The Art of Simplicity

1. Take a bowl and break one egg into it; add one tsp of vanilla extract and 1/2 or 1 tbs of sugar in it depending upon the level of sweetness you like. Add 250 ml of milk and mix the mixture well. 2. Sieve half cup of refined flour(or whole wheat flour) into the bowl and whisk the mixture/ blend it till it turns into a really fine, smooth and runny paste. 3. Take a non-stick pan, put a few drops of oil in it and after the pan turns hot put the batter on low flame and make very thin pancakes/tortillas/rotis and cook them from both sides. 4. Top them with fruits and honey/ chocolate sauce.

1. Take 1 1/4 cups of whole wheat flour and add 3 tbs of ghee to it and mix the flour. 2. Add 1/4 cup of water to 1 cup of chopped jaggery and melt it on medium flame.(Don't take this too far as it will make the cookies hard) 3. Add the melted jaggery mixture and knead the dough with your hands. 4. Make cookies with the help of an ice cream scoop and place them on a greased baking tray; put dark chocolate chunks/ chocolate chips in them. 5. Bake them for 10 to 15 mins and enjoy them after they cool down for 30 mins.

1. Marinate the chicken pieces with one tsp of salt, pepper, ginger powder, garlic powder, paprika, cornflour and one tbs of all purpose flour; leave it for about two hours. Boil potatoes as per your need with handful of peas, peel the potatoes and mash them for the mashed potato side. 2. For the salad cook pieces of sliced carrots, baby corn, capsicum and cabbage in olive oil. Add a tbs of vinegar, one tsp of salt and one tsp of pepper. Toss till the veggies tenderize but are still crunchy. You can sprinkle a few drops of lime on them. 3. Fry the chicken pieces in a covered pan (the oil has to be more than that used for stir fry but less than that used for deep fry) with medium flame for 20 minutes till the chicken gets cooked. For the barbecue sauce add two tbs of red sweet chilli sauce, two tbs of green chilly sauce, 3-4 tbs of tomato ketchup, one tbs of soy sauce, a pinch of salt and chilli flakes along with finely chopped garlic(just a little). 4. Put the sauce on top of the chick...

1. Add one cup of milk, 3 tbs of honey, one tbs of rose syrup, a pinch of cinnamon and cardamom powder along with half cup of black chia seeds in a bowl, mix the ingredients nicely and refrigerate for about 3 hours. 2. After 3 hours when the chia seeds will bloom having soaked up the milk, mix the smoothie well and top it with loads of fruits and nuts of your choice(walnuts, pistachios, almond shavings, raisins etc.) I have also added pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate crumble. Cranberries and blueberries(fresh or dried)also go extremely well with this combo!

1. For curry powder- Add two tsps of coriander powder, one tsp of pepper, one tsp red chilli powder, one tsp cumin powder, one tsp turmeric powder and one tsp dry ginger powder and grind it till it becomes a fine powder. 2. Thinly slice one red and one green bell pepper, one tomato, one onion and two carrots. Cut thin pieces of baby corn and blanch it in water for about 5 mins. 3. For chilli oil- take three big whole red chillies, slice them and pour nicely hot oil on top of them and leave them for 10 mins. 4. In a pan fry some garlic in oil and add all the vegetables, add the baby corn, salt to taste, one to two tbs of vinegar and some sweet chilli sauce.(you can also add tomato ketchup). Add the curry powder and chilli oil and stir the veggies for 15 mins till they tenderize. Then add the boiled noodles(about 400gms) and its ready! You can put chopped spring onions on top for garnish.

1. This bowl requires five components- plain steamed white rice/brown rice, boiled kidney beans/black beans that are tossed in butter, garlic and herbs; salsa sauce, corn-veggie salad, nachos and cheese. 2. For the corn salad, finely cut cabbage,onion,capsicum, carrot into thin slices and add boiled corn, salt, pepper and chilli flakes to taste and roast them in olive oil for around 10 mins. 3. For the salsa sauce soak three big, spicy red chillies in warm water for about 5 mins and grind them with 3 charred tomatoes(with the skin removed); add a pinch of red chilli powder, a tbs of chopped onion, coriander, a few drops of lemon and salt to taste.

