I love Paneer (cottage cheese) so much I will often just eat it 'raw' by itself or in salads. In fact I even learned how to make Paneer, so that I could do it at home.

In India, cottage cheese is the perfect alternative for vegetarians! Paneer (the name it is known by in India), is often homemade in big blocks (not runny as in the rest of the world) and then cut into cubes or slices. Its delicate milky flavor easily absorbs and adapts to the flavors of other ingredients used in a dish with it. As a result, it is very versatile. Here are a few of my favorite Paneer recipes both savory and sweet. Enjoy!

_{Sandesh Image © Photographer: Stockshoot| Agency: Dreamstime.com}

As a busy Mom of three kids, I am always happy to be able to whip up an uncomplicated meal. To qualify it must either be easy, convenient or not take much time. Also, the less dishes I need to prepare the happier I am!

Rice Pulaos make for yummy, one-dish meals and fit the bill perfectly!

• Green Chicken Pulao (my Mom-in-law's recipe), which is as tasty as a Biryani (special-ocassion rice and meat or veg dish) but far simpler and quicker to prepare...
• Yakhni Pulao (pictured) that is classic North Indian food and gets its name from the Yakhni (meat stock) it is cooked in...
• Junglee Pulao, a really easy, simple and wholesome rice and vegetable/ meat dish that was a hot favorite with my brother and I when we were growing up....
• Tava Pulao is a well-loved street food in India! Made from rice and mixed vegetables all stir-fried together on a large griddle-like pan called a Tava, it makes for a delicious and very satisfying meal. You can use almost any vegetable you like or have in your kitchen!

The good news is, there's lots more Pulao recipes where those came from!

_{Image © 2011 Petrina Verma Sarkar, Licensed to About.com}

There's nothing like a freshly made salad to accompany a meal! Especially in the hot summer months. To my mind, the most important part of the salad is the dressing. Get that right and no matter how simple the other ingredients, you're set!

Two of these delicious salads were 'creations' of my friends Ben and Mona. They are not just tasty, the ingredients used to make them ensure that they are also fragrant. Enjoy!

• Ben's Tangy Tomato Cucumber Salad
• Ben and Mona's Tangy Grapefruit Salad
• Aaloo Salad
• Beans and Peas Salad

_{Image © Annabelle Breakey/ Getty Images}

About now, the weather is perfect for sprawling on a picnic blanket in the sun! We don't spare a single opportunity to take off with our kids to the nearest park or nature reserve!

Good food can make or break such occasions (in my opinion), so you've got to plan well and carry stuff that is tasty, filling and healthy all at the same time. If that seems like a tall order, think again.

These easy to prepare Indian foods are perfect for your your next picnic. Some can be fully prepared ahead of time, while others can be partly done and assembled just before eating. What's best is there's something here to please everyone, kids and adults alike. Include these dishes and I promise you will definitely have the most popular basket!

• Mint Chutney Veggie Sandwich
• Baida Roll
• Vada Pav
• Bhelpuri (pictured)
• Papdi Chaat

_{Image © 2011 Petrina Verma Sarkar licensed to About.com}