Perk up the ever-popular chilli paneer with rice and stir-fried vegetables prepared in oriental style. The spiciness is enhanced by lacing it with sweet and sour sauce. Though elaborate, the experience is definitely worth the effort! its only the prep time which is more…. The cooking time is very minimal. So finish your pre-preps and leave the actual cooking and assorting when guests arrive as making the chilli paneer too much in advance might render them chewy.

Tomato cups scooped and filled with a creamy spaghetti mixture.

A simple yet delicious combination of stir-fried corn and zucchini with mint and basil leaves.

Corn makes an interesting companion for colocasia, providing you with nutrients like calcium, iron and fibre.

Noodles, stir-fried with tofu and bean sprouts accompanied by a soya sauce.

A must for every cocktail party.

Traditionally, samosas are served with chutney or chole, but this one which is a personal favourite of mine, is a bit different. I have experimented serving them with a coconut kadhi and to add some crunch to the dish, I have added chopped spring onions. This chaat is a meal in itself! The coconut kadhi uses coconut milk which is the liquid extracted with water from the coconut flesh. Coconut milk are now available in tetra packs at grocery stores, so you need not go through the effort of extracting it!

A quick way to make oondhiyu of fresh green peas, cooked with the pods.

Chole, a traditional Punjabi dish, is usually made using a lot of fat. But this easy to make recipe is lower in calories and is just as tasty. The oil does not contribute much flavour, it is the spices that create this dish. Instead of bhature (deep fried puris) serve it with Nutritious Garlic Naans, which are healthy, nourishing and just as tasty. It is important to soak the chick peas overnight to improve its digestibility and nutritive value by enhancing the protein, calcium and vitamin C levels.

These steamed Chinese dumplings are a hot favourite. Select the best quality of wanton wrappers. Most large provision stores with freezer space keep wonton wrappers. Accompany this starter with Chinese Soups , Stir-fries and Noodles to create an authentic mini meal.

Potato cups filled with a cheese vegetable mixture. I have used a mixture of mushrooms and peas for the stuffing, but you may use any combination of vegetables that strike your fancy. Remember to place a bowl of water in the centre of the microwave, while cooking the potatoes, to prevent them from dehydrating.

An unusual combination of flavours and ingredients creates a sumptuous snack that is sure to tickle your taste buds. Makes a great burger filling too.

Palak and paneer are made for each other. Not only do the two flavours and textures complement each other, but the vibrant green and the soft white combine beautifully to make this dish a treat for the eyes too!

This dish made of hearty chunks of corn on the cob in a sweet and spicy sauce of colocassia leaves (arvi) and Bengal gram dal.