Oct 30, 2021 | Snacks

Roasted Masala Nuts.
These are such perfect accompaniments with your weekend drinks or just to munch on with everyday evening chai. I love to munch on them while I am working or watching a movie. This doesn’t take too much effort or time. The simple and easy recipe is mentioned below.
How to make roasted almonds and cashews –
Ingredients –
2 cups mixed nuts (almonds and cashews)
4 tbsp gram flour (besan)
3 tbsp rice flour
2 tsp red chilli powder
1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
1 tbsp lemon pepper (substitute with chaat masala if its not available)
2 tsp cold pressed ground nut oil
1/2 tsp powdered sugar
salt to taste
3 tbsp water
Process – Preheat oven at 180 C. Mix all the ingredients well until the nuts are well coated in the masala. Add a few tsps of more water if need be. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the coated nuts in a single layer. Bake these at 180 C for 10 mins. Switch off the oven and let the tray be inside for another 10 mins. Remove from the oven. They will turn crispier when cooled.
If you like this roasted masala nuts do let me know in the comments below. You can also connect with me on my Instagram and Facebook handles.
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Roasted Masala Nuts
Arpita Darooka
Healthy roasted almonds and cashews coated in spicy mix.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
- 2 Cups Mixed nuts - almonds and cashews
- 4 Tbsps Gram flour (besan)
- 3 Tbsps Rice flour
- 2 Tsps Red chilli powder
- 1/4 Tsp Asafoetida (hing)
- 1 Tbsp Lemon pepper substitute with chaat masala if it’s not available
- 2 Tsps Cold pressed groundnut oil or any other cooking oil
- 1/2 Tsp Sugar
- 3 Tbsps Water
- Salt to taste
Preheat oven at 180 C. Mix all the ingredients well until the nuts are well coated in the masala.
Add a few tsps of more water if need be. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the coated nuts in a single layer.
Bake these at 180 C for 10 mins. Switch off the oven and let the tray be inside for another 10 mins. Remove from the oven. They will turn crispier when cooled.Enjoy!!!
Keyword almonds and cashews, masala nuts, roasted masala nuts
Oct 28, 2021 | Snacks

Party Platter – Lavash Crackers Dips.
For us, festival is all about having good time with family and friends. I am sure most of us are hosting loved ones at home for drinks and food this year. This is one such party platter which I love because it comes together in absolutely no time. The best part about this platter is it has something savoury for indulgent souls and for health conscious people too.
In this platter –
Oats & almond flour cheese chilli crackers
Classic sesame garlic lavash
Roasted masala almonds and cashews
Red bell pepper dip
Pesto spread
I also served potato cheese & capers poppers with this.
How I make the healthy baked gluten free crackers –
Ingredients –
1/2 cup oats flour (pulse rolled oats in grinder)
1/2 cup almond flour (pulse almonds in a grinder)
2 tbsp gram flour (besan)
Salt to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp grated cheese (used cheddar or processed cheese)
1 tsp red chilli flakes
Water to knead the dough
Process – Mix everything together and knead into a dough. Let it rest for 10 mins. Preheat oven at 180 C. Meanwhile roll the dough and using a small bowl or cookie cutter cut out the circular pieces. Repeat the process with the remaining dough. Keep them in a greased/lined baking tray. Sprinkle some more grated cheese on top and some chilli flakes.
Bake these at 180 C for 12-15 mins or until the edges turn golden brown. They will turn crispier when cooled.
How I make classic sesame garlic lavash –
Ingredients
1 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp red chilli flakes
1 tsp dried herbs
Salt to taste
1 tsp white and black sesame seeds
2 tsp garlic granules
Water to knead the dough
Process – Mix everything together and knead into a dough. Let it rest for 10 mins. Preheat oven at 180 C. Meanwhile roll the dough and using a pizza cutter or knife, cut into desired triangle shapes. Keep them in a greased/lined baking tray. Sprinkle some more sesame seeds on top. Press them gently into the crackers. Bake these at 180 C for 10-12 mins or until they turn golden brown. They will turn crispier when cooled.
How I make roasted almonds and cashews –
Ingredients –
2 cups mixed nuts (almonds and cashews)
4 tbsp gram flour (besan)
3 tbsp rice flour
2 tsp red chilli powder
1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
1 tbsp lemon pepper (substitute with chaat masala if its not available)
2 tsp cold pressed ground nut oil
1/2 tsp powdered sugar
salt to taste
3 tbsp water
Process – Preheat oven at 180 C. Mix all the ingredients well until the nuts are well coated in the masala. Add a few tsps of more water if need be. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the coated nuts in a single layer. Bake these at 180 C for 10 mins. Switch off the oven and let the tray be inside for another 10 mins. Remove from the oven. They will turn crispier when cooled.
How I make Muhammara dip –
Ingredients –
2 red bell peppers
4 tsps pomegranate molasses
1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder
Sea salt to taste
3 tbsps bread crumbs
3 tsps red chilli flakes
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/4 tsp sugar
2 cloves toasted garlic
1/4 cup toasted walnuts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
Process –
Roast the bell peppers on open flame until charred or roast them in an oven for 40 mins approx until well charred on all sides.
Let it cool. Remove the seeds and roughly chop the bell peppers. In a food processor, mix all the ingredients together and churn until a desired texture is achieved. I like it coarse. Serve with a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil and chopped walnuts.
Store this in an airtight container with a thin layer of EVOO on top.
Enjoy!
If you like this Party Platter – Lavash Crackers Dips do let me know in the comments below. You can also connect with me on my Instagram and Facebook handles.
Oct 10, 2021 | Mains, Snacks

