Maharashtrian cuisine is hearty, spicy,yet comforting with lots of homegrown flavours. Quintessential homemade spice mixes, masalas from granny's pantry and heirloom recipes are quite the trademark. With a diverse range of preparations spanning vegetarian and non vegetarian recipes, this cuisine is a minefield for a true lover of Indian food. So this weekend meal features just a small sampling of Maharashtrian and Konkan inspired cuisine, to whet your appetite for more.

This weeks #SaturdayLunch features a simple 3-course meal starting with appetisers, a wholesome main course with all the requisite elements, and some homemade dessert options that will soothe your tastebuds after the riot of flavours the meal is sure to have. Choose as many appetisers or desserts as you wish, but from the make sure you make a complete meal with multiple selections from the main course section. We hope you enjoy this as much as we have enjoyed putting it together for you. 

1 - Appetisers

The traditional Kothimbir Vadi is a fritter made of coriander bound together with spices and fried until crisp. You could also try the Thenga Vada typically made for Gokulashtami, but equally delicious as a crunchy starter/appetiser. And just to keep things healthy, we have a super-salad of Carrot Beet Amaranth Salad to add some wholesome crunch. 

2 - Main Course

No traditional Indian meal is complete without a little bit of every essential component on your thaali or meal plate. Get your veggie quotient with this delicious stir fry of tossed greens, Shepuchi Bhaji and a Palak Raita for extra measure. Bharleli Vaangi, Aloo Bhujne are perfect accompaniments for Dal Vangi and Maharashtrain Amti are packed with the warm and spicy flavours of Goda Masala and are best eaten with either this Multigrain Thalipeeth or the traditional Masale Bhaath, which forms a comforting and nutritious meal. Wash it all down with a soothing cup of Sol Kadhi.

3 - Desserts

End the meal with festive, yet easy to make desserts. Try this easy Shrikhand Recipe, or for something simpler, yet indulgent, Doodanche Fov or Kesar Paneer Ki Kheer will do the trick just as well.