On 30 June, City Connect celebrates the birthday of Cheryl Cole (née Tweedy) who was born on this day in 1983. Having divorced from her husband Ashley Cole, the singer [...]
Author Archive for Jagruti Dhanecha
I am a housewife and a mother of two teenage kids settled in the UK for the past 20 years. Originally born and brought up in India, it was from these childhood days that my love for cooking began. I have no formal training in cooking and baking, and everything I’ve learnt has been through good cooks in the family and my circle of friends, through my own experiments, reading and research. My main cooking niche consists of healthy and tasty vegetarian meals but I like to throw in the occasional treat. To share my love for food and culinary art, I have created a food blog, Jagruti’s Cooking Odyssey that displays authentic Indian vegetarian/vegan dishes, special and rich recipes covering different courses in varied cuisines. My cooking enthusiasm led me to cookery shows on a national Asian TV channel. Much like cooking and baking I have other interests too like photography, reading and travelling, which assist me in my culinary skills.
Nut Roast Biryani
I am delighted to announce that my recipe Nut Roast Biryani has been published in Take a Break (issue 13) – My favourite magazine in the UK. If you would like to vote for my recipe, please do so on facebook here (page 42). We all love this aromatic vegetarian Biryani, it is delicious !! [...]
Fiery Apple Chutney
Right now the British apple season is in full swing! From early August until May next year keeping the doctor away defines us as ‘British’! British apples have started making appearances in farmers’ markets and farmers’ shops. If you are lucky, you might have an apple tree within walking distance or in your own garden, the [...]
Wholewheat Buns with Chickpeas and Spinach Stuffing
Six weeks of summer holidays finished and the kids go back to school tomorrow. Time flew by very quickly and I really enjoyed some quality time with my kids. We had a few lovely outings together as a family. However, I got stuck in the kitchen for too long, too! Everyday we were trying new dishes, [...]
Chutney
Some of you might think that I am a regular viewer of the Indian soap opera “Iss pyar ko kya naam doo?” However, I have never watched this show. Have you ever seen this show? As for me, I sometimes just see glimpses of such shows when flickering through the channels. The recipe I want to present today [...]
Steamed Bottle Gourd Fist Cakes
For me any type of muthiya and a hot cup of masala tea is a welcome treat any time of the day! For us this perfect spicy snack is always very satisfying! What more can one ask for in life than a cup of tea, a bowl of dudhi na muthiya and a book to read in the garden when [...]
Instant Mango Pickle
A “crescendo” of mangoes takes place every year in India between the months of March and July. They roll into the markets in small numbers at the start of the season, being quite expensive. By the time the harvest peaks they are all over the place, playfully cheap and ready to be squeezed and used [...]
Spinach Bread
Since my teenage days I have had a habit to scribble down any recipes that I like. I am not shy or afraid of asking people if I like their dish. I have many notebooks which I have filled with written recipes, rather than bought books. Most of the time I forget about recipes in [...]
Savoury Cereal Snack
A few weeks ago myself and my friend Nayna went to a cupcake decoration class in London. We both had a very great time there. On the way back Nayna invited me to her house for lunch. She really spoiled me with an elaborate lunch and she cooked Methi Poodla, and Rice Khichee and served them with lots [...]
Massor Lentils and Sweetcorn Daal
Did you remember the recent hose pipe ban in the United Kingdom? It was rather strange that our country faced one of the driest periods on record. So the government issued a ban that effected almost 20 million people, introducing fines of up to £1000 if used. The government urged householders to be “smarter about [...]
Allo Bhathure – Deep Fried Bread Stuffed with Potatoes
A few weeks ago my husband wanted to have some choley bhathure for the weekend and so I prepared it for him. While I was preparing the dough I started thinking about my childhood trip to Delhi and my mind was flooded with old memories (read here if you want to know more). I thought of making stiffed bhathure. I [...]
Chana Masala Spiced Roasted Peanuts
Love it or loathe it, it’s a fact that the IPL (Indian Premier league), cricket’s most glamorous Twenty-20 tournament, has returned in full swing in its fifth season! T-20 fever has not only been spreading all over India, but has spread to every corner of the earth. Certainly it has come to my family too! [...]
Baby Potatoes with Oat Stuffed Aubergine
I am a great fan of aubergines, and in whatever way they are prepared, I am in heaven. My husband and son love them too. I cook and stuff aubergins with diffrent versions of masalas. So every time I prepare them, and I take photographs as I normally do, but for some reason I have not [...]
The Ultimate Onion Bhajis
Onion bhajis are one of Britain’s most popular and most frequently consumed Indian snacks. They have a unique and sensational flavour to them. Here in the United Kingdom they are eaten as starter or side dish in Indian restaurants along with poppadoms and chutney, pickle and mint sauce. In India, onion bhaji top the comfort food list when it comes [...]
Chana Rice – Chick Pea Rice
Today I will present to you Chana Rice, a delicious rice with chick peas. You will need : 1 cup basmati rice 1 cup chickpeas boiled (can use tinned chickpeas) 2-3 tsp oil 4-5 slit green chillies 1 big onion finely chopped 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes 1 tsp cumin seeds salt to taste Spices: 1/2 tsp [...]
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Paneer (a fresh cheese) is the most commonly used cheese used in traditional South Asian cuisines. It is of Indian origin dating back to 3000 BC and is described in the old Sanskrit texts (The Vedas). It is widespread in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh; countries with a high portion of milk in their cuisine. [...]
Hyderabadi Daal
Today I would like to share with you a new dish, that was novel to me too until a few weeks ago. Many people have a certain mental image of daal when they hear the word. When I saw the recipe for this daal on TV, I was itching to try it. It is something [...]
Tawa Rice-Pulao – Indian Street Food
Just when you think the weather is about to take a turn for the better, it ends up getting colder again. The cold weather can cause health problems. Cases of cold, flu and fever spread across the country, and now my daughter got ill, too! She is off school, and at home asking for a list [...]
Nan Khatai – Indian Spiced Shortbread
This week, Jagruti Dhanecha presents her new recipe on City Connect. Nan Khatai (Nan-khat-aa-ee) eggless biscuits originate from South Asia. They are extremley popular in India and Pakistan. Light, slightly crispy and nutty flavoured cookies; they just melt in your mouth and they are perfect with your tea or coffee. Delicate enough that it just crumbles … [...]
Ask City Connect
How Do I Get Over My Miscarriage?
Thank you for your question and I am very sorry for your loss. You do not say in which trimester you were in however whenever it happened this situation is [...]
Style
Looking After Your Suits
Recently I’ve had a lot of customers asking me about the best way to press and look after their suits. So I thought I’d let you know how I do [...]
Relationships
The Dating Diary of Miss X – Chapter 5
In Chapter 5 of The Dating Diary of Miss X, our very single and very anonymous Miss X talks about Mr French and paying the bill.
Who pays?
This is an interesting question raised when I was [...]
