Rajma Masala (Kidney Beans Curry - Punjabi Style)

       
          A favorite comfort meal, Rajma Masala is quite liked by young and old alike. A very popular daily menu and a signature dish from Punjab, it is generally had with rice, called "Rajma-Chawal". It also tastes good with naan or tandoori roti. It is a nutritious and a wholesome meal in itself. Just a bowlful of this delectable dish and two rotis is enough to satiate and satisfy your hunger.

• 1 cup rajma (kidney beans), soaked overnight
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp. tomato paste / 1 tomato, pureed
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1" cinnamon stick 
• 2 green cardamoms 
• 3-4 cloves 
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. dry roasted coriander powder
• 1 tsp. dry roasted cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tbsp. kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 tsp. kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves), crushed         
• 1 tbsp. lime juice or to taste
• coriander leaves, chilies & sliced lemon to garnish

          Boil the rajma in 2 cups water for 7-8 minutes on low flame after the first whistle. Keep aside. Heat oil in a pan and temper with the cinnamon, cardamoms and cloves. Sauté for a few seconds.

          Add the onion and fry till light brown. Add the ginger-garlic paste, tomato paste and all the powdered masalas, (except kasuri methi and salt), mixed with 1/4 cup water.

          Sauté till the oil separates. (If using pureed tomatoes, add it now and sauté well till oil leaves the sides of the pan).

          Now add the boiled rajma along with the water in which it was boiled, salt and the kasuri methi. Simmer on low flame for 3-5 minutes.

           Adjust the water according to the consistency desired. When done, add the lime juice and serve, garnished with the sliced onion, chilies and coriander leaves.

       

Gushtaba ( Mutton Balls in Yoghurt Gravy - Kashmiri Style)

       
          This is a traditional Kashmiri delicacy where mutton balls are cooked in a yoghurt based  thin gravy. There are many versions of this dish where onion, turmeric powder and saffron are sometimes used. This exotic dish forms an integral part of a wazwan (Kashmiri platter) and is often served in weddings and special occasions. 

          Fennel powder and dry ginger powder are the dominant spices in this recipe. Garlic juice is sometimes added to balance the flavour. It is a great party recipe and best relished with Kashmiri pulao, some helping of Biryani or any Indian fried flat bread. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

• 1 cup mutton mince
• 1/2 tsp. ginger powder
• 1 tsp. fennel powder
• 1/2 tsp. mint powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 3-4 cloves
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander-cumin powder
• 1 tbsp. garlic juice (opt)
• 2 cups thick buttermilk, well beaten
• 2 tbsp. ghee 
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. mint-coriander leaves, chopped

          Mix together the mince, salt to taste, fennel powder, mint powder and ginger powder. Shape into marble sized balls. Keep aside.

          Boil 2 cups of water along with a pinch of salt, bay leaf and cloves. Drop in the prepared  koftas and cook, covered on a low flame for 15-20 minutes.

          Whisk the buttermilk, coriander-cumin powder, cardamom powder, ghee, garlic juice and salt to taste. Transfer to a pan and simmer on low flame for 4-5 minutes.

         Add the cooked koftas along with the water in which it was simmered. Continue to cook further for a couple of minutes. 

          When done, add mint-coriander leaves and switch off the flame. Serve with Kashmiri pulao or any Indian bread.

                      Mix together mince, salt, fennel powder & coriander-cumin powder. 
                      Shape into marble sized balls. Keep aside.

                      Boil 2 cups water along with a pinch of salt, bay leaf & cloves. Drop 
                      the koftas & simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes.

                     Whisk buttermilk, coriander-cumin powder, cardamom powder, ghee,
                     garlic juice & salt. Transfer to a pan & simmer on low flame for 4-5 min.

                     Add cooked koftas along with the water in which it was simmered. 
                     Continue to cook further for a couple of minutes. 

                      When done, add mint-coriander leaves & switch off the flame. 

                 Serve with Kashmiri pulao, Biryani or any Indian fried flat bread. 

