Red split Lentils

This is my comfort food. My Nani (grandmother) used to make it, here's my version.

ALL YOU NEED:

1 cup Red split lentils (Masoor ki daal)
1 tsp Cumin seeds
2 1/2 cups water
1 medium chopped Onions
2 medium chopped tomato
1 tbsp ghee (you can use any kind of oil)
5-6 cloves of garlic (chopped)
1 tbsp ginger paste (you can used the chopped version too)
Freshly chopped Cilantro leaves
Salt to taste
1 tsp turmeric powder
Green chilies (optional)

METHOD:

Wash the lentils and soak them in the water for 5-10 mins

Heat oil in a pressure cooker to this add cumin seeds and then onions...
Cook until brown....

Add tomatoes and cover it with a lid, once the tomatoes look soggy go ahead and mash them and mix the whole thing and let it cook for 2-4 mins (stirring occasionally)
Go ahead and add Salt & turmeric powder

Add the lentil with water. Wait for 1whistle and then turn off the heat.
When it cools down open the lid and add Garlic, ginger, cilantro, green chillies....

Pair it with rice or roti. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do..:)

Buttery Chicken

All you need:

2 chicken breast (boneless)

1 small onion 

2-3 black & green cardamom

2 cloves

Cumin seeds

1/2 stick cinnamon

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup tomato puree

2 tsp sour cream

4 tsp milk

1 tsp Red chili powder

Salt & Pepper

1/2 tsp Sugar

Method:

In a pan add 1 tbsp butter and chicken pieces..cook them well, sprinkle salt...:) Keep them aside...

In the same pan add butter with all the other spices i.e. Cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaf, cumin seeds, cloves... let the oil soak all the flavors...

Grind or chop the onion and add it to the pan...Cook until it's slightly brown...:)

Add tomato puree and cook it for 5-7 mins

Pour in the milk slowly, stirring side by side on a low flame, keep stirring until it starts to boil...

Close the lid and cook for 5-7 mins and then add chicken.

Add Sugar, Red chili powder, Salt & pepper, mix it and add some more butter...

Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro..:D

Enjoy it with plain boiled rice or butter naan..:)

Potato Grill Toast

I bought a new griller yesterday so had to try it..:P It's another interesting and super filling breakfast/brunch recipe...:)

Ingredients:

Shredded Hash browns/ 1 large Boiled potato

1/2 chopped onion

1/2 chopped tomato

Salt & pepper

Red chili powder

Dry mint powder

Carom seeds

1 sliced Green chili

Few chopped cilantro leaves

METHOD:

In a pan take 1 tsp oil and add onions, saute them till they are brown and then add tomatoes...let them soften up a little then mash them and mix it with the onions...

To make it little quicker I used Hash brown but you can boil the potatoes, mash them and add them to the pan....I also added some Carom seeds..

Cook them till they are a little brown and then add red chili powder, green chili, dry mint, salt & pepper....

Now take your bread slices and layer it up with this...cover it with another slice of bread and put it in the griller..:) I added some cheese to my slices..;)

Put it in the griller and wait for the griller light to turn Green...

My bread slices were little bigger than the toaster's bread size so i could add one at a time else it has two slots..:P
Wait till the light turns green and Bon Appetit..:D

I enjoyed my meal with a glass of Banana shake...:P Trust me it was super filling...:D

Have a great Sunday..!! :)

Vegetable Strata

(10/27/12)

Saturdays and Sundays are lazy I generally wake up late and feel like making something which will get me through the day... So here a Brunch recipe for a perfect Saturday morning...:)

Ingredients:

8 Eggs

10 slices of bread sliced into cubes (I used whole grain and white bread)

2 cups milk

4 tsp olive oil

Parmesan Cheese

Mozzarella Cheese

Grated Parmesan 

Veggies:

boiled & chopped brocolli

2 chopped carrots

2 chopped celery

1 chopped onion

1 chopped tomato / sliced sunrise tomatoes

Freshly chopped  cilantro leaves

3 green chilies

Spices:

1/2 tsp Thyme

Salt & Pepper to taste

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp Herbs

Method:

In a pan heat 1 tsp oil and add onions, saute until they are brown and then add carrots and celery and cook for about 3-4 min then transfer in another bowl & let them cool for a little while

Oil a baking dish and arrange the bread cubes (save some for the end layer)

Top it up with veggies layer, add tomatoes, broccoli as well....cover it up with the left over bread cubes

Now, in a large bowl beat the eggs, add all the spices (Mentioned above), green chilies, cilantro leaves and milk beat it with a hand mixer till its totally incorporated...

Pour the egg mixture over the bread making sure it spreads evenly...

Top it up with Parmesan, mozzrella cheese and little olive oil..

