Sunday, August 18, 2013

Dal Makhani


   Ingredients - Serves around 4 people         

   Whole Urd dal (black lentils) 100 grams
   Rajma (red kidney beans) 50 grams
   Bengal gram whole (kadle kalu) 50 grams
   Ginger 1 inch piece (grated)
   Garlic cloves 3-4 grated
   (instead ginger garlic paste 1+1 tsp can be used)
   Green chillies 2
   Ghee 3 tsp
   Oil 2 tsp
   Cumin (jeera) 1 tsp
   Methi seeds 1/4 tsp
   Tomato paste or tomato purée 100 grams
   Butter 50 grams
   Milk cream 1/2 cup (50 ml)
   Garam masala 1/2 tsp
   Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp
   Salt to taste
   Coriander leaves for garnish

Procedure
  • Wash the 3 dals together and soak in 5 cups of water for 6-8 hours. Drain the water.
  • Cook in a pressure cooker with 4-5 cups water for 5-6 whistles in a low flame (until cooked).
  • Heat a pan (with a heavy bottom), add oil, ghee and 1/2 portion of butter. Add jeera and methi seeds and stir until they splutter. 
  • Add ginger, garlic and green chillies. Fry a little. 
  • Add tomato purée or paste. Fry for 1-2 minutes.
  • Add cooked dal and water. Mix well and bring it to boil. 
  • Add chilli powder, garam masala, salt, remaining butter and 1/2 portion of cream. Cook in low flame for about 1/2 hour until the consistency is somewhat thick. 
  • Garnish with the remaining cream and coriander leaves.
  • Serve with chapati, roti, kulcha, nan, etc. 

Tips - keep for 5-6 hours before serving for the flavors to sink in.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Gajar Halwa

   Ingredients - Serves around 4 people     
   Fresh carrot washed, peeled and grated 4cups
   Sugar 1 cup
   Ghee 8 to 10 tsp (1/2cup)
   Cashew, raisin , almond and pista mixed 1/2 cup
   Cardamom powder 1/4 tsp
   Kesar 7-8 flakes ( soaked in warm milk for 5-10 minutes)
   Milk 2 cups 
   
   Tips
   Milk can be reduced to 1 cup and sugar to be adjusted according to taste and condensed
   Milk 3-4 table spoon and koa 2-3 tsp can be added

   
 
Procedure
  • Heat ghee half portion in a pressure cooker, add dry fruits, fry little and keep it in a plate.
  • Add carrot to cooker fry in low flame for 3-4 minutes. Add milk.pressure cook for 2-3 whistle.cool it
  • Add sugar, khoa, condensed milk and kesar. Heat it on medium flame by stirring until the milk is absorbed.
  • Add remaining ghee, cardamom powder and fried dry fruits. Fry for 2-3 minutes under low flame. Serve hot

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Vegetable Pulav



   Ingredients - Serves around 4 people        

 For masala powder
   Shah-jeera (black jeera) 5 tsp
   Cinnamon 1 piece (2 inch)
   Cardamom 4-5
   Clove 4-5
   Maratha moggu 4-5
   Star anise 1
 

 Grind the above ingredients in a mixer and use 1.5 to 2 tsp. Remaining  can be preserved for future use.
 

 Other Ingredients 
   Basmati rice 250 grams (water 1:2)
   Mixed vegetables (peas, beans, carrot and cauliflower) sliced and washed 3 to 4 cups
   Onion small 1 (sliced length wise)
   Capsicum medium size 1/2 (sliced length wise)
   Green chillies 3 to 4 (depending on spiciness)
   Coriander leaves 1 small cup
   Mint leaves 1 small cup
   Ginger grated small piece
   Salt to taste
   Oil 4 to 5 table spoon
   Ghee 2 tsp
   Cashew 10 to 15 pieces
   Turmeric 1/4 tsp

   Fried bread pieces about 10 small pieces
 
Procedure
  • Prepare rice in a pressure cooker. Add some turmeric powder to the rice before cooking. (water 1:2 ratio)
  • Grind green chillies, mint leaves, coriander leaves and ginger in a mixer without water and keep it aside.
  • Heat a pan, add oil, ghee and the ground masala powder (1.5 to 2 tsp). Fry a little. 
  • Add the ground paste and fry a little. 
  • Add onion and fry until light brown. 
  • Add capsicum and fry a little. 
  • Add vegetable and a little salt. Mix well. Fry until cooked.
  • Add the cooked rice and some more salt (to taste) to the above . Mix well. Heat on a low flame. 
  • Garnish with cashewnuts (fried separately in little ghee) and fried bread pieces. 
  • Serve with raita.

    Tips --- To reduce the cooking time, mixed vegetable can be half cooked separately with a little salt and without water in
    a microwave for 5 to 6 minutes or in a pressure cooker for just one whistle and then cooked as above.