Palak Anda /Egg Spinach curry...!!!

Spinach,a leafy green vegetable, are among the most nutritious of low calorie foods. Not only,it tastes good ,but it is an incredible immune system booster that can protect you against myriad health problems throughout your life.
But to be very frank I dont like it's tatse so much.So,since few days I was looking for a good recipe which will help me and my family to eat spinach.

 It's none other than the most gorgeous and talented "Devalina didi" (Devalina Sen,a renowned doctor by profession) posted a very interesting recipe of spinach and egg curry and I followed the same with few variations and it turned out really good.My heart core thanks to her. Not only it has become my favourite recipe but also my family members liked it very much.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

• Spinach:2 bunches(chopped)
• Eggs:4(hard boiled)
• Onion:2 medium(smoothly chopped)
• Tomato:2(chopped)
• Ginger Paste:1 tsp
• Garlic:3-4 cloves (crushed)
• Cumin powder:1tsp
• Red chili powder:1tsp
• Turmeric powder:1/4tsp
• Whole Garam Masala: 1 Cinnamon Stick, 2/3 green cardamoms and 2/3 cloves.
• Sugar:1/2tsp
• Salt as per taste
• Oil: 2tbsp
• 1/2 cup cashew paste
• Water: 1/2 Cup (warm)
• Fresh cream:2 tbsp.(Optional)

Process:

                  

• Boil the eggs and peel them off .Fry them with little oil and turmeric powder until golden.
• Wash and chop the spinach and strain the excess water.
• Soak  4-6 cahsewnuts in warm milk for 15 minutes and make a smooth paste of it.
• Now in your pan or kodai heat oil and  add whole garam masala(1 cinnamon stick,2 cardamons and 2-3 cloves),when the aroma comes out add the cinnamon stick,cardamoms and cloves. Once you feel the aroma add the sugar and fry it till little brown.
• Add the crushed garlic and fry it slightly .
• Now add the chopped tomato and sprinkle little salt. Soon the tomato will be mushy and pulpy.
• Then add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent.
• Add cumin powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.
• Cook very well until the oil separates from the spices.
• Then add the chopped spinach. Cover it and cook for few minutes on a medium flame.
•  As the spinach will release a lot of water it will be cooked in its own water. But still you may add 1/2 cup of warm water if you want.
• Cook covered until the spinach becomes very mushy .
• Now add the cashew paste. Give a very good stir.
• Now prick the boiled eggs with a fork and add them into the spinach gravy.
•  Cook the gravy in medium or low flame for few more time to get your desired consistency.
• Add the fresh cream.
• Now your Palak Aanda is ready to serve.
• Serve it with Paratha, roti or puri. It tastes heavenly.

                                                   Enjoy Your Food!!!!!

                     

Coriander French Toast...!!!

What else could you expect more on a lazy Sunday morning, when you see  your hubby is making something special for you.??? It's well known that these rare moments always make us, the home makers, very happy and mesmerized...now its time to write down the recipe of a super tasty breakfast made by my man ..... A very simple one yet very tasty too......

Here is the recipe...!!!

 Ingredients:

• White Bread: 8 Pieces
• Egg: 2
• Coriander Leaves: 1 small bunch
• Capsicum/Bell Peppers: Green, Yellow and Red (1 cup,chopped)
• Onion: 1 medium
• Salt: As per the taste
• Black Pepper: 1/2 Tea Spoon.
• Red chilly powder: 1/4 Tea Spoon
• Coriander Powder: 1/2 Tea Spoon
• Milk : 1 Table spoon
• Oil to fry

Procedure:

1. Chop the red, yellow and red Bell peppers, onion and coriander leaves very smoothly(around 1 cup all together). Don't make paste as it will change the taste as well as the texture of coriander will not come.
2. Mix all the ingredients in a single bowl and smash it with hand.
3. Add salt, black pepper, red chilly powder and coriander powder in the mixture and mix it well with a spoon.
4. Add two eggs in the mixture and beat it well.
5. Atlast add a table spoon of milk into it and mix it (Milk will make the bread softer and enhance the taste)
6. Take a flat non-stick pan and heat it slightly. add a table spoon of oil.
7. Take a single piece of bread and put in the mixture and fry it in a low flame till it is golden brown.
8. When all the breads are done serve it with any  sauce of your choice.

                                                 
 

               

                                  Enjoy your food!!!

 

Shahi Paneer....!!!!

Shahi Paneer is a traditional North Indian preparation.'Shahi' means Royal. The Paneer lover can make a beeline for this dish.hahaha...Actually it is a very old dish and a very rich vegetarian preparation.In this recipe Paneer pieces are cooked  in a thick, creamy and spicy gravy of tomato, onion and cashewnuts paste.

