Alu Paratha

Its has been few days that I posted something :) and thought this would be a nice recipe to start with. Alu Paratha, I guess needs no introduction. Potatoes itself are loved and liked by many inspite of them being not so healthy. We can indulge in them once in while right :D. So, for new comers out there dont think its very tough to make rotis leave alone Alu Parathas which are stuffed version of rotis with Alu/Potatoes. The recipe here is not the only way Alu Parathas are made. One can mix and match with whatever spices you like.

Always remember, try and try. Practise will make you better and someday definetly perfect. When I started learning how to make rotis they were like many country maps :) instead of being a circle. So, I never let it ruin my passion for cooking and kept on doing them until I am here today. Let me not give a lecture before you run away and get started with the recipe :).

Serves - 2-4
Cooking and Preparation Time - 30 mins approx

Ingredients :

 

Chapati Dough/Wheat Flour - 1.5 cup kneaded with enough water, salt, 1 tbsp and kept aside covered with a cloth
Potatoes - 2 very large or 3 medium boiled with skin on and drain the water and mash the potatoes with no water in it
Coriander - 1/2 cup finely chopped
Green Chillies - 1-2 finely chopped (optional)
Chilli powder - 1/4 tbsp
Chat Masala - 1/4-1/2 tbsp
Cumin and Coriander powder - 1/2 tbsp together or Garam masala any combination
Oil
Lime juice - 2 tbsp optional but I added
Salt to taste

Method :

1. In a bowl place the mashed potatoes, add all the  ingredients below Potatoes except oil.
2. Mix together the potatoes so that all the spices are blended into it nicely.
3. Make small golf sized balls out of the mixture and place them a plate.
4. Now using the dough we made out of wheat flour and roll a roti of small size and place the potato mixture or stuffing ball in the centre of it.
5. Close all the ends and seal it. If necessary remove the excess dough.
6. Put some flour onto it and start rolling it slowly into a thin stuffed roti.
7. Heat tava/non stick pan, put the rolled out roti on it and when you notice that its getting puffed up change the direction and add oil on it. Repeat the same for the other side until you fry it to get a nice roti.
8. Serve hot for breakfast, lunch or even dinner along with any pickle or even raita or plain yogurt.

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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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