Hot & Sweet Barbeque Chicken

I was only comfortable cooking boneless chicken till now.. But then ishaan is so crazy about chicken wings and drumsticks that i finally gave it a try and was a successful attempt as he declared it to be the best ever.. And yes mumma is happy now 😁

So here is the simple recipe

Ingredients

Chicken drumsticks -4 pieces 

1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

1 lemon juice 

Chilli powder according to your taste

Salt to taste 

2 tbsp cornflour

2 tbsp ketchup

2 tbsp red chilli sauce

1 tsp brown sugar 

1 onion finely chopped

4-5 garlic cloves chopped

Method

First marinate chicken in ginger garlic paste, salt, lemon juice and chilli powder for 2-3 hours. Then coat them with cornflour powder and fry till it's cooked. In the same pain fry garlic and onions. In a bowl mix ketchup, chilli sauce and brown sugar and add it to the pan. Add little water and cook for a minute. Toss the drumsticks and coat them well.. Garnish with sesame seeds and enjoy!! 

You can increase the quantity of chilli and chilli sauce according to your taste.. Since I made it for my son so I made it less spicy.

Bored of the usual curries ?? Try this interesting recipe ~Dahi wale Baigan !!

You know how soon we get bored eating the usual Dal & Curries...so whenever I  come across a different recipe I don't miss giving it a try over weekends....Don't go by the name Dahi & Baigan does n't  sound very appealing but trust me it tasted delicious..its going to be a regular in our menu now.

Very few ingredients and yet the dish is so flavourful ..Do give it a try following the simple steps below :

Ingredients 

1 Brinjal(Bottle shaped )
1 tbsp grated/minced garlic
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tsp dhaniya powder
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp chaat masala
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 cup beaten curd
Salt to taste
Oil for cooking
Coriander leaves for garnish

Method

Slice brinjal in small discs and apply some salt and red chili. Keep it aside for 10 minutes.Take oil in a pan and fry these brinjal slices on both the sides till  its nicely browned and cooked.In another pan fry ginger garlic along with mustard seeds.Add all dry spices and 1/4 cup of water.Cook the masala for 10 minutes adding 1-2 tsp of water in batches so that the masala does n't get burnt.
Whisk curd with a pinch of salt.
Now its time for the final assembly..Take a shallow dish and apply some masala ,place fried brinjal slices ,pour in curd and masala,Repeat these steps and then finally prepare a tempering of red chili and mustard seeds.Pour it over and garnish with chopped coriander.
Enjoy it with rice or chapatis,,It is so creamy and delicious that you are going to love it for sure.

Dont forget to share your feedback
Till then happy cooking !!

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti for your weekend mornings !!

I just love how baking makes the home smell heaven.There has been a lot of research which talks about the power of baking..its indeed relaxing..and it does lift your spirit too !!
Biscotti was on my to do list for long and finally I did try and yes its worth all the effort..there is double baking involved which makes your home smell just amazing..Pair it with coffee or tea or just pack it in your box for munching !

Here is the recipe :

Ingredients

2.5 cup flour
1&1/4 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
5 tbsp. butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
a pinch of salt

Method

Preheat oven at 180 degrees.Whisk flour,baking powder,salt and keep it aside.Whisk butter,sugar ,add eggs and vanilla.Add flour mix.Fold in the dry fruits and mix to form a dough.Knead till smooth.Bake it for 30 minutes.Cool down and then cut it in pieces.Bake it again at 150 degrees for 7-8 minutes on both sides.

Serve it with a coffee and trust me you will definitely forget the Starbucks one.

Simple & Delicious ~Strawberry,Banana & Oreo Shake !!

Last weekend we went to Mahableshwar and had a great time in the lap of nature...Apart from sightseeing one thing which really fascinated me was the delicious food I had throught out the trip…be it a simple dish as poha or the traditional thalipeeth or the sumptuous sandwiches and pizza at mapro graden .The place is known for strawberries.. every 100m you find a person selling strawberries on road.

Seriously I  have never eaten so many strawberries ..not even in London.

