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Showing posts with label quick cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quick cooking. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Cauliflower-Moong Dal Stir Fry

The flavour combination of moong dal and coconut is quite popular in Odisha . There are quite a few vegetables like cabbage, jackfruit, green papaya and even leafy greens which are prepared with the addition of these two ingredients. It is usually consumed during the 'no onion no garlic' days when the menu is kept light and predominantly 'Sattvik'.

However last week, I tried cooking cauliflower with roasted moong dal and coconut as I had run out of vegetables and more importantly, the inclination to cook a hearty lunch. A tiny cauliflower and some grated coconut was all I could salvage from the fridge. So, I tried a stir fry that I usually do with cabbage. It turned out to be quite delicious and I packed the same for husband's lunchbox along with some rotis. He quite liked it since it was very light, just enough moist and yet tasty. Even my four year old put it as 'not spicy' and finished his portion. Hence adding this recipe to the 'Lunchbox collection' on my blog.

Read on for the recipe -







Preparation Time - 20 mins

Ingredients -

  • 1 cup small cauliflower florets
  • 1/4 cup moong dal
  • 3 tsp freshly grated coconut
  • 1 tsp ginger juliennes
  • 1/5 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1/5 tsp turmeric
  • 1-2 dry red chilis 
  • salt to taste
  • 1 1/2 tsp oil



Preparation - Wash and dry the cauliflower florets.

Cooking - Heat the oil in a wok. Add broken red chili and mustard seeds.

Once they get spluttering, add the curry leaves and ginger juliennes. Fry for 30 seconds.

Now, add the cauliflower florets and sautee on a low to medium flame.

Dry roast the moong dal till fragrant. Wash and cook with 1 cup water is a pressure cooker for 1-2 whistles. The dal should be just cooked and not very mushy.

Add cooked dal to the cauliflower florets when it is about 90 percent done.

Cover and cook for another 2-3 mins or till the excess water evaporates. ( this is the point where you can decide whether to keep it a bit firm or make it mushy. I end up cooking it a bit more so that my kid does not crib about having to chew too much, )

Remove lid and add the grated coconut. Mix in and switch off the flame.

Serve it along with rotis.



Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Tamatar aur Dhaniya ka Shorba

It is quite chilly these days and I am constantly in search of something warm to sip on. After endless cups of tea, masala chai, green tea and coffee, I realize that I still need something more and in greater quantity. And the first thing that comes to my mind is a humongous bowl of steaming soup. Whether homemade or straight from a packet, I love my soup when I am on a diet or whenever the mercury takes a drop. And that kind of translates into every other day as it is 'de rigueur' given the fashionably thin folks of Bangalore and the balmy weather of this city.

This is my current favorite and I keep making it at home or ordering it at restaurants. As is the custom at my home (however silly it may sound), it must be done to death before I move on to the next 'Big' thing.

Read on for the recipe -

















Preparation Time - 20 mins

Ingredients -


  • 5-6 medium sized tomatoes
  • 4-5 tbsp chopped coriander stems
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1-2 dry red chili
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2-3 cloves
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick
  • 9-10 peppercorns
  • 1 1/2 tsp oil
  • 2 tsp freshly chopped cilantro
  • freshly ground pepper for garnishing
  • 1 tsp sugar (optional)
  • salt to taste


Preparation - Chop the tomatoes into small pieces.

Thoroughly clean the coriander stems to remove any sand or mud .

Cooking - Heat the oil in a pressure cooker. Add the red chili, bay leaf, cloves, peppercorns and cinnamon. Saute for 20 seconds before throwing in the coriander stems. Fry for a minute before adding the tomato pieces.

Add 3-4 cups water and salt to taste. Close lid and cook for 3-4 whistles.

Allow steam to escape before opening the lid. Take a hand blender and puree the tomatoes.

Pass through a strainer.

Transfer to a saucepan and place on the flame. Add the sugar and adjust salt if needed. Bring to a boil.

Pour into bowls and garnish with cilantro and freshly ground pepper .

Serve immediately.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

The 15 Minute Meals Series - Post 1

Whether it is beating the morning rush or making more time for one self, 15 min meals can come handy on more than one occasions. Especially when one does not want to order from outside or reheat the Ready to Eat stuff. With a little amount of planning the previous night, one can easily prepare a tasty and nutritious meal like the one shown below.





















For this post, I have put together a thali that consists of white rice, pulihora, fried okra, eggplant in yogurt and wholesome tikkis made with cracked wheat(daliya) and sweet potato. Read on how this can be done in 15 mins -

1. Overnight preparation -  Roast the cracked wheat. Peel and dice the sweet potato. Cook together in a pressure cooker with just enough water for 3 whistles.

