Chocolate Walnut Pudding ...Chocolate Walnut Pudding ... with just 4 simple ingredients to make a deep, delicious, most satisfying pudding, this gluten free and eggless recipe uses pantry staples and comes together in minutes!
Creamy harissa spiced bean puree topped with harissa roasted vegetables and a crunchy, baharat walnut crumble. Protein (24g) and Fiber (18g) rich easy meal that feels super fancy! Gluten free, Soy free, Option for nut free.
This harissa bean puree dish has an amazing texture and flavor! It’s creamy from the bean mixture, crispy from the veggies, with extra crunch from the walnuts and optional fresh vegetables.
It’s also full of protein and fiber. There are four sources of protein: white beans, chickpeas, nutritional yeast, and walnuts. And you get lots of fiber from the veggies, beans, and nuts.
If you’re not familiar with harissa, it’s a North African chili paste that a smoky-sweet-spicy flavor that’s delicious with beans and veggies. It can come in various heat levels, so choose based on your heat preference.
Baharat is a Middle Eastern spice blend with flavors from allspice, cardamom, cloves, cumin, and more! We are using that to season some crunchy walnuts. It’s delicious paired with the harissa bean puree in this dish!
You can pair these components in various ways. For a gluten-free meal, spread some harissa bean puree on a plate, top it with roasted veggies, walnut crumble, and fresh crunchy veggies. Or, you can make a wrap.
This recipe works any way you want, so definitely try it. You can use whatever vegetables you like and adjust the flavor to be more or less spicy. Harissa comes in various spice levels, from mild to hot. Use mild if you prefer, or go hotter if you like. Adjust the amount based on your taste, as well.
While you are here, do check out this amazing video of 10 breakfast ideas with just 1 lentil batter on my YouTube.
Why You’ll Love Harissa Roasted Vegetable Bowls
high protein, high fiber
creamy, savory harissa bean puree
tender-crisp harissa roasted vegetables
crunchy baharat walnut topping that can be made nut-free
versatile! Serve as bowls or wraps or any which way you like!
Fluffy, soft moong egg muffins are a perfect savory grab-and-go breakfast or snack. Learn how to make the moong egg batter and 3 delicious ways to use it! Pizza egg muffins, Bagel and cream cheese muffins and Indian spiced vegan egg muffins. (gluten-free, soy-free, option for nut-free)
Moong dal – split mung beans – is the base for Just Egg, and today we are making a homemade version of that eggy base. You can use the base batter just like you’d use whipped eggs, in scrambles, frittatas, and more.
Today, we are going to take this versatile moong egg batter and add different ingredients to it to make savory breakfast vegan egg muffins. We make pizza egg muffins, bagel and cream cheese egg bites and Indian spiced bites. You can also use this batter to make savory waffles, which are even faster and come out nicely crispy! This batter can be used in many ways, check out 10 different ways to use it on my YouTube.
For the batter, we need moong dal, which is petite yellow lentils (split and skinned mung beans). Green mung beans won’t work here, because they make the batter gritty instead of smooth.
Why You’ll Love Moong Egg Muffins
fluffy, soft muffins stuffed with your fillings of choice
super easy make-ahead breakfast
batter keeps well in the fridge or freezer for quick breakfasts
This drumstick soup is light, nourishing, and deeply comforting. Made from a mix of drumstick and lentils, it’s the kind of recipe that feels both restorative and familiar, and will make even a non-drumstick person reach for seconds.
I have a tried a lot of variations of this drumstick soup, but somehow most of them fell short of that beautiful, earthy flavors of drumstick. They were either too watery or too garlick-y; almost like those soups were trying hard to eliminate any drumstick flavor. But this one’s different – it’s warming, nourishing, incredibly delicious, while still holding onto the flavor of it’s main ingredient – drumsticks or moringa, or Murungakkai.
What I love most about this soup is how gently it comes together. You cook everything down, extract all the goodness from the drumsticks, strain it smooth, and suddenly you have this beautiful, peppery broth that tastes far more thoughtful than the effort it takes. It’s the kind of food I’d make for a friend who’s under the weather, or for myself on a quiet evening when I want something simple, wholesome, and comforting in a bowl.
Drumstick: The star ingredient; cooked and ground to extract the nutrients and flavour
Moong dal: Adds body, creaminess, and an added layer of nutrition and flavor to the moringa soup
Aromatics: Garlic, curry leaves, onions, and tomatoes build flavor, aroma, and make the foundation of this soup
Spices and seasonings: This soup that’s lightly tempered with jeera, and seasoned with salt and pepper powder to keep it light and hearty
Coriander leaves: Used as a garnish to add a little freshness
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this without a pressure cooker?
Yes. Cook everything covered on low heat until the drumsticks and dal are very soft, then proceed as usual.
Is this soup vegan?
Yes, the recipe is naturally vegan
Can I skip straining the soup?
Straining is recommended for a smooth texture, but you can skip it if you don’t mind some fibre.
How long does it keep?
It keeps well in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Reheat gently before serving.
Can I add other veggies to this?
Yes, why not! Diced potato, carrots, sweet corn, broccoli, mushrooms, zucchini, are some veggies that taste incredible and add extra texture and nutrition.
