Showing posts with label Tangy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tangy. Show all posts

Friday, October 1, 2010

Rajasthan ki Kadhi

Chitra Pal Rajasthan ki Kadhi

Ingredients

1. 1 cup of besan / gram flour

2. 3 cups of chaaj / butter milk (or mixture of 2 cups of yoghurt +2 cups of water)

3. 3 green chilies chopped

4. Red chili powder

5. Turmeric powder

6. Salt to taste

7. ½ tsp f coriander powder

8. Pinch of Asafoetida

9. ½ tsp of ajwain / carom seeds

10. ½ tsp of cumin / zeera seeds

11. Oil

12. 1 tbsp of ginger minced

13. About 10 curry leaves

Directions

1. Heat 4 cups of oil in deep dish non stick pan for pakoras.

2. In a bowl add 2 tbsp of besan with 1 green chili chopped. Add ½ tsp of red chili powder and ¼ tsp of turmeric powder.

3. Add 2tbsp of yoghurt.

4. Add cumin seeds, ajwain, coriander powder, ginger and asafetida and salt.

5. Mix it well till it turns to thick batter for pakoras.

6. Drop the pakoras one by one when the oil is hot and cook all of them.

7. Keep the pakoras on tissue paper or kitchen towel for excess oil to drain.

8. In another bowl add Butter milk and rest of the besan.

9. Add ¼ tsp of turmeric powder and salt and mix it well.

10. In a non stick pan add 2 tbsp of oil and add the butter milk mixture.

11. Cook till it turns little thick.

12. Now in a non stick pan prepare the tadka.

13. Add 1 ½ tbsp of clarified butter or vegetable oil and add ½ tsp of red chili powder and curry leaves and green chilies and sauté them.

14. Pour the tadka to kadhi and add pakoras to it.

15. Serve hot with steamed Rice or zeera rice or paranthas.

-Chitra

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Spicy and Sour Eggplants / Chatpate Baingan

  

Chitra Pal Chatpate Baingan

Ingredients

1. ½ kg small purple baingan / eggplants

2. 2 big onions chopped vertically

3. Salt to taste

4. 2 tsp of red chili powder

5. 1 tbsp of mango / amchoor powder

6. 2 tsp of turmeric powder

7. 2 tsp of coriander powder

8. 2 tsp of cumin powder

9. Oil

Directions

1. After washing the baingan thoroughly pat dry them with kitchen cloth.

2. Cut the baingan stems and make two cuts cross wise for filling.

3. In a bowl add salt, red chili powder, turmeric, amchoor, coriander, cumin powder and mix it well with spoon.

4. Now fill in all the baingans with the masala and keep them aside for 30 minutes at least.

Chitra Pal Spicy and Sour Eggplants 1

5. In the mean time in a non stick pan add 1 tbsp of oil and add onions to it.

Chitra Pal Carmalized Onions

6. When the onions are caramelized take it out from the pan.

7. In the same pan add all the baingans carefully with 2 tbsp of oil. Fry them until turned soft and changed color.

Chitra Pal Spicy and Sour Eggplants 2

8. Now place the onions in serving bowl and then add the baingans on the bed of onions.

9. Serve hot with rice, or chapatti’s

-Chitra

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Kayree Panha/ Kachche Aam ka Panna

Chitra Pal Kairi Panhe Kachche Aam ka Panna

'Kairi Panhe' or 'Kairi che pahne' is a maharashtrian name for this raw mango drink. Kairi means 'raw mango' in marathi language. 'Aam(mango) Panna' is a Hindi name for this drink.

Did you know?

Green or unripe mango contains a large portion of starch which gradually changes into glucose, sucrose and maltose as the fruit begins to ripe. It disappears completely when the fruit is fully ripe.

The raw mango is a valuable source of vitamin C. It contains more vitamin C than half-ripe or fully ripe mangoes. It is also a good source of vitamin B1 and B2 and contains sufficient quantity of niacin. These vitamins differ in concentration in various varieties during the stages of maturity and environmental conditions. The ripe fruit is very wholesome and nourishing.

