Dal- Baati

Holidays are going on and I thought of making something traditional. Today I thought of making Dal- Baati which is one of the best dishes in Rajasthani Cuisine. It is very simple to make it and also taste as if we are enjoying in India.

To make Dal- Baati you will need :-

Dal

Mixed Lentil Dal oil free (already shared recipe)
"OR"
1/4 cup urad dal
1/4 cup tuvar dal
1/4 cup chana dal
1/4 cup mung dal
2-3 curry leaves
3-4 cups water
Salt to taste
1 chopped tomato
1 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2-3 tablespoon ghee
1 teaspoon red chilly powder
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon amchur powder
1 teaspoon coriander cumin powder

Baati

1 cup Bhakari Flour (available in Indian Grocery Store)

1/2 cup milk

1 tablespoon coarse samolina/sooji

Salt to taste

4-5 tablespoon ghee/oil

Pinch of baking soda

Pinch of sugar

For making dal- Soak all the dal for about 2-3 hours and wash well. Pressure cook it adding 1-1/2 cup of water. Allow it to cool down. Take a kadai and add ghee to it. When ghee gets hot add cumin seeds and allow it to crackle. Add chopped onion and saute it. Add tomatoes and curry leaves and saute till it get tender. Add all the spices and roast the spices. Add little water and allow the spices and onion tomato mixture to cook well. Add pressure cooked dal and add 2 cups of water and mix well. Allow it to boil till it gets tender.

For making Baati- Take a bowl and add bhakari flour, samolina, baking soda, sugar and salt and mix well. Add little milk at time and make a firm dough. Allow it to rest for about 4-5 minutes. Make a tennis ball size rolls and bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Flip it over after and bake again on another side for 40 minutes or till it gets cooked properly.

Serve hot with dal and papad and drizzle ghee on baati before serving. Top it up with chopped coriander if you like. It taste really good and very healthy. In these holidays you can enjoy such food and have a great sleep!!!!!

Chaat Masala Peanuts

Hey guys I am back with my new recipe. I had some guest coming over this weekend and though of making easy munching things. So I tried with chaat masala peanuts and it turned out really good. 

To make Chaat Masala Peanuts you will need :-

1 cup dry peanuts 

1 teaspoon chaat masala

1 teaspoon oil

Salt to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Take a oven proof dish and put foil paper on it. Spread peanuts and drizzle oil and sprinkle chaat masala and salt. Mix well and put in oven for 4-5 minutes at 425 degrees. Time may vary as per different oven. Put off the oven and take this dish and let peanuts to cool down. Check if they are done and roasted well. If not put them again for 2-3 minutes. Your easy munching snack is ready.

You can make it ahead of time and it stays good for about 1-2 weeks.

Garlic Peanuts, Onion Peanuts or with Chilly peanuts can be made by adding powder and you will find 2-3 variety for your next party.

Carrot Corn Soup

Winter Season is going on and it does not goes without any soup....Hot soup accomplices with any of the meal. I like to try different types of soup, among them I am sharing you today Carrot Corn Soup recipe.

To make Carrot Corn Soup you will need :-

4 medium carrot washed and diced

5-6 cups of water

Salt to taste

1 tablespoon dry basil

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 teaspoon ketchup

1/2 teaspoon sugar

2-3 tablespoon frozen corn kernels

Pinch of black pepper

1/4 teaspoon red chilly powder (optional)

Pressure cook carrot with adding water till they are soft. Churn them and make a smooth mixture. Take this mixture to a pot on medium heat and allow it to boil. Add corn to it. Add all the spices to it and mix well. Give it 3-4 boils. Add lemon juice at end. Serve hot.

Kala Chana in Besan Curry

Today I would like to share with you Kala Chana(Chickpea) in Besan Curry. This recipe is prepared in my house from years. My mother serves Kala Chana with kadhi, rice and roti. 

To make Kala Chana in Besan Curry you will need :-

2 cups boiled kala chana

2-3 tablespoon chickpea flour

1 teaspoon red chilly powder

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon coriander cumin powder

Salt to taste

2 tablespoon jaggery

2-3 kokam

2-3 curry leaves

2-3 tablespoon oil

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 cup water

Take a pot and add oil to it and allow it to heat up. Add mustard seeds to it and allow it to crackle. Add chickpea flour and saute it for a minute till it gets little brown. Add curry leaves to it. Add water and mix well. Add all the spices, jaggery and kokam and mix well. Add boiled kala chana and mix well. Cover it with lid and allow it to cook for about 5-6 minutes till all the flavors gets mixed well. Serve hot with rice and roti.

