8 ways to better your grilling

1. You need to cook your food perfectly every time:  Everything else is just frosting over the cake. If the steaks are not properly cooked, they are not worth eating.  Although everyone has their own liking but generally for burgers and steak it should be medium - rare, a little beyond medium for pork and fishes and chicken until the pink color disappears.  Flip Burgers Once and Only Once. Cook 2 minutes per side for rare, 3 for medium-rare, 4 for medium, and 5 for well-done. Keep grill at a steady heat.

2. Apply salt strategically: One way is to cure the meat by seasoning salt overnight. Sat will slowly extract water from meat thereby concentrating its flavors. The other way is to treat the meat, especially pork and poultry with brine water. This imparts moisture and flavor to the meat. Although it is used by cold cut manufacturers and high end restaurants, you must give it a try. I bet you will be highly satisfied. (Will give the basic brine recipe in the next post).

3.  Have hotter and cooler side of the grill:  Build your charcoal fire and once the charcoal is burned, its ready for grilling. Then move all the charcoal to one side of the grill and just very few on other side. This way we can grill big meat on slow side of the grill covered. Small meat can go on the higher heat side.

4. Smoke effect: You can give the smoke effect by adding small wood-chip tray to the grill setup. Charcoal grill can take wood chips directly but electric grill can have small wood-chip box or a packet.

5. Spices give life to grilling: Have your own blend of spices to add flavor to the meat. as much possible make spice blend from scratch and not use the store bought ones, which are no match to home made ones. It can be slat, pepper, cumin powder, cayenne pepper, crushed fennel, coriander seeds, etc are some examples.

6. Home made sauces are the best: Make sweet sauce with ketchup,honey, brown sugar. Salty by soy sauce, peanut butter. sour with vinegar, lemon, orange juice and spicy with chili sauce, Dijon mustard, etc. Thick sauce is good for small pieces of meat but thin sauce can be coated to big meat pieces that are slow cooking.

7. Mopping is essential: Basting over open flame with liquid constantly is important to tenderize the meat. It can be any liquid you can imagine like beer, booze, oil, juice, etc.  I generally use Worcestershire sauce for beef, vinegar for pork and orange juice for chicken.

8. Don't waste the heat: Instead of wasting the big heating surface with just a few pork chops or sirloin, try to add skewers of mixed vegetables, fruits (grilled) for desserts, etc. It will help us save money and time too.

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Lemon garlic Beef (Take it easy cooking special)

Its the easiest beef and flavorful recipe I have ever experienced! 

1 pounds sirloin tips, cubed into equal bite size pieces
11/2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Ingredients:

2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup finely chopped  parsley
1 small lemon juiced
1/2 cup white wine

Method:

1. Meat should be marinated with salt and pepper at room temperature for 2 hrs.

2. Heat the olive oil in large, heavy skillet over medium-high to high heat.

3. When the oil is heated, add the meat and caramelize before turning. Once evenly browned all over, about 5 minutes, season to taste with salt and pepper, add the garlic and mix with flat spatula, the meat for 2 minutes.
4. Stir in the parsley and a little lemon juice and cook for another minute.

5. Add the white wine and cook for 1 min. Turn off the heat. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately.

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Almond Chocolate cake

For the Cake:

4 ounces chocolate melted with 2 Tb coffee
1/4 lb. or 1 stick softened butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 egg yolks
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 Tb granulated sugar
2/3 cup almonds
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup cake flour turned into a sifter

For the Icing:

2 ounces  semisweet baking chocolate
2 Tb coffee
5 to 6 Tb unsalted butter


Instructions:

For the Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Butter and flour the cake pan. Set the chocolate and coffee in a small pan, cover, and place in a larger pan of almost simmering water; let melt while you proceed with the recipe. Measure out the rest of the ingredients. Cream the butter and sugar together for several minutes until they form a pale yellow, fluffy mixture.

3. Beat in the egg yolks until they are well blended.

4. Beat the egg whites and salt in a separate bowl until soft peaks are formed; sprinkle on the sugar and beat for 15 mins.

