Raw Papaya Sambharo - Gujarati style

 

          Raw Papaya Sambharo is a Gujarati style accompaniment that is traditionally served with fafda, which is a deep fried savory dish. Sambharo can also be termed as a chutney or salad that goes well with either dhokla, thepla, chapatti, paratha or as a side dish with dal-rice combo. It can also be had as it is just like a salad. 

          Healthy and nutritious, it can be prepared in a jiffy as it has very few ingredients. It is cooked al dente, so it has a crunch in every bite. The use of green chilies can be adjusted accordingly. In the absence of fafda, I enjoyed this amazing dish with Middle Eastern Lavash bread. So give this dish a try by checking out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this regional recipe. 

• half of a medium raw papaya, grated 
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 2-3 green chilies, slit
• 1 sprig curry leaves 
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. lime juice
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Remove the seeds and the pith from the papaya. Then grate it and keep aside. 

          Heat oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds. Allow it to splutter. 

          Then add the green chilies, asafoetida and curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds. 

          Now add the grated papaya, salt to taste and turmeric powder. Mix everything well and continue to stir fry for 2-3 minutes.

          When done, add the lime juice and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with  fafda in a typical Gujarati style. 

          You can also relish it with thepla, dhokla, chapatti, paratha, dal-chawal or as a salad. 

 Remove the seeds & the pith from the papaya. Then grate it & keep aside. 

         Heat oil in a pan  temper with mustard seeds. Allow it to splutter. 

      Add green chilies, asafoetida & curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds. 

Add the grated papaya, salt to taste & turmeric powder. Mix everything well & stir fry for 2-3 minutes.

                  When done, add coriander leaves and lime juice. 

Serve with  fafda in a typical Gujarati style. You can also relish it with thepla, dhokla, chapatti, paratha, dal-chawal or as a salad. 

Chukauni (Nepali Yoghurt Potato Salad / Raita)

 

          Chukauni is a Nepali style raita or salad prepared with yoghurt, boiled potatoes, sliced onion, green chilies, coriander leaves and few basic seasonings. This appetizing dip is then tempered with few fenugreek seeds, red chilies and mustard seeds in mustard oil. This takes this dish to a next level. However, the main highlight of this yummy preparation is the addition of some roasted and powdered sesame seeds. 

               Chukauni, which is tangy, creamy and spicy is a very popular dish from the Palpa region in Nepal. It is served with steamed rice, chapatti, batuk or sel roti. It can be enjoyed either warm or cold. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this simple, yet comforting dish. 

Ingredients - 

• 1 cup yoghurt
• 1/4 cup water or as required
• 1 medium size potato, boiled & cubed
• 1 onion. sliced
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• handful of coriander leaves, chopped
• 2 tbsp. sesame seeds, dry roasted & ground
• 1 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tsp. lime juice

Tempering - 

• 2 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1-2 dry red chilies
• 1/4 tsp. fenugreek seeds
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder

          In a bowl, take yoghurt, water, salt to taste and lime juice. Whisk for a smooth texture. 

          To it add roasted sesame powder, roasted cumin powder and red chili powder. Give it a stir. 

          Then add the boiled and cubed potato, sliced onion, chopped chilies and chopped coriander leaves. Mix well. 

          Heat oil in a small pan and temper with fenugreek seeds. dry red chilies and mustard seeds.

          After it stops spluttering, switch off the flame and add the turmeric powder. 

          Give it a stir and immediately pour this tempering over the prepared Chukauni. 

          Serve this amazing Nepali raita with steamed rice, chapatti, batuk or sel roti.

                       In a bowl, take yoghurt, water, salt & lime juice. Whisk for a smooth texture.

                        Add roasted sesame powder, roasted cumin powder & red chili powder. 

                        Give it a stir. 

 
                           Add the boiled & cubed potato, sliced onion, chopped chilies and

                           chopped coriander leaves. 

                                  Mix well. 

                        Heat oil in a small pan & temper with fenugreek seeds. dry red chilies

                        & mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, switch off the flame and

                        add the turmeric powder.  Give it a stir.   

           

                              Immediately pour this tempering over the prepared Chukauni. 

                 Serve this amazing Nepali raita with steamed rice, chapatti, batuk or sel roti.

Filipino Chicken Adobo Salad

 

          Try out this simple and a hearty Chicken salad al la Filipino style and am sure you will be hooked to it. It is a perfect light dinner with or without any soup. This is a very easy salad recipe that comes in handy when you do not want to spend too much time in the kitchen. It is a one-pot comfort meal that is quite filling and gives you great satisfaction. So check out a step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this colorful, sweet & sour Filipino Salad. 