The chief food ingredient of mango is sugar. The acids contained in the fruit are tartaric acid and malic acid, besides a trace of citric acid. These acids are utilized by the body and they help to maintain the alkali reserve of the body.

The unripe mango protects from the adverse effects of hot, scorching winds. A drink, prepared from the unripe mango by cooking with sugar and water is an effective remedy for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Eating raw mango with salt quenches thirst and prevents the excessive loss of sodium chloride and iron during summer due to excessive sweating.

Chitra Pal Raw Mango 

Ingredients

1. 2 Raw Mangoes / Ambi

2. 6 Glass of water

3. ½ tsp of salt

4. 1 cup of sugar

5. 1 tsp of cumin powder

6. 2 tsp of dried mint leaves

Directions

Chitra Pal Raw Mango in Water

1. Wash the raw mangoes and boil them in water, do not remove the peel.

2. When the peel of mangoes becomes soft, it will come off easily.

3. Take off the peel and seed but scrape the pulp with fork or spoon. Careful it will be hot, let it cool down.

4. Now add sugar, salt, cumin powder and mint leaves.

5. Now put the mixture on heat again with 6 glass of water and let it reduce to half.

6. Remove from the heat and transfer it to glass bowl topped on ice tray / bowl.

7. Let it cool down and refrigerate it.

8. Serve these individual glasses with ice cubes and some fresh mint leaves or lemon slices.

-Chitra

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Tangy Mexican Rice

Chitra Pal Tangy Mexican Rice

Ingredients

1. 1 cup of uncooked basmati Rice or any long grained rice

2. 1 tsp of garlic salt

3. ½ tsp of ground cumin powder

4. ¼ cup of chopped red onion

5. 3 tbsp of vegetable oil

6. ½ cup of Tomato sauce

7. 3 tbsp of Tabasco hot sauce

8. 2 cups of vegetable or chicken broth

9. ¼ cup of green peas

10. 1 jalapeno pepper chopped finely

IMG_4150

Directions

1. Heat oil in a non stick pan over medium heat.

2. Stir in onions and jalapeno and cook until tender.

3. Now add rice, cook by stirring constantly until golden by shaking the pan do not use the any spoon.

4. While Rice is cooking, sprinkle with salt and cumin.

5. Add peas to rice and toss.

6. Stir in tomato sauce and hot sauce.

7. Add vegetable broth or chicken broth.

8. Now bring the rice to boil and then reduce the heat to low. Now cook with a lid on.

9. In between fluff them with fork. It will be ready in 20 to 25 minutes.

10. Serve warm rice on chilled lettuce leaves with a beans and chilled raita.

-Chitra

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Masala Chane

Chitra Pal Masala Chane

Kala chana / Chickpeas are high lots of protein and nutrition in it. Try this for your kids, they will love it and you will be satisfied when kids will have their protein.

Ingredients

1. 2 cups of boiled Kale Chane

2. 1 tbsp of cumin / zeera seeds

3. Salt and Red chili powder to taste

4. 1 tsp of turmeric powder

5. 1 tsp of coriander powder

6. 1 tsp of cumin powder

7. 2 tsp of amchoor / mango powder

8. 3 tbsp of oil

Directions

1. Heat oil in non stick pan.

2. Add cumin seeds to splutter.

3. Now add Salt, red chili powder, coriander, turmeric and cumin powder and stir.

4. Add the kale chane and mix it well.

5. Cook for 5 minutes and now add amchoor powder

6. Toss them and cook for another 10 minutes.

7. Masala Chane is ready you can serve them with puri’s or paranthas and for kids just serve them in an individual bowls just garnish with lime juice and dhaniya leaves as salad.

