HEAVEN SENDS US GOOD MEAT AND THE ANGEL SENDS US COOKS!!!


FOOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE MOST PRIMITIVE FORM OF COMFORT.IN ONE WAY OR OTHER IT CONNECTS US.THERE IS NOT A SINGLE FACTOR I SUPPOSE WHICH DOES NOT FIND ITS INTERSECTION WITH FOOD.AND "WE ARE WHAT WE EAT".IN THIS BLOG I HOPE TO SHARE WITH YOU NOT ONLY RECIPES OF MY OWN AND FROM OTHERS BUT ALSO INFORMATION ON OTHER FACETS OF FOOD AND LIFE!!!

Showing posts with label VEGETARIAN.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VEGETARIAN.. Show all posts

Wednesday, 16 September 2015

BOONDI RAITA- SWEET AND SAVOURY YOGURT DELIGHT WITH PINEAPPLE.


BOONDI- A Rajastani sweet and savoury snack made from gram flour.This is available in all groceries easily which is the main ingredientof our dish.

SERVES: 2 PERSONS
PREPARATION TIME: 5 MINS.

INGREDIENTS:

  • YOGURT- 100GMS
  • PINEAPPLE - 1 SLICE(CHOPPED)
  • BOONDI - 4TBSP
  • SUGAR - 2TSP
  • SALT TO TASTE.


METHOD:
  1. WHISK THE YOUGURT ADDING 2TBSP WATER  WITH SUGAR AND SALT,MIX WELL.
  2. ADD THE PINE APPLE PIECES AND HALF OF THE BOONDI.
  3. JUST BEFORE SERVING ADD THE REST BOONDI ON TOP ,THIS WAY THE BOONDI STAYS CRISPY.
  4. SPRINKLE RED CHILLI POWDER AND CUMIN POWDER(OPTIONAL).
  5. SERVE CHILLED OR AT ROOM TEMPERATURE.
  6. ENJOY.



Monday, 7 September 2015

KHAMMAN DHOKLA - STEAMED SAVOURY CAKE OF GRAM FLOUR AND SPICES!!!!

A very healthy vegetarian "Gujarati Snack" which is quick and can be  made instantly.

   INGREDIENTS:

  • 1.5 cups besan/gram flour
  • 3 tsp ginger-green chilies paste
  • 2 pinches of turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp salt or as per taste
  • 2 tsp eno or fruit salt or ½ tsp baking soda.
  • 1 tsp lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp of asafoetida
  • 1 cup water or add as required to make a thick yet flowing batter.
 FOR TEMPERING:
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 1 tsp white sesame seeds
  • 1 green chili, chopped
  • 1 tsp lime juice
  • 2 tsp sugar
  METHOD:
  •      Mix all the ingredients except eno to make a smooth batter.
  •      Keep it aside for 5 minutes.
  •      Meanwhile grease the steamer dish and keep water  for boiling in the         steamer,quantity of water depends upn the size of the steamer ...a medium sized  steamer will use 4cups of water.
  •     Add the eno to the mixture stir evenly and quickly.
  •     Put in the greased pan and now it is ready to be steamed.
  •     Put the pan in the steamer ...the water has to be boiling.Steam for about 15-20                 minutes...check in between.
  •     Insert a toothpick,if it comes out clean.It is done...When cool cut in squares.

                                                                                                                              FOR TEMPERING:
  1. Heat the oil in a small pan put mustard seeds and allow to crackle.
  2.            Add sesame seeds and chopped green chillies and saute ,do not let it over brown else it will give a bitter taste.
  3.               Add water and when it comes to a boil add the sugar,let it dissolve and then pour this over the steamed cake .
  4.               Garnish with chopped corriander and coconut(optional). 

     
                                       

Sunday, 27 November 2011

DAHI WADA/DAHI BHALLE-SWEET AND SAVOURY VERSION!!!


