Dal Makhani For Maitri(Friendship Chain)

Everyone who is in blogging would sure know about Maitri,a friendship chain, where a blogger sends a mystery ingredients to another blogger where she cooks and blogs about it.Priya and Reshmi started this friendship chain which was inspired from Arusuvai.If you need any information head over to Priya and Reshmi blog to find and join there so its fun,cook and blog which we all love.

So here is my post about my mystery ingredients.I was matched with Rajee who sent me a wonderful ramkin,card and mystery ingredient.I got them one fine evening and was so happy to see everything with her kind words.I guessed it right away its Black Urad dhal and i knew i had to make Dal Makhani.

Dal Makhani is a famous Punjabi dish which is a mixture of lentils cooked and high in protein.In Restaurants  they add loads of cream and butter to give richness to this dish.

Ingredients :

1.Black Urad Dal : 3/4 cup

2.Rajma/Kidney Beans : 1/4 cup

3.Channa Dal : 2 tbsp

4.Ginger : 1' inch

5.Green Chilli : 1 slit lenthwise.

6.Bay Leaves : 2

7.Cardamom : 1

8.Cloves : 3

9.Tomato : 2 medium

10.Turmeric Powder : 1/2 tsp

11.Coriander Powder : 1tsp

12.Red Chilli Powder : 1tsp

13.Milk : 1/2 cup

14.Coriander Leaves : to Garnish

15.Dried Kasuri Methi : to Garnish

16.Butter : 1/2 tbsp

17.Oil : 1tbsp

18.Jeera/Cumin : 1tsp

1.Wash and Soak the lentils for 6 hours or overnight.

2.Next day,wash the lentils well and add 4 cups of water,ginger,green chilli and pressure cook the dal till mushy.

3.Puree the tomato and keep aside.

4.In a kadai,heat oil and butter,add Jeera,Cardamom,Cloves,Bay Leaves.

5.When it leaves nice aroma,add tomato and mix well.

6.Close the lid till the raw smell goes and oil oozes out.Add in the Powder.

7.Fry for 2 mins and add the mashed lentil,close the lid simmer it for 15 mins.

8.Fry in between to avoid sticking to bottom.

9.Add the milk and dried kasuri methi in lower flame.

10.Cook for 5 mins and switch hot.

Serve hot with Chappati and Enjoy!!

Mixed Vegetable Stir-Fry.

First,Let me say Thanks to everyone who wished me.After my tooth ache i suffered fever which made me real lazy.Was sleeping in the afternoon and was lazy on posting any recipe.Now Im back to form and doing alright.

This is a simple yet a healthy one.I love this stir fry with loads of vegetables.Ever since i saw this recipe i have been trying with different spices and love it.This is perfect with chapati,a great lunch box treat and lovely side dish.I take time to cut all the veggie in small size but if you are short on time you can easily go for frozen veggies.

Recipe Source here.

Ingredients :
1.Potato : 1 small
2.Carrot : 1
3.Beetroot : 1/2
4.Beans : about 10
5.Cauliflower : 4 to 5 florets
6.Capsicum : 1/2
7.Peas : 1/4 cup
8.Corn : 1/4 cup
9.Paneer : 1/4 cup
10.Chilli Powder/Sambar Powder : 1tsp
11.Turmeric Powder : 1/4tsp
12.Chole Masala : 1/2tsp
13.Dried Kasuri Methi : 1tsp
14.Salt : as per taste.

For Tadka :
1.Oil : 2tsp
2.Mustard Seeds : 1tsp
3.Cumin Seeds : 1tsp
4.Curry leaves : 4 to 5

1.Cut all the veggies in to bite size small square.
2.In a kadai,add oil with mustard seeds.When crackle,add cumin and curry leaves.
3.Add all the veggies and fry.
4.Add turmeric,chilli powder,chole masala and salt.
5.Sprinkle some water till its done.
6.You can leaves when its crunchy or till its fully done.I like mine fully done.
7.Add the crushed kasuri methi and mix well.
8.Garnish with coriander leaves and enjoy!!

Notes.
In original recipes,it left crunchy but i made them fully done.
You can try different spice powder.I added pav bhaji masala and came out well.
Adjust the spice level and add chilli powder.
I kept mine less,since little one likes this alot(she dont like anything spicy :))

Serve this with chappati and a cup of yogurt and its perfect meal.

Enjoy!!

Sending to Bookmarked Recipe - Tuesday by Aipi and Priya

Potato Raita(Potato in Yogurt Sauce)

Last 10 days I had a bad time by having a swollen teeth which led me in pain.Now im fine and back to blogging.
Missed all of ur blogs.Since i couldnt able to do much of a cooking i was left with simple rice and some curry.My mom used to make this potato raita as a side with rasam or sambar which i totally love.I used to empty this without having any fuss and the first recipe i made before i even started cooking.

This is simple,easy and tasty raita which can be done in 5 mins.There is no need of any cooking here.Its easy and yummy.

Ingredients :
Potatoes : 1 medium
Yogurt/Curd : 1 1/2 cups
Ginger : 1' inch grated
Green Chilli : 2 cut into small pieces
Coriander Leaves : for garnish
Salt : as taste.

