Potato Curry

Potato Curry

Servings:2
Recipe:
Ingredients:

• Potato : 2 or 3 medium sized potatoes chopped
• Tomato : 2 small sized chopped
• Ginger chopped : 1tsp
• Green Chillies : 3
• Turmeric : 1/4tsp
• Mustard : 1tsp
• Water : 1/4 cup water
• Cooking oil
• Salt

Preparation:


1. Pressure cook the potatoes together with tomatoes, ginger, green chillies, water ans some salt.
2. After 2 whistles or after potatoes get cooked, remove cooker from the heat.
3. Meanwhile, heat a pan and pour some oil to it.When the oil gets hot, splutter the mustard seeds.
4. Then, add the cooked vegetables and mix well until the gravy gets thick.
5. Later, garnish the curry with coriander leaves and dry chillies.Serve the curry hot with chappathis.

Mushroom with Green Peas Thoran

Mushroom Thoran

Servings:4
Recipe:
Ingredients:

• Mushroom - 1/2lb
• Green peas - 1/2 cup
• Tomato - 1
• Onion Chopped - 1 cup
• Garlic chopped - 1tbsp
• Ginger chopped - 1/2tbsp
• Green chillies - 3-4
• Mustard - 1tsp
• Turmeric - 1/4tsp
• Red chilly powder - 1/4tsp
• Salt
• Grated Coconut - 1/4cup
• Coriander leaves for garnishing
• Cooking oil
• Curry leaves

Preparation:

1. Pressure cook the previously soaked green peas with some salt and keep it aside.Tip:Make sure green peas won't get overcooked.
2. Heat a pan and pour some cooking oil to it.Splutter the mustard seeds and then add some curry leaves to it. 
3. After that, add chopped onion, garlic, ginger, green chillies and saute them.Then add turmeric and red chilly powder to it.
4. Meanwhile, add the cleaned and cut mushrooms along with a little salt to the pan.Mix them well.
5. While the mushroom get cooked, add the chopped tomato as well.Mix the mixture well, and make sure it forms a thick gravy.
6. After that, add the cooked green peas.At last, add the grated coconut and mix them again.
7. Before serving, garnish the curry with coriander leaves.

Chicken Dry Roast

Chicken Dry Roast

Servings:2

Recipe:

Ingredients for marinating:

• Chicken - 1/2lb
• Coriander powder - 1tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/2tsp
• Chilly powder - 1tsp
• Garam masala (home made) - 1/2tsp
• Lemon juice - 1tbsp(optional)
• Salt

Rest of the ingredients:

• Onion big (chopped) - 1 1/2cup
• Ginger-garlic paste - 1tbsp
• Coriander powder - 1tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/2tsp
• Chilly powder - 2tsp
• Garam masala - 1/2tsp
• Tomato - 1 chopped
• Green chilly - 1
• Coconut oil

Preparation:

1. First wash the chicken pieces and marinate the pieces with ingredients for marinating.Keep it marinated for 40 minutes.
2. Heat a pan and pour some oil to it.When the oil gets hot, add half of the chopped onion to it and saute them.When it turns golden, add all the powders.Saute it, till their raw smell go.
3. After that, add the chicken pieces and mix them well.Cover the cooking pan and allow it to get cooked.
4. Meanwhile, grind together tomato, green chilly, rest of the onion and ginger-garlic paste together.When the chicken pieces get half cooked, add the blended mixture to the chicken pieces.
5. Mix them well together.Cover the pan and let chicken get cooked well.Let the gravy get thick on the chicken pieces.When the chicken gets coated well with the gravy or when the oil oozes out of the chicken, switch off the stove.

Fish Curry

Fish Curry

It's only after trying this dish, that I started to like the fish.Actually, this recipe takes the whole credit for making me eat the fish.So, if there is anyone out there, who hates to eat fish, just try this one!!


