oil for brushing

Airfryer method

• Pre-heat airfryer at 180C. brush the airfryer basket with oil. Place the dredged chicken with some gap between each other and air fry at 180C for 13 minutes while flipping and brushing oil on chicken every 7 minutes. Air fry at 200 C for 2 minutes till they turn crisp.

General tso sauce

• Take all the ingredients under general tso sauce mix in a bowl & mix to combine well. Set aside.
  ¼ cup light soy sauce, 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon white pepper, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, ½ cup water, 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

Making General tso chicken

• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan or wok, add ginger, garlic & saute on high for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add red chillies, red capsicum and saute on high for a minute. Add the General tso sauce & cook for 1-2 minutes while stirring continuously. Add the fried chicken, toss well for 1-2 minutes and serve.
  1 tablespoon cooking oil, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 tablespoon ginger, 6 red chillies, ½ red capsicum

Video

Notes

1. Fry the aromatics on high heat which enhances its flavour.
2. The cooking time in the Air Fryer might vary slightly with different brands and capacities.

Nutrition

Calories: 361kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 1822mg | Potassium: 410mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1147IU | Vitamin C: 118mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 4mg

The post Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken appeared first on My Food Story.

This homemade Schezwan sauce is fiery, garlicky, and totally addictive — perfect for tossing into noodles, rice, or using as a spicy dip! The best part? You can make a batch and keep it in the fridge for whenever those Indo-Chinese cravings hit. 

I’ve always been that person asking for extra Schezwan Sauce with my momos so it just made sense for me to start making it at home! It’s cleaner, pocket-friendly, and I can now put this schezwan chutney on everything – dosas, fried rice, noodles.  It also makes for a great dipping sauce.forliterally any snack from spring rolls to chakli, and is a must to have in the fridge for  whenever those Indo-Chinese cravings hit!  

My sister and I have the BEST childhood memories of ordering extra schezwan sauce at our fav Chinese restaurant just to take home and eat it with papad the next day. You guys have to trust me on this combination. It is the ultimate chatpata snack! And now I can have it all the time, and the best part? This Schezwan Sauce recipe is fresh and preservative-free, just how we like it. 

Schezwan Sauce Ingredients

• Chillies: I used a combination of Byadgi Chillies (for heat) and Kashmiri Chillies (for colour and flavour). You can change the proportions a little if you want it to be more or less spicy.

The chillies are soaked in hot water to soften them and then blended with a little bit of that water into a coarse paste. We don’t want to break them down completely because we want texture as well. So keep the mixture coarse where you can still see bits of chillies

• Shallots/Sambar Onions/Pearl Onions: Any of these smaller varieties of onions will work here. They have a milder flavour than red onions and soften beautifully
• Garlic and Ginger: Lots of finely chopped garlic and ginger. I usually buy peeled garlic when I make this schezwan sauce/ schezwan chutney to make life easier
• Ketchup: My favourite thing to add when I’m making Indo Chinese because it has the perfect balance of sweet, salty, acidic
• Sugar: Might seem like a lot but you need this to balance out the heat from the chillies
• Soy Sauce: Light soy sauce to add that hit of umami
• Vinegar: To add acidity. Use synthetic or rice vinegar
• Oil: There is 1/3 cup of oil in this recipe. I don’t recommend reducing it. The oil does two things – it helps cook the chillies till they are jammy and helps preserve this sauce so that it can last up to a month in the fridge

How to make Schezwan Sauce

This is a simple recipe that has a lot of hands off time while the sauce is simmering and reducing

1. Soak: Soak the chillies in hot water to soften them. I like to discard the stems before soaking
2. Blend: Blend to a coarse paste with a little water. The smoother the chilli paste, the less texture you’ll have in the sauce. And that texture makes a big difference
3. Saute: Saute the ginger, garlic and onions in oil till they soften but be careful not to brown the onions. As soon as they are translucent, you know they are ready.
4. Chillies: Add the coarsely blended chillies and all the other ingredients along with water and mix well
5. Simmer: Let the sauce come to a simmer and then cover and cook, stirring occasionally in between till the sauce reduces and takes on a jammy consistency. You should also see oil floating on top. That’s when you know the sauce is ready and the chillies have cooked down. This process can take anywhere between 25-40 minutes.
6. Cool and store: Let the sauce cool completely before you transfer it to an airtight container. This will last for up to 4 weeks in the fridge (if you don’t finish it before that 😂)

