Kadhai Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese with Bell Peppers)

Ingredients

2 Green bell pepper(cut into small lengths)
1 Onion chopped
1 Large tomato pureed

1 pack Paneer (cut into cubes)

1/3 cup Low fat creme (or malai if u do not get creme easily )

1-2 Green chillies chopped (optional)

Dry fruits (5-6 almonds and cashews) optional
3 tbsp Oil

1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1/4 tsp Turmeric
1/2 tsp Coriander powder
1/4 tsp Garam Masala
1/4 tsp Chilli powder (optional)

Salt (as per taste)
Kasoori methi (dry)

Method

1. In a pan stir fry the bell pepper cut into thick juliens in very little oil and keep aside.

2. Add some little oil to it and fry the onions until golden brown. Add the tomato puree, turmeric powder, coriander powder, green chillies, salt, ginger-garlic paste to it and roast till oil starts separating.

3.Then add creme (or malai) to it and mix well.When it is about to heat up add the powdered dry fruits ( believe me it really makes a difference in taste but definitely add up in calories a little !! )

As you continue to stir it the gravy will start to thicken. When it reaches your desired consistency add the sauted bell pepper and raw panner to it.

4. Turn the gas off and add garam masala and kasoori methi to it ,crushing between your palms. Mix well and serve.

Tips n Tricks : Dry fruits are added to give it e restaurant like taste and consistency.However if uyou do not wish to load up calories avoid dry fruits and use tofu instead of paneer.

Soy Kheema

I love soy as this being a very healthy option for vegetarians like me. I often made soy nuggets until i discovered these granules.They are quick n easy to make plus carry loads of protein.My kids love to eat this especially filled in a chapati like a burrito !

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Soy granules (Nutrela)


• 1/4 cup Finely chopped carrots


• 1/4 cup Finely chopped green beans


• 1/4 cup Green peas


• 1 Onion chopped


• 1 Tomato chopped


• 1-2 Green chillies chopped (optional)


• 3-4 tbsp Oil


• 1/4 tsp Turmeric


• 1/2 tsp Coriander powder


• 1/4 tsp Garam Masala


• 1/4 tsp Chilli powder (optional)


• 1/2 tsp Chat Masala


• Few sprigs of fresh Cilantro/Coriander


• Salt (as per taste)

Method

1. Soak soy granules in lukewarm water and keep them aside.Do not ude too much of water, just enough that they absorb.Put the green peas in the microwave for 2-3 minutes on HIGH and keep aside.

2. In a pan add oil and let it heat.Then add onions, stir them for 1-2 minutes and add chopped carrots and beans.Stir the vegetables for 4-5 minutes.Do not fry much as they tend to loose their color and crunch. To this add all the dry spices except for chat masala and garam masala.If it seems too dry u can add few drops of water.

3. Without sqeezing the water out of soy granules, add them to the pan along with chopped tomatoes and peas.Add salt ,mix it well and cover it for 4-5 minutes on low.

4. All the water from the soy wud be gone now and now u can add chat masala and garam masala.

5. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with chapati.

Tips and Tricks:

• Squeezing the water out of soy washes away all its nutrients .
• You can even use this as filling in chapati roll/burrito for a healthy kids lunch pack.
• Adding peas in the last helps retain their color and prevents them from becoming dry n hard.

Banana Bread

This recipe is for all those people who do not want to spend money on cake mixers and still want to try one.This is an all time favourite cake in my home and a quick one too without messing with too many dishes.

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup All purpose flour
• 2 large Over riped bananas
• 3/4 cup Castor sugar(or powdered sugar)
• 1 tbsp Baking powder
• 1 tsp Baking soda
• 3/4 cup Canola oil (or melted butter)
• 1 tsp Vanilla Essence/vanilla imitation
• 3 Eggs
• 1/2 Walnuts or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Method

1. Pre heat the oven at 325 F ( or 170C) .Grease the loaf pan (or any pan of ur choice) with little oil/butter and keep aside. Mash the bananas and keep aside.

2.Mix the baking sugar and baking powder in the flour.Sieve the flour so that the flour becomes airy and fluffy.

3. Take a large mixing bowl and mash bananas in it until smooth.Beat the eggs with hand and add to it.Add the vanilla essence to it.

4. Add the flour, sugar and oil to it. Fold the flour nicely till all lumps are gone.

5. In the end add walnuts (or chocolate chips for a kid friendly version) and mix gently.

6. Bake for 30-35 mins or until the cake surface turns golden brown, and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

7.Remove from the oven and invert the pan immediately. Let cool completely before taking out.To remove the cake from the pan, run a thin-bladed knife around the inside of the pan . Release the cake and run the knife along the base of the pan to remove the cake.

Tips n Tricks:

Bring the eggs to room temperature before hand.

Egg Kheema

This is my very first recipe since i started blogging.The reason I choose this recipe as my first post is I wanted to thank my special friend Manju who made this dish popular back home in India.I sent this recipe for her daughter's birthday party and it was an instant hit( as told by her). She posted the party pics along with food pics in her profile and people kept asking for recipe. This recipe is good for 4 people.So here it goes..

Ingredients

• 4 Hard boiled eggs
• 1 large Onion finely chopped
• 2 large Tomato into paste/puree
• 1/2 tsp Ginger garlic paste
• 3 tbsp Oil
• 1/8 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric
• 1/2 tsp MDH chicken masala/Kheema masala OR any garam masala you have
• 1/2 tsp Coriander powder
• 1/4 Red chilli powder(optional)
• 2-3 Green chillies (optional)
• Fresh cilantro/coriander chopped
• Salt (according to taste)

Method

1. Grate all the boiled eggs and keep aside. Now in a deep pan/wok put the oil .When the oil is heated up add chopped onions to it. Fry the onions till they shrink.

2. Now add the tomato paste/puree to it and add all the dry spices along with the salt. Add the ginger-garlic paste and chopped/whole green chillies( if u like spicy).Add 2-3 tsp of water, mix well and cover it on low for 2-3 minutes. Uncover and see if the oil starts separating. If it does that means all the spices are blended well.

3. Now add 1/8 cup of milk to it just enough to make a gravy. Add the grated egg and mix well.Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot.Enjoy with ur chapatis as a meal or with pav as a snack.

Serving suggestion: Serve egg kheema with toasted pavs, coriander chutney and chopped onions on the side.

Tips n Tricks: If u do not wish to add milk u can add water.Adding milk/water prevents kheema from becoming too dry and gives it consistency.