A HIT COMBO :ALU CHANNA TARKARI

This is a quick breakfast dish, I usually boil potatoes and chick peas in advance to make this dish. Chickpeas goes well with potatoes and turn out quite yummy.

It is going to be a part of some ongoing food events in blog world,

1. I am sending this dish to MLLA fame girl Susan here.
2. The WYF:breakfast event here.
3. 'Side dish for chapathi' : brainchild of Viki here.
   

INGREDIENTS

2 MEDIUM POTATOES

1 CUP CHICKPEAS

1/4 TSP MUSTARD SEEDS

1/4 TSP CORIANDER SEEDS

1/2 TSP CUMIN SEEDS

1/4 TSP NIGELLA SEEDS

1/4 TSP FENNEL SEEDS

1/4 TSP FENUGREEK SEEDS

SALT TO TASTE

1/4 TSP BLACK PEPPER

1 TSP TURMERIC POWDER

1 TSP RED CHILLI POWDER

2 GREEN CHILLI

HAND FUL GREEN CORIANDER LEAVES/ CILANTRO

2 TBSP OIL

STEPS OF PREPARATION

1.Boil chickpeas with salt till tender. (I usually pressure cook them)

2.Cut and wash potatoes into quarters and then boil in water till tender. do not over boil, otherwise it will become mushy.

3.Heat oil in a pan, add all the whole spices (cumin, nigella, fennel, mustard, coriander, fenugreek) and fry till start to sizzle.

4.Add chickpeas, potato, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, and half cup water and cook and stir at the same time, mashing potato with the back of spoon so that gravy becomes thick.

5.Once done add salt and black pepper, mix well.

6.Garnish with cilantro and green chilli and serve hot.

7.I usually serve them with puris/ kachoris, or roti.

HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY AND ONION FREE PAV BHAJI

I have visited India four times but never been to Bombay (Mumbai), so never got a chance to taste the street food for which it is famous for, I am talking about pav bhaji, a spicy, buttery, medley of vegetables. Though, I have tasted it many times in several restaurants here in US but never tried my hand to make it at home, may be I did not have trust on the recipe I got. A month back when I was blog hopping, I landed on this beautiful blog, One hot stove by Nupur, I found this amazing recipe, which according to her was a winner at her home, I thought of giving it a try and when I saw tremendous feedback she got from fellow bloggers, that how successful her recipe was, I got more convinced.

I tried to stick to the actual recipe, but reduced the ratios. I used 2 potatoes instead of three, 2 cups cauliflower, used garam masala at the end to sprinkle on top and used MDH pavbhaji masala in place of Everest one. VIOLA!!! it turned out great, much better than the ones I tasted here, so what else to say, it is indeed a keeper.

I am posting it today to celebrate friendship day.....Happy friendship day to all of you and specially my friends back in Pakistan.

INGREDIENTS

2 MEDIUM POTATOES

2 CUPS CAULIFLOWER

1 GREEN BELL PEPPER (CHOPPED FINELY)

1/2 TSP TURMERIC POWDER

1 TSP CHILLI POWDER

1 TSP GRATED GINGER/ GARLIC

SALT TO TASTE

1 TSP GARAM MASALA

1 CUP TOMATO PUREE

1/2 CUP PEAS (FROZEN)

2 TSP MDH PAV BHAJI MASALA

1 TBSP BUTTER

2 TBSP OIL

CORIANDER LEAVES (FOR GARNISHING)

STEPS OF PREPARATION

1.Wash and peel potatoes and cut into chunks, wash and cut cauliflower into small florets and then boil them till they are soft.

2.Heat oil and 1/2 tsp butter in a saucepan, add green bell pepper and fry for a minute.

3.Add grated ginger and garlic , saute for a minute, then add turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt to taste, saute for a few seconds.

4.Now add boiled potatoes and cauliflower, peas, tomato puree and MDH pav bhaji masala.

5.Mix all of them well, mashing at the same time till all the vegetables turns into a smooth paste, and all the spices incorporate into it, takes 15- 20 minutes.

6.Sprinkle garam masala and garnish with chopped coriander leaves, green chilli and chopped onion.

7.Serve hot (do not forget to add the remaining butter over the bhaji just before serving), with onion, lemon and enjoy with butter-roasted buns.

I am sending this to an event WYF: Breakfast hosted by EC of Simple Indian food, thanks lata for letting me know about this event...

