Palak Paneer

Serves - 4 People
Cooking Time - 30 Min

INGREDIENTS
1Tbsp        Shahi Jeera
1″               Cinnamon Stick
3                  Bay Leaves
1                  Star Anise
1 Cup         Paneer
2 Cup         Spinach Paste
1                  Onion
1                  Tomato
1 Tbsp        Ginger Garlic Paste
1/4 Cup     Curry Leaves
1/2 Cup     Cilantro
1 Tsp          Kastoori Methi
1 Tbsp        Chili Powder
1 Tsp          Turmeric Powder
1 Tsp          Garam Masala
1 Tsp          Somph Powder
1 Tsp          Coriander Powder
2 Tbsp        Milk
1 Tsp          Corn Flour
1 Tbsp        Oil/Butter
Salt As Required

PROCEDURE

• Boil water in a large pot and immerse the spinach for 5 minutes and drain the water.
• Cool it & puree the drained spinach.

   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

• Meanwhile cut the paneer into cubes and in a pan quickly sear the paneer and sprinkle some salt over it.

• Now heat a pan with oil/butter and add shahi jeera,bay leaf,cinnamon stick,start anise and fry.
• Add curry leaves,onions,salt and saute till the onions change color.

                                       

• Add ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell is gone.
• Add chili powder,somph powder,coriander powder,kastoori methi  and tomato pieces and saute till the tomatoes are completely mashed.

• Time to add the pureed spinach,water,milk,corn flour powder and cook on medium flame.

                                                               

• Gently mix the paneer into the mixture and cook till required consistency.

• Garnish with cilantro and cream(optional).

                                          Serve hot with Fried Rice, Biriyani or Roti !!!

Pesarattu Upma - Green Moong Dal Dosa

Pesarattu also called as MLA Pesarattu is from the Dosa family and a native to Andhra Pradesh. It is full of protein and the combination with Upma makes it a very filling breakfast.

Serves - 4 People
Prep Time - 8 Hrs
Cooking Time - 15 Min

INGREDIENTS

To Grind
2 Cups          Green Gram Dal
1/4 Cup       Rice
5                    Green Chillies
1/4 Cup       Ginger
Salt As Required

For the Dosa
2                    Onions
2 Tsp            Cumin Seeds
1/4 Cup       Ginger
2                    Green Chillies
Oil/Ghee as Required

PROCEDURE

• Soak green gram and rice overnight or at least for 8-10 hrs & grind it with green chillies,ginger,salt and water to a dosa batter consistency and keep aside.

     Note : If you want to use it the next day do not leave the batter outside.Refrigerate it.

• Take a dosa pan and pour half a cup of batter and spread in circular motion.
• Pour some oil over the edges and then sprinkle cumin seeds,onion,green chillies and ginger and cook under medium flame.

• At this point add upma on to the dosa and leave it for another few seconds to get a more crispy dosa.

                                                   Serve with Ginger or Peanut Chutney.

Chicken Chettinad

This is a classic recipe from the Chettinad a region in the Southern Tamil Nadu State,India. It is famous for its Spices and Flavor.

Serves - 4 People
Cooking Time - 30 Min

INGREDIENTS
2 LB           Chicken
2                 Onion
1                 Tomato
2                  Green Chillies
1 Tsp          Mustard Seeds
2 Tbsp        Ginger Garlic Paste
1/2 Cup     Curry Leaves
1/2 Cup     Cilantro
1 Tsp          Kastoori Methi
2 Tbsp       Pepper Powder
1 Tbsp       Chili Powder
1 Tsp         Turmeric Powder
1 Tsp         Garam Masala
1 Tsp         Coriander Powder
1/4 Cup     Fresh Coconut Pieces
2                  Lemon
1 Tbsp       Oil
Salt As Required

PROCEDURE

• Marinate the chicken first by adding Salt,pepper,chilli powder,turmeric powder,Ginger garlic paste & lemon.
• Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds,curry leaves,onions,green chillies ,salt,turmeric powder and saute till the onions change color.
• Add chili powder,coriander powder,garam masala,coconut pieces and fry for a couple of minutes.
• Now add tomatoes and fry till they are cooked & mashed completely.

• Time to add your marinated chicken now and some water.
• At this point add pepper powder and lemon juice and cook till you reach the consistency you want.
• Garnish with cilantro.

                                                       Serve hot with Rice or Roti !!!!

Chicken Haleem

Haleem is a slow cooked dish consisting of  meat,lentils and broken wheat.It's an Arabic dish that has been introduced to us during the Nizam Rule.

