Tag: good food

  • To Eat or Not To Eat

    To Eat or Not To Eat

    “TO BE, OR NOT TO BE? THAT IS THE QUESTION- ”

    – William Shakespeare, Hamlet ( Act 3 scene i)

    Tweaking the above mentioned famous quote, in reference to our food fetishes, – ‘to eat, or not to eat? That is the question-’.

    A friend of mine recently lost 16 kilos (yes, you read that right) in about 3 and a half months. No fitness centre. No gym. She followed a diet -the G.M.’s diet which is readily available on the net (go on GOOGLE it) and a daily jogging regime. I remember her saying that the amount of pep talk she had to give herself in order to follow through and not eat the junk food that she had been gorging on all these years was tough but doable. At the end of the day, you have to make a decision – to eat or not to eat (the junk). You either live to eat or eat to live. For most of us, it is the latter but a fair half would raise their hand to the former belly-rubbing with a wide innocent grin. Well, it happens. Food does get the better of us.

    I know that because I have been on and off diets since… since… I really don’t remember when but it was a long long time ago. It is difficult to stick to your goal. But excuses apart, it is very doable to take baby steps or baby baby steps and choosing a healthier way of living, eating and rocking the world.

    For example, why not order a filling salad when you snack out instead of loading your plate with high-calorie high-in-fat food? That would be a baby baby step.

     

    Sesame Chicken Breast Salad

    sesame-chicken_0

    Time: 15 minutes

    Serves: 2

    Ingredients: 2 skinless chicken breasts, 85g of frozen soya beans, a small handful Thai or ordinary basil leaves (should be chopped if large), 85g herb or baby salad leaves, 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 large carrot (finely cut into very thin matchsticks), 4 spring onions (finely sliced), 140g cherry tomatoes (halved), small bunch coriander (chopped)

    Dressing ingredients:grated zest and juice 1 small lime, 1 tsp fish sauce, 2 tsp sweet chilli sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil

    Directions: Firstly, put the chicken breasts in a pan and pour cold water over it to cover. Secondly, tip the soya beans into a steamer. Bring the pan to a gentle simmer, and then cook the chicken breasts for 8 minutes with the beans above.Meanwhile, your third step should be to mix the dressing ingredients in a large bowl. Fourthly, when the chicken is cooked, slice and toss in the dressing along with the beans, carrot, onions, tomatoes, coriander and basil. Mix really well, pile onto the salad leaves and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

     

    Tuna Bean and Fennel Salad

    tuna-salad

    Time: 10 minutes

    Serves: 2

    Ingredients:zest ½ lemon and 1 tbsp juice, 1 tsp wholegrain mustard, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, a 400g can of cannellini beans (should be drained and rinsed), ½ small fennel bulb (should be thinly shaved), ½ cucumber (should be peeled into ribbons), a 160g can of good-quality tuna in spring water (drained), 1 heaped tbsp pumpkin seeds, small bunch dill (should be roughly chopped), small bunch parsley (leaves should be roughly chopped)

    Directions: Firstly, to make a dressing, put the lemon zest and juice, mustard, olive oil and some seasoning in a jam or jelly jar and shake well. Secondly, tip the beans into a bowl, pour over the dressing and stir. Thirdly, add the dill and parsley leaves, fennel and cucumber, then flake the tuna into large pieces and fold through. Spoon the salad onto small plates. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds on the top. It is ready to serve.

     

    Whenever I go to the British Council Library, I usually stack up that week’s load of food magazines. Going through the GoodFood magazines helped me to simplify my cooking process in immeasurable ways. It categorizes recipes into low-fat, low-calorie, easy to cook, vegetarian, moderately hard to cook, gluten free, etc. For a foodaholic like me, it makes 50% of my work easier as I merely give a quick glance and select the healthier options. And in a few minutes or so, my alternative healthy snack is ready. This is where the baby step comes in.

    On days when you call it a day in, instead of ordering a home delivered pizza why not treat yourself and cook up a nutritious meal with the minimum ingredients in your refrigerator?

