Poha

This quick and easy recipe of Poha (flattened rice flakes) can be made either for breakfast or as a snack at tea-time.

• Poha     - 2 c
• Potato (medium)     - 1
• Onion (medium)     - 1
• Cilantro     - 1/4 c
• Green Chillies     - 4
• Mustard seeds    - 1/4 tsp
• Cumin seeds     - 1/4 tsp
• Turmeric     - 1/4 tsp
• Chilli Pwdr     - 1/4 tsp
• Salt     - 2 tsp
• Water     - 1/4
• Veg. Oil     - 4 Tbsp
• Lemon Juice     - 2 Tbsp
• Roasted Peanuts -  1/4 c

1. Soak the Poha in water for 10 mins and drain it completely.
2. Chop the Onion, Potato, Green Chillies and Cilantro and set aside
3. Heat the Oil in a Non-Stick pot and  add the Mustard. When it pops, add the Cumin.
4. Then add the Chopped Onion along with the Green Chillies.
5. Saute till Onions turn transparent or Golden.
6. Then add the Chopped Potato along with  little Turmeric, Salt and  3Tbsp of water.
7. Cover and cook this on medium-low heat till the Potato is cooked abt 10mins.
8. Then add the Poha along with the reamining Turmeric and Salt.
9. Add 1/4c Water and cover and cook for 5 mins.
10. Take it off the flame and garnish with Cilantro and Lemon Juice and Peanuts and serve. Enjoy.

Chicken Kurma

This Chicken Kurma was inspired by my MIL and a friend from Bombay. I never knew their recipe, but I tried to recreate their curry from the taste I remember.

• Chicken (whole)      - 1
• Onions (medium)     - 2
• Ginger - 2 inches
• Garlic     - 6 to 8 cloves
• Curd     - 1/4 c
• Cashews     - 1 handful
• Cilantro (chopped)     - 1/4 c
• Chilly Pwdr     - 1Tbsp
• Coriander Pwdr     - 2 Tbsp
• Turmeric     - 1/2 tsp
• Fennel Pwdr     - 1Tbsp
• Garam Masala     - 1 tsp
• Salt     - 2 tsp
• Veg. Oil     - 5/6 Tbsp

 

1. Cut and Clean the Chicken into small  pieces.
2. Soak the Cashews and grind them to fine paste.
3. Chop the Onions, Ginger, Garlic and Cilantro and set aside.
4. Heat the Oil in big pot on medium heat. Add the Onions and fry till they are transparent.
5. Add the Ginger and Garlic. Fry for 2 mins .
6. Add 2 Tbsp of water and cover and cook for 5 mins on low setting.
7. Mash the cooked Onions well.
8. Add all the Spices , Salt and Curd. Fry some more on low heat till the oil begins to seperate.
9. Add the Cilantro and Chicken. Mix it all well and cover and cook on medium heat.
10. Mix the Chicken again and cover and cook on medium to low for 1/2 and hr to 40 mins.
11. Add the Ground Cashew paste along with little water. Let it boil well and turn off the heat.

Tip : Let it cool for 1/2  hr to 1 hr and serve along with Parathas/Rotis/Rice.

Orzo Pasta with Vegetables

Orzo Pasta is a pasta that is shaped like rice. Its very pretty and ideal to add as a side dish or in soups.

• Orzo Pasta     -  8-12 oz
• Zucchini     - 2
• Red Bell pepper     - 1
• Yellow Bell pepper (optional)     - 1
• Spring Onions     - 5
• Salt     - 1tsp (or as per taste)
• Pepper     - 1tsp
• Oregano ( optional )     - 1tsp
• Garlic     - 2 cloves
• Olive Oil     - 3 Tbsp
• Lemon Juice     -  1 Tbsp
• Water for boiling      - 4 Quart

1. Boil Water along with little Salt and Oil.
2. Add the Pasta and cook for 10 mins and drain.
3. Chop the Vegetable into small cubes and mince the Garlic .
4. In a big pot add 3 Tbsp of Oil. Add the chopped Vegetables and Garlic.
5. Add Salt , Pepper, Oregano along with the chopped Spring Onions and saute for 5mins, till the vegetables are crunchy cooked. 
6. Add the Pasta and Lemon Juice and mix well. Taste and add more Olive Oil or Lemon Juice or salt if required.

Tip : Serve as a side dish with Grilled Chicken or Fish. Chicken can be added to this recipe after grilling to give it more flavor.