The recipes in this book are all based on the following home-made purée recipe, and using commercially available purée may require you to tweak the recipes a little according to the purée concentration. To store it, just pour it into ice-cube trays, freeze, pop out, and store in the freezer in an air-tight plastic freezer box or ziploc bag. This will stay nice and fresh for up to two months, waiting to be added to your yummy gravies!

A variation of the favourite gujarati delicacy made with rice flour. The khichu is traditionally eaten with sesame oil but you may use any other refined oil as well if you so desire.

A medley of vegetables and paneer threaded on wooden skewers and flavoured with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce makes a lip smacking snack.

Fresh vegetables like baby corn, snow peas and bean sprouts are tossed together in garlic to make this delectable stir-fry. The cornflour and water mixture helps to make a thick sauce which coats the veggies lightly and prevents them from drying out.

White sponge soaked in orange syrup, filled with fresh seasonal fruits and topped with Chantilly cream-this dessert is sure to wow our guests! Garnished with delicious chocolate curls and fresh fruit, it looks absolutely stunning and delectable!

Strawberries and cream… that classic combination. It's the top-of-the-charts dessert in my home during the season. Introduce a light 'n fluffy sponge cake into the equation, and you've got a real winner. Win compliments (and a few hearts of course) this Valentine's with a freshly baked sponge cake smothered in strawberries and whipped cream…And the garnish? More strawberries of course! I've cut it into a heart shape for Valentine's…you can play around with any shape that you like quite easily, with a paper stencil placed on the cake. If I'm in a hurry I buy readymade sponge cake…you just can't go wrong, with strawberries and cream to dress it all up!

A sinful combination, simply irresistible.

A light sponge generously filled with white chocolate truffle and strawberry filling is too sinful for anyone to resist.

A mithai lover's delight! Sumptuous malpuas filled with seasonal fruits and topped with creamy rabri that's made in a jiffy. You can substitute the seasonal fruits with any one fruit of your choice like mango, strawberries etc. Feel free to serve this dessert without the Sizzler tray too. It will be just as delicious, I assure you.

Whether planning a quiet affair or a lavish celebration, the warm coffee laced with whisky and topped with sweetened whipped cream will certainly make your guests feel special.

A Swiss Roll presentation with strawberries and custard rolled within thin lightened sponge cake.

Fried ice- cream, a favourite mexican dessert. One has to be very quick while preparing and serving this recipe. It is crunchy from outside and creamy from inside.

A ring of delicate sponge cake, soaked in a syrup flavoured with lemon juice and rum and filled with ice-cream and nuts.

On valentine’s day or any day, this cake is wonderful way to show your affection to your loved ones. Strawberry hearts is made of a freshly-baked heart-shaped sponge cake soaked and sandwiched with whipped cream and strawberries, and garnished with sliced strawberries. The soaking syrup has brandy, giving it a strong flavour quite different from normal sugar syrups.