Baghare Baingan

‘Baghare Baingan’ (in Urdu) when translated into english language means ‘Tempered Eggplants’. Baghaar or tempering is an Indian process of flavoring the oil with spices which is used in the preperation of a curry to impart added taste and aroma.

Aubergines, Peanuts and a large sized Onion (One of the Aubergines has an ‘X’ shaped incision at its base)

This is a lovely and delicious side dish, a hallmark and peculiar to the state of Hyderabad, usually seen being served at Daawat – weddings, parties and large gatherings. It is generally had as a side dish along with Biryanis or some people even enjoy it along with a Roti/Paratha.

Baghare Baingan - Tempered Aubergines in a rich Sauce

The eggplants are cooked twice, once they are shallow fried and then later simmered in a fragrant sweet and spicy sauce of sauteed onions and roasted spices. The green chillies and tamarind impart a tangy kick to the sauce consisting of roasted nutty and buttery peanuts, a range of aromatic spices, jaggery and caramelized onions.

Only Indian Eggplants that are small, shiny deep purple and fresh are used for this curry. These are easily available at many Indian stores. Brinjal/Eggplant/Aubergines or Baingan are not a favorite of many people, but I suggest you all try this dish once and you will definitely love it. It is one of the best aubergine dishes I have ever had.

Baghare Baingan - Tempered Aubergines in a rich Sauce

Cooking time: around 45 minutes; Serves: 6

Ingredients:

Eggplants/Baingan – 6, indian variety~small sized, fresh, and deep purple in colour
Yellow Onion – 2, large, sliced thick
Sesame seeds - 1 1/2 tbsp
Poppy seeds/Khus-Khus – 1 tbsp
Peanuts/Moomphalli – 1/2 cup
Coriander seeds – 1 tbsp
Turmeric – 1/2 tsp
Coconut cream – 2 tbsp
Cashewnuts – 1/2 cup, soaked in 2 tbsp water (optional)
Ginger Garlic paste – 1 tbsp
Jaggery/Gud – 30 gms
Red chilli powder – 1/2 tsp
Small green chillies – 6-8
Salt – to taste
Cumin seeds – 1 tbsp
Nigella seeds/Kalonji – 1 tsp
Black Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds – 1/4 tsp
Tamarind concentrate – 2 to 3 tbsp
Canola oil

Method:

1. Wash the eggplants and make four incisions, perpendicular cuts (an X) from the base of each eggplant, taking care the stem end is intact. Soak them in a bowl of cold water with 1tbsp salt to prevent discoloration. Keep aside.
2. Put a small frying pan on medium-high heat. As soon as it warms up, pour 1 tbsp oil and the roughly chopped onion. Saute them for about 10-12 minutes or until slightly browned stirring continuously . Remove the onions in a plate to cool.
3. In the same pan, add the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, coriander seeds and peanuts. Roast them evenly until they turn a shade darker and release aroma. Keep aside to cool. Grind them in a spice grinder to a very fine powder.
4. Put the roasted onions, ground spices, turmeric, coconut cream, ginger-garlic paste, jaggery, red chilli powder, green chillies, cashewnuts- if using, and salt in a food processor or a blender and blend to a smooth paste. Keep aside.
5. Drain the eggplants. In a wide non-stick saucepan, pour about 2 tbsp oil and shallow fry, stirring frequently, covering with a lid in between, for about 10-15 minutes until they are tender.  Gently remove them in a platter and keep aside.
6. In the same saucepan at medium heat, pour about 1/4 cup oil and as soon as it warms up, add cumin seeds, dried red chillies, fenugreek, nigella and mustard seeds and curry leaves. As they start to splutter, lower the heat and immediately pour the earlier prepared blended smooth paste of onions and spices and cover the lid for a minute (This step is to infuse the paste with the flavor of the baghaar/tempering, an essential step for good flavor of the dish)
7. Open the lid and mix it all. Let it cook uncovered for around 8-10 minutes adding a few drops of water if needed, until oil separates from the mixture. Keep stirring it occasionally.
8. Later add the shallow fried eggplants and half cup hot water (or more if needed to stew the vegetable)
9. When the eggplants appear tender, after about 15 minutes (check by gently piercing a fork into the flesh of the vegetable), add the tamarind concentrate and gently fold it into the curry. Let it cook covered further for about 3 minutes. Transfer to a warm platter and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot or cold but do not reheat this dish.

Suggested Accompaniments: Biryani, Roti, Paratha

This goes to the Monthy Mingle event currently being hosted by Ruth. The theme this time is Sensational Sides, and Baghare Baingan fits perfectly for the title of the event.

Inshallah my next post is going to be the round up for RCI:Authentic Hyderabadi Cuisine which I will publish in just a few days from now. So keep checking on it. Take care of yourselves everyone and Have a good weekend!

Luv,
Mona

Kachchi Aqni ki Dum Murgh Biryani

Note – Read the whole post very carefully, Do not be overwhelmed by the length of the post. I have tried to explain each and every step briefly and as efficient as possible. Do write to me, if you have any queries. I will be glad to help you out.