Vegetable Pulav

Rice is eaten in different parts of world in different way. Today I am sharing you Vegetable Pulav recipe which is simple and made within less time.

To make Vegetable Pulav you will need:-

2 cup rice washed and soaked in water

1/4 cup peas

1/4 cup carrot chopped

1/2 cup bell pepper chopped

3-4 cloves of garlic

1 cup onion chopped

1 cup tomatoes chopped

Salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 tablespoon red chilly powder

1/4 teaspoon garam masala

2-3 tablespoon oil

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/4 cup coriander chopped

3-4 cups of water

Take a pot and soak rice for about 1-2 hours after washing it. Take another pot and add oil to it and allow it to heat up. Add cumin seeds and allow it to crackle. Add chopped onion and garlic and saute it for a minute or so. Add other vegetables and saute it little bit. Then add the soaked rice after removing water and mix well. Add all the spices and then add 3 cups of water to it and cover it with lid and allow it to cook on medium heat. Add more water if required. When it gets cooked sprinkle chopped coriander and serve hot.

Bharva Baingan (Small Eggplant) with Potato Subji

Generally people do not like Eggplant and they just avoid eggplant consumption in their daily diet. I just love eggplant and I always try to make new recipes out of it. Today I am sharing with you Bhara Baingan with Potato subji.

To make Bharva Baingan with Potato you will need :-

3-4 small eggplant cut cross wise

1 cup sliced potatoes

1/2 chopped cilantro

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 tablespoon red chilly powder

Salt to taste

6-7 tablespoon water

3-4 tablespoon oil

1 tablespoon coriander cumin powder

1 teaspoon chickpea flour

1/4 teaspoon garam masala

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

Take a plate and mix half of the quantity of coriander cumin powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, sugar, turmeric powder, red chilly powder, chickpea flour and garam masala. Add 1 tablespoon water and mix well and fill in eggplant. Put it aside.

Take a pan and add oil to it. Add mustard seeds and allow it to crackle. Add eggplant and potato and mix well. Add water 2-3 tablespoon and cook it on low flame while covering lid. When it gets cooked little bit add all the spices and mix well. Cover it with lid and allow it to cook. Stir in between. Sprinkle cilantro on it and serve.

Opo Squash(Bottle Gaurd) Handvo

Hey guys I am sharing you today Opo Squash Handvo recipe. This is sort of left over recipe. I had earlier showed different types of handvo in my earlier post. I had left over plain batter with all the spices and yogurt, so thought of making Opo Squash handvo for my lunch for the next day. 

To make Opo Squash Handvo you will need :-

2 cups of handvo mixture (as described above)

1-1/2 cup shredded and water drained opo squash

Mix handvo mixture and opo squash and mix well and make handvo in skillet. All the steps of making in skillet/pan is same as shown in my earlier post of handvo.

Falafel Patties (Roasted)

Hey guys today I am sharing with you falafel patties recipe and that too roasted............ Lets not talk too much and make this yummy and healthy patties.

To make Falafel Patties (Roasted) you will need :-

1 cup boiled and mashed garbanzo beans

1/2 cup bread crums

1/2 tablespoon ginger chilly paste

1 teaspoon cumin powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

3-4 tablespoon coriander chopped

Salt to taste

2-3 teaspoon oil

Take a bowl and add all the ingredients except oil. Mix well and make a small round patties out of it. Take a griddle and allow it to gets little hot. Add oil to it and roast patties both the sides.

Try this roasted version of patties instead of fried patties. They also taste really good.

Spinach, Carrot and Pomegranate Museli

Today I am sharing you another version of museli filled with lots of fresh flavors. Every time I use to make with different ingredients and it turns out even better.

