15 Min

DF

GF

NF

V

Bitter Melon Salad

It’s taken decades of experimenting and tinkering for me to endure and appreciate the Indian bitter melon, a vegetable not easy to love. Knowing the vast nutritional benefits of eating bitter foods, I know we all need to incorporate more of them into our diets. So last week when Karen Man, the co-chef of the renowned now shuttered Oxheart restaurant walked into my house one morning for a cup of chai with a small container of a bitter melon salad, I mentally regarded it with mild suspicion and quickly placed it in the refrigerator, to be tried later. Raw bitter melon? I wasn’t so sure. That evening, I inhaled it in no time, beside myself with excitement. The Chinese bitter melon, I find out later, is not quite as bitter as the Indian karela and Karen had tossed in mango, onion, tomato and tempered it with a good dose of lemon juice, which removed the last vestiges of bitter and made the seeds edible.

So, I went about making my own version and just within the last week, I’ve made three different iterations and loved them all. I left out the fish sauce but put in a healthy dose of ginger. Another time, I tempered it with asafetida, which gave it the flavor of onions and garlic. Toss in a bunch of lettuce greens and/or herbs but do it just before you serve it. One of our favorite farmers, Armando Bustamante’s garden up in the Heights is bursting with local bitter melons – go pick some up at his table stand next time you are at the Urban Harvest Farmer’s Market. After eating that wonderful fresh salad, I’ll never think of bitter melon that same way again!

Share this recipe

Cook Time

15 Minutes + Refrigeration Time

Serves

4

Directions

Step 1

Cut the bitter melon in half lengthwise then slice it thinly. Leave the seeds in. Peel the ginger, also cut in half and slice thinly. Combine both the bitter melon and the ginger with lemon juice and salt and refrigerate for an hour or two.

Step 2

Next, add the mango, onion, cherry tomatoes, serrano and sesame oil.

Step 3

Discard the bottom 4 inches of the cilantro bunches, mince the rest and fold into the salad just before serving. Top with toasted sesame seeds and serve.

Notes & Variations

Many traditional Chinese recipes call for blanching the bitter melon in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. This also helps reduce the bitterness.
Raw shrimp also makes a wonderful addition to the salad – combine it with the bitter melon, add more lemon juice and salt and it will turn into a ceviche-like salad.
This salad will keep in your refrigerator for up to 5 days however don’t add the herbs until ready to eat.

Ingredients

1 large Chinese bitter melon

2-inch piece of ginger

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1 large mango, peeled and sliced

1/2 small onion, thinly sliced

1 cup of cherry tomatoes, cut in half

1small serrano pepper, minced

2 tablespoons of toasted sesame oil

1/2 bunch of cilantro

2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds

Step 1

Step 2

Next, add the mango, onion, cherry tomatoes, serrano and sesame oil.

Step 3

Discard the bottom 4 inches of the cilantro bunches, mince the rest and fold into the salad just before serving. Top with toasted sesame seeds and serve.

1 large Chinese bitter melon

2-inch piece of ginger

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1 large mango, peeled and sliced

1/2 small onion, thinly sliced

1 cup of cherry tomatoes, cut in half

1small serrano pepper, minced

2 tablespoons of toasted sesame oil

1/2 bunch of cilantro

2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds

Notes & Variations

Many traditional Chinese recipes call for blanching the bitter melon in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. This also helps reduce the bitterness.
Raw shrimp also makes a wonderful addition to the salad – combine it with the bitter melon, add more lemon juice and salt and it will turn into a ceviche-like salad.
This salad will keep in your refrigerator for up to 5 days however don’t add the herbs until ready to eat.

Tags:

15 Min

Tags:

15 Min

JOIN THE BITTER MELON TRAIN.

Have a go at the recipes below!

BITTER = GOOD

Bitter Melon Roti

Stuffed Roasted Karela

25 Min

GF

Baby Butter Saag

Today, I bring you saag in its purest and simplest form. In an attempt to feed greens to the newest member of our family, Lion, I’ve arrived at a recipe with just six ingredients. Yes, this saag will remind you of baby food but if only babies ate this well, our world may be a better place!

