Badam Halwa(Almonds)

Ingredients:

• Badam -2 cups
• Sugar -2 1/2 cups
• Kesar Colour -2 drops
• Ghee -1 cup
• Milk -1 cup

Method:

• Leave the almonds in hot water for 1 hour.
• Remove the outer skin and grind to a paste with the milk.
• Make sugar syrup and boil till it reaches a one string consistency.(It should be like a thread between fingers when touched.)
  
• Add the badam paste and cook till it thickens.
• Add the kesar colour.
• Add ghee little by little stirring continuously on low heat.

Malai Kofta

Ingredients:

• Milk - 600 ml.
• Lemon juice - 2,3 tbsp.
• Gram flour (besan) - 4 tbsp.
• Oil for frying
• Salt to taste

For Gravy:

• Oil - 3 tsp.
• Milk- 400 ml.
• Onion - 1 (large)
• Tomatoes - 2 (medium)
• Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp.
• Green chillis - 2
• Salt to taste

Method:

• Heat milk in pan and bring it to boil. Remove from heat.
• Add lemon juice. Stir slowly and gently until white curd forms on the surface and separates from whey.
• Strain the milk. This will give you "chenna". Squeeze "chenna" to make sure that most water is extracted.
• Knead "chenna" to make a smooth dough.
• Make small balls if equal size and wrap each ball in gram flour.
• Fry these "chenna" balls in oil until golden brown and keep aside.

To make Gravy:

• Take a pan/kadai with specified oil and fry chopped onion until it turns pink.
• Add turmeric powder and green chillies.
• Add chopped tomatoes and fry well till the mixture starts separating from oil.
• Now add milk in it and let it boil. Keep stiring in between.
• After boiling for approx. 5-7 min, add the fried "chenna" balls and let it boil for another two min.

Mutter Paneer

Ingredients:

• Paneer - 200 grams
• Cooked green peas - 1 cup
• Onion - 1
• Tomatoes - 1
• Bay leaves - 2
• Cloves - 3,4
• Black pepper powder - 1/4 tsp.
• Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tsp.
• Green chilli - 1
• Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp.
• Red chilli powder - 1 tsp.
• Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp.
• Poppey seeds - 1 tbsp.
• Cumin powder (Roasted) - 1 tsp.
• Garam Masala Powder - 1 tsp
• Vegetable oil 5-6 tsp
  
• Salt to taste
• Green coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:

• Heat oil in a pan / kadhai. Cut paneer into small cubes. Fry over medium heat until light brown. Turn pieces while frying. Be very careful as it splatters. Keep the paneer pieces aside.
• Cut onion, tomato and green chilli. Grind it in a mixer and make paste. Add ginger-garlic paste.
• Heat remaining oil and fry bay leaves and cloves for 30 secs.
  
• Add the paste and fry on medium heat until golden brown (The oil starts separating from the mixture).
• Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala, black pepper powder, poppey seeds and salt. Mix well.
  
• Add green peas and fry for 2-3 minutes.Add water just enough to make thick gravy. Bring the gravy to boil. Add paneer pieces. Stir well and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.
  
• Garnish with chopped green coriander leaves and serve hot.

Navratan Korma

Ingredients:

• Boiled vegetables - 3 cups
• (9 varieties-potatoes, carrots, green peas, french beans, cauliflower, capsicum, cabbage,bottle gourd, cluster beans)
  
• Grated paneer - 150 grams
• Tomatoes - 3
• Grated onions - 2
• Ginger paste - 1 1/2 tsp.
• Garlic paste 1 1/2 tsp.
• Salt to taste
• Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp.
• Red chilli powder - 1 1/2 tsp.
• Coriander powder - 1 tsp.
• Garam Masala Powder - 2 tsp.
• Cream - 2 tbsp.
• Vegetable oil - 6 tbsp.
• Ghee - 1 tbsp.
• Milk / water - 1 cup
• Dry fruits (cashew nuts, raisins) - 1/4 cup
• Coriander leaves for decoration
  

Method:

• Boil tomatoes till tender. Allow them to cool. Then peel off the tomato skin to make puree. (Readymade tomato puree can also be used. )
• Take 1 tbsp ghee and slightly fry the dry fruits for about 1 min on medium heat.
• Heat oil in a pan. Fry onions and ginger-garlic paste till golden brown.
• Add salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala and fry for 2-3 minutes.
• Next add tomato puree and dry fruits. Stir well and cook the mixture for 4 minutes. Ensure that the mixture doesn't stick to bottom of pan.
• Add milk (use water alternatively). Bring it to boil. Reduce the heat and cook until the gravy becomes thick.
• Add paneer to the gravy and stir well.
• Finally add all the vegetables to the above gravy and cook for 5-7 minutes.
  
• Serve hot. Decorate with cream and chopped coriander leaves.

Hara Pulao(Green spicy pulao)

Ingredients:

• Basmati rice - 1 cup
• Cauliflower (cut into small pieces) - 250 grams
• Green peas - 150 grams
• Thinly sliced potatoes - 200 grams
• Cinnamon - 2 sticks
• Cloves - 4-5
• Black pepper - 7,8
• Bay leaves - 2-3
• Green cardamom - 2
• Thinly sliced onions - 2
• Thinly sliced green chilli - 2
• Vegetable oil - 4 tbsp.
• Coriander leaves- 1bunch(about 100 gms)
• Green chillies - 4
  
• Ginger -one inch piece
• Salt to taste
• Garam Masala Powder
  

Method:

• Grind together coriander leaves, green chillies and ginger into a smooth paste.
  
• Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan. Fry bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper for 1/2 minute on medium heat.
• Add thinly sliced onions, green chillies and fry till pink. Keep this aside.
• Take rest of the oil and fry all the vegetables for 4-5 minutes. This adds taste to pulao.
• Add paste of coriander leaves, green chilli and ginger to it.
• Add the fried onions, garam masala and salt. Stir and then fry it for 5 minutes.
• Add washed rice and water (slightly more than 2 cups). Cook on medium heat. Stir rice once while its getting cooked.
• Decorate with chopped green coriander leaves.
  
• Serve hot with any raita.
  

Dal Makhani

Ingredients:

• Black grams - 1 cup
• Bengal grams - 1/2 cup
• Kidney beans - 1/4 cup
• Ginger -1 inch piece
  
• Green chilli -2-3
• Butter - 4 tbsp.
• Cream - 2 tbsp.
• Finely chopped tomatoes - 3
• Finely chopped onions - 2
• Garlic- 7,8 pieces
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp.
• Asafoetida - 1 pinch
• Red chilli powder - 2 tsp.
• Salt to taste
  

Method:

• Thoroughly wash black grams, bengal grams and kidney beans. Then soak it in water (2 glasses) for about 7-8 hours .
• Add ginger and garlic to the above. Pressure cook for about 10 minutes.
• Then reduce the heat to 'medium' and cook for about 15 minutes. Remove ginger-garlic from the cooked grams and make a paste.
• Heat 2 tbsp. of butter in a pan.Add asafoetida and cumin seeds in it. Add thinly sliced green chilli.
  
• Heat till it gets slight brown in color.Add ginger-garlic paste and finely chopped onions.
  
• Fry until golden brown.Add chilli powder, finely chopped tomatoes and salt until the mixture thickens into pulpy sauce (about 3 mins).
• Then add cooked grams and kidney beans to the mixture. Heat for 4-5 minutes.
  
