Archana's Veg Food Chronicles

Apple roses are one of the beautiful autumn desserts in which the apples are beautifully styled as roses and then baked as a pastry. Usually, the puff pastry is made up of all-purpose flour which I again don't prefer in my baking. Hence, here I have made a quick whole wheat pastry dough which is much healthier and filling. I like refined sugar free desserts. I am always in search of ingredients that can replace refined sugar. So in this recipe, I have used organic maple syrup which gives both the apple slices as well as the pastry a beautiful sweet flavor. Usually, these are made by rolling a row of half apple slices and attached with pastry dough. And the end result resembles the shape of a rose flower. These will come out so beautiful that you will think about whether to eat or put it for display!! Use a softer variety of apples like Fuji, pink lady, or gala. I would prefer a very sharp knife to cut thin slices of apples. Making a rose out of apple slices

Gujarati Kadhi is one of the most delicious, sweet-sour yogurt kadhi made with chickpea flour and yogurt and tempered with spices. It is basically a yogurt-based gravy dish that goes well with Khichdi, basmati rice, or soft phulkas. This is one of my personal favorites, and the first time I had tasted it in a kathiyawadi restaurant. Since then I love making this whenever I get bored of making Sambar and Rasam. This Kadhi is an essential part of Gujarati cuisine. They like it to be thinner, use less began, unlike Punjabi kadhi which is thicker in consistency. One thing to be kept in mind is to never cook the kadhi on very high flame and also use room temperature yogurt...so the kadhi won't split or curdle. This simple recipe involves a lot of aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, cumin seeds, asafoetida which are all so good for digestion and light on the stomach. They also give a distinct and unique flavor to Kadhi and taste awesome without onion and garlic. With just

If you are looking for a healthier snack that is both filling as well as healthy, and also satisfies your sweet tooth, then you are on the right page. These healthy, sugar-free, guilt-free Peanut Sesame balls are definitely the most delicious yet the most underrated desserts. It does not need baking at all and can be made in a jiffy. You just need 5 ingredients which are almost in every pantry especially the Indian pantry. This recipe requires roasting of the peanuts and sesame seeds which enhances the aroma making these treats super delicious. The other part required is blending them together to make balls. These are melt in the mouth, a very good snack for kids Snack box. My daughter loves to munch on them during her online class breaks. She also loves to have homemade biscotti's that I make. Peanuts and sesame both have their own health benefits. Peanuts are nutrient-rich, a good source of fats, protein, and fiber. Sesame seeds are rich in healthy fats li

Mirchi Bajjis or Anaheim pepper Bajjis are one of the most popular street snacks from Karnataka, India. These are basically Split Anaheim peppers stuffed with chopped onion and spices, dipped in a besan batter and deep-fried till crisp. These are absolutely yummy and served hot with green chutney. Right from childhood, I have such fond memories associated with this dish as these were such a special treat for us to have on the weekend evenings which my mom prepared at home along with Churmuri which is the best combo. The chilies/Anaheim peppers are basically long and are not too hot/spicy. That is the reason these are used in making the bajjis. But definitely, they have a distinct flavor which is enhanced when deep-fried. There are so many varieties of this bajji prepared differently in each state of India. All the varieties taste equally good! Here I have made a simple stuffing of chopped onions and spices. These can be made quickly when the guests come over or

Paneer tikka is one of the most popular dishes made with cottage cheese/paneer and is famous all over the world. It is basically a vegetarian grill recipe where chunks of paneer and veggies are marinated with spices and hung curd and then roasted /grilled in Oven /stovetop to get that perfect char. This is one of the famous appetizers usually served hot as a starter in restaurants and parties. For Indians, it is nothing less than emotion. We have great memories attached to this dish and we are always excited to eat this dish!! The traditional way of making these is in a tandoor. But since we don't usually have them in our homes, the next best option is to bake or grill them on a stovetop. I love to grill them on the stovetop which I think is quicker and easier. For this recipe, you will need hung curd which basically means you have to squeeze out the water content present in the curd by placing it in a muslin cloth and tying it on a high place with a bowl un

Biscottis are basically Italian biscuits that originated in the tuscan city of Prato. These are usually oblong shaped, twice baked, dry, and crunchy biscuits best for your breakfast or evening tea time. These are super easy to make and you will never go back to the store-bought ones. Totally customizable, you can make any flavor you want. The basic recipe remains the same with just the change in the flavor. Since I always prefer a healthier alternative., I made these eggless biscotti with whole wheat flour and coconut sugar. I added pistachios that were in hand and cinnamon for that fall vibes which I am literally waiting to start!! These can easily be made vegan by using dairy-free milk and butter. Definitely a great snack option, especially for kids to pack in their snack box or to give them as an after school snack. Since these days my daughter is attending an online school, she likes to munch on them during the break time. It keeps her filling an