Whats Cooking!!!!

Now there can never be a 4th July party with out some yummy cold drinks. But not all my friends prefer drinking and every time we have a party I feel they are deprived of the yummy taste of the drinks.  So this time I decided to make a lemonade that would solve the problem for both the groups. The ones who prefer little alcohol can add there preferred alcohol and the non-alcholics can still enjoy the taste without breaking their principals. And I can serve everybody the same drink and adhere to my theme :) This is my 3rd post towards 4th July Weekend. Ingredients: water: 3  cups superfine sugar or granulated sugar: 3  cups lemons: 8 oranges: 3   limes: 3   fresh mint sprigs: 10  to 12 (optional) Lemon, orange and lime slices and/or thin Water, chilled Ice Cubes Vodka, gin, white rum or tequila: for the alcholic version Lemon slices : for garnish Small mint sprigs: for garnish Procedure: For sugar syrup: In a large saucepan, heat and stir the water and sugar ove

Now what can be more American than the good old, mouth watering french fries.   Even though it originated in Belgium and its name itself has French in it, some how french fries are like an integral part of any American food joints. You go to McDonalds, JIB or Chili's, you would get fries every where. You order sandwich you would get fries, you order burgers you would get fries. So even though it was not born in America its quite American. Here is my second entry for 4th of July. Ingredients: Russet Potatoes: 2 large Corn Starch: 2 tsp Salt: 1 tsp Oil: for deep frying Procedure: Heat the oil for frying. Peel and cut the potatoes into 1/4 inch wide strips. Soak the potatoes in salt water for about 10 minutes Drain and pat dry the potatoes. Sprinkle corn flour and mix well. Fry the potatoes in the oil till it turns golden brown all over. Remove from heat and serve immediately with your favorite sandwich, burger or just enjoy with sauce and soft drink :)   For me

4th of July is around the corner so I decided to make as many all American dishes as I can. I know this year its not a long weekend and that has put a dent in everybody's annual long weekend plans. But still we all can have fun with our friends and family with some great food and good old American style BBQ :) So here goes my first dedication to 4th July weekend. Ingredients: boneless, skinless chicken breast halves: 1  pound  fine dry bread crumbs: 1/4  cup chili powder: 1  tablespoon ground black pepper: 1/2  teaspoon salt: 1/4  teaspoon margarine or butter, melted: 2  tablespoons wooden skewers:   6-inch Procedure: Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes.  Combine crumbs, chili powder, black pepper, and salt in a shallow dish. Cut chicken into strips wash and pat dry. Thread the chicken strips onto skewers.  Brush chicken strips with melted margarine or butter. Roll in crumb mixture. Place chicken skewers in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet.  Ba

Pav Bhaji is a fast food dish that originated in Marathi cuisine. It is native to Maharashtra and is popular in most metropolitan areas in India, especially in those of central and western Indian states. Pav in Marathi means a small loaf of bread.  Bhaji in Marathi means vegetable dish. Pav bhaji consists of bhaji (a thick potato-based curry) garnished with coriander, chopped onion and a dash of lemon and baked pav.  Ingredients: Carrot: 1 large cubed Potatoes: 2 medium cubed Capsicum: 1 chopped Cauliflower florets:1 cup chop French beans:8-10 string and chop Green peas: 1/4 cup  Onions:2 finely chopped Green chilies: 2 slit length wise Ginger-garlic:1 tbsp  paste Turmeric pwd: 1/4 tbsp  Red chilli pwd: 1/2 tbsp  Pav Bhaji Masala: 1 1/2 tbsps  Sugar (adjust): 3/4 tsp  Salt to taste Tomatoes:2 medium finely chopped Lemon juice: 1 tbsp  Low fat butter: 1 tbsp  Fresh coriander leaves for garnish Oil: 1 1/2 tbsps  Pav bread: 16 lightly toasted in butter Procedure

Now there is nothing more delicious and easy to make than aloo dum. It can be enjoyed with rice, rooti,  paratha, poori you name it and you got it :) My 2 favorite ways are one to serve it with dahi vada as chat and the other one is with plain white rice. Ingredients: Potatoes: 2 large boiled Tomato: 1 large finely chopped Onion: 1 Medium  Onion: 1 small finally chopped Ginger : 1 inch Garlic: 6-8 cloves Cardamon : 2 Cinnamon: 1/2 inch stick Bay Leaves: 2 Turmeric Powder: 1 tbsp Red Chilli Powder: 2 tbsp Cumin Powder: 2 tbsp Coriander Powder: 1 tbsp Slat as per taste Oil: 2 tsp Procedure: Make a fine paste of ginger, garlic and medium onion Peel and break (don't mash they, just break into uneven pieces) the boiled potatoes, sprinkle 3/4 tsp of turmeric powder on the peeled potatoes and mix. You can skip breaking them up if using small baby potatoes. In a pan heat oil and fry the potatoes till golden brown and remove from heat. In a kadhai or

