Keema Aloo [Minced Meat & Potatoes]

I absolutely love this dish! Everyone has their version of this dish, so this one is mine. Try it and let me know...

Goodies:

• 1/2 kg minced beef / lamb
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 3 medium tomatoes diced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 1/2 tbs tomato puree 
• 1 cup peas
• 6 cloves
• 4 whole black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 black cardamon
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp garlic paste
• 6 tbs oil
• 4 cups water
• 2 tbs lemon juice
• 3 tbs chopped coriander leaves
• Salt according to your taste

1. Heat oil on medium low flame and add bay leaf and chopped onions and fry until it turns light brown in color.
2. Now add black cardamon, whole black pepper, cloves, ginger and garlic paste and fry for a minute or two. 
3. Pour in the tomato puree, chopped tomatoes, diced potatoes, cumin powder, turmeric powder, chilli powder & coriander powder and fry this for a few minutes and then add 2 cups of water. Close the lid and cook this for 20 to 30 minutes until the potatoes are soft and most of the water has evaporated.
4. Now add the peas, the minced meat and 2 cups of water and cook this until the some of the water has dried up.
5. Add salt, ground black pepper & garam masala . Cook this till most of the water has evaporated.

6.  Mix in the lemon juice and sprinkle with some coriander leaves.

   Serve it hot with rice or naan.

  

Cheesy Chicken & Sausage Pasta

This is something I learnt from my sister Nadia when I was a teenager. Till today I think my sister makes the best pasta and lasagna in the whole world and every time I meet her I still beg her to make me pasta.
I added very few changes here and there just to suite my taste. I hope you guys like it?
I won't say this tastes anything like your traditional Italian Pasta but it still tastes nice. Give it a shot.. It's easy and very simple to make. :D



Goodies You Need:

• Sea Shell pasta 300 - 350g ( I used this type because this  one tends to hold the sauce in. But you can use any other kind you like or whatever is available in the stores)
• 2 1/2 cups Milk
• 6 Cheese Slices (the ones used in sandwiches) You may also use grated cheddar cheese and if you do, use around 1/4 cup or a bit more depending on how cheesy you want it.
• 1 tsp cornflour mixed in 4 tbs water
• 1 1/2 tsp  dried Oregano
• 1 tsp dried Thyme
• 1 tsp paprika flakes
• 1/2 tsp dried mint flakes
• 3 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 chopped green capsicum
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 1 tbs ginger garlic paste
• Fresh Mint Leaves chopped
• 5-6 tbs Olive Oil
• 1 1/2 cup diced boneless chicken (previously boiled)
• 6 chicken sausages cut into small pieces
• Salt according to your taste

1. In a deep non stick pan, heat up the olive oil on a medium flame. Once the oil is hot add the chopped onions and just a pinch or two of salt. (Salt stops the onions from becoming brown) Fry it until the onions become soft and almost transparent.

2. Now add the ginger garlic paste and fry it for a minute and then add the capsicum and fry for two to three minutes.

3. Add the boiled boneless chicken pieces, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika flakes and the sausages and fry this for three to four minutes. At this point you may need to add a tablespoon or two of more oil.

4. Pour the milk in and let it come to a boil after which you add the cornflour mixture in. Once the cornflour is added stir the milk until it thickens.

5. Add the cheese slices one by one and let this cook for a few minutes on low heat. If you are using grated cheddar cheese, add it some at a time, wait for it to melt, taste it and if you want more cheese add it. 

6. Now add the dried mint flakes and the ground pepper. At this point add little bit salt. It's okay if your sauce is a little less salty at this point because after you add the pasta it will balance out.

7.In another pot boil water with around 1 tbs salt and a little bit of oil. Then add the pasta and let this boil for  about 10 - 15 minutes to cook.Make sure your pasta does not get too soft or else the dish will be a huge mess.Once it's cooked, drain the water from the pasta (reserve around 1 cup of the pasta water just in case your sauce is insufficient) and spread the pasta in a dish. 

8. Pour the sauce into the pasta and gently fold it in to make sure the sauce coats the pasta. The pasta should just be coated in the sauce and not be floating in it. If you notice that the sauce is not going to be sufficient for the pasta then add a few table spoon of that pasta water you reserved, mix and put it back in the pan and heat it up a little bit more.

8. Sprinkle the fresh mint leaves and serve.