Mouthwatering BBB Asha's magic recipe

What should I say about Asha's recipe of BBB or Bise Bele Bath. This is the second time I had made it in these 15-20 days ;). Vegetables like beans, carrots and peas are boiled and then cooked in a dal mixture along with tomatoes and the aromatic BB spice powder. mmmmhhhhh my mouth is watering writing it too :). Believe me, the house is filled with such a nice aroma when you are making it, you will wish to have it at the same moment.

Whenever I voice chat with my parents I show them the recipes I make for their dear son-in-law :). Today morning I showed them some snaps along with this BBB too. My father asked me what is it, is it Biryani ? ;) I said hmmmm no and started giving hints saying that its a recipe I learnt from my friend Asha. It is a comfort food, a wholesome meal in itself a favorite one from Bangalore- Mysore area of Karnataka state in India.

After just telling him the name of the state you know he guessed it loudly - it is Bise Bele Bath is'nt it ? :D. I told yes Nana(that is wt I call him ;)) it is, how do you know about it? He said Oh! I very well know about it it tastes so good as I had a chance to taste it when one of my colleagues shared his lunch:).

It is just like our sambhar rice but with a different masala that is BB masala. I couldn't take any snaps the first time I made it because these days we are spending our time visiting parks and having lunch there nicely packed from home on one day of the weekends. So, I packed everything in a hurry and couldn't take a snap.

I thank Asha, for sharing this wonderful recipe with us.

Serves 5-8
Cooking and Preparation Time - 1 hr - 1.30 hr approx

Ingredients :

For making the Bise Bele powder (these quantities mentioned will make around 1 cup of the powder which can be stored and used for future. Use as much powder as you need to make the Bise Bele Bath)
Dry Roast all the below ingredients until reddish brown and grind into a powder with 1/2 tbsp turmeric powder

Coriander seeds - 8 tbsp
Dry Red chillies- 4
Pepper corns-1 tbsp
Fenugreek seeds-1 tbsp
Chana Dal-2 tbsp
Cloves-8
Cumin seeds-1 tbsp
Mustard seeds- 1 tbsp
Cinnamon/Patta/Dalchini - 1 inch
Poppy seeds-2 tbsp
Curry leaves-10
Dry coconut-3 tbsp

For Gravy Preparation you will need

Onions - 2 sliced
Tomatoes - 2 big
Green beans, Carrots and Peas - 3 cups or according to your wish adjust it (cooked separately, I microwaved them for few mins. You can do whichever way possible to you)
Ghee - 2 tbsp
Cashews, Peanuts - 2 tbsp each or more
Toor Dal - 1 cup cooked ( I didnt have it so used Masoor Dal for the second time I made it, taste was same)
Red Chillies - 2
Mustard seeds - 1tbsp
Few curry leaves
Tamarind juice
Jaggery - 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

Also, cook Basmati/Sona masoori rice 2 cups and keep aside separately.

Method :

1. In a deep pan heat ghee, then add cahews, peanuts, mustard, dry red chillies, curry leaves, sliced onions and saute until they are brown. Now add, tomatoes, salt and fry they are half cooked(not mushy).
2. Then add Tuar dal, tamarind juice, jaggery, cooked veggies, powder that we made and 10 cups of water.
3. Boil until it is reduced to atleast half its amount until oil specks on top. Add more water to make the consistency thin if you want. Keep it in fridge overnight. Next day boil it again.
4. Add the cooked rice and mix with the gravy. Cook on low heat until its thick.
5. Garnish with coriander and serve hot with raita or by itself.

Note :
Cut the amount to half since it serves 8 people. Also, instead of using the gravy the other day I used it the same day itself keeping some in the fridge for next days use.

The recipe is an exact copy from Asha's blog except the dal. I used Masoor instead of Tuar. I also tried it with Tuar the first time I had made it. Both tasted the same with slight difference. So, you can use whichever you feel like :).

If you observe, Asha's blog's header banner has BBB snap ....;). Enjoy!

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Instant Rava Idli and Palli Chutney

This is my first attempt in making Rava Idlies and I must say I am really impressed the way they turned out and tasted. I feel they are far more easier than the ordinary ones. I should really try to add new things each time to make it even more interesting :). So here is the recipe...

