Ujwala's Delicacies

Indian inspired all natural kitchen.

Tandoori whole cornish hen

As can often be the case when merging new-coming and traditional cultures, Americans of Indian descent often feel themselves torn between abandoning their traditional cuisine and adopting Western recipes outright in order to celebrate or making their usual foods and missing out on the delicious fun of the season. With me, you never have to make that choice. My Indian Thanksgiving recipes match the best of my homeland with the flavors of fall for a Thanksgiving experience that fit right into the American celebration without losing the feel or flavor of India.

You don’t have to worry about baking big bird. With Cornish hen, bake just the right amount you need, no leftovers.

Tandoori chicken is a favorite Indian meal that has a huge following in America. The name Tandoori comes from the oven called tandoor, in which the dish is traditionally prepared. Tandoor is high heat oven, that without special marinade, the chicken will be undercooked. Chicken and other meats cooked with this method are identified as tandoori chicken, etc. The very high temperature at the bottom of the oven would burn the outside of any meat in about 20 minutes, leaving the inside raw. What is the technique? When meat is exposed to an acidic marinade, the bonds break between protein bundles, and the proteins unwind, forming a loose mesh. Initially, water is trapped within this protein “net” and tissue remains moist and juicy. For this reason, chicken is marinated in citrus, yogurt, and spices.

Fish baked in Banana Leaf wrap

Banana leaf has a lot of culinary significance in South India. Cooks in every household, restaurants use banana leaves extensively in their kitchen. The leaves are not eaten by themselves but are used as natural disposable plates and food wrappers. In South India, traditionally food is served on banana leaf. It was common to use for serving food before plates were discovered, and when plates were not widely available. Food wrapped and cooked in banana leaves absorbs flavor and nutrients, making food lusciously aromatic and much healthier. A natural seasoning God gifted to us. Eco-friendly, all-natural, chemical free disposable serving plates and utensils. Precisely as someone said – A beautifully biodegradable table setting.

Banana leaf wrapped veggies cooked in green Coconut

In south India, traditionally food is served on banana leaf. The leaves are not eaten by themselves but are used as natural disposable plates and food wrappers. It was common to use for serving food before plates were discovered, better yet plates were widely available. Food wrapped and cooked in banana leaves absorbs flavor and nutrients, making food lusciously aromatic and much healthier. A natural seasoning god gifted to us. Eco-friendly, all-natural, chemical free disposable serving plates and utensils. Precisely as someone said – A beautifully biodegradable table setting.

Banana leaf is digested slowly. By cooking food on a banana leaf, you get the nutrients which are hard to digest for humans if eaten as-is. The waxy water proof coating on banana leaves gives the food a distinct better taste.

Raw Jackfruit Dumplings

Dumplings or pot stickers is western known word for dim-sum (as called in China) or Momos (as in Tibet and Nepal). Momo is Nepali and Tibetan delicacy. It is a type of dumpling filled with vegetables, cheese or meat, is one of the main menu items in all Tibetan and Nepali restaurants. Though traditionally filled with yak meat, in different areas of North east India, chicken, pork, goat and buffalo meat is used and eaten with a variety of sauces.

Tibet is situated in north of the Himalayas. Extensive mountain ranges to the east of the Tibetan Plateau mark the border with China, and the towering Himalayas of Nepal and India form a barrier between Tibet and India.

Skinny Sweet potato soup

Did you know you can make full-flavored, creamy soup with out broth and dairy? Trust me you will not miss broth, butter in taste, flavor and aroma. Soup is supposed to be light. It is an anticipation to upcoming meal. With broth and heavy cream soup can load up calories equivalent to meal. Soups made of canned ingredients and stock cubes are high in sodium, bad fat, less in nutrients. This kind of soup is unsatisfactory too. Soup is my favorite fall, winter relish. It feels so comforting sipping a warm bowl of soup.

Spicy asparagus, avocado lettuce wrap

A vibrant, crunchy, protein rich, light dinner or medium-sized snack. Smooth avocado with roasted red bell peppers, crunchy asparagus makes this dish a vivid delicacy. Those times when you don’t have big appetite for dinner or feel lazy to make roti, this dish serves your purpose. Usually I make this dish with left over avocado. When hot,…

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Vegetable 65

A snack, ultimately satisfying in taste, calories and health. There’s no need to skip when you make healthy appetizers! Appetizers are bite sized anticipation of an upcoming meal. Sounds good, but what is 65? It has a story. Many years back, there was a military canteen in some place in Andhra Pradesh, India. Their chicken section had item number 65. It was quiet famous. To order, they say chicken 65. Thats how chicken 65 evolved. Vegetarian 65 is same recipe as chicken 65 with few modifications. Modifications are necessary because vegetables become soggy and dish is supposed be crispy. This bite-sized appetizer easier to grab and consume, very little effort or mess while maintaining hygiene. With minimal store-bought ingredients, this dish is most environmentally friendly, safe for pets too. Don’t forget to use bio degradable toothpicks instead of plastic forks.

Black eye peas, samosa with alfalfa sprouts chaat

Chaat can be best described as salty, sweet and tangy savory snack. Chaat can be delicious and healthy if deep-fried items are avoided. Adding small amounts of fried stuff is ok, but consuming all fried items mean bloating yourself with calories.

Though there are tons of varieties of chaats, every dish has a unique, most cherishing taste. Chaats are great way to socialize and entertain. The road side carts in India and other countries serving chaats are favorite time pass spots to many families, friends, lovers, flirts. Chaats are excellent to entertain your guests with side of cocktail or lemonade.

Pompano in coconut, blue poppy seed gravy

If you’re trying to lose weight or on nutritions diet, then fish is your best friend. The American Heart Association recommends that you eat at least 2 servings of fish each week. Fish is not just delicious, but it’s nutritious as well. Seafood is a rich source of protein, vitamins, Omega-3 and minerals. It’s a nutritious, exotic, low calorie addition to any meal. Cholesterol content in fish is almost equal to red meat and poultry. However, the fat is mainly poly – unsaturated. The human body can’t produce omega-3s, but yet they’re needed for a healthy body.

Whole-grain, kale, moong lentil falafel

Those moong lentils sitting in your cupboard have been trying to say something. Let me out… play with spices and cook me crunchy. Fried in oil, moong dal can transform into a crispy, nutty, savory snack. Reach for something crunchy when you need snack. If you haven’t heard of Masala vada, allow me to do the honors of introducing. Masala vada is South Indian crispy, savory fried snack. It is one of most crowd cheered festive snack. Which makes its appearance in every home on a festival day, entertaining smiley family and friends. In different southern states, they are also called masala garelu, masal vadai, paruppu vadai. If you haven’t tried this snack yet, also allow me to introduce to all-natural step-by-step recipe. This is dangerous knowledge.