• Add little water if it is thick.
• Add the remaining butter and cook for 2 minutes.
  
• Decorate with cream. Serve hot.
  

Palak Aloo

Ingredients :

• Onion finely chopped - 1
  
• Potatoes boiled and peeled - 3
  
• Salt to taste
• Oil - 1 tsp.
• For Gravy :
• Spinach - 1 bunch.
• Cilantro fresh - few Sprigs.
• Ginger small piece - 1.
• Green chillies - 2,3
  

Method :

• Wash and drain the water from Spinach. Chop them coarsely.
• Chop the potatoes into chunks .
• In a seperate pan/microwave boil all the ingredients for gravy.
• Cool & grind them coarsely.
• Heat oil in a pan, add finely chopped onions.Fry till the onions become translucent.
• Add the potatoes and salt.
• Add the Green Gravy and cover the pan for few minutes.
• Stir , Add water if thick.Garnish with cilantro leaves.
• Serve hot with rotis.

Baigan Bhartha

Ingredients:

• Eggplant (medium size) - 1 (brinjal/baigan)
  
• Cooked green peas - 1/2 cup
• Finely chopped onions - 1
• Finely chopped tomatoes - 1
• Finely chopped green chilli - 1
• Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp.
• Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp.
• Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp.
• Vegetable oil - 3 tbsp.
• Salt to taste
• Chopped green coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:

• Brush eggplant(brinjal/baigan) with oil and roast it over medium heat.
• Frequently turn the eggplant upside down, until fully roasted.
• Once done, hold it under cold running water or in a bowl full of water. Cool it and peel off the blackened skin. Mash the flesh.
• Heat oil in a pan / kadhai . Add green chilli and onion and fry over medium heat until light golden brown.
• Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and salt and stir. Add tomatoes and cook until tender.
• Add green peas and mashed eggplant. Stir well. Fry for 5-7 minutes over medium heat.
  
• Garnish with green coriander leaves and serve hot.

Paneer Masala

Ingredients:

• Paneer -250 grams
• Water- 2 cups
• Tomatoes- 3
• Green cardamom powder -1/4 tsp.
• Cloves - 8
• Black pepper powder - 1 tsp.
• Vegetable oil - 3 tbsp.
• Paste of ginger-garlic and green chilli 1 tsp.
• Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp.
• Red chilli powder - 1 tsp.
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp.
• Coriander leaves for garnishing
  
• Salt to taste

Method:

• Grate the paneer.
• Boil tomatoes and then peel off the skin. Mash them to make a pulpy sauce.
• Heat oil in a pan. Fry cloves, cumin seeds, ginger-garlic-green chilli paste.
• Add cardamom powder, black pepper powder, chilli powder, salt, turmeric. Stir well.
• Add pulpy tomato sauce. Fry for 4-5 minutes .
  
• Add water ,let it boil. cook on medium heat till the gravy becomes thick.
• Finally add the grated paneer. Do not cook for more than a minute after putting paneer. Remove from heat.
• Paneer masala is ready to be served. Decorate with chopped green coriander leaves.

Aloo Mutter

Ingredients :

• Potatoes Big - 4
  
• Peas - 1/4 cup
• Tomato big -1
  
• Onion medium - 2
  
• Curds - 1/2 cup
• Ginger - 1' inch piece
• Green chilies - 2(chopped)
  
• Chilli powder- Acc to Taste
• Salt to Taste
• Tumeric - 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala - 1 tsp
• Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
• Butter/ghee - 2 tsp
• Water - 1 cup
• Fresh coriander for Garnishing.

Method :

• Peel and cut the potatoes into cubes.
• Grind Onion one ginger to paste.Heat the Ghee in a pan and fry the paste to golden brown.
• Add all spices, green chillies,tomatoes and saute.
• Add curd and cook till ghee seperates.
  
• Add peas, potatoes,fry for 5 minutes. Add Water .Mix well.
• Cover and cook over a gentle fire.
  
• Serve Garnished with fresh coriander leaves

Makai Palak

Ingredients :

• Onion (finely chopped )- 1.
• Corn kernels -1 cup
• Salt to taste
• Coriander Powder- 1 tsp.
• Oil -1 tsp.

For Gravy

• Spinach - 1 bunch.
• Ginger 1 small piece
• Green chillies - 2,3
  

Method :

• Wash & drain the water from Spinach. Chop them coarsely.
• In a separate pan/microwave boil all the ingredients for gravy. Cool & grind them .
  
• Heat oil in a pan, add finely chopped onions.
• Fry till the onions become translucent.Add spice powder & mix. Add the corn ,salt & fry till the corn is almost cooked.
  
• Add the Green Gravy & cover the pan for few minutes. Stir , Add water if thick .Adjust the seasonings.
  
• Serve hot with roti .
  

Aloo Gobi

Ingredients :

• Cauliflower - 1
  
• Potatoes - 4
• Onion - 1 ( chopped lengthwise)
• Ginger,Garlic paste - 1 Tsp.
• Salt to taste.
• Tumeric -1/2 Tsp.
• Cumin Powder - 2 Tsp.
• Coriander Powder- 2 Tsp.
• Red Chilli Powder 2 tsp.
• Garam Masala -1 Tsp.(or sabzi masala)
  
• Cilantro sprigs for Garnishing.
• Kasoori methi -1/2 tsp
  
• Oil -1 Tbsp.

Method :

• Seperate the florets from Cauliflower. Wash & drain.Cut Potatoes into Chunks.
• Heat Oil in a Pan , add Onions & fry till translucent.Add ginger, garlic Paste, stir Mix in Potatoes , cover to cook.
• When the Potatoes are half done , add the flowrets,tumeric & salt. Cover to Cook. Open afer a few minutes,add all the dry powders & mix. Garnish with Cilantro leaves.
• Serve hot with Breads, Rice, Rotis or as a side dish.

Vegetable Pakora

Ingredients:

• Chickpea Flour (Besan)- 1 cup
• Oil -2 tsp
• Ground Cumin -1 tsp
• Salt- 1 1/2 tsp
• Chopped Green Chillies -1 -2
• Water -1/2 cup
• Potato -1
• Cauliflower -1 (small)
• Carrots(sliced finely) -1
  
• Cabbage -2
• Sliced Onion-1 1/2 cup

Method:

• Boil the potato until just tender, peel and chop finely.
• Finely chop cauliflower and onion. Shred the cabbage.
  
• Mix the remaining ingredients well. Mix well to make a batter.
  
• Let batter rest 1/2 hour in a warm place.
• Add the vegetables and mix in evenly.
• Deep fry in oil .
• Drain pakoda on paper towels and serve immediately.
• Serve vegetable pakora with coriander or mint chutney or tomato ketchup

Bagara Baingan

Ingredients :

• Baingan (Brinjal) - 4, 5
• Sesame Seeds (Til) - 2 Tablespoon
• Peanuts - 1 Handful
• Cumin seeds (Jilkar) - 1 Teaspoon
• Methi seeds - 1 pinch (powder)
• Onion - 1 Big
• Tamarind - small lemon size. (Soaked in little water)
• Mint (Pudhina) - Few leaves (Handful)
• Green Chillies - 4 - 5 (depending on your taste)
• Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 teaspoon
• Cilantro (coriander)leaves for garnishing
  

Method :

• Make 4 slits vertically for each Baingan (do not cut it completely).keep them aside.
  
