Butter Garlic Green Peas

 

         If you are looking for a super quick side dish that is very easy to prepare and yummy at the same time, then you need to try out my version of this Butter Garlic Green Peas. This stir fry dish goes very well as a side dish with your dal-chawal, chapatti, paratha or toasted bread. You can adjust the seasonings according to individual preference.

         

           It is a very simple and a quick concoction with minimal ingredients easily available. I bet everyone will fall in love with it, especially the kids. If you want top tweak it a little bit, then this versatile dish can also be a great lunch box meal or a snack where it can be served as a sandwich or a Frankie. Choice is yours. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this restaurant style dish.

• 350 gms. frozen green peas, thawed
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 2 tsp. oil
• 2 tbsp. garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 dry red chili, broken
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper powder
• 1/4 tsp. red chili flakes
• 2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Heat butter and oil in a wok / kadai and sauté the red chili, green chilies and garlic for a minute. 

         Now add the green peas, salt and pepper powder and stir fry for 2 minutes. 

          When done, switch off the flame and sprinkle some chili flakes. 

          Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve as a side dish with chapatti, paratha or toasted bread. 

Palak Matar Paneer (Cottage Cheese & Green Peas in Spinach Gravy - Punjabi Cuisine)

 

          Palak Paneer is a very popular dish on a North Indian Platter. This yummy dish has its origins from the state of Punjab. It is a wholesome and a nutritious preparation of cottage cheese and green peas in a spinach based gravy. So it is a very healthy choice with the goodness of iron, calcium and proteins. 

          This is a very common item prepared in every Punjabi household and is a main dish in any Dhabas you visit, where it is usually served with a dollop of cream or butter on the top. 

          You can enjoy Palak Matar Paneer with hot steamed rice, jeera rice or any Indian bread like butter naan or tandoori roti. A very simple and a rustic recipe, it is everyone's favorite recipe. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this regional delicacy.

          Greens in general are loaded with iron, fiber, vitamins and calcium. They are healthy and essential for a well balanced diet. 

          Green Peas are a rich source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. They are also low in carbs and calories.

          On the other hand, Paneer also contains few health benefits as it is high in calcium, protein and folate. It also improves digestion and is good for the heart. 

          So this recipe is a combination of three super foods. So go ahead and give it a try and serve them to your family for a well balanced meal. 

• 2-3 bunches of spinach, washed, drained and chopped
• 2 tbsp. mustard oil
• 100 gms. paneer cubes
• 1 tsp. nigella seeds (kalonji)
• 2 green chilies
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 1 tsp. ginger, finely chopped
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander powder
• 1/2 cup green peas (I used frozen peas)
• 1 tsp. dry roasted sesame seeds 

          Boil the spinach for 3-4 minutes. Refresh it and grind to a smooth paste. Keep aside. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a non-stick pan and sauté the paneer cubes till light brown. Keep aside.

          Heat the remaining oil and temper with cumin seeds and asafoetida. Add the chopped garlic and sauté till it changes colour.

          Add the onion and continue to sauté till light brown. Now add the ginger-garlic paste, tomato paste, turmeric powder, coriander-cumin powder, red chili powder and garam masala powder mixed with 2-3 tbsp. water.

          Fry till the oil separates. Add the pureed spinach, salt and kasuri methi. Simmer on low flame for 2 minutes.

          Add the butter and the fried paneer. Continue to simmer till the gravy thickens (4-5 min.). Add lime juice and take off the flame. Garnish with grated paneer and serve hot with naan or tandoori roti.

Dappalam (Mixed Vegetable Stew - Andhra style)

 

          This is a traditional Andhra recipe which also goes by the name of Mukkala Pulusu. It is a very healthy and a nutritious stew type dish with a tempering added to the end product. An excellent accompaniment to hot steamed rice, you can enjoy along with a drizzle of some ghee and roasted papad.  

          It is typically a sweet, tangy and a spicy gravy with lots of veggies thrown in. It is almost similar to sambar, however, without the boiled lentil. So check out a step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this most comforting wholesome dish. 

          Pumpkin, okra, eggplant and bottle gourd are generally added. However, I also used French beans, potato, broad beans and cauliflower according to the availability.

           Commonly prepared in most Andhra households, Dappalam is also considered as a festive dish, especially popular during Sankranti. 

          It is very simple, easy and a quick recipe when you want something comforting to go along with hot steamed rice. However, do not forget to drizzle some ghee over it to enhance the flavour. 

• 3-4 cups of mixed veggies, chopped (drumstick, bottle gourd, potato, cauliflower, French beans, broad beans. eggplants, okra)
• 3 cups water
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp. red chili powder
• 1 tbsp. sambar powder (opt)
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 tsp. tamarind paste mixed with 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp. roasted chickpea / rice flour mixed with 3/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp. sugar / jaggery
• 2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

Tempering - 

• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp. fenugreek seeds
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 2 dry red chilies
• 1 sprig curry leaves

          In a kadai / deep pan, add all the chopped veggies (except, okra and eggplant), water, salt and turmeric powder. 

          Bring it to a boil and simmer, covered, for 5-6 minutes or till the veggies are 70% cooked.

          Now add the okra, eggplant, tomatoes, tamarind water and curry leaves, followed by the red chili powder, sambar powder, chickpea flour slurry and sugar. 