5. With a rubber spatula, blend the melted chocolate into the butter and sugar mixture, then stir in chopped almonds, and almond extract. Immediately mix one fourth of the beaten egg whites. Delicately fold in a third of the remaining whites and when partially blended, sift on one third of the flour and continue folding untill all the eggwhites are added.

6. Pour the batter into the cake pan. Bake in middle level of preheated oven for about 25 minutes.  Sprinkle chopped almonds on top of the batter when its almost half done. Cake is done when it has puffed, and when a needle is plunged into that area comes out clean; the center should move slightly if the pan is shaken, and a needle comes out oily.

Allow cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes and serve.


Yield: For an 8-inch cake serving 6 to 8 people

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Bruschetta

Thanks to the Italians who gave us this 'Ready in 10 mins' appetizer which is as easy as a pie and has flavors that are simple yet delightful. Also thanks to people who added so many kinds of variations to the toppings. Ideally Italian bread should be grilled over hot coal to get real Italian flavor, but in regular homes bread is toasted or broiled to make it. I am gonna write my recipe here:


Ingredients:

1  can Italian Diced Tomatoes
6 cloves Garlic
4 TB Olive Oil
3/4 cup basil
1 long french bread

Method:

1. Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix right before serving.

For easy bread pieces to go with the bruschetta, here is what to do:

2.. Buy french bread loaf. Cut in slices and place on a cookie sheet.

3. Butter slices and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Broil on HIGH for 2-5 minutes (dependent on how fast and hot your oven is).

4. Serve the bread pieces with your bruschetta.

It is a family favorite that can be made so easily and tastes so good!

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Double Chocolate cake

Ingredients:

 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
 1 1/2 cups white sugar
 2 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, melted
 2 eggs
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 1 cup milk
 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
 1 teaspoon salt
 1/2 cup butter, softened
 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
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Method:

1. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt together into a large bowl.
2. Add the butter or margarine, milk, and vanilla to the dry ingredients in the bowl. Beat for 300 strokes, or for approximately 2 minutes at low speed with an electric mixer or with hands upto 15 mins.
3. Add the eggs, melted chocolate, and red food coloring to the batter. Beat an additional 300 strokes or 2 minutes at low speed or with hands 15 mins.
4. Pour into two greased and floured 8 inch layer pans. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 to 35 minutes, or until done.

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Spring Rolls

Mainly part of East Asian Cuisine like China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, but now is famous worldwide :) This recipe tells you how to prepare the covering as well, so you don’t need spring roll sheets available in the market. You can experiment with the stuffing, though we’ve used an assortment of vegetables and sprouts.

Ingredients:

For spring roll sheets:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cornflour
3/4 cup milk
2 tsp melted butter
a pinch salt


For The Stuffing
1 tbsp oil
chopped chicken breasts
1/2 cup chopped spring onions whites
1 1/2 cups mixed vegetables (french beans , carrots , cabbage) , cut into thin strips
3/4 cup bean sprouts
1/2 cup boiled and roughly chopped noodles
1/2 cup chopped spring onion greens
2 tsp soy sauce
salt to taste

Also:
3 tbsp All purpose flour  dissolved in 1/4 cup water
oil for deep-frying

Method :

For the sheets:
1. Combine the plain flour, cornflour, milk, salt and ½ cup of water in a bowl and mix well till no lumps no remain.
2. Grease a non-stick pan with butter, pour 2 tbsp of the batter into the pan and tilt it around quickly to make a 4 inch diameter thin circle.
3. When the sides begin to peel off, turn the pancake and cook on the other side for 30 seconds.
4. Make others out of remaining mixture.


For the stuffing:
1. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan on a high heat till it smokes.
2. Add the spring onion whites, mixed vegetables, bean sprouts and sauté on a high for 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add the noodles, spring onion greens, soya sauce and salt and chopped chicken breasts and sauté on a high flame for another 2 minutes.
4. Divide the stuffing into equal portions and keep aside.

