Sunday, July 19, 2009

Cheesy Bites Chicken Tikka Pizza


Ingredients for Topping:

1. Chicken (150 gms)
2. Capsicum cut in stripes (1/2 cup)
3. Red Onions Finely slices (1/2 cup)
4. Tomato roundels (5-6 Nos)
5. Mozzarella Cheese as much as you want
6. Salt (1/4 tsp)
7. Red Chilli Flakes (1/2 tsp)
8. Dried Oregano (1/4 tsp)
9. Dried Basil (1/4 tsp)

Ingredients for Sauce:

1. Tomatoes (500 gms)
2. Onion (1 No)
3. Garlic Clove grated (1 No)
4. Oil (1 tbsp)
5. Sugar (1 tsp)
6. Salt (2 pinches)
7. Oregano (1 tsp)

Ingredient for Pizza Dough:

1. Maida (2 -1/2 cup)
2. Yeast (1-1/2 tsp)
3. Sugar (1 tsp)
4. Salt (3/4 tsp)
5. Water as per requirement

Method for Sauce:

1. Add oil in a pan and add chopped onions fry a little and add the grated garlic to it.
2. Now add chopped tomatoes, salt, sugar and dried oregano.
3. Cook till the tomatoes soften and all the water evaporates.
4. Let it cool and blend it into a fine paste. You can store this paste into regrigerator for further use

Method for Dough

1. Take 3/4 cup lukewarm water and add all the yeast and sugar specified in the dough section. Cover it and let the yeast activate. After 5-10 mins there will be a frothy mixture, that means the yeast has activated.

2. Now combine maida, salt and mix and add the yeast frothy mixture to it and knead into a soft dough. Mix well so that there are no lump formations. Apply a little oil to the dough and make a smooth surface and let it rest for 2 hours in a warm place preferrably in a oven.

3. After 2 hour the dough will double in its size, just knock it down and give a few punches to the dough so that there is no air.

4. Now keep aside a small portion of the dough for making the cheesy bites.

5. Now knead the rest of the dough a little bit and with the help of a rolling pin and a little dry flour roll the dough into a 12 inches long pizza base and transfer on to the baking pan or a pizza pan. Keep it aside for further use.

Method for Cheesy Bites:

1. Knead the dough kept aside for making cheesy bites. And with the help of a rolling pin roll it into a thin base.

2. Now cut the edges of this base fro all the four sides to give it a square shape.

3. Vertically cut this base into 3 pieces and then cut each vertical piece into 3 more horizontal parts.

4. Take a part and add a little mozzarella cheese and roll it. Repeat this step for every part.

5. Keep these cheesy bites aside.

Finally.. Assembling the Pizza:

1. Apply pizza sauce on the pizza base evenly.

2. Add the chopped capsicum, onions and the chicken tikka pieces.


3. Now arrange the Cheesy bites on the outer edge of the pizza base as shown in picture.


4. Add the tomato roundels, sprinkle the red chilli flakes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt and sprinkle some oil on top.

5. Add the cheese as the final topping .

6. Now bake pizza on 410 degree F preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, check it once and you can bake it more or less after that according to your liking

Bon Appetit

Chocolate and Roasted Almond Cookies



Ingredients:

1. Maida (1 and a quarter cup0
2. Butter (1/2 cup)
3. Sugar (1/2 cup)
4. Egg (1 no)
5. Cocoa Powder (2 tbsp)
6. Baking Powder (1 and a quarter tsp)
7. Almonds (3/4 cup grounded)
8. Almonds less than (1/4 cup) crushed coarsely

Method:

1. Melt butter and add sugar to it. Mix it really well untill all the sugar dissolves in it.
2. Now add egg to this mixture and keep mixing for another 5-7 mins
3. In another mixing bowl add maida, cocoa powder, baking powder and mix well.
4. Now add this maida mixture to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix it well
5. This will be a very sticky mixture, so at this stage add all the grounded almond powder. Keep mixing use a lil oil if you cannot handle the dough or add a tbsp of dry flour if your mixture is really soft
6. Mix everything really well into a soft and smooth dough.
7. Make equal sized balls out of this dough and dip them into the coarse almond mixture. Flatten them a little bit and place it on the cookie sheet
8. Repeat this process for all the balls.
9. Preheat the oven on 356 degree F and bake them for 20-25 mins
10. Once the cookies are done let them rest for a good 30 mins or untill they have cooled down and then store it in an air tight container

Friday, July 17, 2009

Chicken Hakka Noodles

Ingredients:

