Shaam Savera

As the name suggests, its opposite to each each other shaam(evening) savera(morning)...so as the dish. This dish is full of different flavors....opposite to each other yet together... Spinach & Panner Balls in Red Tomato Gravy. It's Sanjeev Kappor recipe ...I had this dish many times at his resturant... but tried for first time. Since i didn't had few ingredients as needed, i mended the recipe accordingly.

Hubby, the best critic for every situation gave thumbs up for the taste.... believe me, he has got some awesome taste :)

Ingredients:-
For the balls- 
1/2 cup of paneer grated/mashed, add little salt & a pinch of cardamon powder. Make small balls,around 5 & keep aside(since i prepared little early, i kept in fridge)

Bunch of spinach- washed, boiled, drained & pureed. Take pan, heat 1tbsp of oil, add 2 tbsp of besan/gram flour. Fry till golden brown, add the pureed spinach, salt & stir well till all the water evaporates. Turn off the gas when done... Let it cool. Make 5 balls. Take little oil in palm, flatten the spinach ball, put the paneer ball in between & cover it properly. Once all done.... dip them in a mixture of cornflour + water & fry in hot oil. Please handle carefully, I fried 2 at a time... It will take few seconds or a minute to fry.
Keep aside.

For the gravy-
Grind 2 large tomatoes, 1 green chillies, 1/2 inch ginger, 2tbsp of melon seeds, red chilli pwd as per taste, coriander pwd1 tsp, turmeric pwd 1/2 tsp.
3-4 bay leaf
1 cardamon
1 clove
Malai/ fresh cream -1 cup.
fenugreek leaves/kasuri methi

Method-
Heat oil in kadhai, add bay leaves, cardamon, clove & the tomato puree. Mix well till oil leaves its sides.Add salt as per taste. Add cream ,shimmer for a minute or two. Crush kasuri methi ...sprinkle it n cover it(I believe if we cover the kadhai, the smells of leaves stay in it). Turn off the gas.

Now...pour the gravy in serving bowl, halves the balls, place on the gravy & serve immediately. Enjoy!!

I noticed its a no-onion, no-garlic recipe....yet it came out very yummy!
Till next time...
Hv fn..Tk cr :)

Spongy Yummy Rosogulla

I don't know what's keeping me so busy these days... but, it's definitely keeping me away from here where i share my thoughts, my style, my world.!

Sharing a Recipe of very famous Rosogulla(i like the bangali pronunciation). Bought up in Kolkata, this mishti have special space in my heart & my taste buds can never refuse it, you can found this in every nook & corner of the Kolkata streets.
This is not my innovated recipe. But it's a fool-proof recipe. I have never gone wrong with it. So, sharing it!

Ingredients:-
Milk -1 litre
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 cup Sugar
3 cup Water
Few saffron strands(optional)

Method:-
Boil milk add lemon juice. The milk will get curdled, let the whey get seperated properly.
Strain the water.
Put in muslin cloth & drain all excess water. or, leave it for half an hour.
Take the smallest jar of mixie, put the cottage cheese add few strands saffron n churn.
1-2 minutes, it will form like a dough....soft dough. (Or knead it with hands ..this takes longer time)
Take that out, now make small balls out of it.(almost it gets double)
Put water & sugar in pressure cooker and boil till sugar gets dissolved in it.
Add few more strands of saffron.
Add the balls.
Put lid, give 1 whistle, low the flame & keep it for 8 minutes.
After 8 minutes off the flame & put the pressure cooker directly on the cold running water.
Open the lid the transfer it to bowl.
Put in the fridge for 3-4 hrs before eating ...so the sponge balls soak all the sweetness.
Enjoy !!

Will try to click one by one step & update it .. :)

Healthy yet-not-so Healthy Bread Pakora!

I am being a lazy bums all these days(just lazy here....!!) Occupied with many stuff ...most important..the school... My toddler has joined play group... & its such a pleasure to drop n pick him all smiling. :)
Ok, more of it in another post.. ;)

As the name suggest you get confused...what is fuss is all about. Well, to tell you the truth the final outcome even surprised me. I was making a normal Tiranga bread pakora with just tomato sauce & coriander chutney but saw some stuff randomly and wanted to add it....discovering a new yummy breakfast or you can say a tea time snack.

