29 January 2015

KARA CHUTNEY SARAVANA BHAVAN STYLE


Ingredients

1/4 Cup of Tomato chopped
4-6 nos of Dry red Chillies
1Tbsp of grated carrot(Optional)
1 Tbsp of Urad Dhal
1 tbsp of Bengal gram(Kadalai Paruppu)
salt to taste

 To temper 


1 Tsp of oil
1/2 tsp of mustard seeds
1/4 tsp of Urad Dhal
1 strand of curry leaves

Method


In a pan fry all the items one by one by adding a drop of oil.
Add the roasted items,salt into a blender.
Grind it into a thick paste, then add little water and blend again.
Temper the items mentioned in the list and add it to the chutney.
Serve it with hot idli along with coconut chutney.



20 January 2015

QUINOA CHILLI

This chilli is hearty and very
very filling. The beans and quinoa team up to make this chili a protein power house! I love the texture the quinoa adds to the chili. It is my new favourite chili recipe.We enjoyed leftovers for a few days . And if you cant eat it all, put the chili in the freezer , it freezes really well.



Ingredients

1/2 cup Quinoa , rinsed
1 cup water
1 small onion finely chopped
3 cloves garlic , finely chopped
1 jalapeno , chopped
1 large carrot , peeled and chopped
1 zucchini chopped
1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can tomato sauce
2-3 tbsp chili powder, depending on your taste
1 tbsp cumin powder
salt to taste
1 tbsp olive oil

Method

In a medium pan, combine quinoa and water, Cook over medium heat until water is absorbed , about 15 minutes. Set aside.
In a large pot, heat olive oil over high heat. Add chopped onions and garlic. saute, add jalapeno, carrot and zucchini pieces. Cook until vegetables are tender about 10 minutes.
Add kidney beans and tomato sauce. Stir in the cooked quinoa , Add chili powder, cumin powder, salt. 
Simmer chili on low on low for 10-15 minutes, serve warm

Note - Garnish the chili with green onions, avacado slices, cheese, sour cream if desired.


14 January 2015

CARROT TOMATO CHUTNEY



Ingredients


2 nos carrot medium size
1 tomato chopped
6-8 dry chilli
5-10 cloves garlic chopped
pinch asafoetida
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tbsp urad dal
1 tbsp coconut oil
salt as per taste

Method

Wash and peel the carrots.  Cut tomatoes and carrots into medium sized cube.
Heat a kadai and heat a tbsp of oil on medium flame.
Add the dry chillies and urad dal  and cook for a minute. Add chopped garlic, asafoetida, cumin powder  and saute till light brown, now add carrot and tomato cubes.
Sprinkle some salt which helps the vegetables to release some water and makes cooking faster.
Cook covered till the tomatoes are soft and mushy.  
Remove the lid and cook for few more minutes till all the water released by tomatoes is almost evaporated.
When cooled, grind the cooked mixture  in a mixer grinder.
Add  salt.
Transfer to a serving bowl.
Goes well with dosas or idlis.

7 January 2015

EGG CURRY

Ingredients

8 nos eggs
1 onion finely chopped
2 nos tomato chopped or1 tbsp tomato puree
4 nos green chilli slit
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp crushed black pepper
2 tbsp coconut milk
salt as per taste
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
8-10 curry leaves

Method
Hard boil the eggs, remove shell and keep aside.
In a heavy bottomed pan, heat the oil and add the mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add the curry leaves.
Add the chopped onions, ginger garlic paste and the green chillies. Saute well for a couple of minutes till the onions turn slight golden brown in colour.
Add turmeric powder, garam masala powder , saute till raw smell disappear..
Now add the tomatoes or tomato puree , saute for few minutes.
Add the salt and crushed black pepper and stir well.
Lower the heat and add coconut milk. Once it starts to simmer, add the eggs to the curry. If you want you can make small slits in the eggs or cut them in half before you add them.
Remove from heat and serve hot.

25 December 2014

VEG HANDI


Ingredients

3 tbsp Cashew Paste
1 medium carrot chopped
8-10 french beanschopped
1 potato chopped
1/4 cup green peas
1/4 cup paneer cubes (optional)
1 onion finely chopped
1 tomato finely chopped
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
1 tbsp curd
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp chilli powder
2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp garam masala powder
1/2 tsp kasuri methi
2 tsp butter
salt as per taste
1 bay leaf
2 cloves
1 inch cinnamon 
few coriander leaves
Few mint leaves

Method
Soak cashews in hot water for 30 minutes. Drain ad blend the soaked cashews to a smooth paste.
Meanwhile while cashews are soaking steam the veggies in a steamer of cooker until half cooked.
Heat butter in a handi. Add cloves, Cinnamon and bay leaf., saute till fragrant,
Add chopped onions, and saute till golden brown.
Add ginger garlic paste, coriander leaves and mint leaves , stir and saute for a minute.
Now add chopped tomatoes and saute till pulpy .
Add turmeric, chili and coriander powder . Add cashew paste and curd . Stir often and saute till you see fat releasing from the sides.Add water, stir.
Add slit chilies and let the gravy begin to simmer. 
Àdd the steamed veggies alongwith salt and simmer on low.
Now add kasuri methi and garam masala powder . Cook for 10 more minutes.
Garnish with chopped coriander or mint leaves and serve with rotis or naan .

21 December 2014

LETTUCE SALAD WITH CILANTRO DRESSING



Ingredients

1 Large head of Romaine Lettuce
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 large orange or red bell pepper
1 large tomato chopped or 10 cherry tomatoes
1 avocado cut into cubes

For the dressing

1 cup loosely packed cilantro
1/2 avocado or 1/2 cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 garlic cloves
 1/4 cup olive oil
tsp vinegar
salt as per taste


Directions
Make the dressing -puree ingredients in blender until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary,
Finelychopp Romaince, tomatoes and bell pepper.
Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine,
Toss with dressing.

20 December 2014

CROISSANT


Ingredients

1 can Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Method 

Heat oven to 350F . Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Separate crescent roll dough into 8 triangles. Sprinkle about 1 tbsp chocolate chips on top of each triangle. If you think your triangle can hold more , add more. Press chips down lightly to get them to stick. Reserve remaining chocolate chips.
Roll up, starting from wide end and rolling to opposite point, Place into baking sheet and curve into croissant shape.
Bake 15 minutes or until deep golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet and allow to cool for 5 minutes. serve warm. Try adding whipped cream on top. Leftovers keep well covered tightly at room temperature for 3 days.