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...

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 :)   F...

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 ...

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 ...

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 kadha...

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 ...

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,  g...