CHICKEN AGAIN....THIS TIME IN A BURGER!!!

Have left over grilled chicken??? have no idea what to do with it...no worries, I have got a jazzy way to make use of every bitta chicken you have gotta deal with, in style...:D

....It will Spice up your taste buds, even a 10 year old can make it, its just that easy. I had some green chutney and mayo in my refrigerator, I made this flavourful burger using those and believe me, it was finished in no time.

It can be eaten any time of the day,as breakfast, in the lunch or for dinner or pack it for the picnic...




INGREDIENTS


LEFT OVER GRILLED CHICKEN
BURGER BUNS
TOMATO
ONION
GREEN CHUTNEY
MAYONNAISE
CHILLI GARLIC SAUCE


STEPS OF PREPARATION


1.Apply butter to the bun and toast it lightly in a pan on stove.

2.Cut the onion and tomato in rings.


3.Place grilled chicken pieces, onion, tomato, add mayo and green chutney.

4.Still reading this post...Burger is ready,You are good to go...lol



VARIATIONS :

• Can add anything, lettuce leaves, cucumber, chilli.



• Whole wheat burgers are used instead of regular burgers.



• If you do not like mayonnaise, then skip it.



• Can add cheese, seasonings like chipotle sauce etc.

A CHILLER COMBO: CHOCO-APPLE BANANA SHAKE

Typical Houston summers are in full swing these days, getting hotter and humid day by day. This shake was born one such day, when I was feeling too hot to eat anything. I wanted to have sumthin that could chill me up and give me energy at the same time. My husband loves fruits, so, we always keep our fruit basket well stocked. One look at my choices and ideas started pouring in....
Banana, apple ...!!.hmmm..!!. perfect guys, for an excellent nourishing shake. I started playing with them and instantly came out with this chiller, chocolate ice cream added that Xtra yummm to it...

I dragged myself to take these pics...:):):) Such an indulgence for a chocolate lover like me...lol

INGREDIENTS

1 BANANA
1 APPLE
2 SCOOPS CHOCOLATE ICECREAM

1 TSP VANILLA ESSENCE

1 1/4 CUP MILK

1/4 TSP COCO POWDER





STEPS OF PREPARATION


1.Peel and cut banana in small chunks, likewise wash and cut apple in small pieces.



2.Blend together banana, apple, vanilla essence and milk.



3.Pour in a glass, add chocolate icecream and sprinkle coco powder over top and serve immediately.

A BOWL OF CREAMY MANGO

SHAISTA'S CREAMY MANGO

Our daughter A's birthday is round the corner, she is turning one on July 29th 2009. We still can't believe that its already been a full one year of fun and laughter. It seems only yesterday when our little angel came in this world full of hustle bustle. Parenthood opened us to a whole new world~ a world which revolves around a tiny little being who needs endless care and love.

Coming back to the milestone birthday, we had been planning for almost a month, I finally managed to send the invitations today. It took me well over two weeks to finalize the e-invite, from selection of a background design and main image to appropriate wordings and suitable colours to go in the invite. We have booked a banquet hall in a nearby Pakistani restaurant, so we donot have to worry about the decoration and catering.

Besides placing an order for a birthday cake, there are other things to take care of. I have never been to a birthday party here in US, but came to know that party favours are being distributed among kids attending the party, to take home with them. I am still checking out different sites to make a list of those inexpensive things which can be given out.

So, if anyone of you have any idea of what kind of things can be given away and what activities/games should be included, do leave me a line.

CREAMY MANGO

This recipe came into existence couple of days back when I was feeling a bit lazy to make myself a breakfast.I ran out of cereal which I keep for such days, but as I saw these fully riped mangoes I knew what I am gonna do with them. Mango is one such fruit which I am ready to eat anytime in any form.

I am sending this creamy delight to sweet Srivalli who is hosting MANGO MELA and to wonderful Divya for her event..... and also here started by Ramki of one page cookbook.

I also want to thank apu of annarassa for including my entry in her MLLA12 roundup and for the welcome note she wrote.

INGREDIENTS

1 MANGO

2 TBSP HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM

1 TSP SUGAR

STEPS OF PREPARATION

1.Whip cream and sugar in a bowl with fork.

2.Cut mango in pieces of whatever size u like and add in the cream.

3.Mix well and serve chilled.