INSTANT MICROWAVE DHOKLA

INGREDIENTS

Gram flour : besan : 1cup

yogurt:1/2 cup

turmeric powder: one pinch

salt

green chilli 1

eno regular : 1 teaspoon

ginger:1 teaspoon(grated or paste)

water : 1/4 cup

seasoning

mustard seeds:1 teaspoon

sugar: 2 teaspoon

green chilli : 1

curry leaves: 10

water:1 cup

oil: 1/2 tablespoon

METHOD

1. In a bowl mix besan, yogurt and water to make a smooth paste with no lumps.

2. Add ginger, salt,turmeric powder and green chilli and mix again.

3. Add 1 teaspoon sugar and 1 tablespoon oil and mix again.

4. Grease a microwave safe bowl .

5. Add eno to the batter and mix and immediately transfer into the microwave bowl.

6. microwave for abot 4 minutes. 

SEASONING

1. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in saucepan. Add mustard seeds. wait till they splutter.

2. Add green chillies and curry leaves. stir for a minute

3. Add 1cup water and 2 tsp sugar.

boil on high for 3 minutes.

Meanwhile remove dhokla from microwave and cut into cubes.

spread the seasoning over dhokla evenly. Let it soak seasoning for atleast 10 minutes. 

Serve and enjoy!

Instant Microwave dhokla

INSTANT MICROWAVE DHOKLA

INSTANT MICROWAVE DHOKLA

INGREDIENTS

Gram flour : besan : 1cup

yogurt:1/2 cup

turmeric powder: one pinch

salt

green chilli 1

eno regular : 1 teaspoon

ginger:1 teaspoon(grated or paste)

water : 1/4 cup

seasoning

mustard seeds:1 teaspoon

sugar: 2 teaspoon

green chilli : 1

curry leaves: 10

water:1 cup

oil: 1/2 tablespoon

METHOD

1. In a bowl mix besan, yogurt and water to make a smooth paste with no lumps.

2. Add ginger, salt,turmeric powder and green chilli and mix again.

3. Add 1 teaspoon sugar and 1 tablespoon oil and mix again.

4. Grease a microwave safe bowl .

5. Add eno to the batter and mix and immediately transfer into the microwave bowl.

6. microwave for abot 4 minutes. 

SEASONING

1. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in saucepan. Add mustard seeds. wait till they splutter.

2. Add green chillies and curry leaves. stir for a minute

3. Add 1cup water and 2 tsp sugar.

boil on high for 3 minutes.

Meanwhile remove dhokla from microwave and cut into cubes.

spread the seasoning over dhokla evenly. Let it soak seasoning for atleast 10 minutes. 

Serve and enjoy!

Tahini Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup sesame seeds ( i used white till)
3 tablespoons olive oil
pinch salt

Method

1. Toast sesame seeds on a wide dry saucepan by stirring continuously till light brown and seeds become fragrant.  Transfer to dry plate and cool completely.

2. Add the toasted sesame seeds and grind till it turns to paste.Add olive oil and salt and grind till smooth paste.

Homemade Hummus

Homemade Hummus

INGREDIENTS

1 cup boiled chickpea (boiled at home or canned)

1/4 cup sesame paste.(tahini)

2-3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 clove peeled garlic

1/2 lime juice

as per your taste 

salt

fresh ground black pepper

cumin powder

paprika 

fresh parsely for garnishing

METHOD

1. Pressure cook garbanzo beans till done(if using uncanned dry beans).

2. In a food processor add all ingredients except parsely leaves.grind adding water little by little to get desired consistency.

3. Garnish with virgin olive oil and parsely leaves. Enjoy with steamd vegetables. 

Homemade Ranch Dressing using Greek Yogurt

HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING USING GREEK YOGURT

I love ranch dressing but its so fatty and unhealthy. Here is the recipe of ranch dressing made using greek yogurt and all ingredients already available in your pantry. Its so easy to make that you will surprised. Now you can enjoy your favorite dressing guilt free. Infact you can feel good about enjoying it coz its good for your body. 

INGREDIENTS

1 cup plain greek yogurt

1 lemon juice

1 tablespoon Parsely flakes dried

1 tablespoon dried chives

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

METHOD

1. Add all spices in food processor and pulse till they mix.

2. Now add greek yogurt and lemon juice and pulse again.

3. Scrape out in a jar and enjoy.

Taco bell Cantina Bowl

INGREDIENTS

1 cup brown rice

1 avacado

3-4 Tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup cheddar cheese

1/4 cup onion

1/4 cup tomatoes

1 cup boiled black beans(you can use canned)

1 Tablespoon Cilantro

1 Tbsp lemon juice

salt and pepper powder.

