Tomatillo is my new favourite vegetable. It looks like a green tomato but has a husk around it. When the husk is removed, you see a vegetable that looks like a green tomato. It is sticky and needs to be washed. The taste however is very different. It is more tart than a tomato. I…
Roasted Cherry tomatoes with Pasta and breadcrumb Topping
There are days when you get back from work and need a quick dinner. If you have some cherry tomatoes in the fridge this is a dinner you can throw together while you have a cup of tea or coffee. I saw a similar recipe in a food group on Facebook. Emily who is in…
Congress Kadalekai (Roasted Spiced Peanuts)
Congress Kadalekai- Congress is a political party in India and kadalekai is peanuts in kannada, the language spoken in the state of Karnataka. How did this dish get the name. There are different stories, one being, that this was named after the congress party split in 1969 as the peanuts used here are always split…
Roasted Summer Tomato Tart
Summer – when tomatoes are fresh and local; fresh herbs everywhere. I joke that I feel like I am in master-chef, running out to get a tomato or fresh herbs from the garden. Another month or so and I will be back to dried herbs and winter vegetables. It is good while it lasts. I…
Indian Street Style Grilled Corn
Monsoons bring a vivid picture to all those who have experienced it. Each one with different memories and mostly about food. I remember one day, returning to the office (I was working in marketing just after college) on my moped. I was at on the street my office was on, could almost see it at…
Bangalore Special- Tomato Puri Slices
Bangalore Chaat is special. I can see my Mumbai cousins and Delhi friends rolling their eyes. It is surely different but for those who grew up in Bangalore, it is what we love. Walking past a chaat food cart on the street smelling the distinct smells of the masala puri takes you back to your…
Chocolate Chip cookies – Adapted from David Leite’s recipe
Chocolate Chip Cookies is a quintessential american snack. Today it is found everywhere in the world. I started making them when I moved the the US some 20 odd years ago. My go to recipe was and still is the classic Tollhouse Cookie and here is the recipe: https://chaiwithpreethi.com/2017/07/08/chocolate-chip-cookies/ Recently, during the pandemic and more…
South Indian Beetroot STIR FRY (Thoran/Poriyal/Palya)
Somedays you crave for something simple. A bowl of steaming hot rice with a dollop of ghee and some beetroot stir fry; a papad or crisps with that would be great; some rasam or curds/yogurt even better. With all good intentions I had bought some beetroots to make dal. They were languishing at the back…
Blueberry Banana Bread
I have been making banana bread for years and it was and still is my go to when i need a quick snack to be made for the kids especially the days when i had to pack snacks for school. I add nuts (walnuts or cashew nuts- depending on what i had) and chocolate chips…
Walnut Basil Pesto
The fresh smell of basil, some garlic, olive oil and roasted nuts, ground to a paste with some parmesan cheese. The aroma from these blended simple ingredients can draw everyone into the kitchen. In the summer I usually have a bowl of pesto in the fridge. It is so versatile; can be added to pasta…
Chai With Preethi 