So you guessed it right I am sharing a strawberry recipe today..you don’t need mahabaleshwar berries for this recipe even the usual ones will do :P

Strawberry picking @ Mahabaleshwar 

Ingredients 

1 &1/2 glass of milk 

1 banana

2 oreo coookies/bourbon cookies

4-5 strawberries 

Method 

Just take your Mixie jar and put in  straberries, banana and  oreo cokies with a glass of milk.Blitz it well and your Morning doze of energy drink is ready.

Super simple and super delicious.

Kickstart your mornings with this healthy granola recipe !!

New year always comes with new resolutions and healthy eating always tops my list(sad that being a foodie there are more cheat days for me than healthy ones :(  

I always try to bring healthier alternatives in our daily diet and love making homemade stuff.The recipe which I am sharing today is one such thing which we usually buy from stores without realizing its loaded with added sugar and preservatives.Well this recipe has a story of its own.Last year we went to Bali for holiday and while visiting one of the super mart grabbed a pack of granola for snacking.The flavor was coconut and granola and we loved it so much that we bought another pack to enjoy it after coming back.I thought I will be able to find this flavour in India but tried and couldn't get anything even similar.

So then I thought of trying it on my own and yes it did work..tastes almost same and since then I have been making it in  batches and its get over in a couple of days ;P

You can have it with milk /yoghurt or just simple snacking it tastes amazing !!

Ingredients 

1 cup oats
1 banana mashed
1/2 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup chopped cashews
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup pumpkin/melon seeds
2 tsp honey
1 tsp oil

Method

Preheat oven to 150 degrees. In a large bowl combine all ingredients and spread it evenly on a baking tray.You can leave aside half of the coconut flakes because they brown pretty quick.
Bake it for 30 mins and keep turning it over every ten minutes so that it doesn't  get burn and cooks evenly.
Mix in the remaining coconut flakes and allow it to cool.You can play around with your choice of dry fruits.
Store in an airtight container and enjoy !!
Trust me it won't last more than 1-2 days...both my son and hubby fight over it !

Super Healthy Mushroom & Walnut Soup !!

I love  homemade soups...the fact that most of the soups are healthy gives a nice feeling that at least you are having something nutritious.
Most of the people think that making soups is difficult and time taking ..but let me tell you its easier than curries and if you use the right ingredients together it turns out to be healthy and yummy at the same time.
Here's an easy and delicious recipe,there is no flour and no cream in the recipe yet it turns out delicious and creamy.

Mushroom & Walnut Soup

Ingredients 

200 gms Mushroom
1/3 cup chopped walnuts 
1 small Onion
1 spoon Butter
1-2 cloves Garlic
1 cup Milk
Black Pepper
Salt to taste

Method 

Take butter in a saucepan.Add chopped onions and garlic and saute till its pink.Add chopped walnuts.Cook for a minute and then add mushrooms,salt and pepper.Add little water and cover it to cook for about 5-7 minutes.Add milk and cook for another 5 minutes.
Let it cool down and blend it,Serve it hot with a toast or soup sticks.You will be amazed by the thickness of the soup.Forget flour and cream and try this healthy Mushroom Soup.

Divine and delicious ~Gnocchi with Red pepper sauce !

Coming back to blogging after more than an year...not that I was not cooking up anything special but was just too lazy to pen it down ...I am back now  !!

Off late we have been only eating gnocchi in Italian places.Having seen the MasterChef contestants make it from scratch I have been wanting to try gnocchi for long.

Let me tell you its no rocket science and super delicious and yummy.

Go ahead try this easy and yumm recipe and let me know how you liked it.I made my favourite red pepper sauce..you can even serve it with cheese or pesto sauce..If too lazy then you can even pan fry with pepper and oregano..you will love it for sure !

Gnocchi with Red pepper sauce 

Gnocchi 

Ingredients 

3 Large potatoes
1 Egg
1 & 1/2 cup Plain  Flour
Salt

Method

Boil the potatoes and grate it  to get a perfect mash.Add egg ,salt and plain flour.Mix it well to form a dough.

Bring a pan of water to the boil.Split the dough and make small oval balls.Boil it in batches for about a minute or until they bob to the surface.

