Recipes From My Kitchen

A simple everyday bitter gourd stir-fry made less bitter by soaking in turmeric and salt water, then sautéed with spices and onions. Perfect as a side dish for rice or chapati. 🕒 Prep Time 35 minutes (includes soaking time) 🍳 Cook Time 15 minutes 🍽 Servings 3–4 🧾 Ingredients Bitter gourd (karela) – 2 medium Onion – 1 medium, chopped Green chilies – 1–2, chopped Oil – 1½ tablespoons Mustard seeds – ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds (jeera) – ½ teaspoon Curry leaves – 6–8 Turmeric powder – ½ teaspoon (divided) Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon Garam masala – ¼ teaspoon Salt – to taste Water – for soaking Coriander leaves – for garnish 👩‍🍳 Method (Step-by-Step) Step 1: Prepare and Soak the Bitter Gourd Lightly peel the bitter gourd and chop into small pieces. Place in a bowl of water. Add salt and ¼ teaspoon turmeric . Soak for 30 minutes to reduce bitterness. Step 2: Drain and Squeeze After soaking, squeeze out excess water f...

A quick and simple carrot halwa made with soft-cooked carrots, milk, ghee, and dry fruits. Sweet, creamy, and perfect for festivals or as a dessert after meals.                                         🕒 Prep Time 10 minutes 🍳 Cook Time 20–25 minutes 🍽 Servings 4–5 🧾 Ingredients Carrots – 4 medium, peeled and cut into chunks Milk – ½ cup (or as needed) Ghee – 2 tablespoons Sugar – ¼ to ⅓ cup (adjust to taste) Dry fruits – cashews, almonds, raisins, etc., ¼ cup Cardamom powder – ¼ teaspoon 👩‍🍳 Method (Step-by-Step) Step 1: Cook the Carrots Peel the carrots and cut off the stems. Add carrots to a pressure cooker or Instant Pot with milk (just enough to prevent sticking). Cook 3 whistles in a pressure cooker or pressure cook in Instant Pot until carrots are soft and fully cooked. Allow pressure to release naturally. M...

This simple grated radish curry is quick to prepare and makes a healthy side dish for chapati or rice. Lightly spiced and flavorful, it’s perfect for everyday meals. 🕒 Prep Time 5 minutes 🍳 Cook Time 5 minutes 🍽 Servings 3–4 🧾 Ingredients Radish (mooli) – 1 medium, peeled and grated Oil – 1 tablespoon Mustard seeds – ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds (jeera) – ½ teaspoon Chana dal – 1 teaspoon Curry leaves – 6 to 8 Green chili – 1, finely chopped Onion – 1 small, finely chopped Turmeric powder – ¼ teaspoon Salt – to taste 👩‍🍳 Method (Step-by-Step) Step 1: Prepare the Radish Peel the radish and grate it. If the radish releases too much water, gently squeeze out excess water .  If there is only a little moisture, use it as is. Step 2: Prepare the Tempering Heat oil in a pan over medium flame. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds; let them splutter. Add chana dal and sauté until lightly golden. Add curry leaves and chopped green ...

These crispy rice balls are a great way to use leftover rice. Lightly spiced and fried to perfection, they make a delicious snack or breakfast served with chutney. 🕒 Prep Time 10 minutes 🍳 Cook Time 10–12 minutes 🍽 Servings 4–5 (depending on size of balls) 🧾 Ingredients Leftover cooked rice – 2 cups (or freshly cooked rice, cooled) Salt – ½ teaspoon (adjust to taste) Garam masala – ¼ teaspoon Chaat masala – ¼ teaspoon Red chili powder – ¼ teaspoon (optional, for heat) Black pepper powder – ⅛ teaspoon Oil – 1–2 teaspoons for frying 👩‍🍳 Method (Step-by-Step) Step 1: Prepare the Rice If using leftover rice, reheat it in the microwave to warm it up. Transfer the rice to a bowl and mash it lightly with a spoon or fork. Step 2: Add Spices Add salt, garam masala, chaat masala, red chili powder, and black pepper powder to the mashed rice. Mix well until the spices are evenly distributed. Step 3: Shape the Balls Take small porti...

This spicy garlic chutney is simple to make and pairs perfectly with dosa, idli, rice, or chapati. 🕒 Prep Time 30 minutes (soaking time) 🍳 Cook Time 5 minutes 🍽 Servings Small batch 🧾 Ingredients Garlic pods – 10 to 12 Dried red chilies – 8 to 10 Hot water – for soaking chilies Salt – to taste Oil – 1 to 2 teaspoons 👩‍🍳 Method Step 1: Soak the Red Chilies Soak dried red chilies in hot water for 20–30 minutes . After soaking, squeeze out excess water and keep the chilies aside. Step 2: Grind the Chutney Add soaked red chilies and garlic pods to a blender. Add salt as needed. Blend into a fine, smooth paste . Do not add extra water unless required. Step 3: Cook the Chutney Heat oil in a small pan on medium flame. Add the ground garlic–chili paste to the hot oil. Cook for 3–4 minutes , stirring continuously to avoid burning. Switch off the flame once the raw smell disappears. Step 4: Serve Your garlic chutney is read...

Masala Toast is a quick and tasty Indian-style breakfast made with a lightly spiced vegetable masala spread over crispy butter-toasted bread. Perfect for busy mornings or evening snacks. 🕒 Prep Time 10 minutes 🍳 Cook Time 15 minutes 🍽 Servings 2–3 🧾 Ingredients For Vegetable Masala Oil – 1 tablespoon Mustard seeds – ½ teaspoon Onion – 1 medium, finely chopped Tomato – 1 medium, finely chopped Green chilli – 1, finely chopped Bell pepper (capsicum) – ¼ cup, finely chopped Carrot – ¼ cup, grated Turmeric powder – ¼ teaspoon Chaat masala – ½ teaspoon Garam masala – ¼ teaspoon Salt – to taste For Toasting Bread slices – 4 Butter – as needed 👩‍🍳 Method (Step-by-Step) Step 1: Prepare the Masala Heat oil in a pan over medium flame. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add chopped onion and green chilli. Sauté until onions turn soft. Add chopped tomato and cook until the mixture becomes soft and mushy. Add chopped...