Spicy Black Pepper Chicken

Black pepper also known as Milagu, in southern states of India.This chicken dish is popular and made in the households of south India. Pepper and other spices are famous in this part of the country, there are many interesting plantations of them.
Peppercorns is considered a king spice in that part of India.
I came across this dish, when I saw it being prepared at a TV show. I liked how simple it was to make and that it can be served, as an appetizer or main dish.

  Ingredients:
2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken cut into 2 inch cubes.
Salt to taste
1 tsp turmeric
1tsp corainder powder
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp black pepper ( Milagu powder)
1 tsp each ginger ,garlic paste
3 to 4 green chilies chopped
3 tsp rice flour
2 tsp lemon juice
Oil to deep fry
1 tsp mustard seeds
6 to 7 curry leaves
2 to 3 dried red chilies
Fresh coconut slices (optional)

Method:
Marinate chicken in a bowl, with salt, red chili powder, coriander , pepper , turmeric. Add an egg, and ginger, garlic paste.
Add finely chopped curry leaves, and lemon juice. Heat oil to deep fry the chicken pieces, to a golden brown, frying them for 4 to 5 minutes. Strain on to a paper towel.
Next heat a medium pan, with 2 tbsp oil for tempering. Add mustard seeds, allow them to splatter.Next add in coconut slices , brown the coconut slices, add green chilies and sliced onions.Add curry leaves 2 to 3.
Then add in 1/2 cup water, and cover few minutes,  add in the fried chicken. Saute for another 4 to 5 minutes, serve hot . Enjoy preparing and eating this spicy chicken dish, with family and friends :)

Home made Pizza

All kids love pizza, and at my home we believe there's no pizza like home made pizza. I have previously made home made pizza sauce that my kids absolutely love to have by spoon too:))
Recipe below is for a semi home pizza made with store bought dough, it saves time . Now you can use store bought sauce or look at my blog recipe of home made sauce , making pizza at home is not only delicious but totally worth it as all can get together in the preparation fun , and get to add toppings that we love. Kids can get involved in the making , so lots of fun for them too:))

Ingredients
1 pack ready dough
 1 cup store bought or home made marinara sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2  tspn salt 
1cup thinly sliced bell peppers
1/2 cup thinly sliced tomatoes
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onions
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese or Parmesan cheese
2 to 3 fresh cloves of finely minced garlic
1tspn chilly flakes
1tspn freshly chopped rosemary herb or 1 tspn store bought Italian seasoning herb mix
2 tbsp butter

Ingredients 

Home made pizza sauce 

Ingredients 

Making pizza  from dough

Pizza ready to bake

Pizza

Method
1 Heat butter in a sauce pan, add in crushed garlic. Cook for a minute or two, next add in fresh or store bought herbs , close burner. Keep aside.
2. Divide the dough into equal proportion and form each divided dough into medium sized ball.   Sprinkle little flour on a board, so that dough won't stick to the board. Work with each divided ball sized dough , one at a time .Place dough on board and using the palms of your hand gently pat dough,to flatten it using circular motion. , simultaneously work with your hands to kind of stretch the dough , like a rubber , as you try to make an oval or circular shape pizza  , pressing with your fingers ,note that it should be evenly uniform and  1/2 inch or less in thickness and approx 8 to 10 inches diameter. You can also use a rolling pin instead.
3.Using a baking sheet, sprinkle few drops olive oil to grease the baking sheet and place the flattened pizza onto the baking sheet. Adjust the shape, if required.
 Sprinkle each pizza with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle little salt over it.
Now comes the fun part, where kids can take turns too:) for the toppings
4.For  garlic lovers use the  prepared garlic herb butter as first topping that you can brush right onto the surface pizza , using a pastry brush. 
5.Next add a layer of marinara sauce and top with shredded cheese, sliced bell peppers and tomatoes and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes at 375 degrees and until the crust appears golden brown. Enjoy with friends and family or a treat just for your self.
Different toppings like mushrooms,pineapple little cubes,spinach,grilled  chicken pieces, mango pieces,  can be used to create a pizza of your choice.