30 Min

GF

Braised Karela

Bitter melons, whether using the Chinese or the Indian variety are an acquired taste. But when tempered with the right seasonings and spices, they can be absolutely delicious in flavor!

45 Min

DF

GF

NF

V

Karela Sweet Potato Sabzi

Bitter melon in particular is best eaten in small portions with caramelized onions, sweet potato or sweet corn to offset its bitterness.

90 Min

GF

Ricotta & Pea Stuffed Karela

Once balanced and tempered with other seasonings, bitter melon transforms into a thing of beauty.

120 Min

Roasted Karela

Karela, or the Indian bitter melon, is an acquired taste but once tempered with sweet flavors like sweet potato, jaggery, corn or paneer, that same bitterness becomes just another delicious layer of flavor added.

60 Min

DF

GF

V

Stuffed Roasted Karela

A common staple in my kitchen — and one I have been trying to bring attention to for years — is the incredible bitter melon, aka karela. For the most part, folks hear the word “bitter” and shy away. I understand. For years as a kid, I did, too. In fact, I have memories of sitting at the dinner table trying to eat it with tears streaming down my eyes as my parents lectured me on why it was a necessary part of our diet. As an adult, I have come to love it, not just for its tremendous capacity to cleanse our blood sugar and keeping our skin glowing but also for its flavor. Karela holds up well to spices and pairs beautifully with naturally sweet vegetables such as butternut squash, sweet potato or corn. However, cooking it can be tricky if the bitterness is not balanced with a brine or a marinade. Don’t be afraid to use a generous amount of olive oil or another fat to bring out the flavor of this stuffed karela.

25 Min

DF

GF

V

Bitter Melon Roti

My sister in law Gita, an amazing and creative cook, made these rotis for me one morning. I could not believe how good bitter melon peel, which essentially was waste in the past, tasted in the roti.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Asparagus with Navy Beans

This dish is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with dietary fiber and many essential vitamins.

30 Min

DF

NF

V

Braised Baby Bok Choy

A little more substantial than spinach yet light enough to pass off as a green, bok choy can also be eaten raw in a salad, in a stir-fry or steamed.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Braised Ivy Gourd

It is a delicate yet versatile vegetable, could be used in curries, braises and roasts. Here is a simple preparation inspired by the cuisine of Calcutta.

55 Min

DF

Broccolini with Orange & Sesame

Packed with nutrients, vital minerals, and plenty of dietary fiber, broccolini cooks quickly and lends itself well to Asian flavors. Rather than being overpowered by additional sugar, here is a recipe where fresh orange juice contributes to the natural sweetness of the dish.

30 Min

GF

Cardamom Roasted Broccolini

More so than other vegetables, broccoli or broccolini needs to be cooked just right to be served at its best. For example, okra or green beans may not look pretty when overcooked but tastes just fine. Broccoli is better slightly undercooked than overcooked because the later can result in a soggy dish devoid of flavor, which is why roasting or grilling it guarantees good results. It took me a few tries to realize that it was the strong brassica smell of the broccoli that my taste buds subconsciously objected to. Now, I always cook broccoli with something fragrant, least of all garlic but usually an aromatic spice like cardamom, nutmeg, or mace. A quick little grating of nutmeg at the end, or the spears tossed with cardamom, black pepper and olive oil can transform broccoli. A squeeze of lemon or orange juice at the end can add even more fragrance and a smear of yogurt on the bottom can add a creamy luxurious finish.

10 Min

DF

GF

V

Cumin Wilted Greens

This is probably the simplest recipe in our collection but we hope it becomes one of your mainstays.

90 Min

GF

Green Bean Casserole

Always striving for fresh and local, I retraced some of the steps of this classic with fresh braised onions and mushrooms peppered with cumin seeds, garlic and kari (curry) leaves and a creamy coconut and almond sauce.