Serves 2-3
Cooking and Preparation Time 15 mins approx

Ingredients :

Sooji/Rava - 2 cups
Yogurt - 1 cup beaten
Baking soda - 1/4 tbsp
Water
Few Curry leaves
Mustard, Jeera, Urad Dal for tempuring
Oil - 2 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method :

1. In a non stick pan fry the rava with 1 tbsp oil slightly for 3-5 mins without burning and let it cool.
2. In a bowl add the rava, beaten curd, baking soda and water. Mix together without forming lumps. The consistency should be medium little thicker than pouring consistency. Let the batter rest for 15 mins.
3. In a small pan do the tempuring by adding the remaining 1 tbsp aoil and urad dal, mustard, jeera seeds along with the curry leaves and fry till they are brown.
4. Now add this to the batter and mix well. Also, add salt.
5. Preheat the Idli Plates container with water few mins before placing the idli plates in them.
6. Grease the idli plates with Pam or any oil and pour the batter into the plates accordingly.
7. Now place the plates in the container and heat 10 mins on medium heat.
8. Remove them with a knife or spoon by immersing it in water each time you remove an idli.(will make it easier which is optional and you can remove normally as you do too)
9. Serve hot with your favorite chutney.

You can check my peanut chutney recipe here.

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Chicken Kofta Curry and Mango Lassi

Few days back I tried this kofta curry with minced chicken instead of using mutton as we always do. It was our sunday lunch with some mango lassi. So, lets get started with the recipe now.

Serves 4-5
Cooking and Preparation Time - 30-45 mins

Ingredients :

For Kofthas :

Minced Chicken - 1 pack (as available in stores)
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbsp
Coriander - 1/4 cup or more
Garam masala - 1/2 tbsp
Ginger Garlic paste - 1/2 tbsp
Lemon juice - 2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Oil for shallow or deep frying
Oil for cooking - 3 tbsp

For the Gravy :

Onions - 2 sliced roughly
Green chillies - 1-2
Chilli powder
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbsp
Ginger garlic paste - 1/4 tbsp
Poppy seeds - 2 tbsp
Dry coconut - 1/4 piece

Method :

1. Dry fry poppy seeds, dry coconut and make a powder. Also, fry sliced onions separately  in 1 tbsp oil along with turmeric powder, ginger garlic paste, green chillies, chilli powder and add to the dry powder in the same mixie jar. Then grind all together to make a paste which we be the gravy.
2. Now in a bowl mix everything mentioned for making kofthas except oil.
3. Make small balls and keep them aside on a plate.
4. Deep fry/shallow fry them removing them on a tissue paper to drain excess oil.
5. Now in deep pan, fry the paste we made in a tbsp of oil for the raw smell to away. Then, to it add these kofthas and cook covered on low-medium heat for 20-25 mins.
6. Garnish with coriander and serve hot with rice or rotis.

Ingredients :

Mango - 1 skin peeled and sliced roughly
Sugar - 1/4 cup
Elaichi/Cardamom - 1-2
Yogurt - 1/2 cup
Milk - 1/4-1/2 cup
Crushed ice

Method :

1. In a blender, first blend mango slices and sugar together.
2. Then add all the other ingredients and blend nicely.
3. Serve chilled. 

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Stir Fry Thai Rice Noodles

This is the first time I have made Thai food at home. We completely enjoyed having it and will plan to make it very often from now on. I used Thai curry paste, Stir Fry Thai Rice noodles and combined it with some stir fry veggies to go with them. Believe me, the curry paste tastes just like our Indian pickle though the ingredients are different ;). So, here is the recipe. Many Thai Stir Fry sauces are also available in the grocery stores which can be used too.

Serves 2
Cooking and Preparation Time - 15-20 mins

Ingredients :

Stir Fry Thai noodles - 1 pouch
Stir Fry Vegetables - 1-1.5 cups Frozen any brand
Thai Red Curry Paste - 2-3 tbsp
Oil - 1-2 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method :

1. Microwave the packaged stir fried noodles for 1-2 mins and keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a non stick pan, add stir fry veggies and fry for a min.
3. Sprinkle salt, then add the curry paste.
4. Add, Stir Fry noodles and mix together well so that curr paste sticks together.
5. Heat on low -med heat for 5 mins and serve.

This recipe is on its way to Vegan Thai Event hosted by Priya of Akshayapataram and Vaishali of Earth Vegan.

