Aamla di Paani...

Landed in my country after a long time and after very long jetlag days we started going out to meet friends and relatives. We went to my sisters place last week. When we reached there I was really exhausted. The heat and noise of traffic had made me really tired. 

The moment I was in her house , I was looking in the fridge for something refreshing to drink when my eyes caught a glimpse of a tupperware bottle filled with something. I asked my akka what was it and she said "Dont ask me but do try it". She served me a chilled glass which i gulped in secs. So refreshing, so light and so yummy that i could not resist asking for another glass to which she smiled ans said "Now that means its yummy???" I was so impressed that my tastebuds hit my brain buttons which in turn made my mouth utter "Recipe plsssssssssssssssss....."

 So here you go for a very very simple way to refresh yourself. 

(Pics coming soon)

Serves... concentrate can be stored a while

Serve option... Serve chilled with ice cubes and preferably mint

This is what u'll need....

Aamla/Gooseberry10-20 nos.()

Chaat masala as per taste

Water

Bottle to store in fridge

Here is the stir....

• Grind all aamla to make a fine paste. Dont use water to grind it
• Sieve it thru using a spoon. Dont use your hands for any reason
• Transfer the entire juice into a bottle and store it in the fridge 
• When serving, add little chaat masala to a glass, pour a couple of tablespoons of this concentrate and then fill it with water. Top it with ice cubes and fresh mint leaves  
• Enjoy a refreshing drink

Notes:

• Dont use your hands to squeeze out the liquid. It will help the concentrate stay for a longer time
• Adjust concentrate amount when serving to mark it up to your taste

Spicy Ginger Chicken

Have been very busy lately with lots of things. But even amidst all this hungama our tongues and tummies crave for real good food. Thought i should try something on my own. Probably simple and easy to make, especially something that will not need any pampering during the making.

There was a lot of ginger lying in the fridge, dint know what to do so decided this recipe. I did not have time that day to sit down and search for recipes so just pulled a few things from here and there and brought them all together to bring out this yummy recipe. Never imagined it would turn out that good. My hubby loved it so much that i made it again in just a couple of days :) .... now that really meant appreciation

Serves... 2 ppl 
Serve option... Warm

This is what u'll need....

Ginger grated 1/4 cup
Chicken small pieces 1/4 cup
Oil 3 tbspn
Onion 1 small
Chilli powder 1/2 tspn
Jeera/Cumin seeds  1/4 tspn
Garam masala 1/4 tspn
Coriander powder 1/4 tspn
Salt to taste

Here is the stir....

• Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds
• As they start spluttering, add the onion and little salt. Fry till the oil is slightly translucent

• Toss in grated ginger and fry it on medium heat for 15-20 minutes until the raw smell of ginger is no more. Taste it instead of smelling it to check if ginger is done. Might take some more time too



• Add chicken pieces, chilli powder, coriander powder, remainning salt and fry for another 5 minutes with lid on

• Add a little water and put the lid back on. Let it cook for another 15-20 mins. No need to keep stirring. Just check once in a while and give a quick stir

• Remove from fire when chicken is good and oil starts to ooze out.

• This serves as a good appetizer or even a side with hot rice or roti

Here is the stir....

• Fry ginger till the raw smell goes off. Else once the chicken is in it will take a long long time to take off the ginger smell
• Adjust spice levels as per taste
• Add little water and cook. If you feel it is getting too dry in between add a little more. Do not add too much at any time
• Garnish with coriander leaves (dint have any that day :) )

Rava ladoo....a yummy yummy ladoo

I love rava ladoos and i cant tell you how much..... my mouth is watering when i am writing this now. I know and my dear ones know that i can just keep eating and eating them all the time. Love my mom for the way she makes it. They are just too yummy. I remember that my mom always used to pack this when i was in hostel. Also i have a dear aunt who makes it for me every time i visit her .. thanks to you Viji aunty :)

It is a simple, sweet and classic dessert that no one can ever resist. Roasting a few ingredients and bringing them all together is easy and fun too. Kids love it too and so that is a plus

Serves... makes 10-12

Serve option... Room temp

This is what u'll need....

Rava/Sooji/Semolina 1 cup

Sugar 1 cup (adjust to taste)

Grated coconut 1/4 cup

Elaichi/Cardamom 5-6 pods

Cashews and raisins for garnish

Ghee

Milk as needed

Here is the stir....

• Heat ghee in a pan and add rava to it
• Roast it on medium to high heat until rava turns slightly brown
• Transfer it to another bowl
• Fry cashews and raisins in a tablespoon of ghee and add it to the fried rava
• In the same pan toss in grated coconut and stir till it turns slightly golden
• Pour back the rava mixture into the pan and mix it all together for couple of mins
• Add sugar, elaichi and stir for not more than a minute
• Turn off the heat and transfer it to a bowl
• Shape them into small balls when the mixture is still a little more than warm

Tips....

• If you are having trouble shaping them into balls, try using a little extra ghee or hot milk. but remember just a little
• Adjust sugar to suit your taste

Mushroom peas curry

I am back here after a long long time and am myself feeling everything new. Had a new sweet addition to our family who kept me busy and tied-up all time that i almost forgot about this place. Having a toddler too who keeps running around the house all time that makes me feel overly busy sometimes.