50 Min

DF

GF

V

Green Bean Sabzi

In India, vegetarians do not make a meatless meal look or taste like meat. The meal should be triumphantly vegetarian; hearty, appetizing, nutritionally well balanced and satisfying, with a flair of its own. No processed, lab-grown meat or chunks made to taste and look like a chicken in sight. Enter sabzi, a cooked, dry vegetable of sorts. Sabzi, dal (cooked spiced lentils) and rice or roti is perhaps the most common everyday meal in India. There are dozens and dozens of sabzis in every region of India, from potato, cauliflower, sautéed greens, bean, squash sabzis and so on. Here is a satisfying green bean and potato sabzi — enjoy it with roti, simple whole-wheat flatbread, and a simple dal made with yellow moong.

20 Min

GF

NF

Grilled Moringa Drumsticks

Nicknamed the “tree of life” for its nutritional density, the moringa drumstick tree is native to tropical regions of Asia and India. The drumstick pods, an essential part of Ayurvedic regimens, are an incredible source of calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin C and antioxidants.

50 Min

DF

GF

V

Grilled Nopales

This summer, try grilling nopales on your backyard grill and topping them with this simple tomato masala.

40 Min

DF

GF

V

Haak Saag

In this recipe, we call for a reduction of pomegranate juice to balance out the bitterness and a quick final stir of the greens to keep the bright green color intact.

30 Min

DF

GF

NF

V

Kerala Green Beans

Be it string beans, Chinese long beans or French haricot verts, the humble green bean is one winter vegetable that is universal throughout the world and prepared dozens of different ways.

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Kerala Vegetable Stew

This vegetable stew is colorful and satisfying. It can be eaten on its own or with rice.

30 Min

GF

Masala Stuffed Roasted Okra

This okra stuffed with a potato masala makes a delicious side or main dish.

5 Min

GF

V

Pan-Seared Shishito Peppers

Houston markets are filled with many varieties of peppers, the shishito being one of my favorites. This east Asian pepper is small, about 3 inches long, thin-walled and usually mild in heat. The recipe takes less than 5 minutes to make, the shishitos can be cooked stems and all, and they make a great light lunch - or snack with a martini.

60 Min

GF

Pea Stuffed Peppers

Bell peppers are in full bloom in Texas, filling farm table stands with their striking yellow, orange, red and purple hues. Mincing and tossing into scrambled eggs, a stew or in stir-fry, there are endless uses for peppers. Their skin is often discarded after roasting, as are their seeds and placenta; however, these are edible and can be incorporated into the cooking. The seeds can be bitter, but cooking mellows this out. At my restaurant, anywhere peppers are used, given their high vitamin C and fiber content, we use every part except the stem. These fresh green pea stuffed peppers are intensely flavored, which is balanced by the cooling saffron yogurt sauce. Make sure to soak the saffron threads in yogurt a day or two before; the flavor of saffron is best when it has had time to develop.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are essentially tiny cabbages. To me in many ways brussels sprouts are the perfect vegetable.

60 Min

DF

GF

V

Roasted Brussels Sprouts on the Stalk with Mint Chutney

Roasted Brussels sprouts on the stalk make for a delicious and dramatic splash on the dinner table. Originating in Brussels, Belgium, these tiny cruciferous wild cabbages have gained tremendous popularity in the United States. I have prepared them a dozen different ways and continue playing with new ideas. Though standard restaurant fare is to deep-fry the sprouts and douse them with a spicy sweet sauce, roasting them with aromatic spices such as cumin or coriander and herbs such as mint or oregano is far easier and tastier.

30 Min

GF

Roasted Spring Vegetables with Yogurt Sauce

Peppers, asparagus and sugar snap peas are the epitome of spring. By roasting them lightly in the oven, they can be served at room temperature, cold or warm.

30 Min

GF

Roasted Zucchini

The mildly flavored zucchini, which grows voraciously in Texas’ humidity, may be pedestrian in pedigree but is a great canvas for flavor.

