Easy Cucumber Sandwich

Easy Cucumber Sandwich.

Quick and easy cucumber sandwich.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2 to 4

Ingredients:

1. Cream cheese - 1/2Cup
2. Garlic,minced- 1/8 tsp
3. Fresh dill, chopped-  1 tbsp 
4. Whole wheat bread- 8 to 10 slices
5. Butter- as required
6. Cucumber,sliced-1/2 of a large
7. Black pepper powder- to taste
8. Salt- to taste

Instructions:

In a bowl combine together cream cheese,garlic,dill and salt to taste.Mix well until smooth.

Spread a thin layer of butter onto each slice.( this will keep the bread from getting soggy).

Spread the prepared cream cheese mixture evenly on each piece of the bread.

Evenly distribute the cucumber slices on 4 (or 5) slices of bread and sprinkle pepper powder on top.Press the other bread slices,cream cheese mixture side down on top of the cucumber slices.

Trim the crusts from the sandwiches,if desired.Cut into half and serve.

NOTES

• You can use cilantro instead of dill.or use 1 fat pinch of dried rosemary /dill/tarragon or Italian seasoning mix.
  

Gobi Paratha | Cauliflower masala stuffed Indian Flatbread

Gobi Paratha

Cauliflower masala stuffed Indian flat bread.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 6 to 8 parathas
Ingredients:

1. Whole wheat flour- 1 Cup(+ extra for dusting)
2. Water - as required
3. Salt - to taste
4. Oil / Ghee - as required

For Cauliflower stuffing:

1. Cauliflower,grated- 1  to 1 and 1/4 cups
2. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Onion,finely chopped - 1/4 cup
4. Green chilies,finely chopped - 1 ( or according to taste)
5. Ginger ,finely chopped - 1/2 tsp
6. Kashmiri chili powder- 1/4 tsp( or to taste)
7. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
8. Coriander powder - 1/4 tsp
9. Garam masala powder- 1/4 tsp
10. Coriander leaves,chopped - 1 tbsp( optional)
11. Salt- To taste
12. Oil- as required

Instructions:

In a bowl,combine together whole wheat flour,salt and sufficient quantity of water and mix well.Knead to form a soft dough.Cover and keep aside for atleast 20 minutes.

Heat oil in a pan,add cumin seeds and saute for few seconds.Add onion,green chilies and ginger .Saute until onion turns golden brown.

Now add kashmiri chili powder,turmeric powder,coriander powder and garam masala powder.Saute for few seconds.Add grated cauliflower and salt to taste.

Cook until all the moisture evaporates . Add coriander leaves ( if using) and switch off the stove.Allow this filling to cool completely. 

Divide the dough into 6 to 8 equal parts. Roll a portion of the dough into a circle of 4" diameter on a lightly floured surface.

Place 1 tbsp  cauliflower filling in  the center.Bring all the sides to the center and seal tightly.

Pinch off the excess dough,if desired.Dust the surface with whole wheat flour ,roll the stuffed dough lightly to form 6 to 7 " circle.(Lightly dust the parathas with flour,if it sticks to the rolling pin or the  working surface.)

Heat a nonstick /iron tawa ,place the paratha and let it cook until the color changes slightly for about 15 seconds over medium high heat.Flip the paratha and cook for few more seconds.Drizzle 1 tsp oil over the paratha.Flip the paratha again and gently press using a spatula.Cook until golden brown spots appear on both the sides.Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.Serve hot with pickle and yogurt.

NOTES

• For best results, drizzle ghee over the parathas. 
  

Thenga Aracha Njandu Curry | Kerala Style Crab Curry With Coconut

Thenga Aracha Njandu Curry

Kerala style, crab cooked in coconut sauce.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4
Ingredients:

1. Crab,cleaned - 400 gms
2. Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Onion,sliced - 1/4 cup
4. Curry leaves - 1 or 2 sprigs
5. Green chili,sliced - 1 ( or according to taste)
6. Tomato,sliced - 1 medium( 1/2 cup)
7. Kudampuli /fish tamarind /kokum( soaked in water for 10 min) - 2 or 3 small pieces
8. Water - as required
9. Coconut oil - as required
10. Salt - to taste

For Coconut paste:

1. Grated coconut-3/4 cup
2. Coriander powder - 1.5 tsp
3. Kashmiri chili powder - 1 tbsp
4. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
5. Ginger - 1 " piece
6. Shallots - 5 to 6 small
7. Water- as required

Instructions:

In a blender,add all the ingredients listed under ' For coconut paste' and grind to form a smooth paste.Keep aside until required.