• Fry separately Sesame seeds, Peanuts, Cumin seeds and Methi seeds and grind them separately into powder.
• Now cut onion into small pieces and green chillies into two halves.
• Take a pan, pour 3 teaspoons of oil and put green chillies after 3 seconds put onions fry them well till it changes it colour to Golden brown. Now put Mint and fry for few seconds and turn off the stove.
• After it cools put them in Grinder, add ginger garlic paste, little turmeric powder (haldhi), red chilly powder, salt, Curry powder 1/2 teaspoon and grind them into thick paste. If required add little water. Remove it and keep it a side.
• Take a pan pour 2 tablespoon of oil and put Baingan and fry them for few minutes.
• Then add the Grinded material and mix well, see that baingan does not break.
• When it is well cooked add Tamarind water (little bit concentrated), mix them and let it be cooked for few minutes.
• Now add Cumin powder and Methi powder and turn off the stove and Garnish with Cilantro leaves.

Sesame Seed Pulao

Ingredients:

• Basmati Rice - 3 cups
• Red chillies-4,5
• Sesame seeds-2tbs
• Peanuts-1/2 cup
• Cashewnuts-1/2 cup
• Butter-1tbs
• Cream-1/2 cup
• Mustard seeds-1tsp
• Curry leaves -5,6
• White lentils(urad dal) -2tsp
• Ghee or oil- 3tbs
• Salt to taste

Method:

• Wash Basmati Rice and soak it in water for some time.
• Roast 4-5 Redchillies,Sesame seeds and grind them into a fine powder.
• Heat oil in a pan and fry peanuts and cashewnuts.
• Heat butter in a pan and as it melts add half a cup of cream and add the fried nuts.
• Heat ghee in a pan,add mustard seeds,curry leaves, one cup of white lentils or urad dal and add the sesame seed mixture.
• Add some water to it.Add rice when the water starts to boil and add salt.
• When the rice is almost cooked,garnish with the cream mixture.
• Cover and cook for some more time.
• Serve hot.

WholeWheat Cake

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour-1 cup
• Jaggery(lal shakkar)-1cup
• Baking powder-1 1/2 tsp
• Oil- 1/3 cup
• Eggs -2
• Water-1/2 cup
• Almond Essence -1/2 tsp
• Walnuts(chopped and dusted with flour) -1/2 cup

Method:

• Take flour,jaggery,baking powder,oil and eggs in a bowl and beat well.
• Add the water and almond essence.Beat till smooth.Mix in the walnuts.
• Pour the mixture into the tin and bake in the preheated oven for thirty to forty minutes or till a knife pierced in comes out clean.

Walnuts have to be dusted with flour so that they do not sink to the bottom of the tin.

Palak Bhurji

Ingredients:

• Spinach- 1 bunch
• Oil-2tbs
• Garlic paste-4tsp
• Desi ghee- 1tbs
• Ginger paste-2tsp
• Tomatoes(chopped) -2,3
• Cumin powder-1tsp
• Coriander powder-1tsp
• Butter-3 big cubes
• Onions(chopped)- 2
• Thinly sliced ginger pieces.

Method:

• Chop the spinach.Heat oil in a pan ,add some garlic paste,spinach and salt and cook for sometime.
• Heat desi ghee in a pan,add garlic paste,ginger paste and saute.
• Once the garlic turns brown,add tomatoes,cumin powder and coriander powder.cook for somemore time.
• Take butter in apan ,add chopped onions and saute.
• Now add spinach,tomatopaste,salt,red chilli powder,paneer,green chillies and coriander leaves.cook for sometime.
• Garnish with thinly sliced ginger and serve hot.

Chocolate dessert with Rasmalai

Ingredients:

• Fresh cream-500gm(whipped with 150gms of powdered sugar)
• Hazel nut chocolate or any dark chocolate-1 1/2 cups
• Rasmalai-10 pieces
• Double cream-3/4 cup
• Agar-agar(china grass) soaked in water - 3tbs
• Sugar -3tbs
• Olive oil mixed with icing sugar-1tsp
• Gold foil
• Fresh fruits and fruit sauce
• Gold dust to garnish

Method:

• Take agar-agar ina pan and add sugar and double cream.
• Cook till it attains sauce like consistency.Keep aside.
• Melt the chocolate in a microwave and fold in the whipped cream.Add the agar-agar mixture and mix well.
• Grease a mould with olive oil.Fill it with half of the prepared mixture.
• Put a layer of Rasmalai and then spread the rest of the mixture.
• Refrigerate for three hours.Once set,garnish with gold foil,fresh fruits and fruit sauce.
• Sprinkle with little gold dust and serve.

Quick Onion Parantha

Ingredients:

• Wheatflour- 100gm
• Maida- 100gm
• Black Onion seeds(kalounji)-4tsp
• Desi ghee-1tbs
• Butter
• Salt
• Water

Method:

• Make a dough with wheat flour, maida ,salt,black onion seeds,desighee and water.
• Take small balls and roll to make paranthas.
• Apply butter and cook on the tawa.Serve hot.

Crunchy Potato

Ingredients:

• Potato-1
• Oil-1tbs
• Mustard seeds-1tsp
• Green chillies(finely sliced) -4,5
• Curry leaves-5,6
• Half a bowl of cashewnuts
• Grated coconut-1 cup
• Salt
• Water

Method

• Cut the potato in even size pieces and blanch in water (add potatoes to boiling water in a pan with salt) .
• Heat oil in a pan ,add mustard seeds, green chillies,curry leaves and cashewnuts.
• When the cashewnuts start turning brown,add the potato pieces,salt and grated coconut.
• Saute well and serve hot.

Blue berry pancake

Ingredients:

• Soya flour-6tbs
• Soya milk-3tbs
• Egg-1
• Baking powder-1/2 tsp
• Sugar substitute-2tsp
• Maple extract or vanilla essence -3,4 drops
• Olive oil
• Canned Blueberries

Method:

• Whisk together soya flour,soya milk,baking powder,sugar substitute and one egg yolk to make a batter of dropping consistency.
• Keep aside for fifteen minutes.Whip the egg white until fluffy.fold into the batter.
• Heat a pan,spray some olive oil and spoon the batter to make a pan cake.
• Once the underside is halfdone,sprinkle the blue berries on top and flip.
• Serve hot,sprinkle with sugar substitute or with the maple syrup.

For the maple syrup:Heat some water,maple extract and sugar substitute over a medium flame.

Hyderabadi Mix Vegetables

Ingredients:

• Potatoes-2
• Chopped vegetables(carrots,peas,bottlegourd,beans,cauliflower)- 2 cups
• long brinjal(sliced small)-1
• Onion(chopped finely)-1
• Ginger paste-1tsp
• Garlic paste-1tsp
• Red chilli powder-1tsp
• Green cardamom powder-1tsp
• Turmeric powder-1/4tsp
• Clove powder-1/2 tsp
• Cinnamon powder-1/2tsp
• Oil-2tbs
• Yoghurt-1/2 cup
• Lemon juice-2tsp
• Salt
• Water

Method:

• Blanch potatoes and peas.
• Add water to a pan and put chopped potatoes in it,when its almost done add the peas.put these aside.Deep fry rest of the vegetables in oil.First fry cauliflower ,remove it,then add beans and then carrots.
• Add garlic,ginger and onions and cook till onions turn brown.
• Add yoghurt and lemon juice.
• Now add brinjal and all the chopped vegetables.
• Stir well and add red chilli powder,green cardamom powder,turmeric powder and clove powder and cinnamon powder.
• Cover and cook for sometime . Serve hot.

