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.

Pancakes

                                                                   
What better way to start the day, right? :D I rarely wake up before 10 but on the days I manage to, I like to start my day with something nice. Pancakes are probably the most easiest thing to make but I posted this recipe  anyway.Even if you never made pancakes ever in your life I guarantee this is easy and does not require any technique... all you have to do is mix, pour and flip!

Stuff you need
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 cup milk (or a little bit more if the batter is too tight)
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 tablespoon of sugar (or more if you like it more sweet but this does turn out little sweet)
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 tbs melted butter
1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1. In a large bowl, mix in flour, sugar, salt, baking powder. Mix it a little and then add vanilla essence, melted butter, milk and egg which is beaten.
2. Gently fold it in (and not wrestle and beat the life out of it because that would just make the whole thing dense and too heavy and your pancakes won't be fluffy) until the batter is smooth.
3. On a medium to low flame,heat your non stick pan and very lightly grease it with a little bit of butter, just so that nothing sticks later on.
4.Once the pan is hot, use a ladle to pour the batter. If you hear a faint sizzle, then you know it's right. wait for a minute or two until bubbles start forming on the surface. ( the first two pancakes usually turn out a bit too pale)

5. Once you see the bubbles flip the pancake onto the other side and wait for half a minute or so until its golden brown.

If you are the kind that likes to have pancakes with maple syrup or honey, then its better you reduce the amount of sugar in the batter and increase the salt a little bit more. I love having pancakes with strawberries or cherry jam so I prefer them to be slightly sweet.
Try it and let me know how it turned out. 

Valentine Treat - Chocolate Pudding

                                                 
I am not a 'valentines day' kind of person but since love seems to be in the air today, I thought of posting a sweet delight. Hope you guys like it.

Goodies you need
1 1/4 cup sugar
3 tbs cornstarch
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup nestle fresh cream +5-6 tbs more
5 egg yolks
1 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 tbs butter, cubed
1/4 tsp coffee powder dissolved in 1/3 cup water
Chocolates shavings
7 tbs of good cherry jam or cherry filling ( you can use the jam or filling of any other fruit such as strawberry, raspberry, blueberry)

1. Mix sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder and salt in a bowl. Then add 1/2 cup of milk and mix till the batter is smooth and thick after which add the egg yolks and mix until its smooth. Add the coffee mixture in.
2. In a separate pan, mix the remaining of the milk and 1/2 cup cream and bring this to a boil.
3.Pour the hot milk very slowly into the cocoa batter, while whisking the batter constantly.[ It's a bad idea to add all the milk at once because that would increase the risk of scorching the eggs in the batter and you may end up with chocolaty scrambled eggs. <gross>] At this point taste the batter and check if you are happy with the level of sugar in it.
4.In a heavy bottom non stick pan, heat this on a medium flame stirring it every now and then (I prefer using a whisk to do this). The mixture would start to thickening after 3 to 4 minutes. Keep stirring until the mixture becomes thick to the consistency of mayonnaise. To check if you got the consistency right, dip a metal table spoon into the mixture and run your finger along the back of the spoon. If the line you just made remains in place even after tilting your spoon, then you know it's done. If not, then wait till it thickens some more.

5. Turn off the flame and add the butter and vanilla essence and stir. Keep it aside for 15 minutes till it cools down slightly.
6. Now the fun part... :D Pour this into cute little shot glasses or bowls of your choice and keep it in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes. A
7. Now that the pudding has cooled down, add the cherry jam or filling on top and then add the remaining of the fresh cream on top of the jam.

8.Sprinkle the chocolate shavings and put it back in the fridge and wait for at least 4 to 5 hours.

And.. TADAAAAAAAAA...  CHOCOLATE PUDDING!
Oh.. oh.. the most important step....
9. Take a spoon and dive into it!
And while you're at it, smack some on your sweetheart's face! ;)
enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

Do leave your comments and queries and don;t forget to subscribe! :D

Tawa Pulao

                                                       
If you are sick of having plain rice then give this a try. It is easy to make and tastes wonderful. Tawa pulao is actually a street food in India. I saw this on TV and was so tempted to try it. I came across many versions of this. Over time I changed a thing or two to suite my taste. So guys, here is my version of Tawa Pulao. Hope you like it. :)


Goodies You Need
2 1/2 cups Boiled Rice (Basmati rice works well)
2-3 tbs Oil
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Pav Bhaji Masala
1/2 tsp Garlic paste
1/2 tsp Ginger paste
1 large Onion finely chopped
1 Capsicum finely chopped
1 Tomato finely shopped
2 Green chilies chopped
1 1/2 tbs Lemon juice
1/2 cup Green peas boiled and mashed
1 Carrot boiled and diced (optional)
Fresh coriander leaves chopped
Salt according to taste

Lets roll!
1. Heat oil in a deep non stick frying pan and add the cumin seeds till it sputters and becomes brown.
2.Add the chopped onions and fry for a few minutes till it is slightly brown.
3.Now add ginger and garlic paste, capsicum, tomatoes & green chilies and saute for a few minutes until the tomatoes becomes soft.

4.Add mashed green peas, carrots, pav bhaji masala, paprika and a little bit of water (4-5 tbs) and mix it. 5.Cook this for a few minutes until some of the water has evaporated.
6. Mix in the rice, lemon juice, coriander leaves and salt and on a high flame fry it for 2 minutes. (You may add a little bit oil at this point.)
7.Garnish with a little bit of chopped onions and coriander leaves.
And enjoy!