Ingredients - 

• 2-3 tbsp. oil
• 100 gms. of lettuce, shredded
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tomato, deseeded & sliced
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped (opt)
• few basil leaves

Marination - 

• 3-4 chicken breast
• 3 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. vinegar
• 1 tsp. grated garlic
• 1/2 tsp. pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
• 1 tbsp. sugar

Dressing - 

• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2-3 tbsp. olive oil
• leftover cooked marination
• pinch of salt & pepper or to taste 

          Marinate the chicken breast with all the ingredients mentioned under MARINATION, overnight or for a minimum of 4-5 hours.

          Heat oil in a pan and pan fry the marinated chicken breast on both sides till done. Let it cool down for a couple of minutes. Then chop / slice them and keep aside. 

          Pour over all the leftover marinade to the pan and simmer on a low flame for 1-2 minutes. 

          To prepare the dressing - In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients (including the cooked marination) and keep aside. 

          In a large serving bowl, take all the veggies and the chopped chicken pieces. Just before serving, pour over the dressing and arrange the sliced chicken over the salad and enjoy.

 

                      Marinate the chicken breast with all the ingredients mentioned under                                                MARINATION, overnight or for a minimum of 4-5 hours.

   Heat oil in a pan & pan fry the marinated chicken breast on both sides 

    till done. Cool down for a couple of minutes. Then chop / slice them. 

                       Pour over all the leftover marinade to the pan & simmer on a low flame

                       for 1-2 minutes. 

                    For the dressing - In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients (including 

                    the cooked marination) and keep aside. 

                                 All the sliced / chopped veggies for the salad.

                                  In a large serving bowl, take all the veggies. 

                                   Add the chopped chicken pieces. 

                                 Just before serving, pour over the dressing.

                                  Arrange the sliced chicken over the salad.

                                   ENJOY !!!!!

Fattoush (Lebanese Salad)

 

          Fattoush is an easy-to-whip-up classic Mediterranean salad that is very much a part of an Arabic meal. It is a mix of seasonal veggies and a handful of coriander and mint leaves. Besides, a mandatory few pieces of toasted khubz / pita bread is added to the end product along with a drizzle of olive oil and sumac dressing. Sumac is a tangy Arabic spice made of dried berries that is used in this salad. So check out my step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this simple, comforting & refreshing one-pot meal.

          Besides the veggies that I have used, you can also add in radish and spring onion as per availability.  This is very much popular in the whole of UAE and is served in all local restaurants. 

          The word "Fattoush" is derived from the word "fatteh" which in Arabic means crumbs. This basically refers to any leftover khubz / pita bread that are cut into small pieces, toasted in olive oil till crunchy and then added to the salad. So this bread is the star ingredient in this salad. 

          Fattoush salad recipe differs from home to home, restaurant to restaurant and from one Middle Eastern country to another. However, the base of the salad remains basically the same - cucumber, tomato, capsicum and lettuce, apart from pita and sumac. 

Ingredients - 

• 1 small cucumber, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/2 capsicum, chopped
• 1/2 cup red & yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 5-6 olives, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• handful of lettuce, torn into small pieces
• handful of mint & coriander leaves, chopped
• 1-2 pita bread / khubz bread, cubed
• 1 tbsp. olive oil

Salad Dressing - 

• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. sumac powder / powdered dry pomegranate seeds
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• 1/4 tsp. pepper powder
• 1-2 garlic cloves, grated / crushed
• 1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
• pinch of salt

          For the dressing, in a small bowl, mix together all the mentioned ingredients and keep aside. 

          Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil and toast the cubed khubz bread till crisp. Keep aside.

          In a large bowl, combine all the chopped veggies, olives, lettuce, coriander and mint leaves. 

          While serving, drizzle the salad dressing and add the toasted bread to the salad and give it a mix. Spoon into individual bowls and enjoy. 

                                  All the chopped veggies.

                      For the salad dressing, in a small bowl, mix together all the mentioned 

                      ingredients and keep aside. 

                              In a large bowl, combine all the chopped veggies, olives, lettuce,

                                  coriander and mint leaves. 

                                  While serving, drizzle the salad dressing.

                      Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil & toast the cubed khubz bread till crisp. Keep aside.

Add the toasted bread to the salad and give it a mix. 

                                 Spoon into individual bowls and enjoy.