Biryani is one of the most famous Hyderabadi One dish meals craved and devoured by people from all over the world. It is a one dish meal, where the cooked/raw marinated meat is layered along with half cooked long grained rice and a range of fresh spices and herbs for flavor and aroma.

‘Kachchi Aqni’ means marinated raw Chicken/Murgh. The preparation of ‘Kachchi Aqni ki Biryani’ is rather simple compared to the ‘Pakki Biryani’ of Chicken/Murgh or Red meat/Gosht, where cooked meat is used, mostly because you do not need to stand in front of your stove attending it, as the Chicken/Murgh cooks quite instantly on ‘Dum’ or ‘Slow heat’ and isn’t as complicated to cook as the Red meat in Kacchi Aqni ki Gosht-(Lamb/Beef/Veal) Biryani. However, I shall be posting the recipe of the Kacchi Aqni ki Gosht-(Lamb/Beef/Veal) Biryani sometime in the near future inshallah. Here, on the first day, you simply have to marinate the chicken. The next day, prepare rice, arrange layers and garnish and sit back for it cook on ‘Dum’ or ‘Slow Cook’, saving you ample time.

As you use the raw marinated chicken in this method, while you slow cook it, the flavor of the chicken intensifies and infuses with the rice and other aromatic fresh herbs and spices giving you a heavenly aroma in the end which will fills your kitchen and your entire house.  

Here is the Outline of the steps involved in the preparation, so that it is simpler for you all to understand the method, follow these steps while you prepare the Biryani:

Day 1

Marinate Chicken

Day 2

1) Add Fried onions to the Marinated Chicken
2) Give a smoked flavor to the Marinating Chicken with Fried Onions (optional, but gives a very good flavor to the Biryani)
3) Prepare rice
4) Arrange layers and Garnish

The Detailed method:

Kachche Aqni ki Dum Murgh Biryani

Serves – 8-10

Day 1-Marinate Chicken

Ingredients:

Chicken - 1.4 kg, with bone, cut into medium size pieces
Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Green chilli paste – 1 1/2 tsp
Salt – 2 tsp
Turmeric/Haldi – 1/2 tsp
Tomato – 2, medium sized, pureed
Ginger-Garlic/Adrak-Lahsun paste – 2 tbsp
Yogurt – 1 cup, lightly whipped
Freshly squeezed Lemon Juice – 1/2 cup
Garam masala – 2 tbsp
Green Cardamom powder – 1 tsp
Dry roasted Cumin seed powder – 1 tsp
Dry roasted Coriander seed powder – 1 tsp

Method:

In a large bowl marinate the chicken with all the ingredients. Make sure all the pieces of chicken are coated in the marinade. Cover and leave in the fridge overnight.

Day 2-Adding Fried onions to the marinated chicken; Preparing rice; Arranging layers and Garnish.

1) Adding Fried onions to the marinated chicken:

Ingredients:

Canola Oil – 1/2 cup
Finely sliced Yellow Onions – 800 gms

Method:

-Remove the marinating chicken from the fridge and let it come to room temperature.
-Meanwhile, pour oil into a large frying pan at medium high heat. As soon as it gets warm, throw in the sliced onions and stir fry them in the oil until they are dark brown in colour. Make sure they do not burn them. Remove the pan from heat and let cool.
-With the help of tongs, remove the chicken pieces one by one from the marinating mixture and put them into large mixing bowl. Discard the leftover marinade.
-Once the fried onions are cool, divide them into two and add one half of the onions, with their cooking oil, to the chicken and mix well. Reserve the other half for garnish.

2) Give a smoked Flavor to the Marinating Chicken

Ingredients:

3 or 4 Burning Charcoal briquettes
Canola oil – 1 tsp
Disposable aluminium foil tray/loaf pan

Method:

-Make a well in the center of the marinating chicken in the bowl so that the loaf pans fits into it perfectly.
With the help of tongs, carefully put the burning charcoal briquettes into the aluminium loaf pan.
-Pour about a teaspoon of oil onto the charcoal. You will see that dense fumes start forming.
-Immediately cover the bowl with a lid, so that the fumes do not escape. Keep it aside until you prepare the rice. 

3) Preparing rice/Adhaan:

Ingredients:

Basmati/Long grained Rice - 4 cups, presoaked in water for 30 minutes
Salt - 3 tsp
Bay leaf/Tej Patta – 1
Cloves - 3
Green cardamom – 4
Cinnamon stick – 3/4 inch
Caraway seeds/Shah Zeera – 1 1/2 tsp
Water – 9 cups

Method:

-Wash the rice and soak it in surplus water for about 30 minutes.
-Later drain the rice and put into a cooking pot along with cloves, bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, caraway seeds and salt. Pour water into it and give it a stir.
-Let it boil on high until the rice if half done. Drain the rice and keep aside.