Have a nice and sunny weekend everyone!

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Strawberry Smoothie/Lassi and an award

Ever since I tried making Lassi or Smoothie using strawberries, mangoes or any other fruits at home, I am hooked to them :D. I never thought they were so easy to make yet healthy too. We have many different varieties out there out of which I consider this one a very simple and easy one for starters like me who want to learn how to make them.

Serves 2
Preparation Time 5 mins or less

Ingredients :

Strawberries - 1 cup or 7-8 frozen thawed or fresh ones ( I prefer fresh and use for this one too)
Milk - very little 1/4 cup
Yougurt - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 4-5 tbsp or more if you prefer
Crushed Ice  as you prefer

1. Place the strawberries with sugar in a blender and mix it well.
2. Add yogurt, milk, crushed ice and blend once again.
3. Strawberry lassi or smoothie is ready. Phew isn't that a very big recipe :D. There is hardly any ;).

This entry is on its way to Refreshing Drinks- RD ( Research and development for summer hosted by AnuSriRam.

And, now for the award. Madhu and Trupti my dear blogger friends have passed me this award. I feel very happy and on top of the world. I thank both of them for thinking of me. Also, thank all of my blogger friends for their love and support.

 

Award is kind of new to me so, if I am wrong somewhere please forgive me. I pass this award to all my blogger friends and wish could do more justice if the number was infinite :). Kindly accept this award my dear friends. Just because I miss or did not mention anyone's name in the list dont think you are not award worthy. This is for all of you. So,enjoy!

Now for the rules:

1) Add the logo of the award to your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs (Only if you like).
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blog

Asha : If at all there is anything beyond an award I would like to present it to her making an exception. She is one energetic woman who not only cooks delicious recipes, entertains us with her chit chat we all love to hear, cheers up everyone, inspiring us leaving her lovely comments, giving us her never ending love. My hats off to this super woman.

Usha(Veg Inspirations), Mangala Bhat (Recipe 24/7), Super Chef (Mirch Masala), Varsha (Will ' O the Wisp), Anu SriRam (Chandrabaga), Mahima's Kitchen, Priya's Sourashtrian Kitchen, Varunavi (My Kitchen's Aroma), Srivalli , Sia, VineelaSiva, Vibaas, Uma, Malar, Priya of Akshyapatram, Pooja, Priya of Srikar's Kitchen, Prathibha, Ranjani, Shama,Ramya Vijaykumar, Kitchen Flavors, Aquadaze, Sharmilee,Meeso, Deesha, Le @HC  and so on.

Okay girls, I am short of names but this is for everyone :). Congrats all of you in advance. :) Enjoy!

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Cucumber Chaaru with Fried Salmon

One of the most favored foods of S is fish. I am allergic to Shrimp so, it is out of question to try it but, fish I used to have it in India that too the non smelly ones very occassionally. After coming to US, never tasted it except once or twice due the smell. I would appreciate your tips or tricks on how to remove the fish smell or to buy one that does'nt smell :D. This is a simple fried version of salmon fillets. We normally use  frozen ones available in Costco.

I normally buy cucumbers from the Indian grocery for making salads or using them in raitas, but from few months I have been buying English cucumbers from Costco. Unlike the ones at Indian groceries they are seedless so, grating and cutting them is so so easy. Most of all they stay for almost 3 weeks. They are big and come as a set of 3. Why am I telling all this to you :)? because, I made Chaaru with these cucumbers and it was so tasty.

Fish Fry

Serves -1
Cooking and Preparation Time - 15-20 mins

Ingredients :

Salmon Fillet - 1 (Atlantic Salmon Frozen Type) thawed
Lemon Juice - 2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Chilli powder - 1/4 -1/2tbsp
Coriander powder - 1/4 tbsp
Cumin powder - 1/4 tbsp
Pepper powder - 1/4 tbsp
Oil - 2-3 or more tbsp
Few Curry leaves

Method :

1. Rub the lemon juice on the fillet and keep aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix together all the spices along with 1/2 tbsp oil keeping the rest for frying. You will have a spice paste.
3. Now rub this paste nicely on the fillet and refrigerate it for 30 mins.
4. In a non stcik pan, heat the remaining oil add curry leaves and then the marinated fillet.
5. Fry it on low-medium heat turning sides slowly and cook covered until fish gets cooked.
6. Serve hot along with rice and dal.

