Ujwala's Delicacies

Indian inspired all natural kitchen.

Brown poha chewda

Even if you’re a purist who only eats whole foods, you still have those craving moments to have a satisfying snack. It is certainly hard to find a satisfying snack which is healthy, low in calories, low in sugars and carbs which always hits the spot. For those who want to be on a low-calorie diet or on a healthy diet, store-bought chewda is not an option. Don’t lose hope, you can make a modified version of chewda, which gives the same satisfaction, yet a healthy one without unhealthy oils, unknown ingredients, and chemicals. Chewda is a popular Indian snack, which is a mixture of a variety of crunchy snacks. Chewda can be compared to Chex mix, that many westerners know.

Happy India’s Independence day

At the time of this writing in 2018, India is celebrating 72nd Independence Day. India’s Independence Day is celebrated on August 15th. On this day, India got freedom from the British rule in 1947. British ruled India between 1765 – 1947. On the observation of India’s Independence Day, it is the National Holiday in India. The Indian freedom fight against British ruling began in 1857. The English came to India to trade and rule. This attitude increased the distance between the rulers and the ruled. From the 1920s onwards, Mahatma Gandhi led the Indian independence movement. His belief in non-violence inspired many and led to successful Independence. Along, many activists such as Vallabh Bhai Patel, B. R. Ambedkar, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Tanguturi Prakasam, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mangal Pandey, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and many more fought for freedom.

Bok choy and tomato kadi

Most of the people know kadhi as Punjabi kadhi. Though the kadhi base is made of yogurt, many variations of kadhi is made in different states. Some states make plain kadhi with besan and tampering. In some states, little jaggery is added to make it sweet, some regions make with sour yogurt, some regions add vegetables. Some areas add besan deep-fried fritters called pakora. Many types of veggies are used to make kadhi. Okra (bendi), drumsticks, tomatoes, kaddu (bottle gourd) etc. Besan is made of channa dal/ Bengal gram. It is used widely in many Indian dishes. It is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free. Besan thickens the gravy, adds a smooth texture. By adding besan to yogurt, yogurt is thickened and transformed into a smooth texture.

Turai, coconut chutney

Turai aka Ridge guard is well known in Asian countries, especially in India, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan. All of these cuisines have such a unique way of transforming this plain tasting vegetable into something amazing. Today, I introduce you to South Indian state Telangana way of transforming turai (beerakaya) into an amazing chutney (beerakaya pachadi). Not a lot of non-Indians know about chutney. Not just Indians, but non-Indians can enjoy chutneys too. Chutneys are so versatile, they can be eaten with rice as South Indians do or use as condiments for sandwiches, burgers. It also can be used as pasta sauce. Vegans all over the world or those who are struggling to find delicious and tasty meatless recipes should know about chutneys. Also those looking for diabetic friendly recipes, low carb, low sugar recipes, chutneys are rejoiced. Chutneys are all-natural, clean, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and paleo. No regrets.

Mixed vegetable cutlets

In India, Cutlets are everyone’s favorite evening snack. On a rainy evening, all you need is a cutlet. Whether they are for you or your family, or for entertaining guests, cutlets will always hit the spot. Cutlets are flat and round shaped, small patties rolled in breadcrumbs and deep fried. Cutlets are usually made of potato, or meat and spices. They are then dipped in an egg or cornstarch, then in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. Ultimately producing a most satisfying snack. When you are in the mood of eating a snack, don’t think of which restaurant to go. Instead look into your refrigerator. You probably have a lot of veggies. If you don’t use them on time, they will be spoilt. Use them up.

Masala peanuts

Masala Peanuts!! An easy, healthy Indian snack, a great side to cocktails. Masala peanuts are such an easy and perfect snack with optimal crunch, spice, nutrition, and satisfaction. It will be ready in just minutes. When you are hungry on weekdays, when you want to keep a clean snack ready after school for your kids, when you have surprise guests, when you want to munch on vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free snack, when it is raining and you want to eat something, or in any other difficult situation, Masala Peanuts will rescue you.

Coconut, blue poppy crab cakes

Presenting clean crab cakes with an Indian twist. Adding Indian twist to crab cake will make everyone’s jaw drop. Are you that person who likes to make special food for family and friends? Then this recipe is for you. Crab cakes recipe typically includes mayonnaise. You can make clean crab cakes without mayonnaise. I replaced mayonnaise with healthy fat in coconut. To replace mayonnaise creamy texture, I used poppy seed paste, and egg for binding. You will not miss mayonnaise, on the other hand, you will enjoy healthy, fresh, clean crab cake made of least processed ingredients. No artificial flavors, chemicals. You can safely replace blue poppy seeds with regular white ones.

Lotus root curry in onion, poppy seed sauce

Yet another delicacy and an absolute Vegans and vegetarians heaven. Farmer’s market and local markets carry far more varieties of veggies than you think. Some are rarely found veggies. Lotus root one of them. It is found abundantly in summers. If you find one, don’t miss it. Lotus root is a versatile vegetable. You can make an appetizer, veggie taco, veggie bowl, saute or curry out of lotus root. Vegetables or Chicken simmered in gravy with spices is most commonly known Indian westerners. This time, cook with a twist by adding lotus root. Adopt ancient Indian clean recipes. Indian cuisine offers many dishes than just naan and chicken butter masala as most of westerns see in Indian restuarants. There are many vegan, vegetarian curries made of vivid ingredients.

Moth bean chaat salad

Have you ever experienced salivation unattractively? That’s what happens when you think of Indian Chaats. Chaat can be best described as salty, sweet and tangy savory Indian snack. Chaats are India’s street food. India has some of the best street food in the world. Chaats were my and most of Indian’s all-time favorite kind of food. For children eating at chaat street cart is a great memory, for teens, they are great flirting places. No matter where Indians immigrate, they always cherish Street food moments. Besides curries, Indian cuisine offers a number of Vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, nut-free dishes. Customize the Indian dish to your taste buds and it will hit the spot every time. Moth bean chaat is Vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, nut-free. Not just for Indian food lovers, this chaat salad is must eat dish for everyone who wants to try meatless, healthy, clean recipes.

Instant Rava and flax meal dosa

For those who don’t know what Dosa is, it can be described as Indian crunchy sourdough crêpe pancake. A breakfast which is light in carbohydrates and sugars, high in protein, fiber is categorized as healthy breakfast. Traditional Dosa has high carbohydrates, no sugar, moderate in protein and fiber. Most of the western breakfasts are not in the healthy category. There are instant versions of dosa’s which are made of semolina. Since semolina is high in carbohydrates, this modified version with little semolina is low in carbs, high in omega-3. Instant flax dosa is a vegan, vegetarian, nut-free and paleo recipe, which gives you 100% nutrition. With a few changes in the recipe, traditional rava dosa is made with low in carbohydrates and no sugars, high in protein and fiber. A well made Dosa is wonderfully delicious, and is a healthy breakfast for busy mornings.

Usual western breakfasts are made of meat, highly processed all-purpose flour, sugars and topped with whipping cream. Choosing savory breakfast over sweet has many benefits. It cuts down a lot of sugars to your daily intake. Adding peppers in breakfast gives you essential minerals which keep you active all day. Instant Rava and flax meal dosa is one of the best Indian meatless option. Choose this best out of vegetarian Indian breakfast dish.