Final assembling and frying:
1. Place a sheet on a flat, dry surface and place a portion of the stuffing on one of its edge
2. Apply a little flour paste along the edges of the pancake.
3. Fold the top edge over the mixture to seal it firmly.
4. Fold the left and the right side of the pancake in order to get a rectangle.
5. Roll the pancake downwards tightly sealing the ends securely with the flour paste.
6. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make more rolls.
7. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and deep-fry in batches till they turn light brown in color.
8. Cut each roll into 2 equal portions and serve hot with schezuan sauce.

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Chili Chicken

Mexican style stewed tomatoes, picante sauce, and chili powder help to flavor this hearty chicken chili recipe. Its easy slow cooker recipe.

Ingredients:

6 boneless chicken breast halves, cut in 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped bell pepper
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 cans Mexican stewed tomatoes
1 can chili beans
2/3 cup picante sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt

Method:

1. Saute chicken, onion, pepper, garlic in vegetable oil until vegetables are slight cooked.
2. Transfer to slow cooker; add remaining ingredients.

3. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours.

4. Serve hot with rice.

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Garbanzo beans/Chick Pea Salad to reduce your waist line

I am watching my waist right now and here is my favorite recipe which is kind of making me jump miles ahead whenever I go for it :)

There you go with the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup dried chickpeas (200 grams)

1 jalapeno pepper

3 – 4 tablespoons minced shallot (about ½ large shallot)

½ cup chopped cilantro leaves

Salt – to taste

Juice of 1 lime

1 tablespoon mild-flavored oil (I used light olive oil)

¼ teaspoon dried mango powder (optional)

Method:

1. Soak the chickpeas overnight. (Or, if you didn’t think to soak them ahead of time, put them in a pot and cover with at least 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let them sit, covered, for 1 hour. Then proceed with the recipe.)

2. Drain the chickpeas and cover with plenty of water again. Bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Add 1½ teaspoons kosher salt (1 teaspoon of table salt) and simmer until tender, an additional 10-15 minutes.

3. Drain the beans well.

4. Cut the jalapeno pepper in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Mince the pepper.

5. Whisk the lime juice, oil, and mango powder together.

6. Combine all of the salad ingredients with the lime juice dressing.

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Guacamole

Guacamole is an avocado-based sauce that originated in Mexico. In addition to its use in Mexican cuisine it has also become part of American cuisine as a dip, condiment and salad ingredient.

Ingredients:

2 medium ripe avocados 
1/2 small onion chopped
1/2 of a 4 oz can diced green chile peppers
1 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 medium tomato, seed removed and chopped


Method:

1. Cut avocados in half.  Remove seed (set the seed aside).  Dice and scoop out of skin.
2. Place avocado in a bowl and mash to desired consistency.
3. Mix in remaining ingredients.  Serve immediately or place in the fridge with pits added to the bowl.  Putting the pits in the bowl will keep the guacamole from going brown.

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Donuts The All time family favorite recipe

The extra shiny donuts are always exciting and enticing.Donut or doughnut  is a type of fried dough confectionery or dessert food. Here is a simple Donuts Recipe to make at home :

Ingredients:

2 tbsp dry yeast
2 cups milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter or any shortening
2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 eggs
6 cups flour

Method:

1. Dissolve yeast in 3/4 cup luke-warm water. Set aside.

2. Heat 2 cups milk in microwave for 2-3 minutes.

While milk is heating add shortening to a large bowl. Pour hot milk over it and whisk until mixed. Add salt, sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Mix well with a wooden spoon. Add 4 eggs and mix well.

3. Add yeast mixture to batter and mix. Add 2 cups of flour and mix with a wooden spoon. Mix well. Add 2 more cups and mix. Add 2 more cups and mix. At this point, the batter should not be runny. Add 1 more cup of flour, give or take 1/2 cup.  Mix until your dough is smooth.

4. Sprinkle flour onto a clean surface and pour batter onto it. Gently knead dough batter until the surface is not sticky to the touch. NOTE: The dough should be very soft but not sticky that you can't handle it fairly easily. Place the soft dough into a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Dough should be almost double in size when done.

5. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out to about a 1 inch thickness. Cut the doughnuts out as closely as possible. You can save the middles for doughnut holes. Move donuts and holes to a clean surface. Cover and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

6. Once the donuts and holes are done rising, fry them in a large frying pan with vegetable oil until golden brown.

7. While donuts are frying make your Glaze. To make glaze mix 7 cups powdered sugar with 2/3 cup water and 2 tsp. vanilla. Add donuts to glaze as soon as they are done frying and make sure both sides are covered.

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Bhatura Panjabi style

 Bhatoora is a fluffy deep-fried bread from North India. It is often eaten with chickpea curry, chole or channe, making the traditional dish chole bhature.  This is a combination of may recipes I researched over the internet. The best part is that it uses more of whole wheat flour than all purpose flour. My family liked it, so thought of sharing with you :)

Ingredients:

21/2 cups atta or whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt or as required
1 tbsp oil or ghee or butter
½ or ⅓ cup warm water
vegetable oil for deep frying
¾ cup yoghurt
½ tbsp sugar
½ tsp baking powder
¾ cup all purpose flour/maida


Method:

1. In a bowl take the yoghurt, sugar, baking powder and all purpose flour.
Mix well for overnight fermentation.

2. If the yogurt is thick, then to thin the batter, add ¼ cup water.
Cover the bowl with a cloth and set it aside in a warm place overnight or for 8 hours to allow natural fermentation to take place.

3. The next day you will see tiny bubbles on the surface of the mixture. The mixture is ready for the next step when tiny bubbles appear on the surface.

4. Take another bowl, mix together the wheat flour with salt and rub the ghee or butter into it with your fingertips. Into this bowl, add the fermenting mixture and the warm water. Form a dough with these two mixtures.

5. Knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes or until it is silky smooth. Add a little flour if it is too wet. Gather the dough into a compact ball and cover it with a damp cloth. Again set it aside in a warm place for 2 hrs.

6. Knead the dough again.

7. Form it in to 15 balls and roll them into 5-6 inch discs. Heat oil or ghee and deep fry the bhaturas. 

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Tomato Chutney for Dosa, Idli

Its a very spicy Tamil style chutney :)

Ingredients:

Tomato - 1 / 4 kg
Onion - 200 g
Garlic - 5 pallu
Ginger - 1 piece
Red Chilli – 3
Broken urad Dal - 2tsp
Toor Dal (Lentil) – 2 tsp
Coconut - 1 / 2 cup
Salt - the quantity

Merhod:

1. Take a pan and pour oil. Heat oil, fry Toor Dal and  Urad Dal.

2. Fry on medium heat until you get the pleasant aroma of the grains.

3. Add onion, fry until it becomes golden brown. Then add ginger.
Add garlic and dry red chillies. Fry for a minute. Now add the chopped tomatoes.

4.Fry the tomatoes until the raw smell went off. Keep in low heat for ten minutes.

5. Add required salt and leave it for a minute, switch off the stove and add the grated coconut.

6.Leave it to cool and grind, should not grind it way to smooth paste.
Tomato chutney is the best side dish for idli, Dosai and  masal dosai.

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Pickled Jalapeneo

First I would like to show you pictures step by step, to make it really clear to you guys :)

Ingredients:

Jalapenos - 3 cups, sliced nacho style

Salt – 1.5 tbsp

Asafoetida - 3 pinches(optional)

Lemon Juice - 6 tbsp

White Distilled Vinegar – 1.5 tbsp

Vegetable Oil - 3 tsp

Bay Leaf 1

Method:

Wash the Jalapenos and slice them.

Put the Jalapenos in a clean, dry jar.

Add the Salt, Bay Leaf and Asafoetida and mix well.

Keep aside for 4-6 hours and let the spices seep into the

jalapenos.

Next add the Lemon  Juice, Vinegar and  Oil.

Cap the jar and give it a really good mix.

Keep aside for a day but don’t forget to keep mixing the

pickle every once in a while.

After a day, it is ready to eat. Store in the refrigerator after

that.

