Bhel

This is my last post from US,I am going back to India,Pune for good. I will not able to visit your space regularly for a month.
Some times we all feel something quick and chapata(spicy) snack, this is perfect and instant version Of bhel,that can be made in approximately 5 minutes using readily available ingredients from your own pantry,If you plan ahead.

Ingredients:

• Poha Chivda-4 cups
• Onion-1 medium( finely chopped)
• Peanuts-1/4 cup (roasted)
• Potatoes-2 medium (boiled,peeled and diced)
• Green chili-2 to3 (chopped)
• Sev-1/2 cup
• Salt to taste
• Green chutney-1/4 cup
•  Sweet chutney -1/2cup

• Lemon juice-2 tsp
• Coriander leaves-2 tbs(chopped)

Method:
Transfer Poha Chivda on a big bowl,add roasted peanut,potatoes and sev
Toss to mix.Add sev and mix. Add salt to taste.
Add the two chutneys and stir well.
Add lemon juice and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Serve immediately.
Enjoy!!!

Khoya(Unsweetend solid condensed milk)

Here in US since we don't get khoya( mava) as we get in India,I tried many times with milk powder,
Whole milk somehow I don't like the texture.My husband suggested that we can make khoya with

half & half.Do give it a try I'm sure you will like texture.

Ingredients:
Half &half-4 cups
Method:
put heavy bottomed pan on high heat and add the milk.when it comes to a boil,lower the heat to
medium and cook,stirring continuously,for about 30 to 35 minutes or until the milk is reduced
and form a thick lump.
let cool completely then store in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Dal palak( Spinach and Dal Curry)

This dish is very popular in the north as well as in the south,it has many variation to make,some people used Green moong dal,urad dal change from person to persons likes, but we all know it is
very healthy and nutritious dish,when eaten with chapati or rice makes a balanced meal.

Ingredients :

• Spinach- 2 cups( chopped)
• Chana dal -1/2 cup
• Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
• Coriander powder1 tsp
• Cumin seeds-1/4 tsp
• Methi seeds-1/4 tsp( fenugreek )
• Onion-1 medium( chopped)
• Tomato-2 medium( chopped)
• Dry red chili -2
• Ginger garlic paste-2 tsp
• Hing( asafetida)- pinch
• Oil-1 tbsp
• Salt to taste

Method:
Wash and soak dal for 30 minutes.
Heat oil in a pressure cooker add methi seeds and cumin seeds when they splutter
Add red chili and hing and stir for few seconds now add onion and saute for 3 minutes.
Add ginger garlic paste and saute til raw smell goes away.
Add tomato  and saute for 2 minutes. Add turmeric powder and coriander powder.
Mix well add chopped spinach and soaked dal and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add 1 cup water,salt and and close the lid.
Cook for 2 whistle or spinach and dals are tender.
Turn off the heat and let the pressure go down by itself.
Remove the lid and stir well.
Serve hot with rice and chapati.
Enjoy!!!!

Achari Chicken( chicken cooked with pickling spices)

Pickle lovers will adore this yummy dish.This dish tastes best when it is allow to sit for a while after cooking.

Ingredients:

• Chiken-1 lb
• Onions-2 medium( finely chopped)
• Tomato-2 medium( chopped)
• Fenugreek seeds(methi)-1/4 tsp
• Mustard seeds( rai)-1/2 tsp
• Cumin seeds( jeera)-1 tsp
• Nigella seeds( kalonji)-1/2 tsp
• Fennel seeds( sauf)-1/4 tsp
• Black salt-1/4 tsp                            
• Lemon juice-1 tbsp                             
• Ginger garlic paste-2 tbsp
• Hing( asafetida )-1/2 tsp
• Mustard oil-3 tbsp
• Curd-1 cup
• Red chili powder-1 tsp
• Coriander powder-1/2 tbsp
• Garm masala-1 tsp
• Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:
Put the chicken in a contairner.Add ginger garlic paste,lemon juice and 1 tsp salt and rub properly.
Cover the container and put in the refrigerator for 1 to 2  hours  to marinate.
Heat a pan on medium heat add oil add hing, red chili and sauté for few seconds.
Add methi,cumin,sauf,mustard and kalonji sauté for 30 seconds.
Add onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
Add tomato and cook2 to 3 minutes. Now add red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric
Powder and stir well.
Add chicken and stir. Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes or chicken is half done.
Add black salt  and cook chicken is almost done.
Add the curd and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes.Add  garam masala and stir well
Turn off the heat and garnish with coriander leaves.
Enjoy!!!

Homemade whipped Cream

When I saw this recipe in Nishamadhulika since then I never bought whipped cream from store.
It is very easy to make at home and need only two ingredients.It's really simple and not only is it
Cheaper and its better then store bought. You can make with different flavor like mango,vanilla
Strawberry and chocolate etc.

Ingredients:

• Heavy cream-1 cup( chilled)
• Sugar-2 tbsp( to taste )

Method:
Pour the cream in the bowl and and whisk on medium speed
Then increase the speed to high, after whipping couple of minutes
Add sugar whisk until the cream become more solid and thick.
It takes about 10 to 12 minutes.Use as needed.
Enjoy!!!
Note:
Do not over whip otherwise you'll make butter.
You can use hand whisk the times will likely be longer.

Eggless Custard Powder Cake

This is the perfect cake for beginner baker like me and avoid to eggs in baking ,it is very moist,soft
And perfect snack time cake.
(Adapted from Best Recipes)

Ingredients:

• All purpose flour(maida)-1 and 1/ 2 cups
• Custard powder-3/4 cup                                    
• Granulated sugar -3/4 cu
• Baking powder-1 and 1/4 tsp
• Vanila extract-1/2 tsp

• Butter-150 gm at room temperature
• Milk - 1 cup

Method:
Sieve all the dry ingredients into big bowl and mix well.
Add the milk,butter and  mix until you get a smooth batter.
Preheat the oven  at 350F and bake for 40 to 45 minutes
Or cake is done by inserting a toothpick in the middle of the
Cake comes out clean.
Let it cool completely and serve.
Note:
Baking time may vary depending on your oven and cake pan.

Oats Ladoo

I love to try different varieties with oats and found this recipe in sanjeev kapoor's site which is very healthy with peanut and jaggery,you can add some nuts too of your choice,so try out this guilt free healthy sweet snack.

Ingredients:

• Oats-1 cup
• Peanut-1 cup                                                 
• Sesame seeds-1 tbsp
• Ghee-2 tbsp
• Gud( jaggery)-1/2 cup(grated)
• Cardamom powder-1 tsp

Method:
Dry roast oats till they turn golden brown.let it cool little bit.
Coarsely powder and keep aside.
Dry roast peanut and grind the peanuts to a coarse powder.
Dry roast sesame seeds until light golden brown.
Mix all the ingredients properly with gud,ghee and cardamom powder.
Make small lemon size ladoo out of it.
Store them in an airtight container.
Enjoy!!!
Linking this to:
Harini at Cook Click n devour!!!
1st anniversary celebration with giveaways