4) Arranging layers and Garnish:

Ingredients:

Marinating Chicken
Boiled, Quartered and shallow fried Potatoes – 2 cups (optional)
Chopped Mint leaves/Pudina – 1/2 cup, loosely packed
Half cooked rice prepared earlier
Chopped Cilantro/Kothmir – 1 cup, loosely packed 
Ghee - 2 tsp (optional)
Reserved Fried Onions for garnish
1/4 Saffron strands, crushed and steeped in 1/4 cup warm milk
Rose water/Gulab Jal – 1 tsp
Green Cardamom seed powder – 1/2 tsp
Toasted Almonds and Cashewnuts – 1/2 cup total
Shelled Hard Boiled Eggs – 6-8 (optional)
Dough to seal the edges of the Casserole dish (optional)

Method:

Preheat the oven to 550°F (if using an Oven to prepare it on Dum-read below)
Carefully lift the loaf pan containing the charcoal briquettes from the marinating chicken, and discard it.
In a heavy bottomed casserole dish (which can be used in Oven-if using the Oven method (or) which can be used on stove-top-if using the Stovetop method – read below), arrange the marinating chicken in a single layer. Do not crowd it. (Use two casserole dishes if needed)
Spread the chopped mint leaves  and the shallow fried potatoes (if using) over it.
Now add the drained half cooked rice prepared earlier and spread it nicely to cover the chicken all over.
Next, spread the chopped cilantro, toasted almonds and cashewnuts, hard boiled eggs (if using), fried onions, cardamom seed powder and pour ghee (if using) and the saffron soaked in milk and rose water all over the rice. 
Cover the dish with an aluminium foil and then with the lid (or) seal the edges with a dough and cover with the lid tightly, so that no steam escapes.

If using an Oven to cook:
1) Put the Casserole in the preheated oven at 550°F for 20 minutes. Later, lower the heat to 300°F and leave the Casserole dish in the oven for a about 30 minutes.
2) Close the heat, but the let the casserole dish be in the heated oven so that it stays warm, until you need to serve it in a few hours.

If you are cooking on stove top:
1) Take a flat Dosa Tawa and put it on the stove at high heat (on either ceramic stove tops and gas burner stove tops). As it gets warm, put the casserole dish on the tawa and let it cook for about 10 minutes.
2) Later, lower the heat to medium low and let it cook for about 40 minutes.

Before serving, open the lid and remove the aluminium and a heavenly aroma fills your house inviting all your house members. Carefully dig your spoon deep into the casserole dish until it touches the bottom, and mix the rice with the chicken until it is all completely mixed. Serve warm.

Suggested accompaniments: I enjoy my Biryani with Mirchi Ka Salan or Baghare baingan as a side dish, and glass of chilled coke alongside. Yumm-O!

I shared this recipe as part of the RCI:Authentic Cuisine of Hyderabad Event that I am hosting this month on my blog.

Be sure to read all the rules for the event and drop me your entries. The last date to send me your entries is September 15th.

Luv,
Mona

Amchur-Harimirch wale Kacche Gosht ke Kofte

Happy Indepedence Day all my dear Indians!

Kofta (in Urdu language, Singular-Kofta; Plural-Kofte) means meatballs. Among all the meatball curries that I prepare, two of them, the Methi-Gosht ke Kofte and this one that I am writing about today are the most favorite in my house and we devour them along with warm Naan, or Afghani Roti which I get from the market usually.

It is called as ’Kacche Gosht ke Kofte’ as the meatballs/Kofte in this method are added raw into the hot gravy and are allowed to cook in it. The meatballs cook perfectly in the hot bubbling gravy within a few minutes. I love this technique because, as the raw meatballs cook in the hot gravy, they impert their juices and flavor and give a deep taste.

Amchur-Harimirch wale Kacche Gosht ke Kofte – Meatballs in a hot and sour gravy 

The two main ingredients here are Amchur in the Kofta and Green chilli paste in the gravy. You can feel the light tartness in the meatballs when you have them and the slight hotness due to the green chilli paste in the gravy make you leave wanting for more. It is a very simple recipe.

As Ramadhan is fast appraching, you can prepare this curry in large amounts, portion it and store it in freezable plastic food storage boxes that are microwave safe. When you sit to have your meal after iftaar, just microwave the box for a few minutes, and you are done. It will save you a lot of time.

You can use ground meat to prepare this curry, or if ground meat is not available, then you can even use meat chunks to prepare it. Wash and cut the meat chunks into bite size pieces, and put the chunks along with the spices for meaballs in a food processor, and pulse till the meat is well ground and mixed with the spices. Food processor is one of the most important kitchen gadgets in my kitchen. It makes my work very easier.

Amchur-Harimirch wale Kacche Gosht ke Kofte – Meatballs in a hot and sour gravy

For the Meatballs/Kofte

Ingredients:

Ground Veal/Lamb/Goat meat (or) Veal/Lamb/Goat meat chunks cut into bite size pieces or mince – 300 grams (read the notes above)
Dry Raw Mango/Amchur – 2 tsp
Red chilli flakes – 2 tsp
Garam Masala – 1 tsp
Salt/Namak – 1 tsp
Turmeric/Haldi – 1/2 tsp
Ginger-Garlic/Adrak-Lahsun paste - 2 tsp

Kacche Gosht ke Kofte – Raw meatballs

Method:

-In a food processor or a blender, add all the ingredients and pulse till the mixture is all well mixed. Remove it into a bowl. Take a small amount into your hand and shape into little balls (approx 1 inch in diameter) rubbing the mixture between your palms. Continue making balls untill all the mixture is completed. Keep aside.
-Wash your hands well with soap.

