Ujwala's Delicacies

Indian inspired all natural kitchen.

Butternut squash soup

There is nothing more comforting than a piping hot soup during winter. This healthy, all-natural, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, no-stock soup is full of good stuff. When you want to keep your dinner light, this delicious soup is the one. This warm and comforting soup is your weight loss treatment, your vitamin pills. Fresh from the farmers market, fine butternut squash is simmered, adding body, and cooked in all-natural spices.

Butternut squash is steamed, preserving valuable nutrients, loaded with unprocessed spices and flavor. Low in fat, calories, high in protein, vitamins. Healthy starter, snack whatever you can think of.

Sesame, besan laddu

The word ‘Sankranti’ means the movement of the sun into Capricorn. On Makar Sankranti, the sun enters new zodiac-sign of Capricorn or Makara. Most Hindu festivals are based on the lunar calendar, making the dates of festivals change every year. But Makar Sankranti is a festival which falls on the same day every year as it follows the solar calendar. As Makar Sankranti is one of the oldest solstice festivals and falls on the equinox, day and night on this day are believed to be equally long. Post the festival, it is officially the beginning of spring. Indian summer and the days become longer, and nights shorter.

Makara Sankranthi is celebrated for three days. The first day is Bhogi. North India is known as Lohri.The second day is Sankranthi which is dedicated to worshipping Surya (the Sun god), Varuna (the rain god) and Indra (king of gods). The third day is Kanuma which is dedicated to cleaning cows, farm animals and farm equipment and also offering prayers to them for helping with a successful harvest season.

Celery, tomatillo chutney

Chutneys are a staple food in Southern India. Chutneys can be made with a variety of vegetables. Mix n match a wide variety of vegetables, nuts, seeds to make rich, enticing, exquisite chutney. This is a Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, Paleo, nut-free recipe. Aromatic spices with vegetables, nuts in tampering makes chutney an ultimately delicious and healthy. Whichever vegetable you make chutney out of, Chutney is loaded with iron, vitamins, and antioxidants. Traditionally, vegetables are cooked in spices and crushed with the hand in mortar pestle to make chutney. In the modern generation, grinders are used. Chutney is usually consumed with rice and ghee poured on top. Lately, with low carb consciousness, people prefer eating chutneys as homemade dips for tortilla chips, pita chips, south Indian snacks as sakinalu, janthikalu and karappusa.

Gongura, potato curry

Gongura, which is known to the western world as Roselle, is a tangy and sour leaf. Roselle plant leaves and flowers both are edible. Gongura (Hibiscus Sabdariffa) leaves – the most popular dish in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India. Gongura leaves are widely used in Andhra Pradesh. It holds a very special place in Andhra peoples hearts. It is called as Andhra favorite dish – Andhra maatha or Andhra Shakambari Varaprasadam which is translated to “Vegetarian mother of Andhra”.

Shrimp scampi

Shrimp scampi is one of the quick and easy recipes for fast, yet delicious and impressive weekday meals. Just toss shrimp in a white wine, garlic, parsley, chili flakes, and pasta. You’ll have the most satisfying dinner ready in less than a half hour. I use fresh shrimp. I never use frozen shrimp. I buy fresh shrimp, peel, devein. Yes, it sounds like a lot of work, but once you taste fresh shrimp, you don’t feel like going back. Fresh shrimp is so soft, that it hits the spot every time. When the week is busy, time is short and you want to make home-cooked meals for yourself or family, pasta is the one.

Homemade wholegrain pizza with home-made sauce

Making pizza at home is not as hard as I thought. Home-made pizza is quick and easy recipes for fast, yet delicious weekday meals. Homemade pizza sauce is as easy as simply blending tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, basil or oregano. I make sauce with fresh tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes drain lot of water. For this reason I cook till water is cooked off. You can make sauce in advance and store for 10 days in refrigerator. Raised dough can be made make up to 2 days before. When week is busy, time is short and you want to make home-cooked meals for yourself or family, pizza is the one. Making your own pizza gives you so many choices. Whole-wheat crust, vegetable crust, your favorite fresh toppings, high quality cheese, vegan cheese, home-made sauce, a variety of sauces and much more. You’ll start wondering why you order expensive, takeout meals and will realize that making healthy home-made meals for yourself and your family is, in-fact a great priceless experience!

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.

Spicy Chinese yam stir fry

Chines yam, though native to China, it is widely cooked in Japan, Korea, Vietnam. Chinese yam can be eaten raw, baked, fried and in soups. In its raw form, it is bland. Chinese yam is used in Chinese herbal medicine, traditionally to treat disorders related to the stomach, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. You will not find Chinese yam often in western countries. Do not miss if you find them. I published a home-made spice powder recipe earlier which instantly makes any dish flavorful and tasty. I used that spice powder. If you don’t have it, you can replace with salt, chili powder, coriander powder and grated coconut.

Stir fry is a way to pan-fry vegetables in a small amount of fat. Though they are completely cooked, vegetables remain firm and healthy. Stir fried vegetables is a quick, healthy and colorful dish that can be added to lunch or dinner or even served à la carte.

Red Chori | Adzuki Beans 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 a 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 a side of cocktail or lemonade.

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.