Open the cooker once steam escapes. Transfer into a food grade plastic container and refrigerate overnight.

Additionally, one can also peel the garlic and chop the onions, cilantro and green chilis.


2. Cooking rice and chopping veggies - While the rice is getting ready in a pressure cooker or rice cooker (takes abt 8 mins), slice the aubergines and slit the okra. Sprinkle salt on the veggies.

Take some of that boiled sweet potato and daliya mixture, add chopped green chili, onion, salt, garam masala and cilantro. Mash together and shape into tikkis (flat discs) .

Crush a few garlic pods with red chili powder and a pinch of salt. Rub it on the insides and all over the slit okras.

Take the yogurt in a bowl. Add salt and beat it.

3. Take a large skillet. Drizzle with oil. Place the tikkis on one side, the salted aubergines on another and finally the okras in the remaining space. Cooking everything together saves time hence use a cookware that is large enough to accommodate all three.

Heat another wok. Add some oil followed by mustard, green chili, asafoetida and curry leaves tempering. Remove some of it and add to the yogurt bowl. Throw in a few peanuts into the wok. Once they crackle, add tamarind water, jaggery and pulihora powder. Cook for 2 mins before adding the rice. Stir fry for 2-3 mins and pulihora is done.

By this time the tikkis and veggies would also be done. Allow the aubergines to cool for 4-5 mins before adding into the tempered yogurt.

Your delicious meal is ready !!

Have 5 extra mins at hand ?? Take some of that remaining sweet potato and cracked wheat mixture into a thick bottomed vessel. Add a little milk, sugar and ghee. Flavor with cardamom powder or saffron. Cook on medium flame for 4-5 mins for a delicious and very nutritious halwa !

If you looking for any specific recipe, please leave a comment on my blog or FB page and I will be happy to respond :) !

Monday, January 27, 2014

Oats Pongal

My son's liking for this simple and wholesome rice dish has turned me into a faithful fan (read follower). Easy to make and quite comforting, I have been cooking it regularly in the last weeks. With my current obsession with oats, i felt tempted to add some to the regular pongal. Turned out to be quite nice. Also, adding oats greatly increases the soluble fiber content of this dish which helps reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) and keeps one's heart healthy . Read on for the recipe:

















Preparation Time - 15 mins


Ingredients - 1/2 cup rice, 1/2 cup yellow moong dal, 1/2 cup quick oats, 8-9 cashews, 1 tsp peppercorn, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 pinch carom seeds, 1/2 inch ginger (cut into juliennes), 3-4 tsp ghee, salt to taste, 41/2 cups water.

Cooking - Heat 2 tsp ghee in a pressure cooker. Add the cashew and lightly fry them. remove and keep aside.

Add cumin, carom seeds, peppercorn and ginger. Wash and add the rice and moong dal. Fry for 2-3 minutes or till a fragrance comes.

Add the hot water, fried cashews (keep aside a few for the garnish) and salt. Close lid and cook for 2-3 whistles.

Allow steam to escape before opening. Put on the stove again. Add another 1/2 to 1 cup of hot water (only if required) and the quick cooking oats. Cook for 3 minutes.

Sprinkle the remaining ghee and stir in.

Garnish with a few cashews and serve hot.





Monday, November 11, 2013

Easy Chicken Vindaloo

Sunday was the last day of feasting on Non-veg items before Panchuka commences (11th Nov 2013). Panchuka is the period starting from Aamla Nabami to Kartika Purnima. Most people in Odisha religiously give up non-veg during this period. Even the crane ( a long legged bird whose primary diet comprises of fish ) is rumored to give up fish during this period. Kartika Purnima also marks the beginning of the Balijatra, a huge fair on the banks of river Mahanadi. This fair lasts for seven days and one can find a plethora of food stalls, furniture shops, handicrafts and other stalls here. More on the topic later.

Today i will be sharing the recipe for an easy Chicken Vindaloo. It has been sometime since i cooked something new with chicken. But since I am with my Mom, she is in charge of the kitchen and i am happy to play second fiddle. This is one of her recipes.

Vindaloo is a very famous non vegetarian preparation that was originally made from pork. It has Portugese-Goan origins and since then has morphed into many avatars. Restaurants usually serve it very spicy ( read HOT ) and add in some potato or 'aloo' (taking a cue from the Aloo in its name). But the original recipe does not call for potatoes and you can take wish to skip it if you want. Read on:
















Preparation Time - 15 mins

Ingredients - Chicken ( 300 gms ), 1 large onion (finely chopped), 4 tsp oil, 2 tbs chopped cilantro(coriander).

