Pani Kakharu Sakkara ( Ash gourd in sweet sour gravy )

Cooking Time Required: 25-30 mins
Cost of preparation: 30-40 rupees

Ingredients: Chopped pani kakharu ( ash gourd ) ( 2 cup ), powdered jaggery ( 1 cup ),
tamarind paste ( 2-3 tsp), pancha phutana ( 1/2 tsp ), chilli powder ( 1/5 tsp ), oil (
2 tsp ), dry red chilli ( 2 nos ), asafoetida ( 1 pinch ), curry leaves , turmeric (
1/5 tsp ), salt ( to taste).

Preparation: Peel and cut the ash gourd into cubes.

Cooking: Boil 4 cups of water in a wok. Add powdered jaggery, tamarind paste, salt,
turmeric and chilli powder. Add the ash gourd cubes and boil for 15-20 mins till they
turn tender. The water should have reduced by half by this time else turn the flame
high to reduce excess water.

Heat the oil in a pan. Add dry red chilli, pancha phutana, asafoetida and curry leaves.
Once the seeds start crackling, pour the entire mix over the wok contents. Boil for 1-2 mins.

Serve cold with rice and dalma/dal/curry.

Ash gourd is available in Hyderabad at Hypercity, Inorbit Mall or in the local Rythu bazaars.

Dahi chicken ( Chicken in yogurt )

Cooking Time Required: 30-35 min
Cost of Preparation: 100-110 rupees

Ingredients: Chicken ( 300 gm), onion ( 2 nos, medium), tomato ( 1 medium), ginger garlic paste ( 1 tsp), coriander powder ( 2/3 tsp), cumin powder (1/3 tsp), chilli powder (1 tsp), khada garam masala ( cardamon, cinnamon, bay leaf, cloves ), oil ( 5-6 tsp ), finely chopped mint leaves (1 tbs), turmeric, whole red chilli ( 1 no. ), fresh yogurt ( 1 cup or 50 gms ), cashew/almond paste ( 2 tsp ), vinegar ( 1 tsp ), coriander leaves ( 2-3 tbs), salt to taste.

Preparation: Wash the chicken pieces thouroughly. Drain excess water . Add salt and vinegar. Rub and keep aside to marinate for 10 mins.

Finely chop the onion and tomato.

Cooking: Heat the oil in a wok. Add the red chilli and khada garam masala followed by the chopped onion. Fry for 3-4 mins. Add ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell goes away.

Add chopped tomato and fry for 2-3 mins. Add 2 cups of water. Add the turmeric, chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder and salt. Bring to a boil.

Add the yogurt and stir for a while. Add the marinated chicken pieces. Cook on a low flame for 10 mins.

Finally add the cashew paste and mint leaves. Cook for 5 mins or till all water evaporates. Remove from stove.

Garnish with coriander and serve hot with white rice.

Paneer Bhurji ( Mashed cottage cheese )

Cooking Time Required: 15-20 mins
Cost of preparation : 40-55 rupees


Ingredients: Paneer/cottage cheese (  200 gm ), finely chopped onion ( medium, 1 no. ), finely chopped carrot ( 1/3 cup ), minced tomato ( small, 1 no. ), green chilli ( 2-3 nos ), roasted cumin-chilli powder ( 1/3 tsp ), coriander powder ( 1/3 tsp ), garam masala ( a pinch ), minced coriander leaves ( 1 tbs ), ginger garlic paste ( 1/3 tsp), oil ( 1 tsp), salt.

Cooking: Boil water in a saucepan . Add salt and paneer pieces. Boil for 3-4 mins. Drain the water and lightly mash the paneer pieces.

Heat oil in a wok. Add the onions and fry till translucent. Follow with ginger garlic paste. Fry for 3-4 mins

Add carrot, green chilli and tomato along with a little salt. Add all the spices except for coriander powder. Stir fry for 3-4 mins.

Add the mashed panner and mix well. Stir fry for 2 mins.

Remove from the wok and garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve with rotis/paratha/rice.

Note: This recipe can also be prepared without onion and ginger garlic paste. Add a few juliennes of ginger instead,

Gota Kalara Bhaja

Cooking Time Required: 15-20 mins
Cost of Preparation: 60-65 Rupees

Ingredients: Bitter gourd/kalara ( 6 nos., small to medium sized ), cooking oil ( 4 tsp ), salt ( to taste), turmeric ( 1/6 tsp ), red chilli ( 1-2 nos ), garlic pods ( 5 nos ), mustard seeds ( 3 tsp ), cumin seeds ( 1 tsp ), onion ( 1 no., medium sized).

Preparation: Make a fine paste of the mustard, cumin, garlic and red chilli.

Finely chop/ coarsely grate the onion.

Make slits along the length of the bitter gourd and put them in a pressure cooker. Add salt and turmeric along with 1 cup water. Cook on high flame for 4-5 mins.

Remove from flame and allow to cool down. Remove the seeds .

Cooking: Heat 1 tsp oil in a wok. Add the onion and stir fry for 3-4 mins. Follow with the paste and  fry all ingredients for another 3 mins. Add a little amount of salt and mix well.

Remove from fire and allow to cool down.

Stuff the bitter gourds with the above prepared paste.

Heat oil in a wok. Add the bitter gourds 2-3 at a time. Cook covered for 7-8 mins or till done.

Serve hot with white rice/rotis.