Green Peas, Potatoes Cooked with Cauliflower (Matar Aloo Gobhi) (No Onion-Garlic)

Winter Vegetarian Main Course Special
Punjabi/Uttar Pradesh Cuisine

Green Peas, Potatoes Cooked with Cauliflower (Matar Aloo Gobhi) (No Onion-Garlic)
Serves 3-4

Popular North Indian Preparation 

Ingredients:
Potatoes- 3 No’s, cut in Cubes

Cauliflower- 1 Medium, cut in Big Florets
Green Peas- 50 Grams/4 Tbsp., Boiled

Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- 2 Tbsp.

Cumin Seeds (Jeera)- 1 Tsp.

Ginger- 2 Inch Piece, cut in Strips

Green Chillies- 3, Slit

Salt- To Taste

Turmeric Powder (Haldi)- ½ Tsp.

Red Chilli Powder (Kuti Lal Mirch) – ½ Tsp.

Coriander Powder (Dhaniya Powder)- 1-1/2 Tsp.

Garam Masala- ½ Tsp.

Fresh Coriander Leaves- 3 Tbsp., Finely Chopped

Method:
Wash, Peel & Cube Potatoes into 1 Inch pieces

Wash, cut into Big Florets removing stems and soak these in Hot Boiling Water (with Turmeric Powder & Salt)

In a large Non-stick Wok/Pan, heat the Oil on Medium Flame

Add Cumin Seeds and Sauté till they crackle

Add Ginger, Green Chillies, Turmeric Powder and Sauté

Add Potatoes, Cauliflower, Salt and cover to cook in their own steam on low Heat

Extra Water should be avoided as this is a Dry Vegetable preparation, so keep on checking in between so the Vegetables stay intact and don’t stick to the bottom

In about 10 minutes, add Red Chili Powder, Coriander Powder, Cumin Powder and mix well

Cook till Vegetables are tender but not mushy

Sprinkle Garam Masala, Garnish with Fresh Coriander and serve hot with Phulkas!

Tips:

Trust me, as there a lot of variations in this dish, we try to make it Delhi style without Onions and Peas

Just by mixing 100-200 Grams of Boiled Peas in here gets a fresh colorful look while adding a punch of Nutrition

Cauliflower can be added after deep frying till it’s about 60-70% done or as florets directly

Frozen Cauliflower florets can be used if this dish needs to be prepared in less time, just remember not to thaw them but use them as it is in the recipe

Ghee was and is still used in Indian Cuisine for the authentic taste but to maintain a healthy balance in this dish as well, equal quantity of Olive Oil and Ghee can be used

Keep cubed Potatoes in Cold Water immediately to prevent discoloration. Drain the water and dry them with Paper towel just before usage
Frying Potatoes till Golden brown before adding Cauliflower gets in a different taste all together

Pinch of Kitchen King Masala works too in case Garam Masala isn’t available


Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)

Egg less Whole Wheat Bread Pudding

International Egg less Breakfast Special
International Egg less Snack Special

Egg less Whole Wheat Bread Pudding

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Whole Wheat Bread Slices- 4

Milk- 220 ml or 1 Cup

Sugar- 4 Tbsp.

Butter- 2 Tsp.

Cherries, Tutti Frutti, Chocolate Syrup- For Garnish 

Method:

Toast the Bread in a Pop Up Toaster or on a Flat Non Stick Tawa

Spread Butter and sprinkle the Sugar evenly on top

Roast the Bread again on a Non Stick Flat Griddle (Tawa) or

Microwave it for 30 Seconds

The Sugar and Butter mixture will properly mix and should get absorbed into the bread

Boil Milk and add some Sugar to it

Stack the Bread Slices in a container and pour the Milk on top

Pour the Milk gradually so that it is absorbed by the Bread

Garnish with Cherries and Chocolate Syrup

Keep the dish in the Freezer and Serve Chilled!

