Nectarine Chutney

I had some nectarine lying in my refrigerator so i tried this sweet and tangy chutney.This chutney is very easy to make and different.It can be serve as a side dish with any type of meal.

Ingredients,

Ripe nectarine -3-4
ginger - 1/2 inch pieces
green chilly - 1-2
sugar - 4-5 tbsp
salt to taste
Red chilli powder- 1/2 tbsp
Crushed black pepper- 1/4 tbsp
A pinch of Garam masala
little water

Method

1-Cut nectarine and take out the seed,chop it along with green chillies and ginger into very small pieces.

2-Heat little water(about 3-4 tbsp) in a pan and add sugar ,let it dissolve.

3-Add chopped nectarine along with chilli and ginger ,stir ,cover it and let it cook in steam for 1/2 an hour on low heat.(stir 2-3 times in between)

4- After it uncover , add all spices ,mash little bit and cover it again for 15 minutes.

5-Stir and let it cool ,store in glass jar ,this chutney can be store for about 2-3 weeks in refrigerator .

Indian spicy crackers

All time hit,spicy crackers which is fit for anytime munching .Perfect for take along for travel and picnics and can be store for more than a month.

Ingredients,

All purpose flour - 1 cup
Semolina -1/4 cup
 oil-       4-5 tbsp
red chilli powder- 1 tsp
carom seeds- 1/2 tbsp
salt to taste
onion seeds (kalongi)-1/2 tsp (optional)
oil for deep frying

Method-

1-Combine all the ingredients except oil for frying and make a stiff dough.

2-Let it sit for 15-20 minutes.

3-Knead it well again and make 3-4 equal size balls and roll one by one  and cut it into wedges.

4-Heat oil in a deep pan and fry these wedges on medium low heat for about 10-15 minutes or till golden brown.

5-Let them cool and store in a air tight container ,serve with pickle any type of chutney . 

Roomali roti

I love roomali roti but always thinking how they make it so thin like a roomal (handkerchief) in restaurant.I was looking for a perfect and easy roomali roti recipe which i can make at home.

After surfing internet and gone through so many recipes.i finally came across the recipe of 'Vahchef ' Sanjay and it came out perfect as restaurant.I just followed his recipe so i am going to give the link of his recipe here,which can be easily make at home.

The only change which i have done from his recipe is ,i used all purpose flour in place of rice flour for applying between two dough balls and i think it worked fine.So i am not going to post the recipe again ,you can check out his video link.

 

Blackberry & Raspberry Muffins

Yesterday some friends were coming over at my house so i was thinking of  making something special .I had two boxes of raspberry and blackberry lying in my refrigerator so decided  to bake some muffins.It was my first attempt but believe me ,they came out so well that they (my friends) were thinking that these are store brought.I also added less egg as i don't like the prominent  taste of  eggs which use to come from store brought muffins.


Ingredients

1/4 cup butter
 1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups all purpose  flour, divided
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 pinch of baking soda
11/2 cup milk
1 cup blackberries and raspberries mixed




Method-


1-In a large bowl cream butter with sugar and egg.

2-Reserve 2 tbsp flour and combine remaining with baking soda,salt and baking powder add milk and vanilla and mix.

3-Preheat the oven at 400 degree f.

4-Now add the milk and flour mixture into creamy butter and sugar mixute,mix it well.

5-Sprinkle remaining flour (2 tbsp) on berries and mix them lightly.

6-Fold berries into muffin mixture gently.

7-Grease muffin pan or use liners .(i used liners)

8-Fill each muffin cup 3/4 and sprikle some nuts (cashew nut,almond,raisins,pistachio etc)  as garnish (i used raisins).

 

 9-Bake 20-25 minutes until done ,keep checking every 5 minutes.

10-Remove from oven and let them cool on cooling rack and enjoy.

Avocado Honey Milkshake

I personally not a big fan of Avocado and do not use frequently in my daily cooking but when Priya announced her Event ,i decided to give try some avocado recipes.I was searching for avocado recipes and found this one here  .I did not follow the recipe and made some changes according to my taste...

