Egg Paratha

My mom, who is pure vegetarian herself, invented this quick and easy 'Egg Paratha'  to get us excited about egg and also to couple it up with the healthy whole wheat instead of bread which is made out of Maida (refined wheat flour). As time went by and we could cook ourselves, we started making this yummy dish ourselves so that Mom is saved from cooking egg.

What do I need ??

For the stuffing

 

1 large Egg

1 tsp chopped green chillies

1 tsp chopped coriandar

Red chilly powder to taste

Salt to taste 

For the Paratha

 

1 cup whole wheat flour (or enough for two parathas)

Pinch of ajwain or carom seeds

Salt to taste 

What are the steps ??

1. Beat the egg together with all the other ingredients for the stuffing, and keep aside.

2. Mix the wheat, water, salt and ajwain to make a dough similar to a roti dough. Divide it into two balls.

3. Roll out a ball of dough about 4 inches in radius. Apply a few drops of oil on the top surface, and fold it twice, so that it becomes like a quarter of a circle. Now roll this out like roti the shape of a triangle.

4. Place this paratha on a pan, roast it well on both sides without oil and take it off the pan.

5. Now gently open up one thin layer of the paratha so that it looks like a flap. Place this back on pan and pour the egg mixture on the open paratha. Now, gently close the flap. Sprinkle some oil on the paratha and cook from both sides.

You delicious egg paratha is ready !! Serve hot with tomato ketchup !

Creamy Mushroom soup

This is the recipe for a creamy mushroom soup, which is a favorite in my house!! 


What do I need ??

For 4 cups of soup

1/2 cup finely chopped onions
1 cup finely chopped mushrooms
10-12 peppercorns
10-12 cloves
2 bay leaves
2 cups milk
2 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon refined flour or maida
Salt and pepper to taste.


What are the steps ??

1. Mix milk, water, peppericons, bay leaves and cloves. Bring this mixture to a boil.
2. In a fry pan, heat butter. Add onions and fry till they are transparent. Add mushrooms and cook for two minutes.
3. Add maida and fry for half a minute.
4. Now sieve the milk and add it to the above mixture. Mix well so that there are no lumps. Bring it to a boil.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Creamy mushroom soup is ready !!

Besan Cheela (crepes) with a twist

My dad was transferred to New Delhi when I was 7-8 yrs old. My mom started making quite a few new  recipes while we were there. Besan cheela was one of them. Ohh, I remember how crazy my sister and I were about cheela. It was and still is, one of our all-time favorite breakfast dishes.
Recently my mom suggested another innovation to it. I tried it, and it turned out to be great.

Add egg to the batter !! Curious? Read on for the detailed recipe.

Enjoy !

What do I need ??

1 cup Besan or Gram flour
1 big egg
2-3 Garlic cloves
1 teaspoon Red chilly powder
1-2 finely chopped Green chillies
1 tablespoon finely chopped coriander
Salt to taste
Oil

What are the steps ??

1. Mix all the ingredients except oil, to make a thin batter. Mix well so that there are no lumps  and the batter is very smooth.
2. Heat up a non-stick tawa or a heavy bottom frying pan. Spread a little oil in the center and spread some of the batter on it just like a dosa or a crepe. Cover it with a lid.
3. Take off the lid after 3-4 minutes and flip the cheela.
4. Cook for a few more minutes. Cook it longer if you like it crispy.

Cheela is ready. Serve with ketchup or a green pudina chutney !!

Any tips ??

* Mix a tablespoon of rice flour if you like the cheela crispy.
* You can replace half the quantity of besan with whole wheat flour, to make this a complete meal.

Methi Matar Malai

My husband and me are both very fond of methi or fenugreek leaves. I make a lot of dishes using it. Be it daal, curries, paratha or poori. Methi matar malai is one such classic dish which we generally get to have only at a restaurant. It's fairly easy to make at home. Try it out !!

What do I need ??

1 cup chopped Onion
2 Chopped Green chillies
3-4 Cloves
2 Cardamom
2 teaspoons Cashew nuts
1 teaspoon Jeera
1 tablespoon Dhaniya powder
2 cups Methi
1 cup Green peas
2 table spoon Cream
1 cup Milk
Oil

What are the steps ??