Uttapam or ooththappam is a dosa-like dish made by cooking ingredients in a batter. Unlike a dosa, which is crisp and crepe-like, uttapam is a thick pancake, with toppings cooked  right into the batter. Ingredients: Dosa batter Onion: 1 medium thinly sliced Tomato: 1 medium chopped Green chilli: 4 chopped Curry leaves: 1 spring Mustard seeds: 1/2 tsp Red chilli powder: 1/2 tsp Black Salt: 1 tsp Oil: 1 tsp Procedure: Heat a tawa. Add 1/2 tsp of oil. Add half of the mustard seeds to the oil. Once it stops spluttering add half of the chopped green chili, half of the onion and half of the curry leaves. Add a pinch of salt and cook for 30 sec. Add half of the chopped tomato and cook for another 30 sec. Pour 1/2 cup of dosa batter spreading evenly. Sprinkle pinch of salt and half of the red chilli powder on top of the batter. Cover and cook for 1-2 minutes or till the batter seems to be cooked. Flip the uttapam and cook for another 1-2 mins. Remove and serve it h

There is nothing more continent and easy to make than a quick egg masala. I always have boiled eggs in the freeze as Tanmaya prefers sliced eggs in his salad for lunch and it always comes handy in case we need a quick snack or stir in a quick dish. So here is my take on egg masala. Ingredients Eggs - 5 Boiled Onion - 2.5, medium-sized thinly sliced Tomato - 1 medium finely chopped Ginger - 1 tbsp finely chopped Garlic - 1 tbsp finely chopped Green chillies - 4 slit Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp Chilly powder -  2 tsp Coriander powder – 1 tsp Pepper powder - 1/4 tsp Garam masala powder – 1/2  tsp Curry leaves - 1 sprig Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp Salt - To taste Oil – 1.5 - 2 tbsp Cilantro - 2 tbsp chopped, to garnish (Optional) Procedure Rinse the freshly boiled eggs under cold running water and remove their shells. Cut them into halves. Keep aside Heat 2 tbsp oil in a non-stick wide pan at medium heat and splutter the mustard seeds. Add  ginger,  garlic and green chi

The weather outside is beautiful, sunny and bright.  What is better than grilled food with friends and family with loads of summer fun near the pool or in a park.  I love getting out and about in such a beautiful weather and do some grilling. Here is a recipe that is great for both outdoor grilling at a park or as an appetizer for sit in dimmer party. Its easy, quick and delicious.  Ingredients: Shrimp: 2 pounds, tail on, peeled and deveined Tequila: 1/2 cup Lime Juice: 1/2cup Olive Oil: 1/4 cup Red onion: 1/2 medium Sliced Garlic: 4 cloves crushed Coriander Leaves: 1/2 tsp Salt: 1/2 tsp Pepper Powder : 1/2 tsp Procedures: We need bamboo skewers for this recipe, about 6-8. So go ahead and soak these skewers in water for 30mins before you start stringing the shrimp other wise it will burn. In the mean while combine all the ingredients except the shrimp in a glass bowl and stir. Add the shrimp to the marinade and let it marinate for 1 hr. String

There are so many of ways to prepare and enjoy dosa. Here goes one more. Generally plain egg dosa is prepared but I tried to add masala in order to make even more tempting and filling :) Ingredients: Dosa batter: 1/2 cup for each dosa Eggs: 1 for each dosa Masala : 2 tsp for each dosa Oil: 2 tsp Salt: as per taste Red chilli powder: 1 tsp Procedure: For dosa batter please see my masala dosa recipe blog. Heat a pan or griddle and add a little oil. Spread 1/2 cup batter on pan in circular motion to make dosa. The best thing about making dosa is, it lets you know when its done. In the mean while beat one egg with a pinch of salt and red chilli powder as per taste. Pour it in the dosa when it is still wet. With the help of a fork or spoon speed the egg across the When the dosa is done it will start lifting up from the edges. Carefully flip the dosa and let the egg cook through. At this point your egg dosa is done. You can serve it as it is. But

Raja is a unique festival of Orissa. It is celebrated for 3 days continuously, as Pahiliraja, Raja Sankranti and Bhuin daana. Young girls wear new clothes and put Alaktaka in their feet on the occasion.  Swings (  dolies or dolas )  are put into action for these three days. Celebration of raja is one of the oldest tradition of Orissa. It is celebrated in the month of June and its the best time for friends and families to get together. As a kid we would visit my grandparents during summer vacation and conveniently Raja falls in the same time. Meeting all our cousins after almost a year, wearing new clothes, playing on the swings in the mango gardens and enjoying great food were the main attractions. The most important dish of raja festival is Poda Pitha. As today is pahili raja I decided to make one for me and Tanmaya. Ingredients:  Rice Flour: 1 cup Suji: 1 cup Water: 3 cups Milk: 1 cup Curd: 1/2 cup Grated Coconut: 1/2 Cup Jaggery/Sugar: 1 cup (adjust to your taste) B