For the marinade - 2 tsp black mustard, 1 tsp cumin, 5-6 flakes garlic, 1/2 inch ginger, 2 green chillis, 4 tbs curd, 1 tsp vinegar, 3-4 cloves, 1/2 tsp turmeric, salt to taste.

Preparation - Grind the mustard, cumin, cloves, green chilli, ginger and garlic into a smooth paste.

Wash the chicken. Add salt and 1/2 tsp vinegar. Rub and keep aside for 5 mins. Drain off the excess water.

Add the above paste along with salt, turmeric, curd and remaining vinegar. Allow to marinate for 2-3 hours.

Cooking - Heat the oil in a pressure cooker. Add the onion and fry till light brown.

Add marinated chicken along with the marinade.Mix in with onions and close the pressure cooker lid. Cook for 1-2 whistles.Remove from flame and allow steam to escape before opening lid.

Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice/rotis.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Palak Paneer ( Cheese in Spinach gravy )

Palak or spinach is one of the most nutrient dense foods available to us in abundance and at an economical rate. Along with a high water content and soluble fibre content, it is loaded with vitamin K, vitamin A, magnesium, folate, manganese, iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium, and vitamin B6. It’s a very good source of protein, phosphorus, vitamin E, zinc and copper. Also it’s a good source of selenium, niacin, and Omega-3 fatty acids.

But since it is loaded with pesticides and fertilizers ( common problem with most leafy vegetables as they grow so near to the soil ), one should prefer the organic version whenever possible. I myself buy the 'Gopalan' brand that is stocked by Bigbasket.com.

I try to keep on incorporating it my diet and often come up with new combinations. But today i am sharing a popular and all time favorite recipe 'Palak Paneer'. Read on :



















Preparation Time - 15 mins

Ingredients - 350 gm paneer, 1 bunch of spinach ( 2 1/2 - 3 cups ), 2 medium sized onion, 1 1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste, 1-2 green chillli, 1/2 teaspoon jeera-lanka powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala, 2 tsp Fortune Rice Bran oil, butter, salt to taste, turmeric.

Preparation - Cut the paneer into cubes.

Remove the stems from the spinach and chop roughly. Cut the onions into large pieces.


Cooking - Heat water in a pan. Add salt and turmeric and bring to a boil.

Add paneer cubes and boil for 5-6 minutes. Drain water and keep aside.


















































Boil fresh water in another pan. Add the spinach leaves and boil for 1-2 minutes. Drain the water and wash in cold water. Keep aside to drain off all the water.

Heat oil in a wok. Add half of the chopped onions and fry to translucent. Add ginger garlic paste and cook for 2 minutes.

Add the green chilli and spinach leaves with salt to taste. Fry for 3-4 minutes.

Transfer to a blender cup, allow to cool down a bit and grind into a smooth paste.


Add some butter to the same wok. Add the remaining onions and fry till translucent. Add the green paste prepared earlier with jeera-lanka powder and cook for 2-3 minutes.















Add paneer cubes and cook for 2-3 minutes.


















Serve hot with pulao rice/basmati rice/rotis.



Thursday, August 29, 2013

Pudina Suji Kheeri ( mint semolina kheer )

Semolina kheer is also known as the poor man's kheer in Orissa. It is usually prepared with roasted semolina, sugar and water/milk and is conspicuous by the absence of dry fruits. It features more on the everyday meal menu rather than being reserved for special occasions. Some people also use it as the substitute for Cerelac/Farex as it is easy on the digestive system and costs only a fraction of the former.

However i have a lot of warm childhood memories associated with this dish. It is a simple dish which needs a little magic to make it special. Here i have added fresh mint leaves which break the sweet monotony of the dish and give it a zing. Orange zest/lemon grass are two other ingredients which i normally use to transform this dish. I have used the medium coarse semolina but one can also use the coarse/superfine ne.

















Preparation Time - 10 mins

Ingredients - 2 cups boiled milk, 3 heaped tsp roasted semolina, 4-5 tsp sugar, 2 tbs milk powder/1 tbs condensed milk, 10-12 drops vanilla essence, 1 tbs finely chopped mint leaves.

Preparation- Bring the milk to boil in a heavy bottomed vessel. Add the sugar and vanilla essence.

Add the roasted semolina and stir continuously to remove lumps, if any. Boil it for 5 minutes.

