Collard Chicken

Now a days I'm trying to make more green and leafy things ao I got Collard Greens (Haak ke patte) Had it after so long and still love it...:D

ALL YOU NEED:

1 Bundle of Collard Greens

4 Chicken drumsticks

1 sliced onion

2 chopped tomatoes

1 tsp each Ginger & Garlic

1 Chopped Green chili

2 pinches asafetida

Salt to Taste

Red chili powder

Turmeric powder

METHOD:

!st step is to cut the leaves roughly and save the stems (will upload another recipe for it pretty soon) and wash the leaves thoroughly...

Just the Leaves

Save these in an air tight box

In a Pressure cooker heat 2 tsp oil with asafetida and add onions...

Stir them for a while and add the chicken drumsticks with about 2 cups water and salt, Red chili powder, Turmeric powder..
You can stir in the tomatoes with onions before adding water...

Pressure cook until the chicken is almost cooked... (2-3 whistles)

I added the tomatoes after the chicken was almost cooked....

I also added Garlic, ginger and green chilies...

Cut the leaves roughly into big chunks and add it to the rest of it...;)

 Add more water (no measurement, just the amount of soup you want...) 1 more whistle...:D
and Tadaaaa.....:D

Serve with Rice, It's delicious...:D

Karele (bitter gourd)

Not many people are fan of bitter gourd but for me I like it so sharing 1 of the recipe

All You Need:

5-6 Bitter gourds cut in a shape that u like

1 sliced onion

3 chopped tomatoes

Salt to taste

1 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 tsp red chili powder

3 pinches of sugar

2 tbs olive oil

METHOD:

I prefer peeling the outer cover of bitter gourd but it's upto u... So to start with wash them really nice...

Heat the oil, add cumin seeds and fry them... 

Cook them properly...

Add onions and cook them...

Add tomatoes on a side and cover it with a lid let the tomatoes get a little soggy...

Mash the tomatoes and mix them well....

Add salt, red chili powder and turmeric powder

Spinach Soup

I know it doesn't really sound good SPINACH..??? lol but I loved it... reasons are as you know Spinach has high nutritional value and is rich in antioxidants plus a good source of Vitamin A, B2, C and K...;)
It can be made a little more interesting by cooking it with paneer etc... But Boiled spinach is not that bad too...;)
So go ahead and try if you like..:D

ALL YOU NEED:

6-8 cups vegetable broth
http://asthasrecipes.blogspot.com/2013/05/vegetable-broth.html
2 cups washed spinach leaves
1 chopped onion
1 chopped carrot
2 stems chopped celery
1 chopped green chili
Salt to taste
1 tsp Soya sauce
1 tsp vinegar

You can also add any other vegetable you want...:)

METHOD:

Heat a pot and add everything except spinach leaves....
When it comes to boil add the spinach leaves and boil it for 5 min...;)


It's really healthy and pretty simple...:D

I served it with Hawaiian rolls...:D

SERVES: 4

Vegetable broth

For making vegetable broth you can use the trims or the left over veggies you have...

ALL YOU NEED:

All the veggies you want
Like:
Onions
Carrot peels
Celery
Broccoli
green, yellow, red bell peppers
Green chilies
Presoaked for 20 min Basmati rice water (optional)

Spices:
1 bay leaf
2 each Black & Green Cardamon
1 cardamon stick
2 cloves
2 pinches of nutmeg
1 tsp each Ginger and garlic crushed

METHOD:

I didn't measure anything but i filled up a huge pot with water and added all the veggies, spices & basmati rice water... Make sure all the veggies are not finely chopped but cut into big pieces...

Cover it with a lid for 1 1/2 hr and strain it

The broth is ready..:D

You can Serve it as it is after adding some salt it'll be your vegetarian clear soup or use it to make other soups...:D

Veggie Puff Patties

Simple, delicious and a really good Appetizer in no time...

