Chicken Biriyani

Chicken Biriyani 


Spicy Chicken biriyani.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hr 30 minutes
Serves: 3   

Ingredients:

1. Chicken,cut into medium size pieces - 250 to 300 gms
2. Onion,sliced - 1 large( about 1 cup)
3. Tomato,chopped - 1 small( 1/2 cup)
4. Oil- as required
5. Water-as required
6. Salt-to taste

For Marination:

1. Kashmiri chili powder- 1/2 to 3/4 tsp
2. Coriander powder- 1tsp
3. Lemon Juice-1/2  tsp
4. Water-as required
5. Salt- to taste

For Masala paste:

1. Green chilies-3 to 4 nos( or more,according to taste)
2. Ginger- 1" piece
3. Garlic-3 cloves
4. Coriander leaves,roughly chopped- 2 tbsp
5. Mint leaves,roughly chopped- 1 tbsp
6. Cinnamon-1" piece
7. Cloves- 3 nos
8. Fennel seeds-1/2 tsp
9. Whole black pepper -1/2 tsp
10. Salt- to taste

For rice:

1. Basmati rice- 1.5 cups
2. Cardamom pods- 3 nos
3. Cinnamon stick,1" piece-2 nos
4. Cloves-5 nos
5. Bay leaf- 1 no
6. Water-3 cup( 1/2 cup more ,if required)
7. Ghee-as required
8. Salt- to taste

For Layering/garnishing:

1. Onion,sliced- 1 small
2. Cashew nuts- 12 to 15 nos
3. Raisins-1 or 2 tbsp
4. Garam masala- 2 to 3 pinch
5. Ghee /Oil- as required
6. Coriander and mint leaves,chopped-as required

Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients listed under 'For marination' in a bowl.Marinate the chicken with this masala.Keep aside for 10 to 15 minutes.

Heat oil/ghee in a pan and fry sliced onion,cashew nuts and raisins ( for garnishing) separately until it turns golden brown. Keep aside.

Combine all the ingredients listed under 'For masala paste' in a blender and grind to form a smooth paste.Keep aside.

                 

To prepare Chicken Masala,Heat ghee /oil in a pan,add onion and saute until it turns golden brown.

Add tomato and saute until it turns mushy.

Add the prepared masala paste and saute until raw smell leaves. 

Add marinated chicken  ,mix well and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.Add 1/2 cup water and salt to taste,mix well .Cover and cook until chicken is done.(Check in between,give it a stir and add more water if required)

Remove the lid,cook until gravy turns thick.

To prepare rice ,heat ghee in a pan,add cardamom,cinnamon,cloves and bay leaf.Saute for few seconds or until fragrant.Add washed and drained rice and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.Add water and salt to taste.Bring this to a boil.Reduce flame to low,cover and cook until it is 90 % done and water is completely absorbed.Allow it to cool completely.

For layering,Coat the bottom and sides of the baking dish with ghee.Add a layer of cooked rice.

Add a layer of the prepared chicken masala.Next add a layer of rice.

Sprinkle fried onion,cashew nuts,raisins,chopped coriander /mint leaves, 1 pinch garam masala and few drops of ghee on top.Add another layer of prepared chicken  masala .

Finally add a layer of rice.Garnish with remaining fried onion,cashew nuts ,raisins ,coriander and mint leaves.Cover tightly using aluminium foil.Bake for this for about 15 minutes in a preheated oven at 200 Deg C.(For stove top method,layer the biriyani in a heavy bottomed pan and cover it tightly using aluminum foil.Heat a tava/pan and place the biriyani vessel on top of the tava.Reduce flame to low and cook for about 20 minutes.)

Serve with onion salad

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of green chilies according to your taste.