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Spicy or Masala Kaju (cashew nuts)

Here is another desi snack with Cashew nut :) Easy n royal, what can you ask for more????

Ingredients:

amchoor or dry mango powder     tsp 1/4
black pepper powder  tsp 3/4
cashewnts about 1 lb
chat masala tsp 1 1/2
garam masala 1 tbsp
red chillies powder 1/2 tsp
Clarified butter or desi ghee  1 tbsp

Method:

1. Mix all masala together and keep ready. Heat 2 cups oil for frying. reduce heat. Add kajus and stir fry continuously till they start changing colour and turn light golden. Take it off from stove.

2. Immediately sprinkle the masala while the kajus are still hot. mix thoroughly with the fingers. mix again after 2-3 minuties. let it cool down.

3. When cool, store in air tight container. Serve with drinks.

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Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant Parmesan

Ingredients:

1 large eggplant
1-2 tbsp salt

for tomato sauce

olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, monced
a pinch of crushed red pepper
1 carrot, grated
1 1/2 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1 can tomatoes
salt

for the eggplant

1 C flour
salt and pepper
3 eggs whisked
1 1/2 Cup breadcrumbs
grated Parmesan cheese
olive oil

for assembly

2 C grated whole milk mozzarella cheese
grated Parmesan cheese



1. Slice eggplant in rounds about 1/4″ thick. Lay the slices in a dish and sprinkle salt. Let them rest for 30 minutes to draw out as much water as possible.





2. While the eggplant is resting, get the cheeses Parmesan and mozzarella grated.

3. Coating for Breading:

Put the flour, beaten egg, and bread crumbs into three dishes.


4. Breading the Eggplant

Put each slice of eggplant into the flour and coat both side with the flour. then coat with egg and then with bread crumbs.




5. Fry the breaded Eggplant until brown. and take out on paper towel.




6. Spread the sauce in a baking dish and over it assemble fried Eggplant Sprinkle on the mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.



Bake the Eggplant Parmesan in a preheated 425º F oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden and the sauce is bubbly.

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Best Macaroni salad

Ingredients:

7 oz Macaroni
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp vinegar
1/2 tbsp sugar
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 tbsp milk
1 tbsp black olives
1/2 tbsp roasted red peppers
3 springs green onions.


Method:

1. Boil the macaroni till it’s done.

2. Then drain it.Then rinse it under cold water until it’s totally cooled down.

3. Chop up some black olives.

4. Slice up three whole green onions thinly.

5.Then grab some roasted red peppers and chop them.

6. For dressing: To half a cup of mayonnaise add some vinegar, sugar, some milk to make dressing pouring consistency.

7. Add all the above ingredients to macaroni and finally add salt and pepper to taste.

8. Refrigerate it for 30 mins and serve chilled.

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Chocolate cake with sauce

Ingredients:
For sauce:
1 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup baking chocolate
For cake:
9 eggs 1 1/4 cups sugar, 1 cup dark chocolate for baking 1 cup unsalted butter, 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, Cooking spray, for the molds.

Method:
For the sauce:
Place the sugar and water in a saucepan and dissolve. Bring to a boil and cook to the caramel stage. Remove from the heat and add the cream and stir until combined. Then, add the chocolate and stir until all of the chocolate has melted.

For the cake:
Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the eggs and sugar until light. Set up a double-boiler by bringing a pot of water to a simmer and placing a bowl slowly over the top, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water.

Add the chocolate and butter and melt. Fold the butter-chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Sift the flour and fold. Grease molds with butter and line with sugar, or line with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray. Fill halfway with batter. Microwave on high for 1 minute, 20 seconds.

Place on a platedrizzle the sauce on top.