Dahi wada is a cold appetizer popular in North India..There are two versions of it one the sweeter one and the another spicy one.The sweet Dahi wadas are popular in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat where as the spicy dahi wadas are prepared in South India.
Dahi wadas are prepared of  fried black gram  dumpling and then soaked in curd.Simple and exotic.
Heres the recipe to make the Basic wada:
Cooking time:20mins
Preparation time:15mins.
Serves:6 persons

Ingredients:
  • Split Black gram/urad dal-1 cup
  • Ginger and garlic paste-1/2tsp
  • Salt-1/2tsp.
  • Oil for frying.
Cooking method:
  • Wash and soak the dal for atleast 2-3hrs in water.
  • Drain all the water from the dal and grind it to a little coarse paste adding  little water.The paste should not be watery,it should be a thick paste.
  • Add salt and ginger and garlic paste,mix well and keep aside.
  • Heat oil for frying.
  • When the oil is hot put small dumplings of the paste and fry till golden brown.remove and keep aside.
  • Take a bowl add luke warm water and put the fried dumplings and soak them for 5-6minutes.
  • Lightly press each ball to take out all excess water.The wadas are now ready.You can make sweeter ones or the spicy ones with it.Heres how:

For the Sweet dahi wadas:
Ingredients:
  • Curd-3cups(not sour)
  • Sugar-5 tsps
  • Salt- 2pinches.
  • Red chilly powder/lal mirch-1/2tsp
  • Cumin powder/Zeera powder-1/2tsp
  • Wadas as prepared above
Method:
  • Beat the curd with the sugar,1/2cup of water and salt till smooth.
  • Now for serving put the wadas in the serving dish pour the beaten curd over them and sprinkle red chilly powder and cumin powder.
  • Serve it with Tamarind and Mint chutney.
For The Spicy Dahi wadas:
Ingredients:
  • Curd-3cups.
  • Green chilly-2no
  • Ginger and garlic paste-1tsp
  • Salt-1tsp or more according to taste.
  • Corriander leaves/dhanya/kotmir-2tbsp.
  • Cumin seeds/Zeera-1/2 tsp
  • Mustard seeds/Rai-1/2tsp
  • Whole red chilly-2no
  • Oil-2tsps.
  • Wadas as prepared above.
Cooking method:
  • Grind the green chilly with 1/2 cup of curd,1tbsp corriander leaves and salt to a fine paste.Mix this in rest of the curd add ginger and garlic paste and  beat the curd to a smooth paste.
  • In a serving dish put the wadas and pour this curd mixture over them.keep aside
  • In a small pan  heat oil add cumin seeds,mustard seeds and red chilly and let them splutter add this on the wada and curd mixture.
  • Ready to serve.

Friday, 29 July 2011

BHENDI KI SUBZEE-STIR FRY LADY FINGER!!!

Simple vegetable stir fry are a delight to make quick,easy and tasty with a simple vegetable you can do so many variations and the results always right,just keeping in mind not to overcook the vegetables as it diminishes its nutrient value.
Heres the recipe:
Cooking time:15mins
Preparation time:10mins
Serves-5

Ingredients:
  • Lady finger/Bhindi/Okra-500 gms
  • Garlic/lehsun-5 cloves(chopped)
  • Onions/piyaz-2no(thick sliced)
  • Turmeric powder/haldi-1/2tsp
  • Green chillies- 4no(chopped)
  • Salt to taste
  • Oil- 2tbsp.

Cooking method:
  • Wash and wipe the lady finger with a clean cloth and then cut them in to thin long slices.
Tips:Wiping the Lady finger with clean cloth absorbs the moisture which will prevent it from getting sticky while cooking.
Don't cover okra/lady finger while cooking as the vegetable will lose its color.
  • In a deep pan heat oil add onions,garlic,green chillies,lady finger and turmeric powder and cook stirring in between for about 10-15mins.keep the crunch of the vegetable,never overcook them.
  • Add salt in the end mix well and ready to serve.

Thursday, 28 July 2011

VEGETABLE TAHARI-VEG PILAF WITH THE NUTRITION FACTOR!!!