Green Jackfruit (Kathal) Kebab / Patties

       
           These are some out of the way exotic kebabs made from green Jackfruit / kathal. Very healthy and delicious at the same time, it makes for a perfect appetizer in any in-house party. the leftover kebabs can be turned into kofta curry / kadhi or can be rolled into parathas as a frankie. This serves as a great lunch box meal too. The options are aplenty. Relish them with some chutney or sauce. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this awesome treat.

• 1 medium raw jackfruit, boiled
• 2 potatoes, boiled
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. ginger, grated
• 1-2 green chilies
• salt to taste
• handful of mint leaves & coriander leaves, chopped
• 2 tbsp. fried chana dal (Bengal gram), powdered
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tbsp. kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves), crushed
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1 tbsp. sesame seeds, dry roasted
• oil to shallow fry

          Mash together the boiled jackfruit and potatoes. Combine with all the other ingredients, except oil. Divide into equal portions and form into round kebabs. Refrigerate for an hour.

          Heat some oil in a non-stick pan and shallow fry in batches on both sides till golden brown in colour. Serve, with some chutney or sauce.

                  Mash boiled jackfruit & potatoes. Mix with other ingredients, except oil. 

               Divide into equal portions & form into round kebabs. Refrigerate for an hour.

                Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a non-stick pan & shallow fry in batches on both sides till
                golden brown. Serve, with some chutney or sauce.

Tomato Soup With Coriander Stems & Mint Leaves

       
            A refreshing tomato soup with the discarded stems of coriander leaves and some mint leaves. The stems contains more nutrients and essential oils. Hence, the combination of both mint leaves and coriander stems gives this soup a lot of flavour and aroma. Very light on the tummy, if had with some bread sticks or croutons is a perfect dinner meal.

• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 3 cups water
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 cup coriander stems, chopped & loosely packed
• handful of mint leaves
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tbsp. lime juice or to taste

          Heat oil in a pan and saute the garlic till it changes colour. Switch off the flame. Add rest of the ingredients and pressure cook for 3 whistles.

          Keep aside to cool. Then blend to a puree and strain. Heat through and add lime juice. Serve hot, preferably with bread sticks.

Lemony Chicken & Bell Pepper Soup

          It is a clear soup with the goodness of chicken, vermicelli and bell peppers. For a veg. version, you can substitute the chicken with mushrooms, peas or just plain bell peppers. The addition of kaffir lime leaves gives a punch and a lemony flavour to this exotic soup. Have it with some bread sticks for a wholesome light meal.

• 1/2 cup chicken mince
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 7-8 kaffir lime leaves
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 litre chicken stock / water
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. pepper powder or to taste
• 1/2 cup assorted bell peppers, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fried vermicelli, broken
• mint leaves to garnish

          Heat oil in a pan and sauté the garlic till it changes colour. Add the onion and stir fry till light brown. Now add the chicken mince, salt and pepper powder and fry till dry.

          Add the stock and lime leaves and bring it to a boil. Simmer for 4-5 minutes on medium flame. Add the seviyan and continue to simmer till soft.

          Add the sliced bell peppers and cook for a minute. Serve hot, garnished with mint leaves.

Salad Fritata - (Omelette in Italian Style)

           Frittata means fried, is an omelet in an Italian style. Here I have used some leftover salads and few beaten eggs to make a quick yummy breakfast. It can be also had as a tea-time snack. Grated cheese can be topped on the frittata and grilled in the oven to get a golden crust. Shredded and boiled chicken too can be included. 

• 1 cup leftover salad (bell peppers, cucumber, onion, bean sprouts, boiled potatoes, carrots, spring onions, tomatoes, etc)
• 3 eggs, beaten
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 2 tbsp. oil

          Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a non-stick pan and sauté the garlic till they change colour. Then add the salad and sauté for a minute.

          Mix the salad to the beaten egg along with the salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Heat the remaining oil and pour this egg mix.

          Cook on low flame for 3-4 minutes until set. Place a plate over it and carefully flip it over. Now again carefully place the flipped over frittata on to the pan and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes till done.