-Chitra

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Sweet and Saucy Stir Fry

Chitra Pal Sweet and Saucy Stir Fry

Ingredients

1. 1 cup of zuchinni chopped in 1-2 inch cubes

2. 1 cup of brocolli florets

3. ½ cup of chopped carrots

4. 1 cup each of yellow, green, red bell peppers chopped

5. 1 small can of water chestnuts / singhara or ½ cup of chopped in 1 inch cubes

6. 1 tsp of sesame oil

7. 2 tsp of soy sauce

8. 1 tsp of conrstarch with 1 cup of water

9. 1 tsp of honey

10. 2 tbsp of vinegar

11. ½ cup of pineapple juice with crushed pineapple pieces

12. 2 teaspoon of fresh minced ginger and garlic

13. Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

1. For vegetables. Boil 3-4 cups of water and add salt.

2. Drop in all vegetables except water chestnuts to take the edge off but still being crunchy just for 3-4 minutes.

3. Take out the veggies and scatter them in an open tray to cool them quickly.

4. In the mean time add seasme oil, soy sauce, vinegar, honey and corn starch water in a small bowl. Whisk and heat the mixture till sauce turns little thick.

5. Heat oil in a non stick wok (khadiy) or deep dish pan.

6. Add ginger garlic paste.

7. When the mixture little pink add all cooled down vegetables in the wok add water chestnuts now. Keep on stirring in between.

8. Fry them little brown and then add soy sauce mixture and stir with tongs.

9. When it is incorporated add pineapple juice with chunks and stir. Let it simmer for sometime till it turns little thick sauce.

10. Plate them and garnish with chopped green onions. You can serve with steamed rice.

This will make you say yummy , saucy. I am sure. Try this.

-Chitra

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Fattoush

 Chitra Pal Fattoush

Zesty Lebanese Salad made from toasted pita / Arabic bread combined with mix vegetables and herbs is a perfect starter for your meal. It’s super healthy and refreshingly delicious. Try it today.

Ingredients

1. 2-3 tomatoes chopped in cube size

2. 1 cucumber chopped in cube size (quartered lengthwise and chopped)

3. 1 green pepper seeded and diced

4. 4 scallions / green onions chopped roughly

5. 1 cup of romaine lettuce chopped

6. 2 tbsp of parsley chopped

7. 1 tsp of dried mint

8. 1 cup of cilantro / dhaniya/ coriander chopped

9. 2 pita bread toasted and cut into cubes

10. ½ cup of oilive oil

11. Salt and pepper to taste

12. ½ cup of lemon juice

Directions

1. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, scallions, lettuce and herbs (cilantro, mint, parsley) in a bowl.

