Chicken Cheese Kebab

Serves - 4 People
Cooking Time - 15 Min

INGREDIENTS
2 Lbs          Chicken Breast Pieces

MARINATION
1/2 Cup      Cheese
1 Tsp          Kasoori Methi
1 Tbsp        Green Chilli Paste
1 Tbsp        Pepper Powder
1 Tsp          Garam Masala
1 Tsp          Coriander Powder
1 Tbsp        Thick (Hung)Yogurt
Salt As Required

PROCEDURE

• Marinate the chicken pieces with the above ingredients and marinate for at least 2 hrs.

• Put on the skewer and set the temperature to 350 deg. 

• Cook for 10 min on each side till it turns slightly brown.

• Serve hot with Mint Chutney !!!                    

Tamarind Rice (Pulihora)

Prep & Cooking: 1 hr
Serves 5 - 6 persons

Ingredients
3 Cups    Boiled rice
1 Cup      Tamarind Juice

Spice Powder /Podi
1    Tbsp    Channa Dal
1/2 Tbsp    Sesame Seeds
1    Tbsp    Coriander Seeds
1/2 Tbsp    Mustard Seeds
3 Whole     Red Chilli
1    Tsp      Fenugreek seeds

For The Seasoning
1  Tbsp    Channa Dal
1  Tsp      Mustard Seeds
3 Whole   Red Chilli
2 Tbsp     Raw Peanuts
2 Tbsp     Cashew
6 Green   Chilies
1/2 Cup   Curry Leaves
1/4 Tsp    Red Chilli Pwd
1/2 Tbsp   Sesame Seeds
1/4 Tsp     Hing
Oil as Required
Salt to taste

For the Rice (for mixing)
1/4 Tsp   Turmeric Pwd
2 Tsp      Sesame Seed Oil (Idhayam)

Cooking

• In a pan, dry roast all the ingredients listed under spice powder until you get a nice aroma.  Now dry roast sesame seeds separately and powder everything together.

• Heat oil and add the ingredients mentioned under seasoning starting from whole red chilies and then add mustard seeds.

• When the mustard seeds splutters add fenugreek seeds, channa dal, peanuts, cashew and cook them properly on medium flame without burning them.

• Now add curry leaves, chopped green chilies and hing.

• Then add turmeric and tamarind juice to it and finally the SPICE POWDER, red chilli powder(only if you want it to be more spicy).

• Let the gravy cook for 10 to 12 mins till the oil oozes out. Check the seasoning and add salt.

• Now take the cooked rice sprinkle some sesame oil and add the tamarind gravy to it and mix evenly.

Chicken Pickle

Prep Time - 30 Min

INGREDIENTS
2 LB            Chicken Breast
1 Cup         Mustard Seeds
3 Tbsp       Red Chili Powder
1 Tbsp       Coriander Powder
1 Tbsp       Garam Masala
1 Cup         Garlic
1 Cup         Lemon Juice
1 Cup         Sesame Oil (Idhayam Brand)
Oil As required
Salt As Required

PROCEDURE

• Take a bowl add chicken pieces, salt, turmeric pwd and marinate it for 5 - 10 min.
• In a blender powder the mustard seeds and keep aside.

Note : Make this powder right before you make the pickle. Do not store it as the taste may turn bitter.

• Boil the Chicken pieces and then deep fry the chicken pieces and keep it aside.
• Take a large bowl add the fried chicken pieces and mix lemon juice as needed.
• Now add mustard powder, chili powder, salt, Garam Masala, coriander powder , and crushed garlic (add as many as you want as it gives a nice flavor to your pickle).

Note : If you need more gravy add mustard powder accordingly. 
           Adding too much may result in the pickle tasting bitter.

• Now heat required sesame oil in a pan for a minute and cool it. Then pour it in to the mixture and mix well.
• Let it rest for at least 3 - 4 days so the juices are all well absorbed.

Natu Kodi Pulusu (Country Chicken)

Natu Kodi literally means village chicken or country chicken.This is an Andhra style chicken recipe which is cooked with a mix of spices and a hint of Coconut.

Serves - 4 People
Cooking Time - 30 Min

INGREDIENTS
2 LB           Chicken
2                  Onion
2                  Tomato
2 Tbsp       Ginger Garlic Paste
1 Tbsp       Chili Powder
1 Tsp         Turmeric Powder
1/2 Cup    Cilantro
1 Tbsp       Oil
Salt As Required

Masala Preparation
Coconut -  (4 small pieces)
Cashew  - 5
Pepper   - 1 Tbsp
Cloves   - 4
Cinnamon - 1 Big
Elachi    - 4
Dhania Powder  - 1 Tbsp

Grind the above ingredients to a smooth paste.

PROCEDURE

• Add Salt, Chili powder, turmeric powder, ginger garlic paste, onions(1/2) , 1/2 cup water and boil the chicken (min 3 whistles).

