While we all continue to be cooped up in our respective homes and ordering takeout on repeat, some of us have gradually turned to homemade recipes and concoctions and not a bag flaming Cheetos for once. With this in mind, our team of in-house editors spill the beans on what they’ve been whipping up at home that has served as a great source of comfort for them during this period of confinement. No, this is not your humble bowl of rajma chawal we’re talking about.
From warm gooey chocolate mug cakes and homemade pesto to wholesome chicken broth and pizza quesadillas —read on to see how our editors are redefining ghar ka khana.
SYNJINI NANDI
Assistant Manager - Content
Since I have abstained from ordering food during the lockdown, one recipe I really lean towards is a warm gooey chocolate mug cake. What I love about this one: it’s really easy to whip up (55 seconds flat in a microwave) and requires the most basic ingredients that you’ll find in your pantry. Just start by mixing all the dry ingredients together; next add the wet ingredients to this and give this a good whirl. Finish by microwaving it for 40-60 seconds. Enjoy with a quenelle of vanilla ice cream!
Recipe:
2 tbsp all purpose flour, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 2 tbsp castor sugar, 1/8th tsp salt, 1/4th tsp baking powder, 3 tbsp milk, 1 tbsp melted butter, 1/4th tsp vanilla extract
AAROHI ROY
Senior Executive - Content
I live alone, and thus, I am a lazy cook. My recipes last several meals or more and are easy to whip up. One of my most favoured comfort foods is something that takes 10 minutes, few ingredients and can be put in a jar for multiple uses —homemade pesto. I don’t like pine nuts or peanuts, so I make a quick walnut and basil pesto with lots of garlic and cheese.
Recipe:
Basil, walnuts and roasted garlic. Add to this some parsley (makes the pesto greener) and grated parmesan cheese. Blend them all in a processor. When done, add a dollop of olive oil, some salt and pepper to taste and mix with a spoon. Honestly, everyone has a different taste for pesto, so try out different quantities of ingredients in your first few makes and stick with the one you love! That’s it.
SHIVANI CHHABRA
Assistant Manager - Content, Nykaa Fashion
The one major part of my pre-pandemic era routine that I’ve consciously maintained is my go-to breakfast—parfait that looks like happiness in a jar. Starting my day with this fruity and healthy French dessert almost feels like stealing a bite of the life I miss so much, but also serves as a gentle reminder to be thankful for all that I have been able to retain in the new normal. Given how comfortable I am with this dessert, I like to play chef and experiment with flavours quite often. Recently, my parfaits have been looking and tasting like sunshine, thanks to all the juicy mangoes I’ve been adding.
Recipe:
Add ⅓ cups of old-fashioned oats to a 1 cup of Greek yogurt; add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, 1 tablespoons of toned milk, ½ tablespoon of honey, and stir it together. Take a handful of frozen berries, mango, or any other flavoursome seasonal fruit, and dice it small enough for it to fit into a jar. Start with the yogurt mixture and alternately layer the two mixtures together. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours. Serve chill, topped with fresh berries and fruits.
LAKSHMI NAYAR
Assistant Manager - Content
There’s nothing like a warm bowl of chicken broth, you guys. While I’ve always ordered my bowl on swiggy or visited restaurants during the pre-COVID world, I got myself to make my own bowl at home this month. The process turned out to be surprisingly easy. All I had to do was get a healthy chunk of chicken and a few specific ingredients (that I’ve pasted below for you) in a pot with 12 cups of water and boil for an hour until the chicken is cooked. I strain the veggies and chicken out and whip it with some noodles (on most days, Maggi because it’s epic) and I end up having the broth and some noodles to go with it. You see how I managed two dishes in one hour? Hands down, my proudest accomplishment in my kitchen.
Recipe:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil , 1 medium onion , 3 pounds chicken legs (trimmed of excess fat), 12 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 bay leaves
HAYA KHAN
Executive - Marketing & Communications
This recipe has been a favourite of mine for a whole year now. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy, and making it only takes 10 minutes! While this is a banana split fluff, I've tried it with other seasonal fruits too and it's been a success each time.
Recipe:
Sweetened condensed milk, whipped topping, bananas ,crushed pineapple, chopped nuts (optional)
Add the sweetened condensed milk and whipped topping to a bowl and stir to combine. Feel free to use a mixer or a spatula, whatever you feel comfortable with. Add your chopped bananas and pineapple and stir again. And that’s it! It really is THAT simple. If you’d like, you can add more whipped cream and a few more chopped nuts on top. For a li’l extra jazz, you can even add maraschino cherries before serving.
SARA SHAH
Senior Content Executive
Avoiding takeout has been a true test of my will power - I’m not kidding! Lucky for me, I can whip up a decent meal for myself, especially if I put my mind to it. My go-to recipe has been a delicious pizza quesadilla. It literally takes me like 10 minutes and a total of four ingredients. Disclaimer: I know I called it a quesadilla, but by no means is this an authentic Mexican dish.
Recipe:
All you need is some mozzarella cheese, a few tortillas (rotis will work just fine, btw), pizza sauce and your herbs of choice. Heat up a pan, a tawa or a skillet while you prepare your quesadilla. Spread some delicious pizza sauce on your tortilla, top it with cheese and herbs, fold it and place it on your hot pan. Let one side turn a gorgeous golden brown before flipping it to the other side, and repeat the same process. Once both sides are done, serve it with your dip of choice or bite into the oozy, cheesy goodness on its own.