Heat oil in a pan/ manchatti ,add fenugreek seeds and saute for few seconds.Add onion,curry leaves and green chilies.Saute until onion turns translucent.

Now add tomato and saute for about 30 seconds.Add the prepared coconut paste,fish tamarind (drained),water and salt to taste. 

Mix well until combined.Now add the cleaned crab and mix gently.

Cover and cook until crab is cooked and the gravy turns slightly thick.Switch off the stove and add 1 tsp coconut oil on top.Serve with rice.

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of kashmiri chili powder and green chilies according to your taste.
• Adjust the quantity of water according to the gravy consistency required.
  
  

Broccoli Paratha| Step by step recipe

Broccoli Paratha

Broccoli masala stuffed Indian flatbread.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 6 to 8 parathas
Ingredients:

1. Whole wheat flour- 1 Cup( extra for dusting)
2. Water - as required
3. Salt - to taste
4. Oil / Ghee - as required

For Broccoli stuffing:

1. Broccoli,grated- 1 and 1/4 to 1.5 cups
2. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Onion,finely chopped - 1/4 cup
4. Green chilies,finely chopped - 1 ( or according to taste)
5. Ginger ,finely chopped - 1/4 tsp
6. Garlic ,finely chopped - 1/4 tsp
7. Kashmiri chili powder- 1/4 tsp( or to taste)
8. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
9. Garam masala powder- 1/4  tsp
10. Coriander leaves,chopped - 1 tbsp( optional)
11. Salt- To taste
12. Oil- as required

Instructions:

In a bowl,combine together whole wheat flour,salt and sufficient quantity of water and mix well.Knead to form a soft dough.Cover and keep aside for atleast 20 minutes.

Heat oil in a pan,add cumin seeds and saute for few seconds.Add onion,green chilies ,ginger and garlic.Saute until onion turns golden brown.Now add kashmiri chili powder,turmeric powder and garam masala powder.Saute for few seconds.

Add grated broccoli and salt to taste.Cook until all the moisture evaporates. Divide the dough into 6  or 8 equal parts. 

Roll a portion of the dough into a circle of 4" diameter on a lightly floured surface.Place 1 tbsp  broccoli filling in  the center.

Bring all the sides to the center and seal tightly.Pinch off the excess dough,if desired.Dust the surface with whole wheat flour ,roll the stuffed dough lightly to form 6 to 7 " circle.(Lightly dust the parathas with flour,if it sticks to the rolling pin or the  working surface.)

Heat a nonstick /iron tawa ,place the paratha and let it cook until the color changes slightly for about 15 seconds over medium high heat.Flip the paratha and cook for few more seconds.Drizzle 1 tsp oil over the paratha.Flip the paratha again and gently press using a spatula.Cook until golden brown spots appear on both the sides.Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.Serve hot with pickle and yogurt.

NOTES

• For best results, drizzle ghee over the parathas. 

Mushroom Fried Rice | Step by step recipe

Mushroom Fried rice

Quick,easy and delicious mushroom fried rice.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:

1. Long grain rice- 3/4 cup
2. Garlic,finely chopped - 1.5 tsp
3. Green chili,finely chopped - 1( or according to taste)
4. Spring onion whites,chopped - 1 tbsp
5. Onion,finely chopped - 2 tbsp
6. Vegetables,finely chopped - 1 Cup( use carrot,cabbage and green beans)
7. Mushroom,sliced - 1 cup
8. Capsicum,chopped - 1/4 cup
9. Soya sauce - 1/2 to 3/4 tsp
10. Black pepper powder- 1 to 1 and 1/4 tsp( according to taste)
11. Spring onion greens,chopped - 1 tbsp
12. Salt - to taste
13. Oil - as required(i used olive oil)

Instructions:

Wash the rice , soak for about 15 minutes and cook  just until done.Fluff it up using a fork and allow to cool completely.

Heat oil in a pan.Add garlic and saute for few seconds and then add green chili,spring onion whites and onion.Saute until onion turns translucent.