1. Chicken cut in stripes 1/2 cup
2. Egg Hakka noodles 1 packet
3. Egg 1
4. Shredded Cabbage 1-1/2 cup
5. Carrots cut in stripe 3/4 cup
6. Green Capsicum 1/2 cup
7. Onion 1 medium finely sliced
8. Green chillies slit 6-7
9. Garlic Cloves 3-4 finely chopped
10. Black Pepper Powder as per required
11. Cornflour Powder 1 tbsp
12. Salt as per need
13. Oil as per need
14. Soy Sauce 1 bsp

Method:

1. Boil the noodles as per the instruction on the packet. After draining the hot water immediately add very cold water to these noodles and let them rest there for atleast half minute,then repeat this process again. Drain the water and add a tsp of oil to it, otherwise the noodle will become sticky. And refrigerate the noodles for atleast 1 hour.
2.. Clean and cut the chicken in stripes and drain well. Now add salt, black pepper powder and just 2 tbsp of beaten egg and keep the rest of the the egg aside. Mix all of the mixture well and fry them in a pan and keep it aside.
3. Add oil in a pan and add Chopped garlic, green chillies, onions and all the chopped veggies and stir fry them on high flame, keep tossing for 5 minute, then add salt and black pepper to it.
4. In another pan fry the remaining egg and add to the veggies along with the fried chicken. Mix really well.
5. Now add the soy sauce to this mixture, check the salt and add if required.
6. Transfer boiled noodles to it. Mix them really well untill all the noodles get nicely coated with sauces and the veggies.
7. Add a little pepper powder to it and serve really hot.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Sprouts Bhel


Ingredients:

1. Moong sprouts 1 cup
2. Tomato 1 chopped roughly
3. Onion 1 small, chopped roughly
4. Green chillies 3-4
5. Green Coriander leaves for garnishing
6. Oil 1tsp
7. Salt as per requirement

Method:

1. In a pan add oil, once hot add green chillies fry it for a few seconds then add the moong sprouts.
2. Mix it really well and allow it to saute for next 10 mins on medium flame
3. Add salt and a little water and cover the vessel with a lid.
4. Once they are half done, dish out the moong sprouts mixture and add chopped onions, tomatoes and garnish it with green coriander leaves

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

NanKhatai


Ingredients:

1. Sooji(semolina) 1/3 cup
2. Maida 1/3 cup
3. Gram flour 1/3 cup
4. Cardamom powder 1/4 tsp
5. Sugar 1/2 cup
6. Butter a little less than 1/2 cup
7. Baking soda a pinch
8. Dryfruits of your choice


Method:

1. Preheat the oven at 375 F
2. In a bowl mix all the dry ingredients except for sugar. Mix everything very well
3. Now add sugar to the butter, butter should be in room temperature not melted.
4. Mix the sugar and butter well for 5-10 mintues untill it becomes light and sugar completly mixes in it.
5. Mix this sugar and butter with the dry flour and knead into a dough. the dough will be a little soft.
6. Make equal sized balls from the batter and flatten them a little and garnish with finely chopped dry fruits. Press them a little so that they dont come out while baking.
7. Arrange all the nankhatai on the cookie sheet or whichever baking pan you are using and bake it for 12-13 minutes.



8. Check the colour it should be a light golden brown, now remove them gently and let it cool for a good 50-10 mintues until it is firm, if you try to disturb them immediately they will break.
Let it settle and then you can enjoy your home made Nankhatai.

Bhindi Aloo


Ingredients:

1. Bhindi 250 gms
2. Potato 1 medium
3. Green chilli 4-6 or as per your need
4. Ginger and garlic paste 1 tsp
5. Cumin seeds crushed coarsely 2 tbsp
6. Oil as per requirement
7. Salt as per taste
8. Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp
Method:

1. Chop the bhindi and potato in 1 inch pieces each
2. In a pan add oil, slit green chillies and ginger garlic paste. Fry for for 15-20 seconds.
3. Add the chopped potatoes and fry on medium heat for 5-10 minutes.
4. Now add bhindi, salt and turmeric powder. Saute it for a few minutes
5. Cover the lid and let it cook on low flame untill done.
6. Now add the coarsely grounded cumin powder to it and mix it up well, saute for 2-3 mins until nice aroma of raw cumin seeds releases.
7. Serve with salid and phulkas

