Aloo Paratha| Potato Masala Stuffed Indian Flatbread | Step by Step Recipe

Aloo Paratha

Potato masala stuffed Indian flatbread.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 6 parathas
Ingredients:

1. Whole wheat flour- 1 Cup( extra for dusting)
2. Water - as required
3. Salt - to taste( about 1 cup)
4. Oil / Ghee - as required

For Potato stuffing:

1. Potato,boiled and cubed- 2 medium
2. Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
3. Onion,finely chopped - 1/4 cup
4. Green chilies,finely chopped - 1 ( or according to taste)
5. Ginger ,finely chopped - 1/4 tsp
6. Kashmiri chili powder- 1/4  tsp( or to taste)
7. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
8. Garam masala powder- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp
9. Coriander leaves,chopped - 1 tbsp
10. Salt- To taste
11. Oil- as required

Instructions:

In a bowl,combine together whole wheat flour,salt and sufficient quantity of water and mix well.Knead to form a soft dough.Cover and keep aside for atleast 15 minutes.

Heat oil in a pan,add cumin seeds and saute for few seconds.Add onion,green chilies and ginger.Saute until onion turns golden brown.

Now add kashmiri chili powder,turmeric powder and garam masala powder.Saute for few seconds.Add potato , coriander leaves and salt to taste.

Mix well until it is smooth.Divide the stuffing into 6 equal parts.

Divide the dough into 6 equal parts and roll a portion of the dough into a circle of 4" diameter on a lightly floured surface.Place the filling ball in the center.

Bring all the sides to the center and seal tightly.Pinch off the excess dough,if desired.

Press it lightly using your finger tips to form a circle.

Dust the surface with whole wheat flour ,roll the stuffed dough lightly to form 6 to 7 " circle.(Lightly dust the parathas with flour,if it sticks to the rolling pin or the  working surface.)

Heat a nonstick /iron tawa ,place the paratha and let it cook until the color changes slightly for about 15 seconds over medium high heat.Flip the paratha and cook for few more seconds.

Drizzle 1 tsp oil over the paratha.Flip the paratha again and gently press using a spatula.Cook until golden brown spots appear on both the sides.Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.Serve hot with pickle and yogurt.

NOTES

• For best results, drizzle ghee over the parathas. 

Palak Paneer Recipe | Indian Cheese and Spinach Curry

Palak Paneer

Healthy and delicious Indian cheese and spinach curry.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3
Ingredients:

1. Spinach /Palak - 1 bunch
2. Paneer - 200 to 250 gms
3. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
4. Onion,finely chopped - 1 medium( approx 3/4 cup)
5. Ginger and garlic,crushed - 1.5 tsp
6. Green chilies,finely chopped - 1
7. Asafoetida - 1 pinch
8. Kashmiri chili powder - 1/2 to 3/4 tsp( according to taste)
9. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
10. Coriander powder - 1 tsp
11. Tomato,finely chopped - 1 small( 1/4 cup)
12. Kasuri Methi - 1 tsp
13. Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
14. Fresh cream - 1 or 2 tbsp
15. Water - as required
16. Salt - to taste

Instructions:

Soak paneer in hot water until required.

Boil water in a pan and add washed spinach,cook for about 2 to 3 minutes. 

Transfer the cooked spinach to a bowl containing ice cold water.(This is done to stop the cooking and also to preserve the green color.)Drain and puree the spinach in a blender,keep aside. 

 

Heat oil in a pan,add cumin seeds and let it splutter.Add onion,ginger,garlic and green chilies.

Saute until it turns golden brown.Next add asafoetida,kashmiri chili powder,turmeric powder and coriander powder.Saute for few seconds.

Now add finely chopped tomato and mix well.Cook until tomato turns mushy and oil starts to separate .

Next add the pureed spinach , crushed kasuri methi, required amount of water and salt to taste.Mix well and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes.

Now add drained paneer cubes, and cook for 1 or 2 minutes.Add garam masala and fresh cream,mix well and switch off the stove.

 NOTES

• You can  substitute fresh  cream with yogurt,if desired.
• Adjust the quantity of water according the consistency required.
• You can also shallow fry the paneer cubes,if desired.

Carrot Halwa | Gajar Halwa | Indian Sweet Recipes

Carrot Halwa

Popular Indian sweet/pudding made using grated carrots and milk.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 5 to 6
Ingredients:

1. Ghee - 3 to 4 tbsp
2. Grated carrots - 4 cups( 4 to 5 large carrots)
3. Milk- 4 cups
4. Sugar - 3/4 cup( or to taste)
5. Cardamom powder- 1/4 tsp
6. Cashew nuts- 15 to 18
7. Ghee- to fry cashew nuts

Instructions:

Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed pan .

