There is a very famous sweet shop just round the corner. I have fond memories of that place – every Sunday we would drive down there and stock up on our weekly supply of farsan and mithais. But ever since this pandemic hit us, those trips stopped – for obvious reasons. Indians have a sweet tooth and post every meal we want something sweet. For so many months, I missed that joyous feeling of gorging on the besan ladoos, balushahis and all the other exotic sweets.
Until recently, I decided to help myself and make these yummy treats at home. We may be locked down, but love and laughter are not cancelled. Took me a few extra hours but I whipped up some vadas, bhajiyas and ladoos for the family. And that made our week. And that is why we’re here today – to share a few easy dish ideas with you that you can make at home and satisfy your cravings.

  1. Kanda Bhajiya – No Mumbaikar is stranger to Kanda Bhajiya! It is extremely flavourful with thinly sliced onions coated with a spicy besan marinade enjoyed with a green mint chutney. It acts like a perfect snack to binge on and everyone enjoys it!

Tip from the Mejwaani Rasoi – To prevent bhajiyas from absorbing too too much oil, add a pinch of ‘salt’ in the oil while frying it in the pan. This way they soak less oil.

  1. Besan Ladoo – We Indians take our desserts very seriously and it comes as no surprise that Besan Ladoos are a cult favourite! The sheer simplicity of the dish is what makes it stand out. These ladoos are made of gram flour, desi ghee (add a little extra, no one will know :P), sugar and are best enjoyed with chopped nuts. The ladoos melt in your mouth and you will not be able to stop at one.

Tip from the Mejwaani Rasoi – Roasting besan correctly is the key to making delectable and fragrant ladoos. If not done properly, the ladoos would taste raw and if overdone, they can have a bitter or burnt flavour.

  1. Sabudana Vada – How can we talk about Maharashtrian snacks and not include Sabudana Vada to our list? Sabudana Vada is one of those delights that is not only a teatime snack but also doubles up as an upvas snack. It is made of tapioca, peanuts, potatoes, and some herbs. This snack is best enjoyed with some chai and spicy green chutney!

Tip from the Mejwaani Rasoi – Always soak the sabudana in water for 5-6 hours so that they are soft. Completely squeeze out all the water from the soaked sabudana before making the vada mix to prevent the vadas from breaking in oil.

  1. Puranpoli – Puranpoli is an Indian mom’s counter to the good old stuffed pancakes only making it healthier and tastier! While Puranpoli is mostly enjoyed on Gudi Padwa, the dish is so good, should be consumed on all festivals! It is made of chana dal, jaggery and ghee. Good news that it is a great dessert for weight watchers too! Puran Poli is had with ghee and milk. This combination helps speed up the fat burning process while keeping the taste buds satisfied!

Tip from the Mejwaani Rasoi – Instead of whole wheat flour, you can also make the dough with all-purpose flour or half-half of both flours.

  1. Basundi – Basundi is a classic example of how just because something super rich and yummy, can be easy to make. Basundi is flavoured with cardamom and Nutmeg and thick consistency milk loaded with nuts. This is a great dish to make when you have a very complicated entrée and main course and want to end the dinner with something simple yet tasty.

Tip from the Mejwaani Rasoi – Ensure that you are consistently stirring the milk to prevent the milk solids from getting burnt, this could alter the taste of the Basundi. Condensed milk can be replaced with full fat milk for better results.
I can guarantee these dishes will uplift your mood and make your day brighter. But let’s not forget how we are all working a little more these days. It would be bummer to spend the rest of your time in the kitchen than spending some quality time with your family and friends. And that is what we are here for – just order your favourites from this week’s menu. From our kitchen to your dining table!
We use the choicest ingredients, but our secret is the love that we season the food with. Our food is home style, hygienic, fresh and has a burst of authentic flavours. Let us be the source of your happiness by letting us do what we do best – adding flavour to your life, one dish at a time!