Zucchini and Paneer Scramble

Zucchini and Paneer Scramble

Ingredients

Zucchini-1
Paneer crumble -1cup
Onions-1diced
Curry leaves
Green chili-2 minced
Cilantro leaves 1/4 cup
Salt to taste
Oil


Prep work

Grate the zucchini
Crumble the fried Paneer cubes
Mince the chili
Dice onions

Directions


In a medium sized pan pour 1 tbs oil sauté the onions,curry leaves and green chili.

Now add the grated zucchini and continue to stir for 2-3 minutes add  the crumbled paneer, I used a chopper to crumble the paneer.Stir fry for a good 5 minutes till it all comes together.

Finally add the chopped cilantro leaves.

Serve hot with Chappatis or any Indian bread.

Option

You can also beat a couple of eggs and add to the saute before adding the paneer !!

Tomato Chutney

 Tomato Chutney

Ingredients

Tomatoes-6-7 pulsed
Onions-3 medium sliced
Chili Powder-11/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder- pinch
Curry Leaves few
Sugar-1/2 tsp


Oil-2-3 tbs
Mustard Seeds
Asafoetida -1 pinch

Instructions

In a frying pan add about 2 tbs oil, add mustard seeds  wait for it to sputter then add the sliced onions saute them till transparent,add the curry leaves.

Now add the chili powder,turmeric,salt to taste followed by the tomatoes.
#I pulsed the tomatoes in the blender.

Add a half teaspoon of sugar for the sweet taste to come out,I added a tbs of Olive oil when it was all coming together.

Let it simmer on low flame for about 20 minutes till all the water evaporates the chutney is mushy .
Garnish with Cilantro leaves.

Serve it with roti,dosa or just hot rice.

Khus Khus Murg

Khus Khus Murg

Ingredients

Chicken - 3 pounds into bite size pieces

Turmeric Powder-1/ tsp

Lime juice-2 tsp

Red Onions -3  medium
Cloves-2
Cumin-1 tsp
Tomato paste -2 tbs
Fresh Tomatoes-2

To Grind 

Green Chili-2
Coriander leaves-1/4 bunch
Khus Khus-1/4 cup or a tad bit more soaked in water

Spice Powders

Chili powder-11/2 tsp
Meat Masala powder-2 tsp
Kashmiri Chili Powder-1 tsp

Salt to taste
Oil to fry 

Directions

In a kadai or a frying pan add enough oil to fry the onions, the actual recipe calls for deep fried onions.
I sauteed the onions till they were golden brown then added the cumin seeds,cloves,meat masala,garam masala,chili and kashmiri chili powders,fry for a minute or more then add the diced tomatoes followed  by the tomato paste.Fry till the oil separates.

To this add the ground paste of khus khus,green chili and coriander leaves and fry.

I had cleaned the chicken and marinated with some lime juice and turmeric powders.
Add the chicken to the masala making  sure to cook the chicken on low flame till done.Add about 1/4 cup of water or wait till the water comes out of the chicken.COOK TILL DONE!

Finally  garnish with some fried onions and coriander leaves.

*To make a slight variation add 3 tbs of heavy whipping cream to the same Khus Khus Chicken it will be creamy Malai Khus Khus Murg

Thanks for the special recipe courtesy of -Chef Jaspreet Nirula

Green Beans and Potato Toss

Green Bean and Potato Toss

Ingredients

3-4 Medium Potatoes (peeled and diced)

1 bag French Cut Green Beans
or
11/2 Cups Fresh Green beans Chopped, steamed for 4 minutes

1 Red Onion Minced
Cumin Seeds-1/4 tsp
Few Curry leaves
Mustard seeds

Red Chili Powder-1/2 tsp
Cumin Powder-1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder-1 pinch

Oil for Seasoning

Method

• Heat oil in a frying pan add the mustard seeds wait for them to sputter then add the cumin seeds when they crackle add the minced onions fry for a couple of minutes.
• Now add the Curry leaves,diced potatoes and the spice powders saute for about a minute, cover the lid and let it cook in it's own steam for 8-10 minutes.Toss  the potatoes in between making sure it does not burn.
• Check if the potatoes are cooked, add the french cut green bean cook for another 4-5 minutes with the lid covered till the green bean is fully cooked.
• I personally like my Green bean crunchy.
• Tasty Green Bean and Potato is ready to be served with Chapatis or with some steaming hot rice and any curry. 