For the Curry/Gravy:

Ingredients:

Canola oil – 4 tbsp
Yellow onion – 3 , large, thinly sliced
Salt – 1 tsp
Seseme seeds/Til – 1 tsp
Cumin seeds/Zeera – 1 tsp
Carom seeds/Ajwain – 1 tsp
Clove/Laung – 2
Green cardamom/Elaichi – 4
Cinnamon sticks/Dalchini – 1 inch stick
Ginger-Garlic paste – 2 tsp
Green chilli – finely chopped, 2 tsp
Red chilli powder – 1/2 tsp
Yogurt – 2 cup, lightly whipped
Beef Stock – 1 litre
Curry leaves – 6
Dried red chilli – 4, broken into two, seeds shaken out

Method:

-Pour oil into a large non-stick frying pan at medium heat and as soon as it warms up, add the onion and salt. Saute it for 3 minutes, then cover the lid. After 3 minutes, stir the onions, add a tablespoon of water and cover the lid again. Continue doing this until the onions are well browned and soft.
-Add seseme seeds, cumin seeds, carom seeds, clove, green cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger-garlic paste and green chillies. Saute them for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle red chilli powder. 
-Add the yogurt and keep strirring it continously for 1-2 minutes. Turn the heat off. Once cool, pour this gravy into a blender container and blend till finely pureed. 
-Pour this back into the pan. Add the meat stock and increase the heat to medium high. Let it come to a boil.
-Lower the heat to medium low, and gently add the meatballs one by one to the gravy in a single layer, and close the lid. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes. Keep gently giving it a stir every 3 minutes or so taking care not to break the meatballs. Serve warm.

Suggested Accompaniments: This curry goes very well along with Naan or Afghani Roti, or even along with steamed Basmati.

This curry goes all the way to Srivalli of ‘Cooking 4 All Seasons’ who is hosting the event- Curry Mela.

Have a pleasant weekend eveyone!

Luv,
Mona

Minty Strawberry Banana Smoothie

I am so delighted and glad! The good news is that both zaaiqa(dot)net website has been closed down and the my recipe pictures has been removed by the blogger as they both had violated the copyright policy of my blog. I thank all those who helped me out in this cause. Cheers!

A few days back I had brought home some ripe bananas and fresh strawberries, and they were lying in the refrigerator waiting to be turned into something delicious. I thought of preparing a smoothie immediately as I am a huge fan of strawberry smoothies.

Enjoy this smoothie on a hot summer afternoon. Your kids will also love this drink. Its healthy and nutritious.

Minty Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Makes – 5 small glasses

Ingredients:

• Ripe Banana – 1
• Whole Strawberries – 4 cups
• Mint Leaves – 8, large
• Yogurt – 1/2 cup
• Honey – 8 tbsp
• Lemon Juice – 1/2 tbsp
• Ice cubes – 1 cup

Method:

• Halve the banana and strawberries, roughly tear the mint leaves with you hands and add with all the remaining ingredients into a food processor or a blender container. Blend till pureed. Add the few ice cubes and blend again till they are lightly crushed.
• Pour into chilled glasses and serve immediately. Do not store to serve at a later day.

For this smoothie, I used the mint from my Mint plant which I planted indoors in container. This goes as an entry to Grow Your Own Event hosted by Jai and Bee of Jugalbandi.

Some of my bloggers friends were kind enough to pass me some awards during the last few weeks. I am honored and feel delighted to recieve them. Now I have two more awards on my shelf to show off

Silvana of UvAromatica has forwarded me the “Brilliant Weblog Prize”.

Brilliant Weblog is a prize given to sites and blogs that are smart and brilliant both in their content and their design. The purpose of the prize is to promote as many blogs as possible in the blogsphere. Here are the rules to follow:

1. When you recieve the prize you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back.
2. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs (or even more) that you find brilliant in their content or design. Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing they were prized with ‘Brilliant Weblog’.
3. Show a picture of those who awarded you and those you give the prize (optional).

I furthur pass this award to Indira of Mahanandi, Asha of Aroma, Meeta of Whats For Lunch Honey, Elise’s Simply Recipes, Cinnamon of Cinnamon Trial, Shilpa of Aaayi’s Recipes and Nupur of One Hot Stove.

I also recieved the Inspiration Award from Zainab and Hameeda of Arabic Bites.

This is given to bloggers whose stories and recipes inspire us.Whether it’s to eat healthier, dive back into our past to conjure up something we ate as children, or just make the light bulbs in our brains go on with a new idea for a recipe. The rules of the award are: As recipients of this award, please share with us what inspires you and then pass on the Inspiration Award to 4 other deserving bloggers. Please let them know what the award means and what to do with it

My Mother’s simple and quick cooking, my readers and their comments is what inspires me.

I pass on this award to Kay of One Bite at a time, Priya of 365 Days of Pure Vegetarian, Sunita of Sunita’s World and JZ of Tasty Treats.