Cucumber Chaaru

Serves 3-4
Cooking and Preparation Time- 30 mins

Ingredients :

Cucumber -1 cup or more Any type (but I used english ones) skin peeled and diced
Toor Dal - 1/2 cup pressure cooked with 2-3 whistles along with turmeric pwder(1/4 tbsp), a drop of oil and salt (very small qty)
Tamarind juice - 1 cup dilute not very tangy
Onion - 1 small sliced
Green chillies - 2 slit vertically
Few curry leaves
Mustard + Cumin seeds - 1/2 tbsp pr more
Chilli powder - 1/2 tbsp increase or decrease according to your spice levels
Oil - 2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Coriander - 1/4 cup finely chopped

Method :

1. Mash the cooked dal and keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a deep pan add, cumin, mustard, sliced onions, green chillies, curry leaves and fry until the onions are fried.
3. Then add, cucumbers and salt.
4. Cook covered for 5 mins on medium heat till you notice that they are cooked or 3/4 cooked.
5. Then add chilli powder, coriander chopped and saute well.
6. Now add tamarind water and mix well.
7. Then add, mashed dal and add water if necessary to dilute it if its thick.
8. Now let it come to a boil and reduce heat to low and cook for 5 more mins.
9. Cucumber Chaaru is ready to be served along with rice and your favorite curry.

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Pesarattu Palli Chutney / Moong Sprouts Dosa Peanut Chutney

Pesarattu,  a south indian breakfast or tiffin is made with Moong Sprouts and tastes like heaven when had in combination with ginger chutney or which we call it as allam tokku :D. I made peanut or palli chutney and it was good too. S loves Pesarattu a lot which makes me remember my neice Jahnavi who likes it too ;). For garnishing it, one can use grated ginger, cumin seeds, finely chopped onions which are all the ones I have seen so far :). If you know something else you can add it too :D. Green chillies are S's enemies :) and he freaks out if he sees them any where in the food. So, I grind them along with the sprouts to avoid that ;).

Serves 3-4
Cooking and Preparation Time 20 mins or more approx to make around 4-5 dosas (may vary from person to person)

Ingredients :

Moong Sprouts - 2 cups
Rice - Any type - 1/4 cup
Ginger - 1 inch (skin peeled)
Green Chillies - 2 medium increase or decrease according to your spice levels
For garnishing - finely chopped onions, cumin seeds, grated ginger, green chillies finely chopped
Salt to taste
Oil for drizziling around the dosas

Method :

1. Soak Moong Sprouts and Rice together after washing them until you see clear water for 8-10 hrs before grinding into a paste along with green chillies and ginger piece. I usually soak it in the morning at 8 a.m and grind it the evening at 6 p.m. One can soak it one day before too. (No diiference of taste will be there.) Add salt to the batter after grinding it into a paste.
2. Heat a non stick pan preferably and pour spoonfuls of batter on it and spread it in circular motion.
3. Scrape of any excess thick batter and add oil on the sides.
4. Now toppings can be added.
5. Let it heat for few mins till you notice that it is turning color and remove it from heat.
6. Serve hot with your favorite chutney.

You can find the recipe to make Peanut/Palli Chutney in my Tiffins/Breakfast (Dosa) section.

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Blogging for my Friend - Murukku and Gulab Jamuns....mmhh crunchy and yummy :)

When I asked my friend Swapna do you want me post anything for you and have any snaps, she was very excited :). So, these are Swapna's recipes and I feel happy to post them on my blog. Since she is busy with her kid I am glad to share her recipes with all of you. I hope you all will like them. Any non bloggers who wish to post their recipes can send them to my email id vishkamenani@gmail.com. I would be glad to share them on my blog.

For Murukkulu

Ingredients :

Rice flour - 2 cups
Gram flour -1/2 cup
Sesame seeds - 1-2 tbsp
Butter melted - 1/4 stick
Chilli powder - 1-2 tbsp or more
Salt to taste
Water enough to make the dough
Oil for deep frying

Muruku maker for making murukkus

Method :

1. In a bowl mix together everything except oil meant for deep frying. You should make the dough thick and not loose or thin consistency.
2. Now heat oil in a deep frying pam, place a golf sized ball in the murruku maker (choosing the plate of whichever deisgn you want) and press it in hot oil.
3. Fry the murkus until they are slightly reddish and remove them onto a tissue draining excess oil.
4. Store in air tight containers and serve as snacks.