Tahari comes in the category of Biryani but the method of preparation is different,here the ingredients are cooked along with rice ,a One -pot meal to make your lunch or dinner special.Its prepared a lot in Hyderabad homes and relished by each and everyone.
Heres the recipe:
Cooking time:35-40mins.
Preparation time:20mins.
Serves4-5 persons.

Ingredients:
  • Rice-3cups
  • Mixed vegetables- 2cups(Carrots,French beans,Cauliflower,Peas,potatoes)
  • Tomatoes- 250gms(chopped)
  • Onions-2no(sliced)
  • Whole garam masala- 2"cinnamon,8 cardamoms,5 cloves,5 peppercorns,1/2 tsp shahjeera.
  • Ginger and garlic paste- 1tbsp
  • Red chilli powder-1 1/2tsp
  • Turmeric powder-1tsp
  • Corriander powder-1 tsp
  • Green Chillies(slit)- 2-3
  • Corriander leaves(chopped)-1/2 cup
  • Mint leaves(chopped)-1/2 cup
  • Oil-3/4 cup
  • Salt to taste
Cooking method:
  • Wash and soak the rice for 30mins.
  • Wash and cut all the vegetables in samll pieces.
  • In a deep pan heat oil add onions and saute till golden brown now add whole garam masala and ginger and garlic paste and saute for another minute.
  • Add tomatoes and vegetables and all the rest ingredients except mint,corriander and green chillies.Add 1/2 cup of water.cover and cook till vegetables half done and mixture absorbs all water
  • Now for every 1 cup of rice add 1 1/2cup of water that is 4 1/2 cup of water and let it come to a boil.
  • Now add rice along with mint,corriander and green chillies,mix well and Cook on medium heat.keep stirring in between.when there is very little water remaining reduce the burner  to  very slow flame for about 15mins.alternatively you can put this vessel on a pan and then put it on the burner for slow heating.
  • Serve hot with  any Salad or Chutney

Thursday, 14 July 2011

CHICKPEA CHAAT-SWEET AND TANGY SALAD!!!


SALADS- These are a very healthy way to replenish your body with all the nutrients with aid in digestion.One should make salads a daily part of their diet and increase your health quotient the easier way.
Heres the recipe:
Preparation time;10mins
Serves- 2 persons.

Ingredients:
  • Cooked Chickpeas/Kabuli chana-1 cup
  • Boiled potato/aloo- 1no (small size-cut in to small pieces)
  • Onions/piyaz-1 no(small-chopped)
  • Corriander leaves/kotmir/dhanya-1/4th cup (chopped)
  • Red chilly powder/Lal mirch-1/4tsp
  • Brown sugar/Gur or if you wish you can take white sugar-1 tsp
  • Tamarind pulp/Imli- 1-2tbsp(depending upon how tangy you want)
  • Black pepper powder/kali mirch-1/4th tsp
  • Cumin powder-1/4tsp
  • Tomatoes- 1no(small- chopped)
  • Salt to taste.

Cooking method:
  • In a bowl mix all the ingredients well and serve.
  • Enjoy.

Sunday, 10 July 2011

BROWN RICE-BAGHARA CHAWAL!!!

This dish is a normal rice Or Basmati rice cooked in onions and whole spices which gives a great taste and fragrant aroma,It's a great accompaniment for any curries.This dish is also part of Hyderabadi cuisine.
Heres the recipe:
Cooking time:25mins
Preparation time:10mins
Serves-6

Ingredients:
  • Basmati rice- 3cups
  • Onions/Piyaz-2 no(medium-sliced)
  • Ginger paste/Adrak paste-1tsp
  • Garlic paste/Lehsun paste-1tsp
  • Whole spices- Green cardamom/hari elaichi-6,Bay leaf/Tez patta-2,Cinnamon stick/Dalchini-2"inches,Caraway seeds/shahjeera-1tsp.
  • Oil-3tbsp
  • Salt to taste.