And last but not the least, I thank Foodbuzz for sending me the goodies which include Moo cards, an organic Tote bag and a personalised ‘Zaiqa’ site badge. I loved them all a lot.

Luv,
Mona

Masaaledaar Pudine wala Kheema

Mint or Pudina is my most preferred herb only next to Cilantro/Kothmir. They are so gorgeous to look at! I would have loved to dedicate a part of my garden to this herb if only there was no threat of the plants being destroyed by the rabbits or raccoons or the groundhog which I consider a menace! I have them planted indoors in front of the windows in small pots and they grow very well and quite rapidly. Mint has a very pleasant, fresh and strong aroma with innumerable benefits. I add this herb, fresh and chopped mostly to all of my meat preperations as the last step just before I turn off the heat source for a refreshing aroma to the dish.

Spearmint growing in pot indoors in my kitchen

One such meat preperation in which I love to add lots of fresh chopped mint leaves is the dish I writing about today. The mint leaves enhance the flavor of the dish diffusing their minty and fresh aroma to the meat preparation and brightens it.

Masaaledaar Pudine wala Kheema – Minced Lamb/Veal meat with Mint and Spices

Kheema is one of the most loved dish in my house. It can be devoured upon as a side-dish along with a number of main dishes for a meal, or the leftovers, if any, can even be used as a filling for parathas or samosas, or between toasted bread with cheese slices as evening snacks with a warm cup of tea. I usually prepare Kheema in large amounts and portion and store them in plastic microwavable and freezable food storage boxes for very long time, so that I can use this during the days I dont feel like cooking.

Masaaledaar Pudine wala Kheema – Minced Lamb/Veal meat with Mint and Spices

Ingredients:

Minced Lamb/Veal meat – 550 gms
Red chilli powder – 2 tsp
Salt - 2 1/2 tsp
Ginger-Garlic paste – 1 heaped tbsp
Turmeric – 1/2 tsp
Hung Yogurt – 1/2 cup
Garam masala – 1 tbsp
Canola oil – 1/4 cup
Cloves - 3
Green Cardamom – 2
Cinnamon stick – 2 inch piece
Dried Bay leaf/Tej patta - 1
Yellow Onions – 2, finely sliced
Tomato paste – 3/4 cup
Small Green chillies – 4, chopped
Chopped Mint leaves – 1/2 cup

Method:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the minced meat, red chilli powder, 2 tsp salt, ginger garlic paste, turmeric, hung yogurt and garam masala. Mix it all well with a wooden spoon and keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan at medium heat and as soon as it warms up, add the cloves, cinnamon stick and green cardamoms. Saute them for about a minute. Add the sliced onions and remaining salt and stir fry them till they are golden brown in colour.
3. Add the marinated minced meat and mix well using a wooden spoon. Cover with a lid and let it cook for about 5 minutes. Later, open the lid and break up the lumps of meat using a wooden spoon and add the tomato paste and stir well to mix. Cover the lid and let it cook for 20 -30 minutes, stirring it occasionally.
4. Later, once the water has completely dried, add the sliced green chillies and chopped mint leaves. Let it cook covered for a minute more. Serve warm.

Suggested Accompaniments: Warm Rotis or Parathas or Naan, or along with Basmato Chawal and a Vegetable side dish or just Khatti dal, or along with Khichdi and Khatta for a delicious and felling meal.

I am sending this as an entry to Grow Your Own event hosted by Andreas Recipes.

And before I take my leave for today, here’s a very famous and touching song that I love, ‘Ye Galiyaan, Ye Chowbaara..’ from an excellent Bollywood movie Prem Rog. It never fails to bring tears in my eyes..

Luv,
Mona

Upma

Upma is an another Indian dish which can be had as a snack or can even be had as a filling breakfast.  

Tip: Indian cuisine is versatile. Simple techniques and and a marriage of various kinds of spices and flavors makes the Indian cuisine flexible and sapid. Indian women know very well to use the left overs and whip up delicious meals using them. One such dish where I usually use the leftover curries is Upma. If the left over curry is a dry dish, I often mix it in the preperation of the Upma which makes it even more delicious and healthier. And if the left over curry is thin (soupy) in consistency, then I use it to serve along with Upma.  

Upma – Semolina cake, served along with leftover Colocasia/Arvi in a tangy sauce

Upma is comfort food for me. It is a filling healthy breakfast to start a new day, quite easy to prepare and gets prepared swiftly. Upma Rawa or Semolina or Sooji is available at many Indian stores very easily.