Add the milk powder/condensed milk and mix thoroughly. Finally add the mint leaves and remove from heat. Keep it covered for 2-3 minutes.

Serve chilled/warm .



Sunday, August 18, 2013

Chenna paratha

This is a quick paratha recipe. I had some leftover chenna in the fridge after preparing a lip-smacking 'Chenna Tarkari' for lunch. So when dinner plans were dropped at the last moment due to an unusually heavy downpour, I decided to turn it into these delicious and wholesome parathas. And i have been hooked to them ever since. Unlike other stuffed paratha recipes, this does not require boiling, peeling, mincing, chopping or grating.















Preparation Time - 15 mins

Ingredients - Whole wheat flour ( 1 1/2 cups), chenna ( 2/3 cup ), onion ( 1 small, chopped ), coriander leaves ( 1 tbs, chopped ), cumin powder ( 1/5 tsp ), red chilli powder ( 1/5 tsp ), green chilli ( 1 no, finely chopped (optional)), salt to taste, oil/ghee ( 2 tsp ), warm ghee ( 1/2 tsp ).

Preparation - Take the flour in a plate. Rub in the warm ghee. Sprinkle salt. Make a small well at the centre and add water. Mix throughly and knead into a soft dough. Keep aside for 10 mins.

Take the chenna in a mixing bowl. Add the chopped onion, green chilli, cumin powder, red chilli powder, coriander and salt. Mix well.

















Make four balls out of the dough. Roll out the balls into rotis. Divide the chenna mixture into two portions. Spread over two of the rotis.

















Cover with the remaining two rotis. Seal the sides.

Cooking- Heat a tawa. Put one paratha and cook on one side for 1 minute. Flip and add oil/ghee. Cook till done.

Repeat for the other paratha.

Note - These parathas taste equally delicious without adding onions. On the day of Osa/Vrat I make them without the onions and just add a rock salt instead of normal salt.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Corn Palak



This is another recipe i prepared using my favorite 'palak gravy'. As I have already mentioned in my earlier posts, I always stock some of it in the fridge as i find it to be very versatile. This time i paired it with some corn. 

Fresh corn is another ingredient that is always available in my fridge. If nothing else, it always eases my 5 pm hunger pangs. I boil it and season it into one of the combinations like 'Butter-chilli', 'Lemon-chilli', 'Chat masala','butter-garlic', 'Butter-oregano-garlic', ,butter-chilli-lemon, and so on. 

Here is the recipe for some lip smacking corn palak:
















Preparation time - 15 mins

Ingredients - 1-1 1/2 cup fresh corn, 3 cups chopped spinach ( palak, use only the tender leaves with stems chopped off ), 1 medium sized onion ( chopped roughly ), 1 tsp ginger garlic paste, 1 green chilli, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/3 tsp chilli powder, 1/3 tsp garam masala (optional), 2 tsp butter, 1 tsp oil, pinch of turmeric, salt to taste. 

Cooking: Boil the corn for 5 mins. Drain water and keep aside.

Heat 1 tsp oil in a wok. Add the green chilli and cumin seeds. When seeds start spluttering, add the onion. Fry till translucent. Add ginger garlic paste and fry for 2-3 mins. 

Add the chopped spinach and stir fry on medium to high flame to remove excess water. Remove from wok and keep aside to cool down. Transfer to a blender and blend into a smooth paste.

Heat 2 tsp butter in a wok. Add boiled corn and stir for 2 mins . Add the chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala and blanched spinach. Cook for 5 mins.

Garnish with an extra dollop of butter. Serve hot as a side dish with rice/rotis.

Note- Blanch the spinach to retain its natural green color.


Sunday, August 11, 2013

Omlette do pyaza

'Sunday ho ya Monday, roz khayen ande', exhorted Dara Singh in one of the most memorable telly adverts of all times. And it has been my mantra ever since. Fried, poached, scrambled, boiled or curried, I relish eggs in any form. Easy to prepare and good to eat, they fit into every budget. When the 'Rs 12' meal controversy erupted in recent times, I could think of no better non-vegetarian option than '1 bowl of rice + 1 egg curry + one/half papad', sold on a marginal profit ofcourse.

Studies have indicated that people having eggs for breakfast experience less cravings for fried/junk food later in the day. Fortified eggs being sold these days also pack in Omega acids/iron/calcium and other nutrients which are our daily requirement. With low cholestrol and diabetic friendly eggs also available, everyone can enjoy them without any guilt.