Frequently Asked Questions

Richa’s Top Tips

• The proportion of chillies will determine heat levels in this sauce. You can play around with this proportion based on how spicy you’d like your schezwan chutney/sauce to be I wouldn’t recommend reducing the oil in this recipe as it helps preserve the sauce so that it can be stored for a month or so. We’ll also be using very small quantities of it for dipping or as a condiment so the total calories are not very high
• Use a chopper or food processor to chop the shallots, ginger and garlic finely. Makes the task much faster!
• Taste and adjust sugar, vinegar, and salt until balanced.
• Make sure to cool the schezwan sauce before storing and refrigerating. 
• Store in the fridge in a clean, dry glass jar.

Serving Suggestions

If you still aren’t convinced about this low-effort high-rewards sauce, here are a few more reasons:

• Use the sauce with stir fried veggies and rice to dole out spicy schezwan fried rice in minutes or create a Lazy Girl’s Schezwan Chicken Bowl
• Coat manchurian balls with schezwan sauce for schezwan manchurian (Majorly Indo-Chinese)
• Do a triple schezwan with rice, noodles and crispy noodles – Triple reward!
• Use this sauce as a dipping sauce for chicken lollipops, chicken nuggets, veg nuggets, fries, wedges, chips and papad
• Slather on parathas, roll it up and enjoy a quick snack

Storage Suggestions

• Storage: The sauce can be store in a clean, air tight container in the fridge for up to a month
• Freezer Friendly: You can also portion the sauce and freeze it and it can last for up to 3 months. I sometimes like to portion it out into ice trays and freeze it. Once frozen, I remove the cubes, transfer them to a zip lock and freeze. Then I have perfect portions anytime I want to thaw them.

Ever since I discovered this Schezwan Sauce recipe, I make a large batch at least once a month and use it for as long as it lasts (which TBH, is not that long!). I have this with everything!! Once you try this, you’ll never go back to store-bought and I think that’s beautiful ❤️

If you liked this recipe, be sure to check my other saucy Indo-Chinese recipes like these Chilli Chicken Noodles and Corn Bhel!

Watch Schezwan Sauce Recipe Video

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How To Make Schezwan Sauce (Step by Step Video)

Learn how to make this simple indo-chinese schezwan sauce/condiment which goes really well with chicken lollipops, schezwan rice, noodles and manchurian. Makes 1.5 cups. Each serving size is estimated at 1 tbsp.

Course Dips, Dressings & Sauces

Cuisine Asian, Chinese, Indian

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 24 servings

Calories 43kcal

Author Richa

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup Vegetable oil
• 15 cloves Garlic finely chopped
• 1 1/2 inch Ginger finely chopped
• 6 Shallots or Sambhar Onions, minced
• 23 Kashmiri Red Chilies
• 3 Byadgi Chillies
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Vinegar
• 1/4 cup Water
• 2 tablespoons Ketchup
• 3 tablespoons Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt to taste

Instructions

• Soak the chillies in hot water for half an hour. Add only the chillies to a blender along with 2-3 tbsp water and blend to a coarse paste
• Heat oil in a pan and add garlic and ginger. Saute on a low flame till the raw aroma goes. Be careful not to brown or burn the ginger garlic.
• Add the minced onions and let them cook on a low flame till they soften and turn translucent. Be careful not to let them brown.
• Once the onions look like they are almost melting, add ground chilies, soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, salt and 1/4 cup water. Mix well.
• Bring this to a boil and simmer till the sauce thickens. Oil should have separated, and there should be some oil floating on top.
• Switch off the flame and let it cool. Once the sauce has completely cooled down, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 15 days.