METHOD

1. In a sauce pan take  2 1/2 cup water   1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and salt and add 1 cup rice to it . Bring it  to rapid  boil on medium to high flame . Now reduce the flame to minimum and cover and cook till rice is done. 

2. Pressure cook black beans in water and 1 tsp oil till done. (if you are not using canned beans)

3. ARRANGE YOUR BOWL

-. Add rice in a plate or bowl.

- Add black beans 

-Chop onions and add

- Add chopped Tomatoes

- add avacado cubes

Sprinkle with lemon juice, salt and pepper. Garnish with cilantro. 

Add ranch dressing and serve by adding generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese. 

Sheermal or Shirmal : Irani style nan

Sheermaal  : Irani style nan

Sheermal bread is very soft in texture and my favorite. We get this bread in Hyderabad commonly. It is Irani style bread with aroma of saffron and butter. I have made a healthier version by adding some whole wheat flour.  I have used my bread machine on dough setting. You can also make this using food processor or just your hands for mixing. 

INGREDIENTS

Egg : 1

Milk : 1 cup warm

Butter : 1/2 cup

sugar : 2  tablespoon

salt : 1/4 teaspoon

Yeast : 1 1/4 teaspoon

All purpose flour : 2 cups

Whole wheat flour : 1.5 cup

sesame seeds : 2 tablespoon

egg yolk : 1

METHOD using bread machine

1.  Add all wet ingredients first in bread machine. Egg, 1 cup warm milk, 1/2 cup melted butter.

2. Now add all purpose flour and whole wheat flour and salt and sugar and yeast. 

3. Use dough setting and turn on bread machine. My machine takes 1.5 hours for well risen perfect dough. 

METHOD without bread machine

1. Mix yeast and sugar and add 1/4 cup warm water. Set aside for 15 minutes till bubbles form. This is to activate yeast. 

2. Beat egg and add milk to it. Now add the above mixture and mix again. add salt.

3. Slowly add flour 1/4 cup at a time and keep kneading. Make a soft dough.

4. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set aside in warm place to rise. 

*******************

1. Make big balls and roll out in circular shape . My three year old has rolled my bread and hence slightly shapeless but good enough for 3 year old kid. 

2. Brush each bread with egg yolk and sprinkle sesame seeds. 

My dough made 6 sheermals

3. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degree F for 25 to 30 minutes or till golden brown. 

4. Serve hot and fresh with rich gravy. I served with Paya soup. For recipe of paya soup please search my blog . 

SHAHI KULFI

SHAHI KULFI

Writing a recipe after a long break as i was busy in Ramazan. But i thought i had to share this kulfi recipe for hot Roza days. Here is recipe of favorite Indian ice cream. It is quite easy to make. 

INGREDIENTS

Condensed milk : 1 can

Whole Milk : 3 cups

Sugar : As per taste ( i didnt use any extra sugar coz i used sweetened condensed milk)

Almonds : 1 /2 cup finely chopped

Cashews : 1 /2 cup finely chopped

(I powdered almonds and cashews coarsely)

Saffron: 2 pinch

Rose essence : 1 teaspoon (i didnt use coz i dont like its flavor)

Cardamom : 3-4 crushed

Corn starch : 3 tablespoon

METHOD

1. Add cardamom and bring 3 cups whole milk to boil and reduce flame and simmer while stirring till it reduces to half.(If you are adding sugar,boil it with milk)

2. Add condensed milk to above sauce pan and keep stirring and bring to boil.

3. Now mix corn starch in 1/4 cup room temperature milk and stir to form smooth paste. Add this to boiling milk slowly while stirring.

4. Add almonds and cashews and saffron soaked in water for 1/2 hour. Keep stirring and cook for 5 minutes more.

5. Add rose essence and turn off. Cool to room temperature. Add in Popcicle mould and freeze.

ENJOY!!!!

Nutricious Ice-cream cake : Graham crackers and greek yogurt

Nutricious Ice-cream cake : Graham crackers and greek yogurt 

INGREDIENTS

Graham crackers : 40

plain Greek yogurt : 3 cups

Banana :1

Strawberries : 1/2 cup

Blueberries : 1/4 cup

METHOD

1. Coarsely grind or mash up strawberries, blueberries and banana

2. In a mixing bowl mix the mashed chunky fruits with greek yogurt.

3. In a freezer safe dish arrange graham crackers side by side like base.

4. Scoop out the yogurt and fruits mix and evenky spread 1 1/2 to  2 inch layer of this mix over the graham crackers base.