Ingredients-

Ripe Avocado - 1/2
Milk -1/2 cup
Honey-3 tbsp
ice cubes-1/2 cup
sugar if needed

Method-

1- Peel and scoop avocado.
2-Put all ingredients in blender(reserve 1 tbsp of honey) and blend till smooth.
3-Pour in serving glasses and garnish with remaining 1 tbsp of honey and serve chilled.

NOTE-1-Add sugar if required ,i like mine sweet so i added little sugar to it too.
            2-Use of avocado depends on you if you like taste of avocado ,you can use less or more.

I am sending it to Priya's Vegetable/fruit  Avocado Event.

Vegetable Cooler

So here i am with one more summer recipe.........This one is my favorite as it contains all the benefits of vegetables.This is something between soup and juice I think.This spicy drink is perfect for hot summer days as well as tasty and healthy too.

Ingredients-

Spinach- 1bundle
Tomato-1 big size
Carrots-1-2
Beetroot-1 head
juice of one lemon (about 4-5 tbsp)
salt to taste
Black salt- 1 tbsp
Crushed peppercorns -1tsp

Method-

1-wash and clean all vegetables and chop roughly.
2-Blanch all vegetables with little water or Microwave them for about 2-3 minutes.
3-Let them cool.
4-Put all these blanched vegetables in blender and blend till smooth paste.
5-Strain and add water if its too thick or add ice cubes.
6-Add lemon juice ,salt,black salt and crushed pepper.
7-Serve chilled.

I am sending it to spicytasty's sizzling summer contest.

Kaju Masala (Cashew nuts curry)

A curry with a royal touch ,a hit in any party and easy too.Cashew nuts in a spicy gravy with whole garam masala imparts a very nice aroma.It goes well with any Indian bread like roti,naan or puris.

Ingredients -

Cashew nuts - 1/2 cup (wholes and halves)
Raisins- 1/4 cup or less
Tomato -1big size
onion - 1 medium size
Capsicum-1/2 small size
cloves- 2 nos
peppercorns- 2 nos
black cardamom -1
green cardamom - 2
Cinnamon stick -1/2 inch piece
Bay leaf - 1
red chilli powder- 1/2 tsp or according to taste
coriander powder-1 tbsp
Turmeric powder-1tbsp
cumin seeds- 1 tbsp
milk-1/2 cup or less
Desi ghee - 2 tbsp
salt to taste

Method-

1-Chop onion,tomato and capsicum very finely.
2-Soak raisins in milk .
3-Heat ghee in a wok and add cumin seeds ,let them splutter.
4-Add all whole spices and roast them a minute till the nice aroma comes out.
5-Add finely chopped onions and saute on low heat ,add some salt.
6-Add finely chopped tomato and saute till oil separates then add capsicum and saute till capsicum gets little tender.
7-Add turmeric powder,coriander powder and red chilli powder to masala.
8- Now add cashew nuts and soaked raisins (reserve the milk for later.)
9-Add little water ,stir and cook it covered for about 10 minutes.
10-Then add milk in which we soaked raisins and just give it a boil uncoverd.
11- Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.

I am sending it to Sara's 'Think Spice Think Garam masala Event'.

strawberry Milkshake

Here ,I come with one more summer recipe,in my last post i mentioned that i have lots of strawberries in my refrigerator,i knew that we will not able to finish them so i freeze half of them and now i have frozen strawberries which i can use in shakes,ice creams ,puddings and many different ways throughout summer i guess.................so here is the recipe of strawberry milkshake.........

Ingredients

1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp sugar or according to taste
5-6 strawberries
1 scoop Vanila Ice cream
6-7 Fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup ice cubes

For Garnish

1-2 strawberries
1tbsp light whipped cream (optional)

Method-

1-Thaw strawberries in microwave for 1 minute.(omit this step if using fresh ones),cut them in half.

2-Combine all the Ingredients in blender except ice cream and ice cubes,blend till smooth.

3-Now add ice cream and ice cubes and blend 1 more minute.

4-Pour in serving glasses and garnish it with a dash of whipped cream and strawberry,serve chilled.