1. Take about 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil in a saucepan. Add Cloves and Cardamom grains. Once they are fried, add green chillies and onion.
2. Once the onions are cooked, add the cashews. Just fry for half minute and turn off the heat.
3. Once the mixture is cool, grind it into a paste.
4. Now, in the same saucepan, take about 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil and crackle jeera in it.
5. Add the white onion paste. Mix well and fry until it starts leaving oil.
6. Add finely chopped methi and green peas. Fry well until the methi reduces to almost half.
7. Now, add salt to taste and dhaniya powder. Mix well.
8. Add milk. Now let the curry cook for about 3-4 minutes until the milk reduces a bit and thickens.
9. Add cream before serving.

A creamy methi matar malai is ready to be enjoyed with chapati or paratha !!





Any tips ??

* You can avoid the cream if you don't like it too heavy!

Tangy Pasta snack

I love pasta !! :) And I like to try something different with it all the time. This is a simple snack which can be served with tea.

Enjoy!!

What do I need ??

2 cup boiled pasta (Penne, Macroni, Fusilli or any other similar type)
1/2 cup of sliced Onions,
1/2 cup of sliced Capsicum and Carrot,
2 table spoon corn kernels. If they are not the frozen ones, then cook them in water for 4-5 mins.
1 1/2 tablespoon Butter
1 teaspoon oil (preferably olive oil)
Salt to taste,
Italian Seasoning,
Chilli flakes
1/4 teaspoon soya sauce
1/4 teaspoon tomato ketchup


What are the steps ??

1. Heat the butter and oil in a pan.
2. Add the Onions and mix well.
3. Once the onions are cooked, add carrot and capsicum. Sprinkle some salt. Mix well and cover for 2 or 3 mins, giving time for the carrot to get at least half cooked.
4. Add the corn kernels and cover for a min or so.
5. Add all the spices and seasoning according to taste. Mix well and cook for another 2 mins.
6. Add the boiled pasta and mix well with the veggies. Keep the heat on for another few mins.

Serve with tea or coffe as an evening snack !!

Any tips ??

* If chilli flakes are not available, black pepper can be used. 

* Add salt and and few drops of oil while cooking the pasta.
* You can add some grated cheese in the end for enhancing the taste.

Tomato Saar (soup)

This recipe is a different take on the tomato soup. Its called 'tamatar cha saar' in Maharashtra. Its is a very yummy soup, made in a traditional indian style, but it works beautifully with western cuisine as wel !!

What do I need ??

2 Large tomatoes
3 Green chilles
3-4 small garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon jeera
1 teaspoon ghee
Salt and sugar to taste

What are the steps ??

1. Cut the tomatoes is big pieces and grind it coarsely along with green chillies.
2. Transfer the coarse tomato puree to a pan. Add 2 cups of water. Crush the garlic cloves slightly and add to this mixture. Add sugar and salt to taste.
3. Bring the above mixture to a boil.
4. Prepare tadka of ghee and jeera separately and add to the tomato soup.

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve !!

Any Tips??
You will come to know that the tomato mixture has got cooked when it changes color from pink-ish to orange-ish.

Cabbage and Carrot Soup

Cabbage is very stinky vegetable. Though you can prepare a lot of good recipes with it, it never really  appeals to me.
But a few days back I cooked up a very yummy soup with it and I felt good about this stinky veggie for once :)

Here is the recipe !!

What do I need??

3/4 cup finely chopped Cabbage
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup finely chopped Onion
1 teaspoon cornflour
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt and Pepper to taste
Coriander to garnish

What are the steps??

1. Heat the butter in a pan. Add the chopped onion and fry it until light pink.
2. Add the cabbage and carrot. Cook for about 3-4 mins.
3. Add Salt and Pepper and mix well.
4. Add 2 cups of water and let it simmer.
5. When the veggies are almost cooked, mix the cornflour in some water and add it the mixture to the soup. Cook for another 2-3 mins and turn off the heat.
6. Add the lemon juice and garnish with coriander leaves.

Relish the yummy and healthy soup on a cold evening!!

Any Tips??
You can skip the cornflour to make a clear soup as well.