Quick Salad with Unripe Watermelon

We bought plenty of small sized watermelons during summer as its seasonal here in India. Unfortunately one was white hardly we could see any red color in it. Left in fridge for couple of days to decide to make something with it than throwing it away. Thought of blending and making some kind of juice but then made my mind to make a refreshing salad as its summer. It tasted a bit like cucumber though not sweet. I cut them into small pieces and removed the seeds before preparing the salad. You can top it up with any green vegetables you have such as bell peppers, mint or basil, lettuce etc. I only had tomato and some fresh coriander leaves so used that.

Ingredients:

1. Watermelon - 1 bowl - cut and seedless
2. Tomato - Large 1 - Cut in halves and remove the pulp , then slice or chop.
3. Coriander leaves - a bunch finely chopped
4. Salt - as per taste
5. Chaat masala - 1 tb spn
6. Cumin seeds - crushed 1/4 tb spn
7. Honey - 1/2 tb spn (optional)
8. Lime juice - 1/2 tb (optional)

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, put the cut watermelon, tomato and coriander leaves along with any other vegetables chosen.
2. Sprinkle all other ingredients mix and toss nicely. Taste for seasoning and add if required.
3. Refrigerate for 15 - 30 minutes and serve chilled.

Thin Potato Fry - Dry & Spicy

This is a great side dish for vegetarians, suitable to eat with any rice varieties or curd rice. Its fried in less oil, spicy and slightly dry so can be packed easily for lunch. If you are packing for you kids you may want to reduce chili powder, and its all done. A quick simple recipe when you do not have anything at all and this would not disappoint you.

Ingredients:

1. Potatoes - 2 medium size
2. Chili powder - 1 tb spn
3. Cumin powder - 1/2 tb spn
4. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tb spn
5. Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tbl spn
6. Salt as per taste
7. Oil - 2 tbl spn

Preparation:

1. Peel and cut potatoes in small pieces as shown in the picture. Wash thoroughly.
2. Place the potato slices on a plate, this makes the job easier. Sprinkle all ingredients except oil and mix well using hand or a spoon.
3. Keep aside for 15 - 30 minutes.
4. Heat oil in a non-stick pan or kadai, and add the masala mixed potato slices. Using a spatula place the slices evenly than getting all stacked up.
5. Cook in low medium heat for about 3 minutes, and give a stir to change side so they can be cooked the other side evenly. Sprinkle few drops of water occasionally this prevents burning. 
6. Repeat this till the potatoes are fully done, crisp and lighly brown from out but soft inside. 
7. Serve with rice.

English Scrambled Egg with Indian flavours

Scrambled Egg is a well known dish throughout the world. Every country have their uniqueness to it from ingredients to preparation method. I have slightly altered the dish with few ingredients but the preparation remains the same. A handful of chopped fresh coriander leaves, with a couple of pinches of Garam masala with milk tops up the flavor with softness. Two scrambled eggs with a glass of juice serves a good breakfast.

Ingredients:

1. Eggs - 2
2. Salt - to taste
3. Coriander leaves - a bunch - finely chopped
4. Garam masala - less than 1/4 tb spn
5. Milk - 1 tb spn
6. Water - 1 tb spn
7. Chaat masala - a pinch (optional)
8. Butter - 1 - 2 tb spn

Preparation:

1. Break eggs in a bowl, add all ingredients except for butter and Chaat masala beat well.
2. Heat a non stick pan, add the butter. Keep the heat low medium. Once the butter starts browning slightly pour the egg mixture and reduce the heat.
3. After few seconds start scooping the mixture together in the center using a spatula and let out the liquid egg to flow out, by tilting the pan slightly. Do not mix or stir. 
4. When almost no liquid mixture is left turn slowly and let it cook for around 10 - 20 seconds, remove from heat and transfer to a plate. This prevents the egg from turning hard and locks the moisture in with fluffy soft texture yet cooked.
5. Sprinkle a pinch of Chaat masala if you prefer while serving else can have it as it is, with some ketchup or nothing at all.