Mom’s Special Semolina Upma.
This is one breakfast that I eat every single day when I am at my mom’s place. The recipe is not something that could be found on internet but just how she customised it to our family’s liking and it became a crowd favourite too. No doubt mom’s recipes are the best!
How to make this –
Ingredients-
1 cup roasted semolina (suji) (My mom roasts them in advance and keeps them in an airtight container for quick breakfast)
1/2 capsicum chopped fine
1 carrot chopped in small cubes
1/4 cup frozen peas
2-3 green chillies chopped
1 tbsp chana daal
1/3 tsp mustard seeds
1/8 tsp asafoetida (hing)
A few curry leaves
1/4 tsp red chilli powder – or more if desired
1/2 tsp coriander powder
Salt to taste
1/3 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp amchur powder
1 cup water
1 tbsp oil
Cilantro to garnish
Method –
Heat oil and fry capsicum. Keep aside. In the same oil fry carrot and keep aside too.
In that oil, add green chillies, curry leaves, mustard seeds and hing. Add chana dal and fry it until it turns golden brown.
Mix in suji and continue to sauté it until it turns light brown.
Mix peas (of using fresh peas, boil it first). Add water and keep stirring until the water is absorbed well.
Add all remaining spices and salt. Keep stirring on medium high flame until the upma reaches desired consistency. Garnish with cilantro.
Enjoy!
I hope you enjoy this Mom’s special semolina upma recipe and I would love to hear from you if you try it. Tell me in the comments below. You can also connect with me on my Instagram and Facebook handles.
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Oct 9, 2021 | Mains

Baingan Bharta | Smoked Aubergine Mash
In the family of aubergine crazy lovers, I was the odd one out, until my neighbour, Vinaya made us some of this. I am now a converted aubergine lover but only in this form. I have made this at least over 30 times before putting it up here. For me, this became a version of comforting dish with my usual dal chawal or ghee laden phulkas. One really needs to try this simple and easy recipe to fall in love with this vegetable. The smoky flavour and the spices adds the much needed warmth and leaves the taste buds wanting for more.
Here is the simple and easy recipe for this deliciousness –
Smear oil to 1 large aubergine and roast it on open flame. Keep turning it until it’s well cooked from inside. Take it off the flame, let it cool for a few minutes, remove the charred skin and roughly chop the pulpy inside.
In a pan, add 1 tbsp oil, add 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1/4 tsp asafoetida, 2-3 chopped green chillies. Sauté for a couple mins and add 1 large chopped onion.
Let the onion turn translucent and then add 2 medium sized chopped tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes turn mushy and release oil.
Add 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala, salt and mix well. Mix in the chopped aubergine.
Cook for additional 3-4 mins and add chopped cilantro. Give a good mix and it’s ready to serve with flatbreads, over a toast or with dal chawal.
Garnish with more cilantro.
Enjoy!
Leftovers could be stored in the refrigerator for upto 3 days. However, this doesn’t freeze very well, you may if you must for upto a month but it tastes best when served fresh.
If you like this baingan bharta | smoked aubergine mash recipe, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. You can also connect with me on my Instagram and Facebook handles.
Baingan Bharta | Smoked Aubergine Mash
Arpita Darooka
Smoky and spicy Indian aubergine mash which pairs well with Indian food. Simple, quick and easy to make.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
- 1 Pc Eggplant/aubergine - large
- 1 Tbsp Oil
- 1 Tsp Cumin seeds
- 1/4 Tsp Asafoetida
- 2-3 Pcs Green chillies - chopped
- 1 Pc Onion - large
- 2 Pcs Tomatoes - medium
- 1/2 Tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 Tsp Red chilli powder
- 1/2 Tsp Garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 1 Tbsp Chopped coriander leaves
Smear oil to 1 large aubergine and roast it on open flame. Keep turning it until it’s well cooked from inside. Take it off the flame, let it cool for a few minutes, remove the charred skin and roughly chop the pulpy inside.
In a pan, add 1 tbsp oil, add 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1/4 tsp asafoetida, 2-3 chopped green chillies. Sauté for a couple mins and add 1 large chopped onion.
Let the onion turn translucent and then add 2 medium sized chopped tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes turn mushy and release oil.
Add 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala, salt and mix well. Mix in the chopped aubergine.
Cook for additional 3-4 mins and add chopped cilantro. Give a good mix and it’s ready to serve with flatbreads, over a toast or with dal chawal.
Garnish with more cilantro.Enjoy!!!
Keyword Baingan bharta, smoked aubergine mash
Sep 30, 2021 | Snacks