Video

Notes

1. Chillies: I used a combination of Byadgi Chillies (for heat) and Kashmiri Chillies (for colour and flavour). You can change the proportions a little if you want it to be more or less spicy.
2. Shallots/Sambar Onions/Pearl Onions: Any of these smaller varieties of onions will work here. They have a milder flavour than red onions and soften beautifully
3. Simmer: You should also see oil floating on top. That’s when you know the sauce is ready and the chillies have cooked down. This process can take anywhere between 25-40 minutes.
4. Cool and store: Let the sauce cool completely before you transfer it to an airtight container. This will last for up to 4 weeks in the fridge.
5. The nutrition label below is for 15 servings

Nutrition

Calories: 43kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 124mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

This article was researched and written by Navya Khetarpal.

The post Schezwan Sauce | Schezwan Chutney appeared first on My Food Story.

One bite in and you’ll wonder how cauliflower got this fun; crunchy, saucy, and full of flavour, Bang Bang Cauliflower is  the ultimate snack upgrade.

Cauliflower gets a bad rep for being boring, but this Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower is here to prove everyone wrong. We’re talking crispy, golden crunch with a fiery, creamy, sweet-and-spicy glaze that clings to every bite. It’s the kind of snack that disappears fast off the plate. One bite turns into five, and suddenly the plate’s empty.

What I love most is how low-effort it is. We skip the deep frying and use the air fryer instead, so you get all the crunch without the mess or excess oil. So you get all the goodness of a bold and fiery appetizer, while still keeping things healthy-ish. 

Bang Bang Cauliflower Ingredients

• Cauliflower Base: Cauliflower florets blanched just enough to soften slightly—this helps them cook through while still holding shape.
• Flour & Spice Mix: A combination of maida (all-purpose flour), cornflour, Kashmiri chilli powder, grated garlic, salt, pepper, oil, and just enough water to coat—this creates that light, crisp outer layer.
• Bang Bang Sauce: Mayonnaise, sriracha or chilli sauce, and sweet chilli sauce come together to make the creamy, spicy-sweet glaze.
• Oil: Used for air frying or deep frying, and also brushed on during cooking for extra crispiness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Richa’s Top Tips

• Blanch, Don’t Boil: Just 30 seconds in hot water is enough to soften the cauliflower. Anything longer and it’ll go soggy and won’t crisp up well.
• Coat Evenly: Add water one tablespoon at a time and mix with your hands. This helps the batter cling nicely to each floret without becoming too wet or patchy.
• Air Fry Smart: Don’t overcrowd the basket. Space out the florets and flip them halfway through while brushing with oil. That’s how you get all-over crispiness.
• Toss Immediately: As soon as they’re out of the fryer or oven, toss them in the bang bang sauce. This ensures the sauce sticks properly and the cauliflower stays crispy.
• Batch-Friendly: You can blanch and coat the cauliflower ahead of time. Just air fry when you’re ready to serve.

Serving Ideas

• Pair with a bowl of Chilli Garlic Noodles for that classic Indo-Chinese street food vibe.
  Serve alongside Vegetable Fried Rice or Egg Fried Rice for a filling, flavourful meal.
• Make it part of a party appetiser platter with Honey Chilli Potatoes.
• Pair with Thai Basil Chicken or Garlic Fried Rice for a slightly different flavour profile.
• Serve with a chilled glass of Limonada or Lychee Soda for a refreshing contrast.
• Round it off with Coconut Milk Pudding or Mango Sago if you want to end your meal on a sweet note.

Storage Tips

• Short-term storage: If you have leftovers, store the air-fried cauliflower (without the sauce) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 5–6 minutes to bring back the crispiness before tossing with fresh sauce.
• With sauce: Once coated in sauce, Bang Bang Cauliflower is best enjoyed immediately. If needed, store sauced leftovers in the fridge for a day and reheat in a pan, but expect it to be softer.
• Avoid freezing: Cauliflower tends to get watery after freezing and thawing, so this recipe isn’t ideal for the freezer.