Richa’s Top Tips
Soak the moong dal to ensure it cooks soft and blends smoothly into the soup.
Cook drumsticks till just tender as overcooking can dull the flavour.
Strain thoroughly after grinding to get a smooth, fibre-free soup.
Let the soup rest covered for a few minutes before serving so flavours settle.
Storage Ideas
Refrigeration: This flavors of this murungakkai soup stay fresh in the fridge for up to a day when stored in an airtight container.
Separate the garnish: If possible, store the cooked drumstick pieces for garnish separately and add them only while serving.
Reheating: Reheat gently on low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid a rolling boil to preserve the delicate flavour.
Consistency adjustment: The soup may thicken slightly as it rests. If that happens, adding a little hot water while reheating will help bring it back to the desired consistency.
Serving Ideas
Serve hot as a light meal or starter, especially during cooler weather.
Pair with steamed rice and a drizzle of ghee for a simple, nourishing lunch.
Crusty garlic bread also makes for an excellent side with this drumstick soup.
Customisation Ideas
Add a pinch of turmeric while cooking for extra warmth and colour.
Swap pepper with crushed black peppercorns for a more rustic texture.
Stir in a little coconut milk for a richer, creamier version.
Make it thinner and sip-able by adding more hot water while reheating.
This drumstick soup is simple, thoughtful cooking featuring minimal ingredients, gentle spices, and maximum comfort. It’s the kind of recipe you return to when your body asks for warmth and nourishment, without fuss or heaviness.
You need to try this recipe at least once this winter, and then I promise you will keep coming back to it. If you make this, don’t forget to DM me pictures of your recreations over on my IG @my_foodstory. It’s always so nice to see you guys trying my recipes.
Gently spiced, naturally thick, yet super light and nourishing, this drumstick soup is deeply comforting and feels both restorative and familiar at once.
4drumstickscut into 2 ½ inch long pieces, 230 grams
2tablespoonsmoong dalsoaked for 30 minutes
3 ½cupswater
½teaspoonpepperground
1drumstickcut into 2 ½ inch long pieces, for garnish (optional)
2sprigs of coriander leaves
Instructions
Heat oil in a pressure cooker, add jeera & once it crackles, add garlic cloves and saute on medium for a few seconds till fragrant.
2 teaspoons groundnut or any neutral flavored oil, ½ teaspoon jeera, 4 garlic cloves
Add curry leaves, sliced onions & saute for 2 minutes on low till fragrant.
½ cup curry leaves, ½ cup sliced onions
Add tomatoes, salt and cook for 2-3 minutes on low till they soften a bit. Add drumsticks and saute for a few seconds. Add soaked moong dal, 2 ½ cups of water and close the lid of the pressure cooker. After the first whistle, cook for 10 minutes and let it depressurise by itself.
½ cup sliced tomatoes, ½ teaspoon salt, 4 drumsticks, 2 tablespoons moong dal, 3 ½ cups water
Add 1 cup of water to a pot, add the drumstick pieces for garnish and cook for 3-4 minutes just until tender and set aside.
3 ½ cups water, 1 drumstick
Open the cooker. Add the drumsticks & aromatics to a mixer grinder and grind to extract the pulp. Pour in a strainer and separate the fibre & other solids from the pulp. Transfer the drumstick pulp to a pot, add pepper powder and boil for 1-2 minutes. Take off the heat, add 2 sprigs of coriander leaves and keep covered until serving.
½ teaspoon pepper, 2 sprigs of coriander leaves
To serve, add 2-3 cooked drumstick pieces to a bowl, add the soup & serve hot.
Ice cream Mochi is a classic Japanese dessert made from glutinous rice, sugar, oil, cornstarch, milk and ice cream. The cold, creamy ice cream is wrapped with a soft, chewy mochi dough making it a fun and delicious dessert. While the traditional mochi is made by pounding the dough with a heavy wooden stick, this...
This sun-dried tomato roast makes a stunning centerpiece for any holiday table. Packed with umami and filled with a hearty blend of mushrooms and potatoes, it delivers deep flavor and satisfying texture in every slice. Completely vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free with an easy nut-free option.
This is my version of a vegan holiday roast. We make this “meat” mixture with some white beans and almond flour, and process it until smooth. I also add some sun dried tomatoes for that rich, umami flavor.
The mixture becomes like a pâté in the food processor, then we spread that onto parchment paper.
Next, make the stuffing with cooked mushrooms, potatoes, and herbs. Place that on top of the bean mixture, roll it up using the parchment, and bake it.
It turns into this delicious, amazing-smelling roast that’s full of herbs and deep umami flavor from the sun dried tomatoes. It’s just perfect!
It’s completely gluten-free, but if you prefer, you can use all-purpose flour instead of tapioca starch. It’s also soy-free, since many of you asked for a soy-free option after I made that very popular tofu holiday roast a few years ago.
You can easily adjust the flavors to your taste! Use fewer sun-dried tomatoes or different herbs, if you like. I usually serve it with a side salad, my simple vegan gravy, and some roasted vegetables for a perfect holiday or dinner plate.