Ingredients:-
3 slices of Bread
Thinly sliced veggies- Bell peppers + Cabbage + add little salt + black pepper pwd + chilli flakes + oregano
Grated carrots - 2 spoon
Coriander chutney
Tomato sauce

Grated carrot is for carrot pudding aka gajar ka halwa

Batter :-
Gram flour/ Besan -1 cup
Salt
Red chilli pwd
Saunf/Fennel seeds
Garam masala
Mix all with water & make batter... not too thick & not too liquidy

Assemble
Take a slice of bread spread tomato sauce(i used maggi hot & sweet) spread grated carrot on it.
Put another slice on it.
Apply Coriander chutney. Spread the Mix veggie. Cover it with 3rd slice.
Now dip it into the besan batter & fry in hot oil.
Cut & serve
Yummmy!!!

          Look at the amazing colors!

I know it's fried but you can add more veggies of your choice and enjoy!!
Till next time...
Hv fn.. Tk cr :)

Beetroot Shahi Tikki

Happy New Year!

There's always fight between your mind & heart.. It's hard to decide whose correct & who isn't.! I am rowing in same boat only. My Mind wanted "Fashion" post & my Heart said "Travel" or "Recipe" post as the first one for the year. As usual Heart took over mind  :D
Have taken recipe from Sanjeev Kapoor and given my touch to it.. Hope u enjoy it.!

Beetroot Shahi Tikki

Ingredients :-
1 Beetroot- Boiled, Grated & excess water squeezed.
2 Large size Potato- Boiled & Grated.
2 Amla(Goosebeery)- Grated
1 Onion- Chopped finely
Salt & Pepper to taste
Cornflour- 2 tbsp( make paste with 4 tbsp of water)
Sooji(Semolina)
Oil

"Shahi"- portion
Paneer- 1/2 cup crumbled
Almonds & Cashew- 1/2 cup - Grind them into powder
Mix them.

Method :-
Saute onion in little oil till its translucent in color.
Add beetroot n salt saute for few minutes till all the moisture evaporates
Add potato... mix well. Add amla.
Season it with pepper & few drops of lemon juice.
Cool the mixture.
Flatten the cooled mixture on your wet/oiled palm.
Put little shahi mixture & wrap it properly.(scroll down to see the pictures)
Dip each piece into the cornflour & roll over sooji.
Now, a- U can preheat oven n roast it in them
           b- Fry them, or
           c- Roast them on tawa/griddle with minimum oil. I did this with olive oil.

Serve it with Coriander/dhaniya(-onion-garlic-ginger+lemon juice+salt+cumin) chutney.
It's nutritious, healthy n yummy too.

 Beetroot mixture

Shahi mixture

Enjoy it.!
Till next time.....
Hv fn.. Tk cr :)

Happy Navratri !

It's a first day of Navratri. Clothes n accessories form an important part, however one thing that is most revered is the nine-day-fast. There are many who eat one meal at a day, some are only on fruits and liquids. So, while every body out there is talking about clothes, dandiya nights, puja ceremony.. I thought to talk about the Healthy Fast and yes indulge yourself lot more than just Satvik food.

1- People generally prefer eating dinner, try having lunch or an early dinner(sundowner)...that way you are giving your body enough time to digest the food.

2- The consumption of fluids must be increased. Options are fruit lassi, lassi, fruit smoothies. Have frozen yogurt instead of ice-cream, it provides instant glucose and keep body hydrated.

3- Consume lot of Vitamin-rich fresh fruits and Protein-rich milk products. Consume carbohydrate-rich sources, as they will support the exhaustive ratri raas of garba and dandiya.

4- Keep fried food away(i know it's impossible... because i love to eat sabudana vada). Try having baked tikki's/vada's with olive oil instead.

P.S  Some of the portion is taken from Delhi Times article.

This is what i wore to "Mata ka Jagrata" a day before(at my Hubby's aunt place). This jeorgette saree is self weaved in golden threads with beautiful paisley design.. It's light weight....perfect to carry without feeling loaded :) so, i wore a dull-gold sequins blouse with it. I kept the jewellery to minimal and completed the look with light make-up.

 I love wearing saree, though occasionally, red is our(Me n Mr. hubby) favourite colour :)

Saree- Banglore(one of my trousseau shopping)

Blouse- Got it made from local tailor

Bangles- lac( kolkata)

So, what are you eating /wearing this Navratri.... n what are your plans??? 

Till next time...

Hv fn...Tk cr :)

Running Errands !

Running Errands?...  Everyday!. So what we wear? Those yoga pants or jeans n tee n feel like trapped because we can't wear anything fancy. But, who said that.. We can wear anything while running errands.. only important thing is we need to be comfortable in what we wear.

