Cooking

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This section is dedicated to comfort food, cultural recipes, and memories from my kitchen. Cooking helps me connect with heritage and healing.

Latest Recipes

• Soft Masala Cookies – April 17, 2025
• Chakundar Sabzi a.k.a Beets Curry
• Butter Chicken

Soft Masala Cookies — April 17, 2025

Spiced, soft, and simple. These cookies are made with jaggery and molasses—no processed sugar needed. A warm, slightly desi twist on the classic ginger cookie, perfect with chai or coffee. They stay soft for days and come together without fuss.

Time

• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Cooling Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Yield: 24 cookies (2 dozen)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons powdered jaggery (for rolling – blend fine)
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup powdered jaggery (blend it fine — no processed sugar here)
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup molasses
• 1 tablespoon water

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place 2 tablespoons of powdered jaggery in a small bowl for rolling and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and 1 cup jaggery until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the egg, then stir in molasses and water.
5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients to form a soft dough.
6. With floured hands, roll dough into 24 walnut-sized balls. Roll in reserved jaggery and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass.
7. Bake for 8–10 minutes, rotating trays halfway through. Cookies will look soft but firm up as they cool.
8. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Cookies stay soft for up to 5 days.

🍪 Nutrition (per cookie)

Approximate values — recipe yields 24 cookies.

• Calories: 130–140 kcal
• Sugar: 9–10g
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Fat: 5.5g
• Saturated Fat: 3.3g
• Cholesterol: 17mg
• Protein: 1.2g
• Fiber: 0.4g
• Sodium: 90mg
• Iron: 6–8% DV
• Calcium: 2–3% DV
• Magnesium: 3% DV
• Potassium: 2–4% DV

These cookies are on the sweeter side but balanced — thanks to jaggery and molasses, you get a little more than just sugar. Iron, calcium, and a few minerals make them a bit cozier than the average treat.

📝 Notes

These cookies are straightforward, with a little extra comfort from the spices and jaggery.
~Molasses adds depth and warmth — we use it for flavor and richness, not because it's a health food. It’s less refined than white sugar and still used in traditional cooking for a reason. No need to worry — just don’t overdo it, and you’re good.
Good to make ahead, gift, or just keep on hand for an everyday treat with a bit of warmth.

Chakundar Sabzi a.k.a Beets Curry — Coming Soon

(This one’s bold, bright, and full of iron. Coming soon.)

Butter Chicken — Coming Soon

(Soft, creamy, and better than takeout. Post coming soon.)