Customization Ideas

• Make it vegan: Use vegan mayo for the bang bang sauce to keep this 100% plant-based.
• Use different veggies: Try broccoli, baby corn, or even tofu in place of cauliflower. The batter and sauce work beautifully with a range of textures.
• Spice it up or down: Add more sriracha or a dash of chilli flakes if you like it extra hot, or reduce the chilli sauce for a milder version.
• Crunch factor: For an even crispier bite, toss the florets in panko before air frying.
  

This Bang Bang Cauliflower is proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be heavy or complicated. It’s crispy, bold, and bursting with flavour, basically everything you want in a snack or starter. Whether you’re serving it up for a party, a weeknight treat, or just because you’re craving something fun, this one’s always a hit.

If you give it a go, I’d love to see your version! Tag me on Instagram @my_foodstory and let me know how it turned out. 

Watch Bang Bang Cauliflower Recipe Video

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Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower

One bite in and you’ll wonder how cauliflower got this fun; crunchy, saucy, and full of flavour, Bang Bang Cauliflower is the ultimate snack upgrade.

Course Snacks & Appetisers

Cuisine Indian Chinese

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 228kcal

Author Richa

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 4 cups cauliflower florets approx. 450 grams
• 4 cups boiling water
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil for brushing

Flour & spice mix

• 2 teaspoons kashmiri chilli powder
• 1 tablespoon grated garlic
• ¼ cup maida all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornflour
• ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper powder
• 2 teaspoons cooking oil
• 3 tablespoons water

Bang bang sauce

• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sriracha or red chilli sauce
• 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce

Instructions

Blanching cauliflower

• Add cauliflower florets & salt to boiling water, mix for 30 seconds and drain them immediately. Do not keep longer. Rinse them with cold water & drain again. Set aside. See note 1
  4 cups cauliflower florets, 4 cups boiling water, ½ teaspoon salt

Marinating cauliflower

• Take blanched cauliflower florets in a wide bowl or deep plate. Add all ingredients given for the flour & spice mix except water and combine well with your hands. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time and combine well. Mix with your hands to make sure the batter coats the cauliflower well. See note 2.
  2 teaspoons kashmiri chilli powder, 1 tablespoon grated garlic, ¼ cup maida, 2 tablespoons cornflour, ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper powder, 2 teaspoons cooking oil, 3 tablespoons water

Bang bang sauce

• Add all ingredients for the sauce to a bowl, mix well and set aside. Prepare this before frying the cauliflower.
  3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon sriracha or red chilli sauce, 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce

Deep Frying cauliflower

• Heat ½ cup oil in a deep pan or kadai and once it’s medium hot, drop the marinated florets into the oil & fry on medium heat for 4-5 minutes or until they turn golden and crisp. Toss them immediately in the sauce and serve.

Airfryer method

• Pre-heat airfryer at 180 C. brush the airfryer basket with oil. Place the cauliflower florets with some gap between each other and air fry at 180C for 20 minutes while flipping and brushing oil every 7 minutes. Air fry at 200 C for 2 minutes till they turn golden and crisp. Toss them immediately in the sauce and serve. see note 4.
  3 tablespoons cooking oil for brushing

Video

Notes

1. Cauliflower is blanched exactly for 30 seconds to make it slightly tender but do not cook or leave in the boiling water for longer than 30 seconds. Over blanched cauliflower does not work for the recipe.
2. Water is added 1 tablespoon at a time to make sure the coating is even. If you add all 3 tablespoons of water at one spot, it might turn out watery there & stay dry at other places. Mixing well is very crucial to make sure all the cauliflower florets get marinated well with the coating. 
3. Prepare the bang bang sauce before frying the cauliflower as the fried cauliflower must be coated in the sauce immediately after frying. This is to ensure the
4. Fried cauliflowers must be tossed with bang bang sauce immediately after frying, so the sauce sticks well. 