     

    Chicken and Okra

     chicken

    Time: 30 minutes

    Serves: 4

    Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil, 500g skinless and boneless chicken thighs (cut into chunks), 100g okra (should be cut into 2cm rounds), 1 onion (should be chopped), 1 green pepper (should be deseeded and chopped), 3 celery sticks (should be finely chopped), 1 garlic clove (should be finely chopped), ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 heaped tbsp plain flour, a 400g can of chopped tomatoes, 400ml chicken stock, small handful sage (leaves should be chopped) 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf

    Directions: Firstly, heat the oil in a large pan over a medium high heat. Secondly, add the chicken and cook in batches for about 5 minutes to brown all over. Remove the chicken and set aside.Thirdly,add the onion, green pepper and celery to the pan, put on the lid and cook for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally until softened a little. Fourthly, stir in the garlic, spices, thyme and bay leaf and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Return the chicken and any juices to the pan with the flour. Stir. Fifthly, pour in the tomatoes and stock, and bring to the boil, cook for 5 minutes, then add the okra and half the sage. Turn down to a simmer, put on the lid and cook for 10 minutes. Season well. Serve.

     

    It really is up to you. You can either satisfy your fast food urges or go for the healthier alternatives. To eat, or not to eat? That is the question.

  • Food Walk – Part I

    Food Walk – Part I

    Photo Walk.

    Sure.

    But how many of you have heard of “FOOD WALK”?

     

    Food Walk (definition):

    You walk. You go places. You try out different delicacies. You eat, eat and eat.

    Your knowledge of food increases tenfold. Your waist-line – not so much, since you are literally walking the whole way and that makes up for all the calories you intake.

     

    Going around the city with my friends from college, I have learnt a great deal about my Kolkata and its food culture. We, more often, hit the old cabins of the yesteryears than the posh Park Street restaurants – because, well, we are students at the end of the day with just enough cash for our endeavors.

    One of the very first places we went to was Das Cabin, situated in Gariahat. We googled it’s speciality : Moghlai , Kosha Mangsho( Spiced Chicken/Mutton) with Roti and Kobiraji. And the foodies that we are, we ordered all three. The prices were quite reasonable and the food was impeccable. The Moghlai was small and soft with a considerable amount of filling. I would have to say I have had better – in South Pole, to be precise, which is also in Gariahat(Note: South Pole serves Moghlai only after 3 p.m.). The Kosha Mangsho was delicious and can give good competition to the one in the famous Golabari in Shyambazar. And the Kabirajio the kabiraji! – was crisp, made with the right amount of spice in the patty and with each bite, you could literally hear the angels sing.

     

    A try-at-home recipe –

     

    Fish Kobiraji

    fish_kabiraji

    Ingredients: 10 bhetki fillets, ½ tsp mustard powder, ½ tsp black pepper powder, 1 tsp red chili powder, 1 tsp coriander and mint leaves (chopped), 10 Eggs, 2 tbsp cornflour, 2 tsp Breadcrumbs (optional), Juice of one lemon, Salt

    Direction: Wash the bekti fillet under running water, pat them dry and soak in salt and lemon juice for 20 minutes. Mix the mustard powder, red chili powder, black pepper powder, coriander and mint leaves together and apply on the each side of the fillets evenly and refrigerate it for another 20 minutes. Beat the eggs and mix the cornflour, breadcrumbs with salt. Heat some oil in a pan and add two tablespoons of egg mixture. As soon as it becomes fluffy add the marinated fish fillet and quickly cover it with the egg mixture. Fry on low to Medium heat till done. Serve hot with kasundi (Bengali mustard sauce) and salad.

     

    Another day, we decided to walk from Presidency University to New Market, from there to Sudder Street and thereby, in the end, landing up in Park Street. If you walk to the right of Presidency University, a little near College Square, you will find a tiny old cabin reminiscing its old world charms. Favourite Cabin is a cabin which has tales etched in all its nooks and corners; oft frequented by the older generation, it felt amazing to sit there, the only people below 55, sipping 3-rupees-milk-tea, biting into crunchy Cream Roll and observing the theatric conversations buzzing around us.

    Sudder Street, however shady it may be, has quite a few good food places – Blue Sky Café and Spanish Café being the most popular ones. I’m yet to visit Blue Sky Café but having chanced upon Spanish Café, I got to say it serves reasonably priced and yummilicious food. Their Café Bombon is a must-have! The Chocolate Pancake is simply a piece of ambrosia. The Mint Tea is refreshing – the way you feel when you hear Richard Stoltzman’s The Maid With Flaxen Hair. In short, you absolutely must try them!