I am a housewife & mother of a toddler... if i"ll be wearing my pj's whole day..i feel low(i know it's most comfortable piece of cloth on earth),i will sit on the couch whole day, though my baby won't let me ;). So, i choose to wear something comfortable rather than pj's.. i feel confident, energetic and specially i feel good :)

This is what i wore while grocery shopping, making lunch, running errands, and shopping with my friend the other day. I just loved the colours i am wearing turquoise green/blue+ coral. What your say about it?? What do you wear while running errands??

Ok.. Did i tell you i am making lot of healthy stuff these days... like onion fritters(pyaz bhajia).. ;)
Ya, you read it right.. just bake them instead of frying... brush the tray with little oil..spread the mixture & spray little more oil... Perfect n yummy.. Do try..n let me know :)

Dress/Tunic- W
Bag- youshine seen here & here
Neon bracelets- Globus
Shoes- G.K.Mkt.

Stuffed Gatta Curry.

I love Rajasthani gatta's in every form...be it steamed or fried..This is one of those thing that i can eat anytime anywhere..So coming straight to the point...Here is the Stuffed Gatta Curry recipe which i like ....n i made it yesterday(sunday dinner)..... do try .. This recipe may seem too long..but its one of the easiest recipe..n best when you run out of veggies ;)

Ingredients:-

For dough-
1 cup besan(gram flour)
salt to taste
red chilli pwd to taste
asafoetida/hing- a pinch
fennel seeds/saunf- 1/2 tsp
dried fenugreek leaves/kasuri methi-1 tsp
oil-5tsp
water as required
Mix all expect water..rub it with hand properly..now add water & make soft dough.
cover it and keep aside.

For stuffing-
Grated Paneer-3/4 cup
salt n red chilli pwd as per taste
crushed coriander seeds/saboot dhaniya-1/2 tsp
Mix well n keep aside..

Oil for frying.

Now take the dough n roll it like roti.. spread the paneer mixture all over
Dip your finger in water n put it on all over the edges.
now start rolling from one side ....very slowly n very properly..till the end.
cut it diagonally.
Now deep fry it on low flame.
Take it out n keep aside.

For Gravy-
Oil- tsp
Saunf, Rai,Kalonji- 1tsp
Paste of garlic-2-3 tsp(according to taste)
Green chilli, ginger, onion paste- 1 large spoon
Curd- 2 tb sp
haldi/turmeric pwd
salt n red chilli pwd as per taste
garam masala- 1 tsp
amchur/ dry mango pwd- 1 tsp
Little kasuri methi

Method:-
In heavy botttomed pan/kadhai put oil... when it warms up add the saunf, rai, kalonji..
add garlic paste..saute it.. add onion-ginger-chilli paste.. saute till oil leaves the side..
add all the dry masala leaving amchur
add 2 cups of water(or as required).. let it shimmer for while..
add curd ..mix it properly...
add amchur n kasuri methi... cover it.. n take off from the flame..

Serving:- (Important part).. put the dry gatta only 1/2 an hour before serving... else all the gravy will get absorbed :) Have it with roti of ur choice :)
The fried ones can be eaten like this only..as a snack... n you can store them for 1-2 days.

Chole Rice Kebabs !

Hey all...
I know its kinda different.. we all eat chole rice (especially in north india) but its different..I tried this recipe on Tuesday morning when i had some leftover chole rice from my last night dinner... It came out pretty well..so thought of sharing the recipe... Do try..

Ingredients:-
1 cup prepared chole(chickpeas)
1 cup steamed rice
1 large boiled & mashed potato
salt n pepper to taste
oregano
chilli flakes
bread crumbs (made from 2-3 bread)
oil

Method:-
Grind rice n chole separately in grinder ...
Take them out in one mixing bowl..add mashed potato..
Add all the seasoning according your taste..
Now make small ball n roll them in bread crumbs...
Give the shape of tikki..
Put little oil(i used olive oil) on griddle/non stick pan and shallow fry.
Enjoy it with coriander chutney or tomato sauce ...

So next time when you have such leftovers..... u exactly know what to do ...
Till next time....
Hv fn.. Tk cr :)

Mint Rice + Chilli Raita !