Why You’ll Love Sun Dried Tomato Roast
umami-packed vegan holiday roast
savory mushroom-potato stuffing
make-ahead friendly vegan holiday entree
naturally gluten-free and soy-free with nut-free option
These decadently delicious chocolate lava cookies use my soft, chewy, almond flour cookie dough and a flowy, chocolate ganache filling that oozes out when you break them in half! (gluten-free and soy-free with nut-free options)
It’s cookie season, and I wanted to make a decadent, chocolatey cookie. And what better idea than to convert molten lava cake into cookie form!
My motto is that baking should be super easy and flexible, so that even if you make a few measuring errors, things still turn out great. Nobody has time to whip up butter and sugar and all that, so I use my trusty almond flour cookie dough, which works every time.
To make this simple dough, you just add all the dry ingredients to a bowl, mix really well, add some melted coconut oil and maple syrup, mix again, and that’s it! You have a dough!
For this recipe, we’ll add cocoa powder to make a chocolate cookie dough. Then, we make a molten chocolate “lava bomb,” which is a melted chocolate ganache that goes inside the cookie. As the cookie bakes, it spreads and traps the chocolate ganache inside. When you break it open, it’s oozy, melty, and so delicious.
Creamy, rich, and deeply savory, these mashed potatoes get a flavor upgrade with caramelized onions and a secret boost of plant-based protein from pureed white beans. The result is velvety, buttery comfort in every bite. A side that’s perfect for holidays or weeknights alike. (Gluten-free, nut-free, with a soy-free option.)
Everyone loves potatoes in every form, especially mashed potatoes around the holiday season. They’re a fixture at every meal, and we’re going to level them up times two.
This recipe levels up the flavor with caramelized onions, garlic, and herbs that add an amazing flavor to these mashed potatoes. And we’re going to add some pureed white beans for extra protein and heartiness.
You’ll get protein from the beans, nutritional yeast, and non-dairy milk. You can add even more protein by serving it with crispy lentils or tofu bacon bits.
No matter how you serve caramelized onion mashed potatoes they’re rich, hearty, and perfect for any holiday table or cozy dinner. Served here with my mushroom bourguignon.
Why You’ll Love Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes
creamy mashed potatoes
savory caramelized onion topping
sneaky protein
delicious holiday side dish
naturally gluten-free and nut-free with easy soy-free option
Lemon white bean soup is a creamy, vibrant one pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It’s hearty, filling, and uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients. (gluten-free with soy-free and nut-free options)
It’s soup season, and I am loving all the creamy, hearty, and budget-friendly soups — and this lemony white bean soup fits exactly into that category. It’s packed with tons of veggies, beans, and protein.
The best part about this lemon white bean soup is that it’s flexible to your flavor profile. You can easily adjust the flavors and ingredients based on what you have on hand. It’s vibrant, lemony, and perfect for the whole family!
The soup gets its protein from beans, cashews or tofu, nutritional yeast, and the veggies. You also blend up some of the beans into a puree to create that creamy texture along with either cashews or tofu. You can even omit the cashews and tofu, if you need to, and use just the beans for the creamy base.
This creamy lemon white bean soup is wholesome, flexible, and easy to make. The perfect go-to for cozy soup season!!
Why You’ll Love Lemon White Bean Soup
creamy, vibrant soup with tons of veggies and protein
versatile recipe! Adjust seasoning and proteins to your taste.
40-minute, 1-pot meal
naturally gluten-free with easy soy-free and nut-free options
If you love idlis and dosas but want to make them a little more nourishing, this Ragi Idli Dosa Batter is the perfect place to start; simple, healthy, and absolutely delicious.
Starting your day with a plate of soft idlis or crispy dosas fresh off the pan is 100% guarantee of a wonderful day ahead. This Ragi Idli Dosa Batter recipe will only add a lil more to the same joy. It’s packed with all the wholesome goodness of finger millet that gives the idlis and dosas a little health and flavor boost.
If you’ve loved our Idli Dosa Batter recipe before, this version will feel like the healthier cousin that’s just as easy to make. Ragi, or finger millet, is rich in calcium, iron, and fibre, making every bite nourishing and satisfying.
This Ragi Idli Dosa batter recipe calls for simple, pantry-staple ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need:
Ragi (Finger Millet): The star of this recipe. Gives the batter its earthy flavour and a big nutritional boost with calcium, iron, and fibre.
Idli Rice: The base of the batter. I have used idli rice, basically parboiled short grain rice, as its higher starch content delivers great results. But any short grain rice variety such as sona masoori or kollam will work in a pinch too.
Urad Dal: Makes the batter light, creamy, and airy.
Poha (Flattened Rice): Keeps the batter light and helps make crisp dosas.
Fenugreek Seeds (Methi): Aids the fermentation process and adds to the taste too. A little goes a long way.
Ice cubes/Ice cold water: To prevent the batter from heating up when grinding.
What is Ragi & What Are The Benefits of Ragi?
Ragi is also known as finger millet and it is a nutritious gluten-free cereal grain rich in fiber, protein, calcium, and iron. Because of its high fibre content and low glycaemic index, benefits of ragi include aiding digestion, promoting bone health, managing weight and blood sugar, and improving your skin and hair.
