Nothing can be simpler and cleaner tasting than a cucumber raita. Baby seedless cucumbers (Indian grocery stores call them Indian cucumbers, some stores call them Persian cucumbers) have a more crunchy texture that contrasts well against the creamy, cool yogurt. Low-fat or non-fat yogurt is fine, as is home-made yogurt. However, whole milk yogurt or... Continue Reading →
Tomato Salad
A colorful, flavorful, and quick salad, a tomato salad is so refreshing on a hot day. At the peak of tomato season, when heirloom tomatoes are on sale, we get a medley of mini heirloom tomatoes with beautiful shades of red, gold, orange, yellow and purple. They look gorgeous. Other times, we just get what... Continue Reading →
Tabbouleh
Salads are so easy to make at home and so much cheaper than buying from outside. This salad keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days. The bold flavors are just right for the summer when herbs are plentiful and reasonably priced. Ingredients 2 cups washed and chopped flat-leaf... Continue Reading →
Spinach Apple Cranberry Salad
This salad is so festive looking and the cranberries look like little jewels against the bright green spinach. This can be a meal in itself with some fresh, crusty bread. The orange flavored dressing goes perfectly with the spinach, cranberries, and walnuts. Served first at a Thanksgiving dinner, it was a big hit! This is... Continue Reading →
Orange Fennel Salad
Delicate fennel and sweet oranges go well together to make a very refreshing, light salad. If you like onions, go ahead and add some thinly sliced red onions or some chopped scallion greens. We prefer ours without onions. Chill for 2 to 8 hours hours for the flavors to blend and the fennel to become... Continue Reading →
Hira’s Cabbage Tomato Salad
Cabbage is a wonderful vegetable in a salad. Many children and adults who do not eat the cooked vegetable end up loving it in this crunchy, tender salad. Lettuce was not available in India until recently, and is still not widely available. So cabbage is used in salads that are eaten in small portions, almost... Continue Reading →
Fava Bean Salad
Dried fava beans are widely used in Middle Eastern cooking and this recipe is our version of ful medames. The beans may not look as attractive as other more neat-looking beans but these fava beans have a delicious, nutty, buttery texture and flavor. It is a refreshing dish in the summer with the Mediterranean flavors... Continue Reading →
Chickpea Tabbouleh
In this very fresh, herby, flavorful dish, the traditional tabbouleh becomes a little more substantial with more bulgur and chickpeas. It makes for a perfect, light, summer meal, or a healthful snack. I prepare it in the morning for the evening meal and make extra for a weekend lunch. The flavors deepen with time, and... Continue Reading →
Black Bean, Corn, and Tomato Salad
This is born from the necessity of having to come up with quick, colorful meals with what is in the fridge and pantry. We now make it regularly and guests enjoy it enough to ask for the recipe. It is colorful and delicious with tortilla or pita chips. As a side dish, it goes well... Continue Reading →