I am sending it to spicytasty's Sizzling summer contest.

Mango Strawberry smoothie

Its strawberry season here.Sweet ,juicy and fresh strawberries are here in the farms,this week we also went for strawberry picking and it was wonderful experience i must say.we picked our own red and sweet strawberries and we were enjoying so much that i picked up more then needed, so now my refrigerator is full of strawberries  and i am on the mission of trying new recipes of strawberries.

This smoothie is also the part of my mission .......I added a little less strawberries because i wanted more mango flavor in my smoothie.

Ingredients

Mango Pulp 1/2 cup (sweetened)

Strawberries 5-6

yogurt 4-5 tbsp

ice cubes 1/2 cup

Cardamom powder 1/2 tsp

Milk 4-5 tsp (if needed)

Garnishing

Few melon seeds (optional)

1-2 strawberries

 

Method-

1-Combine all the Ingredients in blender and blend till smooth.

2-Add milk if needed for desired consistency ,serve chilled by garnishing it with melon seeds and strawberries.


I am sending it to  Divya,s Show me your smoothie Event'.

Pineapple Coconut Curry

I like Pineapple a lot and can have it in any form such as drinks,dessert or fruit itself.But Pineapple curry, never thought of that and even these two combination pineapple and coconut that too in form of curry looks very weird to me. Then one day I came across this recipe of Pineapple curry while browsing internet and decided to give it a try but i was unsure about the taste .

But believe me it came out yummy and delicious .The sweet and tangy taste with the aroma of coconut gravy makes it different from other regular curries. I followed the recipe from spiceroots .com .I followed the recipes as it is but the only addition i have done is this i added cumin seeds as well as mustard seeds.I am not going to post the recipe again here ,you can check the recipe on spiceroots .com itself.

serve piping hot and enjoy.........)

Aaloo Wadiyan

Aloo (Potatoes)goes very well in any kind of preparations at any time,so i always keeps  boiled potatoes in my refrigerator ,they are very useful in the times when you are in hurry or not in mood of elevorate cooking (It happens sometimes rite: )

Aloo Wadiyan is also a comfort kindda curry for me which goes well with paranthas and wholesome in itself with daal wadis.In my previous post 'Wadi ka paani' ,i mentioned that you can easily get wadis in Indian Grocery stores.(My mother and grandmother makes it at home too).

Ingredients:


Potato - 1 medium size (Boiled )
Masala wadis- 4-5
Tomato Puree-1/4 cup
Ginger garlic paste- 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Cumin seed -1/2 tbsp
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Oil
1/4 cup water
Cilantro for garnishing 

Method-

1-Break the wadis in to pieces and shallow fry them in little oil till golden brown.

2-Cook wadis in pressure cooker with little water till soft (about 4-5 whistles)

3-Peel the potato and cut into pieces.

4-In a pan heat little oil,add cumin seeds and let it splutter.

5-Add ginger garlic paste saute for sometime ,add  Turmeric powder ,tomato puree and cook till oil separates.

6-Add potato pieces,salt and cooked wadiyan along with water ,boil it till desired consistency .

7-Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with parantha.

Note- 1- No need to add any other spices as wadis has all spices in it.

Vegetable Frittata

According to Wiki  Frittata is an omelette or quiche, either simple or enriched with additional ingredients such as meats, cheeses, vegetables or pasta. It may be flavored with herbs.

Yesterday I tried it for the first time in my own way thinking  that i am going to try bake omelet with some Vegetables ,its now only when i went through Wiki ,came to know that actually i tried Frittata.I was aware of the thing that something call Frittata in Italian Cuisine exist but totally unaware of the recipes......but happy that i tried it yesterday .

It came out so well and it is also full of vegetables so healthy too.Here is the recipe how i tried it for the first time......

Ingredients-

3- Eggs

1-small size onion (chopped)

5-6 Cherry Tomatoes (cut in Halves) (i used regular tomato pieces)

5 tbsp Cabbage (thinly chopped)

1 bunch of coriander

1 clove Garlic

5-6 walnuts (crushed)

Salt and Pepper to taste

2-3 tbp Parmesean cheese (i used mozzarella)

2-3 tsp Sesame seeds

little oil

Method-

 

1-Heat oil in a Pan on medium high heat ,add Chopped garlic and  onions , saute till transparent ,add chopped cabbage and saute for 2-3 minutes.

