Introduction
It’s easy to think of gourmet food as something complex. Long ingredient lists, fancy plating, and techniques you’d need to watch on YouTube three times before attempting. But the truth is, gourmet cooking isn’t always about complexity; it’s about balance, freshness, and small touches that make something ordinary feel elevated.
Most of us already own a tool that can help make that happen: the mixer grinder. Often used just for chutneys or dry masalas, this appliance has far more potential. Whether you’re looking to level up your everyday meals or experiment with new flavours, here are some simple yet gourmet recipes your mixer grinder is perfect for.
Flavoured Butters For A Quick Lift
Butter doesn’t have to be plain. Blend soft white butter with coriander, garlic, and a green chilli for a spread that transforms toast, parathas, or rice. If you want a richer twist, try dried methi and roasted jeera. These compound butters stay well in the fridge and are great when added to hot rotis straight from the tawa.
Herb Pesto With An Indian Twist
Instead of pine nuts and basil, make pesto with coriander, mint, roasted peanuts, garlic, and lemon juice. Add a little oil while grinding to get that silky texture. Toss it with pasta, smear it on a sandwich, or even mix it into leftover rice. It’s fresh, punchy, and full of character.
Smoked Aubergine & Yoghurt Dip
Roast a large brinjal on the gas until the skin blackens and the inside softens. Scoop it out, and blend with hung curd, garlic, roasted cumin, and a little mustard oil. The result is creamy, smoky, and cooling, great with crackers or even sabzi-stuffed parathas.
Tomato And Garlic Confit Puree
Roast cherry tomatoes and garlic in oil until they start collapsing, then blend into a thick, bright paste. It makes for an elegant pasta sauce, a sandwich layer, or even a topping for warm khichdi. Add herbs like basil or rosemary if you’re feeling adventurous.
Desi Hummus (No Tahini Needed)
Soak and boil chickpeas, then blend them with sesame seeds, garlic, lemon, and salt. Add a touch of olive oil and cumin powder. You’ll get a creamy, rich hummus without store-bought tahini. You can flavour it with beetroot, sun-dried tomatoes, or green chilli, depending on the day.
Sweet Potato & Walnut Dip
Boil or roast sweet potatoes until soft, then blend with toasted walnuts, garlic, olive oil, and a bit of red chilli powder. It’s slightly sweet, slightly earthy, and works beautifully with naan, lavash, or even spooned over grilled vegetables.
Whipped Paneer & Herb Spread
Grind fresh paneer with a spoonful of milk or cream until fluffy. Add mint, garlic, green chillies, and a pinch of salt. You get a mousse-like spread that tastes great in sandwiches, wraps, or on hot rotis. For something fancier, add roasted capsicum or caramelised onions.
Raw Mango & Basil Chutney
Summer mornings get better with this one. Blend raw mango with basil, mint, green chillies, and a hint of sugar. It’s zingy, fragrant, and cuts beautifully through greasy dishes like pakoras or fried rice. You can also drizzle it over dahi-based starters for colour and tang.
Thai-Inspired Curry Paste, Made Local
For a quick curry base, blend soaked red chillies, ginger, garlic, coriander stems, and lemon rind. If you can find it, throw in a bit of lemongrass or substitute with kaffir lime leaves. Add cashews or peanuts for creaminess. Cook the paste in oil and build a rich, aromatic curry in minutes.
Cardamom-Spiced Date & Nut Cream
Soak dates and blend with almonds or cashews, a splash of milk, and a bit of cardamom powder. It turns into a thick, dessert-like paste that’s both indulgent and nourishing. Serve cold with chopped pistachios or a few strands of saffron if you want to impress guests.
Creamy Milkshakes With Natural Add-Ins
Skip the syrup and powdered mixes, and blend bananas with homemade peanut butter, dates, milk, and a touch of cinnamon. It’s filling and naturally sweet, with no processed sugar needed. This is especially handy for busy mornings when you need something you can sip while getting things done.
Conclusion
Gourmet food doesn’t need a restaurant kitchen or even hours of free time. It just needs a few fresh ingredients and a mixer grinder that works as hard as you do. These recipes aren’t fussy, but they feel thoughtful. With a bit of blending and bold flavour choices, you can make daily meals feel like something more. The tools are already in your kitchen. All that’s left is to start mixing.