How to Make Idli Dosa Batter
The process of making idli dosa batter takes about 20 minutes over a day. Yes thats all!! Here’s the timeline that you can follow.
DAY 1 (Morning) – Washing and Soaking
In the morning, you need to wash and soak the ragi, rice and lentils. While it’s a pretty straightforward process, here are some tips I find helpful:
When washing the ragi, rice and lentils, rub them between your fingers as you wash, and rinse in clean water 3-4 times till the water starts running almost clean. Doing so helps get rid of dust, impurities, and excess starch from the rice.
Soak the ragi, rice and lentils in clean water. They should be completely submerged and have at least an inch of water over them. Soaking the lentils makes it easy to grind and makes the batter nice and fluffy which is very essential for the texture.
DAY 1 (Evening) – Grinding, Fermenting
In the evening, it’s time to grind the ragi, rice and lentils to make the batter. To do so:
Drain the excess water, transfer to a mixer jar, and grind. Using a mixer grinder can heat up the batter, which affects the flavour. Use ice cold water to prevent overheating and maintain the desired temperature.
The consistency should be such that it leaves a thick coat on the back of a spoon and falls in a ribbon like consistency when poured with a ladle. The ground batter should feel very slightly gritty between your fingers.
Pour the batter into a bowl that’s large enough so that there is room for the batter to rise. Mix the batter with clean hands as shown in the video – this is an important step as it helps in the fermentation so please don’t skip it.
Cover the bowl and set aside to ferment. Leave it in a warm, dry place away from direct sunlight to ferment. Fermentation takes anywhere between 12-24 hours depending on the humidity and temperature at your place. The warmer it is, the faster it’ll ferment.
DAY 2 (Morning) – Using or Storing
The next morning or after, the batter should have increased by almost 1.5 times, and that’s how you know it’s fermented and ready for use. If you follow the exact measurements of this recipe, you should have approx 1.75 litres (6-7 cups) of idli and dosa batter -1 cup batter makes 6-7 idlis or 4-6 dosas depending on the size.
How To Tell If The Batter Is Fermented
The batter will expand and almost double in size as it ferments.
When you mix the batter, you should be able to see tiny air bubbles in the batter (watch the video to see how fermented batter looks). It should look and feel frothy and airy
The batter should smell mildly yeasty or sour
If the batter smells very sour or smells bad, then it may have over fermented or gone bad. Unfortunately, there’s no coming back from this, so make sure the batter doesn’t get over fermented!
Which is The Best Blender to Grind Ragi Dosa Batter
If you make idlis and dosas frequently, I highly recommend using an electrical wet grinder which produces a light, fluffy batter without heating it up. The disadvantage is that they take up more counter space and are quite big and bulky.
Richa Recommends
I use a blender and mixer grinder at home and my favourite is the Sujata Dynamix Mixer Grinder. The disadvantage of using a mixer grinder is that it heats up the batter as it grinds, which is not ideal. To keep the batter from heating up, I use ice cold water while grinding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ragi dosa healthier than regular dosa?
Yes, it is! Ragi is packed with calcium, iron, and fibre, which makes it more nutrient-dense than traditional rice-based dosa. It’s also gluten-free and helps keep you fuller for longer.
Can I make ragi dosa without fermenting the batter?
Technically, yes. You can make an instant version by adding curd and a pinch of baking soda to the batter. However, fermenting naturally gives it a softer texture, better flavour, and that classic dosa rise.
Why didn’t my batter ferment properly?
Fermentation depends on warmth. If your kitchen is too cold, keep the bowl near a warm appliance or wrap it in a thick towel. You can also preheat your oven for a minute, switch it off, and let the batter rest inside overnight.
Can I use ragi flour instead of whole ragi?
Yes, but the texture will be slightly different. Whole ragi grains give a more natural, slightly coarse texture. If using flour, mix it with urad dal and rice batter for better consistency.
Top Tips to make the best Ragi Idlis & Dosas
Add salt later: Only salt the portion you plan to use immediately. This keeps the rest of the batter from turning too sour while stored.
Soak everything well: Give the ragi, rice, and dal enough time to soak. This helps them grind smoothly and ensures the batter ferments properly.
Use cold water while grinding: Adding ice cubes or chilled water prevents the batter from heating up, which can slow down fermentation and affect flavour.
Mix with your hands: Don’t skip this step! Mixing the batter by hand helps kickstart fermentation and gives the batter that light, airy texture.
Watch the consistency: The batter should be thick but pourable, it should coat the back of a spoon and fall in ribbons when lifted.
How to Make Ragi Idlis
Step 1: Once your batter has fermented and doubled in volume, take the portion you’ll use and add ½ teaspoon salt just before steaming.
Step 2: Grease your idli plate with a little oil (or ghee), which helps the idlis demould easily.
Step 3: Pour the batter into the molds, filling them just shy of the rim (the batter will rise a little more during cooking).
Step 4: Steam on medium heat for about 10 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Over-steaming makes ragi idlis dry.
Step 5: Let the idlis rest in the steamer for 2 minutes with the lid on, then cool for another 2-3 minutes before removing them gently with a spoon.