Add grated carrots and saute for 5 to 7 minutes.Next add milk and bring it to a boil.

Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes over low flame ,stirring well in between.Cook until the carrots are soft and the milk is evaporated.

Now add sugar and mix well.Cook until it turns thick for about 3 to 4 minutes,stirring well in between.Fry cashew nuts in ghee until it turns golden brown and add it to the halwa.Mix well and serve warm or chilled. and serve.

NOTES

• Adjust the quantity of sugar according to your taste.
• You can also add one pinch saffron along with the milk for better flavor.
• I actually scaled down the recipe to 1/2,as you can see in the pics.
  

Kaju Katli | Kaju Barfi | Indian Sweet Recipes

Kaju Katli

Kaju Katli- Poular Indian sweet made using cashew nuts.(Gluten Free cashew nut fudge)-
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3
Recipe source: Vegrecipesofindia, you can find the original recipe here.
Ingredients:

1. Cashew nuts - 1 Cup( at room temperature)
2. Sugar - 1/2 Cup
3. Water - 5 tbsp
4. Ghee - 1 tbsp( for vegan version use coconut oil)
5. Saffron - 1 small pinch( or use 1 tsp rose petals)-this is optional

Instructions:

Grind cashew nuts to form a fine powder.( Be careful not to grind it too much,or you will end up with cashew nut butter).keep aside.

In a heavy bottomed pan,combine together sugar and water.Cook over low flame until sugar is completely dissolved.

Now add cashew nut powder and mix well.Cook over low flame,stirring continuously.

Cook the cashew nut mixture for about 7 to 9 minutes ,till the whole mixture comes together and turns more like a soft dough.Transfer the cashew nut mixture onto a plate.

Add ghee and  saffron /rose petals ( if using).When the heat of the mixture is fine to handle,knead the mixture lightly.( if the mixture is dry,you can add 1 or 2 tsp of milk).

Place the warm dough on a parchment paper or a greased plate. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top .Using a rolling pin,roll the dough to a thickness of  3 to 5 mm.

Cut into diamonds using a sharp knife.Allow it to cool completely.Store in an airtight container.

.NOTES

• Sieve the cashew nut powder to remove tiny bits ,if desired.
  

Strawberry Lassi | Lassi Recipe

Strawberry Lassi

Healthy and delicious strawberry yogurt smoothie.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1 or 2
Ingredients:

1. Strawberries- 10 to 12
2. Yogurt- 1 cup
3. Ice cubes- few
4. Honey / agave nectar - to taste

Instructions:

Place all the ingredients in a blender/food processor .Blend until smooth.

Serve immediately .

Chicken Tikka Recipe

Chicken Tikka

Easy chicken tikka recipe
Prep Time: 2 to 3 hours
Cook time: 25 to 30 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3
Ingredients:

1. Chicken,cut into small pieces- 400 gms
2. Oil / melted butter- as required

For marination

1. Yogurt- 1.5 tbsp
2. Ginger paste- 1 tbsp
3. Garlic paste- 1 tbsp
4. Kashmiri chili powder-1/2 to 3/4 tbsp (according to taste)
5. Garam masala- 1/2 tsp
6. Tandoori masala-3/4 tsp( or use homemade Tandoori masala)
7. Lime juice- 2 tsp
8. Mustard oil/vegetable oil- 2 tbsp( see notes)
9. Butter- 2 to 3 tsp
10. Salt- to taste

Instructions:

In a bowl,combine together all the ingredients listed under 'For marination'.

Rub this onto the chicken pieces,until it is coated well.

Cover and refrigerate for about 2 to 3 hours.Thread the chicken pieces on bamboo skewers.

Preheat oven to 250 deg C.Place the skewers on a greased tray and bake for about 12 to 15 minutes.Baste them with  the pan juices and turn the pieces over.Drizzle melted butter,if desired.Bake for another 5 to 10 minutes,turning once or twice between.Broil for 3 to 4 minutes for charred look. ( Make sure you do not over cook the chicken,it should be soft , tender and juicy from inside.)

Serve with pudhina/mint chutney, rice / roti.

NOTES

• STOVE TOP Method:Drizzle oil on a skillet /grill pan.Place the skewered chicken on the pan and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, over medium heat.Drizzle more oil/butter and turn them over a couple of times,until cooked through ( about 5 to 10 minutes)and slightly charred on the sides.
• Mustard oil has a distinctive pungent taste and a strong flavor.If you do not want to use mustard oil,just use any neutral cooking oil.
• I used homemade tandoori masala.