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You are here: Home / 2025 / Archives for June 2025

Archives for June 2025

🥙 Spicy Lentil Burgers with Prune Relish

June 29, 2025 by Suki Leave a Comment

Bold meets wholesome in these Spicy Lentil Burgers with Prune Relish 🍔💥—where earthy lentils and sweet California Prunes create a flavour bomb you didn’t see coming.

Plant-based, punchy, and seriously satisfying. 🌱✨

Who knew California Prunes could be this versatile? 🌿💜⁠

More than just a sweet snack, prunes bring depth, moisture, and an earthy richness that elevates both sweet and savoury dishes. Case in point: these Spicy Lentil Burgers with a bold, umami-packed prune relish. 🍔✨⁠

The natural sugars in California Prunes balance out heat and acidity, making them the perfect base for a tangy relish that totally transforms this wholesome, plant-based burger.⁠

Whether you’re vegetarian or simply looking to add more nutrient-dense, flavour-forward meals to your week, this recipe is proof that prunes deserve a spot far beyond the snack bowl. ⁠

This post is sponsored by @CAprunesCAN –

⁠

Serving Size:
Time:
Difficulty:
  • For the Lentil Burgers:
    1 cup cooked green lentils (well-drained)
    1/2 cup cooked quinoa (optional but adds great texture)
    1/2 cup rolled oats
    1/2 small red onion, finely diced
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1 small carrot, grated
    1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
    1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
    1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
    Salt and black pepper to taste
    1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water)
    1–2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)
    For the California Prune Relish:
    1/2 cup California Prunes, chopped
    1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    Salt to taste
    2 tablespoons water (to loosen if needed)
    To Serve:
    Whole grain buns or lettuce wraps
    Sliced avocado or vegan mayo
    Baby spinach, arugula, or lettuce leaves
    Optional: Pickled onions, tomato slices, cheese (dairy or vegan)

Directions

  1. 1. Make the Prune Relish:
    In a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
    Sauté red onion until softened (about 3–4 minutes).
    Stir in chopped California Prunes, balsamic vinegar, mustard, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt.
    Add a splash of water and let simmer gently for 5–7 minutes until thickened and jammy.
    Adjust seasoning to taste. Let cool slightly.
    2. Prepare the Lentil Burger Mix:
    In a food processor, combine cooked lentils, oats, quinoa or bulgur, onion, garlic, carrot, tomato paste, soy sauce, flax egg,and spices.
    Pulse until mixture is combined but still has some texture.
    Taste and adjust seasoning. If too wet, add a tablespoon of oats. If too dry, a splash of olive oil.
    3. Form and Cook the Patties:
    Divide mixture into 4–6 patties.
    Heat a skillet with a bit of oil over medium heat.
    Cook patties 3–4 minutes per side until browned and crisp on the outside.
    4. Assemble the Burgers:
    Toast buns or prepare lettuce wraps.
    Layer with baby greens, the warm lentil burger, a generous spoonful of prune relish, avocado slices, and any additional toppings like cheese

Filed Under: VEGAN Tagged With: burger recipe, burger recipes, lentil burger, prune recipe, prune recipes, prune relish

 Two Flavor-Packed Chicken Marinades: Hariyali & Peri Peri

June 26, 2025 by Suki Leave a Comment

⸻

1. 🌿 Hariyali Chicken Marinade (Green Herbed Chicken)

A vibrant North Indian-style marinade bursting with cilantro, mint, garlic, and spices. Perfect for grilling or pan-searing.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves, tightly packed

• ½ cup fresh mint leaves

• 4–5 garlic cloves

• 1-inch piece of ginger

• 2–3 green chilies (adjust to spice level)

• ½ cup thick curd (yogurt)

• Juice of ½ lime

• 1 tsp cumin powder

• 1 tsp garam masala

• Salt to taste

• 1–2 tbsp oil (for grilling or marinating)

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine coriander, mint, garlic, ginger, chilies, and yogurt.

2. Blend into a smooth paste. Add lime juice, cumin powder, garam masala, and salt.

3. Coat 500g chicken (boneless thighs or drumsticks work well) with the marinade.

4. Cover and marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

5. Grill, pan-sear, or bake until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred.

6. Garnish with onion rings and lime wedges.

⸻

2. 🔥 Peri Peri Chicken Marinade (Spicy Portuguese-Inspired)

A fiery, tangy marinade inspired by Portuguese-African flavors—perfect for lovers of heat!

Ingredients:

• 4–6 dried red chilies (soaked in warm water 10 mins)

• 3–4 fresh garlic cloves

• 1 small red bell pepper (optional for color + body)

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 2 tbsp vinegar (white or apple cider)

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp oregano

• ½ tsp black pepper

• Salt to taste

• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Blend soaked chilies, garlic, red pepper, lemon juice, vinegar, and spices into a smooth paste.