Tip: If the batter is slightly sour, skip adding sugar at this stage. If it tastes flat, a tiny pinch of sugar helps the idlis rise better and improve flavour.
How to Make Ragi Dosas
Step 1: Using chilled batter helps you spread the dosa thin and crisp. So make sure it’s either cold or room temperature, avoid using hot temperature batter.
Step 2: Heat your non-stick pan or seasoned cast iron tawa until water droplets sizzle and evaporate instantly. That’s your cue.
Step 3: Pour a ladle of batter onto the centre of the pan and spread in circular motion (for a thin dosa) or keep thicker for soft-roast style. Drizzle a teaspoon of oil or ghee around the edges.
Step 4: For a crisp edge keep heat on medium-high, cook for 30 seconds with lid, then another minute uncovered. For a softer version: cook on medium heat, cover for 30 seconds, then finish without flipping.Step 5: Flip once and cook for 30 seconds if you prefer it both sides roasted; otherwise, keep it single-sided for maximum crisp.
Tip: Serve immediately with chutney or sambar. Do not wait, as ragi dosas lose their crispness if left too long.
Equipments To Make Ragi Idlis & Dosas
For Idlis: You can make idlis in an idli stand in a regular Idli steamer. Alternatively, you can also place the idli stand inside a pressure cooker without using the whistle. If you don’t have an Idli stand – no worries! You can make idlis in greased steel tumblers that can withstand high heat!
For Dosas: A well-seasoned cast iron tawa or pan is the best for making dosas. A cast iron tawa will last you a lifetime, but keep it exclusively for making dosas and uttapams. A non-stick tawa is an easier alternative. I prefer the cast iron tawa because it heats up evenly, it stays hot for longer and the dosas come out extra crispy. Non-stick pans tend to overheat faster and spreading the dosas can become difficult after a while.
Recipes with Ragi Idli Dosa Batter
Dhokla
Idli
Dosa
Appe / Paniyaram
Mysore Masala
Uttapam
Dosa Waffle
Schezwan Idli Fry
Storage Tips
Fridge: Store unsalted ragi idli dosa batter in a clean, airtight container for up to 3–4 days. When ready to use, take out only what you need and add salt before making idlis or dosas.
Freezer: The batter can be frozen for up to a month. Portion it into smaller airtight containers or silicone trays so you can thaw just what you need. Let it defrost overnight in the fridge before using.
Room Temperature: Once fermented, avoid leaving the batter out for more than a few hours. Warm weather can cause it to over-ferment and turn too sour.
Serving Ideas
This ragi idli dosa batter gives you endless breakfast (or dinner) options, it’s light, wholesome, and goes beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Recipes to try:Idli, Ragi Dosa, Appe / Paniyaram, Mysore Masala Dosa, Dosa Waffles etc.
With Coconut Chutney: A classic combo that never fails. Try our Coconut Chutney for that perfect creamy, nutty balance.
With Sambar: Pair your hot idlis or crisp dosas with a bowl of Homemade Sambar for a hearty, protein-packed meal.
With Tomato Chutney: Add a tangy twist with Tomato Chutney, it’s slightly spicy and brightens up every bite.
Ragi Idli Dosa Batter is now one of the regular recipes that has become part of my kitchen. It’s wholesome, light, and gives you that comfort of a homemade South Indian breakfast, but with a healthy twist.
If you’re already a fan of classic Idli Dosa Batter, this version is the perfect next step. Tried it out? Tag me on Instagram @my_foodstory, I’d love to see your breakfast table!
Wash & soak ragi, idli rice, urad dal, poha, fenugreek seeds in enough water in a bowl so that there is at least an inch of extra water over the rice and dal. Soak for 8 hours.
Day 1 evening
Once the grains have soaked for 8 hours, drain the excess water from the bowl.
Grind till almost smooth with approx. 1 cup of water and 4-5 ice cubes in a mixer grinder. Add additional water if required. The consistency should be such that it can leave a thick coat on the back of a spoon and falls in a ribbon like consistency when poured with a ladle. The ground batter should feel very slightly gritty between your fingers.
Pour the batter into a bowl that’s large enough so that there is room for the batter to rise. Mix the batter with clean hands as shown in the video – this is an important step as it helps in the fermentation, so please don’t skip it.
Cover the bowl and set aside to ferment. Leave it in a warm, dry place away from direct sunlight to ferment. Fermentation takes anywhere between 12-24 hours depending on the humidity and temperature at your place. The warmer it is, the faster it’ll ferment.
Day 2 – morning
Once fermented, the batter should have become almost 1 ½ times its size with a slight dome shape and a wrinkle, bubbly layer on top. You should be able to smell a little sourness in the batter. This smell means it has fermented. If it is too sour, it has fermented too much! You can use a spoon to check the batter – the texture should be frothy with air bubbles.
Take out 2 cups of batter in a bowl, add ½ teaspoon of salt and make idlis, dosa etc.
Making Idlis
Heat water in an idli steamer and bring to a boil. Grease the idli plate with oil or ghee so its easier to demould the idlis.