Serves – 4

Upma – Semolina cake

Ingredients:

• Semolina/Sooji/Upma Rawa - 1 1/2 cups
• Canola oil - 3 tbsp
• Black Mustard seeds – 2 tsp
• Whole dried red chilli – 1 
• Small Green chillies – 4, finely chopped
• Fresh grated ginger – 1 tbsp
• Fresh or dried Curry leaves – 10
• Urad Dal – 1 tsp
• Moong Dal – 1 tsp
• Turmeric – 1/2 tsp
• Yellow Onion – 2, large, finely chopped
• Salt – 2 tsp or to taste
• Water/Chicken or Lamb Stock - 3 1/2 cups
• Lemon juice – 3 tbsp
• Cilantro – 1/2 cup, finely chopped
• Fried Cashewnuts – 1/2 cup, chopped

Method:

• In a non-stick saucepan at medium heat, pour oil and as soon as it gets warm, throw in the mustard seeds. Cover the saucepan with a splatter screen and as soon as the seeds begin to pop, add in the green and red chillies, dals, ginger, turmeric and curry leaves. Saute them for 3 minutes and later add the chopped onion and salt to it. Let the onions sweat out a little. Fry them all for about 5 minutes stirring it continually. Add the Upma Rawa and fry the whole mixture for 5-8 minutes more again stirring frequently (if you have any dry curry left-overs, you can add it too at this stage, read the notes above)
• Now pour the water/stock and mix throughly to that no lumps form. Reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan. Let it cook for 3 minutes more. 
• Remove from heat and add lemon juice, cashewnuts and cilantro. Fluff and mix it all using a fork and spoon the mixture into whatever molds you like, press the mixture well. Invert them onto warm serving plates and serve them for a yummy breakfast. 

Suggested Accompaniments: I and my family enjoy it along with Lemon/Lime or Mango pickle prepared Indian style, or with any thin (soupy) leftover Curry/Saalan. I also love to savor it along with Khatti Dal. My Mother used to serve it us when I was a kid along with a handful of shallow fried groundnuts. 

This goes as an entry to the event, Click Yellow for Bri, being held this time as a Cancer Fundraiser by Jai and Bee for Briana Brownlow.

This also goes all the way to Raaga of The Singing Chef for the WBB#23 Express Breakfast Event she is holding this month.

Luv,
Mona

Qush-Rang Kaddu ka Saalan and some Panicky Situations..

I will never forget what I went through on April 30, 2008, those moments of acute angst!

It was one of the most dreadful days I had ever faced. Like everyday when I had logged into my wordpress account (I was posting an entry to Click-Au Naturel!) I noticed there were so many error messages saying that my ‘wp-posts’ and ‘wp-categories’ table has somehow suddenly crashed and they were all nothing but Greek and Latin to me. That gave me moments of panic and fearfulness, I was not able to post anything, my ‘entire blog’ had crashed and I had no idea how I would rectify the mess. It was all horrible. I quickly mailed some of my contacts including couple of bloggers and the company which hosts my blog and WordPress for help. Everyone was with me supporting me and asked me to have faith. I had given up my hopes and thought I had lost it all, my blog, which I had built with deep and ardent affection.. all my love..

My hubby too was upset for me and he tried to help me by every possible way. At around evening, he opened my blog on a browser window and voila! my blog was all alive, and everything was working. When I saw that, my happiness knew no bounds and I was so happy, thrilled and relieved. I was all in tears and very gratuful to those who quickly worked on my blog. I pray and hope that no blogger has to face this ever in their life!

Right now I am so much more in love with my blog. I have put in so much effort to build up this website, which sort of defines me and is a medium to express my love for cooking with the world I live in. This is when I was thinking of the precautionary methods we all bloggers should be ready with every moment for situations like these and I found some very informative posts here, here and here. I request all the bloggers to always maintain a backup of their entire blog, a database backup and a backup of their actual blog on a very rugular basis, may that be daily, weekly, or monthly or after every new post they publish.

Anyways, Life is back to normal again, and I thank my God immensely. I had been to the grocery mart a few days back and saw these very beautiful looking Bottle Gourds and I quickly bought them home. I had not ever before seen such cute little brightly colored bottle gourds in my life. I was sending these to the Click – Au Natural Event yesterday when it all happened!

Two Kaddu or Bottle Gourds 

I was in the mood of experimenting in my kitchen and I searched my refrigerator for ingredients. I found some Halal Chicken Sausages, Frozen peas ..  and I quicky came up with this idea and it was one brightly colored and appealingly delicious curry. We had it along with Roti.

Khush-Rang Kaddu Ka Saalan – Bright Colored Bottle Gourd Curry 

Ingredients:

• Bottle Gourd – 1, approx 400 gms, peeled and cut into quarters
• Chicken Sausages – 4
• Frozen peas – 2 cups
• Canola Oil – 2 tbsp
• Dried or Fresh Curry leaves – 4-5
• Ginger – 1 inch, finely chopped
• Yellow Onion – 1, large, sliced thin
• Salt – 1 1/2 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder – 2 tsp
• Turmeric – 1/3 tsp

Khush-Rang Kaddu Ka Saalan – Bright Colored Bottle Gourd Curry 

Method:

• Pour oil into a saucepan at medium high heat and as soon as it warms up, throw in the sliced onion, as they begin to brown up, add the chopped garlic and chopped chicken sausage and curry leaves and stir fry it for a minute more.
• Add the quartered bottle gourd, salt, red chilli powder, turmeric and pour in some water and cover the lid. Let it cook until the bottle gourd is tender (You can add more water if needed, but do not add too much water, the curry should be pretty dry when done).
• Open the lid and add the frozen peas and let it cook for 5 minutes more. Taste and check it if the spices are adequate for your taste and add more if needed. Remove it from heat and Serve it warm.

