Dahi Pallay

April 22, 2022
Ingredients

dumplings (pallay)

Amount Ingredient
~½ cup gram flour (besan)
as needed water
1 tsp cumin seeds
to taste salt
as needed oil for frying

Yogurt (dahi)

Amount Ingredient
1 container yogurt
as needed milk
2 potatoes, medium
1½ cups chickpeas, cooked
⅛ – ¼ tsp cayenne peppper
1 tsp cumin seeds
to taste salt

Process
1. score potatoes (for easy-peel) and set to boil in salted water
  - OR set on trivet in Instant Pot with a cup of water for (8-10 minutes)
    
    can also cover with water in Instant Pot (without trivet)
  - OR pierce with a knife and microwave until cooked through (5-10 minutes)
2. mix the yogurt with milk to thin out until desired consistency is reached (keep it thinner than you want the final dish to be since the pallay will soak up the liquid and thicken the overall mixture, as will refrigeration)
3. add spices, chickpeas; whisk and set aside in fridge
4. prepare the pallay batter by adding all the ingredients to a bowl and mixing until there are no lumps; you may need to scrape some lumps against the bottom and sides of the bowl to crush them. use as much water as needed to get a runny consistency, something like crepe batter.
5. heat frying oil in wok, sauce pot, or something deeper than a frying pan, preferably
6. drain potatoes, peel, and refrigerate until they’re easy to handle; cubing hot potatoes is a hassle and causes crumbling/smushing
7. when the oil is ready, dollop blobs and strings of batter in and fry in batches until light or golden brown. vary the shapes so you have some dumpling shapes and some thinner strings or dots. dump fried pallay into large mixing bowl. repeat until all batter is used up.
8. cover fried pallay in water for 1-2 minutes; check to see that even the hard pieces have softened up, then drain completely and add to yogurt mixture
9. cube chilled potatoes, add to yogurt mixture
10. mix until everything is thoroughly coated; refrigerate and serve once fully chilled
Notes
- recipe as written is a bare-bones base to build off of; but I often like it just like this
mix-ins & toppings
- tomatoes
- thin-sliced onions
- some like to sweeten this dish with a little sugar (to taste)
- a drizzle of tamarind chutney adds sour / tangy notes
- dahi palla are often served with chaat masala sprinkled on top as a garnish and to add color
Mains // Recipe // Stovetop

calories calculated ○ cold ○ desi ○ mom’s recipe ○ pakistani ○ photo ○ vegetarian
Quasi-Caprese Bagel

April 19, 2022
Ingredients

Amount Ingredient
1 bagel, toasted
25g boursin, cracked pepper
~4 tomatoes, cherry
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
3 basil leaves, fresh, ribboned

Process
1. toast bagel
2. spread each slice with boursin; layer other ingredients on top
Nutrition

470 calories

Notes
- I used and recommend an everything bagel
- you can use any flavor of boursin, but I recommend the cracked pepper one; if you don’t have it, crack some fresh black pepper on top of whatever flavor boursin you have, after spreading
- can turn it into a breakfast sandwich by adding an over easy fried egg on top
Mains // Oven // Recipe

better than takeout ○ breakfast ○ calories calculated ○ italian ○ photo ○ quick ○ sandwich ○ vegetarian

Amount	Ingredient
~½ cup	gram flour (besan)
as needed	water
1 tsp	cumin seeds
to taste	salt
as needed	oil for frying

Amount	Ingredient
1 container	yogurt
as needed	milk
2	potatoes, medium
1½ cups	chickpeas, cooked
⅛ – ¼ tsp	cayenne peppper
1 tsp	cumin seeds
to taste	salt

Amount	Ingredient
1	bagel, toasted
25g	boursin, cracked pepper
~4	tomatoes, cherry
1 tsp	balsamic vinegar
3	basil leaves, fresh, ribboned

Charred Asparagus with Beets, Dates, & Goat Cheese

April 10, 2022

Credits

Recipe adapted from Bon Appétit

Ingredients

Amount	Ingredients
2	beets, sliced thin
1	lemon, juice + zest of
¼ tsp	salt
15g	extra virgin olive oil
450g // 1 lb	asparagus
1 tsp	black pepper, fresh cracked
½ tsp	red chili flakes
55g	dates, pitted, sliced
85g	goat cheese, crumbled
2 T	mint, fresh, ribboned

