Shredded chicken enchiladas

We enjoy Mexican food, its colorful and spicy. My husband makes very tasty enchiladas, and just last week he prepared these Chicken enchiladas in a red sauce and they came out delicious, so I thought why not share them with all, so follow these simple steps and enjoy them with your family too or friends :)) too



Ingredients 
1 packet foster farm ready shredded chicken package
1 tbsp all purpose flour
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano seasoning
1/4 cup chipotle adobo chilies 
Salt to taste
1 medium can enchiladas red sauce
2 to 3 finely chopped green chilies
1 cup sour cream 


                                    

Chicken enchiladas

Saute shredded chicken 

Arrange filled soft tacos corn and white tacos 

Pour prepared sauce over tacos 

Bake at 350 F

Garnish enchiladas with cilantro and dollops of sour cream 

Method:
1.Heat olive oil in a medium skillet , add flour stir for 4 to 5 mins, on medium flame. Next add in chicken / veggie stock, seasonings. Continue to simmer on low heat, Add enchilada sauce . Stir and allow the sauce to boil for few mins.
2.In a separate skillet heat 1 tbsp oil, add cooked shredded chicken. Check package, add seasonings if required, as  cooked chicken may contain some salt. Add some finely chopped green chilies for that extra heat .Cook for few minutes, close burner . Keep aside.
3.Now using a baking dish  pour  1/2 cup of prepared sauce.
Now take each soft taco, on a plate and spread some prepared sauce on surface of  taco, fill with a spoonful of prepared chicken, add adoba pepper as per taste, shredded cheese, roll the tacos and place seam side at the bottom of the baking dish, continue filling and rolling tacos and placing them, till all are done. Cover with remaining sauce and top with cheddar cheese. 

Bake at 350 F for about 25 minutes. Remove sprinkle with freshly chopped coriander and a dollop of fresh sour cream.
For vegetarians you can use black beans,instead of the chicken, and use vegetarian stock.

Ambal and Lassi

Hi Friends and my dear readers, its always a pleasure to write for you'll and thanks so much for taking the time to read and share these recipes with friends and family.
My today's dish is called Ambal, a childhood favorite of mine. The first time I tried  this dish was when I visited my relatives in Jammu. 
Ambal is a famous dish made often in Northern part of India. It is basically pumpkin, cooked in a sweet and sour way  and  adding of methi seeds, during tempering  takes this dish  to another level of flavors. Very easy to prepare, yummy and  healthy too !!
How about a cool glass of refreshing sweet Lassi, another childhood  favorite !
Spices are easily available these days, either online or in Indian stores.


Ingredients:

250 gm pumpkin (Orange colored) peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes 

1/4 cup soaked tamarind 

2 tbsp jaggery (available online or in Indian stores)

1/4 tsp methi dana ( Fenugreek seeds)

1 tsp ginger, chopped

1 tsp jeera seeds ( cumin seeds)

2-3 Kashmiri dried red chillies

1/2  tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp coriander powder 

2 Tbsp refined oil

Salt, to taste

1/4 tsp red chilly powder 

1/4 cup Water

Fresh Coriander leaves, to garnish

Ambal 

                                                             

Method:

   1. Heat a pan, add oil, for tempering, add methi seeds,cumin seeds, 2 dried red chillies,and ginger.
   2.Add turmeric, salt, red chilli powder. Saute for approx few  seconds.

3.Add  pumpkin and toss well. Add  tamarind and jaggery. Cook for 3-4 minutes on high flame.

4.Add 1/2 cup water, cover with a lid and cook (on a low flame) till pumpkin is soft and almost done.  Garnish with coriander leaves.

                                     

Lassi a north Indian yogurt drink, prepared by combining  plain yogurt, ice cubes, rose flavoring(available in Indian stores) very little water and sugar to your taste, I like mine with less sugar, so to keep it healthy! Just put all ingredients into a blender jar and blend for a minute or so, to give a nice creamy drink. Substitute with salt instead of sugar for a salty lassi, you can garnish with mint leaves too.

Again for mango lassi, all you do in this add mango pulp, check for sugar accordingly as mango pulp is usually sweet. Enjoy 

Bakeless granola bars

Granola bars, no baking how easy is that and also they are good for you. You can make it, take them along and the best part is its to your choice of ingredients ( I mean  why buy them at stores, when you can make them yourself, and to  your choice of whatever dried fruits and nuts you want to add)

Crunchy sweet and oh so good for you, so read this simple easy to make recipe and make your self ,and your family and friends happy.