Only once the water in the steamer comes to a roaring boil, pour batter into the idli mould and fill them up almost to the top (as shown in the video)
Place the idli mould in the steamer and steam on medium for 10 minutes till the idlis are cooked. To check doneness, insert a toothpick in the centre of idlis and it should come out clean.
Let the idlis rest in the steamer for 2 minutes, then take it out and let it cool for another 2-3 minutes. Use a spoon or butter knife to demould idlis from the idli plate.
Making dosas
Take 1 cup of batter in a bowl, add ⅛ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon sugar and mix well.
Heat a non-stick pan or seasoned cast iron dosa tawa over medium heat. Once hot, reduce the heat to low & pour one ladle of dosa batter and pour in the center of the tawa. Spread by using the back of the ladle, moving it in concentric circles to form a big round dosa.
Increase the heat to medium, drizzle a spoon of oil or ghee around the edges and in the center, cover with lid & cook for 30 seconds.
Remove the lid and let this roast for 1-2 minutes till golden brown on medium. Flip it over and roast for 30 seconds. Flip it back, fold and serve hot.
Follow the same steps for making the rest of the dosas.
Video
Notes
Ice cubes are added to avoid the batter from getting too hot while grinding.
Batter should be thick & fall in ribbons without being too runny.
Salt to be added to the quantity of batter you are using to avoid the batter getting too sour.
If you are not using all of the batter, store the remaining unsalted batter in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze the batter for up to a month.
Do not over steam the idlis as they become dry & hard.
Demoulding idlis easier, if they are cooled for a few minutes.
To check if the pan is hot enough to make dosa, sprinkle a few drops of water over the tawa & if it is ready, it should sizzle.
For best results, dosa should be fried on medium heat.
Spice-Rubbed Braised Tofu with Vegetables in a Savory Umami Sauce. A unique delicious holiday entree that all cooks in one pan! (gluten-free and nut-free with soy-free options)
I wanted to make a vegan braised meat-style dish for the holidays, so I came up with this one-skillet meal that’s rich, hearty, and incredibly flavorful. It features an amazing, aromatic spice rub that smells so meaty you’ll be surprised it’s entirely plant-based. The spice rub coats tofu that’s been frozen, thawed, and pressed, giving it a dense, chewy texture perfect for braising.
The base for the braise starts with crisped-up potatoes and carrots. After searing the vegetables, we make a deeply flavorful sauce with caramelized onions, lots of aromatics, and fresh herbs, and flavor boosters.
The tofu and vegetables braise together in this sauce, allowing the tofu to absorb all that flavor while developing a slightly crispy top and a tender, chicken-like interior.
We use an oven-safe pan to start the dish on the stovetop and finish it in the oven, where the vegetables become perfectly tender and the tofu gets a gorgeous golden top.
It’s fantastic served with rice, couscous, mashed potatoes or other mashed vegetables, bean purée, some crusty bakery bread, or a side salad.
A simple herb sauce adds a bright, fresh contrast, but you can enjoy it on its own, too. It’s full of amazing flavors with or without. The herb sauce just bumps up the flavor even more.
Why You’ll Love Braised Tofu and Vegetables
1-pan entree that’s perfect for the holiday table
flavorful braised vegetables in caramelized onion sauce
big pieces of crisp, herb-rubbed tofu
naturally gluten-free and nut-free with easy soy-free option
A cozy, hands-off, no sauté mushroom potato casserole that needs just 1 pan. Layers of rich mushroom gravy with beans and veggies, layered with crisp garlic herb potatoes that take only minutes to put together as the oven does all the work. (gluten-free with soy-free and nut-free options)
It’s fall, and it’s time for some comfort food. And what’s more comforting than this casserole, which has a stewy mushroom gravy with beans and veggies, topped with potatoes smothered in garlic butter? There are lots of fall herbs, like fresh thyme and sage, and it all comes together really quickly.
This is a super easy one-pan casserole. No need to sauté or stand around the kitchen for long periods of time cooking the onions and mushrooms. Everything goes right into the baking dish, and the oven does all the work.
Once the mushroom and onions are cooked, add the beans, herbs and stew ingredients and top them with some sliced potato and bake, and thats it. You get all the fall flavors and a dish that reminds of mashed potatoes and mushroom bourguignon w/o all the work.
It’s comforting, stewy, and perfect for a fall dinner with your family, served with a side salad, garlicky dinner rolls, or some crusty bakery bread. Or serve it however else you like!
Why You’ll Love Mushroom Potato Casserole
cozy, hearty, stewy beans and veggies in a rich, mushroom gravy
1-pan oven recipe, no standing at the stove!
very little active cooking time
No cooking the aromatics and potato separately
naturally nut-free with easy gluten-free and soy-free options
Creamy rich Indian rice pudding rolled into balls and coated in various toppings to make a perfect dessert that’s a hit at any dinner party. These kheer ladoos (rice pudding truffles) have an amazing texture and cardamom flavor! (gluten-free and soy-free)
These are an easy dessert for any festive season or for Diwali. I made this decadent rice pudding flavored with cardamom, which is basically Punjabi kheer.