          Cut into portion size with a pizza cutter and serve as a tea-time snack or as a breakfast.

Chettinad Mushroom Masala

       
           This is a vegetarian version of the spicy and popular chicken Chettinad, a South Indian delicacy from the Chettinad region of Tamilnadu. It is prepared with the same masala used to cook the latter. 

          It simply tastes delicious and can be had with hot steamed rice, chapatti, naan or veg. biryani. As an alternative, any other veggies like boiled and fried potatoes, small eggplants or fried cauliflower can be used.

• 15-20 button mushrooms, diced
• 3 tbsp. fresh coconut, grated
• 3 dry red chilies
• 2 tbsp. coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp. cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp. fennel seeds
• 1" cinnamon
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 4-5 cloves
• 10 peppercorns
• 1 tbsp. poppy seeds
• 10-15 cashew nuts
• 2 big onions, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, chopped
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 2-3 tbsp. oil
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• coriander leaves and fried cashews to garnish

          Dry roast all the ingredients from coconut to peppercorns till golden brown in colour. Keep aside to cool. Then grind along with the poppy seeds, cashew nuts, ginger and garlic.

          Heat oil in a pan and sauté the onions till light brown. Add the ground paste and turmeric powder and fry till the oil separates. Then add the tomatoes and continue to sauté till well mashed up.

          Add the mushrooms, curry leaves and salt and cook, covered on low flame till dry. Serve, garnished with coriander leaves.

Dal Tadka

       
            A very popular lentil recipe, it differs from one region to the other. There are many versions to it and is also a bit different from one household to the other. Whatever the reason, this dal recipe is simply delicious and nutritious too. A comfort food for many, it can be had both with rice or chapati. When having it with rice, it can be accompanied with some roasted papad.

• 1/2 cup tuvar dal (split pigeon pea lentil), soaked for 30 minutes
• 1/2 cup moong dal (split green gram), soaked for 30 minutes
• 3 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• pinch of asafoetida
• 1 dry red chilly
• 1 tsp. urad dal (split black gram)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 tsp. ginger, chopped
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 tsp. cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• salt to taste
• 1-2 green chilies, split
• 1-2 tsp. lime juice
• coriander leaves to garnish

          Pressure cook both the dals in 2 cups water for 4-5 whistles. Whisk well and keep aside.

          Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a pan and temper with 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds, 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds, red chili and urad dal. After it stops spluttering add the asafoetida, onion, ginger, garlic and curry leaves.

          Sauté till light brown. Now add all the dry spices mixed with some water. Sauté for a few seconds.

          Add the tomatoes and continue to sauté till oil leaves the sides of the pan. Now add the boiled dal and split green chilies.

          Simmer on a low flame for 3-4 minutes. Remove from the flame, add the lime juice and keep aside.

          Heat remaining 1 tbsp. oil and temper with the remaining mustard seeds and cumin seeds. After it stops spluttering, switch off the flame and pour this tempering on the prepared dal. Serve, garnished with coriander leaves.

Minestrone Soup - Italian Style

       
           A delicious and a nutritious Italian soup which has all the goodness of vegetables and greens. It serves as a one-pot meal and is very healthy and filling at the same time. Carrots, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms or broccoli can also be added to the soup. In short, any vegetables you can lay your hands on.  Boiled and shredded chicken or mutton pieces can also be added for a non-veg. version.

• 1-2 onions, diced
• 1 tsp. garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup french beans, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1/2 cup kidney beans (rajma), boiled
• 1/2 cup white chick peas (kabuli chana), boiled
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup assorted Bell peppers, diced
• 3 1/2  cups stock (vegetable / chicken / mutton)
• 3 tomatoes
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1/2 cup pasta, boiled
• few spinach leaves, chopped
• few parsley, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tsp. dried herbs (sage, oregano, rosemary basil)
• 1 tbsp. cheese, grated

          Blanch the tomatoes in hot water for 5 minutes. Discard the skin and chop them. Heat oil in a deep pan and sauté the bay leaves and garlic for a few seconds.