Dal is really good for health and is good source of protein for specially vegetarians. If you are trying to cut down on those extra few carbs then try to add a bowl of dal to your meal. It fills you up and keeps you full for longer. Dal is an integral part of Indian meal. In some states just dal chawal is considered as  the comfort food.  Dal fry is  a north Indian take on Dal that can be enjoyed with root or naan. Ingredients:  Dal: 1 cup  Tomato: 1 small  Onion: 1 small finely chopped Ginger Garlic paste: 2 tsp Green Chilli: 2-3 slit Turmeric 1/2 tsp Red chili powder: 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds: 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds: 1/2 tsp Whole red chili: 2 Garam MAsala Powder: 1/2tsp Coriander leaves: 1 tsp finely chopped  Salt as per taste Oil: 2 tsp water: 2cups Procedure: In a pressure cooker, cook the dal with 2 cups of water, tomato and salt to taste, till the dal is cooked. It would take 1-2 whistles and let the pressure release on its own. Then remove the lead and with

Chicken Pakoda is a great appetizer and people who enjoy a drink or two for them its a great side to go with that patiyala pack :) Ingredients:  Boneless chicken: 1 lb  cut into small pieces Ginger Garlic Paste: 1 ½ tsp Chili Powder:  1 tbsp (adjust to your taste)  Garam Masala Powder: 1 tsp   Coriander Powder: 1 ½ tsp  Turmeric powder: ½ tsp  Salt to taste Lime Juice: 1 tsp Onion: 1 small chopped  Green Chillies: 4-5 chopped  Mint Leaves: 10 – 12 chopped  Cilantro: ¼ cup  chopped  Besan/Bengal Gram Flour: 2 tbsp  Corn flour: 1 tsp   1 Egg  Oil for deep fry  Procedure:  Mix all the ingredients except oil to make a batter.  Marinate for at least 30 minutes.  Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the chicken pieces on medium – medium high flame.  When pakodas turn golder brown, remove from oil, drain on a paper towel.  Serve hot with any sauce of your choice. I hope you enjoy it as much as my friends did and do let me know Till then Happy Blogging Rakhee

Any body who knows me knows that  I don't drink tea and always prefer coffee over tea. But I read some where tea is really good for health and specially when taken dark that is without any milk, so for a person who does not drink regular tea its even difficult to drink tea without milk, so I tried to give a shot to iced tea and even though it did not change my opinion regarding tea but would surely love to share the recipe with my dear readers who love to drink tea. Ingredients: Water: 3 cups Tea Leaves: 1 tbsp Mint Leaves: 4 tbsp Iced Water: 3 cups Lemon Juice: 3 lemons Honey: to taste Ice Cubes Fresh Mint Leaves : for garnishing Procedure: Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan and remove from heat. Add tea leaves  and mint leaves. Cover the pot and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea leaves and mint leaves by straining through a strainer. Stir in honey or sugar (about 1/2 cup) until dissolved.  Add ice water and lemon or lime juice.  Stir well and pour

As I have mentioned Tanmaya is on a health kick and prefers eating mostly grilled chicken and salad so boneless chicken is abundantly available to my disposal :) So I keep experimenting with it. One of my friends Divya used to get pulled chicken sandwich for lunch and I wanted to give it a try. So here we go. Ingredients: Chicken Breast: 2  Onion: 1 medium finely chopped Ginger garlic Paste: 2 tsp Green Chili: 2 slit Tomato: 1 medium finely chopped Salt as per taste Turmeric Powder: 1 tsp Red chili powder: 1 tsp Coriander Powder: 1/2 tsp Chicken curry masala: 1/4 tsp Vegetable/chicken stock: 1/2 cup Oil: 2 tsp Water: 1 cup Procedure: In a pressure cooker cook the chicken breasts along with water till 1 whistle. Let the pressure release automatically. In a pan heat oil add finely chopped onion and green chili along with a pinch of salt. Let it cook stirring in between till the onions turn transparent. Add red chili powder and cook for a noter minute or so. Ad

Grilled cheese sandwich is soothing everybody enjoys starting from kids to adults.  So here is my take on grilled cheese with egg. Ingredients: Whole Egg: 3 Bread slices: 4 Choose bread of your choice Tomato: 4 slices Lettuce: 2 leaves Cheese Slice: 2 Salt as per taste Pepper as per taste Oil 2 tsp Procedure: In a bowl bit 2 eggs with salt and pepper to taste. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan and make a simple omelet. Divide the omelet into half. To the bread slice apply a thin layer of butter/spread. Place one lettuce leaf top it up with 2 tomato slices, one half of the omelet and one slice of cheese and finally another slice of bread. In a bowl beat the last egg with slight salt and pepper. Heat rest of the oil in the pan. Now its time to get your hands dirty ;) Dip the sandwich in the beaten egg and place it on the pan. Let it turn golden on one side and turn it over. Let it cook on both sides and turn golden. Prepare the other sandwich similarly. Serve it h