Then, I mix it with some cashew cream, chill it, scoop it into balls, and roll them in different toppings like pistachios, cocoa powder, almond slivers, rose petals, melted chocolate, toasted coconut, or anything else you like.
Ladoo are basically Indian truffles, and these are flavored with cardamom for a simple yet delicious dessert.
You can change up the flavor with things like cinnamon or vanilla, and you can play around with toppings and mix-ins to make all kinds of delicious variations! For extra decadent rice pudding truffles, melt some chocolate with a little bit of coconut oil in a double boiler, then coat them in the melted chocolate.
Kheer ladoo are great to serve either as a snack or dessert. They don’t need extra bowls or spoons, and they’re already portioned. You can also make them ahead of time, so you won’t have as much cooking to do on the day of your dinner party.
Why You’ll Love Kheer Ladoo
creamy truffles scented with cardamom
easy, make-ahead dessert perfect for Diwali or any dinner party
versatile! Add mix-ins and toppings of choice to make these your own
Dal Makhani is one of the most ordered Indian dish in restaurants. You can make authentic, buttery, rich dal makhani at home. It’s just as good as the restaurant version! Black gram and kidney beans are simmered in a creamy spiced sauce and is perfect for special occasions or a great dinner. With Instant Pot and Sauce pan instructions. (gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, oil-free option).
Love ordering Dal Makhani at restaurants? You’ll love this homemade version even more! This is adapted from my home-style dal makhani that’s on the blog and in my books. The difference is that this version has more spices, including some whole spices, which create more layers of flavor.
This version of dal makhani is a little bit more involved than my home-style version. It has both a base sauce and a spiced oil. This levels up the flavor and adds a smoky, creamy flavor, like restaurants usually serve. There’s also a lot more Kashmiri chili powder in this version compared to the home-style one.
The home-style recipe is quicker and still delicious, but this one takes it up another couple of notches, simmering the beans in a deeply-flavored sauce.
Makhani means both “butter” and “like butter,” and the dish is called dal makhani, both because of the butter content and the creamy, buttery texture of the dal. The goal is to cook the beans long enough that they become soft and almost break down into the sauce, thickening it and creating a smooth consistency. For the right texture, I prefer to use a pressure cooker / instant pot, but you can also cook it in a saucepan. I included both methods in the recipe.
After cooking the beans, we make a delicious sauce with whole spices, aromatics, and ground spices, then add the cooked beans to it. Then, we prepare a spice oil with toasted fenugreek leaves, Kashmiri chili, smoked paprika, and a smoky burnt cinnamon stick. Burning the cinnamon stick for just half a second before adding it to give the dal its smoky restaurant-style flavor.
Traditionally, restaurants achieve this smoky flavor by using food-grade charcoal. They place a piece of hot charcoal in a bowl with oil, which immediately smokes. Then, they nestle the bowl inside the dal pot and cover the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. If you don’t want to use charcoal or burnt cinnamon, liquid smoke can also work.
Why You’ll Love Dal Makhani
creamy, buttery dal with two kinds of beans
deep flavor from the sauce and the spice oil, no dairy needed!
flexible! Cook the beans in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop
naturally gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free with an oil-free option
Vegan Chicken 555 reimagines a beloved South Indian street-style appetizer. Crisp golden tofu is coated in a richly spiced sauce infused with fennel, ginger, garlic, coriander, and peppers, and enough heat to make you reach for seconds (and maybe a cold drink). gluten free, nut free. soy free option.
This is another one in my series creating vegan versions of these amazing, meat-heavy, regional Indian appetizers. There’s just so much variety in all of these super delicious snacks and appetizers, and sometimes you don’t find those flavors and that spice in the vegetarian appetizers.
You can use this recipe with tofu, soy curls, chickpea tofu, chickpeas, or vegetables, like cauliflower. Basically, you coat your protein or vegetables of choice with this amazing, flavorful batter, and either pan fry or bake it.
Then, we make this easy, spicy, and delicious sauce mixture. It’s kind of a dry sauce, and you toss the crisped tofu “chicken” in it. Oh my god, it’s so incredibly delicious and also pretty spicy!
You can adjust the spice level to your preference. There are four kinds of chilies in this tofu 555: Kashmiri chili powder in the batter, and green chilies, cayenne, and red pepper flakes in the sauce. To get the flavor with less heat, reduce any or all of those. The combination of peppers adds a ton of flavor, so you definitely want to use some of each, even if you don’t use the full amounts. You can use a milder green chili to manage the heat, too, if you prefer.
Basically, adjust the heat based on your preference, but definitely try this vegan chicken 555. It’s just so fabulously delicious!
Tofu 555 is great on its own or in crunchy salads with juicy fruits like apples, pears, or mangoes, or with roasted or fresh vegetables. A cucumber salad with a simple lime, salt, and pepper dressing also pairs wonderfully with this Indian appetizer. Or, you can make wraps with lettuce, creamy dressing, and fresh green chilis or pickled jalapeños.
No matter how you serve it, you have got to try vegan chicken 555!
