Jal Jeera

Its being very hot nowadays, and I am waiting for the good winter season to come. Yes, I like the winter season. I love snow all around, and the most important thing, no sweat!! On this hot afternoon after the days meal, I thought of trying out the Jaljeera or the Cumin seed cooler from the cookbook ‘India’s Vegetarian Cooking’. Its one of my most favorite cookbooks.

Cumin is a flowering plant that has been grown as a spice, it has digestive properties and a very distinctive aroma. Its a spice used very commonly in Indian cuisines. Its can be store in airtight containers for upto 6 months.

This post is my contribution to Sunita’s monthly event on Spices – Think Spice.. , and she has selected Cumin for this month.Thanks for hosting the event on such a wonderful spice Sunita. Here’s my entry:

Recipe Source: India’s Vegetarian Cooking, by Monisha Bharadwaj

Serves : 4

Ingredients:

• Cumin Seeds – 2 tsp
• Tamarind Concentrate – 1 tbsp
• Hot water – 600 ml
• Brown Sugar – 6 tbsp
• Red Chilli powder – 1/2 tsp
• Black Salt/Kala Namak - 1 tsp
• Cilantro - few, finely chopped
• Mint Leaves – few, finely chopped

Method:

Dry roast the cumin seeds in a small pan. When they turn dark, grind them into a fine powder and reserve.

Dilute the tamarind concentrate in water and add to it the rock/sea salt, sugar, chilli powder and reserved cumin powder and mix it well.

Let it cool and stir in the coriander leaves.

Pour this mixture into a small jug and let it chill in a refrigerato

 

 

Instant Light Chicken Biryani..

When I first read about the Express Cooking Event hosted by Mallugirl, many of my Mom’s and Mother in law’s recipes came to mind. They both are experts in the kitchen, my inspirations, and I always wonder when I would be like them in the kitchen. They prepare a lot of things in a jiffy and will be seen doing some other house chores in some time with all dishes for the day prepared already. I do not call myself a good cook, but yes, my hubby likes the food I prepare, and that’s enough for me. With time I might also master cooking like my Mums. From the long list of meals which I learnt from both my both Mum’s, I decided to publish this instant meal which we have at my house most usually, when there no time in luxury to spend in the kitchen.

This 30-Minute meal of mine has got ‘Instant Light Chicken Biryani’, ‘Orange juice’, and ‘Peach Flavoured Yogurt Ice cream’. My earlier version of Chicken Biryani was the traditional one, but I learnt this version from my Mother in law and is very light and has lesser calories when compared to any other type of Chicken Biryani’s. As this event calls for a meal to get ready in less than 30 minutes, I have used left over cooked plain rice, you guys can always make it fresh if you do not have left over rice. Its a complete meal with Biryani, a dessert, and a juice, and is filling but light.

I publish this post for the Express Cooking Event hosted by Mallugirl. As you know, I’m a new blogger and have started blogging very recently, just 2 months ago. And believe me, I’m hooked to it, 24*7. Its soo addictive, and gives a lot of pleasure when I share my daily recipes with you all. So, this is the first time I’m participating in an event. As the host has allowed it, I am using some semi-home made products like the orange juice powder, the yogurt ice-cream, tomato paste, left over cooked plain rice, fried onions which are easily available in asian stores. I have italicized the brand names of the Semi-Home made products I’m using in this recipe. You can always alter the amounts of spices and use the brand names you like most instead. Here’s my entry:

My Version of ‘Instant Light Chicken Biryani

Serves – 2

Ingredients:

Canola Oil – 1 tbsp
Chicken Breast – 200 gms, washed, and cut into 2 cms cubes
Yogurt – 1 tbsp
Tomato paste – 2 tsp (optional)
Ginger Garlic paste – 1 tsp
Garam Masala – 1 1/2 tsp
Dry roasted Cumin seed/Zeera powder – 1 tsp
Dry Roasted Coriander/Dhaniya seed powder – 1 tsp
Water – 1/2 cup
Lemon Juice – 2 or 3 tbsp ( as you like)
Edible Red Colour – 1/4 tsp
Edible Yellow Colour – 1/4 tsp
Cooked Plain White Rice – 3 cups
Crispy Fried Onions – 2 tbsp

Method: ( Target time to prepare the whole meal – 30 minutes )

-Put a heavy bottom pan on medium heat, and pour oil into it.
-Add the chicken pieces, and fry till golden brown on all sides. This takes probably 7 minutes. When the chicken cubes has been browned properly, adjust the heat to medium high add the yogurt, tomato paste (optional) and ginger-garlic paste and the three dry masalas and stir well. This will take about 5 minutes. Now add half cup water and lemon juice. Cover the lid of the pan for 2 minutes until the water dries up.
-In the mean time, pour a tablespoon of water into a cup and add a pinch of red and yellow colour into it, and stir well.
-Now arrange the half of the rice in a microwave safe bowl in a layer, add the cooked chicken breast from the pan on top of the rice in a layer, again arrange the remaining rice layer on top. Sprinkle the fried onions on top and pour the water with colours evenly on top of rice. All this takes about 5 more minutes
-Cover and microwave for 3 minutes. The Biryani is ready.
-Serve the Biryani along with and a Juice and Ice Cream for a heartful meal for two ready in about in less than 30 minutes.

Luv,
Mona

Cold Coffee

Right now i am sipping into my Cold Coffee. Oh, I love it a lot! I had first tasted it when i was out with one of my friends and I had gone to somewhere at Panjagutta in Hyderabad, India. I had enjoyed that cold coffee and had been trying to prepare a similar thing myself. From that day I always prepare one for me and my loved ones in my own way. During these summer days, i often sip into it and everyone in my family knows that Cold Coffee is my Fav. Its damn simple and cool Here’s the recipe and try it out. Let me know if you guys also loved it.

Makes : 1 glass

Ingredients:

• Cappuccino/Coffee powder, which you like - 2 tsp
• Milk – 1/2 cup
• Powdered sugar – 2 tsp
• Chocolate Ice Cream – 2 scoops
• Vanilla Ice Cream – 2 scoops
• Vanilla Whipping cream – 2 tbsp
• Choclate powder – 1/4 tsp
• Shredded choclate bits – 1/4 tsp
• Broken Ice Cubes – 2 tbsp

 

Method:

• Pour Milk and add the cappuccino and sugar powder to it in a blender container. Stir it to dissolve well. Cover the container.
• Let it chill in the refrigerator for an hour.
• Add the chocolate and vanilla ice cream to it, then add a tablespoon of the whipping cream. Cover the container.
• Blend it on hign speed using on and off action, until smooth.
• Pour into glasses and garnish it with a tablespoon of the whipping cream and choclate powder and bits.
• Serve it chilled.

Enjoy this lovely cold refreshing drink