For Gulab Jamuns

Ingredients :

Gulab Jamun Mix - 1 pack MTR Brand (you can use any store brought)
Baking soda - a pinch
Water/Milk - 1/4 cup or until the dough is consistent enough to make firm balls
Oil for Deep Frying
Sugar Syrup ( Made from 1/2 litre water and 500 grams sugar)

Method :

1. In a bowl, add one pack of the Gulab Jamun mix and add baking soda along with milk/water and make a firm dough consistent enough to make small balls. Mix carefully to avoid lumps.
2. Then the keep the dough aside and prepare sugar syrup.
3. In a deep pan, add water(1/2 ltr) with sugar(500 gms) and boil it on medium heat until it reduces to half the amount.
4. Then in another deep pan, heat oil and dee fry small balls made out of the dough we made and remove them onto a tissue paper to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaning dough.
5. Let them cool and then put them slowly inside the sugar syrup made. After sometime you can see that the gulab jamuns absorb the surup.
6. Then serve them cold or as it is.

Vishu's Tip :

•  For soft and smooth Gulab Jamuns use milk rather than water to prepare the dough.
• For Murukkulu to have that crunchy yet melt in mouth taste add butter.

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Strawberry Cake for Birthday

I made this cake for S's birthday last week. Don't get astonished by thinking why the cake is in triangular shape bcoz I can explain it ;). Due to my impatience I tried to invert the cake before it was totally cool :D. Yeah, you heard me right. What to do, I never baked cakes so much, this is just my second one. But have learnt a lesson not to invert it before its completely cool :). Whatever it might be but we enjoyed having the cake, S liked it very much and we also got a chance to taste the plain one and the cream one too ;). Okay, let me tell you about how I made it. Many of my blogger friends are experts in making cakes and breads and I admire them a lot. So, the step by step images I am putting here may be useful for newbies like me.

Serves - 4-5 or more
Cooking and Preparation Time - 45 mins or more

Ingredients :

Ducan Hines Cake Mix - 1 Strawberry Supreme
(Just follow the instructions on it and make the cake)
Eggs - 3
Oil - 1/3 cup
Cake Pan - 8 inch

For Frosting

Vanilla Instant Pudding - 1 mixed with 1 cup milk and kept aside
Frozen Whipped Cream - 1cup (I used 1/2 cup only)
Strawberries for toppings - 2-3 (optional)
Frozen Strawberries blended and made into a thick juice - 4-5 or more ( I used fresh strawberries)

Method :

1. Preheat the oven for 350 C and start preparing the cake mix following the instruction on the box. As it says in a bowl first mix the cake mix powder along with oil and eggs using a whipper.
2. Grease the sides of a baking pan (I used 8 inch almost sqaure one) and pour the cake mix paste and place it in the oven baking it for 36-40 mins until its done.
3. Check with a tooth pick if its done or not. When the tooth pick comes out clean then the cake is done.
4. Remove the pan outside and let it cool for sometime before attempting to invert it.
5. After its cool, place a plate or cooling rack on the cake pna and invert it so that the cake falls on it perfectly.
6. Then, with a spoon cut 1 inch apart on the cake. Pour the strawberry juice we made so that it nicely absrorbs till the bottom.
7. Then, take the mixture(frosting) we made out of whipped cream and pudding and apply nicely on the cake evenly.
8. Lastly top it sliced strawberries if like.
9. Refrigerate it for atleast 4 hrs before serving.

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My 50th Post and some sweet hojaye with - Rasmalai !

Blogging for me has now become an addiction of sort. My husband says you are making me fat ;) trying new recipes from all the wonderful blogs out there. One thing I have learnt from my blogger friends is not only do they share their recipes with so much care and dedication, they also inspire, impart knowledge, unite all of us under this platform. I appreciate and thank each and everyone for taking their time to visit my blog and comment on the recipes.

So, atlast I have reached the 50th post in Food Lovers and am so excited about it. Here's Rasmalai to sweeten your tongue on this occassion :D. I was planning to make this for S's birthday this week, but didnt want any disasters on that day as this is the first time I am trying this recipe. I thank Vineela for sharing this recipe with us. Rasmalai came out very nicely and I am glad S liked it a lot. Hope you all will too :).