120 Min

GF

Sai Bhaji Stew

I am excited to introduce you to one of the most iconic yet humble dishes from my homeland. Sai Bhaji, which literally translates to green vegetable, is an age-old Sindhi lentil and vegetable stew. Sindh is a little-known province now in Pakistan where my parents grew up pre-partition. I have fond childhood memories of eating sai bhaji with rice for dinner when my mother had challenging days, or when we came back from a long road trip. Like most vegetable dishes in India, it was cooked for hours on end with the fragrance of cumin and fennel wafting through our home, until the lentils and vegetables came together. Sai bhaji is popular because of its ease of preparation — it’s a one-pot dish — in addition to its nutritional value because of the various green vegetables. During the summer, it can be made with tomatoes; in the winter, with lots of root vegetables. If using tomatoes, make sure to add them at the end or the acid in the tomatoes will slow down the lentils from cooking. Add the greens at very the end for maximum color and vitality.

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Sayel Bhindi

This is a classical Sindhi preparation for okra.

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Sayel Okra

In Sindhi, sayel means a rustic onion-based preparation.

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Sesame Bok Choy

Being in the brassica family, Bok Choy is filled with phytonutrient and fiber that our bodies need.

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Sesame Brussel Sprouts

Brussels sprouts, the tiny cabbages that originated in Belgium have become an American favorite and pan roasting them is one the best ways to cook them quickly.

40 Min

GF

V

Stuffed Gypsy Peppers

Serve these peppers alongside a bright green salad or as a side dish with a bit of plain yogurt on the side.

60 Min

DF

GF

V

Stuffed Hatch Peppers

What adds to the appeal of the Hatch chile is that they pack just the right amount of heat and are neither too spicy nor too mild. They can be added raw to salads, turned into salsas or fire smoked and stuffed with everything from cheese to vegetables to meat fillings.

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Tindora Sabzi

Emerging wisdom is indicating that to maintain a healthy gut flora, diversity of diet is just as important as what we eat. The sheer variety of produce in an Asian grocery store from half a dozen varieties of Bok choi to other leafy greens or a whole jackfruit may seem daunting. But this is when trips to stores from other cultures can become an exciting adventure and keep in mind, it’s only food. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it again. In Indian grocery stores, aside from the umpteen aromatic spices and lentils you can peruse through, varieties of intriguing squashes can be found that resemble neither zucchini nor butternut squash. One such tender squash with a delicate burst of flavor is the tindora, or the ivy gourd. They are size of your finger, need a quick light braise, and are packed with fiber and phytonutrients. This sabzi (which simply means cooked vegetable) is inspired by the cuisine of Gujarat. Enjoy it with dal, a lentil stew, and rice. Here is to starting the new year off with a fruit or vegetable you have not tried before…

35 Min

GF

Zucchini Kebabs

The humble zucchini is a vining herbaceous plant that is picked when immature. If the zucchini were allowed to grow and ripen, they could grow up to 1 meter in length with a hard shell. First bred in Milan, Italy, in the 19th century but now harvested around the world — including here in Texas — zucchini is the perfect vegetable to throw onto a grill this summer. Zucchini or pattypan squash can be cut into large chunks and is simple enough to absorb the aroma and flavor of herbs. Pair it with bell peppers and onions and with a slight smoky char on the edges, you have a delicious meal. Better still, make extra so the leftovers can be added to a stir-fry or a salad the next day.

25 Min

DF

GF

V

Zucchini Sabzi

The key to this sabzi is getting a good brown on the zucchini, that is when it’s flavor truly shines.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Beet Mushroom Salad

Salads with an element of something warm and freshly cooked are so much more exciting than cold salads.

90 Min

GF

Beet Yogurt Salad

The earthiness of the beets pairs well with the creaminess of the yogurt and cheese.

150 Min

Bihari Ghugni Salad

Ghugni refers to a preparation with black chickpeas, as a snack or a curry. Here, as a salad, it makes a wonderful little starter or snack.

15 Min

GF

Bitter Winter Salad

In the winter particularly, I like to enjoy salads made with bitter greens like radicchio, or endive particularly when they are balanced with something sweet like maple syrup, oranges, or pomegranates. I add serrano to this salad because particularly during colder months, our bodies need foods that produce heat to maintain strong digestion.