Mutta- Chutney Kebab | Egg -Chutney Kebab

Egg-chutney kebab


Recipe source : Malabar cuisine
Quick,easy and delicious egg kebab with coconut chutney.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves: 8 to 10 

Ingredients:

1. Eggs,hard boiled and cut lengthwise- 5 nos
2. Egg white,lightly  beaten-2 nos
3. Oil- for shallow / deep frying

For coconut chutney:

1. Grated coconut - 1 cup
2. Green chilies-3 to 4 nos( according to taste)
3. Ginger-1/2" piece
4. Garlic- 3 cloves
5. Curry leaves-1 sprig
6. Coriander leaves,chopped-2 or 3 tbsp
7. Lemon juice- 1 tsp
8. Salt-to taste

Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients listed under ' For coconut chutney' in a blender and grind to a paste.

Cover each egg piece with the prepared chutney.(over the cut surface.)

Evenly dip this in egg white and shallow fry carefully.

Serve with tomato sauce.

Kerala Vegetable Biriyani

Kerala Vegetable Biriyani

Kerala style vegetable biriyani.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4  people

Ingredients:

1. Basmati rice- 1.5 cups( see notes)
2. Cardamom-3 nos
3. Cinnamon stick,1.5" piece-2 nos
4. Bay leaf-1 no
5. Cloves- 5 to 6 nos
6. Ginger,chopped- 1 tsp
7. Garlic,chopped-1 tsp
8. Green chilies,cut vertically-2 or 3 nos( or to taste)
9. Onion,sliced- 1 medium( 3/4 cup)
10. Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
11. Kashmiri chili powder- 1/2 to 1 tsp( according to taste)
12. Garam masala-1/2 tsp
13. Tomato,chopped- 1 medium( 1/2 cup)
14. Thick coconut milk-1/2 cup
15. Cooked vegetables( beans,carrot,green peas,cauliflower)-1.5 to 2 cups
16. Coriander leaves-to garnish
17. Oil-as required
18. Ghee-as required
19. Salt-to taste

To garnish:

1. Onion,finely sliced- 1 small
2. Cashew nuts-10 to 12 nos
3. Raisins-1 tbsp
4. Oil/Ghee-as required
5. Coriander leaves,chopped-as required
6. Garam masala-1/8 tsp

Instructions:

Heat oil/Ghee in a pan ,add rice and saute for 3 to 4 minutes,pour sufficient amount of water(approximately  3 cups) and add salt to taste.Cook until rice is 3/4th done.Keep aside.

Heat oil/ghee in a pan and fry sliced onion, cashew nuts and raisins (for garnishing)separately until it turns brown and keep aside.

Now heat oil in a pan ,add the whole spices(cardamon,cinnamon,cloves and bay leaves.) and saute till fragrant.

Add ginger ,garlic,green chili and onion , saute till onion turn almost brown.

Reduce heat to low,add turmeric powder,chili powder and garam masala,saute till raw smell leaves.

Add tomato and saute till it is completely cooked ,amd masala leaves the sides of the pan.

Pour in the coconut milk and add salt to taste.Add the cooked vegetables and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on low flame or until the gravy turns thick.Switch off the stove ,add coriander leaves and mix well.

In a heavy bottomed pan arrange the vegetable masala and cooked rice in layers.Sprinkle chopped coriander leaves , garam masala( 1/8 tsp)  and few drops of ghee(adding ghee is optional) on each layer of rice.Garnish with fried onions,cashew nuts and raisins.Cover the vessel with aluminium foil.

Preheat oven to 200 deg C.Bake this  for about 10 to 12 minutes.(For stove top method,heat a tava/dosa pan and place the biriyani vessel on top of the tava,reduce flame to low and cook for about 20 minutes.)

Serve with onion salad.

NOTES

• If you like more masala for the biriyani ,use 1 and 1/4 cup rice ( like in the pic) or use 1.5 cups rice for a milder version.(I usually get about 3.5 cups cooked rice from 1 cup basmati rice.)

Chocolate pudding

Chocolate pudding


Quick, easy and delicious chocolate pudding.
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves:6 people
Recipe source: Myrecipes.com,you can find the original recipe here

Ingredients:

1. Granulated sugar- 1/2 cup
2. Cocoa powder-1/3 cup( use good quality cocoa)
3. Cornflour-3 tbsp
4. Dark brown sugar- 3 tbsp
5. Salt-1 pinch
6. Milk- 4 cups
7. Egg yolks ,lightly beaten- 3 large
8. Grated chocolate- 1/4 cup
9. Vanilla extract- 1 tsp
10. Butter -1 tbsp

Instructions:

In a large saucepan combine together,granulated sugar.cocoa powder,cornflour,dark brown sugar,salt and milk.Mix well until combined.Bring this to a boil,stirring continuously.