2. Whisk oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper and add to the bowl. Toss.

3. Put the toasted, baked pita bread cubed already at the top and serve.

-Chitra

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Potato Wedges

Chitra Pal Potato Wedges

Ingredients

1. 2 medium potatoes

2. Salt to taste

3. Pepper to taste

4. 1 tbsp of lemon juice

5. Red chili powder to taste

6. 1tsp. of hot sauce

7. 2 tbsp of virgin olive oil

Chitra Pal PotatoWedges

Directions

1. Cut the potatoes in wedges and drop in glass bowl

2. Spray oil on the wedges

3. Sprinkle salt, pepper and red chili powder and red hot sauce

4. Now toss over the wedges with spatula

5. Spread the wedges in oven tray. Oven should be preheated at 400 degrees

6. Bake the wedges till they turn golden brown

7. Sprinkle lemon juice all over the wedges.

8. Serve hot with spicy mayonnaise sauce or tomato sauce

- Chitra

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

All Peppery Pasta

Ingredients
  1. 2 cups Spiral Pasta (preferably Rainbow Color)
  2. 1 medium Onion (chopped vertically)
  3. 2 cups/one can Roasted Tomato Puree/ Paste /Sauce
  4. 2 cups of Red, Orange , Green and Yellow Bell Pepper chopped thinly and vertically
  5. 2 cloves Garlic (chopped)
  6. Salt and Pepper to taste
  7. 2 tsp. Vegetable Oil / Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  8. One finely chopped green Onion/Scallions
  9. Coriander/Cilantro
  10. Olives
  11. 1 fresh Lemon Juice
Directions
  1. Heat a large pot of water to boil for pasta for 10 minutes and add some Salt (only time to flavor the pasta)
  2. Add Pasta and turn heat to low.
  3. Heat Oil in non stick pan on Medium low heat.
  4. Add Onions. When the Onions turn light brown add Garlic.
  5. Add Bell Peppers.
  6. Add Salt and Pepper.
  7. Add Tomato Sauce and stir it well let it simmer for 3-5 mins. (Turn heat to Low and cover the pan)
  8. Drain the Pasta and toss it in the serving tray.
  9. Now toss the sauce over the top and lightly mix it.
  10. Garnish with Jalapenos, Olives and Vinegar and fresh Lemon juice and with chopped green Onion/Scallions, Coriander/Cilantro.
  11. Quickly divide into individual bowls and Serve bowlfuls of Peppery Pasta.

-Chitra

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Mint Chutney

Chitra Pal Mint Chutney

Savory treat for all of you :)

Ingredients:-

· 1 cup of soaked seedless tamarind in warm water
· 2 bunches of mint / pudina
· 1 bunch of cilantro / dhaniya / corriander
· 1 jalapeno or green chili
· ½ chopped red onion
· 3 tsp. of sugar (sugar free preferred)
· Salt to taste
· 1 teaspoon of red chili powder
· Water


Directions:-

· Separate Mint and Cilantro leaves from stems.
· Now mix them in blender with onions and green chilies. If the mixture is thick to mix add little bit of
water.
· Now slowly add soaked tamarind.
· When it is mixed well add salt, red chili powder and sugar.
· Enjoy mint chutney sandwiches by spreading over any kind of bread, crackers or nachos,
even with paranthas, puris or pakoras



-Chitra

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Asian Style Fish Sticks / Pakoras

Chitra Pal Fish Pakoras
Ingredients

· Two wheat bread
· 2 tsp of Olive Oil or olive oil spray
· One Lemon
· One tsp of fresh cilantro/dhaniya


For Marinating
· 1/2 cup soy sauce (preferred-low Sodium)
· 2 cups of fresh orange juice
· 2 tsp. of sugar
· 2 tsp. of fresh chopped cilantro
· 1 tsp. of fresh chopped ginger
· 2 cloves of minced garlic
· 2 fresh fillets of Salmon (preferred – Atlantic)
· 1 teaspoon of hot sauce
· 1 teaspoon of hot chili flakes or red chili powder

 Chitra Pal Fish Sticks

Marinated Fish in Sauce

Directions:-

  • Cut two fillets into bite size pieces (approx. 6-7 pieces)
  • Marinate them into zip lock bag or plastic container from 4-24 hrs and keep it aside in fridge (preferred overnight)
  • Take out the fish 20 minutes before cooking to allow them to come in room temperature.
  • In the mean time grate the bread slices into fresh bread crumbs and take them out in separate bowl or tray.
  • Heat oil in a non stick pan/skillet.
  • Take out the fish and roll it over bread crumbs until they are all coated with it.
  • When the pan has turned hot turn down the heat to medium and put the fish piece one by one. Turning heat to medium will not smoke into your kitchen.
  • Do not flip the fish until it has been cooked to 5 mins. Or the breaded fish has turned golden brown each side.
  • Take another small pan and pour the marinating sauce into it and reduce it till it turns thick.

When the fish is cooked sprinkle fresh cilantro/dhaniya and lemon juice over it and place it over the marinating sauce. Serve hot.



-Chitra

Monday, February 16, 2009

POHA LAJWAAB

Chitra Pal Poha Lajwaab 
Poha/ Powa/ Chidwada/ Flattenned Rice :-

From western India, Poha, made from flattened rice, is an easy-to-cook, very nutritious snack. It is often eaten for breakfast or brunch. Add extra zing to Poha by serving it with Vinegar or Mint-Coriander Chutney! My Mom use to make this many times when we were kids, it is loved by all kids and all moms as it is quick lunch meal for their kids.