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Kanda Pohe

Pohe or pohay is made from flattened rice, and is most likely served with tea, and is probably the most popular dish in maharashtra. I was looking out for some information on kanda pohay and i actually came to know that whenever there is an arranged marriage, this is the most likely dish served when the two families meet and it is so common that sometimes arranged marriage itself is referred to as kanda pohay.
There are different varieties in market where you get kanda pohay and plain pohay and ,,batata pohe but i like to combine lots of kanda, batata and peanuts in my version of pohay and of course it has to be spicyyyyyyyy. So go ahead and enjoy this delicious breakfast






Ingredients:

1. Poha 1 cup
2. Onion 1 medium roughly chopped
3. Green Chillies 4-6 or as per ur need
4. Green coriander leaves chopped
5. Curry leaves 6-8
6. Cumin seeds 1tbsp
7. Peanuts as per your need
8. Potatoe 1 medium, chopped
9. Salt as per need
10. Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp



Method:

1. Soak the poha in water for a few seconds and drain the water. Let it settle for a few minutes like that and add salt and turmeric to poha. Keep it aside
2. Add a little oil in pan and add all the chopped potaotes, cover and cook on medium flame till it is tender(dont add water let it cook on steam). Set aside
3. Add peanuts to the same oil and fry it on medium flame till it changes colour and releases a nice aroma.
4. Once the peanuts are done immediately add the cumin seeds, chopped green chillies, curry leaves, saute it for 2-3 seconds and add the roughly chopped onions to it.
5. Saute onions until they are transparent, add a little salt, turmeric powder, fried potatoes and the soaked poha.
6. Mix everything really well, and add the chopped green coriander leaves. Cover the pan and let it cook for 5-10 minutes on medium flame untill it mixes really well.
7. Serve hot with curd( i like it tht way) or with a dash of lemon in it.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Hyderabadi Khatti Dal


There are many versions of hyderabadi khatti dal,but i like this one. No meal is complete in the hyderabadi household without khatti dal.


Ingredients:
1. Toor Dal 1 cup
2. Tomatoes 2 roughly chopped
3. Tamarind 1 tsp
4. Curry leaves 3-4
5. Ginger Garlic Paste 1 tsp
6. Green chillies 5-6
7. Green Coriander leaves chopped 2-3 tbsp
8. Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp
9. Salt to taste


For Tempering:
1. Curry leaves 5-6
2. Cumin seeds 1 tsp
3. Mustard seeds 1tsp
4. Dried Red Chillies 2-3
5. Garlic Cloves 2 roughly chopped
6. Kalongi seeds a pinch
7. Oil 2 tbsp



Method:
1. In a pressure cooker add water and all the things mentioned in the ingredients list(yes i mean everything). Add water according to your need and understanding.
2. Pressure cook on high flame till first whistle then lower the flame and let it cook untill the second whistle. After the 2nd whistle turn the flame off and let the pressure cooker stand for another 15 minutes. Do not try to open the cooker till then
3. After 15 mins open the cooker and mash the dal and all the ingredients
4. Add water as per the desired consistency level. Let it boil on medium high flame.
Once completly boiled, set aside.
5. In a small kadai add 2 tbsp oil, dried red chillies, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and kalongi seeds, once they turn to a dark brownish shade add the roughly chopped garlic cloves.
Once the garlic is a good golden brown add the curry leaves and let it splutter(remember u have to keep the flame on low all the time). When done add this to the dal mixture.
6. Serve dal with plain boiled rice, Poppadums, Pickle, Dried kababs etc etc,,,,,,,the list is endless

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Barbeque Chicken


Ingredients:

1. Boneless chicken 1/2 kg
2. Lemon juice 2 tbsp or according to your taste
3. Butter 4-5 tbsp for basting
4. Salt
5. Red chilli Powder 1 tsp
6. Orange Food Colour a pinch
7. Ginger and garlic paste 1 tbsp
8. Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp
9. Readymade chicken tikka masala 1 tsp
(If u dont want to get into hassles, the alternative is to buy a readymade tikka masala powder and just follow the simple instructions on the pack. My personal favourite is Shan ChickenTikka Mix)
10. Skewers as per ur need

Method:

1. Mix all the ingredients except butter into a mixing bowl, and marinade the chicken for atleast 3-4 hours
2. Put chicken pieces on the skewer and place it on low heat of coal fire


3. Grill evenly on each each side until very light brown.


4. Apply butter and grill untill meat is tender

Friday, July 3, 2009

Chicken Uttapam

Ingredients:
1. Chicken cut in stripes 1/2 cup
2. Urad Dal 1/2 cup
3. Rice 1 1/2 cup
4. Desseded and Chopped Tomatoes 1/2 cup
5. Capsicum chopped 1/2 cup
6. Red Onions Chopped 1/2 cup
7. Mixed cheese 1/2 cup(optional)
8. Green Chillies finely chopped as per taste
9. Green coriander chopped according to need(optional)
10. Salt as per requirement
11. Oil as per requirement
12. Black Pepper as per requirement

