Snacks

Jacket Potatoes are the ultimate winter warmer dish! The freshly baked potato with melted butter and cheese oozing out is such a comfort. I have added a healthier and almost guilt free potato, by adding a good amount of vegetables. You can use any vegetables of your choice, just simply follow the basic cooking method I have used and you will soon enjoy a lovely, healthy and satisfying dish!

I love South Indian food. These Idlis are so easy to make and taste really delicious. They are packed full of healthy vegetables and the best thing about these Idlis is that it does not need any fermenting overnight, like the rice and dal Idlis. Great dish to rustle up when you have unexpected family or guests over!

Chaats are a very popular dish as it takes great and is very quick to make. There are so many different types of chaat and everyone has their own take on it. This is my version on the papri chaat and I hope you like it too!

This is a wonderful starter. It is simple to make, quick and best of all baked. Serve with a lovely sweet chilli sauce and your family and friends will love it!  These cups/ spring rolls are so versatile; you can add any chopped vegetable with the paneer to make a slight variation. I have added aubergine, courgette and carrots in the past. So have a go and see for yourself!

This is a lovely savoury cake dish made out of Handvo flour, which is a coarse flour made of ground mixed lentils and rice. This is one dish that you will not get readily available at restaurants. It is a very popular snack in the Gujarat state in India and is frequently made in Gujarati households. It has a delicious savoury taste and is lovely, fluffy and moist. There are many versions of this cake but this is the simplest and tastiest version which my mum taught me. The two vegetables that I have used, I feel works really well and does not dominate this simple flavour. You can of coarse experiment with any vegetables you like.  Handvo can also be made in advance and you can cut them in squares and pop them into any container. It tastes great with a cup of Indian tea.

These toasties are simply delicious. They are a packed with vegetables and are a great change to your everyday cheese filling. You can have them warm or cold. They can be eaten as a main meal with a healthy salad and some tomato ketchup or green chutney on the side.  You can even put them in your lunchboxes as a cold snack.  

I made these wonderful and flavoursome pancakes. I make savoury ones with vegetables, coriander and chilli. For dessert we had caramelised apple and maple syrup pancakes which ended the whole Pancake Day quite nicely! You cake make pancakes anytime and makes a nutritional meal and is also quick. Simply make them earlier on during the day and reheat them in a frying pan when ready to eat.  I will be sharing the sweet pancake recipe with you next week..... So be patient!  In the meantime have a go at these delicious savoury ones!

This snack is great for parties and now that Christmas is approaching I thought I would give you a quick and easy Indian style party canapé. You can make the filling in advance and freeze it. You can even cut the paneer chunks the night before so you have more time on the day of your party. Simply take each pakora and put a toothpick through it, making it easier for your guests to nibble on. Place them all onto a nice plate and its ready to be served as a party finger food. Your friends and family will love it!