Stuffed Pastry shells

When you make starters using pastry shells  appetizer's get the winning look and bright smiles of guest who wonder how much effort you took to prepare all this, but trust me by using pastry shells and dough your work time gets reduced in almost half.
Using a pastry puff dough or pastry puff shells is the smartest way to make home made starters that not only look classy but also keep the guest's surprised and wow your hard work!!
There are many options for filling's that can be  used to fill these shell's  like for vegetarians one can use a mixture of goat cheese ,herbs and topped with sliced tomatoes. Another one you do is  stuff  shells with a mushroom and cheese mix , or even spinach with potatoes mixture, try olives in the recipe ,possibilities are endless , you can do sweet fillings like pecans with berries for a sweet fill , just be creative , use your own combination. For now  I tried out bell peppers chopped finely with garlic and onions, cooked in a sauce and sprinkled with cheese,   follow this recipe and you are sure  to impress your guests.

Ingredients
1 pack frozen pastry shells contains about 24 pastry shells
1 medium sized onion diced
1 cup chopped bell pepper , colourful mini bell peppers are great to use :)
2 to 3 cloves of garlic minced
1/4 cup finely chopped mushroom (optional)
1 tspn chilli garlic sauce (store bought)
2 tblsp   tomato ketchup
salt  to taste
2 tblsp vegetable Oil

Mini delights

Ready to Bake 

Veggie delights 

Method;
1.Heat a  medium sized skillet with 2 tblsp  oil, add in garlic and onions, allowing  onions to brown a little , n add in bell peppers, continue cooking another 3 to 5 minutes, till bell peppers soften.
2.Now add in spices and sauces and mix together, close burner and filling mixture is ready. How easy is that :)
3. Preheat oven to 350 F , arrange pastry puff shells, on baking tray and carefully with a teaspoon fill ea h pastry shell , about  half way with the prepared mixture, sprinkle shredded cheese, I prefer mozzarella , but you can use a cheese of your choice.
4 . Bake these shells for approximately 10 minutes and  remove and Serve warm. 

Paani Poori Chaat

Paani  poori is a popular chaat (snack food) . Paani is a Hindi word for water and poori is the term used for little round discs of Indian dough deep fried. Also known as gol gappas, they are sure to win the interests of your friends and guests , and will have them wanting for some more:)))

Ingredients (This quantity is for good for 5 to 6 persons)

3 bunches of fresh mint leaves

2 bunches of fresh coriander leaves 

2 inch fresh ginger

2 tspn salt

2 tspn Black salt (also called Kala Namak)
1 tsp Chaat masala powder 

3 to 4 small green chillies 

2 tspn cumin seeds 
1 lemon 

4 to 5 cups  cold water

1/4 cup tamarind paste  
2 tbsp sugar 
2 pack of store bought ready pooris

Grind in the mixer

Strain the ready paani 

Paani poori

Method (preparing paani poori water)

1.Clean the leaves of mint and coriander and wash thoroughly  to remove any  dirt from  leaves.

2.Using a blender, grind the leaves, together with cumin seeds, chopped ginger, green chillies, lemon juice, salt, tamarind paste and 3 to 4 cups of cold water. Next, add black salt and chaat powder and check for taste. Keep this mixture back in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. After that , strain the water and taste for salt, and if it is less add some black salt or chaat masala. This is the paani poor water,s tore it back in the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 hours and enjoy with store bought pooris and potato mixture.

For Potato filling

2 medium size potatoes boiled and peeled

1 cup Tamarind chutney ( ready available in Indian store) or you can look up my blog for a recipe of home made tamarind chutney.

Method 
1. Boil the potatoes fully, cool them and peel the skin of the potatoes, mix them with 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp chaat powder, 1/4 tsp red chilli powder and keep aside.

Assembling the dish 

1. Pooris are very delicate and crisp, using a spoon, crack the top of the poori to make a little opening. Now fill each  poori with like 1/4 tsp  potato filling. To this stir and add in paani poori water and then about 1/4 tsp tamarind chutney (for the sweetness) Continue the same way , with the other pooris and serve immediately.

Other fillings:
If you don't fancy potatoes you can alternately add sprouted moong, or boiled garbanzo beans, instead. 

Crunchy coated nuts

This week I'm hosting our Diwali party for friends and family  and we thought why not make some crunchy nuts to go along  with cocktails, I came across this recipe and was waiting to give it a try...
You may  use any nuts, depending on your liking . I have used... 
Ingredient's
250 gm unsalted cashews
250 gm unsalted walnuts
100 gm almonds
100 gm pecans
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoon cooking oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tspn salt
2 tspn red chilli powder
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 sticks fresh rosemary chopped finely

Ingredients

Mix all the nuts together

Nuts on baking sheet

Bake at 350 degrees  

Crunchy baked nuts

Perfect with cocktails and entertaining guest

Method.
1.Pre heat oven to 350 degrees, Spray oil on to baking sheet or use 1 tablespoon oil to coat the baking sheet .Arrange  nuts on baking sheet. Add oil , maple syrup ,orange juice,brown sugar,salt,red chilli pepper for heat  and finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves. Mix all together nicely and bake in oven for 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees . Keep checking.
2.Remove from oven and mix with a spoon  to separate nuts, that may stick together. Check for seasoning , sprinkle on top 1/4 tspn rosemary and check for salt, if less add little more,depending on taste.
3. Enjoy golden brown crispy , coated with sweet and spicy,  flavourful nuts with your favourite drink or cocktail.