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Black Bean Mango Salad

Over the years of experimenting with summer salads, this black bean mango salad settled as a favorite. It not only tastes better the next day, but it also keeps for days as the sharp taste of celery mellows and nestles in with the black beans and mango. The season for the small, skinny Atulfo mango variety is almost over, the next best is the larger rounded Kent or Hayden. Do make sure to let the mangoes ripen to a soft sweetness before making the salad.

30 min

GF

NF

Breakfast Salad

There are many ways to enjoy fresh cucumber and avocado in the mornings, but when fruits like mango begin to appear in the spring, it is particularly glorious and becomes a celebration of the season. Incorporate your favorite raw vegetables into the salad along with fresh tomatoes when in season. This salad also makes a delicious light lunch or small first-course for dinner.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Broccoli Orange Salad

A simple & quick broccoli preparation with a unique presentation.

120 Min

GF

NF

Chaat Masala Beet Salad

Here, a simple roasted composed beet chaat gets the crowning glory of chaat masala however, most salads are good candidates for a sprinkle of chaat masala.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Cherry Cherry Tomato Salad

Cumin seeds and oregano add a savory, spicy contrast to the cherries in this salad.

15 Min

GF

Cherry Tomato Mango Salad

Summer is the season for tomatoes and mangos. Careful to not use too many mangos in this salad or it becomes overly sweet.

120 Min

DF

GF

V

Chickpea Sundal Salad

India is a land of snacks — from crunchy, addictive, savory, nut-filled chevdas to tingly, glorious street foods such as chaats. Some of the snacks can be transformed into cold salads — and this summer, I am on a path of discovery. I ate a warm sundal, a traditional South Indian salad made with chickpeas, coconut and mild spices once in a restaurant in New Delhi, and the memory has haunted me ever since. Sundal can be served warm, cold or at room temperature, and it makes for the most satisfying midday or late-night snack. Staying true to my tradition of turning most foods into carriers for vegetables, here I threw in tiny local ‘Sun Gold’ tomatoes and purple cabbage — but feel free to add diced cherry or large heirloom tomatoes.

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Classic Bean Salad

A bean salad tucked away in the refrigerator has made for a wonderful late-night snack after busy nights at the restaurant, especially during the holiday season. Over the last few months, I’ve experimented with umpteen combinations, none of which I have stuck to. I always start with soaking one cup of beans overnight (this cuts the cooking time in half), cooking them to softness the next day and adding a changing assortment of vegetables, herbs, nuts, or dry fruits. I’ve embellished some with roasted carrots, others with steamed asparagus, peanuts, walnuts, cilantro, mint and much more. In the last few weeks, I finally arrived at a combination that I have made for three 3 weeks straight and one I am excited to share with you. Raw purple cabbage, celery and beans make the base of this salad, and one can go in so many directions with it. It makes a great light lunch on its own or pairs it with a sandwich or soup. The best part is that cabbage and celery taste better wilted and after they’ve marinated in the juices for an hour or two. The salad tastes delicious for up to three days so use it for a healthy late-night snack.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Cucumber Radish Salad

Fresh cucumbers, spicy serrano, and nutty peanuts make this a spicy and refreshing salad.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Drunken Fig Salad

In the winter dried figs soaked in rum or bourbon make for a great addition to a salad.

15 Min

GF

Fig Yogurt Salad

This salad makes a great first course. The burn of the mustard oil plays beautifully with the cool creaminess of the saffron yogurt and the rich, sweet figs.