Place egg yolks in a bowl.Gradually add hot milk mixture to egg yolks,stirring continuously.Return this to the saucepan.

Cook over medium heat ,stirring continuously,for about 5 minutes or until the mixture turns thick.

Switch off the stove,add grated chocolate and vanilla extract and butter.Mix well until chocolate melts completely.(If there are lumps,just pass the pudding through a strainer and break the lumps using the back of a spoon)

Transfer it to a bowl ,serve warm or chilled.

Strawberry Jam Recipe

Strawberry Jam


Quick and easy strawberry jam recipe.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Yields: 2 cups (approx)

Ingredients:

1. Strawberry,roughly chopped- 3 cups
2. Sugar-1.5 cup
3. Vanilla pod-1 small
4. Lemon juice-2.5 to 3 tbsp

Instructions:

In a large pot,combine together strawberry,sugar and lemon juice.Cut the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the pot.

Bring it to a simmer over medium heat.Mash it using a potato masher as you cook it.( i like it be a bit chunky,so did not mash the berries)

Stir well and bring it to a boil.Cook until it turns thick and glossy.Skim the foam as you cook it.(To test if it is ready or not,place a spoonful of jam on a plate and place it in the fridge for a minute or two,if it is still runny cook for another 5  minutes and check again)

Let it sit for 10 minutes.Transfer the jam to a sterilized jar and let cool to room temperature,before sealing the jar.( Refrigerate upto 10 days)

   

Methi Pulav | Fenugreek leaves Pulav

Methi Pulav recipe


Quick, easy and delicious methi pulav.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 2 people

Ingredients:

1. Basmati rice- 1 cup
2. Cumin seeds-1/4 tsp
3. Cinnamon-2" piece
4. Cloves-3 nos
5. Cardamom-3 nos
6. Onion,finely chopped-1 small
7. Ginger,finely chopped- 1 tsp
8. Garlic,finely chopped- 1 tsp
9. Green chilies ,finely chopped- 1/2 tsp
10. Methi leaves / fenugreek leaves- 1 bunch 
11. Water-2 cups
12. Salt-to taste
13. Ghee/oil-as required

Instructions:

Soak rice in water for about 20 minutes.Drain well,keep aside.

Separate the methi leaves,from the stem,keep aside.(discard the stem).(Do not chop the leaves,as it will make the pulav taste bitter.)

Heat ghee/oil in a pan,add cumin seeds,cinnamon,cloves and cardamom,saute for few seconds or until fragrant.

Add onion,ginger ,garlic and green chilies and saute until onion turns translucent.

Add methi leaves and saute for few minutes.

Next add rice and saute for a minute or two.

Add water and salt to taste.Bring this to boil.

Reduce the heat to low,cover and cook until rice is done.Once cooked through,fluff the rice using a fork.

Rice flour jam cookies | Thumbprint cookies | Gluten free recipe

Rice flour jam cookies

Buttery shortbread like cookie filled with strawberry jam.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 to 12 minutes
Yields: 28 cookies

Ingredients:

1. Butter- 1/2 cup
2. Sugar-1/2 cup
3. Egg-1 no
4. Vanilla extract-1 tsp
5. White rice flour-1.5 cups
6. Baking soda-1/4 tsp
7. Baking powder-1/4 tsp
8. Salt-1 pinch
9. Strawberry jam-1/4 cup(or as required)

Instructions:

In a mixing bowl,beat together butter and sugar until light and creamy.

Add egg and mix well until combined.

Add vanilla extract and mix well.

Now add rice flour,baking soda,baking powder and salt.Mix just until combined.

Gently knead , just until the dough smooths out.

Preheat oven to 180 deg C,line the baking sheet with parchment paper.

