est. 2020
Aunty Knows Best
South Asian recipes by your fav solucky aunty, Hemaxi Solanki
craving something new?
try these recipes! they are meant to cater to those new to cooking, specifically South Asian cultural foods
Mint Rice
serving size: 2, preparing time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients:
2 Cups Cooked, Room Temperature Basmati Rice
Half a Bunch of Mint Leaves
2 Tablespoons Oil (Preferred: Corn Oil)
¼ Cup of Frozen, Thawed Green Peas
1 Chopped Green Chili
¼ Bunch of Chopped Cilantro
Salt, as per taste (preferred: 1 teaspoon)
¼ Cup Chopped Onion
½ Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
Equipment:
Medium Sized Pot
Ladle/Spatula/Stirring Spoon
Instructions:
1. On a stove, in the pot, pour the oil in & turn the heat to a medium-high setting.
2. Place the cumin seeds in the pot, & let the it crackle/pop.
3. Add green chili & onion to the mixture. Let the onion become somewhat transparent & “sweat”.
4. Now add mint & cilantro to the pot, stir the entire mixture for about 30 seconds or until whittled/shrunk.
5. Add salt & green peas, mix it entirely for 1-2 minutes.
6. Add rice to this & mix well gently (toss the rice).
Optional: Serve with plain yogurt OR Boondi Raita
Shiro
serving size: 2, preparing time: 25-30 minutes
Ingredients:
½ Cup Suji
½ Cup Ghee
1 ½ Cup Full Fat Milk
½ Cup Sugar
1 Teaspoon Cardamom Powder
1 Tablespoon Raisin (Optional)
Equipment:
Medium Sized Pot
Long & Flat Spatula
Microwavable Bowl
Preparation:
1. Mix the milk, sugar, & cardamom in a bowl, & microwave for 1 minute. Put this to the side.
2. Pour warm water into a small bowl, & soak the raisins in the bowl for 1-2 minutes.
3. Remove the soaked raisins from the bowl & discard the water.
Instructions:
1. In a pot, pour the ghee & suji & heat it on the stove on a medium-low setting.
2. Stir the mixture until it becomes light & fluffy, DO NOT leave it unattended, this will take 3-4 minutes, (the color should stay like a cream color, NOT brown).
3. Continue stirring & lower the heat to a low setting.
4. Add the mixture of milk, sugar, & cardamom into the pot. Pour the mixture in slowly & gently till you complete pouring. BE CAREFUL this step requires caution & might cause splattering.
5. OPTIONAL: Carefully add raisins.
6. Keep stirring until the constituency becomes thick & separates from the ghee.
7. Scoop the mixture out, & serve.
*eat this with papad on the side, this is a Solanki tradition.
Masala Chai
serving size: 2, preparing time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients:
3/4 Cup Water
2 Cups Milk (Preferred to do a mix of Full Fat (1 Cup) & 1% (1 Cup))
2 Tablespoons Chai Blend (Preferred Brand: Wagh Bakri)
½ Inch Fresh Ginger (Crushed OR Grated)
½ Teaspoon Cardamom
½ Teaspoon Tea Masala
3 Teaspoons Sugar (as per taste/optional)
Equipment:
Medium Sized Pot
Strainer
Stirring Spoon
Instructions:
1. In a pot, pour the water in & set it at a low setting, & let it heat up for 1-2 minutes.
2. Then add in the Chai Blend, & boil for 3-4 minutes at a high setting.
3. Once the Chai Blend & water has boiled, add; milk, ginger, cardamom, & tea masala to the mix.
4. Let this all boil till it rises to the top (be careful to not let this spill over). Once it has reached the top, let the mix simmer down by putting the heat down to a low setting.
5. Stir this mix to help simmer it down entirely.
6. Let this vaguely boil for about 4-5 minutes.
7. After, turn the stove off & strain the mixture into a cup of your choice.
8. Lastly, mix in your desired amount of sugar (or sweetener, honey, etc.) & serve!
Mango Lassi
serving size: 2, preparing time: 5-10 minutes
Ingredients:
1 Cup Mango Pulp (Preferred Brand: Deep)
1 Cup Yogurt (Preferred: Pavel)
2 Tablespoon Sugar (Optional but preferred)
¼ Cup Milk
¼ Cup Water
½ Cup Crushed Ice
Pinch of Salt
Equipment:
Blender
Instructions:
1. Place ALL ingredients into the blender.
2. Blend for 10-15 seconds till mixture is smooth & blended-well.
3. Pour the mix into tall glasses & add straws if desired!
Tamarind Chutney
serving size: varies/general, preparing time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients:
¼ Tamarind
½ Jaggery
¼ Teaspoon Salt
¼ Teaspoon Cumin Powder
¼ Teaspoon Chili Powder
2 Cups Water
Equipment:
Small Sized Pot
Stirring Spoon
Instructions:
1. In a pot on the stove, add ALL ingredients together on a low-medium setting. Mix this into one mixture.
2. Let this boil for 10-15 minutes.
3. Once boiled, pour the mixture into a bowl & serve!
Coriander Mint Chutney
serving size: varies/general, preparing time: 5-10 minutes
Ingredients:
¼ Cup Mint Leaves
1 Cup Cilantro
2 Tablespoons Yogurt
1 Green Chili
⅛ Teaspoon Black Salt
⅛ Teaspoon White Salt
1 Teaspoon Lemon
1 Tablespoon Chopped Onion
¼ Teaspoon Cumin Powder
Equipment:
Blender
Instructions:
1. In the blender, add ALL ingredients together & blend a low setting. Blend this into one mixture, until it is coarsely crushed & smooth.
2. If needed, add one tablespoon of water for thin consistency.
3. Pour the mixture into a bowl & serve!