To make Spinach, Carrot and Pomegranate Museli you will need :-

1/2 cup spinach chopped

2-3 tablespoon carrot

3-4 tablespoon pomegranate seeds

Salt to taste

2 cups buttermilk

2-3 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon red chilly powder

Pinch of garam masala

1 cup museli mix

Take a pot and add buttermilk to it and 1 cup museli to it. Add carrot and spinach to it and mix well. Add all the spices and stir in continuously at low heat. Add cumin seeds to it. Stir till it get cooked. Add water if needed. If required add more water and before serving add pomegranate and mix well.

Samosa Sandwich

When you visit to Vadodara, do try samosa sandwich. It is available every where and and it is so tasty that even I remember it, my mouth start watering. My husband had never tasted somosa that too in sandwich so I thought of making it. Even I needed something to carry for our potluck party so I thought of making Samosa Sandwich.

To make Samosa Sandwich you will need :-

1 samosa per sandwich (already shared recipe)

1-2 teaspoon green chutney (coriander chutney)

1-2 teaspoon ketchup

1-2 tablespoon sev

1 teaspoon onion chopped

1 teaspoon tomato chopped

1 teaspoon green bell pepper chopped

2 bread slices

Take a bread slice and put tomatoes, onion and bell pepper on it. Put samoso by breaking it into small pieces. Add green chutney on it and sev and press it little bit. On another slice of bread add ketchup and cover it.  Enjoy this delicious sandwich any time......

Rajma (Red Kidney Beans) Chaat

Today I thought of making simple although tasty. It suddenly came to mind to make rajma chaat and I prepared it for my lunch.

To make Rajma Chaat you will need :-

1-1/2 cup boiled rajma

1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

1/2 cup green bellpepper finely chopped

1/2 cup tomatoes finely chopped

1/2 cup onion chopped

Salt to taste

Pinch of red chilly powder

1/4 tablespoon cumin powder

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Take a bowl and add all the ingredients and mix well. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a side dish. You can enjoy this chaat anytime as it is oil free and that too healthy!!!

Boondi Raita

Raita goes very well with any type of meal. It accompanies as side dish and also in chaat. Today I am sharing you Boondi Raita which is made in different ways but I thought of making it simple and easy.

To make Boondi Raita you will need :-

1/2 cup salted boondi

1/2 cup yogurt

Pinch of cumin powder

Pinch of red chilly powder

Salt to taste

Take a bowl and add yogurt and beat it properly to make it smooth. Add boondi, salt, cumin powder and red chilly powder and mix well. Serve chilled. I serve with roti and subji.

Tip of the day- Pani Poori Pani(Green)

Who does not like Pani-Poori? Whenever I make pani-poori I just remember of India... there eating at your favorite snack place and with friends, we just can't get it here. Everybody in my family at my In-laws side and my maternal side are big fan of pani-poori. I always here (United States) make it at home. 

I like to stock the stuff when it is frequently used or I am making that dishes often. So I am sharing you today how to store pani-poori mixture for long time.

When you churn your green chillies, mint and coriander for making basic paste for paani-poori green water than you can add only little water and make a thick paste of it and add salt to it and mix well and store it in airtight container for a month. Store in freezer (froze it).

I make it in bulk and use it twice, on the day I make it and next within a month and it taste to me good both the times.

Note :- If you use it within month and do not find that it taste good then do not use it.

Indian Pulses,Cereals and Lentils available in United States at....

Hey guys today I am sharing you the list of pulses, cereals and lentils available in local stores of United States. Sometimes you do not have time to go to Indian Grocery store or want to make it, then go to your nearest United States store like Walmart, Ralphs, Albertson's and Smart & Final and have it.

1.   Lima Beans- Vaal

2.   Green Peas(Dry)- Leela Vatana

3.   Red Lentil- Masoor dal

4.   Garbanzo Beans- Choole/ Kabuli chana

5.   Red Kidney Beans- Rajma

6.   Black Eye Beans- lobiya, chavli

7.   Corn kernels- Makai

8.   Wheat/Broken Wheat- Ghehu

9.   Rice- Bhaat/Chawal
10.  Millet-Bajri
11.  Barley- Jav
12.  Chana Dal
13.  Whole Mung (Green)
 

Also you can find in stores is...