Potato and Pineapple Raita

Ingredients:

• Boiled potatoes-3
  
• Fresh Pineapple-1
• Yoghurt- 1 cup
• Redchillipowder-1tsp
• Roasted cumin powder-1 1/2 tsp
• Salt

Method:

• Peel the potatoes and cut into small dices.Cut fresh pineapple into fine small pieces.
• Add pineapple pieces ,potatoes,red chilli powder,cumin powder and salt to the yoghurt.
• Refrigerate and serve chilled .
  

Dahi Kebab

Ingredients:

• Yoghurt- 1/2 kg
• Chopped Onions-2
• Chopped green chillies- 4
• Raisins- 1/3 cup
• Cashew nuts- 1/3 cup
• Cheese -75 gm
• Coriander Seeds and black pepper- 2tbs
• Chopped Ginger-1 tbs
• Red chilli flakes -1 1/2 tbs
• Half a cup roasted besan
• Corn flour-2tbs
• Oil for frying
  

Method:

• Lay a muslin cloth over a bowl and pour the yoghurt into it.
• Pick up the edges of the cloth and tie a knot.Hang it till it turns into a cheesy mixture.
• Chop raisins and cashew nuts into a cheesy mixture.
• Grate the cheese.Dry roast coriander seeds and black pepper and grind to a powder

For the filling:

• Mix grated cheese,some of the coriander pepper powder,green chillies,onions,ginger,and salt.
• Take cheesy yoghurt into a bowl,add red chilli flakes and the coriander pepper powder.
• Bind with salt ,besan and corn flour.Put in the filling and shape into kebabs.
• Deep fry in oil and serve hot.
  

Hari chutney(Coriander Chutney)

Ingredients:

• Coriander (cilantro) chopped-1 bunch
• Green chilies-3-4
• Small onion-1
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Sugar-3 tsp
• A pinch of amchur
• Garlic-2-3 flakes
• Salt To Taste
• Red chili powder to taste

To make coriander (cilantro) chutney :

• Mix and blend all ingredients thoroughly in a mixie to make a paste.
• Add little water if required.

Tamarind Chutney

Ingredients:

• Tamarind (Imli)-200gms
• Jaggery (Gur) grated-300gms
• Roasted cumin (Jeera) Powder-2 tsp
• Red chili powder-2 tsp
• Salt To Taste
• Black salt-1 tsp
• Garam masala-1 tsp

To make imli ki chutney (tamarind chutney):

• Add 5 cups of water to tamarind and bring to er the flame and cook for 10 minutes.
• Strain it and add the jaggery, chilli powder, cumin powder, salt, garam masala and mix well.
• Cook again on medium flame till jaggery dissolves completely and the chutney gets semi thick(not too thick)
• Take out the pulp from the tamarind mixture.This Chutney thickens more on cooling so check for consistency when using.

Mint Chutney

Ingredients:

• Fresh mint leaves-1 bunch
• Green chillies-2
• Tamarind pulp-1 tbsp
• Salt To Taste
• Water

To make mint (pudina) chutney :

• To make tamarind pulp soak little tamarind in water and keep aside for 2 hours.
• Then strain the mixture in a bowl with the help of a spoon. To make tamarind juice add little water to the pulp.
• Wash the mint leaves well.
• Grind it to a smooth paste with green chillies, salt and tamarind juice.
• You can add water if the mixture is thick.

Beetroot curry

Ingredients

• Diced beetroot-1/2 kg
• Curry leaves-4,5
• Green chillies, chopped finely-3,4(acc. to taste)
• Mustard seeds -1 tsp
• Urad dal-1tsp
• Chana dal- 1/2 tsp
• A pinch of hing
• Coconut shredded- 1 cup
• Salt to taste
• Oil-2-3 tsp

Method

• Heat the oil and add mustardseeds, when they crackle add the dals.and,hing.
• when the dals turn light brown add curry leaves and green chillies.
• Add the beetroot and salt to taste.
• Cook covered till the beetroot is done.Add the shredded coconut
• Heat on a low flame for 2-3 minutes.
• Eat hot with plain rice.

Beans-Methi curry

Ingredients

• Green beans-I kg
• Fresh coconut, shredded-1 cup
• Green chillies -8
• Mustard seeds-1 tsp
• Curry leaves-1 sprig
• Methi(fenugreek) seeds-1/2 tsp
• Cooking oil-2 tbsps
• Salt to taste

Method

• Cut the beans into longish pieces.
• Cook the beans with the green chillies and enough water till tender.
• Remove the green chillies and set aside.
• Add salt to the beans.
• Blend together the cooked green chillies, coconut and the methi seeds.
• Add to the beans.
• Season with mustard and curry leaves.
• Eat when hot with plain cooked rice.

Beans curry

Ingredients

• Green beans-1/2 kg
  
• Coconut(shredded)-2 tbsp
• Mustard seeds-1 tsp
• Red chillies-2-3
• Cooking oil- 2-3 tsp
• Salt to taste

Method

• Cut the beans into small pieces and set aside.
• Heat some oil and add the mustard seeds.
• When they start crackling, add the red chillies and
• fry for 20 seconds.
• Add the beans and salt.
• Sprinkle water and cook on a low flame, covered.
• The beans will take about 10-12 minutes to cook.
• After the beans are done, add the coconut and fry for a while.
• Eat hot with rice .
  

Aloo Chaat

Ingredients:

• Aloo (potatoes), peeled- 3
• Red chilli powder-1/2 tsp
• Roasted cumin powder- 1 tsp
• Chaat masala- 1 tsp
• Tamarind Chutney(see chutneys category)
  
• Mint Chutney
• Chopped Coriander Leaves
• Optional garnish - chopped onion, tomato julienne, fresh pomegranate seeds
• Oil for frying

Preparation:

• Dice aloo (potatoes) into a fairly large dice - 3/4 to 1 inch cubes.
• Heat oil in a wok and deep fry potatoes, till golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper.
• In a bowl, place the fried potatoes and toss with red chilli powder, cumin powder, chaat masala.
• Add mint chutney, tamarind chutney according to taste and toss to coat evenly.
• Serve, with toothpicks, in individual bowls, garnished with coriander leaves.
• You can also additionally garnish the special indian aloo chaat with chopped onion, tomato julienne or pomegranate

Pani puri

Ingredients:



To make puri:

• Semolina (Rava / Suji)-1 cup
• Fine Wheat Flour (Maida)-3 tblsp
• Baking Soda-1/4 tsp
• Oil to deep fry

To make pani:

• Tamarind (Imli) Pulp- 1/2 cup
• Water-2 cups
• Roasted Cumin Seed (Jeera) Powder-2 tblsp
• Un-roasted Cumin Seed (Jeera)-2 tblsp
• Coriander Leaves
• Green Chilly (Hari Mirch)-3
• Mint Leaves (Pudina Leaves) Chutney- 2 tblsp
• Black Salt (kala namak )-1 tblsp
• Jaggary (Gur)-2 tblsp

To make pani puri:

To make pani:

• Measure all ingredients.
• Adjust spices and tangyness to taste.
• Strain through a wire strainer to remove any rough bits.