          Add the onion and fry till translucent. Then add the French beans and celery and stir for a minute. Now add the stock and simmer on low flame till the veggies are soft.

          Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and bell peppers and simmer for a minute or two. Then add the  boiled kidney beans, chick peas. boiled pasta, spinach leaves, parsley, dried herbs, salt and pepper.

          Simmer for 2 minutes. Ladle into soup bowls and serve, garnished with grated cheese.

       


 

Fish In Tomato Gravy - Bengali Style)

       
              This is my version of a simple fish curry in tomato gravy, to be enjoyed with some hot steamed rice. Mustard oil is the medium of cooking to give a traditional Bengali touch to this dish. A sprinkle of panch phoron powder to the end product enhances the flavour.

• 5- 6 pieces of Rohu fish 
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 1 tbsp. coriander-cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 3-4 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 green cardamoms
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 3-4 cloves
• 2 green chilies, slit
• coriander leaves to garnish
• 1 tsp. roasted panch phoron powder to garnish (opt)

          Marinate the fish with a pinch of salt and turmeric for 10 minutes. Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the fish till light brown. Drain and keep aside.

          Temper the same oil with cumin seeds and bay leaf. After it stops sizzling, add the cinnamon, cardamoms and cloves. Saute for a few seconds.

          Add the onion and fry till light brown. Add the ginger-garlic paste, coriander-cumin powder, turmeric powder and garam masala powder mixed with little water. Saute till the oil separates from the sides of the pan.

          Now add the pureed tomatoes and continue to saute till dry. Add 1 1/2 cups water, fried fish, green chilies and salt. Cover and cook on low flame for 4-5 minutes. Serve, garnished with coriander leaves and panch phoron powder.

Allam Pachadi (Ginger Chutney - Andhra Style)

       
             This is a very popular Andhra style ginger chutney relished with Dosa, Idli, Pesarattu, Pongal, Upma or Vada. It also tastes awesome when mixed with hot steamed rice and ghee. It is great as a side dish with curd-rice or sambar rice too. This spicy, tangy and sweet chutney is extremely delicious and can be preserved in a pickle form too. Here, you need a little bit more oil for preservation.

• 2-3 tbsp. ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp. fried chana dal powder (Bengal gram)
• 1 tbsp. roasted coriander powder
• 1 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. tamarind paste
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 2-3 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 tsp. garlic, grated
• pinch of fenugreek seeds 
• 1 tsp. urad dal (split black gram lentil)
• pinch of asafoetida 
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• pinch of turmeric powder

          Blend together ginger, fried chana dal powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, salt, tamarind paste and sugar with required quantity of water into a liquid paste.

          Heat oil in a non-stick pan and temper with mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, add the asafoetida, turmeric powder, garlic, fenugreek seeds, urad dal and curry leaves.

          Sauté till the urad dal and the garlic changes colour. Add the prepared ginger paste and fry for a minute or two on a low flame till the raw smell of the ginger disappears.

          (Adjust water if you need to keep it a bit liquidy. It tends to become thick once it cools down). Serve along with dosa, upma, idli, vada, pesarattu or pongal.

Mangalorean Mutton Curry

       
             This is a traditional Mutton curry made in the Mangalorean style. It is a very spicy and tangy dish, best relished with steamed rice, jeera rice or plain Biryani. It also tastes good with chapatti or naan. A whole lot of roasted spices along with coconut, onion, garlic and ginger make this dish very delicious and full of flavour.

• 400 gms.  mutton on bones, cubed
• 3 onions, chopped
• 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1" ginger, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 3 tbsp. oil
• 2 tbsp. coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp. cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp. poppy seeds
• 1" cinnamon
• 3-4 dry red chilies
• 3-4 cloves
• 3 tbsp. fresh grated coconut
• 1/2 tsp. peppercorns
• 1 tsp. tamarind paste
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder

       

          Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan and fry 2 onions, ginger and garlic till light brown. Keep aside to cool and then grind into a paste.