 1.  For the bread: Knead a dough of two big cups of all purpose flour, two tbs oil, one tbs baking soda, one tbs baking powder, 3 tbs curd, 1 tsp salt, 1tsp sugar and water as required. Let the dough rest for about an hour, then make the flat breads and half cook them on a pan and keep them aside. 2. For the Paneer stuffing: Marinate cubes of cottage cheese in curd, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, crushed mint leaves, salt, cumin powder and coriander powder; let it remain marinated for at least 2 hours. 3. For the salad: Finely chop one onion, one tomato, one capsicum, one carrot, half a cucumber into very thin slices, add one tsp salt, one tsp pepper and 3 big tbs of vinegar and let it remained soaked in the vinegar for an hour. 4. For the sauce: Mix 4 tbs of mayonnaise and 2 tbs of sweet chilli sauce with one tsp of mixed herbs/flakes During the final prep, heat the rotis made on a low flame nicely till they turn slightly brown from both sides and get cooked evenly. Al...

1. Boil 1/2 litre of milk, add 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder and 5 tbs of sugar to it. Add 1/4th cup of cornflour to thicken the mixture and keep mixing continuously to remove all lumps. 2. Keep cooking the mixture for 10-15 minutes till you feel the consistency is like that of a thick chocolate shake; add 2 tbs of butter to the mixture for a rich texture. 3. Let the mixture cool down and give it a churn with a hand blender for extra smoothness. Set the mixture in bowls and refrigerate. Serve chilled and add grated chocolate or chocolate chips on top!  

1. Activate yeast by pouring little lukewarm water in a bowl, add 1tbs sugar and 1tbs yeast. Mix well and leave it for 10-15 mins. In a separate bowl, add 150 gms all purpose flour, 1tbs garlic powder, 2 tbs olive oil and knead the dough nicely. (Add appropriate water to knead the dough); tuck the dough well so it reaches the right consistency. Cover the dough with a plastic sheet and set aside for 2-3 hours.   2. Prepare the mixture by mixing boiled vegetables of your choice(onion, carrots, capsicum and corn are what I used) along with 2 tbs of pizza-pasta readymade sauce, chilly flakes, oregano, pizza seazoning, salt, pepper and a small tsp of mayonnaise.  3. Knead the dough once again using palms and sprinkle little bit of corn flour and roll it in a triangular shape; put the pizza stuffing in between and fold the edges to the top to form a parcel. Melt butter and add pizza seasoning to it, then brush this butter mix over the parcels. 4. Keep the parcel pockets on a greased...

1. Cut a french bread loaf into slices( a garlic bread loaf will also suffice), apply butter and grill it from both sides. 2. Prepare a mixture of thinly cut pieces of tomato, onions, basil leaves, salt, pepper, garlic powder(optional), oregano and olive oil. You can even add blanched mushrooms as per your choice. 3. Put the mixture on the grilled bread pieces; put shredded mozzarella/cheddar cheese and they are ready to be eaten!(if want to cheese to melt then you can grill the toasts once again just for a minute)

1. Soak chia seeds in plain toned milk(just enough for them to absorb the milk and bloom) and add a tsp of vanilla extract and a pinch of cinnamon powder to it. Add 2-3 tablespoons of sugar/ honey (as per your quantity). Let it be soaked for 4-5 hours. 2. Prepare mango pulp(aamras) and refrigerate it. 3. Start layering the chia pudding and mango pulp in a glass and top it with nuts and fruits of your choice.

This is a layered jelly custard dessert that is best served chilled! 1. For the custard boil about 1/2 litres of milk and add around 75-100 g sugar in it. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of custard powder to another 100 ml of cold milk till the powder gets dissolved in it and then add the concoction to the boiling milk; keep stirring continuously till the mixture becomes completely lump free. Keep it aside to set.(you can refrigerate it) 2. Make gelatin of any flavour as per the instructions on its packet and let it set at room temperature. 3. Start layering with a base layer of crumbled marigold or digestive biscuits followed by banana pieces. After all the layers, top the dessert with lots of other chilled fruits and nuts of your choice.