Nutrition

Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 608mg | Potassium: 346mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 311IU | Vitamin C: 51mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

This article was researched and written by Harita Odedra.

The post Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower appeared first on My Food Story.

If bold, peppery flavours are your thing, this Black Pepper Chicken will hit all the right notes. It’s spicy, saucy, and loaded with crunchy veggies, just like your favourite takeaway, only better.

You know how sometimes you just want chicken that’s not boring? That’s when I make black pepper chicken. It’s got that garlicky kick, loads of pepper, and a glossy little sauce that makes you keep going back for another bite. Trust me, it’s way easier than it looks.

And honestly, the best part is you don’t need a ton of fancy stuff. A quick marinade, toss it on high heat, throw in some veggies, and boom, you’ve got this spicy, saucy chicken that tastes like your favourite takeaway but fresher. You’ll probably want to eat it straight from the pan.

Air Fryer Black Pepper Chicken Ingredients

For the marinade

• Boneless chicken thighs, cubed – Thighs stay juicy and tender, but if you’ve only got breast, that works too.
• Soy sauce – A splash for flavour and colour.
• Salt + baking powder – Just a little, helps tenderize the chicken.
• Crushed black pepper – The star of the show right from the start.
• Garlic, grated – Lots of it, because pepper and garlic are best friends.
• Cornflour + all-purpose flour – For that light, crisp coating when you fry.

For the pepper sauce

• Ground black pepper + Sichuan pepper powder – Double pepper for that bold kick.
• Honey – Just enough to balance the spice.
• Soy sauce – A second round, this time for the sauce.
• Chicken stock – Brings everything together and makes it saucy.

For the slurry

• Cornflour mixed with water – A quick thickener so the sauce clings to the chicken.

For the stir-fry

• Oil – Any neutral cooking oil you like.
• Garlic + ginger, finely chopped – Because the aroma when they hit hot oil is unbeatable.
• Green chillies, slit – A little extra heat.
• Celery, onions, and red bell pepper – Crunchy veggies to balance the chicken.
• Spring onion greens – To finish with freshness.

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Richa’s Top Tips

• Cook on high flame – Quick stir-frying keeps the chicken tender and gives that smoky flavour.
• Crush fresh pepper – Freshly ground pepper really makes the sauce shine.
• Don’t overcook veggies – Toss just enough so onions, celery, and peppers keep their crunch.
• Add slurry last – Mix in the cornflour slurry at the end so the sauce thickens and coats evenly.
• Use chicken thighs – They stay juicier than breast meat, especially on high heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storage Tips

• Fridge: Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Store in an airtight container and reheat quickly in a pan on high heat so the chicken doesn’t turn soggy.
• Freezer: Not the best recipe for freezing since the veggies lose their crunch and the sauce can separate. Fresh is best here.
• Meal prep hack: You can marinate the chicken a day in advance and keep it in the fridge. That way, when it’s cooking time, you just toss and stir-fry.

Serving Ideas

Black pepper chicken is bold and saucy, which makes it perfect to pair with some of your favourite Indo-Chinese sides from the blog:

• Veg Fried Rice – A classic pairing. The peppery chicken and fluffy fried rice are made for each other.
• Hakka Noodles – Toss the chicken alongside garlicky noodles for the ultimate comfort meal.
• Veg Manchurian – Double up on flavour with this combo.
• Chilli Garlic Fried Rice – The garlicky notes play beautifully with the pepper sauce.
• Egg Fried Rice – Simple, quick, and perfect when you want to keep things fuss-free.
• Veg Spring Rolls – Use the chicken as a main with crispy spring rolls on the side.
• Chilli Paneer – For a party spread, pair black pepper chicken with another crowd favourite.