     

    Here are the home-made alternatives –

     

    Chocolate Pancake

    Chocolate_Pancake

    Ingredients: 1 cup refined flour (maida), 3 tbsp chocolate grated, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, ½ tsp  soda, 1 cup Milk, 2 tbsp butter melted, 1 egg, ¼ cup  sugar, ½ tsp salt, Castor sugar (to sprinkle)

    Direction: Sieve together flour, baking soda, cocoa powder into a bowl. Add milk, melted butter, egg, sugar, salt and mix well. Heat the skillet and pour a ladleful of batter on the skillet and cook on both sides until brown. Serve hot sprinkled with caster sugar and grated chocolate on top.

     

    Mint Tea

    tea

    Ingredients: 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves (pudina), 2 tea bags or 2 tsp tea leaves, 2 and half cups of water (each cup being equal to 250 ml), milk, sugar (as per taste)

    Direction: Wash the mint leaves in water. In a tea pan or tea maker, add water. Add the mint leaves. Boil the water for 3-4 minutes till the flavors and aroma of the mint starts infusing in the water. The water will start becoming green. Let the quantity of green color in the water increase considerably. Add the tea leaves. Add sugar. Add milk and let the tea come to a boil. Serve the mint tea with light tea-time biscuits. If using tea bags, then put off the burner. In the hot water, dip the tea bags for 2-3 mins. Add sugar and hot milk. Stir and serve.

     

    (To be continued)

     

  • Eat Well All Week

    Eat Well All Week

    Health is Wealth. In this generation, where we literally swim in our love for fast food, it is pretty difficult to keep our health in check. The bulges keep peeping out. The health scares keep revisiting. But somehow, we still take the back seat. I’ll exercise later. I’ll eat healthy food from tomorrow.

     

    “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow”

    -William Shakespeare, Macbeth (Act 5 Scene v )

     

    Well, tomorrow never comes.

    It is quite understandable that, at first, the thought of “change” seems like a lot of work but with time, it will only do YOU good. It’s your choice, basically.

     

    Make one change per day. Eat one healthy meal.

    For a better you. For a better tomorrow.

     

    7 DAYS. 7 RECIPES.

     

    Monday Delights:

     

    Paprika Pork

     paprika pork1

    Time- 30 minutes

    Serves- 4

    Ingredients-1 tbsp olive oil, 2 onions, finely sliced, 400g pork fillets, trimmed of any fat, cut into thick strips, 250g pack mushrooms( sliced), 1½ tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp tomato purée, 200ml chicken stock, 100ml soured cream, egg noodles  (tagliatelle or rice, to serve)

     

    Directions- Heat the oil in a large pan, tip in the onions and cook for 10 mins until soft and golden. Add the pork and mushrooms and cook on a high heat for 3-4 mins until browned. Add the paprika and cook for 1 min more.Stir in the tomato purée, then pour on the stock and simmer for 5-8 minutes until the pork is cooked through. Finally, mix in the soured cream and some seasoning. Serve with egg noodles.

     

    Tuesday Bonanza:

     

    Basque Style Salmon Stew

    salmon stew

    Time- 35 minutes

    Serves- 4

    Ingredients- 1tbsp olive oil, 3 mixed peppers (deseeded and sliced), 1 large onion (thinly sliced), 400g baby potatoes (unpeeled and halved), 2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 garlic cloves ( sliced), 2 tsp dried thyme, 400g can chopped tomatoes, 4 salmon fillets, 1 tbsp chopped parsley

    Directions- Heat the oil in a large pan and add the peppers, onion and potatoes. Cook, stirring regularly for 5-8 mins until golden. Then add the paprika, garlic, thyme and tomatoes. Bring to the boil, stir and cover, then turn down heat and simmer for 12 mins. Add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick.Season the stew and lay the salmon on top, skin side down. Place the lid back on and simmer for another 8 mins until the salmon is cooked through. Scatter with parsley, if you like, and serve.

     

    Wednesday Treat:

     

    Super healthy Singapore Noodles

     singapore noodles

    Time- 30 minutes

    Serves- 4

    Ingredients- 3 nests medium egg noodles, 2 tbsp sunflower oil, 100g tenderstem broccoli (stems sliced at an angle), 1 red peppe (deseeded, quartered then cut into strips), 85g baby corn (quartered lengthways), 2 garlic cloves (shredded), 1 red chilli (deseeded and chopped), thumb-sized piece fresh ginger (peeled and finely chopped), 2 skinless chicken breasts (sliced), 100g shelled raw king prawns, 1 heaped tbsp madras curry paste, 2 tsp soy sauce, 100g beansprouts, 15g pack coriander (chopped),4 spring onions (shredded), lime wedges