Method:

1. Soak the rice and dal together or separate for atleast 6 hours and grind into a fine paste. Let it ferment overnight.(the batter should be a little thick than we use for making dosas)

2. In a pan add a little oil, once ready put the chicken stripes in the pan, with a little salt and pepper.

3. Let it cook on medium flame untill all the water evaporates, cook till the pieces starts to change colour, keep aside and let it cool

4. Heat a griddle on medium flame, when it is ready to use add a spoonful of batter on it. The batter will automatically spread to take its shape.

5. Now top it up with a little capsicum, tomatoes, onions, green chillies, cheese and chicken stripes. You can add all these toppings mixture or one at a time as per your wish.


6. Let it cook on medium flame, till the base is firm.

7. You can now sprinkle few drops of oil on top of the uttapa and just flip it upside down so tht the topping also gets cooked.

8. Once done transfer it gently on a plate and serve hot with coconut chutney.

Baby Uttapam


Ingredients:
1. Urad Dal 1/2 cup
2. Rice 1 1/2 cup
3. Desseded and Chopped Tomatoes 1/2 cup
4. Capsicum chopped 1/2 cup
5. Red Onions Chopped 1/2 cup
6. Mixed cheese 1/2 cup(optional)
7. Green Chillies finely chopped as per taste
8. Green coriander chopped according to need(optional)
9. Salt as per requirement
10. Oil as per requirement

Method:
1. Soak the rice and dal together or separate for atleast 6 hours and grind into a fine paste. Let it ferment overnight.(the batter should be a little thick than we use for making dosas)
2. Heat a griddle on medium flame, when it is ready to use add a spoonful of batter on it. The batter will automatically spread to take its shape.
3. Now top it up with a little capsicum, tomatoes, onions, green chillies and cheese. You can add all these toppings mixture or one at a time as per your wish.


4. Let it cook on medium flame, till the base is firm.
5. You can now sprinkle few drops of oil on top of the uttapa and just flip it upside down so tht the topping also gets cooked.
6. Once done transfer it gently on a plate and serve hot with coconut chutney.


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Bhindi Gosht

Ingredients:
1. Mutton 300 gms
2. Okra/Lady Finger 10-12 nos
3. Medium onions 2
4. Ginger Garlic Paste 1 tbsp
5. Medium Tomato 1
6. Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp
7. Red Chilli Powder 1 tsp
8. Coriander Powder 2 tbsp
9. Cumin seeds 1-1/2 tbsp
10. Tamarind pulp as per yout taste
11. Green Coriander leaves for garnishing
12. Salt as per taste
13. Oil as per requirement

Method:
1. Add mutton, roughly chopped onions, roughly chopped tomato, ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, salt and pressure cook the mutton untill done without adding any water. Mutton will release its water.
2. In a vessel add oil, when hot add green chillies to it, once they start to splutter add a little ginger garlic paste and fry for 2-3 seconds.
3. Now add the contents of the pressure cooker in the vessel and keep cooking it on medium flame.
4. Add red chilli powder, coriander powder, salt and let it cook on medium low flame till oil appears on top.
5. During this time, cut the bhindi in 2 pieces and shallow fry it with a little salt and once step 4th is done add this shallow fried bhindi to the mutton mixture.
6. Now add the tamarind pulp accoridng to your taste, i added only 2 tbsp, u can add less or more according to your wish.
7. Add a little water and let it cook on medium low flame till the bhindi cooks completely
8. In a small pan dry roast the cumin seeds till they turn dark brown and releases a nice aroma. Cool it and grind into a fine powder.
8. Once the bhindi cooks completely add this browned cumin powder to it and garnish with green corinader leaves.
9. Serve hot with boiled rice

Tip:
1. Brown the cumin seeds on medium low flame, once cool u can crush them with the help of a rolling pin
2. Add the tamarind paste very slowly and keep on checking the taste, once u feel its enough stop it, dont go by the measurement. U can add less or more than 2 tbsp, according to ur wish.
3. If by mistake u have added more tamarind pulp than your requirement, u can boil a small onion with salt, coriander powder, turmeic powder and a little oil, and pressure cook it till done. once u open the cooker cook this mixture on low flame till it becomes a fine paste and releases a nice aroma and a little oil on top, then u can add this mixtue to the gravy as per ur need.