Ladys finger with Onion / Onion Bhindi

This is a very easy recipe with less ingredients, but takes some 15 - 20 minutes to cook. Time is the only constraint. Otherwise this goes well along with roti and rice. Plenty of onion with Lady's finger's moisture would be just too good dry roti's or plain rice.

Ingredients:

1. Lady's finger - 200 gm
2. Large Onion - 2 sliced
3. Green chilies - finely chopped as needed
4. Cumin seeds - 1/2 tb spn coarsely crushed or whole
5. Black pepper powder or crushed pepper - 1/4 tb spn
6. Asafoetida - 1/2 tb spn
7. Salt as needed
8. Oil - 2 tbl spn

Preparation:

1. Wash and cut lady's finger in about 1 inch long
2. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin & asafoetida saute for few seconds.
3. Add Onion and Chili, saute till onion turns translucent then add pepper.
4. Finally add lady's finger and salt, saute lightly. Sprinkle little water cover and cook in low flame until the vegetable is cooked fully.
5. Stir occasionally and sprinkle water if needed, to prevent from sticking. Do not add too much water at once as this spoils the texture.
6. Serve hot with rice or roti.

Easy and Quick Arbi (cheppankizhangu) for Roti

I fell in love with this dish when I was in Northern Part of India. I've heard about the under ground stem called Arbi in Hindi and Cheppankizhangu in Tamil. This dry dish was served along with roti's or plain parathas in our mess, and I liked it very much, it's seasonal vegetable in North India. In down south its available almost throughout the year and usually use as one vegetable in sambar. Making this dish is very easy and less time consuming. 

Ingredients:

1. Arbi - 200 gm
2. Turmeric - 1/4 tb spn
3. Small Onion - 1 - finely chopped
4. Green chili - 4 - 5 finely chopped
5. Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tb sp coarsely crushed
6. Carom seeds (Ajwain) - 1/2 tb spn coarsely crushed
7. Salt to taste
8. Oil - 2 tbl spn
9. Coriander leaves - chopped (optional) for garnishing.

Preparation:

1. Wash and pressure cook the Arbi's for about 5 minutes in lightly salted water. If you are boiling ensure its not over cooked. Over cooked arbi's will break and become mushy wont be able to make the dish.
2. Cool and peel the skin off. Cut them in small pieces lengthy or small as desired.
3. In a non-stick pan or kadai, heat oil and add cumin, carom seeds. Saute lightly
4. Add in the green chilies and onion, saute for 2 minutes follwed by turmeric powder and salt. Remember Arbi was already been cooked in salt water, so add minimal salt.
5. Finally add the arbi pieces, saute. Sprinkle little water if its very dry. Arbi needs to get coated in the masala.
6. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes in low flame, or until done.
7. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with rotis or parathas.

Lotus Stem for vegetarians

Until a month ago, I never knew Lotus Stem / root is been used to make many cuisines. Our village have a large Lotus Pond, which is dried due to summer. Men who work there dig out the stems and bring home. Many use to scrape the top and eat raw as it is. It has plenty of water content. Many women cooked like regular under ground stem in south Indian style. It tastes amazing, I witnessed it after I tried it out at our home. Unfortunately I did not take the picture of the stem. 5 - 6 Stems of around 10 cm length, serves 2 person. You can try this with your own masalas or as a supporting ingredient for other cuisines be it vegetable or meat. If this is your first time try this recipe out, this will give and understanding for you about cooking time, taste and with what you want to try out next. Its easy and simple, tastes good.