Customisation Ideas

• Make it saucier – Double the stock and slurry if you like more gravy to spoon over rice.
• Tone down the heat – Skip the green chillies and cut back on the pepper for a milder version.
• Go veggie – Swap chicken with mushrooms, paneer, or tofu for a vegetarian take.
• Crunch upgrade – Add baby corn, broccoli, or snap peas to bulk it up with more veggies.
• Sticky glaze style – Reduce the sauce a little longer for a thicker, sticky coating on the chicken.
• Swap the sweetener – Use brown sugar or maple syrup instead of honey if that’s what you have at home.
• Egg fried version – Toss in a scrambled egg or two right before serving for extra protein.

Black pepper chicken isn’t complicated, and that’s exactly why you’ll end up making it again and again. A quick marinade, a fast toss on high heat, and suddenly you’ve got chicken that’s tender, glossy, and loaded with that peppery kick.Pair it with rice, noodles, or just eat it straight from the pan (no judgment here).

Tried it out? Tag me on Instagram @my_foodstory, I’d love to see how it turned out on your table!

Watch Air Fryer Black Pepper Chicken Recipe Video

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Black Pepper Chicken | Air Fryer

Crispy, spicy, and fast—air fryer black pepper chicken brings all the bold and fiery flavors of Indo-Chinese dishes right to your kitchen!

Course Snacks & Appetisers

Cuisine Indian Chinese

Diet Halal

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 360kcal

Author Richa

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

For marination

• 500 gms boneless chicken thighs / cut into ¾ inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon crushed pepper
• 8 garlic cloves grated
• 2 teaspoons cornflour
• 2 teaspoons all purpose flour maida

For pepper sauce

• 2 teaspoons ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon sichuan pepper powder
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• ¼ cup chicken stock

For corn flour slurry

• ½ teaspoon cornflour mixed in 2 tablespoons water

For pepper chicken

• 3 tablespoons sunflower oil or any neutral flavoured oil divided
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger
• 4 green chillies slit into 2
• ½ cup celery stalks sliced diagonally into ½ inch length pieces
• 2 small onions cut into petals, approx. 1 cup
• ½ cup red bell pepper cut into 1 inch squares
• 2 tablespoons spring onion greens finely chopped

Instructions

Chicken marination

• Take all the ingredients under marinade in a bowl, mix well and set aside for 15-30 minutes.
  500 gms boneless chicken thighs / cut into ¾ inch cubes, 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon light soy sauce, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon crushed pepper, 8 garlic cloves grated, 2 teaspoons cornflour, 2 teaspoons all purpose flour

Pepper sauce mix

• Add all ingredients for pepper sauce to a bowl, mix to combine them well and set aside for use later,
  2 teaspoons ground pepper, 1 teaspoon sichuan pepper powder, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, ¼ cup chicken stock

Making pepper chicken

• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan, add marinated chicken & toss on high heat for 2-3 minutes till they get golden brown and crisp on all sides.
  3 tablespoons sunflower oil or any neutral flavoured oil
• Push the chicken to the edges of the pan and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan.
• Add garlic, ginger and saute on high for a minute till they get fragrant. Add green chillies and saute on high for a minute. Add celery, onion petals, red bell pepper and saute along with the chicken on high heat for another minute.
  2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic, 2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger, 4 green chillies, ½ cup celery stalks, 2 small onions, ½ cup red bell pepper cut into 1 inch squares
• Pour the pepper sauce mix, give a good mix and cook for a minute. Add cornflour slurry, mix well and cook for 1-2 minutes till the chicken gets coated with the sauce. Garnish with spring onion greens and serve.
  ½ teaspoon cornflour mixed in 2 tablespoons water, 2 tablespoons spring onion greens

Video

Notes

1. Ginger, garlic, onions must be sauteed on high heat to get the best flavour.
2. I have used chicken thigh boneless as they are juicy & tender, boneless chicken breast also works.
3. Any cooking oil of your choice works in the recipe, i have used sun flower oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 1182mg | Potassium: 580mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 719IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 2mg

This article was researched and written by Harita Odedra.

The post Black Pepper Chicken (Air Fryer) appeared first on My Food Story.