Suggested Accompaniments: You can have these with any kind Rotis for a filling meal and a cup of flavored yoghurt.

I’m glad I got my entire blog back and am very very thankful to my hosting company who worked on retrieving my blog and bringing it back to life and in action again! I’m thrilled!! 

Luv,
Mona

Fettuccine in Creamy Coconut Milk

Pasta is loved by everyone, and i believe it is one of those simplest one dish meals one can think of which is also everyone’s favorite for times when you have to serve the meal in less than 35 minutes. This is one such dish that i prepare using the usual ingredients and turns out to be a great hit with my loved ones.

This is my lovely Sisters recipe. She taught me this recipe and i prepare this along with any noodles that I have in my house. I also serve it along with Chicken Tikka, Salmon Tikka or Lamb Tikka. Children will especially devour upon it, and the elders too.  

 

Fettucine in Creamy Coconut Milk 

Coconut Milk here makes a creamy sauce giving it a rich golden colour. Its healthy and nutritious.

Fettucine in Creamy Coconut Milk  

Ingredients:

To Prepare Sauce

• Canola Oil – 4 tbsp 
• Yellow Onions – 2, thinly sliced
• Tomatoes – 1, large, finely diced
• Red Chilli Powder – 2 tbsp
• Salt – 2 tbsp
• Garam Masala – 1 tbsp
• Cornmeal – 2 tbsp
• Coconut Milk – 3 tbsp
• Light Cream – 1 tbsp
• Water – 2 cups approx
• Green Capsicum – 1, chopped
• Red Capsicum – 1, chopped
• Crimini Mushrooms – 100 gms, sliced

To Prepare Pasta 

• Fettuccine Noodles - 500 gms
• Water – 5.5 litres
• Salt – 1 tbsp

Method:

• In a heavy non-stick saucepan at medium high heat, pour in oil and as soon as it warms up, add the sliced onions and sauté them till they are light brown in colour. Add the chopped tomatoes, red chilli powder, salt and garam masala. Mix and let it cook on medium heat till the tomatoes are mushy.
• Transfer the mixture to a blender container and add cornmeal to it. Blend till pasty.
• Pour this paste back in the same pan and let it cook till oil seperates.
• Add Coconut milk, cream and water to it. Let it cook for 3 minutes.Throw in the chopped red and green capsicums and mushrooms. Bring to a boil at medium high heat.
• Meanwhile in a large saucepan , pour water and add the remaining salt to it. Bring it to a boil and add the pasta and stir until water again returns to a boil. Cook uncovered for 9 minutes stirring occassionally or until al dente. Drain.
• Mix the drained pasta with the prepared Coconut milk sauce in the saupan and cook on low heat for 3 minutes.

Suggested Accompaniments: Serve it hot along with Boiled halved Eggs, and sliced Black Olives, Chicken Tikka or Lamb Tikka or Salmon Tikka, Chicken Croquettes, Pan Grilled Chicken Mustard, Grilled Sweet Chilli Chicken.

Luv,
Mona

Feast Time! Hyderabadi Dum Gosht Ki Biryani, Dahi Ki Chutney

Folks! Today I present you with Lamb Biryani, a simpler kind of it, with lesser oil, and lesser spices, the way we prepare it in our house, but equally yummy, moist and appealing as the original.

Hyderabad is known for its Biryani. The traditional Hyderabadi biryani is a dish of Meat and Rice infused with flavors and spices. Its the best of the one dish meals one could have ever. Biryani mostly means cooked layered rice along with meat of Beef, Lamb, Chicken, Shrimp, Deer, Hare or Fish, whatever the speciality of the day..

Lamb Biryani always reminds me of my wedding, when I wore a very beautiful Khada Dupatta. It was the best Biryani I had ever had ! This dish is so authentic that it is served along with Mirchi Ka Salan and Baghare Baingan and Dahi Ki Chutney, as the main dish at almost all weddings. Essentially all weddings in Hyderabad are suposed to have Lamb Biryani and Mirchi Ka Salan in the menu. This dish is so important in the Hyderabadi Muslim community. It is also prepared on gatherings, occasions, parties, all kinds of merry making get togethers..

My lovely sister had prepared this dish on the weekend. We were all in a mood to treat our family and ourselves with something special, and we immediately thought of this dish. What could be a more better meal to delight ourselves than this flavorsome fare?!

There are two methods to prepare this dish, one is with Raw meat, Kaccha Gosht and the Biryani is called as Kacche Gosht Ki Biryani. In this method, the meat is left to marinate for atleast 24 hours for the flavors to properly permeate into the meat, tenderize it and deepen the tastes. But today I am writing about the procedure to prepare a quicker kind of Gosht Ki Biryani, the Pakki Gosht Ki Biryani, where pre-cooked meat is used to prepare the dish. I will be posting the procedure of how I prepare Kacche Gosht Ki Biryani in my house in the coming days.