Ingredients

· 4 cups Flat/Pressed Rice/Chidwada/ ppha mix
· 1 cup Roasted peanuts (without oil)
· Salt & Red chili powder to taste
· 3 tsp. of Vinegar
· 1 cup mix vegetables
· 1 chopped onion
· 1 tsp. of cumin
· 1 teaspoon turmeric powder


Directions

· In a non stick flat deep dish pan heat 2 tsp. of oil and add cumin & onion to it.
· When onion turns pink add mix vegetables.
· Till mix vegetables get little fried wash your flat rice and soak for 2 minutes in warm

water.
· After two minutes drain water from flat rice and add with Mix vegetables.
· Now add all dry spices.
· Now in last add peanuts and let all mixture cook till 5 minutes. Just remember this

mixture should have no moisture.
· Now serve hot or cold by garnishing vinegar and Jalapenos (optional)


-Chitra Pal

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Irani Pulao blended with bell peppers, garnised with Spicy Vinegar sauce

Chitra Pal Irani Pulau

Here is the recipe I learnt from my mom, she cooked it for my brother and me a lot when we were kids. After getting married now, I miss her food so much, so I am just trying my best to do this. This one is for you Mom, I miss you.

Ingredients


For Pulao:-
· 2 cups of Rice
· 3/4 cup of Whole Masoor daal
(You can get this ½ kg from any Indian store for 4-5 $)
· 1 tsp of Cumin/Zeera
· Salt & black pepper to taste
· 1 teaspoon of red chili powder

For Sauce:-
· 1 yellow and 1 green bell pepper chopped roughly in size
· 2 tsp of vinegar
· 2 tsp of hot sauce

Vegetable/Canola/Olive oil (except mustard oil)
Water

Directions


For Pulao:-
· Soak Rice and Daal for 30 minutes before you make pulao
· In non stick skillet add 2 tsp of any oil (you use for cooking) on med heat
· Add Cumin/Zeera seeds
· When Cumin seeds splutter add salt and red chili powder
· Now add soaked rice and masoor daal without water.
· Stir for 2-3 minutes and now add 1 ½ cups of water
· Pulao will be ready in 10-15 minutes

For Sauce
· In another non stick skillet, add ½ tsp of oil.
· Add chopped bell peppers.
· Now let them cook 5-10 minutes till they turn little pink brown on low heat.
· Now add ¼ cup of water and let it cook for 5 minutes.
· After they are cooked keep them aside and add salt and pepper to taste and let it sit till pulao is ready.
· Now add hot sauce and vinegar to them and stir it so that each bell pepper is coated with
Sauce.

Serve in individual serving dish and garnish Pulao with sides of bell peppers with sauce drizzled on top and enjoy.


-Chitra Pal

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Grilled Atlantic Salmon with Tangy Tomato Rice or with a Tasty Side of Hot and Sour Vinegar Sauce


Chitra Pal Grilled Salmon with Tomato Rice
Two in One Recipe :-
This recipe is for Grilled Salmon served with tomato rice or with a tasty side dish of tangy bell pepper sauce. It’s just few more ingredients and you can make a little variation in your next dinner or lunch.

Serve it to your loved ones instead of waiting to go a fancy restaurant for this fabulous dish or invite your friends over and believe me they will be your fan after this.
Ingredients

· Two cups of soaked rice ( soak only for 30 minutes before cooking)
· 1 cup of tomato sauce
· 1 cup of fresh mix vegetables- for different colors ( Capsicum, Carrots, Peas, Corn)
· Vegetable/Olive Oil
· 1 tsp. Cumin/Zeera powder
· Salt to taste
· 1 tsp of red chili powder
· Fresh chopped cilantro/coriander/dhaniya

For Marinating Fish:-
· Two Fillets Atlantic Salmon (cut in two pieces each- Dinner for four)
· Juice of 1 Lemon, and take lemon zest for same.
· 1 tsp. lime zest
· 2 garlic cloves minced very thinly
· Salt & Pepper to taste
· 2 tsp. of Olive oil
· ½ tsp. of red chili powder
· 1 tsp. of vinegar1 tsp. hot sauce.
Directions

Rice:-
· Mix all the ingredients for marinating and marinate the fish for 1 night before
or 7-8 hrs before you cook.
· Take a non stick skillet and add zeera/cumin seeds to 2 tsp of vegetable/olive oil.
· Now add salt and red chili powder.
· Add mix vegetables and let them cook till they turn crispy light brown.
· Now add tomato puree/sauce to it and let it cook for 2-5 minutes.
· Add soaked rice to it without water and stir it for two minutes until each rice grain is
coated with your mixture.
· Now add 1 to 1 ½ cups of water and let it cook till 15-20 minutes.