Servings:4
Recipe:
Ingredients:

• Fish - 1/2kg or 1lb ( I used salmon.You can use sardine,mackerel or king fish.)
• Red chilly powder - 3tbsp(Tip: to get the red color, you can use Kashmiri chilly powder.Then use 4tbsp.)
• Coriander powder - 2tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4tsp
• Ginger - 1inch piece chopped
• Green chillies - 4 chopped
• Onion - 1/2 cup
• Kodampuli or gamboogi - 3 or 4 pieces.
• Salt
• Coconut oil
• 1 cup water

Preparation:

1. At first, soak the kodampuli pieces in water for 15 minutes.Cut and wash the fish pieces and keep it aside.
2. Later, take a copper bottom pan or an earthenware(manchatti).Tip:(Fish curry is more tastier if  you prepare it in earthenware). Heat the pan and add the coconut oil to it.
3. While the oil gets hot, add the chopped onions, green chillies and ginger.Saute them well.
4. Then add coriander powder, turmeric powder and chilly powder.Saute them until their raw smell go.
5. After that, pour the kodampuli pieces along with 1 cup of water.Add needed salt to it. 
6. When the water starts boiling, put the fish pieces to it and simmer the stove.
7. After the fish gets cooked or when the gravy becomes thick, switch off the stove.

Note: Fish prepared like this will not be spoiled for 4-5 days.

Broccoli Roast

Broccoli Fry

Broccoli is yet another vegetable which I had terribly misunderstood...If you want some vitamin C and folate from the daily veggies you consume, you people should seriously consider broccoli.I used to cook it in the traditional Kerala(South Indian) style, but it always had this raw smell and taste.It is after a couple of disasters, that I stumbled upon this simple recipe...
Servings : 2 adults
Recipe:
Ingredients:

• Broccoli - 2 small bunches
• Salt 
• Ground Pepper or pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
• Onion chopped - 1/2 cup
• Garlic - 1 clove minced
• Butter - 1 tbsp

Preparation:

1. Cut the broccoli bunch to small florets and clean them.
2. Add some water and cook the broccoli florets by covering the pan.Tip: Do not overcook broccoli as they are more delicious and nutritious while it is not overcooked.
3. Heat another pan and add 1tbsp of butter to it.Then add the onion and garlic.Saute them well.
4. After that, add the cooked broccoli florets and mix them.
5. Then, sprinkle the salt and pepper to the broccoli florets and mix them well again.

Spicy Beef Roast

Beef Chilly Roast

Beef fry in any form is simply irresistible for me.But this dish scored over the top of everything!!Whenever this dish is present, I can never restrain myself from eating.So for the people who have never tried this recipe, its time now!!!!:-)

Servings : 2-3 Adults

Recipe:

Ingredients for marinating :

• Beef - 1lb or 1/2kg
• Red chilly flakes or red chilly crushed -  3tbsp
• Ginger - medium size chopped
• Garlic paste - 1tbsp
• Vinegar or lemon juice - 1tbsp
• Home made Garam masala Tip: to make home made garam masala, grind together Cardamom(4 nos), Clove (4 nos), Fennel seeds (1/4tsp), Cinnamon (1 " piece) and  Pepper (1/2tsp). 
• Turmeric - 1/4tsp
• Salt

Other Ingredients:

• Coconut oil - as needed
• Curry leaves
• Green chillies - 4 chopped
• Onion - 1 big chopped

Method:

1. Clean the beef and chop into small pieces.Then marinate the beef with the ingredients for marinating and keep it refrigerated for 30minutes - 45 minutes.
2. After that, pressure cook the marinated beef without adding water until it's cooked or for about 4 whistles. Then, cook the beef uncovered in a medium flame until  whole water gets evaporated or the gravy sticks well to the beef.
3.  When it's done, heat some oil in a pan and add onion and green chillies and curry leaves.Saute them well.Then, add the cooked beef to it.Mix them well in a low flame and the beef pieces become brown in color.After that, remove from flame.

Note: If you like coconut, you can add fried coconut slices before removing from the flame.Mix well after you add coconut slices.