2-Now add chopped Coriander leaves and keep aside.

3- Beat Eggs in separate bowl lightly and add salt and pepper to taste.

4-Preheat the oven at 300 degree f.

5- Lightly grease a 5-6'' cake pan.(or any flat vessel for oven)

6-Add cooked Vegetables in egg mixture along with crushed walnuts.

7-Pour this Batter in the cake pan and set cherry tomatoes on top .

8-sprinkle cheese and sesame seeds on top and bake it for 15-20 minutes.

9-Broil it for 2-3 minutes at last .

10 -Leave it for 2-3 minutes and cut it into wedges and serve.

I served it with toast and Tomato Ketchup.

 

6- 

 

Microwave Sweet Saffron rice (Zarda)

Sweet Rice is a traditional dish of festivals in our house.My grandmother use to make it on 'Basant Panchmi' festival mainly.she use to make it in her own traditional way(on stove top),but i tried it in my Microwave and it came out perfectly well.Microwave sweet rice is a easy,quick one pot meal ,a perfect dessert after any meal .  

The look and smell of saffron rice is delicious and tempting. It can be serve  cold or warm. (we like it warm)

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup basmati  rice
2 tbsp ghee or butter
1  cup water
2 tbsp milk
1/4cup sugar or more
Few  saffron threads
1/2 teaspoon coarsely crushed cardamom seeds
3 tbsp  pistachios,Melon seeds,and cashews and almonds (few for garnishing)
10-14 raisins 
 1/2 tsp turmeric

Method-

1-Soak rice in water for at least 1/2 hour.

2-soak saffron threads and turmeric in milk and keep aside.

3-Cook rice in microwave with water for 10 minutes,stir occasionally after every 2-3 minutes.

4-Strain access water (if any)  and leave rice for 10 minutes.

5-Add saffron-turmeric  milk and microwave for 2 minutes.

6-Now add sugar and cardamon and microwave for 2-3 more minutes.

7-Add ghee or butter along with all dry fruits and microwave it for one more minute.

8-Sweet Saffron rice is ready,serve it warm or cold by garnishing it with few more dry fruits on top.  

                                                                                                                   

                                                         

Almond-Saffron Milk

Homemade almond milk is delicious and very simple to make .Saffron threads impart a beautiful orange-yellow color and distinctive flavor and aroma to this refreshing drink..

This is  Delicately flavored with cardamom, the nuts in this chilled, cooling drink don't just make it tasty, they pack a mighty nutritious punch too! Cold Badam Milk is a great summer cooler but if you use warm milk to make it, it's a great winter drink too! so here is the recipe of this wonder drink--------

Ingredients:

1/2 litre full fat milk (can use fat free milk too)
4 tbsp sugar (or according to taste)
Pinch of saffron
1 (tsp) cardamom powder

6-7  almonds (crushed)

For Garnishing

Few almond slivers

  a pinch of saffron

Few Melon seeds (optional)

Method-                                                                                                                                                    

1- Pour the milk into a heavy bottomed pan, bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until milk reduces to half the quantity, Stir occasionally for about 20-25 minutes. (This can be done while doing other works in kitchen easily)

  2-Turn off the heat,add  sugar  and stir till all sugar is dissolved.                                                                  

3- Now add  saffron threads , cardamom powder and almonds ,stir it well.                                                 

4-  Chill for a couple of hours or serve warm by garnishing it with almond silvers,saffron and melon seeds.   

Enjoy.............

I am sending it to Divya's  'Show Me Your Smoothie' event.