U won't believe...this was my 1st movie of 2013. Yes, its "Yeh jawani yeh deewani" ...i went on the same day it released(yesterday)...i soo wanted to see it..best part..my baby also enjoyed the movie as i did...sigh..wat a relief!! I can now go often :)

Nways, today i am talking about raita (i made before going for the movie...for our dinner)... Chilli Raita.. i wanted to try it.. but not with the regular rice/biryani, so made Mint Rice... do try..its a nice combination  ....fresh and spicy...... definitely on my list for next time :)

Mint Rice
Ingredients:-
Rice (soaked for an hour)
Mint paste- 3 to 4 tbsp(can vary wid ur taste)
Garlic- 7-8 chopped finely
Garam Masala-1/2 tsp
Black Pepper-Freshly crushed
Salt as per taste
Oil
Onion -2 thinly sliced

Method:-
In a pan put oil add garlic, saute for few seconds then add mint paste..
Add drained rice and fold it with mint and garlic.
Add black pepper, salt, garam masala...n mix well without breaking rice.
Add water in the ratio 2:1. 1 cup rice:2 cup water (add hot water in case u need little more in between)
Cover it n let it cook..till rice is done.

Put little oil in a seperate pan ...add onions and saute till brown.
Keep it aside.

Arrange cooked mint rice in a serving bowl. Sprinkle onions on top.  Enjoy !!

Green Chilli Raita
Ingredients:-
Curd
Cucumber-1/2 finely chopped
Green chillies-6-7 finely chopped
Red Chilli Pwd-very little
Salt as taste
Cumin-Freshly grounded(for that lovely aroma)

Method:-
Mix all n serve chilled with Mint Rice. :)

Hey.. go and watch the movie if u didn't watched it yet... n do try this recipe..tell me about more flavours in raita...would love to know

Till next time...

Hv fn..tk cr :)

Cumin/Jeera Biscuits

Ok, so in between settling down in my new house, managing my baby n welcoming guests(read here neighbours…the ones I like and the ones who are little lousy neighbours n their kids) I had little time for experimenting/making something good in the kitchen(from the regular dal, roti, rice,sabji) or i wud order something ….outing n getting ready was different thing right now L

So today when I didn’t had any one to welcome n chit chat nor any electrician or plumber to work at my place….i thought of making cumin biscuits… just for myself (I wanted to eat something fresh, just out of oven J )

Cumin/Jeera Biscuits:-

1 cup wheat flour(its healthy)

2 tbsp plain flour

½ tsp baking pwd

2tbsp  pwd sugar

1tbsp sugar

Salt to taste( i used ½ tbsp)

75 gms of melted butter( I used amul butter)

1 tbsp of jeera/cumin

Milk as required (I even used some malai)

Method:-

Shift both the flours wid baking pwd +pwd sugar + salt.

Add sugar n jeera

Pour butter n mix well with fingers.

Knead  dough with adding little malai/mlik.

Take small portion of it roll it out with rolling pin n cut any shapes wid shape cutter.

Grease baking tray .. arrange biscuits on it n bake it in a pre-heated oven for 10-12 minutes.

Allow it to cool.

Wow.....its ready to eat... njoy.. !!!

Hope u try it out n let me know how it was...

Till next time..

Hv fun...tk cr.. 

Keep scrolling down for pictures :)

Tasty Tongue in Surat !

Hey..

        I love travelling..Yes, last weekend i traveled to new place... that means new people, different climate,change of language n the best part FOOD.

        Surat- Its an well developed metropolis of the Indian state of Gujrat, the food they like is besan (gram flour), garlic, sugar and chilli.... the combination excites me so does the taste...n the names also ;)

        My first stop was the Sasumaa Resturant for dinner which was nearby where i stayed and it served authentic gujrati unlimited thali (below Rs. 500 for 2). I loved it.. they have a sign language for every dish....the food was yum (lip-smacking, i couldn't even click a pic)... Total Value for Money.

        Second day we drove from one part of surat to another part named Varachha.....just for fafda and gathiya....Believe me... they will melt inside ur mouth in just a sec....and the cabbage+beetroot+kachi aam salad was too gud to wid tht.......Awesome Taste.Later on tht day i tried Dabeli...not to much talk about.

         Third day was kind of homestay... so driverji got Khaman, Khamni, Dal Pakori, Idhra, Khandvi from a road side stall near Bhatter area....who is there from last 25 yrs and famous as 'Kaka'. Khamni was best of all wid perfect amount of garlic, chili and sugar. Later in the evening we tried Locha, (as the name suggest it was full Locha :p) the same steam gram flour wid garlic,green chutney n sliced onion.

So, next time when u are in surat do try out these lip-smacking dishes....u won't regret eating it. :)

Till next time..

tk..cr.....hav fun :)