Leave it to cool.

Red pepper sauce

Ingredients 

2-Red bell pepper
5-6 cloves of garlic
Salt
Oregano
Olive oil
2 cheese slices
Basil leaves
Chilli flakes

Method 

Grill bell pepper on gas flame till it becomes charred.Grind it after removing the seeds with garlic cloves.
Take a spoon of oil in a pan.Add the grinded sauce along with salt,pepper,oregano.Add cheese and basil leaves.
Add chilli flakes.

Heat some butter in a pan.Pan fry the gnocchi and then serve it along with the sauce.

Enjoy it with your loved ones!
See you soon guys..till then happy cooking !!

Warm & Comforting Pumpkin Soup

I am a fan of soups not salads...so when it comes to healthy and low cal food I prefer soups..and there is nothing better than a huge bowl of  homemade warm soup.Most of the people think its pretty difficult to make soups at home but let me tell you its easier than making a curry and that too without oil /butter. Just a few spices and right ingredients add a good amount of flavour without the need of any preservatives. My little one has also started liking my soups ..he just needs his favourite corn in all the soups and it becomes a corn soup for him :)

I usually make vegetable or tomato soup but this time I tried Pumpkin soup which turned out to be great and has become a weekly affair on our dinner table.Very simple to prepare with a handful of ingredients. Enjoy it with a sandwich or toast and your dinner is sorted.

Ingredients

1/2 kg pumpkin(peeled and chopped)
1/2 Onion(sliced)
2-3 cloves of garlic
5-6 black peppercorns
2-3 cloves
1 Bay leaf
1 spoon of butter

Method

Heat a spoon of butter in a grill pan and dump all the ingredients.Let the pumpkin get a nice char and then add salt and  cover and cook till its soft.Cool it down and blend it till smooth.Sieve it through a strainer.Add water/veg stock to get the desired consistency and simmer it in a pan for sometime.Add seasoning if required.Garnish with a dash of cream or butter.
Serve it with toast or breadsticks!!


Enjoy the rain not with pakodas but with this soup this time !!

Coconut Rice-Perfect accompaniment to Rajma/Curry

As a foodie I love experimenting and improvising with new combinations of ingredients and recipes.. and traveling to different countries and places has actually helped me  learn new recipes and new techniques.

Its been more than two years in Hyderabad and I truly believe its a foodie's heaven not only because of its rich food heritage but also because of the variety of cuisines and restaurants the city has.

Thanks to my colleagues I get to taste at least one Hyderabad delicacy everyday.

Cooking is all about sharing and learning...so during one of such foodie conversation my colleague shared this recipe with me and I have already made it twice in a week. Very simple yet flavourful is this Coconut Rice. Its a perfect accompaniment to your Rajma/Daal Makhani coz its very mildly spiced and the freshness of coconut goes well with the spicy curry.

Ingredients

1 Cup Cooked Rice

1 tsp Mustard seeds

2-3 Peppercorns

1 Dry Red Chilli

1 Small Onion Chopped

1/2 tsp grated ginger

1/2 tsp chopped garlic

1/4 cup fresh grated coconut

1 Bay leaf

4-5 curry leaves

Salt to taste

1 tbsp. Ghee

Method

In a wok add 1 tbsp. Ghee.Add Bay leaf,curry leaves,dry chilli and mustard seeds.Let it splutter and then add peppercorns,ginger and garlic.Add onions and fry till pink.Add cooked rice and mix it lightly.Season it with salt and add fresh coconut.Cook it for a minte or two and switch off the flame.

Your coconut rice is ready to serve.I had it with Rajma today and it was purely a match made in heaven.

Enjoy !!

Weekend Brunch Recipe~Maska Chicken Pav

There are days when a foodie's mood changes ...you plan  to cook something and then you change your mind...and then you end up  cooking  something entirely different and most of the times better than the original plan :)

So I usually plan grocery for a week and then I had these pav buns  to make some pav bhaji...but then I didn’t feel like having that ..So  just checked by refrigerator and found my fav red bell pepper and  leftover chicken from the curry made last night.