Here is the recipe:


Ingredients:


  

250 Grams Paneer

1 Onion - paste

3-4 Tomatoes - paste(finely chopped)

1/4 cup beaten curd

8-10 Cashews (Raw)

2 Green Chilies, finely chopped(optional)

1/2" piece Ginger,(paste)

2-4 small garlic clove, finely chopped or paste

2-3 Cardamoms (crushed)

1 cinnamon stick

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin powder

1 teaspoon ground coriander powder

1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala

1/2 teaspoon Red Chilly Powder

2 teaspoon Tomato Sauce

2-4 tablespoon oil

2 tbsp of low fat cream.

1/2 cup of water.

Salt to taste,pinch of sugar.

Cilantro leaves(chopped)

 

Preparation:

• Cut the paneer in small cubes.Soak them in warm water for few minutes.And then fry in a pan with little oil and salt.Keep them aside.
• Soak the cashewnuts in warm milk for 15-20 minutes.And make a thick and smooth paste of it.
• Heat oil/ghee in a frying pan. Add sugar ,fry it till brown and then add the onion paste and let it fry till it gets translucent.
• Now add ginger, garlic paste, cardamoms,cinnamon sticks and green chilies(optional).
• Then add turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, red chili powder and salt .
• Stir the mixture and fry it for 2-3 mins. Add chopped tomatoes and cashew paste and cook it for 5-6 mins.
• Add beaten curd, tomato sauce and cook it again. 
•  Now,add the water based on the thickness of the gravy required and let it cool.
• Blend it with blender .
• Now pour the gravy back in the pan. Add paneer cubes and gently simmer it for few minutes.
• Now add the cream .
• Garnish it with chopped cilantro or coriander leaves.
• Your dish is now ready to serve.

              

                                                                     Enjoy Your Food...!!!

 

Lemon Yoghurt Chicken ...!!!!

Chicken as a meat is widely believed to be easily digested and considered to be one of the most neutral foodstuff.It is the only meat with which very easily different variations can be done. Lemon Yoghurt Chicken is a very simple and quick preparation also.In this preparation as the chicken is marinated with yoghurt and lemon ,the chicken pieces become soft like anything after cooking.

Here is the recipe:


Ingredients:

• 250g chicken breast or leg (cut in small pieces).
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 1 cm ginger
• 1 medium red onion
• 2 red chillies
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chilli powder (optional)
• 1 whole lemon, lemon juice squeezed out
• 1/2 cup of yogurt
• 1/2 tsp salt
• A pinch of sugar
• coriander leaves, finely chopped

Process:

• Blend onions, garlic, ginger, chillies(I used whole chilli),separately using a food blender so as to get a fine paste.
• Mix chicken with yogurt, salt,turmeric powder, lemon juice and onion,garlic,ginger paste and the whole red chilli together(I generally marinate chicken pieces with little mustard oil too). Add cumin powder,red chilli powder also with it.Marinate in fridge for 1hr.
• Heat 2-4 tbsps of oil in a pan. When hot, add a pinch of sugar and fry it till brown.
• Then add the marinated chicken. Cook on low heat. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
• Uncover, turn heat to medium.
• Cook the chicken until the water has evaporated.
• You dont need to add water during cooking  because I already added lemon juice and yogurt which contain a sufficient amount of water for this recipe.
• When the curry thickens add the garam masala powder and the chopped coriander leaves and mix.
• Now Your Lemon Yoghurt Chicken is ready to serve.

                                             Enjoy Your Food..!!

Jhurjhure Alubhaja Recipe(Bong's Special Fried Potato)

Jhirijhiri Alubhaja /Fried Potato/Potato Fritters   is  a very traditional  and popular Bengali preparation and tastes heavenly with dal and steamed rice...and in my house it's the most favorite thing. My daughter doesn't want anything if she is given this. Not only her,even I like it so much. In fact we enjoy our lunch or dinner lavishly with it along simple rice and dal.

The recipe is very simple and quick.

Ingredients:

•   2 Large Potatoes
• Salt
• 2 cups white oil

Method:

          

• At first wash and peel off  the potatoes .Then cut into very thin and fine strips. To make it more quick you may grate the peeled potato.
•  Then soak them in a large bowl of cold water for 1 hour.It would be much better if you could keep it inside the fridge for 1-2 hours.
• Now heat oil in a deep bottom vessel.
• When the oil gets very hot add the potato strips and fry them in medium flame until the potatoes become fried and crispy.
• Meanwhile You may add curry leaves and peanuts for better taste.
• Now strain the crispy and fried potato strips from pan with a perforated spoon and spread on a flat plate. Sprinkle salt and serve.

• Tip: Don't try to fry all the potato at a time. It will stick to each other and you will not get the thin separate fried strips. So add them in two or three different batches and fry.

                                             Enjoy Your Food..!!!

Kadhaiii Paneer...!!!

