What's for dinner?

I am so proud of myself! DH is coming around to wanting to try Indian food. So at the supermarket I bought a packaged channa masala, because I didn't want to go through the bother of cooking it if he really didn't like it. Plus, I have no idea how to make Indian dishes.

So when I made this processed channa masala and tasted it, I knew it was very sub-par. I'm a bit of an expert now, having lived in a NJ town that has about 20 Indian restaurants within a 10 mile radius. So I actually looked up a recipe on YouTube and made it. And not only that, I didn't have garam masala, and of course neither did my Vermont market, so I made it myself!! I made my own garam masala using the spices I have on hand.

DH LOVED it!! I don't think he realizes that I actually made it from scratch! I think he thinks it's the bag I brought from the supermarket.

Anyway, I think I can actually make Indian food to satisfy my palate, and that of DH's, so that's a culinary WIN!

I found Indian dishes to be a little strange at first, but then took a closer look at the technique and it isn't much different from other cooking. Saute your aromatics in oil, add your spices to the hot oil, add some tomato, water and your other ingredients. I tend to just stick to turmeric, coriander, cumin, red pepper and garam masala for spices. I tried hing, but just can't get past the smell. We have a huge Indian grocery about 1/2 hr from me where I do a lot of other shopping, so can pick up anything I need. And there's Penzeys' where I get the garam masala.

I love Indian food and some years ago took a couple Indian cooking classes from a mother daughter duo who taught lowfat, northeastern Indian cuisine.

I haven’t cooked Indian food in a long time But generally liked everything I made.

A few years ago I tried making biryani twice, and it’s so long and involved—and in the end my biryani just wasn’t that good. I would prefer to order it at a restaurant.

Several other dishes were good and I remember the one I like best was the chickpea recipe. Oh I also liked deep fat fried samosas. The Mother/daughter duo gave their cooking class a tip to buy a certain kind of flour tortilla that functions as the Samosa wrapper.

I agree with what Herngeek said about making the Chhonk spice mixture ( it goes by several names) Although I cannot remember which ones go in first, the powdered ones or the whole spices. I have to look it up every time.


We got a coffee grinder for a wedding anniversary but I’ve always used it to grind Indian spices. Once in a while I use it for coffee though.

Chickpea dish--chana masala?

One of my favorites: https://twosleevers.com/instant-pot-keto-indian-kheema/

I adore Indian food--including hing/asafoetida. I made a dish with it once, then went to work on the bus, burped delicately and the guy in the seat in front of me whipped around and gave me a look. One of many reasons I despise public transport, and he probably does, too.

Urvashi Pitre has written a few cookbooks including The Indian Instant Pot Cookbook, which I recommend. All her cookbooks are good, with many international recipes. She also has a website https://twosleevers.com/

Also, try Ethiopian food if you get a chance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRaZbyLi8z0&t=11s

Catherine, I might have predicted your husband would love Indian food--because you describe him as a foodie, and it's the best.

Tonight we're having a kofta-farro-roasted veggie bowl.

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Originally Posted by KayLR

Tonight we're having a kofta-farro-roasted veggie bowl.

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That sounds good!

There are enough leftovers in the fridge that dh will have some choices. I'm making sourdough rolls, so will just throw a sandwich together before work.

Not a big meat eater but have always loved lamb. We haven't had any in several years due to the cost but found some close dated packages of lamp stew pieces for $1.50 each. Made traditional stew with first package last week and attempting lamb korma tonight.

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Originally Posted by JaneV2.0

Chickpea dish--chana masala?

One of my favorites: https://twosleevers.com/instant-pot-keto-indian-kheema/

I adore Indian food--including hing/asafoetida. I made a dish with it once, then went to work on the bus, burped delicately and the guy in the seat in front of me whipped around and gave me a look. One of many reasons I despise public transport, and he probably does, too.

Urvashi Pitre has written a few cookbooks including The Indian Instant Pot Cookbook, which I recommend. All her cookbooks are good, with many international recipes. She also has a website https://twosleevers.com/

Also, try Ethiopian food if you get a chance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRaZbyLi8z0&t=11s

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yes, I think it is chana masala I like. Chickpeas in a tomato sauce.

Oh those recipes sound wonderful. I have asafoetida but I don’t know what to do with it.

Reading the following, I learned that hing is distilled from fennel. I love fennel.

https://www.tarladalal.com/recipes-u...etida-hing-113