    Directions- Pour boiling water over the noodles and leave to soften. Meanwhile, heat half the oil in a large non-stick wok and stir-fry all the vegetables, except the beansprouts and onions, with the garlic, chilli and ginger until softened. If the broccoli won’t soften, add a splash of water to the wok and cover to create some steam.Tip the veg on to a plate, add the rest of the oil to the wok then briefly stir-fry the chicken and prawns until just cooked. Set aside with the vegetables and add the curry paste to the pan. Stir-fry for a few secs then add 150ml water and the soy sauce. Allow to bubble then add the drained, softened noodles and beansprouts, and toss together to coat.Return the vegetables, chicken and prawns to the wok with the coriander and spring onions. Toss well over the heat and serve with lime wedges.

     

    Thursday Delicacy:

     

    Smoky Fishcakes with Oat Crumb

    fishcakes

    Time- 40 minutes

    Serves- 2

    Ingredients- 400g potatoes (peeled and cut into large chunks), 175g undyed smoked haddock, 2 spring onions (finely chopped), 4 tbsp tartar sauce, 85g whole oats, 1 egg (beaten), 2 tbsp sunflower oil

    Directions- Boil potatoes in salted water for 15 mins until tender, drain, then return to the pan. Mash quickly over a gentle heat until the potatoes become quite dry, then transfer to a large bowl. Put the fish in a microwave-proof dish with a couple of spoonfuls of water, cover with cling film, then cook on Medium for 2-3 mins until the fish flakes easily. Gently peel away the skin, then flake into the potatoes in large chunks.Mix in the spring onions, 2 tbsp of tartare sauce and some seasoning, then shape into 4 cakes. Briefly whizz the oats in a food processor until slightly crumbly-looking, then tip onto a plate. Dip the fish cakes into the egg, then into the oats to coat. Chill for 20 mins to firm up.Heat the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan, then fry the cakes for 5 mins on each side until golden and hot. Serve with the leftover tartare and a green salad.

     

    Friday @PartyFood:

     

    Chicken Pie

    chicken pie

    Time- 1 hour 15 minutes

    Serves- 4

    Ingredients- 450ml chicken stock, 100ml white wine, 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped), 3 thyme sprigs, 1 tarragon sprig (plus 1 tbsp chopped tarragon leaves), 225g carrots (cut into batons), 4 skinless chicken breasts, 225g leeks (sliced), 2 tbsp cornflour (mixed with 2 tbsp water), 3 tbsp crème fraîche, 1 heaped tsp Dijon mustard, 1 heaped tbsp chopped flat-leaf or curly parsley, 70g filo pastry, 1 tbsp rapeseed oil

    Directions- Pour the stock and wine into a large, wide frying pan. Add the garlic, thyme, tarragon sprig and carrots, bring to the boil then lower the heat and simmer for 3 mins. Lay the chicken in the stock, grind over some pepper, cover and simmer for 5 mins.

    Scatter the leek slices over the chicken, cover again then gently simmer for 10 more mins, so the leeks can steam while the chicken cooks. Remove from the heat and let the chicken sit in the stock for about 15 mins, so it keeps moist while cooling slightly.Strain the stock into a jug – you should have 500ml (if not, make up with water). Tip the chicken and veg into a 1.5 litre pie dish and discard the herb sprigs. Pour the stock back into the sauté pan, then slowly pour in the cornflour mix. Return the pan to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the crème fraîche, mustard, chopped tarragon and parsley. Season with pepper.

    Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.Tear or cut the chicken into chunky shreds. Pour the sauce over the chicken mixture, then stir everything together.Cut each sheet of filo into 4 squares or rectangles. Layer them on top of the filling, brushing each sheet with some of the oil as you go. Lightly scrunch up the filo so it doesn’t lie completely flat and tuck the edges into the sides of the dish, or lay them on the edges if the dish has a rim. Grind over a little pepper, place the dish on a baking sheet, then bake for 20-25 mins until the pastry is golden and the sauce is bubbling. Serve immediately.