Note: You may add more vegetables if you like. Sometimes I like to add pieces of boneless chicken,corn and cooked kidney beans as well and it tastes awesome.
If you are not into spicy food, then this is probably not something you might want to try.

Go ahead and try your own variation. Leave you comments and subscribe to my blog. :D

Spicy Lentils

 A friend of mine made a very special request to post this recipe. She tried this at my place few months back and totally loved it. Even my dad loves this and thought it was a good idea to put this up today. Hope you guys like it? :)                                               

                                                             

Stuff you need:

1.  Red lentils 1 cup
2. Water 5 cups
3. Salt (according to your taste)
4. 1 whole green chilli (slit from the center)
5. 3 cloves of garlic
6. 1 finely chopped ginger ( 1 inch cube)
7. 2 medium tomatoes, diced
8. Chopped Coriander leaves
9. 1 tsp coriander powder
10. 1 tsp turmeric powder
11. 1/2 tsp chilli powder ( or more if you are in a daring mood)
12. 1/4 tsp garam masala powder
13. 1 tsp Asafoetida (hing) powder [ This is optional, but adding this does add flavor. If you don't have this spice, you may use an onion instead, since this spice smells a lot like fried onions]
14. 2 tsp cumin seeds
15. Oil 4-5 tbs
16. 1 bay leaf

Okay here we go...

1. Wash the lentils till the water runs clear and keep them soaked in water for 15-20 mins and then drain the water. 
2. In a  pot, boil 5 cups of water and then add the lentils. Close the lid and let it sit there for 10 to 15 mins. (During this time, a froth starts forming on the surface. Take a spoon and throw out the froth coz  leaving it there just makes it nastyyyy!)
3. Add some salt to the lentils and let the lentils cook for another 10- 15 minutes and let some of the water evaporate.(You will know it's cooked, when the seeds swell up and get smushed easily between ur fingers or on the spoon. I like my lentils smooth so I use a whisk to get an even and silky texture. By doing this the lentils blend in with the water.) 
4. Take it off the stove and leave it aside once the whole thing is smooth and a little thick.
5. Now take medium sized frying pan and heat the oil.
6. Add bay leaf, garlic, ginger, cumin seeds, asafoetida and green chilli and fry for a minute. 

7. Now add the garam masala powder, turmeric powder, chilli powder & coriander powder and fry for a few seconds (on medium flame) and then add the tomatoes and fry for 4-5 minutes or till the tomatoes become soft. ( At this point add a tablespoon or two of some more oil just to prevent it from sticking to the pan.)

8. Add this to the lentils and then add in some of the coriander leaves and let it simmer for a few minutes. 

9 Garnish with the rest of the coriander and serve with rice.

Tip: Sometimes we all make blunders. I always mess up the salt. So while cooking if I feel I added too much salt to the lentils, I add some diced potatoes to it and after a while, I take them out. Potatoes absorb the excess salt in the dish. Another alternative to this is making a dough out of flour and water. Splitting the dough into a few balls and adding them to the lentils.

Try it out and let me know... :)

Dark Chocolate Cake

  

Goodies you need

For the cake batter:

• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup Cocoa Powder
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup hot coffee ( 2 tsp of coffee powder mixed in 1 cup hot water)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbs Vanilla essence

Chocolate Frosting

• 6 tbs cocoa powder
• 4-5 tbs sugar
• milk (about 15 to 20 tbs)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 5 tbs water
• 1 tsp corn flour
• 1 to 2 tbs butter

Lets get crackin!!! ;)

Making the batter: Keep two mixing bowls handy

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
• Whisk in the eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla essence, oil and salt in bowl 1, till the mixture is smooth and the sugar has blended in.
• In bowl 2, mix in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder & baking soda (preferably using a sieve to avoid lumps)
• Now pour in the wet ingredients of bowl 1 into bowl 2 and gently fold it in.
• Pour in the hot cup of coffee and mix. (Note: Do not add the hot coffee to the eggs or else you will end up with coffee flavored scrambled eggs)
• Pour the batter in your greased baking tin.I used a 9 inch tin that was 3 inch deep.It is better to use a deep tin or else it spills out later.
• Put it in the oven and PATIENTLY wait for 50 minutes. (If you use a bigger tin, the cake will cook faster so check on it after 40 minutes.)
• To check if the cake has set, stick in a tooth pick or a small knife right in the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, you know your baby is done. So take it out and leave it aside to cool.

Making the frosting:  

• Mix the cocoa powder, sugar, milk and salt till the batter is smooth and runny.
• dissolve the corn flour in the 5 tbs water and keep it aside.
• On medium flame melt the butter. 

• Pour in your cocoa mixture into the saucepan and stir if.
• Add the cornflour mixture into the saucepan and stir it.
• Once the mixture starts bubbling and becomes thick turn off the heat and let it cool a little.( To check if it is of the right consistency, dip a spoon into it and then run your finger on the back of the spoon. If the sauce stays separated, then it is perfect.) this frosting becomes more thick after it cools down.
• Spread this frosting over your cake and decorate it with some chocolate shavings or toasted ground almonds.

Aand enjoy!!!