15 Min

DF

GF

V

Fruit Chaat

In New Delhi, for almost a decade, there resides a sweet fruit chaat vendor tucked away near the famous Janpath street market. Depending on the time of year, his choice of fruits and vegetables varies. He rides his bike every morning with a fresh load of fruits and vegetables, hands out fruit chaat all day until his stock is over. Mango, melons, cucumber, papaya, pineapple, apples, or bananas are cubed and laid out on a banana leaf plate and sprinkled with chaat masala. Sometimes, strawberries will show up in the mix. A squeeze of lime and he hands it to you with a smile. If it can be eaten raw, any vegetable or fruit is fair game for fruit chaat. Usually, chaat masala is a combination of toasted ground cumin, chile powder, amchur (dried mango), salt and more. Black salt, a sulfurous rock salt native to India, is a common but not essential component of chaat masala. It’s an explosion of flavors – give it a try this summer with the fruits and vegetables at hand!

30 Min

Goat Cheese, Beet & Sage Salad

Warm goat cheese is delicious enough on it’s own but when mixed with spices and seasonings it’s even better!

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Green Bean Salad

This spicy and bright green bean salad is delicious hot or cold.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Green Garbanzo Bean Salad

In season through the spring, fresh green garbanzo beans are tender, bright green, cook in minutes and shockingly delicious.

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Green Papaya Salad

A wonderful way to balance holiday indulgences and alleviate the guilt associated with it is to eat something cleansing after. Besides, why not start the year on a fresh healthy note? Green papaya salad, or Som Tum as it is known in Thai cuisine is believed to have originated in Laos. I have never tasted a version of this salad that I don’t love, and I often make a meal out of it. The fact that green papaya has innumerable health benefits like high fiber and vitamin content always helps. But it’s the endless possibilities with this salad that make it most exciting. On a basic level, fresh grated green papaya is tossed with chiles, dried shrimp, palm sugar and fresh garlic. Add grated carrots, cabbage, apple, green beans, cucumber, or mango. The shrimp is delicious but not essential to the flavor; instead throw in copious amounts of grated, finely minced, or julienned ginger. Slice in some tomatoes for the acid, peanuts for crunch with herbs like cilantro or basil for aroma and you have a wonderful salad. Instead of peanuts, add cashews, add sliced almonds, or pine nuts. Switch out sugar for something as wholesome as honey or maple syrup. If you have extra papaya left over, use it in meat marinades as a tenderizer.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Green Salad

Wilted kale, crunchy lettuce and the tasty bite of cumin seeds make this salad extra special

10 Min

DF

GF

V

Heirloom Tomato Salad

This salad is good on its own and also makes an awesome side dish for grilled or roasted meats.

15 Min

NF

Herb Salad

15 Min

DF

GF

V

Jain Cabbage Salad

Jains are the ultimate vegans of India. Their cuisine is filled with vegetables and grains, yet it is exciting in its simplicity.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Jicama Salad

Jicama is delicious raw and lends itself well to Indian chaat style street preparations.

60 Min

DF

GF

V

Lentil Parsley Salad

This salad is inspired by the multitude of dal recipes from India; however, it can be eaten cold or at room temperature.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Local Heirloom Tomato Berry Salad

Composed salads lend themselves to so many possibilities — they have become my go-to salad. For breakfast I’ll sauté mushrooms with a cumin seed pop, spread them on a plate, tuck in a few slices of tomato, throw some microgreens on top, sprinkle salt and red chile powder and a drizzle of olive oil and lime juice. In the evening, mustard seed roasted carrots plated with diced mango or peaches and mint leaves can be the start of a light dinner salad. Given how short the treasured local heirloom tomato season is here in Texas, I find many ways to enjoy them, from raw in a salad to cooked into a masala or a chutney. Here is a truly local salad made with heirloom tomatoes from a small farm in Alvin, local blackberries and blueberries and cashew butter dressing.

30 Min

GF

V

Mulukhiyah with Beans

Here is a simple recipe using beans and mulukhiyah inspired by how it is used in the Middle East. Use any kind of beans from small flageolets to the more common garbanzo. Eating vegetables is vital to our health.

15 Min

DF

GF

V

Mushroom Pine Nut Salad

This is a simple ‘anti-pasti’ style salad that can be eaten by itself, on toast for breakfast or added to an omelet.

25 Min

DF

GF

V

Mushroom Salad

When I want something meatier for breakfast, I go for this mushroom salad. Satisfying and deeply flavorful yet light and nourishing.