To make puri:

• Mix sooji, maida, baking soda, salt and enough water to knead a soft dough.
• Stand covered with wet cloth for 15-20 minutes.
• Make small sized balls.
• With the help of some dry maida or sooji, roll into thin rounds.
• Heat oil in a pan and deep fry puris till very light brown and crisp.
• Drain in a paper towel for a while to dry out the oil.
• Store in an airtight container when cool.

Sev puri

Ingredients:

• Flat Puris (crisp)-10
  
• Fine Sev 1 cup
• Chopped Onion (Pyaj)-1/2 cup
• Curd (Dahi)-1/2 cup
• Tamarind (Imli) Chutney-3 tblsp
• Coriander Leaves (Dhania Patta) Chutney-3 tblsp
• Boiled Potato (Aloo)-1/2 cup
• Chaat Masala- 1 tblsp
• Red chili pepper (Lal Mirchi)-1/2 tsp
• Cumin Seed (Jeera)-1/2 tsp

Method:

• Arrange the puris on a plate make a hole in each puri in the centre.
• Fill with a few chopped boiled potato cubes.
• Add about 1/4 tsp of tamarind and green chutneys in each.
• Sprinkle cumin powder, salt, red chilli powder.
• Sprinkle finely chopped onions.
• Then generously sprinkle sev all over the puris.
• Garnish with finely chopped coriander.
• Serve fresh..

Ragada Patties

Ingredients:


To make the cutlet:

• Potato (Aloo)-3
• Coriander Leaves (Dhania Patta)- 1/4 tbsp
  
• Garam Masala- 1/2 tbsp
• Cumin Seed (Jeera)-1/4 tbsp
• Turmeric (Haldi)- 1/4 tbsp
  
• Bread crumbs
• Oil

To make ragada:

• Chaat Masala Powder- 1 tblsp
• Ginger Garlic Paste- 1/2 tblsp
• Chickpeas (brown) (Chana)
• Baking Soda-1/4 tblsp
• Oil- 4 tblsp
• Curd (Dahi)-1/4 cup
• Onion (Pyaj)-1
• Tomato (Tamatar)-1
• Garam Masala- 1/2 tblsp
• Turmeric (Haldi)-1/4 tblsp
• Red chili pepper (Lal Mirchi)-1/2 tblsp
• Coriander Leaves

Method:

• Boil, peel and mash the potatoes well.
• Take the mashed potatoes into a bowl, add ginger garlic paste, dhania powder, jeera powder, turmeric powder and salt.
• Mix and knead well into a dough.
• Now, add the bread crumbs and knead well.
• Divide the dough into balls.
• Press each ball with hand so that it would make into a round patty.
• Heat oil in a kadai and fry the prepared patties in the oil till golden brown on both sides.
• Take out the patties from the oil and put them into a bowl with tissue paper to drain the excess oil.
• To prepare the ragada:
• Wash and soak channa for about 6 - 8 hours.
• Boil channa with baking soda in pressure cooker till soft.
• Heat oil in a kadai, add chopped onions, fry till the onions are light golden brown.
• Add ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, chat masala powder, red chilli powder and fry for 30 seconds.
• Now add tomatoes and salt.
• Cover and cook on medium heat for 3-5 minutes until the tomatoes are soft.
• Now, add the boiled peas, enough water, curd and mix well.
• Cover and cook on medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
• To serve cutlet ragada:
• Prepare tamarind chutney and mint chutney.
• Take the serving plate, put two cutlets in the plate.
• Pour the ragada on the cutlets.
• Sprinkle chopped onions and coriander leaves.
• Sprinkle a pinch of chat masala powder and serve hot.

Aloo Tikki

Ingredients:

• Boiled aloo (potatoes)-3 large
• Salt or as per taste-1 tsp
• Ground black pepper-1/4th tsp

for the filling:

• Matar (green peas) cooked or frozen peas defrosted- 2/3rd cup
• Scrapped and minced ginger- 1/2 tbsp
• Garam masala- 1/4th tsp
• Salt or to taste -1/4th tsp
• Red chili powder to taste (optional)
• Coarsely ground dry-roasted cumin seeds- 1tsp
• Oil for pan-frying.

Method

• Take the cooked or defrosted peas (matar) and mash them using a spoon or a fork. Add all the stuffing ingredients except oil and mash briefly. Divide the mixture into 10 equal portions and keep aside.
• Peel the potatoes and mash them very finely into smooth mashed potatoes. Add salt and pepper and knead until properly mixed.
• Divide it into 10 equal portions.
• Now wash and dry your hands and rub them with little oil.
• Take each portion of potato mixture and make a ball. Now
• Taking one at a time, gently flatten each ball into a round patty of about 1/2-inch thick and place a portion of stuffing in the center and fold the edges together very finely so that mixture does not come out.
• Now very gently flatten it into a 2-inch patty. Repeat the procedure for all pieces.
• Heat 1 tsp. oil in a non-stick pan over a low heat. Slip in the patties, not too many at a time, and pan-fry on both sides till crisp golden brown, adding oil if required, on a very low heat.
• Serve aloo tikki hot with chutney and stirred curd.

Aloo Bonda

Ingredients:

• Boiled, Mashed Aloo (Potatoes)-2(large)
• Green Chilies (chopped)-1,2
• Coriander leaves (finely chopped)-1tbsp
• Gram flour-1cup
• Salt to taste
• Red chili powder to taste
• Garam Masala powder-1/4th tsp
• Turmeric powder- 1/4th tsp
• Oil for frying

Method

• Add salt, chili powder, garam masala, coriander, and green chilies to the mashed aloo (potatoes) and mix well.
• In a bowl take a cup of gram flour; add turmeric powder, little salt and chili powder to it. Add little water bit by bit and mixing with hand make a batter (neither too thick nor too lose).
• Make small balls of aloo (potato) mixture.
• Dip each ball in the batter and deep fry them till golden. brown
• Serve aloo bonda hot with chutney.

Plain Lassi

Ingredients

• Thick curd-3 cups
• Ice cubes-3-4
• Salt or 3 tsp sugar(depending on if you want sweet or salty lassi)-1 tsp
• Water

Method

• Crush the ice cubes in the blender.
• Add the curd, water and salt/sugar.
• Run the blender for about 1 minute.
• Serve chilled.

Mango Lassi

Ingredients

• Thick curd-3 cups
• Mango pulp-1 cup
• Ice cubes -3,4
• Powdered sugar-3 tsp
• Water

Method

• Crush the ice cubes in the blender.
• Add the curd, mango pulp, water and sugar.
• Run the blender for about 1 minute.
• Serve chilled.

Ginger Lemonade

Ingredients

• Minced ginger-1 cup
• Water-1 cup
• Freshly squeezed lime juice-1 cup
• Sugar-1 cup
• Chilled water or Sprite to mix

Method

• Mix the 1 cup of water with the ginger and squeeze through a strainer to get ginger concentrate.
• Add the sugar and the lime juice to this.
• Stir well till all the sugar dissolves.
• Adjust the sugar if you need to.
• Pour it into bottles and refrigerate.
• When serving, add a teaspoonful of this concentrate to chilled water or sprite and mix well.
• Serve garnished with a mint leaf.