So here comes the recipe of Maska Chicken Pav! Its a very simple recipe and is perfect for breakfast or brunch !!

Recipe

So you just take boneless chicken pieces and marinate in a mixture of curd,tandoori masala,ginger garlic paste, red chilli,dhaniya powder,salt and oil. Marinate it for 4-5 hours and then grill it on a pan. Now cut it in small chunky pieces and keep it aside. Slice red bell peppers and toast it in the same pan for about a minute.Take some green coriander chutney and some ketchup.Slit the pav into slices and apply butter .Place green chutney on one and ketchup on the other slice. Stuff in the chicken pieces and red bell pepper ,close it, press it and toast the sandwich on a pan.

Enjoy it with cuppa !!!

Delicious way to use leftover pav bhaji-Dabeli !!

Leftovers are always a problem in the kitchen...coz u don't want to eat the same thing again!!And there are few dishes where we always end up with leftovers...one such is Pav Bhaji!

This recipe was given by my friend Tashi..during one our wtz app conversation she shared this recipe and I make it very often.Infact hubby likes it more than pav bhaji...so there are days when I make pav bhaji for making this dabeli !!

It may not be the authentic dabeli but we just love it as it is and its a great way to use your leftover pav bhaji!!

Here s how you can make it

Ingredients

1/2 Cup Leftover Bhaji

2-3 tbsp. Green Coriander Mint Chutney

2-3 tbsp. Imli sweet chutney

3 tbsp. Sev/Bhujia

1/4 cup Grapes / pomegranate

1/4 cup Peanuts

3-4 Pav

Method

Spread little butter on the paav and toast it lightly on the pan.You can omit butter depending on your choice.Spread leftover bhaji on one slice .Take the other slice and spread green chutney and imli chutney.Then add pomegranate ,add peanuts and sev bhujia and put everything together.

The combination of all these ingredients make it realy tangy and yumm and very easy to put together as well.

Try this with your leftover bhaji and let me know how you liked it !!

Till we meet next enjoy and wish you all a very happy Holi !!

toddler recipes -Ragi wholewheat banana muffins !!

Every kid loves cakes and muffins and  we all know that there are a lot of sinful ingredients which go into our regular cakes ...so here's healthy twist ..it will not taste the same though but your toddler will certainly be excited to have it!!With the goodness of ragi,wholewheat,banana and almonds this is great for  breakfast, evening snacking and lunch box !!

Try this and don't forget to share your feedback with me !!

Ingredients

1/2 cup Ragi flour

2/3 cup Whole wheat flour

1 Egg

1 Banana(mashed)

2 tbsp Almonds(powdered or chopped)

2 tbsp Oil

1/4 cup Milk

3 tbsp Brown Sugar

1 tbsp Chocolate chips (optional)

1 tsp Baking powder

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Vanilla essence

A pinch of salt

Method

Preheat oven at 180 degrees and line the muffin cup with liners.In a bowl sieve ragi and wholewheat flour.Add baking soda,baking powder,salt and mix in.Add almond powder as well,You can even use chopped almonds.I didn't use coz my son doesn't like chopped nuts.

In another bowl beat egg,oil,vanilla essence and sugar well.Add mashed banana and milk.Mix it well.

Now mix the dry ingredients into wet gently.Stir in the chocolate chips and scoop out the mixture in muffin moulds.Bake it for 15-20 minutes depending on your oven.

I have used very little sugar..you can add more !!These muffins will not be as fluffy as the usual ones but will  be yumm and guilt free for sure !!

Enjoy these muffins with your little ones !!

The most healthy Soup ever with the goodness of Bottle Gourd,Carrot and Corn !!

Can you think of a healthy recipe which is delicious too...well the list is not very long for me...and so I always keep experimenting to get the best out of healthy and nutritious ingredients.

Bottle gourd is one of the most nutritious vegetable and most disliked too..But you just try this soup and  I bet you will not be able to guess that there is lauki in it ...seriously !!