30 Min

Orange Amaranth Salad

If you are lucky enough to snag the incredible feta cheese from Blue Heron farms, you will have yourself an amazing salad!

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Pan Roasted Chickpea Salad

In my kitchen, there is no wrong way to cook chickpeas. What I love about this preparation is that it can be made ahead of time and tastes good at room temperature or cold.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Peach Tomato Salad

Peaches may be the glory of Texas summers, but they originated in northwest China, along the Yangtze River over 6,000 years ago. Of specific importance were peach blossoms, which were believed to fend off evil spirits and bring vitality. Each new year in China began with peach blossoms hung on front doors to start the year off right. Today, in the sweltering Texas summer, biting into a chilled ripe peach can provide respite — especially when paired with tangy tomatoes and a nutty almond butter dressing.

30 Min

Persimmon Salad

Try this simple salad for a light respite from holiday indulgences.

20 Min

GF

Potato Salad

The first time I tasted potato salad was in the late ’80s at an engineer’s potluck dinner in a remote Canadian city. I was fascinated by the unabashed baby-foodlike consistency of the mayo and sour cream flavors. Not a fan of cold potatoes, over the years I made it a few times and eventually gave up. Last week, as my team at the restaurant urged me to come up with my own version of potato salad, I experimented with an entirely new idea, and it turned out almost good enough to be a main course. Roasted fingerling potatoes with a creamy yogurt, ginger and tahini sauce drizzle, a spice pop and fresh herbs on top. I love this version, look forward to making it again, and I hope you do, too.

25 Min

DF

GF

V

Purple Bean Salad

Here is a salad that takes minutes to make that you can enjoy for days.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Purslane Orange Salad

Purslane is an edible weed that while native to India and Iran, has been eaten for millennia from Europe to Africa.

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Raw Squash Salad

Crisp, chilled, thinly sliced zucchini and cucumbers spread on a plate, topped with aromatic herbs, toasted walnuts, tiny chunks of aged cheese, and a simple vinaigrette.

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Refrigerator Salad

In my book, what all salads must possess is varying qualities of fresh, warm, crunchy, sweet, creamy, tart and spicy, and then they can pass off as a lazy but satisfying dinner. Use this as a guide to create your own.

45 Min

GF

V

Roasted Brussel Sprout Salad

Local brussels sprouts season here in Texas is glorious but short lived. The cabbage-like buds, which are native to the Mediterranean region, resemble nothing like you’ve ever seen at a supermarket. And there are infinite ways to enjoy them. I found this little beauty last week at the market – sliced it right down the middle and roasted it in the oven long and slow with a sprinkling of salt, pepper, and a generous drizzle of olive oil.

40 Min

DF

GF

V

Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Enjoy one of our favorite market salads. The nuttiness of the cauliflower compliments the kale and sweet currants.

50 Min

DF

GF

NF

V

Roasted Peach Shitake Salad

Here is a supremely simple truly local salad made with grilled or roasted peaches, shiitake mushrooms and cucumbers.

45 Min

DF

GF

V

Roasted Radish Salad

Usually relegated to crudité plates or a salad add-on, radishes get little respect in the western cooking world. But one just has to look over at the vast and varied culture of Asia, where they first grew in the wild, to see the umpteen ways to enjoy these pungent cruciferous little globes. From quick pickles in a Vietnamese banh mi to brightening up a Thai cucumber salad to making the north Indian Punjabi “mooli” paratha, radishes are used all over Asia. Seeing the vast array of brightly colored radishes at the farmer’s markets these days makes me want to find more ways to enjoy them — particularly the large, purple heirloom Japanese radishes that appear perfect for roasting. Roasting radishes diminishes their pungent flavor and adds an interesting sweetness. The hardest part of this recipe may just be deciding how best to arrange the vegetables on the platter — it’s a visual feast.

120 Min

GF

Roasted Turnip Salad

When Harukei turnips are in season during spring-time we try to find many ways to eat them however one of the best way to coax flavor out of them is to roast them.

