This Creamy Spinach & Green Garlic Soup is built on slow-sautéed aromatics and the soft bite of young garlic shoots, which give the soup a gentle sharpness without muting the spinach’s clean flavour. A small potato thickens the blend naturally, keeping the texture smooth and the colour vibrant, making this bowl reliable for everyday meals.

The name of this recipe—Badal Jaam- is something that sounds like a sweet, doesn’t it? But, no, this isn’t a sweet dish. It’s a royal Awadhi snack where the humble eggplant is given a true Nawabi transformation. Once a star of Lucknow’s elegant mehfils, this dish now returns as a showstopping appetiser for modern festive tables. Golden-fried baingan rounds, a rich slow-cooked masala, and a cool, creamy finish come together in a dish that proves how simple ingredients can rise to regal heights. Tarveen Kaur | @iamtarneet

Tomato garlic thokku is a tangy and spicy South Indian condiment made by slow-cooking ripe tomatoes with garlic, tamarind, and aromatic spices in gingelly oil. The process intensifies the flavour, giving it a glossy finish that pairs beautifully with idlis, dosas, chapatis, or curd rice. It’s easy to make and keeps well for days; perfect for busy mornings.