About me
I was born and brought up in a small town in Central India called Jabalpur. I then moved to Mumbai to train as a Fashion Designer in NIFT. After my college, I worked in Mumbai for a few years before moving to the U.K. in 2004. I have always been interested in food and cooking and have been greatly inspired by my mum’s cooking who has taught me everything I know about flavours.
After having my 2 children I found my interest in baking grow, it was a perfect way for me to relax and found it very relaxing. I am a creative yet meticulous baker and find baking a perfect outlet for my creativity.
Trying out new techniques and challenging myself is what keeps me going. Being on Great British Bake Off 2014 has been an amazing journey and has given me the confidence to try new combinations of flavours. I will always cherish this experience and the time I spent in the tent with my fellow bakers.
Soon after the show, I started work on my first book which is all about Indian flavours in some very western bakes. The book is called ‘The Cardamom Trail’ and was published in 2016.
After that, I went on to write my second book called ‘Chai, Chaat and Chutney’ which is all about Indian street food from the 4 corners of India. I wrote this book after intensive research into the 4 cities of India to find some of the most delicious street food. This book was published in 2017.
My third book ‘Chetna’s Healthy Indian’ is all about the food I cook at home for my family. It is the quick, delicious and healthy recipes we enjoy to balance out all the cakes I bake. This book was published in 2019.
Sunday rituals - Good music + Turkish eggs -
- warm yogurt
- poached eggs
- finished with chilli butter
- glow of @clarence_court egg yolks! Followed by coffee! Happy Sunday all 🙏🏽
Onion Samosa!
Full recipe in my book #chaichaatchutney and full video on my #youtube channel #foodwithchetna enjoy!
#chetnamakan #reels #recipes #vegetarian
Best COFFEE WALNUT easy loaf cake!
A must try bake in my books, this is simply delicious. Full recipe on my website www.chetnamakan.co.uk
And full video on my #youtube channel #foodwithchetna enjoy!
#chetnamakan #reels #recipes #baking
FESTIVE MEALS - Veg Kofta Curry
A dish created with @rajahspices that you can prepare in advance and relax on the day!
Make the curry in advance and you can freeze till time for Diwali dinner. Also make the kofta mixture before hand and fry them fresh when serving, all this making it super easy and giving you more time to spend with family and friends.
For the kofta -
2 potatoes, boiled
225 gms paneer, grated
1 tsp salt
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chaat masala
2 tbsp cornflour
Mix it all up (this mixture can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days)
Shape into small balls and fry in hot oil until golden
For the puree -
2-3 tbsp oil
3 onions, chopped
50 gms cashewnuts
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 inch ginger, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped
Cover and cook for 15 minutes the blitz to a puree
For the curry -
3-4 tbsp oil
1 cinnamon stick
6 cardamom pods
1 bay leaf
Add the puree with 200 ml water, cover and cook for 15 minutes
1 tsp salt
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp garam masala
(you can store this mixture in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze it)
When ready to eat add -
1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves
1 tsp honey
3 tbsp double cream
Add the fried koftas to the curry and then serve!
#chetnamakan #rajahspices #diwalimoreflavoured #diwali #ad
FESTIVE MEALS - Shahi Chicken Curry!
This Diwali make this showstopping CHICKEN CURRY, thats creamy, delicious and packed with flavour. Cooked in my @hexclad @hexclad_europe range this is easy to make and great for sharing.
For the marinade -
300 gms yogurt
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp turmeric
2 tsp ground cumin
8 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 inch ginger, chopped
8 chicken thighs (no skin, on the bone)
6 chicken drumsticks (no skin, on the bone)
Mix all the above together and let it marinate for an hour or overnight
For the onions -
5 onions, thinly sliced
shallow fry for 15 minutes then strain
For the almonds -
60 gms almonds, soaked overnight
Peeled and blitzed with 3 tbsp milk
For the curry -
2 tbsp oil
2 cinnamon sticks
8 green cardamom
2 bay leaves
2 star anise
3 black cardamom
2 tsp cumin
Let it sizzle for a minute
Add the chicken with 100 ml water
Cook on high heat for 10 minutes
Add half the onions and almond paste and 100 ml water
Cover and cook for 35 minutes
2 tbsp methi and the rest of the onions
Mix and serve
Enjoy! x
#chetnamakan #hexclad #diwali #AD
Diwali at 10 Downing street! Such joy to hear Hanuman Chalisa being recited at @10downingstreet
#diwali #london
In very good company with my lovely friend @nishascookingagain x
This Diwali, @rajahspices has challenged my daughter to cook up one of our favourite dishes and she’s chosen CHOLE PURI! Diwali is such a special time, delicious food cooked with a lot of love can build memories that last a lifetime. It’s been so special to take time out to teach Sia a thing or two about spices.
Join us and take on the challenge of passing on one of your most-loved family dishes. I’d love to know what you’re making this Diwali.
For the chole -
400 gms chickpeas, soaked overnight
2 tea bags
2 tsp salt
2 onions, finely chopped
2 tbsp ginger and garlic
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp chilli powder
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp garam masala
fresh coriander, finely chopped
For the puri -
300g chapatti flour
160ml water
Sunflower oil for deep-frying
Enjoy this feast with your family this Diwali.
#ad #diwali #chetnamakan #rajahspices #DiwaliMoreFlavoured #LifeMoreFlavoured
FESTIVE MEALS - little NIMKI!
Crispy layered pastry!
Full recipe in my book #chetnasindianfeasts and #youtube channel #foodwithchetna link in my profile! Enjoy x
#chetnamakan #reels #recipes #vegetarian #diwali
