Celebrated chef, restaurateur, and television personality Vikram Vij is renowned for redefining Indian cuisine in Canada and beyond. Trained in Austria and seasoned at world-class establishments, he opened Vij’s in 1994 in Vancouver, blending bold innovation with deep-rooted tradition.
Known for his signature hospitality — often greeting guests with a cup of chai — Chef Vij has earned global acclaim, multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand honours, and a Lifetime Achievement Award. For DARPAN, he handpicked these recipes from his new 2025 cookbook, My New Indian Kitchen, showcasing his ever-evolving culinary artistry.
To cook sabzi style dishes in the air fryer, chop things a little smaller than you would for stovetop cooking. In this preparation, I cut the bell peppers and onions smaller than usual.
Prepare the tadka: In a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds. Add chopped onions and sauté until they are translucent and lightly browned. Add chopped garlic, ginger, and green chili (if using). Cook for another minute. Stir in the tomato paste, salt, cumin powder, and coriander powder. Cook for about 2 minutes, until the mixture is fragrant.