Pizza Toast

Pizza sauce prepared at home, is my families favourite sauce ,my kids can eat this sauce by itself , without bread :))
 This sauce once prepared ,stores well for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Making your life easier with hungry kids!!! Also its prepared with ingredients that you can add more vegetables, like broccoli, carrots to give it a more healthier side.

Ingredients
4  medium size red onions chopped finely
3  cloves of garlic peeled and chopped finely
1  6 oz can of tomato puree/ or 1 cup/ 240 ml chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup ready veggie stock (use vegetarian soup cube)
2 tspn salt
1 tspn black pepper
1 tspn red chilli powder
1 tspn sugar
1 tspn  dried oregano
1/4 tspn carom seeds (available in grocery store)
2 finely chopped  fresh basil leaves
4 tspn olive oil
1 cup  shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat onions in a pan

Add in tomatoes 

Add in cheese

Bake toast in oven

Pizza toast

Method
1. Heat oil in a medium pan. As it heats add in carom seeds,onions, garlic and finely chopped green capsicum and sauté on medium heat for few minutes , as onions turn soft and transparent , add in seasoning salt,red chilli powder,add in veggie stock,allow mixture to sizzle for few minutes, next add in tomato puree. Allow sauce to simmer on medium heat for another 10 minutes.
Check for seasoning ,add oregano and sugar to offset the tart of the tomatoes. Lastly add in finely chopped basil leaves. The ready sauce stores well for about a week refrigerated.
2. To make pizza's roll out store bought pizza dough into 8 inch diameter and lay on a baking sheet. Spread 2 spoonfuls of cooled pizza sauce onto the surface ,add your favourite toppings, sprinkle shredded cheese on top and bake at 375 degrees for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, check to see and remove from oven as  pizza is done and cheese has melted.
Be creative in toppings, but do not overload the surface of the pizza.
Also for easy creations you can bake the pizza using white or brown bread, instead of using pizza dough.My kids love these pizza toast's and they are super easy to make, and quick too once you have the sauce ready.
Other favourite Veggie toppings (optional)
Sliced red onions
Thinly sliced green bell peppers(or red,orange colour)
Jalapenos (chilli peppers)
Mushrooms
Olives
 shredded cheese
Pineapple
Broccoli
Non veg options
chicken or sausage pizza

Dahi Vadas

Dahi vadas are dumplings, made from lentil. It is enjoyed cold as an appetizer or along with main course meal.Very tempting,difficult to resist once tasted:) popular in Northern India and perfect for a warm sunny day. Served cold with Tamarind chutney and curd.


Ingredients
1 cup Urad daal 
2 cups Yogurt (plain thick curd)
2 tsp ginger & green chilies
2 tsp salt
1tsp sugar
2 tbsp fresh coconut tiny pieces
2 tsp roasted cumin powder
1 tsp chaat powder
1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves
Oil for frying

Fried Vadas

Dahi Vadas

Tamarind Chutney

For Tempering
2 tsp Oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
Method:
1.Heat oil ,add mustard seeds,allow to splutter and add it to the prepared Dahi Vadas.




Tamarind chutney
200 gm Tamarind
1/2 cup water
50 gm Jaggery/ sugar each
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Black salt
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp coriander powder


Method:
1. Soak the Urad daal overnight. Next day grind the Urad daal to a paste.Add in ginger green chilies,salt and coconut pieces.
2.Heat oil for frying in a heavy bottomed pan. Using a spoon take a spoonful of the urad daal batter and make a round or doughnut shape and carefully add into the hot  oil for frying on medium heat,then on high heat ,till they appear golden brown, remove and fry the remaining vadas. Keep fried vadas soaked in warm water.
3. In a medium bowl ,whisk the curd,adding salt, red chili powder,sugar,chaat powder, and cumin powder,mix well.
4. Before serving, take out the vadas from water and squeeze them to remove any excess water.Arrange the vadas in a serving dish.Pour the curd over the vadas to cover them.Pour the prepared tempering.Sprinkle some freshly chopped coriander leaves to garnish.Serve chilled with Tamarind chutney:))
5.For making Tamarind chutney,soak tamarind,jaggery in water and microwave for about 10 minutes till it appears soft and pulpy. Remove from microwave,cool and strain the tamarind pulp in a bowl.Add sugar,salt,red chili powder,black salt and coriander powder.Add more salt or sugar if needed. You can keep this chutney refrigerated for about 1 to 3 months and it tastes delicious with many appetizers.