5. Top and cover with another graham cracker base. 

6. Place the dish in freezer for atleast 2 hours. Delicious dessert is ready.

Enjoy your nurticious ice cream cake.

METHI CHICKEN IN COCONUT MILK : FENUGREEK CHICKEN

METHI CHICKEN IN COCONUT MILK

This recipe is my mom's style of methi chicken. Its pressure cooked and quick recipe. It has simple ingredients yet flavourful. Each ingredient added in enhances taste in unique way.

INGREDIENTS

Chicken : 2 lbs

Methi fresh fenugreek leaves : 1 bunch

Coconut milk : 1 can

Onion : 1 large

Tomatoes : 2 medium

whole cloves 2

whole cardamom 2

cinnamon 1/2 inch stick

Ginger garlic paste 2 teaspoon

 

Salt as per taste

Red chilli powder : 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder : 1/2teaspoon

Coriander powder : 1/2 teaspoon

Garam Masala powder : 1/4 teaspoon

METHOD

1. Wash chicken. Peel each methi leaf out of the bunch and wash . Finely chop onion and tomatoes. set aside. 

2. In pressure cooker take about 3 tablespoon oil (i used canola,u can use vegetable oil) . Add whole cardamom, cloves and cinnamon and heat for 2 minutes. 

3. Add chopped onion and fry till translucent. 

4. Add ginger garlic paste and fry for 2 minutes more. 

5. Add chopped Tomatoes and fry for another 3-5 minutes till soft. 

6. Add chicken and powder masalas and fry for 5-6 minutes.

7. Now add methi leaves and mix. Add coconut milk and cover with lid and whistle and let it cook for 10 minutes after pressure builds. 

METHI CHICKEN IN COCONUT MILK

This recipe is my mom's style of methi chicken. Its pressure cooked and quick recipe. It has simple ingredients yet flavourful. Each ingredient added in enhances taste in unique way.

INGREDIENTS

Chicken : 2 lbs

Methi fresh fenugreek leaves : 1 bunch

Coconut milk : 1 can

Onion : 1 large

Tomatoes : 2 medium

whole cloves 2

whole cardamom 2

cinnamon 1/2 inch stick

Ginger garlic paste 2 teaspoon

 

Salt as per taste

Red chilli powder : 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder : 1/2teaspoon

Coriander powder : 1/2 teaspoon

Garam Masala powder : 1/4 teaspoon

METHOD

1. Wash chicken. Peel each methi leaf out of the bunch and wash . Finely chop onion and tomatoes. set aside. 

2. In pressure cooker take about 3 tablespoon oil (i used canola,u can use vegetable oil) . Add whole cardamom, cloves and cinnamon and heat for 2 minutes. 

3. Add chopped onion and fry till translucent. 

4. Add ginger garlic paste and fry for 2 minutes more. 

5. Add chopped Tomatoes and fry for another 3-5 minutes till soft. 

6. Add chicken and powder masalas and fry for 5-6 minutes.

IRANI CHAI

IRANI CHAI : TEA THAT TASTES LIKE DESSERT

Have you ever had chai in Hyderabadi chai cafes? Its more like dessert. I m not a regular tea person like most people frommy place are. But when its comes to Hyderabadi Irani chai, i can drink two three cups. When i was in school i recreated it at home. And here is the recipe for everyone to relish

INGREDIENTS

FOR 2 CUPS

Tea powder : 1 teaspoon (i use yellow label (only!))
Lamsa chocolate flavor tea powder : 1/2 teaspoon
milk 2 cups
water 1 cup
Sugar 2 tsp(as per taste)
Cardamom : 1

METHOD

1. Bring water to boil in sauce pan.
2. Crush cardamom and add to boiling water and add sugar and boil for 3 minutes
3. Add both tea powders and boil another 3 minutes. (yes water reduces )
4. Now add milk and simmer and leave it till you get nice golden color tea . about 5 to 8 minutes.
5. Top it with thick fresh malai and enjoy!!!

