The word "khana" in Indian Khana Made Easy means food. So come on, let's explore and cook some easy Indian food together including gluten-free and vegan dishes.

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September 16, 2016

Quick and Easy Chinese Bitter Melon Chutney


This summer, we've been pampered with all the vegetables my friend's mom has been giving me from her garden. Every time I visit, she gives oodles of Chinese bitter melon, Asian melon, and peppers. She gave us so many that we've been making all sorts of dishes with them including the Chinese Bitter Melon Stir Fry I posted a few weeks back. 

This time we let the bitter melon ripen to yellowish color and use them to make chutney to eat with rice. WE LOVE RICE!!

Below is the recipe for this Chinese Bitter Melon Chutney. Check it out and let us know what you think. 



Ingredients
- 2 large and ripe Chinese Karela or Chinese Bitter melon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 to 4 garlic cloves, sliced
- 2 Tbsp chutney powder
- 2 Tbsp dry coconut powder
- 1 tsp tamarind paste (or walnut size of tamarind, soaked in water)
- 1 to 1-1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt (or as per your taste)
- 1 to 1-1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Procedure
Heat oil in a medium saucepan and saute onions and garlic for 2 minutes until onions are translucent. Then add the bitter melon and salt, saute for an additional 5 to 6 minutes or until the bitter melon is cooked. Allow it to cool. In a blender, add the sauteed bitter melon, and the remaining ingredients and grind to smooth consistency. Adjust the salt as per your taste.

The Chinese Bitter Melon Chutney is ready to be enjoyed with your favorite rice or roti. Bona Appetit!!

Hope you enjoyed our Bitter Melon recipes. Check out our recipes page for more delightful and easy dish ideas. How do you enjoy this not so bitter and healthy vegetable? Feel free to share. 

September 12, 2016

Pizza Night with Eggplant Bharta Pizzettes

5 Steps to Making Naan Pizza

Whenever it's my turn to make dinner, I choose to cook with my favorite vegetables: carrots, eggplant, and beetroot. Tonight I treated my family to eggplant bharta pizzettes. The spicy, sweet and tangy flavors of the eggplant bharta pairs well with the cheesy goodness of Cabot Pepperjack cheese. I also love using Stonefire Tandoor baked mini naans from Costco. They are small and easy to handle so each pizzetta is personalized just the way my family likes them. 

Procedure
First you chop all the vegetable for making eggplant bharta and make it. Next, grate the cheese and spray each of the mini naans with margarine or pam. Spread the eggplant bharta on to each of the naans and top it with the cheese. Last, bake it in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15-20 minutes or until the bottoms are crispy. 

Bon Appetit! They are ready to eat. 

What do you make for pizza night? How do you personalize your pizzas? We would love to hear from you.

For more fun and easy dishes, check out our recipes page.