Friday, May 29, 2009

Dal Makhani (Kali Dal)

Dal makhani (Kali Dal) is a famous dish from Punjab. This dish is made from a combination of whole black grams & kidney beans. The dals are cooked for hours until they get a creamy texture.

Here is a slightly simplified version of the recipe.

Ingredients

2 cups whole black gram (black urad dal)
1/4 cup kidney beans (rajma beans)

1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium tomato, finely chopped
small piece ginger, finely chopped
1 green chilli, finely chopped (optional)
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp red chilli powder
2 tbsp sour cream
1/4 cup cream
2 tbsp butter
salt to taste

Whole garam masala (cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves)

Method
  • Soak the dals overnight. Next day, pressure cook the dals for 4-5 whistles until the dals are cooked.
  • In a pan heat butter. Add the whole garam masala, then the chillies & ginger. Saute & add onions. Once onions are slightly golden add the tomatoes & the masalas. Cook until the tomatoes are mushy.
  • Add the cooked dals, sour cream & salt and simmer on low flame for 10-15 minutes.
  • Top it off with cream. Garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve hot with rotis/ naans.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Egg Noodles

This is a simple Noodle dish with eggs. Here is the recipe

Ingredients

1 packet Egg Noodles
2 eggs
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp peanut oil
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 tbsp soya sauce
black pepper powder to taste
crushed chilli flakes to taste
salt to taste

Method

  • Cook the noodles as per instructions on the packet.
  • Heat oil in a wok/kadai . Add garlic, then green onions. Saute it for a minute. Add the eggs & stir until they are well cooked. Toss all other ingredients (soya sauce, chilli flakes, black pepper, salt).
  • Add the noodles & toss until evenly mixed. Serve hot.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Avacado soup

Avacado is the one fruit which has a high amount of fat (roughly 25-35 grams) & averaging about 300 calories per fruit. Nutrition Facts show that a typical avocado might have 30 grams of fat but 20 of those are grams of fat that promote health. Monounsaturated fats and oleic acid are good for you.
Avocados are a great source of Vitamin K. They also offer things like folate, copper and potassium, fiber, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C.

It has a mild flavor & blends easily with any salads and dips. Here is the recipe of a healthy avacado soup which is quite filling too....

Ingredients

1 medium size avacado, ripe
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup corn (or more if you are a corn- lover :-))
1 clove garlic. minced
1 green chilli, minced
1 medium size tomato, chopped
1 cup vegeatable stock
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp cooking oil
salt & pepper to taste
few drops lemon juice

Method
  • Cut the avacado into half, remove the pit, scrape the flesh with s spoon. Add few drops of lemon juice & set aside.
  • In a saucepan, heat oil, add the garlic. Add the green onions & corn. Saute it for a while. Add the tomatoes & saute it until slightly mushy.
  • Transfer half of the sauteed ingredients & avacados into a blender and grind to a smooth paste with the vegetable stock.
  • Transfer the pureed mixture to the saucepan, add the remaining vegetable stock & milk. Season with salt & pepper. Add more milk if the soup is too thick.
  • Let the mixture come to a boil. Then turn off heat.
  • Serve the soup hot garnished with some green onions.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Namak Para (Salty crackers)

A very simple & easy to make tea-time snack item.

Ingredients

3 cups all purpose flour
3 tbsp butter, melted
3 tbsp curd
3 tsp ajwain seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
salt to taste
water to knead dough
oil to fry

Method
  • Mix butter, curd, salt, ajwain & cumin seeds with the all purpose flour. Add little by little water & knead into a medium stiff dough.
  • Let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
  • Make small lemon sized balls. Roll them out to the thickness of quarters. Cut into 1/2" strips lengthwise & then into 2" length across.
  • Heat oil to medium heat. Add the strips & fry on medium flame until golden in color.
  • Store in air-tight containers.
  • Enjoy during tea-time :-)