Today, I will be sharing one of my lazy recipes, the yummy 'Omlette do pyaza'. I chose to call it Omlette do pyaza instead of Anda do pyaza as do pyaza is generally prepared with boiled eggs.
















Preparation Time: 10 mins

Ingredients: egg ( 1 no.), onion ( 1 medium), green chilli ( 1 no ), chopped coriander ( 1 tbs ), finely chopped garlic/ginger ( 1/2 tsp), tomato puree ( 1 tbs )/Maggie bhuna masala ( 1/2 tsp ), garam masala ( 1 pinch, optional), oil ( 2 tsp), salt to taste.

Preparation: Chop the onion into chunks. Slit, de-seed and cut chilli into thin long strips.

Break egg into a bowl, add a pinch of salt and beat for 1 min.

Cooking: Heat 1/2 tsp oil in a pan. Add the egg and cook on both sides till done. Remove from pan and cut into small pieces.

Heat the remaining oil in the pan. Add chopped onion and fry till translucent. Add the tomato puree/Maggie bhuna masala and cook for 1-2 mins along with few tbs of water.

Toss in the omlette pieces. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Finally add the ginger/garlic and garam masala, and mix togather.

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with white rice or rotis.


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Spinach rice

It is a lazy Friday afternoon. The sky is overcast and its very windy outside. I am curled up on the sofa with today's Sudoku. Little one's had his lunch and is now busy with his toys.

Everything seems perfect till the hunger pangs hit me. My toes curl in protest as i get down from the sofa. Damn, i curse the Banglore weather. Its turning me into a couch potato.

Nothing fancy today, just a one pot meal. My mind is made up.I make a quick trip to the Pandora's box ( my fridge as i sometimes call it). So, what evil are we going to unleash today????

As i open the door, this evil looking bunch of spinach stares at me. It looks like its cozying up to my Tupperware bowl ( it contains cooked rice ). Humm...so u guys have a thing for each other. Lets get u married i thought (no dates ?? ....no engagement?? guess i was inspired by the wedding mania that has hit the Saas-Bahusphere (aka, the telly world) in recent times).

I made this quick spinach puree ( as i always do..... if you have been reading my blog ) and popped the rice in a micro for heating.

Once they were togather, the duo looked a little sad. What is missing?? Humm....no wedding is ever complete without the baaratis (guests). Another quick trip to the Pandora's box. A rather sad looking half of a yellow pepper and a ripe juicy tomato were staring at me. I guess they were upset abt not being invited. How did i miss u guys?? In you go.

Things are looking better now. But i miss something. Ahh, its the 'Phoren touch'. Indian weddings are incomplete without foreign liquor and exotic flowers/fruits/vegetables/dancing girls. None of them fit by budget, so i decide to make do with some foreign cheese ( made in india, ofcouse ).

Last dash to the fridge. I get the Parmesan and shower some of it over my happily married couple.
Marriage over...now lets hit the food stalls. Thats what we Indians look forward to at all marriage functions.
















Preparation Time : 10-15 mins

Ingredients: cooked rice ( 3 cups ), coarsely chopped spinach ( 1 cup, tightly packed), chopped onion ( 1 small ), ginger ( 1/2 inch long ), garlic flakes ( 10-12 nos ), 1 green chilli or 1/2 tsp chilli flakes, tomato ( 1 no, small, chopped ), bell pepper ( one small, chopped ), olive oil ( 2 tsp ), fresh rosemary ( 1/2 tsp), garam masala ( 1/5 tsp ), grated parmesan/plain cheese ( 3/4 cup ), salt to taste.

Preparation: Heat 1 tsp oil in a wok. Add the chopped onion followed by the ginger and 4-5 garlic flakes. Fry till translucent. Add spinach and fry for 5 minutes on medium flame till all the water evaporates. Remove and allow to cool down.

Grind the above into a smooth paste along with the grren chilli (if using).

Cooking: Heat a wok. Add 1 tsp oil. Throw in the garlic flakes and saute for 10-15 seconds.
Add the spinach paste and fry for 2 mins. Stir in the cooked rice and mix everything nicely.

Add the bell peppers, tomato and cheese ( add chilli flakes if using ). Mix well and cook for 3-4 mins. Sprinkle rosemary.

Remove from wok and serve hot.



Sunday, July 28, 2013

zucchini raita ( zucchini yogurt salad )



















Preparation Time: 10 mins

Ingredients: zucchini ( 1 no), curd/yogurt ( 1 cup ), green chilli ( 1 no ), mint ( 5-6 leaves), salt to taste, 1 tsp oil for frying the zucchini.