Tips:

Can use Multi Grain Bread as well

Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)

Non Alcoholic Instant Plum Cake

International Dessert Special
Winter Festive Season Baking Special
Non Alcoholic Instant Plum Cake
Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

Eggs- 4 No's

Unsalted Butter/White Butter- 200 grams

Refined Flour (Maida)- 200 grams

Brown Sugar- 200 grams, finely ground for Castor Sugar

Spice Mixture- 1 Tbsp (1/4^th Tsp. each of Cinnamon Powder, Nutmeg Powder, Dry Ginger Powder and Clove Powder)

Assorted Mixture of Dry Fruits (Chopped Walnuts, Almonds, Cashew, Raisins, Dates, Cherries) & Tutti Frutti- 100 Grams 

Baking Powder- 1/2 Tsp.

Pure Vanilla Essence/Extract- 1 Tsp.

Process:

- Preheat the Electric Oven (the old style Aluminium ones we prefer for our Soft Cakes!) at 360 degrees Celsius/set the Microwave (Convection) at 180 degrees Celsius for 10-15 minutes

- Gently coat the Dry Fruits (Cashew, Cherries, Tutti Frutti) with Refined Flour and keep aside

- Finely grind the Spice Mixture and keep aside

- Sieve the Flour and Baking powder together in a bowl and keep aside

- Separate the Egg whites from the Egg yolks and keep the yolks aside

- In a bowl, beat the Egg whites till a foamy texture appears

- Add the Egg yolks gradually one after the other to the Egg white mixture and beat the mixture

- Add the Castor sugar to the Egg mixture and beat it till the Sugar blends well with the Eggs

- Add Butter to the mixture and beat the whole mixture well

- Slowly add the Flour mixture to the Eggs and mix well with a spatula

- Slowly add the Dry Fruits mixture in the batter and mix well

- Add the Vanilla Essence to the prepared Batter

- Pour the batter in a greased Cake Container (Aluminum/Silicon Mould) and set to bake in the preheated oven

- After the Cake color turns Golden brown, check to see if an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

- Our Baked Delight is ready to be taken out to cool and then cut in desired shapes :)!! 

Tips:

-          Use this Instant Non Alcoholic version for your pregnant friends (their sudden cravings) and the Teetotaler!

-          Traditional recipes mostly use Caramelized Sugar to get the desired color

-          Few secret recipes also use Orange Juice towards the end

       Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)

Rice & Vegetables Cooked in Exotic Spices (Lucknowi/Awadhi Biryani)

Indian Vegetarian Main Course Special

Lucknowi/Awadhi Cuisine

Basmati Rice & Assorted Vegetables Cooked in Spices (Lucknowi Biryani)

Vegetarian Variation of the Classic Biryani/Pulao

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:
Basmati Rice- 2 Cups

mix of Pure Ghee & Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil- 1 Tbsp. each

Bayleaf- 2 No’s

Star Anise (Chakra Phool)- 1 No.

Black Cardamon (Badi Elaichi)- 3 No’s

Green Cardamon (Choti Elaichi)- 2 No’s

Cinammon Stick (Dalchini)- 1 Inch stick

Cloves (Laung)- 3 No’s

Black Peppercorns (Kali Mirch)- 2-3 No’s

Black Cumin (Shahi Jeera)/Cumin Seeds (Jeera)- ¼ Tsp.

Roopak Stores Biryani/Pulao Masala- ¼ Tsp., Roughly Pounded

Onion- 3 Medium, 1- ½ Finely Chopped & 1- ½ Thinly Sliced

Potatoes- 1 Medium, Finely Chopped

Red Bell Pepper- 1 Medium, Finely Chopped

Yellow Bell Pepper- 1 Medium, Finely Chopped

Green Peas- 2 Tbsp., Parboiled

Carrot- 2 Tbsp., Finely Chopped & Parboiled

Fresh Coriander Leaves (Dhaniya Patta)- 2 Tbsp.

