Indian & Indian Fusion 
Sweet and Spicy Curried Butternut Squash
(8)“Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch he thinks is the most sincere …” – Charles Schwartz Does anything say October louder than pumpkins and winter squash? My original intent was to make kaddu ki sabzi – an Indian spicy, salty, sweet and sour pumpkin dish that gets all of your… Read More ›
Spicy Indian Quinoa with Chickpeas, Cherry Tomatoes, and Wilted Spinach
“It was a beautiful, bright Autumn day, with air like cider and a sky so blue you could drown in it.” – Diana Gabaldon, Outlander The seasons are transitioning. In Charlotte, it’s subtle. Daytime temps are still in the 80’s. Leaves are still green. But the humidity has eased. Nights are longer and cooler. The… Read More ›
White Lightning Rajma Masala (Mixed Kidney Bean Curry)
My partner is a man who likes his rice and beans. Specifically, he likes his rice and beans on Sunday. Every Sunday. According to him, it’s the only acceptable meal to serve on a Sunday evening. (I’ve tried serving other foods, but he was NOT amused.) So it was with dismay I discovered I only… Read More ›
Khichdi For Colds – And Flu, And Whatever Else May Ail You
I am normally a healthy person who rarely gets sick. Therefore, when I do get sick I make up for lost time. I don’t just become ill, but dramatically, flamboyantly ill. Like last week. “A little tiredness” from a beautiful weekend trip to Asheville quickly morphed into 102 degree fever, chills, and bronchitis. Fortunately, while… Read More ›
“Kheema” Stuffed Halloween Peppers (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
A spicy Indian twist on the standard beef-stuffed Halloween peppers. Vegan and gluten-free! (Plus other options if you don’t eat meat substitutes.)
October Gold and Black Dal (Vegan, Gluten Free)
This mixed dal always reminds me of Autumn. It’s partly the earthy taste; partly the autumnal coloring (golden split chana dal with flecks of black urad dal). And partly, it’s just that once October comes, I am yearning for comforting soups and stews, chilis and dals. This creamy, delicious dal is the perfect meal for… Read More ›
Palak Dal (Ginger Lentils with Spinach)
There is a saying that there are as many ways to make dal as there are cooks. That’s a very accurate statement. Even if two cooks start with similar ingredients, the results can be very different. One may use onion and garlic; another might avoid those. One cook might like more heat. One cook might… Read More ›
Baingan Aloo (Spicy Eggplant with Potatoes)
Would you believe it if someone told you they were going to make a truly delicious dish out of an eggplant, a potato, a tomato, and some spices? I didn’t, when my partner told me that some six years or so ago. My adoring lips formed words along the lines of, “That’s wonderful, sweetie!” while… Read More ›
Rajma Masala Veggie Burgers
Take a break from boring black bean burgers and try this Indian veggie burger with all the flavors of classic Rajma curry.
Stuffed Curried Mushrooms (Vegan, Gluten Free)
My partner is a mathematical genius, a coupon wizard, and a shrewd bargain hunter. When he finds an amazing deal, he stocks up and saves. I never know what he’s going to bring home. It could be: Twenty containers of tofu, purchased with double coupons for the price of sales tax only. Ten pounds of… Read More ›
Curried Zucchini Squash (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Late February, a string of severe thunderstorms raged through Charlotte, N.C. Many areas were spared the predicted heavy rains. What Charlotte wasn’t spared from was the gale-force winds, which knocked out electricity and blew down trees. We were allowed to leave early from work after the power went out and it became obvious it wasn’t… Read More ›
Lauki ki Sabzi (Indian Squash) – Vegan, Gluten Free
If you’ve ever been to an Indian grocery, no doubt you’ve noticed the enormous, pale-green squash. It’s variously called bottle gourd, lauki, long melon, opo squash, and calabash squash. It’s more similar to summer squash (zucchini, yellow crookneck) than winter squash (butternut, acorn), with a thin skin easy to pierce and a light, delicate,… Read More ›
Bhindi Bhaji (Indian Spiced Okra) – Vegan, Gluten Free
It was at my new favorite restaurant Jaipur I fell in love with bhindi bhaji. Of course, I’d had bhindi bhaji before. (Bhindi bhaji is a “dry” curry- a dish without a sauce or gravy; something you’d eat with bread, not rice.) It’s a very popular vegetarian main dish, although it can also be served… Read More ›
Makki Ki Roti with Mooli – Indian Cornbread with Radish (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Makki ki roti with mooli is one of my partner’s favorite breakfast dishes. I admit, at first it didn’t sound very appetizing to me – cornbread cooked on the stovetop with radishes and spices. But it’s an unexpectedly delicious combination – a hearty, filling, hot breakfast perfect for a cold winter morning. Please note that… Read More ›
Stuffed Acorn Squash With Indian Spices (Vegan, Gluten Free)
I have to make acorn squash at least once each fall – otherwise it just doesn’t seem like Autumn! This version still has the familiar “butter,” apples, raisins, and nuts. But now it’s salty as well as sweet, with a touch of garlic, a complexity of spices, and even a dash of heat.
VegCharlotte 