Badami Milk

Ingredients

• 1 glass milk
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp Badami Milk Mix
  

Badami milk mix:

• Ingredients
• One tbsp badam (almonds), skinned
• Cardammoms, shelled -4
• Pistachios, shelled -1 tsp
• Kesari (saffron)-1/2 tsp
• Powder all the above in a grinder and mix well.
• Store in an airtight container.

Method

• This beverage can be prepared hot or cold.
• If you want a hot beverage, heat the milk..
• Add the sugar and the badami powder.
• Stir till the sugar dissolves.
• If you want a cold beverage, add the sugar and badami powder to cold milk and stir till the sugar dissolves.

Mango Juice

Ingredients

• Pulp from 6 large fresh mangoes
• One tsp elaichi(cardamom), powdered
  
• Powdered sugar-1/2 cup
• Water

Method

• Blend together all the above ingredients for about 1 minute in a food processor or blender.
• Mix in water depending on the consistency of the juice you want.
• Chill. Serve garnished with a mint leaf.

Mango Milk Shake

Ingredients

• Pulp from 3 large fresh mangoes
• Half tsp elaichi(cardamom),
• powdered
• sugar-1 Whole milk-3 cups

Method

• Blend together all the above ingredients for about one minute in a food processor or blender.
• Mix in cold water depending on the consistency of the milk shake you want.
• Chill. Serve garnished with a mint leaf.

Batata Vada

Ingredients

• Potatoes -1kg
  
• Onions, chopped finely-3,4
• Bengal gram flour (besan) -2 cups
• Green chillies -3-4
• A small piece ginger
• Garlic-4 cloves
• Grated coconut -2 tbsp
• Sugar to taste
• Juice of one lime
• A few sprigs coriander leaves, chopped
• Salt to taste
• Oil for deep frying
• Mustard seeds -1 tsp
• Turmeric powder -1 tsp
• Red chilli powder -1/2 tsp
• Cumin seeds -1 tsp
• A pinch of soda-bi carb (baking soda)

Method

• Pressure cook the potatoes till soft.
• Peel and mash. Set aside.
• Blend together the green chillies, garlic and ginger to a fine paste.
• Mix together the potato, onions, ginger/garlic/chilli paste, coriander leaves, sugar, lime juice and salt to taste.
• Heat a little oil and add the mustard seeds and curry leaves.
• When the mustard crackles, remove from heat and add to the potato mixture.Mix well.
• Make a smooth batter with the bengal gram flour, salt to taste, cumin seeds,red chilli powder and turmeric powder.
• Add a teaspoon of hot oil when making the batter.Let the batter remain thick.
• Divide the potato mixture into equal sized portions, the size of a lemon.
• Dip each ball in the batter and deep fry till golden brown in color.
• Serve hot with chutney/ketchup.

Vegetable Cutlet

Ingredients

• Potatoes( boiled , peeled & mashed) - 2 small
• Amchor( mango powder) -1/2 tsp
• Garam masala powder -1/2 tsp
• Green chillies (finely chopped )- 2
• Ginger -garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Chopped coriander leaves - 1 tsp
• Chopped cashewnuts 1 tsp
• Breadcrumbs - 1 cup
• Salt to taste
  
• Ghee (clarified butter)- 1 tbsp
• Oil for shallow frying the cutlets
  
• Vegetables, chopped finely, boiled and drained well- 3 cups
  (You can use beets, carrots, peas, cabbage,etc)
  
• Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
• Dhania (coriander) powder - 1 tsp
• Cumin powder - 1 tsp
• Saunf(fennel) powder - 1/2 tsp

Method

• Method for preparing vegetable cutlet .
• Heat the ghee and add the ginger-garlic paste and green chillies.
• Fry for about a minute.Now add the cashew nuts and all the powdered spices.
• Add the coriander leaves.Fry for 1/2 a minute.
• Now add all the drained vegetables and mix well.If there is any water, fry till all moisture is totally lost.
• Mix in the mashed potatoes and salt to taste.
  
• Heat through and take off the stove top.Make flat rounds of the above.
  
• Shallow fry on both sides till golden brown.
  
• Eat when hot with chutney.

Hot and Sour Soup

Ingredients:

• Cabbage finely shredded - 2 tbsp.
• Carrot finely julienned (slivers) - 2 tbsp.
• Cauliflower finely chopped- 1 tbsp
• Celery, finely chopped - 1 small stick
• Spring onion greens finely chopped - 1 tbsp.
• Ginger grated- 1/4 tsp.
• Red chilli sauce - 1/2 tsp.
• Soya sauce - 1 tsp
• Brown vinegar- 1 tsp
• Pepper powder - 1/4 tsp.
• Salt to taste
• Cornflour- 2 tsp.
• Butter or oil- 1 tsp
• Water or vegetable stock- 4 cups

Method:

• Heat fat, add vegetables, ginger, except spring onions.
• Stir fry till cooked, add spring onions, stir.
• Add stock, chilli sauce, soya sauce, vinegar and stir.
• Bring to a boil, simmer for 7-8 minutes.
• Add salt and pepper.
• Mix cornflour in 1/2 cup water, and pour into soup, stirring continuously.
• Cook for 2 minutes.
• Serve hot.

Spinach Soup

Ingredients:

• Shredded spinach (1 bunch)-2 cups
• Grated bottle gourd or white pumpkin-2 tbsp.
• Fresh cream (optional)-2 tbsp.
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• One small blob butter
• Water-2 cups

Method:

• Wash spinach well. Put in a large vessel.
• Sprinkle 2-3 pinches salt and add gourd.
• Boil covered, on high, till soft. (3-4 minutes after boiling)
• Take of fire and put in colander.
• Pour cold water over it.
• Blend in a mixie till smooth.
• Add water, mix and take in a deep pan.
• Add all other ingredients, except cream.
• Bring to a boil. Serve piping hot.
• Beat cream and pour a swirl of it over individual bowls.
• Serve with warm garlic rolls or soup sticks.

Chow Mien Soup

Ingredients:

• Half capsicum
  
• One leaf cabbage
• Tomato (seeded, finely chopped)-1/4
• One small onion
• Carrot peeled - 1" piece
• One leaf spinach stem finely chopped
• Cauliflower - 1 floret
• One french bean
• Mint finely chopped- 3,4 leaves
• Coriander finely chopped- 3,4 leaves
• Ginger peeled - 1/4"
• Garlic - 1 pod
• Dried red chilli( deseeded and crushed well) - 1/2
• Soya sauce - 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil - 1 tsp
• Cornflour - 1 tbsp.
• Water or vegetable stock - 3 cups
• Sugar- 1/2 tsp

Method:

• Very finely chop the capsicum., cabbage, onion, carrot, cauliflower, bean, ginger, garlic, all together.
• Heat oil in a wok or pan, add all vegetables and stir fry for 3-4 minutes.
• Add 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil.
• Meanwhile, mix cornflour in the remaining water and add to the boiling soup.
• Stir continuously, till boil is resumed. Cook till the clarity returns.
• Add the soyasauce, salt, sugar and crushed chilli.
• Stir well. Serve piping hot with green chilli in vinegar and soyasauce.

