Vegetable Stew (One of my favorites)

• 1.5 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, beans)- diced
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 8 peppercorns
• 1 tbsp ginger, sliced
• 1 green chilli, sliced
• 1/2 cup onion, sliced
• 10 curry leaves
• 1 tsp cornflour + 1 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp oil
• salt

1. Microwave vegetables and 3 tbsp water for 4 minutes - keep aside
2. New bowl: oil, peppercorns, ginger, chilli - microwave 1.5 minutes
3. Add onions, curry leaves - microwave 4 minutes (stir after 2 minutes)
4. Add vegetables, coconut milk, cornflower paste, salt - microwave 2 minutes
   

Vegetable Makhanwala (Tomatoey Veggies)

• 1/2 cup French beans, cut
• 1/2 cup carrots, cut
• 1/2 cup green peas
• 1/4 cup baby corn (sliced)
• 1/2 cup cauliflower, pieces
• 1/2 cup sliced onions
• 1" ginger piece
• 3 cloves garlic
• 3 large tomatoes, sliced
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp chlili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 4 tbsp cream
• 1/2 tsp kasui methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• 2 tsp sugar
• 4 tbsp butter
• cilantro chopped (garnish)

1. Combine onions, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, termeric, chilli powder - microwave 4 minutes (let cool completely)
2. Blend mixture, set aside
3. New bowl: 2 tbsp butter and cumin seeds in bowl - microwave 1 minute
4. Add beans, carrots, peas, corn and cauliflower - cover and microwave 5 minutes
5. New bowl: butter, cooked puree, vegetables, garam masala, cream, kasuri methi, sugar, salt - mix - microwave 4 minutes
   

Mava Mattar (Green Pea Curry)

• 1.5 cups green peas
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 pinches asafoetida*
• 1 cup mava (grated)*
  
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• 2 green chillies, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp dry ginger powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1/2" piece of ginger, chopped
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tbsp ghee*
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro (garnish)

*Ok so this one has some weird ingredients but I'm sure they could be found at a specialty Indian store

1. Sprinkle water on peas, microwave 3 minutes
2. New bowl: Combine ghee and cloves - microwave 1 minute; add asafoetida and mix well
3. Add mava, mix - microwave 1.5 minutes
4. Add green chillies, coriander powder, dry ginger powder, garam masala, ginger, and chilli powder and 1/2 cup water - microwave 2 minutes
5. Add tomatoes, peas, salt - microwave 1 minute
   

Phool Gobi Aur Mattar Ki Subzi (Cauliflower curry)

• 2 cups cauliflower (small pieces)
• 1 cup green peas
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 tbsp tomatoe puree
• 2 cups fresh curds (?)
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 3 tbsp oil
• salt

To be ground into a paste:

• 1 onion, chopped
  
• 2 tbsp fresh grated coconut
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2" piece ginger, finely chopped
• 2 tsp poppy seeds
• 4 whole red chillies
  

1. Microwave cauliflower and 2 tbsp oil with lid for 4 minutes
2. Add green peas and 2 tbsp water- microwave 1 minute
3. In new bowl, add 1 tbsp oil, bay leaves and paste - microwave 2 minutes
4. Add tomato puree, curds, cauliflower, green peas, sugar, 1/2 cup water and salt - microwave 4 minutes

Kadhai Paneer (Capsicum)

• 1 cup paneer, thick stripes
  
• 1 large onion, chopped
  
• 1/4" piece ginger, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  
• 1 tsp coriander-cumin seed powder
  
• a pinch tumeric
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• 4 tbsp tomatoe puree
• 1/4 cup capsicum
  
• 1 tbsp cream
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt
• 2 pinches of sugar

1. Combine oil, onion, garlic and ginger - microwave 2 minutes
2. Add spices- microwave 1 minute
3. Add tomato puree, capsicum and 1/4 cup water - microwave 2 minutes
4. Add paneer, cream, sugar, salt and 1/4 cup water - microwave 1 minute
   

Paneer Palak (Spinach with Cheese)

• 4 cups chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup cubed paneer
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2" piece ginger, finely chopped
• 2 green chillies, finely chopped
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1/4 tsp tumeric
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 2 tbsp cream
• 3 tbsp oil
• Salt

1. Microwave spinach for 2 minutes; Puree
   
2. Add oil, onion, ginger and chilies to bowl - microwave 1 minute
3. To onions, add spinach, spices, cream and salt to spinach - microwave 3 minutes
4. Add paneer and microwave for 1 more minute
   

Tandoori Aloo (Potatoes)

• 1 cup baby potatoes
• 1 tbsp cream
• 1/4 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• 1 tbsp oil
• salt
• Cilantro (fresh, chopped)
  

Spice paste

• 4 Kashmiri chilies
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 inch piece of ginger
• 2 tsp coriander-cumin seed powder

1. Pierce potatoes and microwave 5-6 minutes until soft
2. Mix all remaining ingredients with potatoes
3. Garnish with chopped cilantro
   

India Series

As I'm winding down my one-month stay in Bombay, I couldn't resist sharing why my physique had suffered so thoroughly: my fantastic chef, Winnie! She would surprise me every night with a new delicious vegetarian dish, from all over India but primarily Southern Indian cooking. For my going away, Winnie handed over her prized recipe book such that I could try and recreate her fantastic meals.

I anticipated extensive ingredients that are impossible to find and cryptic instructions - but to my pleasant surprise, these are possibly the easiest recipes I have ever seen! They are perfect dorm room - late night - I'm home cooking for myself and am too lazy to boil water for pasta- recipes.

While I couldn't identify any of my favorite dishes by name, try them all! They are healthy, delicious and temperature all within your control (so don't fear the heat!)

Did I mention they all only use the microwave? And take less than 10 minutes each to make?

Ok so you do need to have, like, 4 specialty ingredients around to make these, but other than that, its fresh vegetables and maybe some milk (I wrote cream but would clearly substitute)...

For the spice rack/pantry:

1. Garam masala
2. Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
3. Coriander powder
   
4. Turmeric powder
   
5. Coriander+cumin seeds
6. Chilli powder
7. Coconut milk
8. Tomato paste

For the fridge/freezer

1. Paneer (dense, Indian cheese)
2. Chopped ginger
3. Chopped garlic
4. Frozen peas
5. Frozen spinach
6. Frozen carrots
7. Frozen cauliflower

On rare occasions, only at an Indian specialty grocer:

1. Mava
2. Ghee
3. Asafoetida
   

Please enjoy!