Sticky, crispy, ginger- and garlic-packed tofu Manchurian is an easy and delicious meal over rice, quinoa, noodles, or lettuce wraps. This popular Indo-chinese sauce has a sweet heat that is absolutely addictive! (nut-free with gluten-free and soy-free options)

Manchurian sauce is one of the most popular Indo-Chinese sauces, and it’s one of my favorites. You can use it in many different ways to make a variety of dishes. You can find it on restaurant menus paired with crispy fried chicken, crispy cauliflower, or fried veggie balls coated in the thick, sticky sauce. 

This sauce is absolutely delicious, and it has tons of ginger and garlic, so be ready to chop up a lot of both.

You can also make a thinner version of Manchurian sauce to pair with rice, very saucy veggie balls, crispy chicken, or noodles. I have a couple of different ways to use Manchurian sauce on the blog that use these variations.

Today, let’s make tofu Manchurian. We toss tofu in rice flour and cornstarch to make a really crispy coating, then pan-fry it until it gets an amazing crunch. We make the Manchurian sauce in the same pan, then toss the crispy tofu in it right before serving, so it keeps that satisfying crunch. 

Top your tofu Manchurian it with green onions, and serve it with rice, quinoa, noodles, or lettuce wraps. Or enjoy it as a starter on its own!

Why You’ll Love Tofu Manchurian

• crispy tofu in sticky-sweet ginger-garlic Manchurian sauce
• 1-pan dish ready in about 30 minutes
• flexible! Serve as a starter or over rice, grains, noodles, or in lettuce wraps.
• naturally nut-free with easy gluten-free and soy-free options

Continue reading: Indo-Chinese Crispy Tofu Manchurian (1-pan, 30 minutes)

The post Indo-Chinese Crispy Tofu Manchurian (1-pan, 30 minutes) appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Sesame chicken noodles are one of the easiest and tastiest noodles you can make at home. It is a one pot noodle recipe which is high in protein and tastes absolutely delicious. You can add any vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, cabbage or zucchini based on your liking. I make noodles often and serve it...

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The post Sesame Noodles Recipe appeared first on Yummy Tummy.

Prawn sesame toast is a delicious crispy bread stuffed with minced prawns, spices, sesame seeds and then fried in oil till golden brown. Prawn sesame toast is a traditional Chinese dim sum dish. The bread is spread with a super flavourful prawn paste that is sweet, spicy and covered with sesame seeds, and deep fried...

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The post Prawn Toast Recipe appeared first on Yummy Tummy.

Our hot tropical summer demands a cool & refreshing salad to start our every meal and this smashed cucumber salad is just the perfect one to fit in! Plus it gives us the much needed spicy kick that we Indians always crave for!

Since the time I have started my lifelong fitness journey, I don't remember a single meal that I have started without a large bowl of fresh salad! Whatever season it may be!

And now it has been a default part of our daily meals!

On regular days, we start our meals with a generous serving of freshly cut cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, beetroot and whatever other seasonal salad we can source.

Then on a fine day I stumbled upon this unique cucumber salad which the internet was going nuts over! Smashed cucumber salad!

A smashed salad? Really? Am I reading it right?

Well it turned out that I was reading it right and therefore was no way other than trying it myself and see why it is going so viral!

What is smashed cucumber salad?

I am sure you have seen multiple viral videos of smashed cucumber salad on various platforms, so I guess I do not need to explicitly describe what this salad actually means!

If you haven't seen it, you can check out my video of this viral salad here or below!

I don’t know how this trend started or who got the idea of smashing the cucumbers before tossing them in that incredible chilli oil dressing.

But whoever brought this into existence, we must thank them for their innovation!

The cracks created due to the smashing absorb the spicy salad dressing beautifully making the salad taste insanely addictive!

And that’s what has made this salad viral; I am completely ignoring the weird satisfaction we get from smashing the cucumbers!

You must try this at least once to get a taste of this smashed magic!

The post The Viral Smashed Cucumber Salad | Best Summer Salad to Beat the Heat! first appeared on Flavor Quotient.