Beetroot & Potato stir fry

This is one vegetable of which I think twice before preparing just because of the coloring mess it creates while handling. But, sometimes it worth the mess to satisfy our taste buds :-)

Ingredients

2-3 medium size beetroots
1-2 medium size potato

1 small onion, chopped fine
2-3 green chillies, chopped fine
few curry leaves
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp sambhar powder

1 tbsp cooking oil
salt to taste

coconut, to garnish
cilantro, to garnish

Method

• Grate the beetroots. Set aside
• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add onions, green chillies & curry leaves. Saute until onions are golden color.
• Then add chopped potatoes. Add about 1 cup of water & cook with lid closed until potatoes are tender. Add the sambhar masala.
• Add grated beetroot & salt and cook until beetroot is soft.
• Serve hot with rotis or rice.

Vegetable Fried rice

This is a simple & lighter version of Fried rice I make, which has mild flavor of the vegetables. This becomes a perfect accompaniment with any kind of rich gravies (veg Or non-veg).

A varitey of vegetables like beans, peas, carrots, cabbage, green onions, bell peppers etc. can be used to make this preparation. I always like to have a visual appeal by using bright colored vegetables.

My best combinations are especially green beans & carrots OR green onions & carrots.

Ingredients

1 cup basmati rice, cooked
whole garam masala (2 cloves, small stick cinnamon, 2 cardamom)
1 cup carrots, chopped into sticks
1 cup green beans, chopped french cut style

2 tbsp oil /butter/ghee
1 clove garlic, chopped fine
1 shallot/ small onion, chopped

salt to taste
pepper to taste
cilantro, to garnish

Method

• Mix 1 cup rice with 2 cups of water, whole garam masala & salt and cook on low heat, until the water has evaporated. Cool the rice.
• In a pan, add oil, then chopped garlic & onions. Saute until golden.
• Then add the vegetables, little salt & pepper & cook on low heat until vegetables are cooked.
• Then add the cooled rice. Mix it well, but carefully. Cover the lid & keep on low heat for 5 minutes.
• Rice is ready to serve. Garnish with cilantro.

Palak Paneer

Palak paneer is a very popular North Indian dish. It is highly nutritious too with the spinach & paneer in it. Here is the recipe...

Ingredients
1 bunch spinach leaves
handful of cilantro

1 medium onion
2 green chillies
1 clove garlic
1/2" piece ginger

2 medium tomatoes, chopped fine
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
salt to taste

1 pack paneer, cut in cubes

Method

• Chop the paneer cubes & shallow fry them until slightly golden in color. Set aside
• Boil the spinach leaves & cilantro for 2-3 minutes. Then drain. Puree it in blender
• Mince the onion, green chillies, garlic & ginger.
• Heat oil in a pan, add the minced mixture. Saute for 2-3 minutes. Then add the tomatoes. Saute until they are mushy.
• Add the chilli, turmeric, coriander, garam masala powder & salt. Mix well.
• Now, add the pureed spinach. Stir well and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
• Add the fried paneer cubes and mix well.
• Serve with rotis, naan or rice.