1. Raw/Roasted Peanuts- Mungfali

2. Soyabean

3. Sago-Sabudana

4. Puffed Rice- Mamara

5.Semolina- Sooji

6. All purpose flour- Maida
7. Rice Flour
8. Semolina Pasta Flour
9. Soy Flour

Note :- 

• Check Bob's Red Mill pulses, cereals, lentils and flour in your nearest store.
•  Also refer my earlier post of Indian spices availability in your local United States Store.

Bhakari Dough/Atta

Bhakari is traditional Indian flat bread which is made with subji, khichadi and kadhi. I even sometimes make only Bhakari and subji in dinner or lunch. 

You have to be very careful while making Bhakari Atta as it need to be firm then only outcome will be crispy bhakari.

To make Bhakari Atta you will need :-

2-1/2 cups bhakari flour (available in Indian Grocery Store)

4-5 tablespoon oil

Salt to taste

1-2 cups of water

Take a broad bowl and add bhakari flour to it. Add salt and oil and mix well. Add water little say about 1/4 cup at time while mixing flour. Add little quantity and simultaneously also mix flour to make a firm dough. It need to be neat properly for making smooth texture. Keep it aside for about 10 minutes covering with lid and then roll round bhakari and roast on low to medium heat and enjoy by adding a dollop of butter on it.

Okra Bellpepper (Capsicum) Subji

Last weekend I had been to vegetable market where many Indian vegetables are available and that too fresh...... I found out okra (ladyfinger) and I immediately started picking up. I and my husband both love okra subji too much so whenever I find okra I buy them for sure. This is also my brother's favorite subji. My mother eat okra subji by mixing fresh yogurt in it, this also taste very well. My aunty use to make this subji in India and from her I have learned this subji.

To make Okra Bellpepper Subji you will need:-

2-1/2 cups okra cut

1/2 cup bell pepper diced

Salt to taste

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

3-4 tablespoon oil

2-3 tablespoon chopped cilantro

1/2 tablespoon coriander cumin seeds

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 tablespoon red chilly powder (adjust to your taste)

Pinch of garam masala

Take an open pot and heat up oil. Add cumin seeds and allow it to crackle. Add okra pieces to it and saute it. Saute it occasionally till it get tender for about 10-12 minutes at low to medium heat. Add bell pepper to it and cook till all the vegetables get tender. Add all the spices and mix well. Saute it for another one more minute. Add fresh cilantro leaves on it before serving.

Serve with roti or paratha.

Note :- Never cover with lid when you are making okra subji, otherwise it will become sticky and you will not like it's taste.

Masala Coriander Buns (Bread)

Today I am sharing you left over recipe. I had some buns as left over and I thought of making quick snack out of it although tasty. I made masala coriander buns out of it. It is great tea time snack.

To make Masala Coriander (Cilantro) Buns you will need :-

2-3 buns roughly tare in to pieces

1/2 cup coriander/cilantro chopped

1/4 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon red chilly powder

1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds

Salt to taste

1-2 tablespoon oil

Take a pot and heat up oil. Add mustard seeds and allow it to crackle. Add cumin seeds to it and allow it crackle. Add all the spices roast the spices. Add buns pieces to it and mix well. Top it up with coriander leaves and serve with a cup of tea.

So try this easy snack and that too from left over bread or buns!!!!

Potato(Batata) Vada

It is raining here!!! We hardly get rain here and when it rains whole day I just can't wait to eat any fried Indian snacks like bhajiya, vada, etc. Today I thought of making batata vada so that it also serves as anytime much or in dinner with a roasted corn cob.

To make Potato Vada you will need :-

For potato mixture:-

1-1/2 cup boiled and mashed potatoes

1 tablespoon ginger chilly paste

1 teaspoon sugar

Salt to taste

3-4 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves

1 teaspoon rasins (optional)

1 teaspoon cashewnut chopped (optional)

Pinch of turmeric powder

1 tablespoon garam masala

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon oil

1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds

Oil for frying

For outer cover :-

1-1/2 cup gram flour

Pinch of turmeric powder

Salt to taste

Pinch of cooking soda

1/4 cup water (adjust consistency)

Take a bowl and add mashed potatoes and all spices to it except oil and mustard seeds. Take a small pot and heat up oil and allow mustard seeds to crackle. Add this oil mixture to potato mixture and mix well. Put it aside. Make a small ball of your choice.

Now take a bowl and add all the ingredients to it except water and mix well. Add water some at time to make a thick paste.