Fresh Mint Leaves (Pudina Patta)- 1 Tbsp. (Optional)

Cashwewnuts- 7-8 No’s, Fried till Golden

Raisin- 7-8 No’s, Fried till Golden

Method:

Wash and Soak the Rice for at least ½ Hour

Roast Onion slices till golden brown and keep the Crispy Fried Onions aside

Add Ghee and Olive Oil in a Deep Non Stick Pot

Slightly roast Bayleaf, Star Anise, Black Cardamon, Green Cardamon, Cinammon Stick, Cloves, Black Peppercorns & Black Cumin till they release aroma

Add Chopped Onions, Green Chilli

Add Potato, Parboiled Green Peas, Carrot, Beetroot and Sauté

Add Rice and mix well

Add all 3 varieties of Bell peppers and sauté

Add Saffron infused milk and mix well

Add Fresh Mint Leaves, Coriander and Garam Masala Powder

Add Vegetable Stock, Water, Salt and keep it covered (or on 'Dum' with Whole Wheat Dough (Atta) rolled over the Pot cover) till Rice and Vegetables cook

Garnish with Dry Fruits and Serve hot with Flavoured Vegetable Yoghurt (Raita), thick set Curd or enjoy it just like it is!

Tips:

If the Biryani Rice is pre-soaked, then the Rice: Water Ratio should be 1: ½ unlike the usual 1:2 for raw rice

If preferred, 1 medium finely chopped Tomato can be added

Roopak Stores (Delhi) has a roughly pounded Biryani/Pulao Masala which can be used if the whole spices are not available.

Can add Beetroot- 1 Tbsp., Finely Chopped & Parboiled along with the other Vegetables to give a Varied Colour effect

Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)

Egg Less Tiramisu

International Eggless Desserts Special 
Italian Cuisine
Egg Less Tiramisu
Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients:
Curd- 400 Grams
Fresh Cream- 100 ml (1 Pack of Amul Fresh Cream)
Milk- 250 ml
Weikfield Custard Powder- 2 Tbsp.
Sugar- 9 Tbsp.
Sponge Cake- 200gms (Egg less Sponge Cake)
Grape Juice- 50 ml
Espresso Coffee- 1 Cup
Cocoa Powder- For Dusting


Method:
- Hang the Curd in Muslin Cloth for 3 to 4 hours till most Water is drained out

- To this Hardened Curd, add 3 Tbsp. of Sugar and whisk it till the Sugar has mixed properly


- Prepare Custard with 250 ml of Milk and 2 Tbsp. of Custard Powder

- We will be using Double the recommended quantity of Custard Powder for Tiramisu


For Custard:
- Bring 200 ml of Milk to boil, in another cup mix the remaining 50 ml Cold Milk with 2 Tbsp. of Custard Powder and mix properly
- Add 3 Tbsp. of Sugar and the Custard Powder mix to the Boiling Milk, keep stirring Milk during this process
- Bring the Custard to boil
Turn it off, and let it cool

For Whipped Cream:
- Pour 100 ml of Fresh Cream and 3 Tbsp. of Sugar in another bowl
- Whisk it properly till a Fluffy Whipped Cream is formed

At this Point, we will make our Cake Base:
- You can read my earlier Blog on how to make a Sponge Cake
 - What I will be using here is an Egg less version of the same

For Coffee:
- Mix 1 Tsp. Instant Coffee Powder in 1 Cup of Warm Water (For this Recipe Stronger Coffee would needed so we use more Powder)

- Mix this Coffee with Grape Juice to make our Coffee Mix

- Now mix the Whipped Curd, Whipped Cream, Custard and mix it properly
- At this point, we would add a Third of the Coffee Mix to it as well

- Cut the Egg Less Sponge Cake into Thin Slices Horizontally
- Lay Half of these Slices in a Square Bowl and with a Spoon pour the Coffee Mix gently (Only use a Third of the Coffee Mix)
- Layer the Cake Slices with half of the Whipped Mix. Layer it with Cake again and Add the remaining of Coffee Mix
- Top it with the remaining Whipped Mix
- Dust the Tiramisu with Cocoa Powder with a Tea Strainer

- Keep the Dish Refrigerated for at least 8 Hours

- Enjoy the Eggless version of you Tiramisu :)!