Cooking method:
  • Wash and soak the rice for atleast 30mins.keep aside.
  • In a deep pan heat oil add sliced onions and cook till golden brown now add ginger paste,garlic paste and all the whole spices and stir for another minute.
  • Now add  6 cups of water and salt and let it boil.When the water starts boiling put the rice(drain all the water in which you have soaked the rice).mix well,cover and let it cook on a medium flame for 4-5minutes,now stir again delicately else the rice grains will break.and cook for another 3minutes. after this the water will be fully absorbed and rice 3/4th done,If you find the rice is still little uncooked then add 1/4th cup of water,cover and let it cook on a very sim flame for 10minutes.
  • Ready to serve with any curries.

Saturday, 9 July 2011

SPLIT GREEN GRAM WITH FENUGREEK LEAVES-DHULI MOONG DAL COOKED IN METHI LEAVES!!!


Simple vegetables are such a delight,They are tasty,low in fats and yet nutritious and tasty.And above all low cost and very easily available.
In this recipe I used Green gram which is very easy to digest and added fenugreek leaves,tastes great with chapatis made of Sorghum flour/Jowar flour.
Heres the recipe:
Cooking time:15mins
Preparaton time:15mins
Serves:5-6 persons.

Ingredients:
  • Split green gram/Dhuli moong ki dal-250gms
  • Fresh fenugreek leaves/Methi leaves- 1/2 cup.
  • Green chillies/Hari mirch- 4 no(chopped)
  • Garlic/Lehsun- 4cloves(chopped)
  • Turmeric powder/Haldi- 1/2 tsp
  • Onions- 1no (medium sized-chopped)
  • Salt to taste
  • Oil- 2tbsp
Cooking method:
  • Wash and soak the dal for atleast half an hour in 2 cups of water.keep aside.
Note: soaked dal will cook faster.
  • In a pan heat oil Add onions and green chillies and saute for 2 min.
  • Add garlic,turmeric powder,fenugreek leaves and salt and fry for another minute.
  • Add the dal along with the water ,mix well and cook covered on a sim flame for atleast 5mins.
  • The dal will absorb all the water and Check if the dal is uncooked add little water and cook covered againn for another  5-8 min on a sim flame.
  • The dal grains shouldnt stick together.
  • Serve hot with chapatis.

Sunday, 26 June 2011

ALOO KA PAKORAS-POTATO FRITTERS!!!


PAKORAS -These are deep fried snacks which  are great appetizers,where the main ingredient used is the Chickpea flour or besan.Any vegetable  like onions,brinjals,green chillies,cabbage or even meat like chicken are cut and dipped in a batter made of chickpea flour and then deep fried in a deep pan.Its a quick snack and can be made in a jiffy but not be made a part of daily diet as they are deep  fried and therefore unhealthy.
Heres the recipe:
Cooking time:10mins
Preparation time:5 mins
Yields:18-20

Ingredients:
  • Potato-1no(large)
  • Chickpeaflour/Besan-50gms
  • Turmeric powder-1/4tsp
  • Red chilli powder-1/4tsp
  • Baking soda-2 pinches
  • Salt to taste
  • Oil for deep frying(I use canola oil)
Cooking method:
  • Peel and cut the potato in to very thin slices.And put immersed in a bowl of water to avoid blackening of the slices.
  • Take Chickpeaflour in a bowl,add turmeric powder,Red chilli powder,salt and baking soda and make a smooth batter with water of medium consistency.
  • Heat oil in a deep pan and when the oil is hot,medium the gas flame,Take each potato slice and dip them in chickpea batter,coat it properly and put in the hot oil and fry on both sides till nice golden brown.this takes about 3-4 mins.
Note:If the batter is watery or of thin consistency then it wont stick to the slices and it will come out in the oil.So keep it of medium consistency.
  • Serve hot with Tomato ketchup or Mint chutney



  • Sunday, 19 June 2011

    BESAN KI SABZII-CHICKPEA FLOUR CURRY MADE IN GARLIC N ONIONS!!!