Serves 2
Cooking and Preparation Time 30-45 mins

Ingredients :

For Milk Syrup

Milk  - 2 cups ( I used 2% fat )
Sugar - 4 -5 tbsp approx or more as you prefer

For Making the Rasgulle

Milk - 2 cups
Lemon juice - 2 tbsp
Muslin cloth
Dry cloth

For making the Sugar Syrup in which the Rasgulle should be boiled

Sugar 1/2 cup approx
Water 3/4 cup
Cardamom powder - 1/2 tbsp or 2-3 crushed

For Garnishing

Pistachios and Almonds - 1/2 cup chopped
Saffron Strands - 4-5 (optional)

Imp Note : There is a recall on Pistachios due to the fear of Salmonella outbreak right now. So, you may want to check about it and buy before doing this recipe. I had Pistachios which I purchased very earlier.

Method for making Cream with the milk :

1. Heat milk in a container and keep stirring it until it is reduced to 1/4 of its amount. Once the milk starts to boil add the sugar and keep stirring it occassionally on low heat to make it like a thick consistency. Then keep it aside for cooling.

Method for making the Paneer with which we will make Rasgullas :

1. Heat milk in a separate container and bring it to a boil. Immediately add lemon juice while keep stirring and remove from heat else the milk curdles.
2. Now pour this mixture into a muslin cloth and run it under cold water for one min. Then, tightly bind the cloth removing all the excess water.
3. Again, put the mixture into another cloth and make it complete dry. If wet you may not be able to make them as they dont hold together. So, make sure its completely dry.
4. Then, you can see nice white dough like thing. Knead it nicely. Make small and round circles with the dough and press slightly as you do for chapati dough cirlces before rolling them.
5. After preparing all of them then keep them aside to start preparing the sugar syrup.

Method for making Sugar Syrup :

1. Add all the ingredients mentioned and bring it to  a boil. Then add the dumplings or small pressed circles into it slowly and let the syrup boil covering it for few mins. You will notice that circles or dumplings will double their size.

For the last step :

1. Then remove them slowly out of the sugar syrup and add them (onl the dumplings) to the milk cream we prepared.
2. Add some of the the chopped pistachios, alomonds and saffron strands.
3. Refrigerate it for 2-3 hours before serving.
4. Garnish with chopped pistachios and almonds before serving.

Have a wonderful weekend all of you ;) !

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Tri Color Pulav, Sukhi Gobi and OCC Raita

This easy to make Pulav consists of Carrots, Green Peas and Corn. So, the name Tri Color Pulav. Use fresh or frozen ones whichever you have and delicious Pulav can be made in just 30 mins. Along with it is Sukhi Gobi dry version of Cauliflower and OCC Raita is Onions Cucucumber and Carrots Raita ;). So heres the recipes.

Tri Color Pulav

Serves - 2-3
Cooking and Preparation Time - 20-30 mins

Ingredients :

Basmati Rice - 1.5 cups cooked
Carrot - 1 diced into cubes
Corn - 1/2 cup or more if you like ( I used frozen corn)
Green Peas - 1/2 cup or more if you like (I used petite peas frozen ones)
Onion - 1 medium-big sliced
Coriander- 1/4 cup chopped
Shahi Jeera or Cumin Seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Bay Leaf - 1
Cloves - 3-4
Cinanamom - 1/2 inch
Cardamom - 2
Salt to taste
Oil - 1-2 tbsp

Method :

1. Heat oil in a non stick pan, add cumin or shahi jeera, cinanamom, cloves, cardamom, bay leaf, sliced onions and fry till onions become slighlty reddish.
2. Then add carrots, peas, corn and salt.
3. Saute them well and cook covered for few mins until the raw smell of the veggies go away.
4. Then add the cooked basmati rice and mix well.
5. Add salt if necessary and cook on very low heat for 5-7 mins and the Pulav will be done.
6. Serve hot with any curry, dal or even raita.

