Varada's Kitchen and Garden

This recipe was given to me by my sister. It is a healthy alternative to the coconut chutney and just as flavorful. You will need 1 Granny Smith apple (green apple) chopped into cubes 1 handful fresh coriander leaves (washed) 1/2 cup peanuts 1 serrano pepper salt to taste Grind all the ingredients into a thick paste using a blender. Use a couple of tablespoons of water if required.

Poli is the stable of the Indian diet. You will need Whole wheat flour available at Indian Stores. 1tsp oil (vegetable or olive oil) You can make about 6 polis per cup of flour. Using water make firm dough with one cup of water. Knead the dough well. Pour a teaspoon of vegetable or olive oil on your palm and knead the dough again. Let it rest for 15minutes. Heat a flat pan on medium-high heat. I used to have a smooth top stove so I used another burner with a cooling rack on it. If you use a gas stove you don’t need to use a second burner. Divide the dough into 5-6 small balls. Using a little flour, roll one of the balls of dough into a flat circle about 8inches across. Place on the hot pan. Let it cook on side A for about 15 seconds and turn over. Let it cook on side B for 1/2 a minute. Then place the poli, side A face down on the second burner. If you are using a stove top remove the pan from the stove and place the poli directly on the burner. Either way it wi

You will need A big bunch of green beans 1 small onion chopped 1 small tomato chopped a handful coriander leaves 1 tsp. coriander seeds 1 tsp. cumin seeds 1 tsp. garlic paste 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder 1tsp mustard seeds 1/4 tsp. asefotida 1 tbsp olive oil In a blender blend the onion, tomato, coriander leaves, coriander and cumin seeds, turmeric powder and the garlic paste. It will look like this. Slit the beans lengthwise and then chop into 1 inch pieces. Heat a saucepan on medium heat. Add olive oil and mustard seeds. Once the seeds splatter, add the asafetida and the chopped beans. Sprinkle some water and cook the beans covered until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the masala (curry) paste and cook until the water evaporates. Serve hot with poli (flat bread).

A collection of marathi desserts recipes

Faral or special food cooked during festivals. 

A collection of authentic Maharashtrian snacks

A collection of authentic Maharashtrian poli, dhirdi and thalipeet

A collection of authentic Maharashtrian dal, Kadhi and usal recipes.

A collection of authentic Maharashtrian bhaajya.

A collection of authentic Maharashtrian koshimbirs.

A collection of authentic Maharashtrian chutneys and pickles.

A collection of authentic Maharashtrian side dishes.

A collection of authentic Maharashtrian recipes

When it is okay to play with your food

A collection of ice cream and sherbets

A collection of cakes

A collection of kheer and pudding

A collection of custard and tarts

A collection of chocolate based desserts

Halwa can be made with a wide variety of flours. Usually milk, cream, fruit or dry fruits are added. It is made by cooking the ingredients on low heat stirring continuously resulting in a delicious dessert, the halwa.

A collection of desserts made with fruit

A collection of holiday desserts

Ladoo is another delicious dessert made with flour and sugar.

A collection of barfis and wadis

A collection of desserts that are served in sugar syrup

A collection of Desserts

A collection of Pasta, Noodle and Dumpling recipes

A collection of Enchiladas Tamales Quesadillas recipes from all over the world

New Year

Makar Sankrant is celebrated on the 14/15th of January. The sun as seen from the earth appears to move from the north in winter to the south in summer and back again in winter. The perceived movement of the sun is the result of the earth's tilt. Makar Sankrant marks the day the sun is at its northern most point as seen from the earth. These are the recipes cooked to mark this day.

Chocolates and roses are two of the most popular gifts on this day. Here are some chocolate goodies you can make as gifts for your valentine.

Holi or the festival of colors is a harvest festival celebrated during spring. People play with colors to acknowledge the colorful spring landscape. Food is always a big part of this holiday.

Gudi Padwa or Chaitra Pratipada, is the new year as per the lunar calendar.  On this day in every Marathi home a Gudi is placed outside the house. The Gudi is a decorated stick. A silk cloth is placed on the stick and an inverted brass or copper pot is placed on it. Mango leaves are used around the mouth of the pot and it is tied to the stick. The Gudi is then decorated with flowers, halad (turmeric) and kunku (red vermilion). The Gudi is tied to a pillar in the backyard or to a window. Traditional Marathi dessert is cooked on this day.

Chaitra is the first month of the Indian Calendar. During this month Ambyachi dal (ambe dal) and panha both featuring unripe green mangoes are very popular in Maharashtrian homes. I am featuring both of the recipes here.

Here are some red, white and blue recipes to celebrate the 4th of July - Independence day.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a late summer festival celebrated in most Maharashtrian homes. During this festival we bring home a murthi (idol) of Lord Ganesh or make one at home like the one I made in the picture. We then ask the 'nirgun-nirakaar' (one with no definition) Lord to grace our house. During the festival we make Ukadiche Modak and an array of different goodies that are shared with friends and family. The festival lasts for 1.5 to 11 days. On the last day the idol is immersed in water to mark the end of the festival.

Navratri or navratra or nine nights is a festival to celebrate Devi or Goddess. The festival celebrates powder or shakti, spiritual wealth and wisdom and education.

Dasara is a celebration of the tools of our trade. Children and adults alike pray to books that give us knowledge. Farmers acknowledge their tractors, computer scientist their computers. We celebrate our cars and any other tool that helps us do what it is we do everyday.

Diwali faral has a special meaning for anyone who celebrates Diwali, the festival of lights. On the morning of the big day families rise early, bathe before sunrise and have the Diwali faral for breakfast. On this page I have a collection of what typically goes on that plate in the Marathi home. All the deep fried recipes have been converted and baked instead. I also have some not so traditional recipes included. Enjoy!

Halloween Recipes featuring some odd shaped cookies and tightly wrapped mummies.

Holidays! A time to reconnect with family and friends. A time we look forward to so we can relax, catch up and rejuvenate. Food plays a central role in all holidays. Here is a collection of recipes for all the different holidays we celebrate.

I wrote on November 17th, 2007: This is my new blog where I plan on recording the recipes I try in my Kitchen. They will all be vegetarian, mostly Indian recipes. But for the past six years I used this blog as a placeholder for my Thanksgiving recipes and memories. I was so busy with my family and job I never got or took the time to update this blog. Though I tried new dishes all the time they never made it to this blog. Fast forward to November 17th, 2013: This year it has all changed. I have decided to come back to blogging and use that as an incentive to try new things in the kitchen. So today I am removing the old entries and kick starting the blog I started back on November 17th, 2007.