Cumin Bread (Jeera bread)

This was my first attempt to make bread at home and believe me it came out so well and tasty, that i myself could not believe it .......Before attempting bread making at home ,I Googled so many recipes and finally found this one in one of the blog which was looking perfect in terms of measurement and Ingredients and most of all its cumin bread a perfect Indian taste......so here comes the recipe

Ingredients: 

1cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup wheat flour
1/2 cup water
1 tea spn cumin seeds (roasted)
 1and 1/4 tea spn active dry yeast
1/2 tbl spn unsalted butter
1/2 tea spn sugar
1 tea spn salt
Olive oil

Method-

1-Roast cumin seeds till a nice aroma comes out of them. Crush them slightly(do not make a powder).

2-Heat the water till it is lukewarm, Add sugar, butter and little olive oil. Then add yeast to it. Leave it at a warm place for 10mins till yeast becomes active (the mixture becomes frothy)


3-Add salt, cumin and flours. If necessary add a little more water. Make a dough.(Knead it well for about 10mins.)

4-Transfer the dough to a well oiled big vessel. Cover with a plastic wrap.

5-Leave it for about 1 and 1/2 hrs – 2hrs till the dough doubles in size.

6-Take out the dough on a flat surface. Press down the dough. Knead for a minute and give desired shape.

7-Apply some olive oil on top and leave it covered for another 45mins. The dough should double in size again.


8-Preheat the oven at 500F for about 10mins. Bake the bread for about 10- 15mins. Take it out and brush some butter on top. Then keep it back in oven and bake till you get a nice brown color(about 10- 15mins).


I served it with a simple olive oil-dried basil-salt mixture (like they serve in some of the Italian restaurants here). It was a very crusty from outside, soft from inside.

I sprinkled some of the grated cheese on top and served with hot tomato soup.


I am sending it to Aathidhyam's BREAD MANIA EVENT.

Mango Lassi

Lassis are  traditional Punjabi beverage which blend yogurt with water, salt, and spices into a cooling summer drink. Wikipedia says the idea of making sweet lassis with fruit is a relatively recent variation, but the mango flavor is  so delightful in this that I truly can't imagine the drink without it. Mangoes are native to India, and more than 50% of the world's mangoes are grown in India.

Summer is no fun without mangoes and here is one sweet lassi recipe which so refreshing and perfect for hot summer days.

Ingredients:

Mango -1 or mango pulp -1/2 cup

 Yogurt(fresh) 1 cup

Sugar 1 tbsp or as needed

Green cardamon powder a pinch

Saffron  2-3 strands

1/2 cup crushed ice cubes

Method-

1-Peel the mango skin and separate the pulp from the seed. Discard seed.(omit this step if using mango pulp.)

2-Combine all the ingredients in a mixer/blender and blend till smooth and serve chilled.

 Note- Do not add sugar if using sweetened mango pulp.


I am sending it to Srivalli,s Thanda Mela. 


I am sending it to Divya's 'Show Me Your Smoothie Event' too.

Cucumber Chutney

Cucumber Chutney and my 50th Post.Mostly people celebrate with something sweet but here i come with something spicy to celebrate my 50th post.

 This chutney can be serve as a side with any kind of meal ,it is very tasty and some nice change from the regular chutneys.


Ingredients:

Cucumber - 1/2 (medium size)
 
Coriander leaves- 1 bunch

Raw Mango -1/2 (medium size)

Green chilly-1 (medium) 


peppercorns- 2-3

cloves     - 1-2

Cumin seeds- 1 tbsp

Black salt-1 tsp

A pinch of Asafetida


salt to taste


Method-


1-Cut cucumber in cubes (with skin),peel and cut raw mango and pick  coriander leaves with little stems on and wash it thoroughly by draining excess water.


2- Combine all the Ingredients for chutney and blend it in blender ,add little water if needed,serve with any kind of bhajia or sandwich.


I am sending it to Preeti's Green Gourmet Event-1.

Quick snack rolls

Hmmm So today I am going to share a recipe which was totally a surprise for me too.How ?Because Hubby in kitchen is always a surprise........This is my hubby;s recipe ,He made it this weekend and it was yummy......well anything cooked by hubby (without my help) is always yummy.so here comes the quick ,easy and delicious recipe of snack rolls........................................

U NEED...