    This simple veggie delight is very widely prepared in rural areas and are served with bread made of  Sorghum flour (jawar ka ata),so light and healthy.When there are no vegetables in your homes,try out this simple n tasty dish n I am sure u wont regret it.
    Heres the recipe:

    Cooking time:15mins
    Preparation time-5mins
    Serves-4persons

    Ingredients:
    • Chick pea flour/Besan-1cup
    • Onions/piyaz- 1no(big)  thick slices
    • Cumin seeds/zeera-1tsp
    • Garlic/lehsan- 4 cloves
    • Green Chillies/hari mirch-4no
    • Corriander leaves/kotmir- 2tbsp(chopped)
    • Salt to taste
    • Oil- 2tbsp.

    Cooking method:
    • Dissolve besan/chickpea flour in 1 and 1/2 cups of water and make lump free  paste.
    • Grind Green chillies and garlic to a coarse paste with little salt.
    • In a deep pan heat oil and then add cumin seeds and saute for 30secs,now add onions and saute them for about 2 mins.
    • Now add the green chilly paste n cook till oil leaves the mixture and the raw smell goes,it takes about 5mins on a medium flame,add little water if the mixture is sticking to the bottom.
    • Now add 2 cups of warm water.
    • Now add the besan paste ,stir properly and cover and let it cook for about 5 mins on a sim flame.
    • Stir again add corriander leaves and cook covered again for another 5mins.
    • The mixture thickens and becomes a thick paste.
    • Serve hot with rotis or rice.

    Tuesday, 7 June 2011

    PAALAK KI SUBZEE-SIMPLE SPINACH VEGGIE COOKED IN YOGURT!!!


    Spinach-this nutrient dense green leafy vegetable is super healthy rich in vitamins,minerals and phtyonutrients.Its very easily available everywhere and affordable.Including these greens in your menu plan will help maintain your good health and keep diseases at bay.
      Heres the recipe:

    Cooking timë:15mins
    Preparation time:10mins
    Serves: 4persons

    Ingredients:
    • Spinach(paalak)- 250gms
    • Onion(piyaz)- 1no(small-chopped)
    • Cumin seeds(zeera)- 1/4tsp
    • Yogurt(dahi)- 3tbsp
    • Red chilli powder(lal mirch powder)- 1tsp
    • Turmeric powder(haldi)- 1/2tsp
    • Corriander leaves(otmir or dhanya)- 2tbsp(chopped)
    • Salt(namak) to taste
    • Oil-2tbsp

    Cooking instructions:
    • Remove hard stems of spinach leaves and wash them with water 2-3 times until the water is clear.And then chop finely.
    • In a deep pan heat oil add cumin seeds and let it crackle for about half a minute at this stage add onions and saute till translucent or till they turn pale.
    • Now add curd and all the other spices and cook till oil is separated.
    • Add spinach and corriander leaves,mix it nicely and cook uncovered for about 10minutes,keep stirring.Add little water if required else it vl get burned at the bottom.
    • Serve with plain rice or chapatis.

    Tuesday, 31 May 2011

    DAL FRY-THICK SOUP OF YELOW LENTILS!!!


    Dal-a dish made of lentils or legumes or beans or a combination of them.It is very popular yet simple dish and a staple in most of the homes in India and many parts of Asia,Very quick in preparation makes it easier to make,Its high in proteins and fibre.
                                                          This is served as a side dish with rice or breads.
    Heres the recipe:
    Cooking time:15mins
    Preparation time:5mins.
    Serves: 4-5 persons.

    Ingredients:
    • Split pigeon peas or toor dal- 100gms
    • Turmeric powder-1/4tsp
    • Red chilli powder-1/2tsp
    • Ginger and Garlic paste-1/2tsp.
    • Tomatoes- 1no(medium sized-chopped)
    • Onions-1no (small-chopped)
    • Corriander leaves-2tbsp (chopped)
    • White cumin seeds- 1/4tsp.
    • Mustard seeds- 1/4tsp.
    • Salt to taste.
    • Oil-1tbsp.

