I’m Maunika and I’m an Indian chef and food writer. Raised in Mumbai, my food influences stem from traditional home cooking, creating authentic and delicious Indian dishes full of flavour and spice.
Home comforts and slow cooking have been the order of the day over the last one year. And it’s something I will continue and look forward to times when I can have my friends around the table to share the […]
For anyone who is a fan of Naan will love this recipe! Indian bread that’s popular in restaurants across the subcontinent and perfect with Dal or curries like Butter Chicken or Aloo Gobi. This recipe is similar to my 5 […]
When I look through my book of hand written notes from my travels there are many stories and recipes I still have left to share. I suppose my space here gives me a chance to do that (albeit not as […]
A well made salan is a thing of wonder. I’ve been so lucky to have sampled a few of them and also being able to watch how it’s been made. The more common one people think of of course is […]
It’s not often that mushrooms are the main ingredient in Indian curries. With this malai (creamy) gravy, button mushrooms are the star ingredient working so well in a cashew based curry. The spice powder freshly ground and blended is akin […]
A simple chicken curry served with rice that is hearty, delicious and just what I call comfort food. It ticks all the boxes with warming spices, ginger and a rich gravy that coats the chicken pieces. There are so many […]
The word 'Thali' refers to the way meals are eaten in India; where a mixed selection of delicious dishes are served together on one platter. They offer a wonderful way to experiment with Indian flavours and dishes and to discover the rich and diverse range of this cuisine.
From familiar and classic Indian dishes like Tadka Dal and Matar Paneer alongside less familiar ones such as Pomegranate Spiced Chicken and Konkani Jackfruit Stir-Fry, these recipes will encourage you to explore the varied and vibrant range of food, flavours and textures across the Indian subcontinent, and give you the confidence and skill to create your own perfect thali.
Featuring a thali inspiration section at the end which showcases four stunning regional thalis to recreate at home, as well as menu ideas to help you mix and match recipes as you like, Thali is a joyful and creative approach to Indian home-cooking that will excite and inspire.
I love Maunika's cooking. Her food is a joy - she makes incredible Indian food really achievable at home.
Jamie Oliver
With a variety of spices in the Indian cooking repertoire it can be tricky to decide where to begin. What are the must have spices in the kitchen and how to get the most out of them? This spice guide gives you an insight to what Indian kitchens and regional communities stock up. Also simple hints, tips and tricks on how to use each spice along with a suggested list of recipes for the spices.
In Thali, Maunika shows you how to create over 80 easy, accessible and delicious Indian recipes in your own kitchen, how balance a variety of flavours and textures within each dish when creating your own thali at home.