Preparation: Take the curd in a mixing bowl and beat it till smooth.
Chop the zucchini into small pieces.

Cooking: Heat the oil in a wok. Add the zucchini and stir fry for 3 minutes. Remove and allow to cool down.
Transfer the zucchini, green chilli and mint leaves into a food processor and grind into a coarse paste. Remove and add it to the mixing bowl containing the curd.
Add salt to the above and mix well.

Serve chilled.

( Unable to post the pics due to browser problem )

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Bhendi (Dahi) kanji (Bhindi kadhi)

A super light and easy to prepare dish for those days when one is feeling lazy or the stomach cries out for some rest. This one does not compromise on taste though !! Best when prepared with day old curd, the original recipe (my Mom's) does not call for the use of a thickening agent like besan. Rather it is something I added to give some texture and more taste to the gravy.

It goes very well with plain white rice and maybe some papad to go with it !!  I prefer to have it with rotis too though few folks do not like the kadhi-roti combination. Read on for the recipe -

















Preparation time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Chopped okra/bhindi 
  • 100 ml curd
  • 1 1/2 tsp besan/gramflour
  • 1-2 dry red chilli 
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 2 garlic cloves 
  • 2 pinch asafoetida/hing ( 2 pinch )
  • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds 
  • 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
  • salt to taste
  • 2 pinch turmeric 
  • 3 tsp oil


Preparation: Mix the curd with the besan in a bowl. Add about 3 cups of water and salt to taste. Mix well.

Cooking: Heat 2 tsp oil in a wok. Add the okra along with salt and turmeric. Fry till the okra is just cooked and still a little crunchy.

Lower the flame and sprinkle a few drops of water to cool the wok. Now add the besan-curd mixture slowly and stir continuously for 3-4 minutes. Increase the flame amd bring to a boil.

Heat the remaining oil in another pan. Add broken red chilli, fenugreek seeds and mustard seeds followed by the crushed garlic flakes.

Once the seeds start to splutter, add the asafoetida and curry leaves and remove from flame.

Pour the tempering mixture over the contents of the wok. Switch off the flame and cover with a lid to retain the aroma.

















Serve hot/cold with white rice.

Monday, July 22, 2013

zucchini shrimp stir fry/salad

















Preparation time: 10 mins

Ingredients: zucchini ( 1 no.), dried shrimp ( 1/2 cup ), garlic flakes ( 3-4 nos, finely chopped), chilli flakes ( 1/3 tsp or as per taste ), turmeric ( 1 pinch ), salt ( to taste ), cooking oil ( 2 tsp ).

Preparation: Wash and soak the shrimp for 2 hours. chop the zucchini into small pieces.

Cooking: Heat oil in a wok. Toss in the shrimp and fry for 3-4 minutes.

Add the zucchini, salt and turmeric, and fry for 1-2 mins. The zucchini should retain their crunchiness and not start to wilt.

Sprinkle the chilli flakes and garlic, mix well and remove from the wok.

Serve as a side dish.( Instead of using dried shrimp, use fresh ones and serve the dish as cold salad.)



Saturday, July 20, 2013

Things to stock up for a quick meal

Tired of having Maggie or the Ready to eat stuff every other night. Craving for the comfort and satisfaction of a home-made meal but not finding time to prepare one from scratch everyday.

These are tried and tested tips for those who are constantly battling deadlines(AKA my life before my son was born) and for those harried moms of infants/toddlers who always find themselves running short on time (AKA my life as it is now).

For a hearty meal in a jiffy look no further than our mecca, or the refrigerator as we call it. Some strategic planning and preparation done in advance during the weekend will ensure that you sail through the weekdays without succumbing to the devil in disguise( READ 'Delivery boy' ). Not that i have a thing against those godsend messengers who feed hungry folks, its the 'unplanned calories' that i can do without.

Things i cannot do without:
1. Cooked rice (stays fresh upto 5 days)- Cuts down on your cooking time by 15 mins. Throw in a few ingredients and voila, you have a quick tomato rice/chicken fried rice/egg fried rice/vegetable pulao at hand.

2. Tomato gravy ( Stays fresh for 4-5 days ) - Made by frying and pureeing onions, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, cardamom, red chillis and tomato. If you want a richer version add some cashew / watermelon seeds. This is the staple gravy for most dishes. Boil a little water, add some of this gravy and throw in some fried veggies/paneer/boiled egg/chicken, and you have a side dish ready in 5-10 minutes.