Cabbage Stir fry # Porial # Thoran #

Cabbage Stir Fry # Porial # Thoran #

Ingredients


Cabbage -1 head thinly sliced
Red Onion -  1 medium diced
Green Chili-2 de seeded and slit
Mustard seeds- few
Chana dhal -1 tbs
Curry leaves
Turmeric Powder pinch
Oil to stir fry
Salt to taste
1/4 cup Shredded Coconut

Method

Using a good knife is a must when slicing the cabbage or you can use a mandoline slicer.

Slice the cabbage  into fine long strips.

Heat a wok add 1 tbs oil ,I like using  virgin coconut oil.
Add some mustard seeds wait for it to sputter then add the chana dhal,green chili,onions fry for a few minutes till the onions become transparent, add the curry leaves,the shredded cabbage,turmeric powder stir fry for a minute or more.

Cover the wok or skillet with a tight lid cook on low flame for about 6-8 minutes, add salt,finally add the shredded coconut,check for salt remove from flame serve with some hot rice and sambar.

# Simply Love Cabbage #

Skillet Ziti with Spinach and Grilled Chicken

Skillet Ziti with Spinach,Zucchini and Grilled Chicken!!

Ingredients

Ziti Pasta- 1 pound use any whole wheat pasta if you wish to go Gluten free use brown rice pasta
Zucchini-1 diced
Spinach-1/2 bunch trimmed,washed and chopped fine
Grilled Chicken breast or any chicken sausage can be used  -sliced
2 Tbs Olive oil

1 Medium onion chopped
3 Cloves Garlic minced
Mrs.Dash all purpose spice-1/2 tsp
Freshly ground black pepper
3 Tbs Butter
11/2 Cup Milk
About 3/4 Cup Parmigiano-Reggiano


Method

• Boil a large pot of water to boil the pasta,follow directions on the box
• Drain keep it aside
• In a skillet heat the oil over medium flame add the diced onions,garlic,zucchini,saute over medium flame
• Now add the spices,pepper,butter and whisk in the milk keep stirring till the liquid comes to a boil 
• As the sauce thickens,adjust the spice level and salt,add more if needed
• Add the spinach,the diced grilled chicken,toss in the cooked ziti
• Finally add the Parmesan cheese, close the lid of the skillet and let it stay warm until served

Chicken Makhani with a twist!

Chicken Makhani with a twist  

                         "AKA"

Spinach Butter Chicken

Ingredients

Chicken  Breast/thigh  -3 pounds cut into bite size pieces

Cut,wash and rinse the chicken with some turmeric powder add some 3 tsp tandoori masala (store bought),2 tsp chili powder, 2 tbs yogurt,2  tbs oil,salt to taste  let it marinade for a few hours or can even marinate it overnight in the fridge. 

Butter or Oil -2 tbs

Red Onion- 1 large
Tomatoes- 2 whole chopped
Ginger 1 inch
Garlic -8 cloves
Cumin seeds-1 tsp

Garam masala 1 tsp
Tomato paste- 2 tbs
Dried Methi Leaves-1 tsp

Baby Spinach- 2 cups chopped fine
Heavy whipping Cream -4 oz


Step 1
Marinate the Chicken

Step 2
Bake in the oven on a greased tray  for an hour at 350 degrees F ,making sure you flip the  chicken pieces after 30 minutes.Broil for 7 minutes more if needed.



Step 3
On the stove top

Heat a large deep non stick frying pan, add the butter or the oil saute the onions,tomatoes,cumin seeds,methi leaves ,whole garlic cloves and diced ginger for approximately 3 minutes.

After you saute, bring it to room temperature  puree it in the blender till smooth, pour it back in the frying pan add the tomato paste,garam masala and more spices if needed according to your taste.Cook it for another couple of minutes.

Now add the  grilled pieces of chicken,chopped spinach leaves cook for a few more minutes, finally stir in the heavy whipping cream and simmer for 10 minutes till it all comes together.


Delicious MAKHANI is ready to be served with some warm Naan.