Cover it up and refrigerate it overnight or atleast 8 hrs... then bake it at 350 degrees for 50 min or an hour or till the top surface is brown...:)

Breakfast Recipe

Garden Omelette (10/26/12)

Every morning I struggle for breakfast, it's so confusing what to have and what not to have.. Something that is filling but at the same time healthy...I can understand it's a challenge to make different breakfast every morning specially when you're already late for work..(I wake up late) it feels like grabbing something real quick...!! Omelettes are simple, quick and to make them healthy add some veggies to it...:D

All you need:

3 eggs

1/2 chopped tomato

1 chopped celery

chopped broccoli

chopped capcicum

Any other vegetable you want

Salt & pepper to taste

1/2 tsp dry crushed mint

Pinch of red chili powder

1 tsp milk

2 tsp olive oil

Method:

In a pan add all the chopped veggies and cook them a little...:) keep them aside and add oil to the same pan...

In a bowl beat the eggs and add the seasonings i.e. dry crushed mint, red chili powder, salt & pepper... add milk (just to make it more fluffy) whisk it as much as you can... the more the better..:)

Add the egg mixture to the hot pan and let it cook from the bottom...

Once it's cooked add all the cooked veggies to one side of the omelette..:)

Now fold the omelette...

It can be a little messy :P lol... now squeeze it so that if there is any uncooked part inside the omelette it'll get cooked..:) and turn to the other side and squeeze a little more..:D 

Add fresh cilantro leaves over the top and njoy it with butter Toast and a glass of Milk..:)

P.S. you can add cheese if you want i didn't...:P

Pasta in 5 :)

Yesterday it was "World PASTA Day" and pasta is one of my favorite dishes....I didn't know this day is celebrated...lol so I had to make it...Any which ways Navaratares are over so I'm back in form...;)

All you need:

Handful pasta (I used spirals)
1/2 cup tomato puree
5 tsp milk
Cumin seeds
1 chopped garlic clove
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp chili flakes
1 chicken sausage (optional)
Salt & pepper
Olive oil

Method:

Bring the pasta to boil. In another pan heat oil, add cumin seeds and garlic..let the flavor get soaked in the oil then add tomato puree to it...when it starts to pop up add your pasta, mix them and add milk...cook it till you want the curry to be....
Now you can add Sausages, oregano, chili flakes, salt & pepper....

Pretty simple right?? Enjoy and happy world Pasta day....:D

Masala Lamb

Raara Meet (10/24/12)
Just couldn't believe I made it... It is just amazing A MUST TRY RECIPE...!!

Ingredients:

1 kg Lamb

4 medium Onion

1 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (6 medium tomatoes )

2-3 green and black cardamom

1 bay leaf

5-6 Garlic cloves chopped

Grated ginger

3 Green chilies

2 tsp Garam Masala

Salt & Pepper

5-6 tsp olive oil

1 cup water

Method:

In a pressure cooker, add oil, bay leaf, 2-3 cloves of garlic (chopped), grated ginger and cardamom... let the oil soak all the flavors for about 1-2 min, just make sure you don't burn the spices...Grind the onion and add it in the cooker, cook until its brown and all the water is evaporated...

Add the lamb and mix it well...cook until you can see the layer of the oil, keep stirring else it'll stick to the bottom...

Now add tomatoes to it with all the spices; Garam Masala & Salt...

let it cook for about 5 min, stirring frequently, then add water and close the lid

Let the lamb get tender (one whistle should do)...open the lid and check if the lamb is tender it's good to eat else cook for a little more while...

Once done add more garlic, ginger and freshly chopped coriander leaves...:D You can enjoy this lamb with Roti or best when eaten with plain boiled Rice...:D

Kheer

On this auspicious day of Dusshera officially we should eat jalebies, wanted to make them too... probably next time...:P 

Don't get disappointed, I made kheer and it came out to be perfect (as I wanted), Ankur LOVED it!! :P But it's a task making a really delicious kheer trust me it's worth every bite..:D 

All you need:

3 ltr Milk

3/4 cup rice

1 cup sugar (acc. to your taste)

1 tsp grounded cinnamon 

Chopped Almonds
Chopped pistachio

Method:

In a pot take rice with  half cup water and let them cook, when done add 1 ltr milk to it and let it boil... let the rice get cooked in the milk properly... 

Gradually you'll see the milk will start to evaporate, that's when you need to add another liter of milk to the pot...it'll again evaporate and then again add l milk (last 1 ltr)

This process will take about 2-3 hrs (the more you cook the more its better and tastier) make sure you keep stirring the milk time to time else it'll stick to the bottom of the pan...

Add sugar and cinnamon (optional) finally almonds to garnish....:) Cook it until the milk is condensed and the rice are little puffed with milk..:D

Couldn't show you the step wise pictures of this recipe but trust me you guys will figure it out it's pretty Simple....:)

Black Channe..:D

My mom makes the best kale channe I've ever eaten... I tried making like her but hers are still the best..:D

Ingredients:

2 cups Black Channe (Chickpeas)

Cumin seeds

2 green chillies

Grated Ginger

2 tsp Garam Masala
2 tsp Channa Masala
2 tsp dry ginger powder (sunth powder)

1 tsp Mango powder (Aamchur)

4 tsp Olive oil

Salt to taste

Method:

Dip the channe in water overnight (that way they are easy to cook). Boil them in the Pressure cooker (2 whistles will be good enough), just make sure they are soft enough to eat..:D

In another pan take about 4 tsp oil and add cumin seeds and grated ginger... cook it but not for too long just let the oil get all the flavor. Add green chilies to it.