For temper :
1.Coconut Oil : 1tbsp
2.Mustard Seeds : 1/2tsp
3.Cumin Seeds : 1tsp
4.Red Chilli : 1 or 2
4.Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
5.Hing : a pinch

Wash the potato and wrap a tissue paper and boil in microwave for 4 to 5 mins or till its done.
Take out and gently peel the skin and mash it with a back of spoon.
Mean while mix yogurt,ginger and green chilli.
Add the mashed potato.There should be small bits left. Add salt.
In a small pan,do the tempering by adding oil,seeds.When crackle add the red chilli,curry leaves and hing.
Pour over the raita and garnish with coriander leaves.

Notes :
Do the tempering in coconut oil since it gives a nice flavor.
Go easy on green chilli as per your taste.
Do this raita 1 hour before serving since it helps flavors to ooze out from ginger and green chilli.
My mom used to serve this with rasam/sambar,a stir fry.

Enjoy!!

Recipes From US Masala(Tried and Tasted)

This month tried and tasted is hosted by Priya which features USMasala.I love her blog soo much.Be it a tempting pictures or  her wonderful recipes it always amazes me.So this was chance for me to try some recipes from her blog and i did.Every recipes came out perfect and it tasted awesome.

Aloo aur Matar Ki Tehari(Potato and Peas Pulav)

Since i love one pot meal i decided to try this.It came out perfect and tasted good.The only addition i did is adding some leftover channa(chickpeas).Rest are the same.

Original Recipe here.

Methi and Corn Pulav.

Another rice dish i tried today from her blog is Methi and Corn Pulav.

Paneer Tikka.

To go along, i decided to try Paneer Tikka which came out soo good.My hubby liked it alot.

Whole Wheat Stuffed Buns.

I made her Whole Wheat Stuffed Buns for a week night dinner and came out soo good.Its wholesome and filling with all the vegetables.I added some grated beetroot to the filling and it was yummy.

Also rest of recipes which i already posted.

Tawa Pulav.

Achari Paneer.

Paneer Butter Masala.

Vegetable Chops.

Sending these to Tried and Tasted - USMasala hosted by Priya and Started by Lakshmi

Carrot Halwa

First I want to thank you everyone who visits me and gives me a boost to blog more.This is the day i first started blogging a year back and got wonderful friends through this.Thank You Friends.
First started as time pass now became a passion.I Thank You everyone who visit me.

Now to the recipe.Since it was a year of blogging i decided to present a sweet which i like the most.My hubby taught to me to make this and i like it soo much.Shredded carrot is fried till the raw smell is gone and then simmered with sugar and ghee.This is easy to make and a wonderful aroma from carrot and ghee.Be careful since this is soo additive.

Ingredients :
Carrot : 3 cups(Shredded)
Sugar : 1/2 cup
Honey : 3tbsp
Saffron : 1/4tsp
Ghee : 1/4 cup
Cardamom Powder : 1tsp

In a heavy wok/kadai,add a tbsp of ghee and fry the carrots till the raw smell is gone.It takes about 4 to 5 mins.If you feel it sticking,spray a tbsp of water and fry well.Add in the sugar and fry well in medium flame.
Add ghee little by little till it all comes together.Add saffron and fry till leaves the sides of the kadai.
Add cardamom and mix well.Fry cashews and raisins in ghee seperately and mix with carrot halwa.
Enjoy warm.

Have a nice weekend.

Tawa Pulav

Being a lover for one pot meal.i tried this from Aipi's blog and loved it.Its easy,simple with loads of veggies a great way to finishing up the cooking and enjoy ur day.This is a famous chat food in Mumbai(Bombay).All you need is some Pav Bhaji masala to make and its good to go.We loved it with simple cucumber raita and enjoyed to the core.

I tried her recipe to the end,though omitted onion and garlic and it tasted great.
Find the recipe here and also her beautiful presentation.
Enjoy!!

Linking to
Bookmarked Recipes - Tuesday hosted by Priya and Aipi.

Tried and Tasted - USMasala hosted by Priya and started by Lakshmi.

Achari Paneer

Ever Since i saw this in Aipi blog it was in my mind.I was waiting for right time and tried yesterday.It came out perfect and went really well with chappati/roti.Its easy to put together and taste great.The only change i made is omitting onion and garlic and rest i followed the same.

Recipe Source : Achari Paneer by Aipi.
Ingredients :
Paneer : 2 cups(cubed)
Tomato : 1 medium
Ginger : 1 tbsp(grated)
Panchphoran : 1tbsp(mixture of mustard,Cumin,Fennel,Fenugreek,Nigella seeds)
Oil : 2tbsp(I used Olive Oil)
Salt : as needed
Hing : a pinch
Whole Red Chilli : 2

Masala Powder :
Turmeric Powder :  1/4tsp
Red Chilli Powder : 1/2tsp
Coriander Powder : 2tsp
Garam Masala : 1tsp
Amchur Powder : 1/2tsp
Mango Pickle : 1tsp
Lemon Juice : 1tbsp
Cilantro : for Garnish

In a kadai,heat oil and add panchphoran,hing and whole red chilli.Let it fry.
Add in tomato,salt,ginger and fry until soft.
Add the powder expect pickle and fry for a minute.
Add the Paneer and pickle and stir well.
Add lemon juice and give a stir.
Adjust salt and spices and garnish with coriander leaves.
Enjoy with Chappati/roti.

Note :
Dont skip the Panchphoran since it takes the dish to a new well.
If you find the masala dry add little water to get a semi-dry gravy.

Linking to :

Bookmarked Recipes :Tuesday hosted by Priya and Aipi.

Tried and Tasted - US Masala hosted by Priya.