Gosht Ki Biryani, Dahi Ki Chutney 

Dahi Ki Chutney – Yogurt Chutney 

Makes:One small bowl

Ingredients:

Plain Yogurt (low-fat or full-fat)- 375 ml
Salt – 2/3 tsp or according to taste
Thai Red Chillies – 2, chopped (optional)
Green Chillies – 2, chopped
Yellow Onion – 1, medium, finely chopped
Mint leaves – 1/2 cup, finely chopped
Coriander leaves – 1/2 cup, finely chopped
Firm Red Tomato (fresh) - 1, small, deseeded and chopped finely

Method:

-To the yogurt in a bowl, add salt and half a cup of water and whip it till smooth, and creamy for approx 2-3 minutes.
-Add the remaining ingredients and fold them into the yogurt gently. Adjust salt according to your taste and cover the bowl with a plastic wrap.
-Put it in the refrigerator to serve it later along with Biryani.

You can store Dahi Ki Chutney in the refrigerator in an air tight food storage box for only one more day in a refrigarator, it doesnt last long. It is always better if you have an idea how much your family memebers will have it and you prepare it in only the required amount.

Hyderabadi Dum Gosht Ki Biryani – Fragrant Flavored Meat and Rice Casserole

Serves:5-8

Ingredients:

For the Marinade

Canola/Vegetable/Sunflower Oil (or) Butter/Makhan (or) Clarified Butter/Ghee - 90 ml/6 tbsp
Yellow Onion/Pyaz – 2, large, thinly sliced
Lean Lamb leg meat – 1 kg, washed and cubed into 3 cm pieces approx (with bones preferably if available, I have used only boneless here)  
Plain Yogurt/Dahi – 500 ml, lightly whipped
Red Chilli Powder/Lal mirch powder - 1 1/2 tsp
Salt/Namak – 1 1/2 tsp
Lemon Juice/Nimbu Ras - 4 tbsp
Garam Masala – 1 tbsp
Turmeric/Haldi – 1/2 tsp
Ginger Garlic paste – 2 tbsp
Water/Meat Stock – 1/2 cup

For the Garnish -

Green Chillies/Hari Mirch - 2, each slit into two
Thai Red chillies/Choti Lal Mirch - 2, each slit into two (optional) 
Fried Onion reserved for garnish earlier
Mint Leaves/Pudina – 1/2 cup
Cilantro/Kothmir – 1/2 cup
Toasted sliced Almonds/Bareek Kata Badaam – 2 tbsp
Fried Red Raisins and Cashwnuts/Tala-huwa Kishmish - 3 tbsp
Pinch of Saffron threads/Zaafraan soaked in 1/2 cup warm Milk (or) a pinch of red food colour, and pinch of yellow food colour
A dollop of Butter/Makhan or Clarified Butter/Ghee (optional)

For the Rice -

Basmati Rice/Chawal – 4 cups
Salt/Namak – 4 tsp
Black Cumin seeds/Shah Zeera - 1 tsp

Method:

-Wash and soak the rice in a big bowl for about 30 minutes.
-In a pressure cooker at medium high heat, fry the onions in oil/butter until they are golden brown in colour. Remove with a slotted spoon on a kitchen towel and reserve half for garnish. Blend the other half in 2 tbsp water inoi a paste.
-In the same pressure cooker, with oil/butter in it, add the washed cubed meat pieces, Stir fry till the meat has browned on all sides. Add the fried onions paste and the ginger garlic paste and turmeric. Saute them for 2 minutes. Throw in the red chilli powder, salt, garam masala, half cup water, and yogurt. Mix well and pressure cook for about 15-20 minutes until the meat is tender.
-Meanwhile drain the soaking rice and keep aside. Bring 9 cups of water in a to boil in a large saucepan with Black cumin seeds and salt (do not forget to add salt to the rice!!) in it. As soon as its boiling, add the drained rice and let it cook till the rice grains are just done. Drain and keep aside.
-Now, open the lid of the cooker and cook the meat mixture well without covering the lid on medium high heat until the meat mixture is done and most of the liquid has dried up. It should be a little bit dry mixture.
Add lemon juice to the meat and mix. Remove from heat.
-Preheat the oven to 350°F.
-In a large oven proof baking dish, add half of the rice in a layer at the bottom of the dish. Now add the whole meat mixture in one layer. Then cover it with the remaining rice completely and work gently, try not to break the rice kernels.  
-Garnish the layered rice with the reserved fried onions, mint and coriander leaves, slit red and green chillies, toasted and fried nuts, and sprinkle the milk with saffron threads in it or sprinkle the food colors and a little water. You can also add a dollop of butter if you wish. 
-Cover the dish with a tight lid or aluminium foil and keep it in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, till a nice steam has formed inside.
-Before serving, dig the spoon into the dish till the base and take the rice and meat in a bowl. mix it and serve it hot.

Suggested Accompaniments: Mirchi Ka Salan or Baghare Baingan or Dahi Ki Chutney or Tomato Chutney.

This is my entry for Meeta’s Monthly Mingle-One Dish Dinners

Luv,
Mona

Noodle Basket

I have been thinking of sending an entry to the Click Event from a loooong time.

Click is a Theme-Based Food Photography Event. Its very interesting and i love it This month’s Theme is ‘Noodles’ and i clicked these Pictures with my Sony Ericsson Camera Phone for the Theme for this month.

Have a Happy Weekend everyone!

Luv,
Mona