Hara Bhara Kebabs

A tasty  alternative for those who are Vegetarians, these kebab's are crisp on the outside and go  perfect as Appetizers.  I took them to a friends dinner party and everybody loved them :))

Hara Bhara Kebabs

Hara Bhara Kebabs

Ingredients
500 gm Potatoes
1/4 cup cottage cheese(Paneer)
100 gm green peas (frozen peas)
150 gm Spinach
2 tsp salt
2 tsp ginger and green chilies paste
1 tsp chat powder
1 tsp amchur powder(dried mango powder)
1/4 cup Semolina (Coarse sooji)
1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
1 tbsp cornflour 
16 oz Oil for frying


Method:
1. Boil potatoes, peel and mash. keep aside.
2. Wash and chop spinach.Boil for 5 to 6 minutes,drain the water.
3. Take frozen green peas or boiled  green peas in a blender,add spinach to make a smooth paste. Grate the paneer and keep aside.
4. Add the paste to the mashed potatoes.Add ginger green chilies and mix together. Next add in salt,chat powder,amchur and cornflour,coriander leaves and paneer, mix all  together. Take a small portion and form into small patties. Coat with semolina, on both sides and keep ready for frying.
Heat  oil in a heavy bottomed skillet and shallow fry on both sides till crisp and golden brown..Serve hot with tomato ketchup ,tamarind sauce or mint chutney.

Kutch Speciality - Dabeli.

Friends, today I am going to share with you a speciality dish from Kutch. It is called Dabeli. People in Western part of India are familiar with this dish as it is available in Gujarat and major cities of Maharashtra. Others may not be aware of it. However, once you try it,  you will enjoy it and will want to have it again. I learnt this dish from my mother in law. She was born and did her schooling in Mandvi, a small town in Kutch. Before I start writing about the dish, I would like to start with saying few things about Kutch. 


Kutch district is a district of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an area of 45,652 km², it is the largest district of India.  Kutch District is surrounded by the Gulf of Kutch and the Arabian Sea in south and west, while northern and eastern parts are surrounded by the Rann of Kutch. To the North of Kutch is the Pakistan border. The Rann of Kutch boasts of beautiful white sand. The language spoken predominantly  is Kutchi language, sort of a mix of Gujarati, Sindhi, and Hindi. The place is becoming a popular tourist attraction after Gujarat Government started promoting the natural beauty of the place. Credit also needs to go to the popular ad campaign featuring none other than the Big B - Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. The Rann Utsav, in December, and Kite festival in the month of January have added to the popularity of this place. These festivals are attended by thousands of people from across the world.  Here are couple of photos of Rann of Kutch.

Rann of Kutch

Rann Utsav - Celebrated on full moon in December

Kutchi Dabeli

Ingredients:
2 pounds potatoes boiled
4 tbsp oil
1 cup raw peanuts
2 tsp salt
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp garlic chutney (available in Indian store)
1/4 cup ready sweet tamarind chutney
1 tsp garam masala powder
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp dabeli powder (roast and grind to a powder- 1 cinnamon stick, 2 to 3 cloves, 1 tsp coriander seeds,2 red chilies,1 tsp cumin seeds)
pomegranate seeds- for garnish (optional)


Method:


1.Boil the potatoes till well done,peel and mash the potatoes.Keep aside.
2.In a large skillet, heat oil,add in the peanuts, saute till brown in color, careful not to over brown them. .Remove from oil and keep in a container.Add 1/2 tsp salt,1/2 tsp red chili powder,1/2 tsp cumin powder,sugar to the peanuts. Keep aside.
3.In the same skillet add garlic chutney,red chili powder,tamarind chutney,salt,lemon juice,garam  masala,dabeli powder and mix in the potatoes.Stir together for about 5 minutes.Close burner.


Enjoy with bread buns and peanuts.

http://www.simplysensationalfood.com/2012/03/announcing-event-lets-cook-speedy.html

http://rascookbook.blogspot.com/2012/02/im-star-my-first-event.html