Bhendi Chi Bhaaji (Marathi style okra)

I'm super excited to share today's recipe with you because it is my number 1, hands down, definite, complete, utter favorite vegetable dish ever. It is also ridiculously simple, quick, and easy. Even as a vegetable-abhorring child I would inhale this dish by the spoonful, and I still find myself going back for more. In fact, I don't think I've ever made it and not finished it in one sitting.

Ta da! Bhendi chi bhaaji - okra, cooked Marathi style.

Mustard Spiced Sliders with Mint Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

What is it about making tiny versions of real food that makes it that much more delicious?

I don't know, but these little munchkin sliders definitely fit the bill.

Lemon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Now that it's November, I'm setting my sights on Thanksgiving (am I late to the game? I mean, I think all the stores around here put up cornucopias and turkey decorations at 12:01am on November 1st - or even at the same time as they had pumpkins up for Halloween! It's really making me feel inadequate.). And although MIL always takes care of the turkey (whew! Not my cup of tea - I'll stick to roasting a guinea hen or two now and then), I'll be contributing at least one side dish, so I'm keeping my eyes open (perhaps these carrots?).



And these brussels sprouts might just fit the bill. Dark and crunchy in spots, full of meaty flavor, with a nice bit of sweetness from caramelized onions, and a burst of bright lemony flavor to boot.

Glazed Meatloaf

This is a dish you make when you want something satisfying and hearty and simple and delicious. This is for a night at home, when all you want to do is dinner and a Netflix movie.



And so, when FIL came for a visit and requested comfort food, this was the comfortiest of comfort foods that popped into my mind.

Apple Guava Chaat

What's sweet and spicy and crunchy and mushy and seasonal and delicious?

When you've had enough of stewing and baking and cooking your apples and you're looking for something with a little bit of a savory crunch to it, take some inspiration from delicious Indian street food and pop your apples into a nice ol' chaat.

Apple Crisp

If you spent this weekend at an orchard engaging in one of the quintessential American Fall pastimes - apple picking - you might be staring at your haul in a bit of horror. How, you might be thinking, does one get through enough apples to feed ten horses? What, you might be saying to yourself, was I thinking? Well, enough of these horror-ful speculations. You know you'd do the same thing if you went back to an orchard next weekend. Who can say no to bountiful apple trees?!

Thankfully, since it's apple season, it's also the season for applie pie and apple sauce and all manner of crisps and crumbles (always to be accompanied with some mulled cider of course).

Homemade Ricotta

You know what sounds super crazy difficult and is actually super crazy easy? Making cheese at home. For real! No kidding. Absolutely.

Minted Spiced Roasted Baby Potatoes

Sometimes dinners are quite involved around these parts. There's something wonderfully calming about making sure to follow each step in a complicated recipe, especially if you have time on hand and either good conversation, good music, or good silence for company. 

Spiced Scrambled Eggs with Mushrooms and Spinach

This might lose me some friends, but I've been mustering up the courage to say this, and say it I shall: I'm kind of over brunch. Gasp! Sacrilege! I know! But what can I say, after my billionth overpriced omelette and weak bloody mary, after a few too many lackluster pancakes, after that biscuit that just isn't as life changing as it's billed to be, there it is. There's a lot to be said for languorous weekend meals with friends, and I'm all for mimosas, but I find myself missing weekend lunches - where did they disappear?! Then again, perhaps it all comes down to wondering why I need someone else to cook me some eggs when a perfectly good scrambled egg can happen so quickly and easily in my own kitchen.

Let's be honest - I'm probably not giving up on waffles and candied bacon just yet (I mean - candied bacon! Crunchy waffles! Perhaps with seasonal fruit? Real maple syrup? Okay I'm almost talking myself into being a brunch fan again...), but it becomes a little easier to say no to overpriced eggs when you can rustle this up all on your own:

Paneer Curry

Some nights you look in the fridge just when you're on the edge of hunger. You know you want dinner soon, but the only thing staring back at you is some frozen chicken that was supposed to have thawed, but decided not to. Those are the nights you need to have some paneer on hand - super easy, super quick, chop up some onions, some tomatoes, toss in some spices, and dinner is served!

Cheese, onion, tomatoes - that's all you need, really.

Pork Kale and Mushroom Stir Fry

You know what's quick and easy and delicious? Stir Fry! Plus, this one has kale in it, so you can spend the rest of the evening feeling smug about your healthful cooking. Win win.