Take an open pot, it must be wider and add oil to it and allow to heat up. When oil gets hot  take a potato mixture ball and add it to gram flour mixture and put it gently in oil Fry at medium heat. When it gets cooked properly take out of oil and serve with chutney or ketchup.

Fruit Salad

I just love Indian sweets and when it comes to fruit salad, it is one of my favorite sweet dish. The combination of milk and fruits just goes very well. When I have different types of fruits which can go very well with each other I never forget to make this amazing dish....

To make fruit salad you will need :-

1 cup diced banana

1 cup diced apples

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

1/2 cup diced papaya

1/4 cup pineapple diced (optional)

4 cups of milk

1/2 tablespoon of Vanilla custard powder (Egg free available in Indian Grocery Store)

5-6 tablespoon sugar (adjust to your taste)

Take a pot and add milk to it. Allow it to boil at medium heat. When it starts boiling, take vanilla custard powder and mix it with 1-2 tablespoon of milk so that no lumps are there and add this mixture in boiling milk. Add sugar to milk mixture and stir till it gets thicken. Within 2-3 minutes milk will thicken.. Take milk mixture out of stove and allow it to cool down. Put in refrigerator to get it chilled. Take out the milk mixture just before serving. Add all the fruits of your choice and serve chilled.

Cauliflower and Bell-Pepper (Capsicum) Subji

I like simple veggies in my diet, although I try with different combinations so that veggies does not bore us!!! 

Today I tried with cauliflower and bell-pepper subji and it turned out really good.

To make Cauliflower and Bell-Pepper subji you will need:-

3 cups of cauliflower florets

1/2 cup diced green bell- peppers

1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds

3-4 tablespoon oil

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon coriander cumin powder

1 teaspoon red chilly powder

1/4 teaspoon garam masala

Salt to taste

2-3 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves

Water as needed

Take a pot and add oil to it. Allow oil to heat up. Add mustard seeds to it and allow it to crackle. Add cumin seeds and allow it to crackle. Add cauliflower florets to it and mix well and cover with lid. Cook on medium heat. In between saute it and add turmeric powder and salt. Add 3-4 tablespoon water if needed. Allow it to get cooked half way. Add green bell pepper to it and mix well. Cover it with lid and cook it. When it gets soften enough add all other spices to it and mix well and cook for about 1 minute. Serve hot or at room temperature with roti, paratha, etc.

Bhel-Chaat

Bhel is famous Indian street food and it just taste so well with all the chutneys and it's flavors.  My mouth just start watering whenever I think of roadside and street side bhel available in India. It is enjoyed so well when chatting and hanging around with friends and having a spoon of bhel.............We find different types of bhel in India, today I am sharing with you very basic recipe of bhel.

To make Bhel you will need :-

2 cups of mamara (already shared recipe)

2-3 teaspoon cilantro chutney (already shared recipe)

2-3 teaspoon tamarind dates chutney (already shared recipe)

1 tablespoon red onion finely chopped

4-5 tablespoon gram sev

1 tablespoon carrot finely chopped

1 tablespoon finely chopped tomatoes

1/4 teaspoon garlic chutney

2 tablespoon cilantro chopped

Take a bowl and mix all the ingredients. Top it up with gram sev and cilantro. Enjoy anytime.....

Hakka Noodles/ Chinese Noodles

Who does not like Chinese food? I love spicy food and I like Chinese food so this is one of my favorite recipe.

To make Hakka Noodles you will need :-

3 cups of noodles (earlier shared recipe for boiling it)

1/2 cup green bell- pepper thinly sliced

1/2 cup carrot thinly sliced

1/2 cup cabbage thinly sliced

1/2 cup onion thinly sliced

1/4 cup green onion sliced

3-4 cloves of garlic finely chopped

3-4 tablespoon soya sauce

3 teaspoon ginger chilly paste/ chilly sauce

Salt to taste

4-5 tablespoon of olive oil

1/4 teaspoon vinegar (optional)

Take a broad pot and add oil to it. Allow it to heat up. Add onions to it and saute it for some time. Add carrot and garlic to it. Saute it. Add cabbage and bell peppers and saute all the veggies for some time. Do not cook it full and let them little crunchy. Add noodles, salt, ginger chilly paste and soya sauce to it and mix well. Serve hot.