3. Spinach gravy (stays fresh for 1 week) - Made with blanched spinach, garlic, ginger and green chilli, this can be used with almost anything like chicken, cauliflower, paneer, peas and even pasta.

4. Chopped vegetables ( carrots, cauliflower, bell peppers, okra ) - If nothing else, it saves a few minutes.

5. Grilled chicken (Stays fresh for 3-4 days)- This is one of the most versatile non-veg dishes. One can rub some butter on it, sprinkle a few herbs , wrap in a foil an pop into the micro/oven for 2-3 mins. It is as good as fresh.
Fry some onions and combine with the gravy mentioned in either 2. or 3. and you have a butter chicken/palak chicken at hand. Shred some and throw in a wok with cooked rice, garlic, chillies and soy sauce, and you have a fried rice at hand.

6. Boiled yellow peas/ green peas ( stays fresh for 6 days )- from a quick chaat, ghuguni to a handful added to any curry, one can find many uses for it.

7. Boiled potatoes ( stays fresh for 3-4 days in their jackets )- Jeera aloo, chatpati aloo, aloo palak, aloo chaat, aloo parantha and the list goes on and on.

8. Eggs/Paneer or Chenna ( variable, check date mentione on carton)- From a quick bhurji, omlette to egg parantha, eggsmake for a wholesome and tasty adition to any meal. Similarly, paneer or chenna can be made into a bhurji, parantha or combined with gravy mentioned in 2. or 3. for a side dish.

9. Condensed milk/milk powder - This is for those with a sweet tooth. Cuts down on the cooking time for kheer ( rice/semolina/vermicelli) and gajar ka halwa.

 

Monday, July 15, 2013

Palak mattar ( yellow peas in spinach gravy )

















Preparation time - 15-20 mins

Ingredients - 1/2 cup yellow peas, 1 cup chopped spinach ( palak, use only the tender leaves with stems chopped off ), 1 large sized onion, 1 tsp ginger garlic paste, 1 green chilli, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/3 tsp chilli powder, 1/3 tsp garam masala (optional), 2 tsp oil, pinch of turmeric, salt to taste.

Preparation: Bring water to boil in a pan. Add spinach to it for 3 mins. Drain off and fill with cold water.
Drain and squeeze out excess water from spinach. Also kown as blanching, this step retains the green color of spinach.
Chop the onions into small pieces.
Soak the yellow peas overnight. Wash and cook in a pressure cooker for 2 whistles. Allow the cooker to cool down and drain off the excess water.

Cooking:
Heat 1 tsp oil in a wok. Add cumin seeds and allow to splutter. Add 3/4th of the chopped onions and saute them for 2 mins. Put in the ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell is gone ( 2-3 mins ). Add the chilli powder, turmeric, half of the garam masala and blanched spinach. Cook for 3 mins.
Allow to cool down. Transfer to a grinder along with a green chilli and 3-4 tbs of water/vegetable stock. Make a smooth paste.
Heat the remaining oil in a wok. Add the rest of the chopped onion and fry till translucent. Add the spinach paste and boiled peas. Cook for 5 mins. Sprinkle the garam masala and remove from stove.
Serve as a side dish with rice/rotis.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Corn Khichdi ( makai khichdi )
















Preparation time - 10-15 mins

Ingredients - Sweet corn kernals ( 1 cup ), milk ( 2/3 cup ), cumin seeds ( 1/5 tsp ), mustard seeds ( 1/5 tsp ), a pinch of asafoetida, pinch of turmeric, dry red chilli ( 1 no ), curry leaves ( 3-4 nos ), salt to taste, lemon juice ( 1/2 tsp ), a bit of butter, cooking oil ( 1/2 tsp ), coriander leaves for garnish.

Preparation - Take 2/3rd of the corn in a grinder cup and grind for 1-2 secs to get a coarse mix.

Cooking - Heat the oil in a pan. when it smokes, add red chilli, cumin and mustard seeds. once the seeds start spluttering, add curry leaves and asafoetida.

Add all the corn after a couple of seconds. Sprinkle salt and turmeric. Stir for a minute.

Pour in the milk and cover with a lid. Allow to cook for 6-7 mins till the corn is done.

Serve hot with a dash of lemon juice, a little butter and some freshly chopped coriander.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Hariyali Pasta ( Pasta with green sauce )


















Preparation time - 15-20 mins

Ingredients - 1 cup paste, 1 cup chopped spinach ( palak, use only the tender leaves with stems chopped off ), 1 medium sized onion, 1 tsp ginger garlic paste, 1 green chilli, 2-3 garlic flakes, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/3 tsp chilli powder, 1/5 tsp garam masala (optional), 2-3 tsp tomato ketchup, 1 tsp oil, 1 small cube of butter, inch of turmeric, salt to taste.