Mushroom Fry

Mushroom Fry

Mushroom fry is one of my "cooked  within 10 minutes" dish...When you want a low calorie, easy to prepare, delicious and a nutritious dish, just go for mushrooms!!!Well, one problem is that mushrooms will shrink in size while it gets cooked.So most probably, you will need another dish too...:-)Mushrooms basically have a very bland taste and so its very good to add spices to it...


Servings:2
Recipe:
Ingredients:

• White mushrooms - 10oz packet
• Chopped ginger - 1tsp
• Chopped garlic - 1tsp
• Onion - 1 big 
• Green chillies - 1 or 2
• Chilly powder - 1tsp
• Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Garam masala - a pinch or as needed
• Salt
• Cooking oil - 1 tsp

Preparation:

1. .Wash the mushrooms and drain nicely.(Dry them with tissue paper to remove excess water).Chop them.
2. Heat oil and add onion and green chillies.Saute them well.After the onion becomes soft, add all powders.
3. Fry the powders well, till their raw smell is gone.Tip:Add coriander powder first, as it take more time than others to get fried.Then, add the chopped mushrooms along with salt.Mix it nicely.
4. Cover and cook them for about 5-10 minutes or until almost all water gets evaporated.Note: Do not add water as mushrooms will get cooked in their own juice.

Asparagus with coconut

Asparagus with coconut

I  fell in love with asparagus after I reached US.Until then, I had no idea that asparagus was an edible vegetable.Can you believe it???It is one of the favorite spring vegetables in Europe and US.High fiber and low calorie content makes this vegetable more lovable.Adding coconut to asparagus makes it more delicious:-)
Recipe:
Ingredients:

• Asparagus- a bunch
• Green chillies - 2 chopped
• Onion - 1 big chopped
• Red chilly flakes - 1tsp
• Salt as needed
• Mustard - 1tsp
• Grated coconut - 1/2 cup
• Cooking oil

Preparation:

1. Clean the asparagus and chop them to small pieces.(Tips for cleaning asparagus can be found in You Tube)
2. Heat a medium sized pan and pour some oil to it.
3. When oil becomes hot, splutter some mustard seeds.
4. Then, add the chopped onions and green chillies and saute them.
5. When onion turns golden, add the red chilly flakes and saute it.
6. After chilly flakes turn brown, add the asparagus along with salt and mix them well.
7. Then, add grated coconut and mix them again.
8. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.After that, turn off heat and keep it covered until serving.

Tip: Asparagus is good to eat when it is tender and crisp.So don't overcook them.

Egg Curry

Egg Curry

Egg curry is one of my favorite curries.One of the reasons is that it's very simple to prepare and it can be served as a side dish with chappathis, rice,naan or parathas.And it requires only 30 minutes for the preparation!!!


Recipe:
Servings: 2
Ingredients:

• Egg - 2
• Cooking oil
• Onion - 1 big chopped lengthwise
• Garlic - 2 cloves chopped
• Ginger - 1/2" piece chopped
• Green chillies - 2 chopped
• Tomato - 1 big
• Coriander powder - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4tsp
• Red chilly powder - 1/2tsp
• Garam masala - a pinch or as needed. 
• Coconut milk - 1 cup(thick)  
• Salt as needed      

Preparation:

1. Boil the eggs and keep it aside.Remove their shells and cut it into 2 halves.
2. Heat a medium sized pan on stove and pour some oil to it.
3. When the oil gets hot, add the onions,garlic,ginger and green chillies to it.TIP: To get them sauteed quickly add a pinch of salt.
4. Saute them until the onions turn golden brown.
5. Add coriander powder, turmeric powder and chilly powder.Saute them till the raw smell of the powders go.
6. Now add the chopped tomato pieces to the pan.Mix them well.Cook them until the oil gets separated.
7. Add the eggs to it.Make sure the gravy sticks to it by mixing it.
8. Then, pour the coconut milk to the mixture along with salt.Add some garam masala.Mix it well.
9. Allow the coconut milk to boil well.
10. After that remove from fire and your curry is all set!!!!

