Lagan Ni Seekh - Spicy Layered Meat Casserole Topped With Eggs

Until last week, we were enjoying the end of January, the supposedly pleasant and cool month of February was to follow. It started on a good note - the sun was shining bright, the air was crispier, fear of my balcony plants dying was over as I grinned at the curly forest green leaves of blue kale. While still cuddling my hot cocoa mug, wrapping Tasnim in a warm sweater, my heart was dancing to call an end to winters. Time to be outdoors again.

But this week has been  the coldest of all winter.  I wore socks at home which I have a severe aversion to doing otherwise. While stranded at home, we sat lazily in our warmed apartment, cancelling out the events we planned to attend this week. While last I posted a comfort food that required you to be around for a while, today's recipe is one that you hardly need to worry about. It cooks in the oven with minimum fuss, warm and meaty - all it requires is a whole grain flat bread or buttery soft buns to scoop up.

Haleem/Khichda - Wheat berries, Meat and Lentils Porridge

(recipe and photo originally appeared in BBC Good Food, India's Jan 2014 edition)

When I need time to just ponder over life, when time seems to pass by in a flash (specially when you have a 1 year old), when I really just want to stop, breath and slow down, I cook my mom's haleem. The constant swirl movement of the ladle eases away my anxiety, lost in the hypnotic rhythm of stirring, the earthy wheat and lentils warm you up even before being consumed. That is the beauty of comfort foood.

Beetroot with Mutton - Chukhandar Gosht

Growing up I only remember occasional traces of shredded beetroot in our salads, often overshadowed by many other ingredients, such that I could barely remember their taste. In my own kitchen, I often bought beetroot because 'I need to eat healthy stuff', but not until recently have I started appreciating it. My favorite juice these days is beetroot juice, that says something.

Khurdi - Bohra White Stock Soup

Food has not been on my top of my mind lately and hence the lack of posts. When my mind is void of any food creativity, I fall back on food that I grew up with. Food that doesn't require me to think much or work much. Food that I can throw in a pot and be assured of delicious endings. And when it comes to simple comfort, soups top my list. One of my favorite part about Bohra cuisine is the soups. Unlike the general Indian cuisine, Bohras make a lot of soups. They are often served along side rice dishes, to sip on while one eats the rice.

Mutton Korma - Celebrating Eid al Adha

At the end of Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca) Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid al Adha.

Indian Mutton Stew