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Masala Khichdi

Ingredients:

Rice – 1 cup
Toor Daal – 1/2 cup
Water – 3 cups
Oil – 4 tsp
Clarified Butter (ghee) – 2 tsp
Cumin Seeds – 1/2 tsp
Cinnamon Stick – 1 inch piece
Asofoetida – pinch
Raw Peanuts – 2 Tbsp
Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp
Black Pepper – 1/2 tsp
Ground Cloves – 1/4 tsp
Onion – 1 medium, finely chopped
Garlic – 4 cloves, sliced
Green Chilies – to taste, slit
Ginger – 1 tsp, minced
Potato – 1 medium, diced
Frozen Green Peas – 1/2 cup
Salt – to taste
Red Chili Powder – to taste

Method:

1. Combine Rice and Toor Daal and wash until water runs clear.
2. Add 3 cups water and soak for 30 minutes .
3. Heat Oil and Clarified Butter in a pressure cooker.
4. Add Cumin Seeds and allow them to sizzle.
5. Add Cinnamon Stick and Raw Peanuts. Cook until Peanuts turn light brown.
6. Add Asofoetida, Turmeric Powder, Ground Cloves and Black Pepper. 
7. Immediately add in Onions and stir well.
8. Add Garlic, Green Chilies and Ginger. Mix quickly.
9. Add Potatoes, Peas, Salt, Red Chili Powder and cook for 1 min.
10. Add Rice and Daal with Water.
11. Check the salt, chili, etc and adjust as necessary.
12. Close the pressure cooker, cook until 1 whistle sounds and immediately switch off the stove.
13. Wait until the pressure from the cooker is gone before opening the lid.
14. Serve hot with raita, papad, pickle. Also for taste pour 1 tsp of ghee from top.

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Vegetable Biryaani

Ingredients:

For Rice:

Basmati( long grain) Rice – 2 cups – washed, soaked for 30 mins and drained

Water – 8 cups

Bay Leaf – 1

Cloves – 4
Green Cardamom – 1
Cinnamon Stick – 1 small
Salt – to taste
Oil – 1 tsp
Mint Leaves – few
Clarified Butter (Ghee) – 1 Tbsp
Saffron – 1/4 tsp soaked in 2 Tbsp water

For Biryani Masala:

Whole Dried Red Chilies – 6
Whole Cloves – 6
Whole Coriander Seeds – 2 Tbsp

Or  store brought biryani masala can be used.

For Vegetable Mixture:

Ginger/Garlic Paste – 2 Tbsp
Coriander Powder – 2 tsp
Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp
Salt – to taste
Potatoes – 3 medium, peeled and cut into large pieces
Cauliflower – 1/2 medium, cut into big florets
Frozen Green Peas – 1 cup
Green Beans – 1 cup, cut into long pieces
Carrots – 1/2 cup, cut into big pieces
Green Chilies – 3 to 4 (or to taste), slit
Mint Leaves – handful
Dried Fenugreek Leaves – 2 Tbsp
Cilantro (Coriander Leaves) – small bunch, finely chopped
Tomato – 1 large, cut into big pieces
Yogurt – 1 cup, lightly beaten

Oil – 3 Tbsp
Whole Cashews – 1/4 cup
Walnuts – 1/4 cup
Paneer – 1 cup, cubed
Black Cumin Seeds (Shahi Jeera) – 1/2 tsp
Cinnamon Stick – 1 inch piece
Cloves – 4
Black Cardamom – 1
Bay Leaf – 1
Onion – 1 large, sliced
Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp

For Garnishing: chopped Cilantro.

Method:

