Chicken tikka masala with a twist !!

This is the same chicken tikka masala which many  Britishers claim to be their national food.:) I have made only marginal changes and named it chicken tikka masala with a twist !! Enjoy...

Ingredients:

Chicken(Leg quarters) -2pounds

Curd-1Cup

Ginger /garlic paste-2tbspn

Onion-1large(Chopped finely)

Tomatoes-3(Pureed)

Whole garam masala-1cinamon stick,4small cardamons,1 big cardamon,1 bay leaf

Capsicum, bell pepper, onion, tomato-1Cup (Diced into cubes)

Dhaniya (Coriander) powder-1tbspn

Jeera(cumin) powder-1tbspn

Oil-3tbspn

Mustard oil-2tbspn

Fenugreek leaves -2tbspn

Garam masala-1tbspn

Coriander leaves -To garnish

Method:

Mix together curd,salt to taste,haldi powder,jeera powder,dhaniya powder , 1bspn of fenugreek powder and 2tbspn mustard oil to the raw chicken , let it marinate for 30minutes. Heat 1tbspn of oil,add marinated chicken and let it cook from both sides.After the chicken is done , keep it aside.

Heat oil in another wok ,add the whole garam masala,add finely chopped onion.Saute till brown, add ginger/garlic paste and saute till the raw smell vanishes.Add the pureed tomatoes ,fry till the oil separates.Add the diced vegetables and mix well .When the vegetables are done ,add the done chicken pieces to the gravy. Add jeera  powder,dhaniya powder,fenugreek leaves and mix well. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve it hot with naan/chappati.

Suji Halwa

Ingredients-
Suji (Semolina )-1cup
Atta ( Wheat flour) -2tbspn
Sugar-1cup
Water-2.5 cups
Cardamom powder(elaichi)-1tspn
Ghee(clarified butter)- half cup

Method-
Heat ghee in a wok, add suji and atta ,saute till the mixture turns brown. Add hot water and sugar and mix well. When the ghee starts separating switch off the stove. Add elaichi powder ,mix well .Garnish with dry-fruits and serve hot or warm. Enjoy!!!!

RAJA PITHA ( RICE CAKE )

This is a traditional cake made in Odisha, India of rice and coconut. It tastes best after cooling completely.You can have it  with or without curry.This cake is made during in Odia houses at the time of Raja  festival during the starting of monsoon season.

Ingredients-
Rice flour -3cups
Jaggery -2cups
Salt-1tspn
Grated coconut -1//2cup
Sliced coconut -1/2cup
Water-6cups

Whole pepper -8 ( Ground to coarse powder )

Ginger sliced into small pieces -1/2tspn
Saunf -1/4tspn
Elaichi (cardamom) powder -1tspn
Ghee-1tspn
Banana leaves-4medium



Method-

Boil water in a heavy bottomed vessel. Add jaggery , let it mix well.Add grated coconut, sliced coconut,  pepper powder , ginger, salt, saunf and elaichi powder then mix well .Add the rice flour slowly and continuously mix so that no lumps are formed in low flame. Place a pan vessel on low flame , place on it a layer of banana leaf .Apply ghee all over the leaf with your hand. Put the rice mixture over in and cover it with another layer of banana leaf and cover it with a tight lid .Let the cake cook on slow flame  for 20 minutes. Then turn the cake and let it cook on slow flame for 20 minutes or till done.To check whether the cake is done ,prick a knife in the center ; when removed it should come out clean. Let the  cake cool down completely .Serve it with any curry of your choice or eat it like that....Enjoy !!!!

Lemon rice

Ingredients -

• Steamed white rice -2cups
• Cashew nuts-10
• Oil-2tbsn
• Curry leaves-A few
• Peanuts-10
• Turmeric powder (haldi)-1tspn
• Lemon -1(extract the juice )
• Green chilli- 2
• Salt-To taste
• Asafoetida(hing)-A pinch
• Urad dal-1tspn
• Channa dal-1/2tspn
• Mustard seeds -1tspn

Method-

Heat oil in a wok ,add asafoetida(hing)  and mustard seeds.Let these splutter. Add Urad dal, Chana dal,green chilli and curry leaves.Sauté till the Urad dal and Channa dal turn golden brown .Add cashew nuts and peanuts,sauté till they are golden brown .Add the steamed white rice ,add salt,haldi powder. Switch off the stove. Add lemon juice to the rice and mix well.  Serve with sambar or rasam .Enjoy !!!

Ridge gourd with khus khus (poppy seeds)

Ingredients-
 Ridge gourd -1kg
Potato-1medium
khus khus-4tbspn
Onion-1medium
Tomato-1medium
Garlic-2medium
Chilli -2
Salt-To taste
Oil-2tbspn
Water-10tbspn


Method-

Cut ridge gourd and potato into cubes.Heat oil in a pan ,add onion ,saute till brown.In the mean while soak khus khus (poppy seeds) and garlic in 12tbspn of water for 1/2hr,then grind into fine paste.After the onion is done add chilli , ridge gourd and potato and sauté till done.Add salt to taste.Cover the lid and let the vegetables cook till half ,add garlic and khus khus paste ,mix well .Cover the lid till the vegetables are completely done and the khus khus and garlic paste is cooked well.Serve hot with roti or rice....enjoy!!