Add the boiled channe... add all the seasonings i.e. Garam Masala, dry ginger powder, Channa Masla, Mango powder & Salt..

Let the water dry in the channe till then keep stirring else they'll stick to the pan...:)

Finally enjoy them with Puri...:D you can make the Bedmi Puri in my recipes or just simple Puri with Carom seeds mixed in it..:D

Boiled Tangy Aloo

Ingredients:

4 Medium sized Potatoes

1 Tomato

Cumin seeds

Carom seeds (Ajwain)

2 Celery sticks

Salt & Pepper

Method:

Boil potatoes in a pressure cooker, peel them and then cut then..:)

Heat 2 tsp oil in a pan, Add cumin and carom seeds, cook until the pop, then add celery and tomatoes to it...

Cook until tomatoes are really soggy and then mash them properly and mix them with celery... Add the boiled potatoes to it...:)

Mix them well and add Salt & Pepper to it..:D Pretty Simple..Go ahead and njoi then don't forget to add green chilies if you like it Hot..:D

Aloo Tikki

Potato Patties(10/19/12)

Ingredients:

4 medium sized potatoes

Chopped Broccoli 

1 chopped Carrot

Grated ginger

1/4 tsp garam masala

1/2 tsp Red chili powder (optional)

Olive oil to shallow fry

Salt & Pepper

Powdered Cumin seeds

Method:

Boil the potatoes in a pressure cooker, peel then and mash them in a bowl...

In another bowl put all the chopped vegetables you want and add it to the mashed potato bowl..

Add all the seasonings, cumin seed powder, red chili, Garam masala, Salt & Pepper... and mix it till it's smooth...:) Now take little portion of potato mixture and make small balls... Taking one at a time, gently flatten the potato ball (make sure you oil your hands)

Heat 3 tsp oil in a non stick pan and put these patties...If you didn't deep fry these patties, they'll break so to avoid it make small patties and handle them gently while turning in the pan...:)

Cook them until they are brown from each side..:D Have them with Mint chutney..:D

They aren't deep fried so doesn't look like what we get in the market..:P but little healthier version..:D so njoii them...:D

Makes about : 20 Potato patties

Sweet & Tangy Papaya

You all know papaya is really healthy fruit so why not give it a little twist and cook it up..:)
I'll be cooking it without Onions but you can always add them I'll let you know when..:)

Ingredients:

1 Medium Raw Papaya 

2 chopped green Chilies

Cumin seeds

Pinch of Red chili powder 

2 tsp Mango powder (Aamchur)

1 1/2 tsp Sugar

1/2 tsp Black salt (kala namak)

2 tsp Olive oil

Method: 

Peel the papaya and cut it into medium cubes...

Take oil in a pan, heat it and add Cumin seeds, green chilies and Red chili powder (its just for the color) stir it well 

Add onions (if you want) cook it till they are brown (I didn't use onions) , add papaya after 10 sec and cover it with a lid...let it cook until it's soft and tender...

When cooked add all the seasonings Salt, Mango powder, Black salt and stir it well.. Let it cook for few mins or until the papaya is tender/ water evaporates...don't cover it with a lid..

Food is ready to eat..:D enjoy it with Raita and Roti...Have fun..:D

Serves: 4

Palak Paneer

Palak (Spinach) Paneer(Indian cheese) is a vegetarian dish.

Ingredients:

Spinach wash it, steam it and pop it in a blender to form a puree
Paneer (Available at any Indian store) or you can make it at home. Here's the recipe homemade paneer
1 medium onion chopped
1 1/2 medium tomato chopped
2-3 green chilies
2 tsp grated ginger
Salt to taste
1 tsp Red chili powder
2 tsp olive oil

Method:

In a pressure cooker/pot pop in the spinach, 1 whistle, take it out, put it in the blender and puree it.
If cooking in a pressure cooker add 1/2 cu water.
If cooking in a pot, fill it up add the spinach into the boiling water for 5-7 mins and blend it.

Meanwhile, In another pan heat olive oil with cumin seeds and add onions Saute until brown.

Add the tomatoes and let it cook until the oil separates. you can now add green chillies, red chili powder and salt.

Add the spinach puree and cover it with a lid and let it cook for about 3-5 mins.

Open the lid add paneer again cover it for another minute or two...

 Uncover and cook for 5-7 min or until the water evaporates...

Add the grated ginger and there you go ready to be served...

NOTE: you can shallow fry the paneer before adding them. Just take 1 tbsp oil and fry them until they are brown from both sides.