Sukhi Gobi :

Serves -2
Cooking and Preparation Time - 15-20 mins

Ingredients :

Cauliflower or Gobi florets - 1/4
Onion - 1/2 chopped finely
Coriander - 1/4 cup
Chilli powder - 1/4 tbsp
Garam Masala - 1/4 tbsp
Coriander powder-1/4 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Oil - 2 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method :

1. Heat oil in a non stick pan, add cumin, chopped onions, turmeric powder and saute until onions gets fried.
2. Reduce the heat and add chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala and then add the cauliflower florets.
3. Add salt and saute well.
4. Cook covered and keep mixing it for evry few mins.
5. When all the water gets evaporated and you can see the Gobi is cooked the curry is ready.
6. Serve hot with rotis, rice or even bread.

Onion Cucumber Carrot Raita

Serves 2-3
Preparation Time - 15 mins or less

Ingredients :

Yogurt - 1-2 cups
Grated Carrots, Cucumbers - 1/2 cup or more if you like ( I used carrot(1) and cucumber (1/4))
Red Onion - 1/2 very finely chopped
Coriander finely chopped - 1 tbsp
Salt and Sugar - 1/2 tbsp

Method :

1. In a bowl beat the curd nicely and add all the other ingredients and mix well.
2. Serve cold or normal with rice of your choice.

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Dal Roti

I remember having this dal almost everyday for dinner with rotis which my mother made, back home in India. Both me and my father were the only ones who used to have it more than anyone else at home :). She used to add All Spice/Tailed Pepper/Kawab Chini to it which gave it a nice aroma and flavor.
It is a simple recipe, very easy to make when you have no time for making curries or want to have something different. I have altered my mother's recipe a bit by adding chana dal masala to it.

Serves 2-3 people
Cooking Time 20-30 mins

Ingredients :

Toor Dal/Kandhi Pappu - 1 cup
All Spice/Tailed Pepper/Kawab chini (optional) only if you like - 5-10
Onion sliced - 1
Tomato chopped - 1
Green chillies slit - 2-3
Coriander chopped - 1/2-1 cup
Chilli powder - 1 tbsp or less (according to your spice level)
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tbsp
Any Chana Dal Masala - 1 tbsp (I used MDH brand, using masala is optional)
Oil - 2-3 tbspSalt to taste
Ginger Garlic paste - 1/4-1/2 tbsp

Method :

1. Pressure cook the Toor Dal with 2 1/2 cups of water with 3-4 whistles. Do not smash the dal after it is cooked and just keep it aside for cooling.
2. Now take a saute pan, heat oil then add tailed peppers, onions, chillies and turmeric powder and saute till onions get fried.After which add ginger garlic paste, chopped coriander and mix.
3. Then, add chilli powder, dal masala, salt and chopped tomatoes to it mix well.Wait for tomatoes to cook roughly (not till they become complete paste) and then add the previously cooked dal to it and saute till everything is completely mixed.Add little water like 1/4 cup and let it cook on medium to low heat for 10 mins and the dal is ready.
4. Garnish with sliced onions and lemon juice.
5. Serve hot with rotis or plain rice.

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Cabbage Stir Fry Curry

A simple yet tasty curry which is good to eat with rice and rotis. I like this curry when made with green peas and coconut powder but, this one is a simple stir fry with only the coconut powder :). You can also add grated carrots to it, just mix and match with whichever ingredients mentioned above. Good for people who are new to cooking without any extra details to remember ;).

Serves 2
Cooking and Preparation Time 15-20 mins

Ingredients :

1/4 Cabbage - cut into very small pieces
Onion - 1/4 cup chopped finely
Ginger - 1/2 inch chopped
Coriander - 1/4 cup chopped
Few curry leaves
Cumin, Mustard seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Urad Dal - 1/2 tbsp
Oil - 2-3 tbsp
Green peas - 1/4 cup (I did not add, you can add)
Dry Coconut powder- 1 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbsp
Chilli powder - 1/2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Green Chillies - 1 (optional, I did not add)

Method :

1. Heat oil in a non stick pan, add urad dal, cumin, mustard seeds. Let them splutter and add chopped onions, turmeric powder, ginger and fry.
2. Then add chilli powder, salt, green peas, grated carrots ( if u want), and saute well.
3. Add cabbage and mix well.
4. Cook covered for 15 mins and stir occasionlly until caggage is cooked.
5. At the end, just before removing from heat add coconut powder and mix well.
6. Serve hot with roti, rice or even bread.

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