We invited Get Ahead readers to share rainy-day recipes with us -- pakoras, samosas and every other kind of tasty preparation that has you smacking your lips during the monsoons. We've been flooded with responses and as part of an ongoing series, present two recipes that you can make this season.
Khadija Sayeed from San Francisco, sent in this recipe for Cheese Pizza Muffins:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 lightly beaten egg
- 1 small capsicum
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup grated cheese
- 1/2 cup olives (seeded and halved)
- 2 tsps oregano
- Tomato sauce
- Extra cheese for topping
Method of preparation:
- Quarter the capsicum, removing the seeds and membrane.
- Grill it, skin side up, until the skin blisters and blackens.
- Peel away the skin and cut the capsicum into strips.
- Sift flour and baking powder in a large bowl, then stir in the egg, milk, oil, cheese, olives, tomato sauce and oregano.
- Spoon the mixture into a greased muffin pan, top with capsicum strips, sprinkle with extra cheese.
- Bake in a moderately hot oven for about 25 minutes or until done.
Here is a Low-calorie Sandwich recipe from Nikita Shah:
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe tomato
- 1 capsicum
- 1 tablespoon curd
- 4 brown bread slices
- 1/2 tsp black pepper powder
- Salt to taste
- Butter (optional)
Method of preparation:
- Chop the tomato and capsicum finely.
- Take a bowl and mix the chopped vegetables, curd, pepper and salt.
- Butter the bread slices if desired, sandwich the filling into them and grill till brown. Serve.
And finally, Sucharita Sen from Raiganj sent in how to prepare Coriander Pakoras:
Ingredients:
- Chopped coriander
- One small boiled, mashed potato
- A few pods of garlic (finely sliced)
- A few green chillies (finely sliced)
- Salt and sugar (to taste)
- Ground, soaked rice (preferable) or besan
Method of preparation:
- Soak rice in water. When it's soft, grind it in a mixer.
- Now all the ingredients along with the rice are to be mixed properly. The salt to sugar ratio and hotness regulates the taste of this preparation, so be sure in that regard.
- After mixing everything, small balls are to be prepared and pressed in between the palms. Then they are fried in oil on a low flame so that the inner side of the pakora be cooked properly.
- Finally, the flame should be on high for one minute before removing. Serve them with Jhalmuri (another Bengali preparation).
Do you have any special monsoon recipes that you'd like to share with us and other readers? Simply write in to getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'Monsoon Recipes') with instructions on how to prepare lip-smacking rainy-day foods and we'll publish your recipes right here on rediff.com. Make sure to include your name, age and hometown and try to come up with the hottest, tastiest snacks you can this rainy season.
We're smacking our lips and waiting, so write in right away!
© 2025