Note:If you are too artistic or you have some coriander leaves in handy, try garnishing the curry with them:-)

Spicy Pork Fry - Slow Cooking

Pork Fry

Normally, I used to cook the pork using the pressure cooker.While I became bored by the usual way, it was my sister who gave me this recipe.Even though this recipe took a little more time than the usual, the end result really served the purpose!!!Being a pork lover himself, my husband liked this dish very much...


Recipe:
Servings:4
Ingredients for marinating:

• Pork -1lbs or 1/2kg
• Salt as needed
• Ginger-Garlic Paste-1tbsp 
• Chilly Powder - 2tsp or as needed
• Coriander Powder - 1 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
• Garam Masala - 1/2tsp  

Other Ingredients:

• Cooking Oil : 1 - 1 1/2 tbsp
• Tomato : 1 no
• Green chillies : 4 nos(chopped)
• Onion : 1no big (chopped to small pieces)

Preparation:

1. Wash the pork.Chop the pork to small chunks.Marinate it with above ingredients an keep it aside for 30 minutes.
2. Place a nonstick pan on the stove top.(If you want, you can add 1 tbsp of oil to the pan.)After the pan gets hot, transfer the marinated pork without adding water into the pan.Close the lid and allow it to cook.Stir the pieces occasionally.
3. After 15 minutes, slice one large tomato and add it to the pan.Mix them well.Simmer the stove to a medium heat and allow the pork to get cooked well.
4. When the pork gets completely cooked, turn off the stove.Heat another skillet and pour some oil to it.After it gets hot, add the chopped green chillies and onion to the oil.Saute them until the onion turns golden .Now, add the cooked pork pieces into it.When the pork pieces become golden  brown, remove them from heat and serve it into a dish.

Turkey Leg Roast-Indian Way

Turkey Leg Roast

Turkey is something which we will try only on special occasions.It's much more healthier and less fattening than the chicken.Even though I  planned to buy turkey a lot of times before, it's actually today, that I got a chance for it.As I was cooking and trying the turkey for the very first time, it was kinda exciting!!!

Recipe:
Servings:2
Ingredients for marinating:

• 2 Turkey legs
• Salt as needed or (1-1 1/2tsp)
• Lemon juice(1-2tbsp)
• Chilly Powder(2tsp)
• Turmeric Powder(1/4tsp)
• Coriander Powder(1tsp)
• Ginger Garlic Paste(1tsp)
• Garam Masala (Home Made 1/2tsp)Note: To make home made garam masala, grind coarsely fennel seeds(1/2tsp), cardamom(4 nos), clove(4 nos), and cinnamon sticks(1 piece) together.

Other Ingredients:

• Black Pepper Powder:(1/2tsp)
• Cooking oil(1-2tsp)

Method:

1. First wash the turkey legs and pat them dry.Poke the turkey legs with the fork.Meanwhile, mix the above ingredients for marinating.After that marinate the turkey legs with the mixture.Marinate the turkey legs for 30minutes-1hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees(175 degree Celsius).Place the marinated turkey legs in the oven safe pan and bake them for 2 hours.Brush some oil onto turkey legs while cooking.After the legs turn golden brown or after 2 hours take them out.
3. Place iron skillet on the stove top until it gets hot.Add a tsp of  cooking oil to it.Then, place the turkey legs into the skillet and turn them over occasionally, till both sides become brown.While roasting, sprinkle some black pepper on both sides. 

Something About Me....

Yesterday, I saw this movie named "Julie and Julia".It's from there, I got this inspiration to write about the recipes which I try daily.So, a great thanks to Julie...

Before starting my writing, I would like to confess that I was never good at cooking before my marriage.Now that I've started cooking, I feel ashamed myself for abstaining myself from cooking all these years.So  well, you can consider me a 'newbie' in the cooking field.But,don't be afraid to try the recipes...I will publish the recipes only after I've tried it!! :-))