Divide the dough into 1" balls and flatten lightly.Place about 2" apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Use your finger to make a depression in the center of each cookie.Fill each indentation with about 1/2 tsp jam.

Bake the cookies for about 10 to 12 minutes,or until firm on top.It should have a slight golden bottom.

Allow it to cool before removing  from the baking tray,as these cookies crumble easily while warm.

Baked Garlic Potato Wedges Recipe

Baked garlic potato wedges


Quick,easy and delicious baked potato wedges.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3 people
Recipe adapted from: Edible garden,you can find the original recipe here.
Ingredients:

1. Potatoes- 2 large
2. Garlic,minced-8 small cloves
3. Olive oil-6 tbsp
4. Cornflour-3 tbsp
5. Paprika or Kashmiri chili powder-1/2 tsp
6. Black pepper,freshly ground-1.5 tsp
7. Garlic powder-1/2 tsp(optional)
8. Salt-to taste
9. Water-as required

Instructions:

To prepare garlic infused oil,heat olive oil in a pan,just until it turns warm.Add garlic and switch off the stove.Keep aside until required.

Boil the potatoes for about 10-12 minutes.Make sure it does not become soft and mushy.Let it cool and cut it into wedges.

Transfer the wedges into a large bowl.Add the olive oil( discard the garlic) cornflour,paprika,black pepper,garlic powder and salt to taste.Gently mix using your fingers to uniformly coat the wedges with the spices and cornflour.

Preheat oven to 200 Deg C.Line a baking tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Arrange the potato wedges on the prepared baking tray,without overlapping.

Bake for about 30-40 minutes  until the wedges turn golden brown and crisp on the outside.

Serve with mayonnaise or tomato ketchup.

Broccoli salad recipe

Broccoli salad recipe


Quick,easy and delicious broccoli salad recipe.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: -
Serves: 3 to 4 people
Recipe adapted from: Tasteofhome.com,you can find the original recipe here.
Ingredients:

1. Broccoli ,cut into florets- 3 cups( see notes)
2. Onion,chopped-1/4 cup
3. Mozzarella cheese,grated-1/2 cup
4. Mayonnaise-1/4 cup
5. Sugar-1 tbsp(optional)
6. Vinegar-1/2 tbsp(i used apple cider vinegar)
7. Salt-to taste
8. Black pepper powder-to taste

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl,combine broccoli,onion and cheese.

In another bowl,combine together mayonnaise,sugar,vinegar,salt and pepper powder.

Pour this over the broccoli mixture and toss to coat.

NOTES

• Blanch the broccoli florets quickly in boiling water for about 15 to 20 seconds and drain it in a colander.

PERSIAN RICE FLOUR COOKIES | NAN BERENJI

Persian Rice Flour Cookies

Light and fragrant (gluten free) Persian cookies made using rice flour.
Recipe adapted from :Food.com,you can find the original recipe here
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 22 minutes
Yields: 20 to 24 cookies
Ingredients:

1. Canola oil or melted ghee- 1/3 cup( see notes)
2. Sugar-2/3 cup
3. Eggs- 2 small
4. Rose water- 2 tbsp
5. Rice flour- 2 and 1/4 cup
6. Baking powder-1/4 tsp
7. Cardamom powder-3/4 tsp
8. Pistachios,finely chopped or poppy seeds-to garnish( i used almonds)

Instructions:

In a mixing bowl combine together oil/melted ghee and sugar.

Add the eggs and mix well using a spatula.Add rose water and mix well.

Now add rice flour,baking powder and cardamom powder ,blend to for a thick dough.

Refrigerate the dough for at least 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 180 Deg C.Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Roll the dough into 1.5" balls and flatten slightly.Place this on the prepared baking tray,leaving about an inch between each cookies.

Sprinkle the ground pistachios /poppy seeds on top.

Bake for about 20 to 22 minutes or until firm and cracked on top.It should have a slight golden bottom.

Allow it to cool before removing it from the tray,as these cookies crumble easily while warm.

Notes:

• For best results use freshly ground cardamom powder. Also, adding ghee instead of oil will give a better flavor.