Ingredients:

21/2 cups rolled oats

1/4 cup chopped almonds

1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips ( If your a chocolate fan or else you can substitute with coconut flakes)

1/4 cup mixed nuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, raisins etc.. make it your choice of seeds

1/4 tsp vanilla essence

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup light brown sugar

4 tbsp unsalted butter

                                                          

Cut out granola bars

Bakeless granola 

Method:

1. Using a baking tray lined with parchment or silver foil, toast  oats along with chopped almonds, for about 6 minutes at 350 F.

Take out of oven and stir them around, making sure they don't burn. Put Put them back in oven for another 10 minutes, remove  as they get light toasted. 

2.Pour these toasted oats almonds into a mixing bowl.

3.Heat a small pan add butter and melt it, over low heat. Add light brown sugar and vanilla essence ,close burner.

4.Add this melted butter to oats mixture.At this point you can go ahead and add some of the chocolate chips, don't worry it will melt and help to hold the bars.Mix in the nuts and coconut flakes.

I prefer to using a square baking pan, line it with silver foil, or parchment paper.

5.Pour  granola mixture into this  square pan, and press with a spatula to give it an even surface. Sprinkle the top with remaining chocolate chips. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Remove the foil, and cut out even sized bars to enjoy!! 

Blueberry muffins

Blueberry muffins a great start to morning breakfast, so satisfying and scrumptious with the taste of fresh blueberries bursting as you eat into these freshly baked muffins.
Follow this simple recipe and enjoy blueberry muffins at home, and make friends and family happy, by sharing your muffin delights!!
I  came across this recipe on TV and couldn't resist making them, at home. Modified  slightly to suit my taste.

Ingredients
1 cup flour
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla essence 
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup milk
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups fresh blueberries

                                                   

Blueberries Muffin Ingredients

Cream butter and sugar 

Add one egg at a time 

Sieve dry ingredients 

Add blueberries 

Muffins batter  in the cupcake liners

Can't wait for them to bake :))

Just baked 

                                                         

Blueberries muffins

Method: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare muffin tins, by greasing with butter or use a cupcake liner in each and grease with spray oil.
1. In a medium mixing bowl, cream butter, add in sugar and using a hand mixer or wooden spoon mix till creamy.
2.Add in one egg at a time, next add vanilla essence. 
3.For the dry ingredients, sieve together flour, salt and baking powder. Start adding the flour to the batter, alternating with milk, till both flour and milk are added.
Next, fold in blueberries and do not over stir. 
4.Add spoonful of muffin mixture to prepared muffin cups. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, remove from oven and allow to cool, before eating.

Enjoy 💖

Creamy Butter chicken

Butter chicken or fondly known as Chicken Tikka masala, is a royal Indian dish, prepared by cooking chicken and cooking it in a creamy tomato based curry sauce, that is medium spicy and full of aromatic flavors that an Indian spices offer. It is a favorite and served in almost all Indian restaurants  in India and abroad.

My version is to prepare a  not too heavy curry, for that I want to stay away from using heavy cream  and onions. It won't compromise on flavor,  its lighter so you can enjoy more of the curry guilt free :))
For bringing out the flavors, try using fresh ingredients and spices that will enhance the taste of the dish.
This recipe was looooooooong due, so happy I could modify and come out with a more healthier  option, of enjoying this dish.



Ingredients 

2 pounds boneless , skinless chicken cut into approx 1 inch cubes

2 Roma tomatoes, pureed

1 tbsp canned tomato

1 inch ginger freshly grated

3 to 4 cloves garlic freshly grated

1/4 cup cashews ( soak in water, 10 mins and grind to make a smooth paste)

salt to taste

2 tsp garam masala

Spices 
2 big cardamoms

1 inch cinnamon stick

2 bay leaves

2 to 3 cloves

3 to 4 black peppercorns

2 to 3 small cardamons

2 to 3 dried red chilies

2 tbsp butter

1 tsp honey


Marinade  for chicken
Ingredients
1 tbsp sour cream or can use 1 tsbp plain yogurt
1 tsp each ginger, garlic paste
salt to taste
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil

                                                                            

Chicken marinade

Cook marinated chicken in a skillet 

Prepare the  sauce 

Cook chicken in the prepared sauce on low to medium heat covered

Butter chicken

Method:
In a bowl, add ginger , garlic paste 1 tsp each. Add salt to taste, 1 tsp red chilies powder, 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp coriander powder.  Add chicken and marinate it for about 20 to 30 mins.