Ingredients:

1. Lotus Stems - 5/6 (Chopped)
2. Onion small - 1 
3. Ginger - 1 inch piece
4. Garlic - 8 - 10 pods
5. Green chili - 5 - 6 or as taste
6. Jeera - 1 tbl spn
7. Turmeric - 1/4 tbl spn
8. Salt as per taste
9. Coriander leaves - a bunch - finely chopped
10. Oil - 2 tbl spn

Preparation:

1. Wash and scrape off the top if you are using the fresh ones from ground. I do not know how it would be available in stores. You may want to read instructions.
2. The stems would be a little hard to cut unlike other vegetables, so it would be good if you use a chopping board.
3. Take 2/3 stems together and start slicing like Lady's finger, not too thin or thick if this your first time. It takes long time to cook. See the picture for ref.
4. Grind all other ingredients except leaves, salt and oil to a fine paste. This is our masala.
5. Boil water in a large vessel, turn off heat once it starts boiling add the sliced stems to it blanch it for 3 - 5 minutes, and remove from water. Keep aside.
6. Heat oil a non-stick pan or kadai add the masala and saute for 2 minutes. 
7. Then add in the lotus stems, stir well. Sprinkle salt and little water cover and cook in low heat.
8. It would take approx 15 - 20 min to cook nice and soft. Check and sprinkle water occasionally to prevent dryness and it has enough moisture to get cooked.
9. Check for seasoning and add salt or chili if needed. Once done sprinkle the chopped coriander leaves and 1/4 tb.spn of garam masala saute lightly. Cover and cook for another 2 - 3 minutes. Turn of heat.
10. This would be little dry, can be eaten as side dish with rice or roti.

Potato Chips at home / Hot Chips

Potato Chips - Ha who doesn't like it may be the one who are on dieting :) There is nothing like Hot Chips with tea on a rainy day. I got it right the second time. Try to buy potatoes like I have shown in the picture for chips or fries, if you do not find it then use the one available. When ever I find these potatoes available in the market will buy and store to be consumed within a week's time, as these gives nice crispy chips. Well you need to have slicer, like what I have posted. This will give thin slices.

Ingredients:

1. Potatoes
2. Salt to taste to sprinkle
3. Chili powder / Chat masala - to taste (optional)
4. Oil - for deep frying

Preparation:

1. Wash well, peel and slice the potatoes. If you prefer you may keep the skin on if they are clean. I kept the skin for a batch of potatoes.
2. Using a clean cotton cloth wipe moisture off the sliced potatoes and spread in plate or paper so that they can dry a bit after removing the wetness.
3. Do not let them dry for too long, as the color changes due to out side air.
4. Heat oil in a heavy bottom kadai, and deep fry them in hot oil. It will take a while to fry you can fry them in medium heat. Not low or high. Keep changing sides occasionally so that all the slices can get fried well on both sides.
5. Remove and keep on a kitchen towel or tissue to remove the excess oil, and sprinkle salt + masala evenly and toss gently so that all the chips can get coated.
6. Once cool you can store in air tight containers for later use, or can have hot with tea.

Prawn in Tangy Tomato Sauce

I love prawns, any cuisine regardless of Indian or continental. I experimented this dish with tangy flavor kind of sweet and light sour in desi style. I could only get small prawns for this recipe when I had to take pictures. Anyone who does not like tangy taste might not eat this as this is rich in tomato.

Ingredients (2 - 3 servings):

1. Prawns - 100 or 250 gms
2. Tomato - 3
3. Onion - 1
4. Fennel seeds 1 tb spn
5. Grated coconut - 2 tbl spn (optional)
6. Garlic - 8 - 10 pods
7. Ginger - 1 inch piece
8. Red chilli sauce - 2 tbl spn
9. Red Chilli powder - 1 tbl spn (optional)
10. Soy Sauce - 1/2 tb spn
11. Salt to taste
12. Oil - 2 tbl spn
13. Coriander leaves - a bunch - finely chopped 

Preparation:

1. Marinate the prawns in soy sauce and salt for about 15 - 30 minutes. If you do not have soy sauce you can use Lemon juice, from 1 lemon.
2. Make a fine paste of fennel, coconut, ginger and garlic by adding few drops of oil and water as needed. 
3. Make puree of onion and tomato separately by grinding them without water.
4. Heat oil in a pan add the ginger garlic mixture paste and saute for a minute.
5. Add onion paste, saute for a minute followed by tomato puree. Cook it for about 2 minutes while stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Now add Red Chili sauce and chili powder with salt and mix well. Once the raw smell is gone and cooked oil would separate and form on top.
7. Drop in the prawns, stir lightly and add water if  needed. Though I prefer to have it thick as shown in picture.
8. Simmer and cook for another 10 minutes, as this time check salt and spice, add if needed.
9. Sprinkle the coriander leaves, cover and cook for another 2 - 3 minutes.
10. This can be eaten with steamed rice or chapati or naan.