Potato Cheese & Capers Poppers
These are perfect party poppers and so apt for the approaching festive season. When the home is flooded with guests during the festivities, this can be made so quick. Loved by adults and kids both, this is a wonderful and easy snack option.
How to make this?
Boil 5-6 potatoes. Peel them and mash them. Let it cool down. Mix in 1 tbsp red chilli flakes, salt to taste, 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves and 1 tbsp garlic granules (I used the Crunchy Garlic from SnapIn). Use fresh garlic if crunchy garlic is not available. Taste the potato mix and adjust the flavours as desired. Dice cut 2-3 cheese cubes and finely chop 6-7 toasted walnuts and keep aside.
In a bowl mix 2 tbsp all purpose flour and 1 tbsp cornflour with 1/2 cup water and make into a slurry. Keep around 2 tbsp dry all purpose flour in another bowl. Also keep Panko breadcrumbs in a plate.
Take a spoonful of potato mix and flatten it. Keep a cheese dice, a few cut tiny walnut pieces and a couple caper pieces in the centre and roll the potato mix into a ball. Roll the potato in the dry all purpose flour and then in the slurry. Roll them in the Panko and deep fry until golden brown for medium flame. *I deep fry these in cold pressed groundnut oil.
Serve with mint chutney & date and tamarind chutney.
Enjoy!!!
If you like this potato cheese & capers poppers recipe, please let me know in the comments below or chat with me on my Instagram or Facebook handle.
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Potato Cheese & Capers Poppers
Arpita Darooka
Quick and easy party snack option for kids and adults. Find the easy and detailed recipe on the blog.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Course Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Global
- 5-6 Pcs Potatoes
- 1 Tbsp Red chilli flakes
- 1 Tbsp Crunchy garlic - SnapIn or fresh garlic
- Salt to taste
- 2-3 Pcs Cheese cubes
- 12-15 Pcs Capers
- 6-7 Pcs Walnuts - toasted
- 2 Tbsps Coriander leaves - finely chopped
- Oil to fry
To make slurry
- 2 Tbsp All purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp Cornflour
- 1/2 Cup Water
Dry Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp All purpose flour
- 1/3 Cup Panko breadcrumbs
Boil 5-6 potatoes. Peel them and mash them. Let it cool down. Mix in 1 tbsp red chilli flakes, salt to taste, 2 tbsps finely chopped coriander leaves and 1 tbsp garlic granules (I used the Crunchy Garlic from SnapIn). Use fresh garlic if crunchy garlic is not available.
Taste the potato mix and adjust the flavours as desired. Dice cut 4-5 cheese cubes and finely chop 6-7 walnuts and keep aside.
In a bowl mix 2 tbsp all purpose flour and 1 tbsp cornflour with 1/2 cup water and make into a slurry. Keep around 2 tbsp dry all purpose flour in another bowl. Also keep Panko breadcrumbs in a plate.
Take a spoonful of potato mix and flatten it. Keep a cheese dice, a few cut tiny walnuts pieces and a couple of caper pieces in the centre and roll the potato mix into a ball. Roll the potato in the dry all purpose flour and then in the slurry. Roll them in the Panko and deep fry until golden brown for medium flame.
Serve with mint chutney & date and tamarind chutney.Enjoy!!!
Keyword kids snack ideas, party snacks, potato & cheese poppers