     

     

    Saturday Special:

     

    Spicy Vegetable Egg Fried Rice

    egg fried rice

    Time- 30 minutes

    Serves- 4

    Ingredients- 200g basmati rice, 1-2 red chillies (deseeded and grated or very finely chopped), 3 garlic cloves (crushed), 1 tbsp sunflower oil, 2 large carrots (diced), 200g Chinese cabbage (finely sliced), 2 eggs (lightly beaten), 3 spring onions (sliced), 200g frozen peas, 1 tbsp soy sauce

    Directions- If making the rice from scratch, cook it following pack instructions, then drain. Mix the chillies and garlic (in a pestle and mortar, if you have one) with a pinch of salt, to make a paste.Heat oil in a wok or large frying pan on a medium – high heat. Add the carrots and stir-fry for 5 mins until tender. Add the cabbage and chilli paste and cook for 1 min more. Tip in the cooked basmati or leftover rice and stir-fry for 1 min until piping hot.Push the rice mixture to one side of the pan. Add the eggs to the cleared space and scramble until set. Mix in the onions, peas and soy and stir-fry everything together until the peas are hot.

     

     

    Sunday Feast:

     

    Baked Chicken Masala with Almond Pilaf

    baked chicken masala

    Time- 45 minutes

    Serves- 4

    Ingredients- 250g brown basmati rice, 2 heaped tsp turmeric, 5 tsp medium curry powder, 2 tbsp flaked almonds, 6 tbsp low-fat natural yogurt, 2 large skinless chicken breasts (cut into chunks), 8 medium tomatoes (halved), 2 large red onions (thinly sliced), ½ small bunch coriander (leaves picked)

    Directions- Heat oven to 220C. Put the rice in a saucepan with 600ml water, 1 heaped tsp turmeric, 1 tsp curry powder and some salt. Bring to the boil, stir, cover, turn heat to low and cook for 30 mins, or until tender. Try not to take the lid off during cooking. Remove from heat and leave covered for 5 mins. Add the almonds, and fluff with a fork.Meanwhile, mix 2 tsp curry powder, the remaining turmeric, 2 tbsp yogurt and seasoning. Add chicken and toss to coat.Toss the tomatoes and onions in a roasting tray with the rest of the curry powder, then nestle in the chicken pieces. Bake for 15-20 mins until the chicken is cooked through and the veg are soft. Scatter over the coriander and serve with the rice and remaining yogurt.

     

    Image and Recipe Courtesy: bbcgoodfood.com

     

     

  • For the Chicken Lovers: 5 MUST-have dishes!

    For the Chicken Lovers: 5 MUST-have dishes!

    I like my chicken roasted, smoked, curried, steamed, sandwiched, in gravy, in salad, in soup, basically, in any random form. The fact about chicken is that it can be prepared in a diverse number of ways. Either you can take your time and leisurely prepare a chicken dish in about 3 – 4 hours and have a perfect lunch or if you are running against time, you can land up with a neat chicken dish in even less than 30 minutes.

    That’s the way with chicken.

     

    So, here I am, showering all my love and dedicating this week’s article only to CHICKEN.

     

    Let the CHICKEN fiesta begin!

     

    Spicy Parmesan Chicken

    spicy-chicken-fingers_med

    Time: 25 minutes

    Serves: 2

    Ingredients:  6 chicken supremes

    For the marination –

    Salt and black pepper
    1 Tbsp minced garlic paste
    1 Tbsp red chilli flakes
    1 1/2 Tbsp flour
    For the Parmesan batter-

    1/2 cup cream
    4 Tbsp parmesan cheese (grated)
    1 egg
    Salt and pepper to taste
    Parsley
    1 grated nutmeg
    For Frying-

    4 Tbsp olive oil
    4 Tbsp butter
    For tomato chutney-
    1 cup cherry tomato
    1/2 onion
    1 green chilli
    Salt and pepper
    4 Tbsp olive oil
    4 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
    Chopped parsley

    Directions:

    For the marination-
    First take chicken pieces and marinate it with salt and pepper. Add garlic paste, red chilli flakes. Sprinkle some flour and let the chicken get marinated for few minutes.
    For parmesan batter-
    Take a bowl add some cream, grated Parmesan cheese and mix it well. Add a egg and blend the mixture well. Then add some salt, pepper for taste. Add fresh parsley leaves, grated nutmeg to the batter.
    For the frying-
    Dip the marinated chicken supremes in the batter. Take a pan and add olive oil, butter. Let it get heated for 2 minutes. Put the dipped chicken supremes for frying. Fry perfect.
    For tomato chutney-
    Take cherry tomatoes, onion, green chilli and put it in the mixer. Add some olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add fresh parsley leaves and blend it all together.