Method for preparing the sauce for butter chicken.
1. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a skillet, and cook the marinated chicken, on medium heat for about 15 minutes, till the chicken appears cooked. The real test to know if chicken is cooked from inside, is to make sure its white and not pinkish  in color on the inside.
Once the chicken is done, cover and keep aside.

Method for preparing the curry sauce 
1.In the mean while, heat another skillet, add  2 tbsp butter , add in freshly grated ginger, garlic. Allow that to sizzle, few mins. next add in all the whole spices, all of them. Stir few minutes.
Next, add red chilly powder, and cashew paste, continue cooking about  5 minutes or as the cashew paste comes together. Add in tomato puree, stir another 8 to 10 minutes, adding salt and garam masala.
Taste the curry and add more salt if required. add 1 tsp honey for that sweet tangy taste, and then add the  cooked chicken, into the prepared curry. Add 1/2 cup water and continue cooking, another 10 to 12 minutes till the chicken and curry appear thickened and done.
Add freshly chopped coriander leaves, or thinly sliced colorful peppers as garnish,

kabargah Kashmiri Lamb chops

When I saw this recipe , it tempted me to try it out. Glad I went ahead and made it, came out so flavorful. Both  me and my husband just loved the dish.

Its basically lamb chops, cooked in milk and spices. And later coated with a yogurt marinade  and shallow fried in  clarified butter ( ghee)
 This  kashmiri recipe called Kabargah, made by Pundit style cooking. This method  of cooking uses more of yogurt,turmeric, and less or no onions, that's what makes this dish more unique! Also spices like cloves, cardamon, , ginger and 
fennel are most commonly used.
Traditionally, they cook these lamb chops in ghee ( clarified butter) though now a days if you are more health conscious you can cook them in olive oil too.
 They are easy to prepare, follow some simple steps and adding  milk, makes them so soft and juicy!!




                                                 

                               

                  

Add Lamb chops to a pan, along with cloves, cinnamon stick, saffron,star anise and black cardamom

Cook on medium heat with milk till chops appear done and milk evaporated

Dip each chop to coat with yogurt marinade prepared 

Add ghee and shallow fry each coated lamb chops

Kabargah

Ingredients
6 to 8 medium size lamb chops approx 2 pounds
1/2 cup milk
Salt to taste
Few strands saffron
2 star anise
1 small cinnamon stick
2 big black cardamon

 For Marinate 
2 tbsp plain  yogurt
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp asafoetida
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp fennel powder
1 tsp garam masala
2 tbsp ghee ( clarified butter)

Method:
Heat a pan, add lamb chops, milk, saffron, salt, cinnamon,cardamon,star anise and cook, over medium heat  till the chops appear soft ,and milk has evaporated. Keep aside.
In a bowl, add yogurt,salt, asafoetida, turmeric, red chili powder, fennel powder,garam masala.
Dip each cooked lamb chop in this marinate and coat with yogurt, Heat ghee in a pan and shallow fry these lamb chops till they appear brown and crispy.
Enjoy Kashmiri style lamb chops!

Pasta pesto chicken

Wheat pasta is a healthy option of eating pasta! Also the chicken , adds a balance of protein that makes this dish a great meal.
This is one of the favorite ways of having pasta, rich creamy sauce and the combination of chicken with wheat pasta is liked by my family.



Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken cut into 1 inch cubes
salt to taste
1/2 tsp Thyme ( fresh or dried)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp fresh finely chopped rosemary herb
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion chopped finely
2  garlic cloves  finely chopped
1 small roma tomato chopped finely 
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 shredded Parmesan cheese 
1 tsp crushed red chili 
1 tsp black pepper
1 box wheat pasta shells
1 small jar store bought pesto 

                                                                                 

                                                                   

  

Cook chicken 

Saute onions, garlic and latter add chopped tomatoes

Add cooked chicken to creamy sauce 

Add cooked pasta 

Pasta Pesto Chicken 

Method:

1. Fill up a medium cooking pot with water to cook the penne pasta (see recipe on pasta box)
Strain the cooked pasta and keep aside.
2. Clean chicken cubes,Coat with salt,thyme, seasoning, garlic powder and rosemary. In a pan, melt two tablespoon of butter, add chicken to cook on both sides, for about 5 to 6 minutes per side.
3. Once cooked, set aside, do not wipe or clean the skillet, as it has all the  flavors.
In the same pan, melt another two tablespoons of butter, saute onions, garlic and tomatoes. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, to taste.
Add 3 to 4 tablespoon of pesto(more or less depends upon how much you like pesto)
Pour heavy cream, stir to make a creamy sauce. Add in Parmesan cheese.
Add chicken. Allow everything to simmer together for 5 to 10 minutes. Add red crushed chili and salt to taste.
Pour in cooked pasta and cook with sauce for another 5 minutes.
Serve warm pasta with Italian  bread and enjoy ;)

Creamy Pasta in Vodka sauce

A creamy pasta , cooked in vodka sauce :)) and served with garlic bread!! This is a dish my daughter made for us and we just loved the flavor and smooth texture of pasta, that we make a point to remind her to make it often :))  
The recipe has simple ingredients with bold flavors, give it a try and you will want more!!
We just love this dish , hope you'll enjoy it too!!


                                                                   

Saute Onions and garlic

Add strained pasta to creamy  vodka sauce 

Creamy Pasta in Vodka Sauce 

Ingredients
1 box  pasta shells ( You can use penne, bow pasta )
1 can tomato sauce ( Roma tomatoes, but you can pick your choice )
2 cloves of garlic peeled and chopped finely
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp salt
1 tsp red chili flakes
1/2 cup vodka ( I prefer Grey goose but again take the vodka you would like to drink)
1/2 cup full cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
3 to 4 Fresh basil  leaves finely chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method 

1.Heat 2 cups of water , add 1 tsp salt and pasta shells, boil  for about 10 to 15 minutes. Check to see if cooked, ( should become soft, but not over cooked) strain and keep aside.
2.Heat a medium size skillet, Add unsalted butter and 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil, add in finely chopped onions. Saute for a minute or  two, as the appear translucent , add in garlic, continue stirring, for another minute. Remove from heat, and pour in the vodka, return skillet to burner, carefully allowing most of the vodka to evaporate. 3.Add in the tomatoes sauce , continue stirring. Add in salt, and red chili flakes, basil and lower heat and check for taste. Add in 1/2 tsp sugar if the tomatoes are too sour.
4.Next stir in the full cream, continue cooking, as the sauce starts to thicken, add in Parmesan cheese.
add the strained pasta and mix well. 
5.Served topped with some sprinkled Parmesan cheese and chopped basil leaves. 

Pistachio's and saffron rice pudding (Kheer)

Kheer, a traditional Indian sweet , prepared by most of the Indians. The rice is cooked along with milk, and the addition of sweet cardamom provides the scented aroma, also pistachios and additional nuts adds  richness and flavor to this Indian sweet dish ,  Kheer. It can also be referred to as rice pudding, but call it what ever this recipe will make you want to try it immediately and enjoy the richness and  taste.

Ingredients 

4 cups whole milk ( use low fat is preferred)

1 cup uncooked basmati rice

1 can condensed milk

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup sliced pistachios

1/4 cup sliced almonds

pinch of saffron 

3 to 4 seeded small cardamoms seeds

Pistachio & saffron Kheer

Method

1. Begin by washing  rice and adding it to  4 cups of milk, add  sugar and cardamom seeds and begin to  cook rice and milk, in a heavy bottomed medium sized cooking utensil, over low to medium heat. Add in pinch of saffron. Continue to stir the rice, and cook for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, as the rice appears to be cooked , add in pistachios and continue cooking on low flame. Reserve 2 tsp pistachios for decoration.

2. Next, stir in  condensed milk, and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, and check for sweetness, if  not too sweet ,add another tablespoon of sugar, but if you prefer less sweet then this is perfect.

3. Close the burner and pour out the ready kheer  ( rice pudding ) into a serving dish , garnish with more pistachios, and almonds and refrigerate.