Tips :

1. Adding 1 teaspoon condensed milk enhances flavor.
2. Using evaporated milk enhances taste too.

Chicken Sheekh Kababs

Chicken seekh kabobs
or
Chicken Sheekh Kababs

INGREDIENTS

Minced Chicken (Chicken kheema) or boneless chicken : 1 Lb
Green chillies : 2
Ginger garlic paste : 2 teaspoon
Garam Masala : 1/2 teaspoon
Coriander leaves : (cilantro) : 1/4 cup
mint leaves 1/4 cup
Lemon juice : 1 tablespoon
Salt
Butter or oil

METHOD

1. Finely chop chillies, mint leaves and cilantro. I have ground them togther and made a paste.
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl except butter
3. Heat skillet and drizzle butter on medium heat.
4. Meanwhile on a bamboo skewers hold a fist full of minced chicken mix and roll ovr to make it stick on your skewer.
5. Fry and flip gently to  make sure all of the kabob is evenly cooked.

Serve and ENJOY!!!

CHICKEN KOFTA PULAO

.

I served my biryani with dahi rata and fruits salad in mango custard. Awesome combo!!!

Ingredients :

Chicken kheema (Minced chicken) : 1 lb

Chicken  : 1 lb(optional)

(You can use whole chicken cut in medium pieces or leg and thigh or boneless  breastfeeding pieces. )

Basmati Rice : 1 lb 

Washed and soaked in water for 20 minutes

Onion :  thin slices in semicircle shape 3 medium  

Ginger garlic paste : 2 tablespoon 

Yogurt : 2 cup

 Cooking Oil : 1/2 cup (I used canola oil)

Ghee pure Desi ghee : 3 tablespoon 

Cloves: 4-5

Bay leaves : 2

Cardamom : 4

Cinnamon stick: 1 inch 

Black pepper corns : 4-5

Shahzeera : 1 teaspoon  (or plain cumin seeds )

Red chilli powder  : 1 teaspoon 

Salt : 1 teaspoon 

Coriander powder : 1 teaspoon 

Turmeric powder : 1 / 4 teaspoon 

Garam Masala powder : 1/2 teaspoon 

Fresh mint leaves : 2 tablespoon fine chopped 

Green chillies  : fine chopped 2 tablespoon 

(I used very course chopped as 3 year old is eating and he can separate them easily )

Parsely  : 2 tablespoon fine chopped 

Lemon juice : 2 tablespoon 

Saffron strands : 10 strands soaked in water for 1 hr. 

METHOD 

MEATBALLS:

Ingredients:

Ground chicken : 1lb
Two slices of white bread sides out.
Garlic paste 1/2 tablespoon
Ginger Paste : 1/2 Tablespoon
Black pepper  to taste.
salt to taste.

Method:
1.  Mix all ingredients well and let it sit for 2 hours.
2. In a pot boil 5 glasses of water.
3. Make small balls of ground meat mixture and drop in boiling water.
4. Let them boil in water for at least 10 minutes.

BIRYANI

1. Fry onion till golden brown . Remove from oil (on tissue if u want) And set aside . This should be crispy. 

Tip : add pinch salt  in oil to make them crispy   and make sure they are fried like deep fry.  This process is called brista or barishta.  

2.  Take chicken pieces in big  mixing bowl.  Wash chicken.  Add ginger garlic paste,red chilli powder, salt , turmeric powder, coriander powder,  half of all these- chopped  mint,parsely,fried onions and green chillies ,lemon juice and   yogurt . Mix well and cover and marinate for minimum 2 hours .I usually marinate overnight in fridge. 

3. Heat oil in a pan on medium flame and add chicken pieces from marinade only. Fry for 15 minutes stirring and mixing. Later add the masala (gravy) of marinade and mix again. Cover and cook till chicken is 80% done. Now add chicken meatballs in this akhni gravy and cook for 10 minutes on medium flame open pan.

4.  Add to soaked rice (in same water)cloves,cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper corns, shahzeera ,salt and one tablespoon oil and one teaspoon lemon juice and boil till rice is 40%-50%  done. Drain the rice throughly till all water is out in strainer. 

In above pic I have added cinnamon powder as I ran out of cinnamon stick. 

5. In a broad baking pan add Desi ghee at base and spread two to three cooking spoons of rice evenly. Spread 2-3 cooking spoons  chicken gravy evenly over. Next sprinkle some barista over it evenly , and chopped green chiili, parsely and mint leaves evenly.  Pour 1 teaspoon of Saffron water and 1/2 teaspoon ghee evenly around vessel. .

Repeat layering of rice,chicken gravy,barista , chopped  greens , Saffron water and ghee till all done. 

And bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. 

6. After layering in done. Whether u use pan or baking tray, cover with aluminum foil to not let vapor escape.

Serve hot with dahi raita. 

Find recipe here : 

Best  Kitchen Recipes http://recipesens.blogspot.com/Enjoy!!