Sunday, January 27, 2013

Bhindi masala(Ladyfinger )





Ingredients-
Ladyfinger or bhindi-1/2 kg
Onion -1medium(sliced)
Oil-1tbspn
Fenugreek leaves or methi leaves -1tbspn
Channa masala -2 tspn
Salt- to taste
Haldi or turmeric powder -a pinch
Tomato-1 small (chopped)
 Asafetida - A pinch
Whole jeera or cumin-1/2tspn
Garlic pods-2(chopped)




Method-
Heat oil in a pan, add whole jeera ,asafetida,chopped garlic, and sliced onion. Saute till done.Add ladyfinger ,salt to taste, haldi powder,channa masala,mix well. Cover the lid for 5 minutes.Remove the lid add chopped tomato ,methi leaves mix well, check if the lady finger is done .If  it is not done cover the lid till the vegetable is done.serve hot with roti. Enjoy!!!




Sunday, January 20, 2013

Pomegranate phirni



A SPECIAL RECIPE FOR MAKAR SANKRANTI---- 

Ingredients-
Rice paste -1cup   (soak rice overnight, grind with water and pomegranate the next day)
Milk- 4 cups
Pomegranate -1/2 cup
Sugar -To taste or 4 tbspn
Elaichi ( cardamon ) powder
Dry fruits -  To garnish


Method-
Heat milk in a pan, allow it to simmer. Add the rice and pomegranate paste .Mix well and allow it to  boil for 5 minutes so that  rice is cooked well.  Add sugar and mix and simmer till you get the right flowing consistency. Switch off  the stove;  add elaichi powder and mix well.  Garnish with your favorite  dry fruits . Serve cold !!!!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Walnut chocolate cake






A great treat for all on a Sunday morning....


Ingredients -
All purpose flour or maida-1cup
Ghee or clarified butter-1/2cup
Cocoa powder-4tb spn
Baking powder-1tspn
Walnut -Chopped
Sugar -2/3rd cup
Curd-1/4cup
Salt-A pinch
Eggs-2


Method-
  • Preheat oven to 350 degree F , grease a round cake pan with oil and preheat .
  • Sieve together salt,cocoa powder,baking powder and maida; 3 times. 
  • Keep aside the dry mixture.  In a bowl beat together the eggs, sugar and butter .
  • Add the dry mixture and the curd. Fold the mixture together till the batter is mixed well.
  • Pour the batter in the preheated pan. Add chopped walnuts and mix together and bake it for 20  minutes or till done.
  • You can insert a toothpick in the center of the batter to check if it is baked or not. If its baked well,  the toothpick will come out clean. 
  • Serve when the cake is cooled.  






Saturday, January 5, 2013

KASHMIRI DUM ALOO








Ingredients-
Small potatoes or baby potatoes -7-8(boiled , pricked and marinated with salt and haldi powder)
Ginger and garlic paste- 1tspn
Cashew - 2
Almond-  3
Salt- -- To taste
Haldi powder- A pinch
Tomato puree- 1cup
Onion-1medium (Chopped)
Kashmiri red chillies-2
Oil-Approx 1cup (For deep frying and making the curry)

Method-
Heat oil in a kadhai, fry the marinated and boiled baby potatoes till these turn golden brown .I have not peeled out the skin of the potatoes. If you wish, you can take them out. Keep aside over kitchen towel so that all excess oil is absorbed. In the same oil add chopped onion and kashmiri red chillies ,saute till done. Add ginger-garlic paste and saute till the raw smell vanishes. Add tomato puree and  cashew and almond pieces then saute till done. Let the mixture cool; grind it in a mixer with 1/2cup of water. Pour the done mixture again in the kadhai; let it boil ; add a pinch of haldi powder , garam masala powder and salt. (Be careful in adding salt as while marinating the potatoes, you have already added salt) Add the fried baby potatoes to the curry ,bring to boil for 5minutes. Switch off the stove and add cream and coriander leaves for garnishing. Serve hot with paratha or naan.


P.S- 
I was going through an article which I thought would benefit my viewers too. Posting for your perusal.
Health benefits of potato skin
1. Potato skin contains a variety of phyto-nutrients – carotenoids, flavonoids and caffeic acid, which are a natural source of anti- oxidants which helps in preventing cellular deterioration of the body. It also contains protein called patatin which helps in lowering the blood pressure and protects against heart diseases.
2. It contains potassium and the fibrous skin is filled with roughage which leads to healthy digestion.
3. It is a great source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, Calcium, Copper, Manganese and Zinc. Along with that it contains 18% of the recommended daily intake of iron and 7.5 grams of protein.
4. You won’t believe this but eating potato with their skin acts as an anti- acid ; thus, helping the digestive system and those suffering from constipation, The skin helps boosting the immune system as well, decreasing the chances of falling ill.