Process

Toss beets in lemon juice, lemon zest, salt; set aside
Char asparagus in olive oil over medium-high heat
Sprinkle fresh cracked black pepper, chili flakes
Add chopped dates, cook til softened (about 3 minutes)
Add beets along with juices in bowl
Turn off heat; top with goat cheese, mint

Nutrition

Total recipe: 650 calories
Per 100g: 102 calories

Notes

85g goat cheese makes it quite decadent; this can easily be reduced

Charred Asparagus with Beets, Dates, & Goat Cheese

Mains // Recipe // Stovetop

better than takeout ○ calories calculated ○ one pot pan or bowl ○ photo ○ quick ○ vegetarian

Falafel Salad

March 3, 2022
Ingredients

Makes 1 serving

Amount Ingredients
28g hummus
100g falafel
92g cucumber, peeled, diced
44g tomatoes, diced
50g sweet kale salad (salad only)

Process
1. Spread hummus around bottom of low bowl or plate; thin with water to desired consistency (use about a teaspoon at a time)
2. Crumble falafel on top; layer cucumber and tomatoes
3. Chop up salad kit and add on top
4. Mix everything together, scraping the hummus from the bottom in the process
Nutrition

311 calories

Notes
- I used restaurant falafel, but you could use any that you prefer.
Variations
- add hot sauce; I’d particularly recommend something with a smoky cumin flavor like a red shug/zhug
- can also add tahini to help increase the moisture and keep it from being too dry; this will significantly increase the calories
- can add seasonings like sumac, za’atar, or herbs like mint and cilantro
- can bulk it up with chickpeas, beans, or chicken
Meal Ideas // No Cook // Salad

arab ○ calories calculated ○ cold ○ low effort ○ middle eastern ○ one pot pan or bowl ○ photo ○ quick ○ vegetarian
Spicy Cheddar Arugula Toast

January 18, 2022
Layer upscale flavors on light, rustic toast for a boutique bistro experience. Great for breakfast as it’s light on the stomach.

Ingredients

Makes 1 serving

Amount Ingredient
57g Pane Turano Italian bread, toasted
32g red pepper fruit spread
40g cranberry white cheddar
~¼ cup arugula

Products

Aldi
- Pane Turano Italian Bread
- Specially Selected Red Pepper Fruit Spread
Costco
- Maple Leaf Cheese Cranberry White Cheddar
Assembly

Layer bread with ingredients in the order listed.

Nutrition

393 calories

Notes
- Ingredients as listed makes 2 decent sized toasts, though only one is pictured.
Airfryer // Mains // Meal Ideas

better than takeout ○ breakfast ○ calories calculated ○ low effort ○ photo ○ quick ○ vegetarian
Mint Kava

January 17, 2022
Ingredients

Makes 1 cup

Amount Ingredients
1 cup water, boiling
1 teabag, black tea
½ tsp honey
1 T lemon juice, fresh
5-10 mint leaves, fresh

Process
1. Add all the ingredients to a teacup and pour boiling water on top
2. Steep to desired strength
Nutrition

25 calories per cup

Notes

All measurements are to taste. I prefer it less sweet, more tart, quite minty and weak on the tea but feel free to adjust to your own preferences.
Drinks // Recipe // Stovetop

arab ○ calories calculated ○ desi ○ middle eastern ○ one pot pan or bowl ○ pakistani ○ photo ○ quick ○ vegetarian
Chickpea Salad with Citrus Tahini Dressing

January 16, 2022
Ingredients

Chickpea Salad

Amount Ingredients
180g chickpeas, dry^*
320g cucumber, diced
45g tomatoes, diced
22g shallots or red onion, finely diced
20g cilantro, chopped
^*Can replace with ~2 15oz cans of chickpeas (drained), or 450g cooked & frozen

Citrus Tahini Dressing

Amount Ingredients
75g tahini
50g lime juice, fresh
40g lemon juice, fresh
26g water
½ tsp sumac
to taste salt

Process
1. If using dry beans, add them to instant pot, cover with water by several inches, add salt and seal lid.
```
Pressure: High
Time: 40 minutes
Release: Quick
```
1. Prepare all the ingredients (chop, dice, juice, etc.)
2. Toss everything together and taste for seasoning
Notes
- This dish is best served cold, so if using dry chickpeas, prepare them in the morning or the night before and refrigerate
- Shallots are milder than onions but super expensive; use red onions if you’re not a Rockefeller
- Can use all lemon juice or all lime juice, if that’s all you have on hand
Instant Pot // Mains // No Cook // Recipe // Salad // Stovetop

arab ○ better than takeout ○ cold ○ middle eastern ○ one pot pan or bowl ○ photo ○ vegetarian
Kheer