Why You’ll Love Chicken 555
crispy tofu in thick, spicy sauce with flavors of fennel, ginger, garlic, coriander, and 4 kinds of peppers
easily adjust the heat to your preference
use your plant based protein or use veggies of choice.
naturally gluten-free and nut-free with easy soy-free option
There are just so many ways to use all these legumes, so I decided to try using white beans. Chickpeas can sometimes be a little bit more grainy and gritty, even when you blend them That’s because chickpeas have thicker skin. The texture of the bean is also a bit more gritty compared to creamy white beans, so white beans actually are a great option to use in dessert recipes instead of chickpeas.
I made these blondies with white beans and tahini. Usually, I add some kind of nut butter to my brownies or cookie pies. I wanted to keep this recipe nut-free, so I’m using tahini here. But if you don’t want to use tahini, you can just add some smooth almond butter or peanut butter.
It’s a super simple recipe with just a few ingredients. Just add everything to a blender or a food processor, blend, then transfer to a baking pan. Add your chocolate chips and chunks if you want, and bake. That’s it!
These are amazing and super easy, and you’re going to want to make them again and again.
Why You’ll Love White Bean Blondies
super easy – you make the batter in the blender!
lots of protein and fiber from the beans and tahini
versatile! Make it with chocolate chips or use the snickerdoodle variation
This vegan jalapeño popper cheese ball is super easy: no soaking or blending required! Just 10 minutes of prep time, and it’s ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for parties with veggies or crackers. (Gluten free, soy free option)
Five reasons you should make this jalapeño popper cheese ball:
No soaking the nuts overnight.
No blending the nuts.
No straining a blended mixture.
Just 10 minutes of active time in the kitchen.
Uses just a few everyday ingredients.
It is just mind-blowingly delicious for the small amount of effort this recipe needs. You just make this flavor mixture that’s like a jalapeño dip with non-dairy yogurt, some brine from pickled jalapeños, and some spices. Then, mix in some almond flour and fresh and pickled jalapeños to create a dough. Shape it into a ball, and bake. That’s it!
Baking this vegan cheese ball helps the flavors meld together and takes a little bit of the bite out of the jalapeños. It just enhances the overall flavor and texture. The result is this fantastically delicious vegan cheese ball to serve with some crackers, veggies, crudités, or however else you like.
This is also such a versatile vegan cheese ball. There are lots of fun ways to serve it! You can make sandwiches with it by spreading it on some bread, and pairing it with some fresh tomatoes or other veggies or some crisp tofu. Or add dollops of this mixture to salads.
It also works great in mini quesadillas! Just spread some of the jalapeño popper cheese ball onto small tortillas with some grilled veggies, fold them over, and cook until crisp in the oven or on the stovetop. If you’re going to use it to make quesadillas, you don’t even need to bake the cheese ball, because cooking the quesadillas will cook the cheese mixture then.
Crispy smashed white beans and Cajun veggies roasted on one sheet pan, then tossed in a creamy, tangy chipotle-lime dressing. A versatile meal you can serve in bowls, tacos, or wraps.
This is a super easy and absolutely delicious meal that comes together fairly quickly. You just chop up all of the vegetables and add them to a pan. Smash the beans using a bowl, and add them to the pan as well. Add some spices, oil, and lime juice, toss well, and then bake until the veggies are tender and the beans are lightly crisp.
Meanwhile, you make this creamy, delicious, spicy, lightly sweet, and tangy dressing. It goes amazingly well over these roasted veggies. I mean, this is a dressing you can use on any salad, wraps. burritos, or any which way. It’s just fantastic with all of that smoky chipotle spice flavor, the tang from the lime juice, the creaminess from the non-dairy yogurt, and some cheesiness from the nutritional yeast. It’s just fantastic.
You can serve this roasted bean and veggie mixture as a bowl, in wraps, stuffed into pita bread, or over a baked potato or rice. There are so many ways to serve this! Do let me know in the comments how you served it as well, because I love hearing from you guys, and many times you surprise me with the creative ways you serve the recipes.
You want the beans to be sort of lightly flattened but not entirely smashed. You’re just trying to increase the surface area, so they can bake up nice and crispy in the oven.
If you don’t want to smash them, that’s fine, too. Just add them directly to the veggies on the sheet pan and bake. The beans on the edges will still get crisp. If you want all of the unsmashed beans to get crisp and act like croutons, then bake them on a separate sheet so that they crisp up nicely.
This dish is spicy, smoky, creamy, and tangy. It’s just an amazing blend of flavors! It has protein from the beans, nutritional yeast, and yogurt. You can up the protein by adding hemp seeds into the dressing or as a topping.
Why You’ll Love these Smashed Bean Veggie Bowl
easy meal all cooks on one large or two small sheet pans
amazing textures from crispy smashed beans, tender roasted veggies, and creamy dressing
Vegan Dark Chocolate Chickpea Pudding ... adding protein to desserts is often not very difficult if you just stretch your imagination a little! Dessert for breakfast or breakfast for dessert, these desserts made with chickpeas will win your heart.
Eggless Strawberry Mousse ... this is the simplest, most delicious fuss free mousse you'll ever make. This dessert is light, it's flavourful and bursting with the sweet tang of the seasons best strawberries. It also requires very few ingredients and it has great body. It's a beautiful dessert for Mother's Day 🌸!