Potato Masala Squares/ Pockets

Hey guys, today I am sharing with you the recipe which is very good appetizer for your party. I have earlier shared potato peas puff recipe it is exactly same like that instead I have not used peas in it and changed it's shape to mini squares which are very good bite size as appetizer for parties.

To make Potato Masala Squares/ Pockets you will need :-

2-3 puff pastry sheet (Mid- East)

1 cup Potato masala mixture (as shown in potato peas recipe)

Take a baking tray and line up with foil or parchment paper. Preheat oven upto 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Take puff pastry sheet and cut in small rectangle shape. On one side add potato masala mixture and fold the other side on top of it and seal the edges of it. Put it on baking tray and bake about 10-15 minutes in middle rack at 425 degrees. Serve hot with ketchup or chutney.

Cilantro (Coriander) Chutney

I like to add green herbs in my diet. I like cilantro among them. I add them in subji, dal, kadhi and every possible recipe in which it goes well. Also I make cilantro chutney in bulk so that it comes out handy to me and I can use it with pakoda, bhajiya, aloo paratha, etc.

Lets make this Cilantro Chutney. To make Cilantro chutney you will need :-

2 cups of cilantro leaves (washed and water drained)

4-5 roasted peanuts

1-2 tablespoon lime juice

1/4 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Salt to taste

1 teaspoon roasted cumin seeds

1-2 green chillies chopped

Water as needed

Add all the cilantro leaves, peanuts, green chillies and roasted cumin seeds and 4-5 tablespoon water and churn them in mixture. Make a smooth paste. Take out in serving bowl and add salt and lime juice and mix well. Serve with pakoda, bhajiya, gota, paratha, etc.

You can store it for a month in airtight container and use it whenever you need.

How to boil noodles/spaghetti

Sometimes we are not able to figure out simple things or even if we are doing all correct something goes wrong and we are not able to make some recipes. I am sharing you one of them when I started cooking and was struggling to perfectly boil noodles.

Sometimes we over boil noodles or sometimes they are not properly cooked. So I am sharing you simple technique by which your noodles will be boiled perfectly.

To boil noodles/spaghetti you will need :-

1 handful bunch of noodles

1 tablespoon olive oil/cooking oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

4-5 cups of water

4-5 cups of ice/cold water (optional)

Take a open pot and add water to it and allow it to boil on stove. When it is boiling add noodles, olive oil and salt to it. Do not cover it with lid. When it gets soft little bit then stir them very gently. If required add one more cup of water. It will take almost 12-15 minutes to boil at medium temperature. Check carefully by breaking a little piece of noodles to see weather it is cooked properly. If they are overcooked they will loose their texture. So do not boil them too much. Take them out of flame and drain all the water and put noodles in strainer so no water remains in it. Put this strainer in pot filled with ice or run cold water on noodles and then drain all water and use them.

Use them while making noodles in red/white sauce, even with pesto of your choice. I use to make bake dish and hakka noodles.

Masala Chaas (Buttermilk)

When you want something to drink with your daily simple meal and that too homemade, nothing can substitute than a glass of Masala Chaas/buttermilk.

 It is my husband's favorite home made drink and he takes yogurt in form of chaas or simple yogurt or masala yogurt in his everyday meal. I am not a big fan of chaas but to accompany him, I also started including chaas in my diet.

To make Masala Chaas you will need :-

2-3 tablespoon of plain yogurt

1 teaspoon chopped cilantro 

1 teaspoon chopped mint (optional)

Salt to taste

1/4 teaspoon roasted cumin powder

1/2 cup water

Take a bowl and add yogurt to it. Add salt and cumin powder and mix well so that all lumps are broken. Use stirrer if required. Add water, mint and cilantro to it and mix well. Serve cold or at room temperature.

So what are you waiting for? Try it today and enjoy.........

Cabbage Carrot Subji

When we add something which is liked by our family into boring everyday subji, definitely they would love to eat the new version of the same old subji........

Today I tried with carrot with cabbage and it taste really good.