Wheat Flour Soup

Ingredients

• Wheat flour - 2 tbsp
• Ghee - 1 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Water- 2 cups
• Hot Milk (sweetened or plain)

Method

• Roast the flour to an aromatic golden brown on low flame in a heavy saucepan.
• Stir continuously or the flour will burn.
• When the flour is done, add water stirring continuously so that no lumps are formed.
• Add more water if required. Bring to a boil.
• Add the ghee and salt.
• Simmer on low for 2-3 minutes. Stir frequently.
• Pour into porridge bowl.
• Serve piping hot with plain or sweetened hot milk to be mixed as desired.
• Stir in some corn flakes or other cereal as desired.

Mienchow Soup

Ingredients

• Cauliflower-1 floret
• Two leaves of cabbage
• One small carrot peeled
• One corn cob boiled
• One onion
• Spring onion-1 tiny sprig
• Mint leaves (chopped fine)-1 sprig
• Coriander chopped fine-1 tsp
• Soyasauce-1 tsp.
• One small dry red chilli crushed
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Cornflour-2 tsp
• Butter-1/2 tbsp
• Water of vegetable stock-3 cups

Method

• Chop vegetables very fine. Remove kernel of corn.
• Heat butter to melt in a heavy pan.
• Add vegetables and stirfry till tender.
• Add 3 cups water, bring to a boil.
• Make paste of cornflour in 1/4 cup water.
• Add to soup, stirring continuously till it reboils.
• Add soyasauce, chilli, salt, pepper, coriander, mint.
• Stir and simmer till soup thickens.
• Serve hot with chillies in vinegar and garlic sauce.

Sweet Corn Veg Soup

Ingredients

• One cup tender corn kernels
  
• One carrot finely chopped
• Cabbage chopped -1 tbsp.
• One spring onion finely chopped
• Sugar-1/2 tsp
• Green chilli sauce-1/2 tsp
• Soya sauce-1/2 tsp
• Corn flour-1 tbsp.
• Water-4 cups

Method

• Pressure cook fresh corn, till tender.
• Take the corn in a deep pan. Mix the corn flour in 1/2 cup water.
• Add water, salt, sugar, vegetables and chilli sauce.
• Mix well and put to boil. Once boiling, add corn flour paste and stir continuously.
• Keep stirring till the soup is thick and clear.
• Stir in the soya sauce and take off fire.
• Serve steaming hot with garlic rolls and more chilli sauce or chillies in vinegar.

Creamy Celery Soup

Ingredients:

• Small celery sticks thinly sliced- 8
• One onion finely chopped
• Water -3 cups
• Plain flour-1 tbsp.
• Light sour cream- 2 tbsp
• Grated cheese -2 tbsp.
• Chopped fresh coriander -1 tbsp.
• Lemon juice -1 tsp

Method:

• Boil the celery and onion in 1/2 cup water in a large saucepan till the onion is soft.
• Blend flour in 1/4 cup water till smooth.
• Stir gradually into the onion mixture.
• When smooth stir in remaining water.
• Stir constantly till the mixture boils and thickens.
• Reduce heat. Simmer covered for 5 minutes.
• Stir in sour cream, cheese, parsley and lemon juice.
• Serve hot with garlic rolls or croutons or just plain toasts.

Curried Carrot Soup

Ingredients:

• Carrots chopped(medium sized)-2
• One small onion( chopped)
• One small potato( chopped)
• Water -2 cups
• Garlic crushed-1 clove
• Orange juice-2 tbsp.
• Curry powder-1/2 tsp.
• Thick tomato puree-1 tbsp
• Skim milk-1 cup
• Spring onion greens( finely chopped)-1 tbsp.
• Butter-1/2 tsp.
• Salt to taste

Method:

• Cook vegetables(onion,potato, carrots, garlic) in water. Simmer covered till tender.
• Add orange juice, curry powder, tomato puree and skim milk.
• Blend till smooth.
• Heat butter and stirfry spring onions for two minutes.
• Add blended soup, and heat without bringing to a boil.
• Serve hot with croutons or soup sticks.

Peas and Snowpea Soup

Ingredients:

• peas boiled - 1 cup
• snow peas (cleaned and whole)- 1/2 cup
• One small onion grated
• One clovette garlic
• One bayleaf
• Pepper corns- 3,4
• Cloves - 2
  
• Butter - 1 tsp
• Green chilli sauce to taste
• Plain flour - 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Water - 2 cups

Method:

• Put the shelled, boiled, peas, flour, water in a blender. Blend till smooth.
• Heat butter in a saucepan, add onion and snow peas. Stir fry till tender.
• Add blended peas, salt and allow to boil, stirring continuously.
• Tie the garlic, bay leaf, clove, peppercorns, in a tiny pouch of a piece of muslin.
• Add to the soup and boil for 15 minutes, adding more water if required.
• Add chillisauce as per taste.
• Serve piping hot with warm buns and butter.

Vegetable Stems Soup

Ingredients:

• Spinach leaves-8-10 stems
  
• Tender stalks of the leaves just below cauliflower -4,5
  
• Coriander leaves-2-3 stems
  
• Spring onion-1 small sprig
• Celery-1 stalk
  
• Ginger (peeled and crushed )-1/2"
• Garlic (crushed) -1 clovette
• Cornflour -1 tbsp.
• Dried red chilli( crushed)- 1/4
• Sugar-1/2 tsp.
• Salt to taste
• Soya sauce- 1/2 tsp
• Oil or butter-1/2 tsp
• Water.-2 1/2 cups

Method:

• Clean any fibrous threads from the stems.
• Chop the vegetables into thin slanted slivers.
• Heat oil in a pan. Add ginger garlic.
• Saute for a minute. Add vegetables.
• Stir fry till tender. Add water and bring to a boil.
• Mix cornflour in 1/2 cup cold water.
• Add to soup, stirring continuously till it comes back to a boil.
• Add the chilli, sugar, salt, soya sauce and boil till thickened like cornsoup
• Serve fresh and piping hot.

Cauliflower and Broccoli Soup

Ingredients:

• Brocolli (chopped into florets)- 500 gms.
• Cauliflower( chopped into florets)- 250 gms.
• Onion chopped- 1 medium
• Potato peeled chopped - 1 medium
• Dried crushed herbs (of your choice) optional- 1/4 tsp
• Small sticks celery chopped - 2
• Garlic crushed - 1 clove
• Water- 2 cups
• Skim milk- 1 cup
• Mint leaves finely chopped- 4,5
• Butter - 1 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Fresh ground pepper to taste

Method:

• Heat butter in a large saucepan. Add garlic and onion, stir fry till soft.
• Add 11/2 cups water, potato, celery, brocolli and cauliflower.
• Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer till potato is tender.Add herbs.
• Blend mixture till smooth. Add cornflour paste. Return to pan.
• Stir on high heat till it comes back to boil. Allow to boil till thickened.
• Add salt to taste, fresh ground pepper, milk and parsley.
• Reheat before serving.
• Serve hot with soup sticks and butter.

Beetroot Soup

Ingredients:

• Beet root - 1( medium)
  
• Bottle gourd -1( medium piece)
  
• Onion- 1 small
• Tomato - 1 small
• Potato- 1 small
• Sugar- 1/2 tsp
• Salt, pepper to taste
• Whipped cream- 1-2 tbsp.
• Chopped coriander- 1 tsp

Method

• Clean, peel and chop vegetables into large chunks.
• Pressure cook till soft.
• Cool, blend in mixie and strain.
• Add seasoning except chopped coriander and cream.
• If desired, serve chilled with soup sticks.
• Or Serve piping hot with hot garlic rolls.
• In either case add a swirl of cream and some chopped coriander on top in each bowl.