          Note: Add all the required chili powder at this step.Its better to add here.

• Take a pan and heat oil and add onions(1), Tomatoes (2) and let it cook.

• Now add the masala paste and fry till the raw smell leaves and it is completely cooked.

• Add this mixture to the cooked / boiled chicken and add water accordingly and cook the chicken again (min 2 whistles).

• Once done, remove the lid and garnish with chopped cilantro.

Egg Biriyani

Prep & Cooking: 1 hr
Serves 5 - 6 persons

Ingredients
3  Cups Basmati rice
5 Glasses Water
6  Eggs
6  cloves
1 Tbsp  Shahi Jeera
3    cardamoms
1″  cinnamon stick
3   bay leaves
1   star anise
5   Pepper corns
2   Onions, finely sliced
1 Tbsp ginger garlic paste
6 Green Chilies
1/2 Cup Curry Leaves
1/2 Cup chopped cilantro
1/2 Cup Mint
1  Tomato sliced
1 Tbsp Garam Masala or Biriyani Masala
1 Tbsp Yogurt
1 Tbsp Ghee
salt to taste

Cooking

• In a pan, heat some oil and add the coriander powder, cumin, red chili, pepper & salt. Sauté the eggs in them so that they get evenly coated.

• In a cooker heat some oil and add all the whole spices. Once it starts crackling, add the onion (cut into julienne) and sauté till the onions are caramelized.

• Now add curry leaves,green chilies, salt & ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell goes away.

• Once the onions are fried add cilantro, mint, tomatoes , biriyani /garam masala & yogurt and fry for another minute.

• Add the rice and water and close the cooker. Give 3 - 4 pressures and leave it on low flame for 10 min and switch off the flame.

• Finally mix the fried eggs & sprinkle some ghee over it and serve hot.

                                            Enjoy it with a glass of Coke and Chips !!!

Apple Cinnamon Pie

Preparation Time : 20 Min
Baking Time : 30 Min

INGREDIENTS
2                 Puff Pastry Sheets  (I Use Pepperidge Farm brand)
                   Note : You can find them at any local groceries store.
4                 Green apples, peeled and cut into 1/3" slices
1/2 Cup   Brown Sugar
2 Tsp        Cinnamon Powder

1                 Egg lightly beaten for egg wash
1/4 Cup   Unsalted Butter

APPLE PREPARATION

1. In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter.Add the sliced apples & cook until lightly browned.
2. Reduce the heat and add brown sugar & cinnamon.
3. Stir occasionally until the apples become soft and caramelized.

          

PUFF PREPARATION

• Remove the pastry sheets and thaw them for 30 min. Make sure they are soft before you make the puffs.

• Cut the pastry sheets into little squares and add the caramelized apples onto it.Pour the remaining syrup onto the apples.                                                                                     

                                                  

• Close one of the opposite edges and apply water for the edges to stick.

BAKING

• Cut slits down the center of the pastry to create vents.

• Beat an egg and put a thin coating on top of the puffs with a brush(also called egg wash).This gives a nice coloring and crispiness to the puffs.

• Now sprinkle the top with coarse sugar.

           

• Bake for 15 - 20 min at 400 F till the puff rises and gives out a brownish color.

Shrimp Biriyani !!

Marination: 15 min
Prep & Cooking: 1 hr
Serves 5 - 6 persons

Ingredients
3  Cups Basmati rice
6  Cups Coconut Milk/Water
6  Cloves
1Tbsp  Shahi Jeera
3  Cardamoms
1″ Cinnamon stick
3   Bay leaves
1   Star Anise
5   Pepper Corns

1 lb shrimp, deveined, washed and drained completely
2   large onions, finely sliced
2 Green Chilies
1 Tbsp ginger garlic paste
1/4 Cup Curry Leaves
1  Large Tomato
1/2 Cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup mint leaves
1/4 Cup thick curd/yogurt

1/2 Tbsp Garam Masala
1 tbsp red chilli pwd
3 Tbsp Ghee
salt to taste

For marination
1 tbsp red chilli pwd
1/4 tsp turmeric pwd
lemon juice
1 tsp salt

ShrimpMarination

• Marinate the shrimp pieces with the above listed ingredients.
• Marinate this for 15 - 20 min.      

• Soak Basmati rice for 30 min.

Cooking

• Take a wide nonstick dish and add ghee.
• Now add all the dry spices, onions, curry leaves, green chillies, salt & ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell goes away.
• Once the onions are fried add cilantro, mint, tomatoes , red chili powder & Garam masala and fry till the tomatoes become soft.
• Now add yogurt and fry for another minute. 
• Time to add the marinated shrimp and fry it on medium flame for 5 min.
• Add the rice (3 cups) and coconut milk (5 cups). Make sure you add the right amount of salt now.
• Now cook it for another 20 min.
• Sprinkle some ghee & elaichi pwd over it and serve hot.

                                            Enjoy it with a glass of Coke and Chips !!!