Spinach, combined with a rich masala paste of coconut, poppy seeds and aromatic spices like fennel, transforms into a mouth-watering sauce that goes perfectly well with succulent paneer cubes. Remember to mix the sautéed paste, spinach puree and curds well to ensure that your sauce is of the best consistency. It is also important to cook them for more or less the same time mentioned in the recipe to make sure the flavour, aroma and appearance of the Paneer in Spinach Sauce are perfect.

All the goodness of ice-cream flavoured with paan. A digestive dessert.

Almonds and gaund are foods that help to increase the production of milk. This mixture is traditionally made for lactating mothers and is supposed to be had once or twice a day to help relieve you from digestive problems like gas or flatulence. All the ingredients have therapeutic properties and so even if you don't much care for its taste, have it like medicine or as mouth freshener.

Pachranga achaar is a famous punjabi pickle which i came across quite accidentally enroute from delhi to ludhiana. There was a huge pickle factory on the highway by the side of which i stopped. Here i discovered they were manufacturing and exporting a whole array of north indian pickles. I stumbled upon this pickle which i thought was totally amazing. I took a small sample back home with the sole purpose of being able to make it myself. Like all punjabi pickles, this one too was made using mustard oil. Pachranga achaar as its name suggests is made using five main ingredients - raw mangoes, chick peas, lotus stem, karonda and amlas or limes, pickled with whole spices. In this recipe, i have used a combination of raw mangoes, chick peas and lotus stem omitting karonda and amlas but you can add more vegetables if you like. Serve this achaar with parathas, to tantalize your taste buds.

Traditional thandai is used to flavour this souffle making it a very unusual combination.

Lotus stem, "bhein" or " kamal kakdi" as it is known, is extensively used in Kashmiri, Sindhi and Punjabi cuisines. Some parts of China and South East Asia are also known to use it. It is mainly used in vegetables to make fritters and for pickling. For all those who must be wondering what lotus stem is, it is the matured stem of the lotus flower, which is almost a foot long when vegetable vendors sell it. You will find it coated with mud due to the surroundings in which it grows. The mud also acts as a protective covering and keeps the stem fresh for a longer period. Choose a lotus stem that is almost 25 mm. (1") thick, as the thicker ones have more flavour. Wash the lotus stems thoroughly under a tap of running water to remove the muddy coating. Peel the lotus stems and cut into thin roundels using a sharp knife. Wash the roundels again to get rid of any residual mud and pat them dry. Combine the roundels with pickling spices and mustard oil and that is all that is needed to make this pickle. Store this for upto one year and enjoy it with your favourite roti or paratha.

This is a very versatile recipe - the baskets make a great addition to many desserts.

A sinful combination, simply irresistible.

Spinach and tomato make a standard pair, no doubt, but you might never have thought of preparing them this way! This nutritious subzi, loaded with vitamin A, Vitamin C and folic acid, also turns out to be quite stunning in appearance and flavour, as it is prepared by stuffing spinach leaves with an aromatic vegatable mixture, and placing them in tangy tomato gravy.

Here's a spicy curry from Tamilnadu that tastes best with steamed rice. The Chettinad masala for this curry can even be made a week in advance and stored in air-tight bottles.

Tickle your taste buds with this sweet and sour subzi. The versatile pumpkin can be cooked within minutes and makes this an ideal dish to whip up when you are in a hurry. You can also try other recipes with kaddu lie Kaddu ka Bharta and Kaddu ka Raita .

The magic touch of the Mughals transforms tofu into a royal treat! The white paste is the key ingredient of this delicacy as it imparts the required taste and rich texture. Make sure you soak the seeds in warm water as it softens and forms a smooth paste on grinding. You can also make white paste using Cashewnuts, poppy seeds and watermelon seeds if you do not like onions. The spices and pastes used are unique to this gravy... so, go ahead and enjoy this rich treat!

This recipe is a blend of east and west, indeed a western dessert spiked with indian flavours. . This is as cooling and refreshing as its name. You can make the thandai paste in advance and store in refrigerator and use when required.

This recipe is sure to tempt you to come back for another serving! Whether served as it is or with a vegetable, this is definitely a delicacy. Mashed potatoes and low fat curds make these Parathas soft and delicious, while soya flour increases its nutritive value by adding protein, iron and zinc.