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.
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
FESTIVE MEALS - special ‘Egg Biryani’ for your celebration meal. I am using the delicious @clarence_court Leghorn White eggs that work perfectly for this recipe.
8 onions, thinly sliced, shallow fried until golden
For the rice -
350 gms rice
6 cloves
6 green cardamom
6 black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
Cook until 70% done, then drain
For the eggs -
10 Clarence Court Leghorn Whites
Cooked for 5 minutes, then peeled, slashed on top
2 tbsp oil
pinch of chilli
pinch of turmeric
Cook in spiced oil for a minute
For the masala -
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
4 green cardamom
2 onions, chopped, cook for 8 minutes
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 inch ginger, chopped, add to onions then cook for a minute
70 gms tomato puree, cook for 2 minutes
For the yogurt -
200 gms natural yogurt
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp ground coriander
1 tsp garam masala
50 ml water
Add this to the onions in the pan and cook for 5 minutes
Add the eggs and mix
In a pan start layering with 2 tbsp ghee, 1 green chilli, chopped
All the egg masala, keep 4 eggs out
All the rice
Handful of chopped coriander and mint
2 tbsp milk with pinch of saffron
All the fried onions
4 last eggs
Place the lid and cook on low for 25 minutes
Rest for 10 minutes
Enjoy x
#chetnamakan #clarencecourt #eggs #diwali #AD
A celebration of love and light, DIWALI ball by @condenasttraveller and @cartier with the 2 lovely hosts @diviathani and @laurentfeniou 🙏🏽 a wonderful warm evening celebrating the festival of Diwali! #london #diwali
📸 by @moeez
FESTIVE MEALS - Samosa papdi!
Delicious little vegetarian snack, perfect for your party table. Full recipe on my #youtube channel #foodwithchetna link in my profile! Enjoy x
#chetnamakan #reels #recipes #vegetarian #snack
FESTIVE MEALS - Gulab Jamun
Spongy little fragrant treats, a must for Diwali!
Full recipe in my book #chetnasindianfeasts and full video on my #youtube channel #foodwithchetna enjoy x
#chetnamakan #reels #recipes #vegetarian