To make Cabbage Carrot Subji you will need :-

2 cup of  roughly chopped cabbage

2-3 tablespoon of carrot diced

Salt to taste

1 teaspoon jeera/ cumin seeds

2 tablespoon oil

1/2 tablespoon coriander cumin powder

1/2 tablespoon red chilly powder

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 tablespoon chopped coriander for garnishing

2-3 tablespoon water

Take a pot and allow oil to heat up. Add jeera to it. Allow it to crackle. Add chopped cabbage to it and saute it for about 1 minute. Check in between and if needed add water. When it gets cooked properly add all the spices and mix well. Allow all the spices to blend in subji. Serve with roti or paratha.

Homemade Yogurt (Dahi)

Today I am sharing with you very simple recipe but sometimes it plays trick when you are making out of India. In my early days in United States I was just struggling to make yogurt at home. My husband generally takes  yogurt at least one time in his meal so I want to make it at home so that I don't have to buy from outside. 

One of my friend here gave me trick and I followed it till today and everything is going well.....

To make Homemade Yogurt you will need :-

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon yogurt

Take a pot (tapeli) and add milk to it. Put it on low flame and allow it to boil. One boil is enough for it. Put the flame off and allow milk to cool till it is lukewarm. Add yogurt to it and mix well and put in the warm place like oven or microwave (don't turn it on). It needs average 3-4 hours in summer and about 5-6 hours in winter to form into yogurt.

Note :- You need not to turn on oven or microwave.

Drumstick with Besan (chickpea flour) Subji

People make lot of use of drumstick. Mostly it is used in making sambhar, but I made subji out of it and this is one of my and my brother's favorite subji.

To make Drumstick with Besan Subji you will need :-
2 drumstick (cut in to length  of around 2 inch and boiled)
1/2 cup besan
2 cups buttermilk
1 tablespoon ginger chilly paste
3-4 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Pinch of turmeric powder
Salt to taste

Take a pot and add oil to it. Add mustard seeds when oil is hot and allow it to crackle. Add besan to it and roast it properly. Add buttermilk and mix well till it gets smooth. Allow it to simmer on low heat. Add ginger chilly paste, sugar and salt to it. Add turmeric powder and mix well till it gets thicken. Add drumstick to it and mix well. Serve hot with roti and rice.

Note :- You can also add garlic to it and that too taste good.

Olive Salad- Side Dish

Today unexpected guest came and I had to make some quick side dish and it just clicked to me and I started mixing the things and this salad comes out really good.

To make Olive Salad you will need:-

2-3 olives sliced
1 cup cucumber sliced
1 cup carrot sliced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup apples diced
1 teaspoon mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt to taste

Take a bowl and mix olives, cucumber, carrot, apples and cilantro. Add mayonnaise, black pepper, olive oil, salt and lemon juice to it and mix well. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Try this once it turns out really good and helps when shortage of time.....

Easy Fruit and Salad Appetizer

I always try to make recipes simple. Also I make sure that they are easy and can be made in very less time. I am sharing with you few of them for the upcoming holiday parties.

To make fruit appetizer you will need :-

3-4 apple cubes

3-4 banana cubes

3 toothpick

Take apple and banana cubes and place it on toothpick and serve.

To make salad appetizer you will need :-

3-4 olives

3-4 cucumber slices

3-4 apple cubes

3-4 carrots slices

Take all the things and arrange on toothpick and serve.

Almond (Badam) Basundi

Hey guys festival season is going on so lets make something sweet. Today I tried with almond basundi for the first time and it turned out really good and thought of sharing with you all.

To make Almond Basundi you will need :-

2 cups milk (preferably full fat)

3/4 cup La Lechera condensed milk

1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

3-4 cardamom seeds

5-6 almond sleeves

Take a pot and add milk to it and allow it to get hot. Then add condensed milk and mix it well. Add sugar if desired. Stir in continuously at low flame. Add almond sleeves and cardamom seeds to it. Stir in mixture till it gets thick. Allow it to cool down and serve cold.

 

Coriander Mint Rava (Semolina) Idli

Hey guys I am back......I had taken break from blogging because my exams were there and I need to concentrate on that. Now I am free from studies so now I can think differently on my new recipes. Today I am sharing you very simple and easy breakfast or anytime snack recipe. It's Coriander Mint Rava Idli.