1. Soak Saffron in 2 Tbsp of water and set aside for later use.
2. For the rice: Bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil and add Cinnamon Stick, Bay Leaf, Whole Cloves, Green Cardamom, 1 tsp Oil, Salt, drained soaked rice and a few mint leaves.
3. Set a timer and cook rice for exactly 5 minutes. Immediately drain the water from the rice and add Clarified Butter (ghee) and mix gently making sure not to break the rice grains. Rice should be 3/4 cooked – not fully cooked.
4. For the Biryani Masala: In a skillet, add Whole Dried Red Chilies, Whole Cloves and Whole Coriander Seeds. Dry roast until the spices release a nice fragrance and have browned (do not burn).
5. Allow whole spices to cool before roughly grinding them (should not be a fine powder). Set aside.
6. For Vegetable Mixture: In a bowl, add Ginger/Garlic Paste, Coriander Powder, 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder, and Salt – mix well.
7. Add Potatoes, Cauliflower, Green Peas, Green Beans, Carrots, Green Chilies, Cilantro, chopped Mint Leaves, Dried Fenugreek Leaves – Mix well and allow to marinate while you work on the rest of the steps.
8. In a non-stick pan, heat 3 Tbsp Oil on medium heat.
9. Add Whole Cashews and Walnuts and saute until they are golden brown. Drain off all excess oil from them nuts and remove them onto a plate. Set aside.
10. In the same, add cubed Paneer and saute until golden brown. Drain excess oil from Paneer and remove onto a plate. Set aside.
11. In the same Oil, add Black Cumin Seeds and allow them to sizzle.
12. Add Cinnamon Stick, Bay Leaf, Whole Cloves and Black Cardamom.
13. Add Sliced Onions and brown lightly.
14. Add 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder, 1 Tbsp (or to taste) previously ground Biryani Masala, salt and mix well.
15. Add marinate vegetable mixture and additional salt, mix thoroughly, cover and cook until the veggies are 3/4 cooked. Do not overcook. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking/burning.
16. Switch off stove and add back in sauteed Paneer, Cashews and Walnuts.
17. Add Tomatoes and lightly beaten Yogurt and mix gently.
18. Coat bottom and sides of a baking dish with spray cooking oil.
19. Layer bottom of baking dish with 1/3 of cooked rice.
20. Sprinkle 1 tsp of Biryani Masala on the rice.
21. Layer 1/2 of the vegetable mixture over the rice and sprinkle Fried Onions on top.
22. Layer another 1/3 cooked rice over the veggies and sprinkle 1 tsp Biryani Masala.
23. Layer remaining vegetable mixture and sprinkle Fried Onions on top.
24. Layer remaining 1/3 cooked rice and sprinkle 1 tsp Biryani Masala.
25. Drizzle Saffron water over the rice, more Fried Onions and garnish with cilantro.
26. Cover and cook for 45 minutes in a preheated 400 degree Fahrenheit oven.

Serve Hot with Yoghurt or Dal :)

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Aaloo Gobhi Bhurji

Aaloo Gobhi Bhurji

Ingredients: 

1    Medium size head of cauliflower

1 medium potato

1    Medium size onion – fine chopped

2    Cloves of garlic- minced (2 teaspoons

       minced)

1    Tablespoon fresh grated ginger

1    Medium green chili – fine chopped

2    Teaspoons coriander powder

½   Teaspoon red chili powder

½   Teaspoon turmeric powder

1    Teaspoon mango powder (amchoor)

1    Teaspoon cumin seeds

1    Pinch of asafetida (Hing)

3    Tablespoons vegetable oil

1    Teaspoon salt or to your taste

2    Tablespoons chopped coriander 

      leaves

Directions:

1.  Cut the cauliflower in small florets and potato into small cubes.

2. On medium high heat add 2 tablespoons oil in a  pan, add cumin seeds and asafetida, and fry them for 2 to 3

    minutes, or till cumin seed become brown.

In a pan add cumin seeds, asafetida & oil and fry

3.  Add chopped onions and minced garlic, sauté them for 5 to 6 minutes or until onions

     become light brown.

4.  Add coriander powder, red chili powder and turmeric powder and mix and fry for

     few seconds. 

5.  Add grated cauliflower and potatoes, sprinkle salt and mix with masala, cover the

     pan and let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until cauliflower and potato become

     tender.

6. While cooking with the spatula periodically stir'

7.  Add grated ginger and chopped green chilies, mix and cook. If there is water in the

      bottom then turn the heat high so that all the water evaporates quickly. Once the

      water dries up turn the heat down to medium. 

8.  Sprinkle mango powder and 1 tablespoon oil, with the spatula mix everything

     together and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, keep turning the cauliflower upside down,

     once masala becomes brown turn the stove off.

9. When ready to serve transfer bhurji in to a serving dish'

Cauliflower bhurji is ready

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