    Cooking method:
    • Wash the lentils.
    • In a pressure cooker put the washed lentils add turmeric powder and ginger and garlic paste and 1 cup of water,Pressure cook on medium flame till 3-4 whistles and simmer for around 5 mins.Switch off the flame.Cool.
    • Mash coarsely the dal.keep it aside.
    • In a separate pan heat oil add cumin seeds and mustard seeds and allow to splutter,now add the onions and fry till translucent.Add this point add tomatoes,red chilli powder along with little water and cook till the toamtoes turn pulpy.
    • Add the mashed dal or lentils,corriander leaves and salt,Add water according to the thickness desired,Bring to one boil.
    • Dal is ready serve it hot with rice or rotis.

    Thursday, 29 April 2010

    BROCOLLI FRY- WITH GOOD CARROT AND CABBAGE!!!


    This is a Chinese recipe very quick can be made in a jiffy and nutritious.And the greeny crunchy brocolli tastes best.
    Heres the recipe:


    Cooking time:10mins
    Preparation time:10mins
    Serves- 2







    Ingredients:
    • Brocolli florets-150gms
    • Carrot(juliennes)- 1no
    • Onions(slices)- 1no
    • Ginger(juliennes)-1tsp
    • Cabbage(chopped)- 100gms
    • Oyster sauce- 2tsp
    • Green chillies(chopped)- 2no
    • Black pepper powder-1/2tsp
    • Salt to taste
    • Cooking oil- 2tbsp
    Cooking method:
    • Heat oil in a pan,add ginger and saute for a minute do not brown it.
    • Add onions and green chillies and cook till onions are transparent,add cabbage and carrot,and cook covered for 5 minutes.
    • Add brocolli and all the other ingredients and cook covered for another 5-6mins.
    • Serve with Naans or Rice.

    Saturday, 3 April 2010

    CHANA PULAO-CHICKPEAS,CARROT COOKED WITH RICE!!!

    PULAO-a member of the widely appreciated family of  'Biryani'.In this the rice is cooked with meat,vegetables,spices and herbs unlike in Biryani where the rice and meat or vegetables are layered and cooked in its own steam.
    Chana pulao-the chick peas gives it a nice nutty flavour(you can substitute it with chicken) and it is cooked in corriander seeds water,Aromatic!!
    Heres the recipe:

     Cooking time: 30mins
     Preparation time:10mins
     Serves-5

    Ingredients:
    • Chick peas/Kabuli chana(cooked)-1cup
    • Rice- 3cups
    • Corriander seeds- 1/2cup
    • Carrot(small cubes) - 1no(medium sized)
    • Green Chillies(chopped)-8
    • Whole garam masala-4 cloves/laung ,2"cinnamon/dalchini,peppercorns/kali mirch-5,Caraway seeds/shahjeera-1/2tsp
    • Onions(sliced)-1 no(medium size)
    • Tomatoes(chopped)- 4no(medium-sized)
    • Ginger and garlic paste-2tsp
    • Corriander leaves(chopped)- 1/2cup
    • Salt to taste
    • Oil-3/4cup
    Cooking Method:
    • Wash and soak raw chickpeas overnight,and pressure cook them till they are soft.
    • Wash and soak rice for about 30mins.
    • Take corriander seeds in a deep pan,add 4 cups of water and reduce till its 2cups.
    • In a deep pan,add oil heat it and then add the onions saute till golden brown,now add ginger and garlic paste,whole garam masala,chopped green chilli saute for a minute or two.
    • Add the tomatoes and cook till tomatoes are soft and pulpy.
    • Add carrot and corriander leaves and cook covered for another 5 mins,adding little water.
    • Now put the corriander seeds water 1.e 2cups and more 3 cups water,chick peas and salt and let it come to a boil.
    • Add rice at this stage,stir well and cook covered stirring in between,when all the water gets absorbed,let it cook for another 5 mins in its own steam.
    Note: If the rice is not cooked and no water is left add little water  about 1/4cup.
    This goes to CWS event hosted by Radhika and Priya.