Preparation: Bring water to boil in a pan. Add spinach to it for 3 mins. Drain off and fill with cold water.
Drain and squeeze out excess water from spinach. Also known as blanching, this step retains the green color of spinach.
Chop the onions into small pieces. Slit the garlic flakes along their length into thin slices.

Cooking:
For pasta - Heat sufficient water in a pan. When the bubbles start to come, add pasta and salt. Boil till the pasta is cooked yet firm. Drain all the water in a colander and give it a shake to prevent pasta from sticking to each other.

For the sauce - Heat oil in a wok. Add cumin seeds and allow to splutter. Add chopped onions and saute them for 2 mins. Put in the ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell is gone ( 2-3 mins ). Add the chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala and blanched spinach. Cook for 3 mins.
Allow to cool down. Transfer to a grinder along with a green chilli and 3-4 tbs of water/vegetable stock. Make a smooth paste.

Heat the butter in a wok so that it just melts. Throw in the garlic slices and stir them so that they give off their smell. Toss in the pasta and saute for 1-2 mins. Add the sauce along with the ketchup. Allow the sauce to coat all the pasta.

Garnish with chilli flakes or crumbled ricotta cheese if desired.Serve hot .


Note: Cook the pasta a few degrees softer when preparing for kids. Also reduce the chilli content and cut up the cooked pasta into bite size portions. Sending this to

Guru's Cooking Giveaway Kids Special 2013











Monday, July 1, 2013

Soya Bhurji




















Preparation time: 15 mins

Ingredients: Soya chunks ( 1 cup ), onion ( 1 medium ), garlic pods ( 5-6 nos ), tomato puree ( 2-3 tsp ), cloves ( 2-3 nos ), green chilli ( 1 no ), chilli powder ( 1/3 tsp, optional ), garam masala ( 1/5 tsp ), salt to taste, turmeric ( a pinch ), oil ( 1-2 tbs ), chopped coriander for garnish.

Preparation: Wash and cook the soya chunks in a pressure cooker. Allow 1 whistle and then remove the cooker from the stove.
Once it cools down, squeeze all the water from the soya chunks. Repeat twice with fresh water.
Chop the soya chunks in a mixer for 3-4 mins into a rough mixture. DO NOT overdo it else the soya will turn into a smooth paste.
Roughly chop the onions and green chillis into small pieces. Crush the garlic pods into a paste using a mortar and pestle.

Cooking: Heat the oil in a pan. When it starts smoking, add the green chilli and cloves. Fry for 30 secs.
Add the onions and fry till it just starts turning golden. Add tomato puree and cook for 2-3 mins.
Add the soya along with salt, turmeric, chilli powder and garam masala. Cook the soya like an egg bhurji, spreading the
 mixture around the pan instead of heaping it in one place. Once the soya starts turning a little brown, it is done.
Garnish and serve hot with rice/chappati. Else use as an filling for paratha/sandwich.

Note: One can also use chopped tomatoes instead of puree.
This is an excellent and nutritious recipe for children. Reduce the amount of chilli and garam masala if preparing for children.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Leftovers series: Tomato Rice

 



















Preparation Time: 5-10 mins

Ingredients: Cooked rice ( 1 cup), chopped tomato ( 1 medium ), green chilli ( 1-2 nos ), onion ( 1 large ), curry leaves ( 1 sprig ) , chana dal ( 2 tbs ), urad dal ( 2 tbs ), mustard seeds ( 1/2 tsp ), asafoetida ( 1/5 tsp), broken cashew pieces, salt , oil ( 2 tsp ), chopped coriander for garnish ( optional ).

Preparation: Chop the onion and tomato into small pieces.
Fry the cashew, urad dal and chana dal with very little oil and keep aside.

Cooking: Heat oil in a wok. When it starts smoking, add mustard seeds followed by the broken green chilli, curry leaves and asafoetida. Stir for 10-15 secs.
Add the chopped onions. Stir fry for 2 mins. Add the tomatoes along with some salt. cook till the tomatoes soften.
Add the rice and stir fry for a few minutes. Sprinkle more salt on top ( if required )and add the fried dal & cashews.Serve hot.

Note: If the rice is kept in the fridge, microwave on high for 1 minute. Else add to boiling water and drain off after 1-2 mins.
The fried dals and cashews are added at a later stage to retain their crunchiness.

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