Punjabi Kala Chana (Black Chickpea Curry)

Punjabi Kala Chana (Black Chickpea Curry)

Kaley Chanay (Black Chickpeas) are a family favorite. They have a different flavor compared to chickpeas, more robust and intense, and have more of a bite to them. They're found in spicy and tart chaats, dry roasted and packed into newspaper packs on the streets of Pakistan, and in robust curries, like the one made in my home. They create a gorgeous masala with just onions, no tomatoes or yogurt in sigh. They are naturally gluten free, vegan and rich in nutrients. I love them served over delicious long grain basmati steamed to perfection, but you won't find me refusing to eat them with naan either.

Instant Pot Dal

Instant Pot Dal

Dal is such an important part of my Dad's side of the family. Everyone knows how to make it, and they make it fast. So naturally, I had to come up with my own quick version of instant pot dal. When I think of Dal, I think of my paternal grandmother, who we all called Bibi Ji. Bibi Ji was the queen of the family, and she always got what she wanted. Besides her affinity for McDonald's fish fillets, she loved dal. We had it almost daily.

Quick Chicken Jalfrezi

Quick Chicken Jalfrezi

Chicken Jalfrezi is a testament to how one ingredient can transform a dish completely. If you look through the ingredients you can see they consist of ingredients used in any chicken curry. The only difference is a bell pepper, also known as shimla mirch. Such a poetic name, no? This is the story of how one shimla mirch changed everything. Another thing to love is that Jalfrezi is classically cooked with boneless chicken, so it's not just me switching out the bone-in chicken for my convenience. But don't be fooled. This recipe delivers on all fronts. Flavor, texture, and looks, because that fresh pop of green does so much for this dish. 

20 Minute Taco Meat

20 Minute Taco Meat

Taco Tuesday will be a breeze with this 20 minute taco meat recipe. I use my instant pot for this, but any pressure cooker does the same thing. I don't use my instant pot often, but when I do, it's always the pressure and sauté setting. Those two are great time savers, and they are key in this quick recipe. If you've forgotten to defrost your meat, you don't have to worry! Just add 2-3 minutes to the pressure timer and you're still done about 20 minutes.