To make Coriander Mint Rava Idli you will need :-

1-1/2 cup semolina/rava

1/2 cup sour yogurt

Salt to taste

3-4 tablespoon coriander mint chutney

1 tablespoon oil

Water if needed

Pinch of baking powder

Take a bowl and add rava to it and microwave it for about one minute. Allow it to cool down. Add yogurt and salt to it and mix well. Allow it to rest for about 1 hour. After that add coriander mint chutney and baking powder to it and mix well.

Take idli steamer and allow water to boil. When water comes to boil apply oil on the idli mold dish and pour the batter. Do not fill too much. Steam it till it gets cooked. Say about 8-10 minutes on low to medium flame. Serve hot with tea or chutney of your choice.

Masala Muesli

My husband is very much found of diet and healthy food. So today I tried with muesli but with a twist. Instead of eating in breakfast I made it in dinner and that too masala.

For making Masala Muesli you will need :-

1 cup muesli soaked in buttermilk
Salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon pulav masala
2-3 tablespoon peas
2-3 tablespoon corn kernels
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon red chilly powder
 Pinch of Turmeric powder
Water as needed

Take a pan and add soaked muesli along with all the other ingredients except water. Allow it to cook little bit. Add water about 1/2 cup and mix well. Cook muesli till it gets cooked and water is soaked. Serve hot. I serve plain yogurt with masala muesli.

Rajma (Red Kidney Beans) Masala

On sunday I try to make recipes which my husband likes the most. So I made today one of his favorite Rajma Masala.

To make Rajma Masala you will need :-

1-1/2 cup of rajma boiled 

1 teaspoon garam masala

1 teaspoon red chilly powder

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

Salt to taste

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 teaspoon cumin coriander powder

2-3 curry leaves

3-4 tablespoon oil

Water as needed

1/2 cup onion chopped

1/2 cup tomato chopped

2-3 cloves of garlic chopped

Take a bowl and soak rajma for about 3-4 hours. Take out water about and add new water  about 4 cups and pinch of salt and pressure cook for about 7-8 whistle (adjust as per your pressure cooker). Allow it to cool down. Take a pan and add oil to it. When the oil is warm then add cumin seeds and when it gets crackle add curry leaves to it. Be careful so that it does not splutter. Add chopped onion to it and saute till it get cooked. Add chopped tomatoes and garlic and saute it till it gets cooked. Add all the spices and mix well. Add boiled rajma to it and mix well.

Serve hot with roti or paratha.

Roti Atta (Dough)

Today I would like to share with you my experience when I came to United States. Here the whole wheat flour available is such that I was just not comfortable in my earlier days, say about 1-2 months. Then I found the secret to make roti atta as India by experimenting various things and methods. 

For making Roti Atta you will need :_

3 cups of whole wheat flour ( I used sujata whole wheat flour)

1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

1 tablespoon oil

1-1/4 cup lukewarm water

Take a bowl and add whole wheat flour and salt and mix well. Then slowly add half cup water while mixing the whole wheat flour. Add water as needed and make  not too soft dough nor too hard dough,  don't make it so soft that you find it difficult while rolling. Apply oil on dough and knead is again. Allow it to rest for atleast fifteen minutes covering the lid before making roti.

Sometimes I feel lazy so I make roti dough for 2 days and store in refrigerator in airtight container immediately after making dough, if I am using it next day. It stays good for the next day too and saves your time.

Instant Chocolate Cup Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Festival season is still continuing and I thought of making something different from traditional sweet, so I thought of making cup cake!!!

When you have to serve large amount of people as dessert this serve really good as each one have their own individual portion and you don't have to worry about serving the guest. I have skipped eggs and substituted with evaporated milk.

For making Instant Chocolate Cup Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting you will need :-

1 packet of Pillsbury Cake Mix

1 tin of evaporated milk

Oil quantity as shown on cake mix packet

Cup cake liners

Butter spray

Cream Cheese 1 packet (softened)

Zip lock bag

3-5 tablespoon sugar

Make cake batter as directed on packet. Arrange cup cake liners on the cup cake molded tray. Spray butter spray on each of them properly and then pour the cake batter uptil half. Bake it as directed on cake mix packet. Allow it to cool down. 

Take a bowl and add softened cream cheese and sugar and mix well. Fill it in ziplock bag and then one one corner cut it and make a cone shape. Design as per your choice. Serve your near and dear ones these goodies................