Here is the recipe

Ingredients

2 cups chopped Bottle gourd
2 tbsp Moong Daal
Half Onion
2-3 cloves Garlic
1 Bay leaf
1/4 cup Corn
Half Carrot  finelychopped
1/4 cup finely cubed Paneer
1 tsp Cumin seeds
Black pepper
Salt
1 tbsp Butter

Method

In a pressure cooker add bottle gourd ,moong daal,onion,bay leaf and garlic.Add half cup of water and boil it until its done.Blend it till smooth and simmer it in a heavy bottomed pan.Add butter and let it cook for five minutes.Add pepper,salt and fresh cumin powder.(Dry roast cumin seeds and crush or grind)Please use fresh cumin only for a better flavour.Add corn and chopped carrot and cook for another five minutes.Just before serving add chopped paneer and a little pepper.

Serve hot.

Toddler Recipes-Spinach Corn Rice !!

Starting with a new series "Toddler Recipes" with an objective to share healthy and yummy dishes for your little ones.As a mom I am always looking for ways to introduce nutrition in my son's diet and I keep on experimenting in my kitchen.
The recipe which I m going to share today is Spinach Corn Rice.I learnt this from my friend Ruby In London ..This rice dish was always a part of our potluck dinners.I just loved it the first time I had and have made umpteen times as its healthy and delicious too.Thanks Ruby !!Trust me you will love it too..Its a great way to include greens in your kid's diet.I made it for my son and its his favourite now.


Ingredients

2 Cups of  Spinach
1/4 cup Boiled Corn
1 small onion
A small piece of Ginger
Salt to taste
Black pepper
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1 Bay leaf
Paneer cubes for garnish (optional)
2 cups of cooked rice

Method

Blanch  Spinach and grind it with  ginger into a smooth paste.Take oil in a pan and add cumin seeds and bay leaf.Add chopped onion.Once the onion turns brown add the spinach puree.Cook it for 10 minutes and add corn.Add salt and pepper and cook.Add a little water if required.Add cooked rice and mix it lightly.Garnish with paneer cubes and a dollop of ghee.
A healthy meal is ready for your toddler!!

Pesto tomato & cheese Bruschetta!

When it comes to the popular cuisines I think Italian does score at the top.You go to any place in the world and you will definitely find a pizza(though it may vary a lot in terms of the taste)Every region adds its own flavour and colour to it.

Coming to today's recipe Bruschetta is an Italian starter where you can play with different toppings depending upon your taste and it turns out to be great party appetizer with drinks.

I have a love for Pesto so much so that I keep a bottle full of pesto always in my fridge.You can add it to your  pasta,sandwiches ..and its healthy too..with the goodness of almonds and basil.

You can check my pesto sandwich  recipe

Ingredients 

1 Baguette/Submarine Loaf

1 tomato

1/2 cup of crumbled paneer

2-3 tbsp of pesto (I used homemade)

2-3 tsp of extra virgin olive oil

Salt & Pepper to taste

Oregano to sprinkle

For pesto 

1 cup basil leaves

1/4 cup roasted almonds

3-4 cloves of garlic

1/4 cup of olive oil

Salt and  to taste

Method 

For pesto take all the ingredients and grind it .The top layer should be covered with olive oil to be stored in  fridge.

Slice baguettes and toast it.Chop the tomatoes finely and add salt and pepper.Drizzle some olive oil and oregano.

Mix salt and pepper to the crumbled paneer. You can even use mozerella cheese ..I have used paneer for a healthier option.

Take the toasted slices.Apply pesto sauce.Top it with tomatoes and crumbled paneer.Serve it immediately.

Add it in your party menu and your friends will just love it !!

Till we meet next happy cooking !!

NO ONION NO GARLIC CHHOLE READY IN 15 MINUTES!

Who would not want to try a chhole recipe ready in 15 minutes...the usual process of making chhole involves so much of time and effort that you have to think twice before cooking it..I tried this recipe for the first time for a potluck dinner with friends and it was loved by all.

I usually make it everytime there is a pooja or a festival as it goes well with puris and there is no onion and garlic in the recipe.

This is the famous chef Harpal Singh 's recipe of Kadhai Chhole.

Give it a try this festive season and I bet you will just love it !!