Cooking Fish:-

Till Rice cooks start with fish.
· Spray non stick oil spray on a grilled pan/plate (if you don’t have a grilled pan you can
use non stick skillet also)
· When it is medium heated add the fish, do not add sauce just fish. Let the fish cook on
each side for 3-5 minutes until it is golden brown. If you flip before this fish will not be
cooked properly and will break while flipping. For Sauce
· Heat on low heat leftover marinating sauce and 2 tsp of vinegar and 1 tsp. of
vinegar.
Serve rice with Salmon in individual plates and garnish with spicy and sour sauce on it.
Chitra Pal Grilled Salmon with Bell Peppers
Next Day Lunch or Dinner :-

Now you can make this as next day lunch or next day dinner with slight additions. Cook Fish as referred above and cook tasty side dish with it.

Ingredients
For Sauce:-
· 1 yellow and 1 green bell pepper chopped roughly in size
· 2 tsp of vinegar
· 2 tsp of hot sauce
· Vegetable/Canola/Olive oil (except mustard oil)
· ¼ cup of Water

Directions
. Take another non stick skillet, add ½ tsp of oil.
· Add chopped bell peppers.
· Now let them cook 5-10 minutes till they turn little pink brown on low heat.
· Now add ¼ cup of water and let it cook for 5 minutes.
· After they are cooked keep them aside and add salt and pepper to taste and let it sit
till pulao is ready.
· Now add hot sauce and vinegar to them and stir it so that each bell pepper is coated with
Sauce.
Serve with Grilled Salmon on hot and sour bell peppers bed and garnish with the sauce.

This could be romantic dinner special for Valentine's Day :)


-Chitra Pal

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Khatte Rasmeese Aloo - Puri Aloo Dish

Chitra Pal Kathe Rasmeese Aloo

Ingredients
· 4 Boiled diced Potatoes
· 1 tsp. of Cumin / zeera
· 1 teaspoon Haldi/turmeric powder
· 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
· Salt to taste
· 1 teaspoon Anaardana & Amchoor (dry Mango powder)

Directions
· Heat Oil in non stick pan and add cumin seeds to splutter.
· Now add all dry spices and mix gently.
· Add boiled diced Potatoes
· Turn down heat to low and add 1 cup water
· Slide down the lid on to it.
· Serve hot with Puri's, Paranthas
 
-Chitra

Chili Kadhai Paneer-Perfect Party Snack

 Chitra Pal Chili Paneer

Ingredients
· 2 roughly chopped Onion
· 2 roughly chopped Green bell peppers
· 2 tsp. minced ginger
· 1 small Tomato sauce/paste can
· 3 half hut green chilies
· 1 tsp. red chili powder
· 250 gm. Indian cottage cheese / Paneer
· 2 tsp. of Soy Sauce
· 1 cup roasted peanuts (not fried)

Directions


· Cut cottage cheese/ paneer in 1 inch cubes and keep it aside.
· Now take a non stick pan and add ginger to it.
· As soon as Ginger turns pink add Onions.
· While onions turn little bit crisp and pink in color add bell peppers.
· Add Soy Sauce
· Slide down the lid on the pan for five minutes and turn down the heat to low.
· When bell peppers are little soft and crispy add all dry spices.
· Now add Tomato paste.
· Now cook the mixture till 5 minutes with lid down on the pan.
· After cooking whole mixture/masala now add Paneer to this and let it simmer for 5

more minutes.
· Now add roasted peanuts for little crunch
· Garnish with green chilies.
· Serve hot with Naan/Chapatti or Parantha or serve as a snack with drinks.