INGREDIENTS
2 Full             Chicken Breasts
1 Cup            Fried Onions
8                     Green Chillies
1 Tbsp          Ginger Garlic Paste
2 Tbsp          Curd
1 Cup            Coriander Leaves
1 Cup            Mint
1/2 Cup        Ghee
Salt to taste
For the Powder
1 Tsp           Chana Dal
1 Tsp           Masoor Dal
1 Tsp           Toor Dal
1 Tsp           Urad Dal
1 Tsp           Moong Dal
1 Tsp           Sesame Seeds
1 Tsp           Cumin Seeds
1 Tsp           Shahi Jeera
1 Tsp           Pepper Corns
5                   Cardamom
5                   Cloves
5                   Almonds
1 Stick         Cinnamon
1/4 Cup       Oats
1/2 Cup       Broken Wheat

PROCEDURE

• Grind all the above ingredients listed in a blender and make a powder.
• Take a pressure cooker and heat ghee & ginger garlic paste and saute it.
• To this add chicken pieces,fried onions,curd,green chillies,chopped coriander,mint,salt and the powder and add water(3 - 4 cups).
• Mix it well and let it cook for 3 whistles on high flame and low flame for 30-40 min and switch it off.
• Now take a masher and mash it on low flame.

• Add few spoons of ghee to it and mix it well.
• Garnish with lime juice,fried onions,cilantro and cashew nuts.

                                                    Serve Hot with a Glass of coke!!!

Drumstick-Egg-Tomato Curry

Serves - 3 People
Cooking Time - 30 Min

INGREDIENTS
2 Sticks        Drumsticks/Munagakaayi
4                    Eggs Boiled
1                   Onion
2                   Tomato
2                   Green Chillies
1 Tsp           Ginger Garlic Paste
1/4 Cup      Curry Leaves
1/2 Cup      Cilantro/kottimira
1 Tsp           Kasturi Methi
1 Tbsp        Chili Powder
1 Tsp           Turmeric Powder
1 Tsp           Coriander Powder/Dhania Powder
1 Tsp           Garam Masala
1 Tsp           Mustard Seeds/Aavalu
1 Tsp           Cumin Seeds/Jeera
1 Tbsp         Oil
Salt As Required

PROCEDURE

• Heat Oil in a pan and add mustard seeds,cumin seeds,green chillies,onions,curry leaves and salt and cook till the onions are cooked.
• Add turmeric and ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell goes away.
• Time to add the drumsticks and close it with a lid and cook till they are half done.
• Now add the tomatoes ,chilly powder,coriander powder,kasturi methi and garam masala and cook it till the tomatoes are completely mashed,then add water and boiled eggs and cook it till you get a thick gravy.
• Garnish with chopped coriander.

                                                Serve with Hot Rice or Roti !!!!

Sorakaya Pachadi - Bottle Gourd Chutney

Sorakayi also called as Lauki is 90% water and very easy to digest and drinking the juice of this also helps in weight loss.Eating it in the form of chutney makes it more yummy.

Cooking Time - 20 Min

INGREDIENTS
2 Cup           Bottle Gourd Pieces with skin
1 Tbsp         Chana Dal/Senaga Pappu
1 Tbsp         Urad Dal/Minapappu
1 Tsp           Coriander Seeds/Dhania
1 Tbsp         Cumin Seeds/Jeera

1 Tsp           Mustard Seeds/Aavalu
5                   Green Chillies
2                   Dried red chilli
2 Cloves      Garlic
1/4 Cup       Curry Leaves
1/2 Cup      Cilantro
1/3 Cup      Tamarind (soaked in water)
1 Tsp           Jaggery/Sugar
1 Tbsp        Oil
Salt As Required

PREPARATION

• Take a vessel add 1 tsp oil and add the bottle gourd pieces with the skin  and some salt and saute till the rawness goes away and all the water is evaporated.Keep it aside and let it cool.

• Take another pan with oil and fry Chana Dal,Urad Dal,Coriander seeds,Cumin seeds,green chillies,red chillies,garlic,curry leaves and cilantro.keep it aside and let it cool.

• Now take a grinder and add the dry ingredients and the sauted bottle gourd pieces with tamarind , Jaggery/sugar and salt.Grind till it forms a paste.(Do not add water as the bottle gourd already consists of lot of water).

• For seasoning take a pan with 1tsp oil ,add mustard seeds,urad dal,red chillies and curry leaves and pour this over the chutney.

                              Serve with Rice and a pinch of Ghee and its HEAVEN!!!

Methi Chicken

Methi, also known as Fenugreek is a wonder spice and gives an amazing flavor to your food.Chicken and Methi complement really really well.