Ingredients

1 cup boiled Kabuli Chana/Chickpeas
2 slit Green chillies
1 chopped Tomato
1 tbsp of grated ginger
1 tbsp Chhole masala
1/2 tsp Dhaniya Powder
1/2 tsp Garma masala powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/4 tsp amchur powder
2 tbsp ghee
1 tsp ajwain
2 tbsp refined oil
Coriander for garnish
Salt to taste

Method 


Take the boiled chickpeas in a bowl and add in all dry spices.Mix it well.Now add the chhole in a heavy bottomed wok.Add ginger,green chillies and chopped tomatoes.Let it cook for 5-7 minutes.Take ghee and oil in  another pan and let it heat.Add ajwain and let it splutter.Now take this ghee mixture and pour it on the chhole and cook it for another 5-6 minutes.
Garnish with coriander and serve hot with puris.

Weekend Baking ~Dates & Chocolate Loaf Cake

I'm a foodie !!

Cooking and food does wonders at least to me.A good meal in a restaurant does make me happy and a happy me likes to celebrate with good food !! An angry me eats more and more and a sad me eats even more...!

Coming to the recipe today its just that I had dates lying in my fridge and what better way than making a cake for my little one.He loves chocolate so decided to bake a dates and chocolate cake.Just to make it a bit healthier I have used a combination of wholewheat and maida.Enjoy it with a cuppa and you are good to go..!!

Ingredients

1/2 cup Whole wheat

1/2 cup Maida

150 gms Dates

3 tbsp Cocoa powder

1/3 cup Brown sugar

1/3 cup Oil

1 tsp Vanilla essence

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

2 Eggs

1/2  tsp Baking powder

1/2 tsp Baking soda

a pinch of salt

1/2 cup boiling water 

Method

Boil water in a pan and add dates to cook for around 2 minutes.Switch off the flame and add baking soda to it.Blend it in a mixer and keep it aside.Sift all the dry ingredients (maida,whole wheat flour,cocoa powder,salt,baking powder),Beat eggs and sugar in a bowl.Add vanilla,oil and mix,Add the sifted dry ingredients.Fold in the dates puree.Add the chopped nuts.Pour the batter in a loaf tin and bake it for 30-35 minutes at 180 degrees till the skewer comes out clean.

Enjoy !!

Till we meet next happy cooking !!

Weekend special : Middle eastern dip-Hummus!

Most of us are always in search of healthy alternatives to our meals thesedays..and its very rare that a healthy dish is delicious too.One such dish is Hummus which is a guilt free snacking option..you can slather your toasts with thick layer of this dip without any guilty feeling.
I love hummus and other middle eastern dips..earlier I had shared a cannelini beans hummus recipe on my blog.
This time its the classic chickpea hummus and I cooked up an entire middle eastern platter this time with falafels and salad to go with the pita.

Ingredients

1 cup Chickpeas
1/4 cup Sesame seeds
1/3 cup Olive oil
2-3 cloves Garlic
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt

Method

Boil the soaked chickpeas with salt.For tahini ,first toast the sesame seeds and then mix it with  olive oil in a blender.Now take the boiled chickpeas,tahini,olive oil,garlic and blend it till is smooth  and nice.Add lemon juice and serve it with warm pita or bread.

Before you say goodbye to mangoes...Try Mango Parfait !!

Mango is undoubtedly the most popular fruit and I love it in all the forms.So,before you say goodbye to the king of fruits try this simply delicious and healthy breakfast recipe..mango parfait...trust me its the most amazing way to eat fruits!Some dishes are so simple and yet so beautiful..Parfait is one such dish..just a handful of healthy ingredients and an amazing dessert is ready to serve.

Ingredients

1 Mango
1 cup Yoghurt
1/3 cup Muesli


Method 

Chop one mango into fine pieces.Take yoghurt in a bowl and whip it till its nice and smooth.You can add a bit of sugar if you want.I like it healthy so I didn't add.

Take a tall glass and layer alternate layers of muesli,yogurt and chopped mango.
That's it !!!Just dig in and enjoy !!