You can also use Chicken instead of Paneer. Just roast Chicken before and rest of the recipe remians same.

-Chitra Ahluwalia Pal

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Paneer Lababdaar

Perfect spicy Dish with red curry with so soft paneer that it will melt in your mouth :)
Chitra Pal Paneer Lababdaar
Ingredients

· 2 Minced Onions
· 1 cup Tomato Puree
· ½ cup Curd
· 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
· Salt to taste
· 1 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
· 250 gm cubed Paneer / Cottage Cheese
· 2 cardamoms
· Oil / Desi Ghee (Clarified butter)

Directions

· In a non stick pan add oil and add Onions.
· When Onions turn golden brown add tomato puree.
· When oil starts leaving sides of pan add curd and all dry spices with 2 cardamoms and Salt.
· Now add cubes of paneer.
· Garnish with Finely chopped green chilies and serve hot with Paranthas/ Chapatti or Naan

-Chitra Ahluwalia Pal

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Citrus Rice Salad

Chitra Pal Citrus Rice Salad

A colorful Citrus recipe..

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked long grain rice
  • ½ diced red Onion
  • 3-4 sliced spring onions (green)
  • 5 chopped tomatoes
  • ½ diced English cucumber
  • 2 tsp. chopped cilantro/coriander leaves

    Dressing
  • Juice of 1 Orange
  • Juice of lemon
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste


    Directions
  • In a large bowl combine cooked rice, onion, green onions, tomato, cucumber and chopped cilantro.
  • In a small bowl whisk together fresh orange juice, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt pepper to taste.
  • Mix well and pour over the rice salad.
  • Toss gently and garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.

-Chitra Ahluwalia Pal


Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Nachos and Cucumber Salsa

A quick snack for unexpected guests with ingredients from your refrigerator and pantry.My friend was always worried with her unexpected children friend's, specially when they are vegeterian.So I came up with this idea and instead of regular tomoato salsa, this is cucumber salsa.Cucumber is very good alternative in summers, it cools you down within no time.

Chitra Pal Nachos and Cucumber Salsa

Ingredients


• 1 chopped cucumber
• 1 chopped tomato
• 1 medium chopped onions
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• 2 tsp. of Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp of Hot sauce
• 1 tsp. of any Vinegar (not balsamic vinegar)

Directions

• Add everything in a large bowl and mix together.
• Garnish with Chopped cilantro (optional)
• Serve with Store bought Nachos chips any shape any color and serve a cool
healthy smoothie or drink.

Your children and their friends will be more than happy :)


-Chitra

Monday, July 7, 2008

Spicy Homemade Namkeen

Sometimes you crave for a spicy and tangy snack, specially on a rainy day.So this is the perfect dish to serve your loved ones.Serve with hot Tea/Coffee and njoy the amazing weather in your balcony or terrace.

A very easy, homemade namkeen made by Vermicelli / Seviyan made in few minutes.

Chitra Pal Spicy Homemade Namkeen

Ingredients

· 3cups of toasted (brown) Vermicelli / Seviyan
· One small Onion chopped vertically
· Salt to taste
· ½ cup Green Peas
· ½ cup Peanuts
· ½ tsp. Red Chili Powder
· ¼ tsp. Turmeric
· 1 tsp. Vinegar
· 2 tsp. of Oil
For Garnishing
· Jalapenos or Green chilies dipped in vinegar (can get easily from Pasta section).

Directions

· Roast the Peanuts on low flame in a non stick pan without oil. Do not burn it, they should have brown color.
· Take another non stick pan and roast the Vermicelli till they are golden brown.
· Remove Vermicelli and add Onions in same pan add 1 tsp of oil.
· When onions are golden brown, add Peas to it.
· Now add Vermicelli back into pan and add Peanuts.
· Add Salt and Red chili powder and turmeric.
· Leave it on low flame by adding 2 tsp. of water

Serve hot or cold with Tea / Coffee.



-Chitra