User's blog

Author: nithya

  • Key Ingredients – Indian Chilies

    Many of my recipes call for “green chilies.” Green chilies used in Indian cooking are small, heat packed chilies. They are about the 2 inches to 3 inches in length. Unless we go to the Indian grocery store though, these chilies can be tough to come by.  What do you substitute for these green chilies? […]

  • Are “No Substitutions” Policies Ok?

    As a lifelong vegetarian, I almost always ask for substitutions at restaurants. If the answer is no, then fine – so be it. But I also almost always call ahead to ask if the chef is cool with making substitutions to accommodate a vegetarian diet. If the chef won’t do it, then you probably won’t […]

  • Paneer Makhani Recipe

    As promised, here’s the paneer makhani recipe that I shared at yesterday’s New York Times Cafeteria.  Their team did a great job of recreating the recipe. It was a lot of fun to step into their kitchen to be greeted with the smells of an Indian home kitchen with packages of authentic Indian spices littering […]

  • Paneer Makhani Burrito

    I’m hosting a chef’s table in the New York Times Cafeteria today featuring a Paneer Makhani Burrito…unfortunately you have to work in the building to come up and enjoy a taste. If you do work in the building, please swing by and say hello!  And check back tomorrow for a very easy paneer makhani recipe […]

  • Indian Falafel – Squash Kofta

    When you see Kofta on an Indian restaurant menu, it is usually for Malai Kofta. Malai Kofta is a decadent affair – a deep fried cheese dumpling in a creamy tomato sauce.   I wanted something healthier and fresher.  I also wanted to use up a bottle gourd squash in my fridge. Then last Sunday, […]

  • Manic Monday – Menu Planning

    Almost every weekend, we go through some combination of farmer’s market, local market, FreshDirect shopping.  I make mental menus of each day’s meals.  Having Surya home during the day means my menus also have to take into account her lunch.  We don’t always stick to the menus I come up with – because invariably life/work/cravings […]

  • Crunchy Cumin Seitan Tacos

    Have you ever combined unlikely ingredients only to discover unexpected deliciousness?  Tamari sauce and pecorino romano cheese don’t exactly scream best friends.  But the combination of salty tartness from the tamari and musky cheesiness from the pecorino romano just works. And with crunchy bits of cumin, these tacos are a family favorite. Even the baby […]

  • Hungry Desi in Cook Vegetarian

    Exciting news – Hungry Desi was featured in Cook Vegetarian’s round up of vegetarian cooking blogs.  I was excited to be in the company of 101 Cookbooks, Allotment to Kitchen and Tinned Tomatoes.  Here’s a copy of the article. [ipaper id=51268043 mode=tile] [ipaper id=51268250 mode=tile] I would have loved to have shared it sooner, but […]

  • I scream, you scream – Banana Ice Cream

    Mothers will go to great lengths for their children. Ten months ago, I wouldn’t get within five feet of a banana. Their sweet taste makes me gag. The smells gives me a freshly pinesoled elevator style headache. I ate one once and had the worst stomachache of my life. And now? Well, now I can […]

  • Crunchy Kale Noodle Bowl

    Kale chips have been everywhere. Every magazine and food blogger seems have to have shared a method, recipe and variation.  With each article and post, I rolled my eyes a little. Because we already love kale in my house. In my head I was thinking “I don’t need to transform it into a faux potato […]