Serves - 3 People
Cooking Time - 20 Min

INGREDIENTS
1 LB          Chicken
1 Cup        Fresh Methi
1                 Onion
1                 Tomato
2                 Green Chillies
1 Tbsp       Ginger Garlic Paste
1/4 Cup     Curry Leaves
1/2 Cup     Cilantro
1 Tbsp       Chili Powder
1 Tsp         Turmeric Powder
1 Tsp         Garam Masala
1 Tbsp       Oil
Salt As Required

PROCEDURE

• Heat oil in a cooker and add curry leaves,onions,green chillies ,salt,turmeric powder and saute till the onions change color.

• Now add ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell is gone.
• Add chili powder  and tomato pieces and saute for a minute on medium flame.
• Add the chopped methi leaves and saute again for a minute.

• Now add the chicken pieces and combine well.
• Add few tbsps of water and close the pressure cooker.
• After it gives out 1 Whistle, put it in low flame and switch off after 5 min.
• Once the pressure leaves add some garam masala and garnish with cilantro.
• Turn off the heat and serve with rice or rotis.

Spicy Peanut Honey Wings

Serves - 5 People
Preparation Time : 10 Min
Cooking Time : 20 Min

INGREDIENTS
25                    Chicken Wings
2 Tbsp            All Purpose Flour (Maida)
2 Tbsp            Corn Flour                        
1                       Egg
2 Bunch          Spring Onions
1 Tbsp            Garlic Chopped
2 Tbsp            Chilly Flakes
1 Tbsp            Pepper Powder
1 Tsp              Vinegar    
2 Tsp              Tomato Ketchup
1 Tbsp            Soy Sauce  
1 Tbsp            Honey          
1/2 Cup          Roasted Peanut Powder
Oil to deep fry the wings
Salt

PROCEDURE

• Take a bowl add Chicken Wings,All purpose flour,corn flour,egg ,pinch of salt and deep fry them and keep it aside.
• Now take a pan with some oil and add chopped garlic,spring onions,chilly flakes,pepper and salt and fry in medium flame for 3 - 4 min
• In this now add ketchup,vinegar,soy sauce,peanut powder and honey and fry it for a minute.

      Note: You can replace honey with sugar but honey gives a nice flavor and glaze to this recipe.

• Time to add those fried wings into this mixture and toss them till the wings are properly coated and then switch off the flame.

Yummy Juicy Crunchy Crunchy Peanut Wings are ready to be served !!!

Banana-Walnut Raisin-Bread

Serves 4- 5 People
Preparation Time : 20 Min
Cooking Time : 40 Min

INGREDIENTS
1.5 Cup         All Purpose Flour

2                     Eggs
1 Tsp             Baking Powder
1 Tsp             Baking Soda
1 Cup            Cane Sugar
1 Tsp             Vanilla Essence
1/2 Cup         Unsalted Butter
3                     Medium Size Bananas
 1/2 Cup        Chopped Walnuts
Egg Replacer
2 Tbsp          Water
1/2 Tsp          Baking Powder
2 Tsp             Oil

Mix the above ingredients well and add it to the batter instead of egg.

PROCEDURE

• Take a Bowl and beat the butter & sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes,scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Now beat in the eggs one at a time,then beat in the vanilla and mashed banana.
• With the mixer on low speed,add the flour,baking soda & baking powder and beat for another 3 to 4 minutes.

• Time to add those walnuts & raisins in the batter and mix it with a spatula.
• Now grease the baking pan and pour the batter.Top the batter with some more walnuts

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake it for 40 - 50 min or a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
• Remove it from the oven and cool it for 20 min.

Freshly Baked Banana Bread can be served with Coffee or milk or have it for breakfast with a granola or yogurt parfait.
         

Egg Puffs

Serves 12 People
Cooking Time: 25 Min

INGREDIENTS
2               Puff Pastry Sheets  (I Use Pepperidge Farm brand)
               Note : You can find them at any local groceries store.

7               Eggs
1               Onions
1 Tbsp     Oil
1 Tbsp     Chilli Powder
1/2 Cup   Curry Leaves
Salt to taste

EGG PREPARATION

1. Boil the eggs and cut them into 2 halves.
2. Take a pan and add oil.Once its hot add curry leaves, onions, salt& fry till the onions turn transparent.
3. Now add chilli powder and fry for a minute on medium flame.
4. Add the Eggs and fry for 2 - 3 min and switch off the flame.

Note: You can replace egg with Paneer/Tofu or Chicken.

PUFF PREPARATION

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

• Cut the pastry sheets into little squares and put the onion egg fry on top of.

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

       Quick Tip: Freeze these puffs for 5 min and then egg wash them.This is how you do it

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

• Bake for 10 - 15 min at 400F till the puff rises and gives out a brownish color.

                                              Serve with Ketchup or Mint Sauce.