ALL YOU NEED:

2 tsp Green bell pepper

2 tsp celery

2 tsp brocoli

1 tsp crushed tomato

3-4 tsp cheese (I used mozzarella but you can use any) 

2 pinches of dried basil (or if you fresh basil leaves)

Salt to taste

METHOD:

In a pan heat 1 tsp oil and cook all the veggies...

Add tomato paste to it with basil and salt...

Now take Puff Pastry sheet (It's a pack of 2 so I used 1 sheet)

Thaw the sheet by keeping it at room temperature for 40-45 min or until soft...wrap the other one and keep put it in the freezer...

I used this...

Once the sheet is thawed Cut it vertically into 3 pieces (as it was folded), Spread some flour before keeping it on the slab...

Taking 1 piece at a time cut it into 4 parts...(total of 12 sheets)

Roll each piece not to thin using flour (so that it won't stick)

Place the Cheese & Veggie filling vertically on the sheet... (make sure border is left)

With the help of your finger dab some water onto the borders so that it sticks well 

Fold it in a triangular shape...

Do the same with the rest and place them on a baking sheet...

Preheat the oven at 400 degrees and cook the patties for 10-15 min or until brown...

NOTE: 1 sheet makes 12 patties...:D

Key Lime Cheesecake

It's a NO BAKE cheesecake so anyone can try if you feel tempted...;)
This is my 3rd try with cheesecakes ofcourse different flavors...;)

ALL YOU NEED:

Pie crust
1/2 lime juice (It should be 5-6 tsp)
8 Oz Cream cheese
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tsp Lime zest
1 cup Sugar
1 tsp melted butter

METHOD:

Rub the butter onto the pie crust and refrigerate it till you make your mixture....

Using a hand mixer whip the cream cheese...

In a different Bowl Mix the whipping cream until thick...(don't over do it else it'll turn into butter) 

 Mix Sugar with cream...:D

Now add the whipping cream to the cheese mixture, Mix it well 

Now add the lime juice...;)

Also add 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest, Give it a good mix with the help of a hand mixer....

Do taste the mixture  before spreading it onto the pie crust...If you need more sugar u can add it... But remember it should have a refreshing sweet fresh lime taste...:D

Go ahead and spread the mixture on the pie crust...You can give any design to the cake with the help of a spatula....

Add the remaining lime zest over the top for garnishing and refrigerate it over night or for 5-6 hours in to the freezer, so that it settles...

Chicken Puff Patties

Do try this recipe coz it's really simple, delicious and a really good appetizer....

ALL YOU NEED:

Pack of Puff pastries (easily available at Walmart for $4)

1/2 cup chicken chopped into tiny pieces

2 tsp crushed tomato 

2 tsp chopped onion

Salt to taste

2 pinches of Red chili powder

1 tsp each Veggies like green bell pepper, celery, brocoli (optional)

METHOD:

In a pan add 1tsp of oil and onions with chicken... 

When the chicken is cooked simply add the tomato paste, salt, red chili powder, Also add the veggies if you want...

Cook it until no water is left...

Now take Puff Pastry sheet (It's a pack of 2 so I used 1 sheet)

Thaw the sheet by keeping it at room temperature for 40-45 min or until soft...wrap the other one and keep put it in the freezer...

I used this...

Once the sheet is thawed Cut it vertically into 3 pieces (as it was folded), Spread some flour before keeping it on the slab...

Taking 1 piece at a time cut it into 4 parts...(total of 12 sheets)

Roll each piece not to thin using flour (so that it won't stick)

Place the chicken filling onto the bottom side of this sheet... (make sure border is left)

With the help of your finger dab some water onto the borders so that it sticks well and fold it...

Simple right, Make all the other similarly and place it on an oven sheet...

Preheat the oven at 400 degrees and cook the patties for 10-15 or until brown...

Perfect and ready to be served...:D

NOTE: 1 Sheet makes 12 Patties...:D