60 Min

GF

Satsuma Paneer Salad

Enjoy it as a light lunch or serve it as a last course in lieu of dessert.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Shaved Brussels, Cucumber & Mango Salad

This is as simple as a salad goes but it will stay crunchy in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 hours.

30 Min

DF

GF

V

Skillet Pear & Dandelion Salad

This salad is the perfect showcase for the aromatic magic of popping coriander seeds and is best-eaten warm, served immediately off the skillet.

20 Min

DF

GF

NF

V

Spring Farm Salad

The keys in making this salad is first, finding a shallow bowl that will fit the entire head of lettuce and next, to keep the shape of the lettuce head as intact as possible while making the salad.

20 Min

GF

NF

V

Starfruit Sprout Salad

I have now made this salad at home repeatedly, with different combinations. Just like mine, I hope this becomes a refrigerator fixture in your home.

30 Min

DF

GF

NF

V

Sunchoke Salad

Sunchokes, despite being starchy, are a high source of fiber and in particular inulin, which makes us feel full after eating.

25 Min

DF

GF

V

Texas Summer Kale Salad

The virtues of kale are extensive. It is one of the most nutritionally dense plants and is packed with loads of antioxidants. One cup provides more than the daily recommended dose of vitamins A, C and K.

25 Min

DF

GF

NF

V

Tomato Avocado Salad

This is the simplest salad ever, but it epitomizes the glory of summer vegetables.

80 Min

GF

V

Warm Orange Glazed Hakurei Turnip Salad

These delicate little white Japanese turnips have become a fixture of farmer’s market from New York to California to here in Houston. I decided to slow roast them with spices and orange juice and found them to be so delicious, I had to stop myself from eating them all straight from the pan.

15 Min

DF

GF

V

Watermelon Arugula Corn Salad

During the middle of hot Texas summers it is time for cooling salads, fragrant dressings and chilled watermelon.

20 Min

DF

GF

V

Watermelon Avocado Salad

No recipe needed, just follow your senses. I hope you get the picture.

25 Min

GF

Winter Citrus Salad

A layered citrus salad in the winter, especially using nice oranges like Cara cara or blood oranges can be a great start to a meal. They can also be served after dinner posing as a salad cum dessert! Variations are limitless – it’s all in the art of the composition so have some fun with it.

25 Min

GF

Baby Butter Saag

30 Min

GF

Braised Karela

Bitter melons, whether using the Chinese or the Indian variety are an acquired taste. But when tempered with the right seasonings and spices, they can be absolutely delicious in flavor!

45 Min

DF

GF

NF

V

Karela Sweet Potato Sabzi

Bitter melon in particular is best eaten in small portions with caramelized onions, sweet potato or sweet corn to offset its bitterness.

90 Min

GF

Ricotta & Pea Stuffed Karela

Once balanced and tempered with other seasonings, bitter melon transforms into a thing of beauty.

Drinks

Drinks

Hot Drinks

Cold Drinks

Cocktails

Condiments

Condiments

Raita

Chutneys

Pickles

Masala

Grains

Grains

Buckwheat

Khichri

Millet

Noodles

Quinoa

Rice

Whole Grains

Dough

Dough

Roti

Paratha

Naan

Bread

Crackers

Pizza

Batter

Batter

Dosas

Pancakes

Crepes

Savory Baked

Savory Baked

Biscuits

Bread Pudding

Soups

Soups

Light Soup

Creamy Soup

Dal Soup

Stews

Cold Soup

Snacks

Snacks

Chaat

Spreads

Fried Snacks

Nosh

Legumes

Legumes

Dal

Beans

Salads

Salads

Veg Salads

Non-Veg Salads

Land & Sea

Land & Sea

Eggs

Birds

Meat

Fish

Shellfish

Paneer

Paneer

Paneer

Vegetables

Vegetables

Sabzi

Potatoes

Mushrooms

Eggplants

Cauliflower

Squashes

Root Vegetables

Vegetable Curries

Green Vegetables

Okra