Now add carrot,cabbage and green beans and saute for about  1 minute.Now add mushrooms and  and saute until it is done.

Add capsicum and saute for 2 more minutes.Next add soya sauce,pepper powder and salt to taste.Stir continuously for about 1 minute.

Now add cooked rice and gently mix until combined.Garnish with spring onion greens.

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of black pepper powder according to your taste.
  

Kerala Squid-Coconut Roast (Kanava/Calamari/Koonthal - Coconut Roast)

Kerala Squid-Coconut Roast

Kerala style spicy squid roast with coconut.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 3 to 4
Ingredients:

1. Squid,cleaned and sliced- 500 gms
2. Onion,chopped - 1 cup
3. Shallots ,sliced - 1/4 cup
4. Ginger,finely chopped - 1" piece
5. Green chilies,cut into two - 4( or according to taste)
6. Kashmiri chili powder - 2 tsp( or according to taste)
7. Coriander powder - 1 tsp
8. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
9. Garam masala - 1.5 tsp
10. Water - as required
11. Salt - to taste
12. Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
13. Dry red chilies ,cut into two -1 or 2
14. Curry leaves - 1 or 2 sprigs
15. Coconut oil - as required

For Coconut paste:

1. Grated coconut- 1 cup
2. Garlic - 1 large clove

Instructions:

Coarsely grind together grated coconut and garlic.Keep aside until required.

Heat oil in a non- stick pan or a heavy bottomed pan .Add onion,shallots,ginger and green chilies.Saute until onion turns golden brown.

Reduce flame to low,add kashmiri chili powder,coriander powder,turmeric powder and garam masla and saute for about 30 seconds.

Add squid ,sufficient quantity of water and salt to taste.Cover and cook over medium flame until done and gravy turns thick.

Once the gravy turns thick,move the squid masala over to one side of the pan.( Use another pan if desired).Pour 2 tsp oil .

Add mustard seeds and let it splutter.Now add curry leaves and red chilies,saute for few seconds.Add the coconut - garlic mixture .

Saute the coconut mixture for few seconds.Mix this along with the squid masala and cook for about a minute. 

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of green chilies and  chili powder , according to your taste.
  

Meen Thenga Aracha Curry | Fish In Coconut Gravy

Meen Thenga Aracha Curry

Kerala style fish cooked in coconut sauce.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 to 5
Ingredients:

1. Fish- 10 to 12 medium pieces, aprox 400 gms( see notes)
2. Fish tamarind /Kudampuli - 3 to 4 small pieces( or according to taste)
3. Ginger,finely chopped - 2 tsp
4. Garlic,finely chopped - 2 tsp
5. Green chilies,cut vertically - 2( or according to taste)
6. Curry leaves - 2 to 3 sprigs
7. Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
8. Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
9. Shallots,sliced - 3 to 4
10. Water - as required
11. Salt - to taste
12. Coconut oil - as required

For Coconut paste:

1. Grated coconut- 1 cup
2. Cumin seeds - 1/8 tsp
3. Shallots - 4,small
4. Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
5. kashmiri chili powder - 1 tbsp( or according to taste)
6. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
7. Water - as required

Instructions:

Grind together all the ingredients listed under ' for coconut paste' adding sufficient quantity of water to form a smooth paste.Keep aside until required.

Soak tamarind in water until required.Heat oil in a manchatti /pan, add ginger,garlic,green chilies and few curry leaves.Saute for few seconds or until raw smell leaves.

Next add the prepared coconut paste and mix well.Add sufficient quantity of water,soaked tamarind .

Add salt to taste and mix well.Bring this to a boil and add the fish .Gently swirl the pan.

Cover and cook until fish is cooked.

Remove the lid and cook for few more minutes or until the gravy turns slightly thick.Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds,let it splutter.Next add fenugreek seeds and saute for few seconds.Finally add shallots and remaining curry leaves. 

Fry until shallots turn golden brown.Pour this over the curry and switch off the stove.Gently swirl the pan , cover and keep aside for at least 15 minutes for the flavors to mingle.Serve with rice.

NOTES

• You can use king fish,pomfret,pearl spot,mackrel,threadfin bream/ kilimeen,barracuda or any other firm fish.