     

    Chicken Layonnaise

    Chicken-Layonnaise_med

    Time: 30 minutes

    Serves: 2

    Ingredients:

    200 gm chicken julienne
    100 gm butter
    50 gm onions
    10 gm garlic
    60 gm capsicum
    60 gm tomatoes
    3-4 black olives
    Spinach-boiled
    Sauteed potato
    Sauteed carrots
    sauteed beans-boiled
    sauteed 60 ml
    White Wine salt
    pepper-to taste

    Directions: Heat butter and saute onions and garlic for about a minute. Add chicken and quick fry on high heat until chicken gets a brown texture on the outside. Add capsicum and tomatoes and sauté for a minute. Then add the white wine and season with salt and pepper.  Add the black olives and serve with all the vegetables.

     

    Fried Chicken Roll

    chicken-roll_med

    Time: 40 minutes

    Serves: 10

    Ingredients:

    2 cups all purpose flour
    2 eggs white
    1 cup bread crumbs
    3 cups grated chicken
    1/2 tsp turmeric powder
    1/2 tsp pepper powder
    1 tsp chicken masala
    1 tsp chilli powder
    1 tsp coriander powder
    3 to 4 coriander leaves
    Salt to taste
    3 to 4 green chillies
    2 onions

    Directions: Mix all purpose flour with water and egg and make it like a batter. Spread  2 to 3 table spoons of batter on a frying pan and spread it like chapati till it becomes slightly hot. In another frying pan,heat oil and add onions and heat till it turns brown.  Add salt,chilli, chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, chicken masala. Then add the boiled and grated chicken to the mixture and stir well for abaout 5 to 10 minutes. Now add coriander leaves and keep aside. Roll the masala in the chapati and dip in egg white and breadcrumbs. Finally deep fry the rolls.

     

    Chicken Manchurian

    chicken-manchurian_med

    Time: 1 hour

    Serves: 3

    Ingredients:

    250 gm chicken mince
    2 eggs, slightly beaten
    3/4 cup refined flour
    1/2 tsp garlic paste
    1/2 tsp ginger paste
    Oil for deep frying
    2 Tbsp oil
    1 tsp finely chopped garlic
    1/2 cup finely chopped onions
    1 large capsicum-chopped fine
    For sauce, mix together –
    3 Tbsp corn flour-blended
    1/2 cup water
    2 Tbsp vinegar
    2 tsp salt
    2 tsp soya sauce
    1/2 cup tomato puree
    2 Tbsp chopped celery or 1/4 tsp celery salt
    2 cups water

    Directions: Mix together the chicken, egg, flour, garlic and ginger paste, ajino moto and enough water so as to have a thick batter. Leave this for 5-10 minutes. Heat the oil, keeping the heat high drop heaped teaspoonfuls of batter and fry to a golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper till required. Heat 2 Tbsp of oil, and stir-fry the garlic and onion in it over high heat, till the onions look glossy. Add the capsicum and turn around a few times. Add the sauce mixture, and simmer till the sauce thickens and becomes translucent. Add the fried balls, turn around a few times and serve.

     

    Dahi Chicken  (chicken cooked with curd)

    Dahi-Chicken_med

    Time: 1 hour

    Serves: 4

    Ingredients:

    1/2 kg boneless chicken (cut as you like it)
    2 1/2 cups yogurt
    1 tsp cumin / zeera powder
    1 tsp garlic paste
    1/2 tsp red chilli (rang) powder
    A little less than 1/4 tsp turmeric/haldi
    1/4 tsp garam masala
    Few slit green chillies
    2 onions, chopped
    1 tomato, chopped
    Coriander leaves to garnish
    2 tsp oil
    1 tsp salt

    Directions: Take the yogurt and mix in the cumin powder, garlic paste,garam masala, haldi and red chilli powder. Mix with hands. Put chicken into this and add slit chillies. Keep aside for 30 minutes. Now heat 2 tsp oil in pan and add onions. Cook till translucent and soft. Add the tomatoes. Cook for a minute and add all the chicken and marinade. Keep cooking till gravy reaches the consistency you like. Of you like it more dry, cook a little bit more till yogurt curdles around chicken. Check for salt. Garnish with coriander leaves and enjoy. You can eat this with rice if the gravy is more and with Indian bread (roti/naan) if you dry it up.

     

    Recipe Courtesy: cooks.ndtv.com

    Image Courtesy: cooks.ndtv.com