Republic Day special: Savouring Indian flavours

This Republic Day, let’s celebrate the diverse and rich flavors of India with vibrant and wholesome recipes. Infused with the goodness of California Walnuts, they bring a nutritious twist to traditional Indian favorites, making every bite a true celebration!

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California Walnuts Chowpatty Bhel Puri – Chef Varun Inamdar

Ingredients

• 4 cups puffed rice
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 green chilies, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons mint chutney
• 4 tablespoons sweet tamarind chutney
• 1 tablespoon chaat masala powder
• 1/4 cup chana dal
• 1/4 cup roasted chana
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 cup California walnuts, chopped roughly
• 1/4 cup sev
• 12-15 papdi puris

Preparation

1. Pre-prepare all ingredients as mentioned in respective bowls and set the table.
2. Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl.
3. Garnish generously with sev, chopped California walnuts, and serve a papdi puri alongside.
4. Serve immediately.

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California Walnut Veg Handi – Shumaila Chauhan

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup walnuts
• 1 potato, chopped
• 1/4 cup peas
• 1 medium carrot, chopped
• 1/2 capsicum, chopped
• 8-10 French beans, chopped
• 1/2 cup cauliflower, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 slit green chilies
• 1 teaspoon ginger, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon ghee
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2” cinnamon stick
• 2 green cardamoms
• 2 strands mace
• 2 cloves
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
• 1 tomato, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup yogurt
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kasuri methi
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• Salt, as per taste
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• 2 tablespoons cream

Preparation

1. Soak walnuts in hot water for 30 minutes. After soaking, blend the walnuts into a smooth paste with a little water.
2. While walnuts soak, chop and blanch vegetables in boiling turmeric water for 30 seconds.
3. Heat butter in a pan, sauté green chilies and ginger. Add blanched veggies and cook for 5-7 minutes, then set aside.
4. In the same pan, melt ghee and sauté cinnamon, cardamoms, mace, cloves, and bay leaf till fragrant. Add onions and cook on low heat until golden.
5. Add ginger-garlic paste, chopped coriander, and sauté for a minute.
6. Add tomatoes and cook until oil separates.
7. Stir in turmeric, red chili, and coriander powder.
8. Add walnut paste and yogurt, cook until oil separates again.
9. Add water and green chilies, bring to a simmer.
10. Season with salt and add sugar if desired.
11. Stir in veggies, simmer for 5-7 minutes.
12. Add garam masala, kasuri methi, and nutmeg.
13. Pour in cream, mix well, and remove from flame.
14. Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot with rice or chapatti.

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California Walnut Dahi Bhalla – Shumaila Chauhan

Ingredients
For the bhallas:

• 1¼ cup washed Urad Dal (skinless black gram lentil), soaked overnight
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 green chili, finely chopped
• A pinch of Asafoetida
• Oil, for deep frying

For the stuffing:

• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons chopped raisins

For the yogurt (dahi):

• 2-3 cups yogurt
• 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
• ¾ teaspoon red chili powder (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon chaat masala
• Mint cilantro chutney
• Tamarind chutney
• Salt, to taste
• Water (as needed)
• Cilantro (for garnish)

Preparation

1. Soak lentils overnight. Drain and grind into a thick paste with as little water as possible.
2. Whisk the paste vigorously for 8-10 minutes, ensuring it becomes light and fluffy.
3. Mix chopped walnuts and raisins, set aside.
4. Heat oil in a pan. Wet a ladle and drop tablespoon-sized portions of the batter. Add walnut-raisin stuffing and top with another spoonful of batter. Deep fry until golden brown.
5. Once fried, soak bhallas in warm water for 30 minutes.
6. Squeeze out excess water from the bhallas lightly and place in a serving bowl.
7. Whisk yogurt with water and salt until smooth. Pour over bhallas.
8. Drizzle with green chutney, tamarind chutney, and sprinkle with roasted cumin, red chili powder, chaat masala, walnuts, and cilantro.

Enjoy these walnut-infused delights and make your Republic Day celebration even more special!