January 9, 2022
Ingredients

Amount Ingredients
1 gallon // 3.78 L milk, whole
1 cup // 200g rice, basmati
1 green cardamom pod, shell discarded
½ cup // 100g sugar
to taste raisins, golden
to taste almonds, crushed/slivered

Process
1. Thoroughly wash rice until water runs clear, about 3-4 times
2. In heavy-bottomed pot or saucepan, set a gallon of whole milk on to boil; add rice and cardamom
3. Cook down until milk and rice thicken into rice-pudding consistency
  - Be sure to scrape bottom of pot to avoid scorching milk
  - Press the rice against the sides of the pot to mush and thicken; you can use a stick blender or hand mixer to speed up the process and for more even consistency
4. Once desired consistency is reached, add sugar, raisins and almonds; cook until sugar is thoroughly dissolved and evenly distributed
Notes
- Kheer may be served warm (if fresh made), but is most often chilled and served cold
- Some prefer not to stir the raisins and almonds throughout the dish, instead reserving them for garnish on top of the finished kheer; you can also do both
- If slicing almonds, microwave in some water in order to soften the nut and loosen the skin for easy removal
- Chilled kheer may form a skin on top; this is completely normal and nothing to worry about. To avoid this over with plastic wrap and push it down so that it touches the surface of the kheer
Recipe // Stovetop // Sweets

desi ○ mom’s recipe ○ one pot pan or bowl ○ pakistani ○ photo ○ rice ○ vegetarian
Black Bean Burger Salad

December 15, 2021
Ingredients

Amount Ingredients
1 tomato, diced
½ cucumber, large, diced
66g salsa
2 black bean burgers, toasted
15g cheese, shredded, Mexican blend
38g sour cream
3 leaves lettuce, iceberg, chopped
to taste cilantro, fresh

Process
1. Prepare black bean burger however you like (airfryer, stovetop, George Foreman grill or panini press, toaster oven, etc.)
2. Chop tomato and cucumber; toss with salsa and layer on bottom of a plate
3. Crumble black bean burger over salad base
4. Sprinkle cheese immediately on top so it melts a little
5. Add sour cream, lettuce, and cilantro
Nutrition

640 calories

Notes
- Can mix sour cream with salsa to make a kind of sauce
- Use whatever brand of black bean burgers you like, except the Don Lee Farms ones, which are bland with no flavor.
Airfryer // Mains // Recipe // Salad // Stovetop

calories calculated ○ low effort ○ mexican ○ one pot pan or bowl ○ photo ○ quick ○ vegetarian
Midwestern Caprese

December 14, 2021
Layer tomatoes and cucumbers on white bread and top with a slice of American cheese.

Nutrition

240 calories for 1 sandwich

Notes
- Don’t discard the tomato seeds, let the tomato juices drip onto the bread to hydrate it and keep from having a dry sandwich without the need for mayo
- Add Sriracha or hot sauce of choice for a kick of heat
Mains // Meal Ideas // No Cook

calories calculated ○ low effort ○ photo ○ quick ○ sandwich ○ vegetarian

Amount	Ingredients
28g	hummus
100g	falafel
92g	cucumber, peeled, diced
44g	tomatoes, diced
50g	sweet kale salad (salad only)

Amount	Ingredient
57g	Pane Turano Italian bread, toasted
32g	red pepper fruit spread
40g	cranberry white cheddar
~¼ cup	arugula

Amount	Ingredients
1 cup	water, boiling
1	teabag, black tea
½ tsp	honey
1 T	lemon juice, fresh
5-10	mint leaves, fresh

Amount	Ingredients
180g	chickpeas, dry^*
320g	cucumber, diced
45g	tomatoes, diced
22g	shallots or red onion, finely diced
20g	cilantro, chopped

Ingredients

dumplings (pallay)

Yogurt (dahi)

Process

Notes

mix-ins & toppings

Ingredients

Process

Nutrition

Notes

Credits

Ingredients

Process

Nutrition

Notes

Ingredients

Process

Nutrition

Notes

Variations

Ingredients

Products

Aldi

Costco

Assembly

Nutrition

Notes

Ingredients

Process

Nutrition

Notes

Ingredients

Chickpea Salad

Citrus Tahini Dressing

Process

Notes

Ingredients

Process

Notes

Ingredients

Process

Nutrition

Notes

Nutrition

Notes