2. Add olive oil and mix well.

3. Coat 500g chicken (boneless or bone-in) with the marinade.

4. Marinate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

5. Grill, roast, or pan-fry until charred and juicy.

6. Serve with peri peri mayo or herbed rice.

⸻

🔁 Tips for Both Marinades:

• Score the chicken slightly for deeper flavor penetration.

• Save some marinade to baste during cooking (if not mixed with raw chicken).

• Can be air-fried too (180°C for 12–18 mins depending on cut).

Filed Under: NON-VEG RECIPES Tagged With: chicken marinations, chicken recipes

Eggplant rice 

June 4, 2025 by Suki Leave a Comment

🌿 Simple Pleasures: Eggplant Rice, Raita & Chips on a Sunny Afternoon

here’s something deeply comforting about a plate of home-cooked food that doesn’t try too hard—just honest flavors, familiar aromas, and a feeling of “this is exactly what I needed today.”

This afternoon, under the soft golden sun, I found myself craving something quick, soulful, and satisfying. I ended up making this humble with my mom but flavorful eggplant rice, paired with cool cucumber raita and a side of crispy potato chips—a trio that reminded me so much of school tiffin days and weekend lunches at home. My mom made this with me and I recorded this. 

The brinjal rice (or vangi bath, as it’s fondly called in many South Indian homes) is one of those dishes that transforms a simple vegetable into something irresistibly aromatic. Sliced brinjals are sautéed with caramelized onions, tossed in a warm, earthy spice blend, and mixed with fluffy basmati rice. A spoonful of homemade or store-bought vangi bath masala does all the heavy lifting.

The raita, just a mix of chilled curd, cucumbers, and a pinch of cumin, adds the perfect cooling contrast to the spiced rice. And those chips? Pure nostalgia. No pretense, just a bit of crunch that makes everything on the plate feel extra special.

What I love about meals like this is how they hit that perfect note between comfort and flavor—quick enough to pull together on a lazy afternoon, but satisfying enough to feel like you’ve treated yourself.

📌 Tip: If you want to save time, pre-make a small batch of the spice powder and store it for future rice dishes—it works beautifully with other veggies too.

Have you tried making brinjal rice before? What’s your go-to nostalgic comfort meal? I’d love to know in the comments!

Serving Size:
2
Time:
15
Difficulty:
30 mins

Ingredients

  • For the rice:
    • 1 cup basmati rice (or any variety), cooked and cooled
    • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
    • 6–8 small brinjals or one big eggplant chopped finely, carrot chopped finely, peas
    • 2 tbsp oil (preferably sesame or sunflower)
    • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
    • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
    • A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
    • 1 sprig curry leaves
    • 1 tbsp chana dal
    • 1 tbsp urad dal
    • 1 medium tomato chopped finely 
    • Salt to taste
  • • GHEE to drizzle. Loved this Canadian ghee.


    Spice powder (or use ready-made vangi bath powder):
    • 1 tbsp chana dal
    • 1 tbsp urad dal
    • 1 tsp coriander seeds
    • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
    • 1/2 tsp sesame seeds
    • 4–6 dried red chilies (adjust to taste)
    • 2 tbsp grated coconut (optional, fresh or desiccated)
    • 1/2 tsp cinnamon (or a small piece of stick)
    • 2 cloves


    Dry roast these ingredients on medium heat until aromatic and grind to a coarse powder once cooled.

Directions

  1. 🍳 Method:
    1. Cook the rice:
    Cook rice with a few drops of oil. Let it cool fully before mixing so it doesn’t get mushy.
    2. Prepare the masala powder:
    Roast and grind the ingredients listed above (or use store-bought vangi bath powder).
    3. Sauté the brinjals:
    Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add cumin, Chana dal, urad dal, hing, and onions. Sauté until golden.
    4. Add brinjal:
    Add the tomatoes, carrots , peas, brinjal and salt. Cook covered on low-medium heat until soft, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle a little water if needed. It takes good 8-10 mins
    5. Add spice powder:
    Once the brinjals are cooked, add 2–3 teaspoons of the spice powder and sauté for 2–3 minutes.
    6. Mix with rice:
    Gently fold in the cooled rice. Adjust salt and spice level as needed. Add a squeeze of lemon juice for freshness (optional). Add curry leaves and coriander leaves to garnish. Drizzle ghee on top.
  2. 🥄 Serving suggestions:
    • Pair with raita (like the cucumber one in your image), papad or chips.
    • You can add roasted peanuts or cashews on top for extra crunch.

Filed Under: RICE/BIRYANI VARIETIES Tagged With: brinjal recipes, brinjal rice, eggplant rice, rice, rice recipes, Rice variety, vegan recipe, Vegan recipes, vegetarian recipes

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