          Dry roast the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, poppy seeds, cinnamon, cloves, red chilies and pepper corns for a minute till you get a fragrant aroma. Now add the coconut and continue to fry till golden brown. Keep aside to cool. Then grind into a powder.

          Heat the remaining oil in a pan and sauté the mutton till light brown in colour. Now add the remaining chopped onion and continue to sauté for a minute.

          Add the tomatoes and sauté further till mashed up. Now add the onion paste, powdered spice, salt, tamarind and turmeric powder. Fry till all the masalas are well combined.

          Add 2 cups water and pressure cook for 20 minutes on low flame after the first whistle. After it cools down, remove the lid and cook further to reduce the gravy if preferred. Serve with rice or any Indian bread.

Varan (Maharashtrian Dal / Lentil)

       
          A traditional and a very popular Maharashtrian lentil recipe which is almost a part of a meal in many local household. Very simple and yummy, it is mostly relished with steamed rice. 

          The tempering can also be done with ghee to get a good flavour. This dal is usually prepared with tuvar dal (split pigeon pea lentil). Slightly on the thicker side, it can also be relished with plain chapatti too.

• 1/2 cup tuvar dal, soaked for 30 minutes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 1/4 tsp. methi  fenugreek) seeds
• 1/2 tsp. cumin powder
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• pinch of asafoetida
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tomato, chopped
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• coriander leaves to garnish
• fried onions to garnish (opt)

          Boil the tuvar dal in 1 & 1/4 cups water along with the onion, green chilies, ginger, methi seeds and cumin powder for 4-5 whistles.

          Heat oil in a pan and temper with cumin seeds. After it stops spluttering, add the asafoetida, curry leaves, turmeric powder and garlic.

          Sauté till the garlic changes colour. Then add the tomatoes and fry till they are well mashed up. Now add the boiled dal, salt and lime juice. 

          Simmer for 3-5 minutes. Serve, garnished with coriander leaves and fried onions.

Onion Pesarattu Dosa - Andhra Style (Whole Green Gram Pancakes)

       
               This is a very popular Andhra breakfast. Nutritious and healthy, they are made of whole moong dal (green gram). It is prepared just as dosa and is relished with coconut chutney and sambar. In fact it can be had any time of the day.

               In this recipe, I gave a slight twist by grinding the soaked moong dal along with some coriander stems and other ingredients for some more intense flavour. Traditionally, whole cumin seeds are soaked along with the lentil, but instead, I added roasted cumin powder to it. They can also be packed for a lunch box meal too.

• 1 cup whole moong dal
• 1/4 cup rice
• 1/2 tsp. methi (fenugreek seeds)
• 1 tbsp. ginger, grated
• 2 green chilies
• 1/2 cup coriander stem, chopped (opt)
• 1 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• salt to taste
• 2 onion. finely chopped
• handful of coriander leaves, chopped
• oil to shallow fry

          Soak the moong dal, methi seeds and the rice overnight. Next day grind along with the ginger, green chilies, the coriander stem and 1/2 cup water.

          Let the batter be smooth of dropping consistency. Add more or less water as required. To the batter, add salt and cumin powder. (There is no need to ferment).

          Heat a tawa and smear it with some oil. Sprinkle some water and let it sizzle. Then pour a ladle  of the prepared batter into a circular motion. Spread some onion and coriander leaves over it and press lightly with a spoon.

          Drizzle a tsp. of oil over it and fry till brown spots appear on it. Flip it over and fry on the other side too. Make similar pesarattu in the same way. Relish along with coconut chutney and sambar.

                                  Soak moong dal, methi seeds & rice overnight.

  Grind along with ginger, green chilies, coriander stem & 1/2 cup water.

                         Heat a tawa & smear with some oil. Pour a ladle of the batter into a
                         circular motion. Spread some onion & coriander leaves over it. Drizzle
                         a tsp. of oil & fry till brown spots appear. Flip & fry the other side too.

                                  Relish along with coconut chutney and sambar.