Note:

You may use small or large prawns

If you have problems in grinding little amount in mixie jar, first powder the fennel without water then ginger, garlic , coconut to form paste. I have experienced this various times, my mixie would not grind jeera or some seeds if added in small quantity with other ingredients. Example ginger and garlic would have been ground well but jeera remains as it is. If you experience the same try as i suggested.

Stir fried potato threads in garlic chili sauce

I have always been fascinated by Chinese Cuisines. This one is pretty simple, easy to prepare and tastes amazing as a starter or with Rice. I have given some pictures on slicing potatoes and cutting them, hope this will help you in chopping the vegetable.

Ingredients:

1. Large Potato -1 (Serves 2 - 3 person)
2. Garlic 10 pods, Finely chopped.
3. Salt as per taste
4. Red Chili Sauce - 1 Tb spn
5. Chili Flakes - 1 tb spn or as preferred
6. Fennel Seeds - 1 tb spn coarsely crushed.
7. Vinegar 1/4 tbl spoon (optional)
8. Olive / Sesame Oil for frying - 1 Tbl Spoon  OR  Regular cooking  oil if you do not prefer other oil

Steps to Cook:

Slice the potatoes as described, soak in water for about 15 min. After that wash twice in fresh water and take potatoes off of water and keep aside

Heat oil in a large non stick pan (pan or wok suits well to fry). [Whole recipe is done in medium flame]

Add garlic followed by chili flakes, crushed fennel seeds, and chili sauce. Saute for less than a minute.

Add the washed potato threads and sprinkle salt. Saute lightly and toss well. After a minute add vinegar and toss again so that almost all of the potatoes get coated.

Toss and fry for 4 - 5 minutes. You can notice the potatoes loose it hardness and become soft, at this point taste for seasoning and add if extra salt is needed.

Serve hot, it can be eaten as starter before meal, or with plain rice or just that.

Try this and do surprise your loved ones. Keep cooking and share your reviews.

Omelette from Left over

Omelette is well known to all. Omelette is prepared differently throughout the world and consumed as main course for lunch, dinner or breakfast. In India most popular egg cuisines range from omelettes to bull’s eye and burji other than regular gravies. Mostly they are prepared plain, or with just onion and chili or with more spices. This one I have made is with left over greens. My mother had some greens of Drumstick leaves in fridge. I mixed with my eggs and enjoyed it. Many dislike Drumstick tree leaves, when prepared plain. My mother usually prepares any greens by adding some grated coconut at last by giving a stir. If you have grated coconut add a spoonful along with the left over greens in the egg mixture.

Ingredients:

1. Eggs – 1 or 2
   
2. Left over greens  - as needed
3. Half Onion – finely chopped (optional)
4. Green chili – 1 or 2 finely chopped (as per taste)
5. Curry leaves or coriander leaves (finely chopped)
6. Water – 1 tb spn
7. Salt – as per taste
8. Oil – 1 tb spn for frying
9. Tomato – 1 piece finely chopped (optional)
10. Grated coconut – 1 tbl spn (optional)
11. Masala powder (Pepper / Garam masala / fennel / cumin / oregano) – any of these. (Do not use all of them)

Preparation:

1. Break the eggs in a bowl
2. Mix in all the ingredients except for oil and stir well.
3. Heat a non-stick pan or tawa, grease with oil and pour the egg mixture reduce the flame. When almost no liquid is see on top, flip and cook the other side.
4. Cut in desired shapes and serve hot as side dish for rice / roti or main course with ketchup.

Notes:

• You can either make it like omelette or scramble (burji) it.
• You can try with or without onion or Tomato or some masala. The taste varies and you would love it plain or as side dish.