This dish is super easy to make and even healthy plus filling.  1.Take a packet of any instant noodles and boil them in its own tastemaker or even homemade masalas. In a separate vessel boil all chopped vegetables of your choice (onions,carrots,corn,broccoli,spring onions,beans,capsicum and even mushrooms) 2. Add salt,pepper and chilli flakes as per your taste. Add soya sauce, chilli sauce and a drizzle of vinegar; pair it with boiled egg and stir fried paneer/tofu.

1. Marinate boneless chicken pieces(slit them first) in coriander, ginger& garlic paste, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste, herbs(oregano, chilli flakes, thyme-whatever is available) and olive oil for at least two hours. 2. Cover them with aluminium foil and bake them for 25-30 mins; then toss them in butter and flour gravy till you feel the chicken is perfectly cooked and has absorbed all the flavours. 3. Serve them with rice(cooked in chicken broth, whole spices and little bit of finely chopped onion for the extra flavour)

1. Take one cup of all purpose flour and add 1tbsp of sugar, 1tsp baking powder and a pinch of salt. 2. Melt 2 tbsp butter and add 1 cup of warm milk, one egg and 1tsp vanilla extract. 3. Whisk the dry and wet ingredients together and the batter is ready. PLUM SAUCE: Put 6-7 de-seeded plums in a small pan and keep adding water little by little to check its consistency. Add two tablespoons of sugar and keep mixing till the sugar dissolves with the plums. For more smoothness in the sauce, one can also grind it.

  1. Heat some olive oil, add some chopped onions and garlic and saute them. Add some chopped mushrooms to it and saute them as well. 2. Add tomato puree(of blanched tomatoes) and add red chilli flakes, red chilli sauce, tabasco sauce, ketchup and mix everything well. Roughly tear some basil leaves and drop it in the gravy. Add dry oregano, salt and cook it for about 10 mins. 3. Add water if necessary and then add boiled spaghetti and mix everything well.

For the dough: 4 cups all-purpose flour and salt to taste;1 tsp activated yeast and 1 tsp sugar (Water as required) and 2 tbsp oil. For the Cheese Mixture: 200 gm processed cheese 1 tbsp Garlic (chopped) 1 tsp Chilli Flakes 1 tsp coriander chopped For Garlic Butter: 2 tbsp Butter 1 tsp Chilli Flakes 1 tsp Coriander Leaves (chopped) 1. Take the ingredients for the dough in a bowl & knead to a soft smooth dough, rest the dough for at least 60 minutes before using it. 2. Prepare the garlic butter & garlic cheese filling by combining the ingredients for the same. 3. To make the knots, roll out a small portion of the dough & stuff it with cheese mixture, seal by rolling over the edges & make knots & let it rest for another 20 minutes. 4. Brush with garlic butter & bake at 180 degrees C for around 20 minutes.

In a bowl, add 1&1/2 cups milk and 1 tbsp vinegar and let it rest for 5 minutes. In a separate bowl, add 1 & 3/4 cups all purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp baking soda. Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/4 cup sugar, Mix until nicely combined. Add the milk mixture into the dry ingredients. Add in hot water and 1/4 cup vegetable oil and the batter is ready!

 1. Combine 1 cup melted butter, 2 tablespoons oil, 4 eggs and 1 tbsp vanilla extract and whisk them together preferably using an electric beater until smooth and fluffy.      2. Sieve 1 cup all purpose flour and 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder in a separate bowl and add 2 cups sugar and a pinch of salt.       3. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients (don't over mix) and pour the batter into a well greased baking dish. Top with nuts and chocolate pieces and let it bake for around 35 minutes (in a pre-heated oven) at 180 degree celsius.

1. In a pan over medium heat, melt butter, then add semi-boiled chicken pieces. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and dried basil. Cook for around 8-10 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked. 2. In another pan over medium heat, melt butter and add garlic and saute till it turns light brown. Add flour to the garlic and butter, stirring until incorporated. 3. Pour milk little by little, stirring well in between, until fully incorporated and the sauce begins to thicken. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil, and stir well to incorporate. 4. Add cheese and stir until melted and then add the chicken pieces and pour the sauce over the spaghetti.