(for 2 snack rolls)

1 Egg

2 tortillas(any kind white or corn)

1 small onion (chopped)

some grated mozzarella Cheese

salt to taste

1/2 tsp Black pepper powder 

little oil

Method -

1-Beat egg in a bowl .add chopped onion, salt and pepper and keep it aside

.

2-Heat a griddle/tawa and place one tortilla ,heat it on one side and flip it over.

3-Now pour beaten egg(half) over it ,and let it cook covered for near about 2-3 minute on medium -low heat

.

4-Now flip it again(egg side down) and let it cook for one more minute from other side too (egg will cook faster this side)  

5-Remove from heat and add some cheese as  stuffing ,roll it tightly. (the cheese will melt inside as it will be hot and rolled tightly)

6-Cut from middle and serve with some tomato ketchup and some chips on side.

Note-1-you can  add any other veggies too in egg mixture as per your likings.

2-For stuffing also use any leafy veggie along with cheese.

3-It can be ideal choice for any picnic outing also just wrap these roll in aluminum foil and carry.

As this is my Hubby's recipe or can say his experiment ,I am sending it to Priti,s Indian Khana His Cooking Event .   

                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                        

Mango pie

Its Summer.......and along with all fun ,Mango season is also around the corner.The king of fruit,juicy and tasty Mango......we love it....in all forms either mango milk shake,mango burfi or mango ice cream or anything else.


Here I am going to give you the recipe of Mango Pie which is very quick and tasty.

Ingredients

Mango pulp 2 cups (sweetened) 


Unflavored Gelatin 1 envelope

Cream Cheese 2 tbsp


Pie crust (store brought,desired size)


water  1/2 cup

Method

1-Dissolve unflavored gelatin in water and whisk it vigorously ,until foamy .

2-Then add cream cheese and whisk till dissolve.

3-Add Mango pulp to it and mix it well and pour it into pie crust evenly.(pour some more mango pulp over if needed)

4-Keep it in the refrigerator to set for at least 3 hours.

5- Cut it and drizzle some mango pulp over it and serve  .


NOTE- 1-Unflavored Gelatin is available in almost all grocery stores.

            2-You can also serve it with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.  

I am sending it to Torview's Cold Desserts Event.

Rajma Masala (Kidney Beans Curry)

I enjoy cooking lentils and beans  and there is always a myriad of dried and canned beans in my pantry.What makes them even better is that they come in a wonderful variety. Black beans, pinto beans, white kidney beans, brown lentils, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, soybeans. Each has a distinct flavor and texture that lends itself to different dishes and uses. Beans plays an very important role in Indian as well as other cuisine also in different forms.

Red kidney beans are very nutritious. They are, however, harder to digest than other beans, which is why they're traditionally cooked with seasonings that help break them down, such as ginger in Indian cooking.Here I am giving you the recipe of red kidney beans curry which combines well with Jeera rice and phulkas.

Ingredients

1  cup red kidney beans or use canned one
4  cups water
2  medium onions finely chopped or pureed
2  bay leaves
2  tbsp ginger - garlic paste
½  tsp  asafoetida and turmeric powder (optional)
1  tsp cumin seed
2  tsp red chili powder
2  big tomatoes pureed
1  tsp garam Masala
2  tbsp coriander powder
3  tbsp oil
salt to taste 

     coriander leaves for garnishing    

Method -

1- Soak kidney beans in water for overnite,if not using canned one. 

   

  2-Drain  red kidney beans and wash them well. Place them in a pressure cooker (for speedy cooking). Add  water and some salt. Close the cooker and cook on high heat. After one whistle, cook on low heat for about 10  minutes or till the beans are soft. 

3-Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan on medium heat and crackle the cumin seeds. Add  bay leaves , asafoetida and  ginger-garlic paste. Fry briefly. Add onions and salt  saute till they  golden brown. Add all the spice powders except garam masala .

4-Add  tomato puree, Fry till the oil separates. Add the cooked red kidney beans , mix well,cover and cook on medium heat for about 15  minutes.

5-Finally add garam masala and garish it with cilantro,serve hot.

Note--While cooking dry beans can be all day affair, canned beans are a quick substitute. Just be sure to drain and rinse them, which helps lower the sodium content.