Ep 13. Humble But Hearty

In this episode of Aarti Party season 3, titled "Humble But Hearty," host Aarti Sequeira prepares some of her favorite "humble" ingredients in hearty and flavorful ways. She starts by making a Spiced Parsnip Soup, in which the sweet and earthy parsnips are elevated by the addition of warming Indian spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Aarti also shares some tips on how to properly chop vegetables for a soup, making the process easier and more efficient.

Next, Aarti moves on to a classic comfort food dish that she adapts with her own twist: Meatloaf with Spiced Tomato Glaze. She incorporates ground turkey and plenty of vegetables into her meatloaf mixture, and tops it with a tangy tomato sauce featuring cumin, ginger, and garlic. Aarti explains how she likes to prep the meatloaf ahead of time to make it an easy weeknight meal option.

For her side dish, Aarti makes Roasted Butternut Squash with Tandoori Spices. She tosses cubes of squash with a homemade blend of tandoori spices, which gives them a warm and slightly spicy flavor. Aarti stresses the importance of roasting the squash until it's perfectly tender and caramelized, and shares some tips on how to prevent overcrowding in the oven.

Finally, Aarti prepares a dessert that's both simple and elegant: Citrus-Scented Yogurt with Fresh Berries. She whips together Greek yogurt, honey, and orange zest to make a creamy and tangy base, and tops it with a colorful medley of fresh berries. Aarti emphasizes that the dessert can be made with any combination of fruits, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing option.

Throughout the episode, Aarti shares her personal stories and memories associated with each dish, as well as her tips and tricks for making them at home. She also showcases some of her favorite kitchen tools and techniques, such as using a food processor to chop vegetables and making a "well" in the center of the meatloaf mixture for even cooking. By the end of the episode, viewers will have learned how to take simple, humble ingredients and turn them into hearty and flavorful meals that are perfect for any occasion.