Today my friend was home for dinner when i was well reminded about this place which had kept me very busy some time back. She told me that she was impressed with my blog and so tried a couple of recipes. Her words made me happy and a little proud too ... the fact being that she loved them both. Little praises from her made me happy and invoked me to write something tonight. Its been really long that i wrote a post so I am feeling I am running too slow with my typing and thinking. Well, i have been trying and enjoying lot of recipes these days but just could not find time to take a pic and post them. I specially learnt a lot new cos my mom and mil were with me for a while to help me with the little one. Hmmm... I know that sounds too much of a story to discuss a recipe.

Sooooooooooo....Its mushroom again. This one is like a simple twist to an old tale. I love this curry with a simple but pleasing combination of soft and tender mushrooms and silky smooth sweet peas. No sweating here... now that sounds interesting. It's so simple to make that it takes care of my dinner menu quite frequently ;)

We love this as my elder one is a big mushroom fan and a bigger peas fan. Thanks to him that i get to make it more often :) Goes perfect with rotis and pooris

Serves... 2 ppl 

Serve option... Warm puffy chapatis or pooris

This is what u'll need....

Jeera/Cumin seeds 1/4 tspn

Onion 1 medium

Green peas 1/4 cup

Mushroom 2 cups sliced

Milk 1/2 cup

Garam masala 1/4 tspn

Red Chilli powder 1/4 tspn

Salt to taste

Oil 1 tbspn

Here is the stir....

• Heat oil in a pan and cumin seeds
• After few seconds toss in chopped onions and sprinkle salt
• Fry them till onions turn translucent
• Add peas and cook for about 5 mins
• Stir in mushrooms, chilli powder and give a quick toss. Let it sit on medium heat for about 5 mins
• Pour milk into it and let it all cook till mushroom and peas are cooked till soft
• Sprinkle garam masala and remove from heat
• Enjoy this with rotis or pooris and you are sure to love it

Salty, tangy, cuminy buttermilk

I love the aroma of cumin and also the slightly bitter taste. In hot smmers my mom makes this buttermilk to help us all combat the heat and relish the taste. It is as refreshing as it sounds. A very simple to make and easy to relish recipe that wins every heart

Serves... 1 person
Serve option... Chilled with ice cubes

This is what u'll need....

Curd 1/2 cup
Salt to taste
Lemon zest 1/4 tspn
Roasted cumin powder 1/4 tspn
Water 1 cup

Here is the stir....

• Blend everything together till it smooth and frothy
• Place few ice cubes in a glass tumbler
• Pour buttermilk into it and top it off with a sprinkle of roasted cumin powder
• Serve it chilled and beat the summer heat

Koduma dosai / Wheat flour dosai

Sometimes when i run out of dosa batter and am running lazy to make something for dinner, we go for this simple koduma dosai which we love. Try it with spicy chutney or sambar and you are sure to like it.

Serves... 2 ppl 
Serve option... Hot with chutney

This is what u'll need....

Wheat flour 1 cup

Water
Onion 1 medium
Green chillies 3-4
Coriander leaves handful
Salt to taste
Oil

Here is the stir....

• Mix wheat flour and water to make a smooth flowing batter. Make sure there are no lumps.

• Toss in finely chopped onions, green chillies and coriande along with salt
• Mix everything together and keep aside
• Heat a skillet and pour a laddle of batter to make a dosa. Drizzle little oil on the sides
• Flip it over and cook it on the side too like you would do for normal dosas
• Serve hot with your favorite spicy chutney and enjoy the taste

A simply refreshing lassi

Summer is creeping in slowly but steadily making us all cut down on evening chai and rather long for juices n lassis n shakes n drinks... A different option everyday makes your heart feel happy and more refreshing. Everbody loves lassi and so do i. I love the simplest version more on top of other flavored ones. A sip on a hot evening is a heavenly treat

Serves... 1 person
Serve option... Chilled with ice cubes

This is what u'll need....

Curd 1 cup
Milk 1/4 cup
Sugar to taste
Honey 1 tspn

Here is the stir....

• Blend everything together in the mixer until frothy
• Put few ice cubes in a serving glass and pour the lassi into
• Serve chilled for a refreshing taste

Aaloo gobhi sabji

A simple aaloo gobhi sabji with hot chapathis tastes heavenly for those everyday meals. A little spicy, a little dry, a little moist and really delicious sabji that suits everybody's needs in the family is always a good addition to everyday menu list. My mom used to make it often and so do i ...

Serves... 2 ppl 
Serve option... Hot chapathis

This is what u'll need....

Cauliflower 1/2 floret
Potato 2 medium
Onion 1 big
Tomato 1 small
Red chilli powder 1 tbspn
Cumin powder 1/2 tspn
Coriander powder 1/2 tspn
Cumin seeds 1 tspn
Gg paste
Oil
Salt to taste

Here is the stir....

• Wash and cut cauliflower into bite size pieces. Peel and dice potatoes too
• Heat oil in a pan and add jeera/cumin seeds to it. Wait till they start to sizzle
• Toss in finely chopped onions with salt and fry till they turn translucent
• Spoon in gg paste and fry till they lose the raw flavor
• Add chopped tomatoes, red chilli powder, cumin powder and coriander powder and cook covered for 2-3 mins
• Add cauliflower and potatoes to the pan. Pour about half a cup of water and cook it covered for 10-15 mins or till everything is done
• Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with fluffy, puffy  chapathis