          Mix well and continue to simmer, covered till all veggies are perfectly cooked. When done, garnish with coriander leaves.

          Tempering - In another small pan heat oil and temper with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and dry red chilies. Allow it to splutter.

          Then add the slit green chilies, curry leaves and asafoetida. Sauté for a few seconds and then pour this tempering over the prepared Dappalam. Serve with hot steamed rice. 

                       In a kadai / deep pan, add all the chopped veggies (except, okra and 

                       eggplant), water, salt & turmeric powder. Bring it to a boil & simmer, 

                       covered, for 5-6 minutes or till the veggies are 70% cooked.

                         Now add the okra, eggplant, tomatoes, tamarind water & curry leaves, 

                                  followed by the red chili powder, sambar powder,

                                 the chickpea flour slurry 

                        and sugar. Mix well & continue to simmer, covered till all veggies are

                        perfectly cooked. 

                                 When done, garnish with coriander leaves.

                          In another pan heat oil & temper with mustard seeds, cumin seeds,

                          fenugreek seeds and dry red chilies. Allow it to splutter.

                     Then add slit green chilies, curry leaves & asafoetida. Sauté for a few 

                      seconds.

                                  Pour this tempering over the prepared Dappalam.

                                  Serve with hot steamed rice. 

Gongura Mamsam (Andhra style Gongura Mutton)

 

          Gongura Mamsam or mutton curry is a traditional and a very popular Andhra cuisine. In this recipe, mutton is cooked with gongura leaves. Gongura is also known as sorrel leaves, chukka or ambada bhaji. It is very much a part of a meal served in Andhra / Telangana restaurants. 

          Coming to this amazing dish, it is both spicy and tangy. But you can adjust it depending on your taste buds. It is a great party dish, which can be prepared during special occasions. You can relish this yummy and finger licking delicacy with hot steamed rice, jeera rice, pulao, plain biryani, naan, tandoori roti, rumali roti or just plain chapati. So check out a step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this regional dish.

• 500 gms. mutton with bones
• 2 bunches gongura leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tbsp. oil to marinate
• 2 sprigs curry leaves
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp. red chili powder
• 1 tbsp. coriander powder
• 1 tsp. cumin powder
• 1 tsp. garam masala powder
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

         Marinate the mutton with ginger-garlic paste, 1 sprig curry leaves, 2 tbsp. oil and all the dry spices overnight or for a minimum of 3 hours. 

          Heat oil in a pan and sauté the onions and 1 sprig curry leaves till light brown. Add the marinated mutton and 1/4 cup water. Cook, covered on a low flame till dry. Keep stirring at intervals.

          Add 1 cup water and pressure cook for 20 minutes on a low flame after the first whistle. 

          When done, add the chopped gongura leaves and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes till the leaves are wilted and the oil separates. Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves.

          Serve along with hot steamed rice, jeera rice, pulao, plain biryani, naan, tandoori roti, roomali roti or just plain chapati. 

   Marinate the mutton with ginger-garlic paste, 1 sprig curry leaves, 2 tbsp. 

oil & all the dry spices overnight or for a minimum of 3 hours. 

                              Heat oil & sauté onions & 1 sprig curry leaves till light brown.

                                  Add marinated mutton....

                                  & 1/4 cup water. Cook, covered on a low flame till dry. 

                       Add 1 cup water & pressure cook for 20 minutes on a low flame after 

                       the first whistle. 

                       Then add the chopped gongura leaves & cook for 2-3 minutes till the 

                       leaves are wilted & the oil separates.

                                  Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves.

                       Serve along with hot steamed rice, jeera rice, pulao, plain biryani, naan, 

                       tandoori roti, roomali roti or just plain chapati. 

Dhonepata Bata (Coriander Leaves Paste / Chutney - Bong Style)

 

             Coriander leaves is an aromatic herb that is generally used for garnishing any prepared dish. But try making a paste out of it - Bong style. It tastes simply superb. It is almost similar to chutney, but in a cooked version. In this recipe, the fresh leaves are first ground along with garlic, chilies, onion and tomato (though the latter two are optional).

          It is then stir fried with a tempering of nigella seeds in mustard oil. It is a very simple and a a very easy recipe as it has very few ingredients. This dish is also called Bhorta in Bangladesh and goes best with hot steamed rice. However, you can also relish it as a spread on chapattis, parathas or sandwiches. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare traditional recipe.

• 2-3 bunches of coriander leaves along with the stem
• 3-4 garlic cloves
• 2 fresh green chilies
• 1 small onion
• 1/2 tomato
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1/2 tsp. nigella seeds

          Wash and drain the coriander leaves. Then grind it along with garlic, green chilies, onion and tomato into a fine paste by adding very little water.

          Heat oil in a pan and temper with the nigella seeds. Sauté for a few seconds and then add the ground paste, salt and turmeric powder.

          Keep sautéing on a low flame till all the moisture has been absorbed. Enjoy with hot steamed rice. chapattis or parathas.

                 Grind coriander leaves along with garlic, green chilies, onion & tomato ....

                                 ....... into a fine paste by adding very little water.

                      Heat oil in a pan & temper with the nigella seeds. Sauté for a few seconds.

                                  Add the ground paste, salt and turmeric powder.

                        Keep sautéing on a low flame till all the moisture has been absorbed. 

                                 Enjoy with hot steamed rice, chapattis or parathas.