Kadhai Paneer is a very famous North Indian dish and has spread all over the world.It has  an irresistible flavor with the blend of Red,Green and Yellow Bell Peppers, dried Fenugreek leaves ,the cardamom and  the asafetida.It is a very colorful dish too.

Actually  the "kadhai" or "kadai" is one of the most commonly used kitchen utensils in Indian kitchen.Though it is mainly used for deep frying but delicious sabji,chicken or even meat are also prepared in this and hence the dishes adpot the word "kadhai' in their name.

Kadhai Paneer is not only a delicious dish but also it's very heathy and nutritious too.

Here is the recipe:


Ingredients:

• 250 gm Cottage Cheese (Paneer)
• Bell peppers(3,red ,yellow and green)(chopped,not very finely)
• 3 Onion (make paste with two and coarsely chop the other)
• 4 Tomato(chopped)
• 1 "  piece of  Ginger (paste)
• 1/2 tsp garlic paste
• 2-3 whole red dry chilli.
• 1 tsp coriander seeds.
• 2 Bay Leaf
• 4 Cloves
• 1 piece Cinnamon
• 2 tbsp fresh cream(Optional)
• 1/2 cup cashew paste
• 1/2 tsp of dried fenugreek leaves(kasuri methi)
• A pinch of asafetida
• Oil or ghee for cooking
• Salt(as per your taste) and sugar,1/4 tsp.
• 1/2 tsp of garam  masala powder(1/2 tsp pf ground cinnamon,cloves and cardamoms).

Method:

•    At first cut the paneer into small cubes or long stirps.Soak it in warm water for 10 -15 mins and then slightly fry it in a pan for 2-3 mins with little oil and salt.Keep them aside.
• Now heat an another pan add the coriander seeds and the red whole chillis.roast them for a while and then grind them roughly in a mixer.
• Soak the cahsews for 15 mins in luke warm milk and make a  paste.
• Heat oil in a pan and add the bay leaves and the cinnamon stick.
• When the flavor comes out then add the garlic paste and cook for few seconds on low flame.
• Now add 3/4 th of your chopped capsicum or bell peppers and the ground mixture of coriander and chill and fry them for few minutes.
• Then add the onion paste,ginger paste and the chopped tomatoes.
• Cook for few minutes until the oil starts to release.
• Now add your cashew paste and cook for a while.
• Now add the kasuri methi,pinch of asafetida ,and salt and little sugar.
• Mix all of them very well and cook for some time.
• After that  just add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water.
• Cook for 2-3 mins and add the Paneer.
• Cook it for another 5-6 minutes.
• When the gravy becomes thick and paneer cubes become very soft sprinkle the garam masala powder and the fresh cream and remove it from the gas oven.
• Now heat little oil in an another pan.Fry rest of the chopped bell peppers and onion with little salt and pepper.
• At time of serving your kadhai paneer garnish it with the fried bell peppers and onion.

                                                                                         Enjoy your Food.!!!

Chutney Relish....!!! Plastic Chutney with Green Papaya....!!!

 

Well,for all the bengali people chutney is one of the most important part for a complete meal before dessert and  for me as well....In my childhood days,I never wanted to take lunch or dinner without it....so,ma used to prepare different types of chutney  for me everyday...and now,as a mom I am used to do it for my 3 yrs old.ohhhh..!!! she is sooooo fond if it...!!!

And first time after tasting  this plastic chutney she  praised me ,"mamma, it's soooooo good".."tumi amar jonyo roj keno baniye dao na emon"(why dont you prepare it everyday for me)...!!

Plastic Chutney is really very good to taste and very easy to make....the word "plastic" is used because after cooking the thin pieces of papaya ,they become transperant as the plastic.....and  about papaya..!! it's nevertheless to tell that it's a rich source of vitamins as well as minerals and fiber.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 medium Sized Papaya
• Sugar(as per your taste)
• Raisins,a few
• Lime juice:2-3 table spoon
• A pinch of Salt
• A pinch of Kalonji or Nigella seeds
• 1 tsp of white or veg oil
• Enough water.

Method:

1. At first peel your green papaya very well and cut it into halves and remove all the seeds from the center. Must remove the little hard skin from the center.

1. Now with a sharp knife cut very thin and small pieces of it.You can do it with a peeler too.

1. Now heat  oil in a pan and add the nigella seeds.When the seeds starts to splutter add the thin pieces of papaya.
2. Add little salt  and saute it for 2-3 mins.
3. Add water to your pan.
4. Let it cook for few minutes until the papaya  become soft.
5. When the papaya pieces become soft add the sugar.
6. Let it cook and the chutney thicken to your desired consistency.
7. Now finally add raisin and lime juice.(dont add the lime juice much earlier,because it can make your chutney bitter)
8. Cook it for another 2-3 minutes.
9. Your Chutey is now ready.serve it hot or chilled(I prefer chilled chutney).

 

 

 

 

 

                                           Enjoy Your Food..!!