Tips:

You can use Wine or Non Alcoholic Wine for a better taste but we have used Grape Juice here for Egg Less as well as Non Alcoholic version

Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)

Quick Microwave Sandesh

International Egg less Desserts Special

Bengali/Oriya Cuisine

Quick Microwave Sandesh

Ingredients:

Cottage Cheese (Chenna)- 1 Cup

Sugar- 1-½ Tbsp.

Vanilla Essence

Cherries- To Garnish

Chopped Dry Fruits- To Garnish

Saffron (soaked in warm Milk)- To Garnish

Method:

- Take 1 Cup of Cottage Cheese or Chenna in a microwave bowl and microwave it for 1 minute.

- Make sure that Chenna is fresh. This will cause excess of water to accumulate on side.

- Take a spoon and gently press the warm Chenna to remove the excess water.

- Add 1-½ Tbsp of Sugar and a drop of Vanilla Essence to the Chenna.

- Mix it well and microwave again for about 1 minute.

- The Sugar should have melted by now.

- Place the hot mixture in a plate, and try to remove any excess water with a spoon or spatula.

- Crush the mixture properly to remove any lumps. 

- Divide the mixture into 4 pieces. 

- Wet your hands, and make soft balls gently.

- Garnish the Sandesh with Cherries, Nuts or Saffron.

- Sandesh will be ready in less than 10 minutes. Serve chilled.

Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)

Fresh Fruit Salad

Vegetarian Salad Special 

Fresh Fruit Salad

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Apple- 1- 1/2 Cup

Grapes- 1/2 Cup

Pomegranate- 1/2 Cup

Lettuce- 2 Cups

Purple Cabbage- 1/2 Cup

Black Olives- 4 No's

For Dressing:

Lemon Juice- 1 Tbsp.

Salad Dressing-  1 Tbsp.

Vanilla Ice Cream- 2 Tbsp.

Dry Fruits (Walnuts, Pistachios, Raisins)- Finely Sliced

Red Cherries

Garlic Bread/ Whole Wheat Toast- To Serve with Salad

Method:

Cut Apple, Lettuce and Purple Cabbage into Finely Diced Pieces

Slit the Grapes into two from centre.

Cut Olives into Small pieces & Mix it with 2 Tbsp. of Vanilla Ice Cream

Leave it for about 8 Minutes

Mix Apple, Grapes, Pomegranate, Lettuce, Purple Cabbage with 1 Tbsp. of Lemon Juice and any Salad Dressing of Choice

Add Olives with Vanilla Ice Cream & Mix well

Place the Salad in a Colorful Bowl of Choice, Garnish it with the Finely Sliced Nuts and Cherries.
Serve the Salad Fresh with hot Garlic Bread or Toast.

Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)

Guilt-Free Apple Shake

Guilt-Free Apple Shake

Ingredients:

Fresh Milk- 1 Glass
Apple- 1/2 cup, Peeled and Cut into Cubes
Sugar Free Natura- 2 Drops
Ice Cubes

Chocolate Syrup & Wafers- For Garnish

Method:
Blend Milk, Apple and Ice Cubes along with Sugar Free Natura so that the apple pieces are blended smoothly


Add some Chocolate Syrup on the sides of your Serving Glass and pour in your Milk Shake

Add a Wafer on top

Enjoy this Simple, Nice, Refreshing, Low Calorie drink with your Loved Ones!

Tips:
You can also use Boiled Milk, but you will get a Good Froth with Fresh Milk



Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)