Linguine with homemade basil pesto, grape tomatoes and wilted spinach.

Method:

1. Boil a saucepan of water, enough to cook the pasta al dente. Stir once to separate.
2. Remove from heat and drain pasta in a colander, running through cold water.
3. In a non stick pan, saute sliced onions, celery, and garlic. Add grape tomatoes cut into halves, some baby spinach, salt and pepper.
4. Add pasta to the pan and the homemade pesto (I used basil, garlic powder, olive oil, salt and pepper).
5. Sprinkle grated parmesan and serve warm.

Sukhi aloo gobi (dry cauliflower and potato)

1. Cut cauliflower into florets, wash and drain water. Cut potatoes in similar size.
2. Make dry roasted, ground spice mix of cumin, coriander, sauf and a few methi seeds. Saute the vegetables in mustard oil with nigella seeds, diced red onions, the ground spices, turmeric, salt, slit green chilies, red chili powder, amchur, half cinnamon stick and bay leaves.
3. In a separate pan add 2 tsp ghee, fresh ginger garlic paste, and diced tomatoes. Add 4 tsp water, just enough to cook the masala through. Add the sauted vegetables. Cook uncovered on low heat till done. Add kasuri methi towards the end. 
4. Serve warm with rice or chapati (Indian flatbread)

Aloo matar tamatar (Baby potatoes with green peas and tomatoes)

Method:

1. Dry roast cumin, saunf, coriander seeds, whole pepper corn, cardamom, cinnamon , and cloves. then grind in coffee grinder.
2. Add kalonji seeds in a hot ghee and diced onions and  tomatoes with a pinch of black salt, turmeric, red chilli powder and hing.
3. Add boiled, skinned baby potatoes and stir in the mix. Add the ground masala, turn to coat well.
4. Add yogurt in little water and bring to boil. Add frozen green peas. Cover and simmer,

Taste for salt, serve with freshly chopped cilantro and hot rotis or luchi (phulke)

Bengali Vegetable Medley (Panch mishali)

Version 1

 Version 2: Added beets for some color

Ingredients:
Chopped cabbage- half
Butternut squash- a quarter
Radish: 1 medium
Roma tomatoes: 2
Potatoes: 1 or 2
Green Peas : 1/3 cup
Dry red chili: 1 (break into 2) or  2 Green chilis slit in halves
Panch phoron: 1 tsp.
Turmeric powder: a pinch or so ( I don't like too much turmeric in my food)
Salt to taste
Sugar to taste
Oil: 2-3 tbsp.
Fresh coriander leaves/cilantro for garnishing

Method :

1. Cut radish, butternut squash, tomatoes and potatoes into cubes. Chop cabbage leaves, thaw some frozen green peas.
2. In a pan, heat 2 tbsp. oil, temper with Panch phoron, and bay leaves.
3. Add vegetables, salt, turmeric powder and a vegetable masala (like Badshah Sabji masala or dry roasted cumin/coriander powder) if you prefer. It is good simply with grated ginger and green chilies too.
4. Stir-fry together for 20-30 minutes in medium flame. Bengalis usually add a spoonful of sugar and ghee at the end. If you add pumpkin or butternut squash in the recipe, you don't need extra sugar for sweetness.
5. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh coriander leaves/cilantro. (or add before you stop the flame/heat)

You may also use other vegetables like carrots, beets, cauliflower or drumsticks. I prefer the radish-butternut squash combination and then I add/subtract other vegetables on whim or availability. It is a  great way to clean to clean your fridge before your weekly groceries.

You can add fresh spinach leaves and chana dal for tempering as a variety. You may also add chopped banana blossom (mocha) or fried lentil fritter (dal er bora) for a different flavor.