Mixed vegetables soup

Ingredients:

• Carrot -1 small
• Cauliflower -1 Florette
  
• Capsicum -1/2
• French beans -2,3
• Onion-1
• Cabbage- 1 small piece
• Soya sauce -1/2 tsp
• Grated ginger and garlic-1/2 tsp each
  
• Crushed red chili -1/4 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Sugar -1/2 tsp
• Cornflour -2 tsp
• Butter -1 blob
• Water- 2 cups

Method

• Chop all the six vegetables very fine.
• Heat butter in a pan.
• Add ginger, garlic and vegetables.
• Stir fry the vegetables till they look bright and done.
• Add water and bring to boil
• Mix cornflour in 1/2 cup cold water and add to the soup, stirring simultaneously.
• Bring to boil again. Add chilli, sauce and sugar and boil till thick and transparent.
• Serve hot.

Chilled Cucumber Soup

Ingredients:

• Cucumber - 2 medium
• Ginger -1/2 piece
• Green chilli- 1
  
• Water -2-3 cups
• Cream whipped smooth-2-3 tbsp.
• Finely chopped mint-6,7
• Sugar -1 tsp
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Bread -1-2 slice

Method

• Chop cucumber onto large chunks
• Grate ginger, keep aside.
• Boil the cucumber in the water, till soft.
• Let it Cool. Blend in a mixie
• While blending add the bread, ginger and green chilli. Sieve.
• Add sugar, salt
• Chill for 2 hours
• While serving, take in individual soup bowls
• Carefully pour a swirl of cream, sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and chopped mint.

Cream of Veg Soup

Ingredients

• Mixed vegetables (beans, carrots, potatoes) finely chopped.-200 grams
  
• Onion(medium) chopped -1
  
• Butter -2 tbsp
• Plain flour (maida)-1 tbsp
  
• Milk - 4 cups
  
• Water- 1 cup
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• Boil the vegetables in water on medium heat for about 6 minutes or till tender and cooked.
• In a pan, heat butter on medium level for a few seconds. Add the chopped onions and fry for about 3 minutes or till onions are transparent.
• Add the flour and milk. Stir well. Now add the vegetables and water. Mix well and keep on medium heat for about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Cabbage Rolls

Ingredients:

• Cabbage - 500 gms

For Filling:

• Paneer(made from toned milk) -200 gms
• Onion (finely chopped)- 1
• Green chillies(finely chopped) -2
• Green Coriander(chopped) -1 tbsp
• Cucumber(chopped) -1
• Capsicum(chopped) -1
• Sprouted moong 1 tbsp
• Chat masala - 1 tsp
• Butter - 1 tsp
• Lemon juice -1 tbsp
• Salt and black pepper powder (to taste)

Method:

• Wash the cabbage thoroughly.
• Steam cabbage in 1 cup water and cover with a cling foil.Microwave at 100% power for 4-5 minutes.,in a microwave safe bowl.
• Drain out water.Allow to stand for 5 minutes.
• Remove the cling foil and separate 8 large outer leaves of the cabbage.
• Mix all ingredients of the filling and microwave at 100% power for 2 minutes.Cool it.
• Fill into the blanched cabbage leaves and wrap into neat rolls.
• Brush with little butter and microwave (covered with cling foil )at 100% power for 4-5 minutes.
• Serve with crispy salads and dips/chutneys.
  

Pita Bread

Pita:Flat round bread made with or without a pocket.Its made with yeast.
Pita bread is served at just about every meal in the Middle East. It can be used for dipping, or to make delicious sandwhiches in the pocket. Here we are making sandwiches .
Ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour -1 cup
• Dry yeast -1/2 tsp
• Luke warm water -1/4 cup
• Salt -1/4 tsp

For the pita fillings:

• Tomato,lettuce,paneer

Method:

• Sprinkle yeast over luke warm water and leave it for 10-15 minutes.
• Once the yeast becomes frothy,mix it into the flour with salt and knead into a soft dough.
• Cover with a wet cloth and leave for 4-5 hours till the dough rises.(rising of the dough is very important for pita to have a pocket).
• Roll dough into flat round or oval rotis.
• Cook them over a tawa on both sides till light brown.
• Remove from heat and pile one on top of the other.(so that they become soft)
• Cut into half and make pockets.
• Fill with lettuce, tomatoes and paneer.Then sprinkle salt and pepper over it.
• optional:coriander chutney and yoghurt can be added for taste.

Gud Halwa(sooji halwa with jaggery)

Ingredients:

• Semolina -100 gm
• Jaggery (powdered coarsely)
• Milk -1 cup
• Cardamom powder -2tsp
• Cashewnuts(broken)
• Raisins
• Chopped almonds
• Desi ghee-3 tbs
• Water

Method

• Soak semolina in water for twenty minutes.
• Boil water in a pan.Add the jaggery powder and let it melt.
• Heat ghee in aheavy bottomed vessel,roast the cashews and raisins to a golden colour and keep aside.
• In the same pan ,add the remaining ghee and semolina and fry till it turns brown.
• Now add the milk and cook on the medium heat till most of the liquid evaporates.
• Add the jaggery water and cardomom powder and continue stirring.
• Stir till the halwa reached the desired consistency.
• Add the roasted cashews and raisins.
• Garnish with chopped almonds and serve hot.

Malpua

Ingredients:

• Milk 1 litre
• Maida 1/4 cup
• Suji 1/4 cup
• Ghee
• Water
  Method:

Boil the milk till it reduces to 1/2 its quantity.

Roast the rava till light brown. Add to the milk along with maida. There should be no lumps.

It should be a smooth pouring consistency. Heat the ghee. Take the batter in a glass.

Pour in circular movements into the ghee to form a small pan cake. Turn over. Take care that it does not become crisp and hard.

Make a sugar syrup of 1 thread consistency.

Dip the malpua in the syrup and lay out on a plate.

Malpua (using Khoya)

Ingredients:

• Sugar-1 cup
• Maida-1 cup
• Khoya- 1 cup
• Desi ghee 5-6 tbs
• Warm water

For the garnish: Pistachios,almonds and saffron.

Method:

• To make the sugar syrup: Boil sugar and water. Keep stirring and remove from fire when thick.
• Add water to maida to make thick batter.
• Grate khoya and mix in warm water to make a slightly thin batter.
• Mix both the batters and leave it for sometime.
• Heat desi ghee at low heat.Put scoops of batter in ghee and fry till golden brown.
• Remove and put them in sugar syrup.
• Place them on a plate and garnish with pistachios,almond and saffron.

Beetroot juice

Ingredients:

• Fresh beetroot-1
• Vanilla icecream-2tbs
• Sugar syrup-2tbs
• Cinnamon-1tbs
• Chilled milk-1/4 cup
• Crushed ice

Method

• Boil the whole beetroot with the skin. peel it when cold.
• Add vanilla ice cream,sugar syrup, cinnamon,chilled milk and crushed ice in a blender.
• Now add the peeled beetroot to it.Blend together all the ingredients.
• serve chilled.

Arati poovu (banana flower)coconut curry

Ingredients:

• Banana flowers
• Water
• Oil-2tbsp
• Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp
• Dry red chillies-2
• Cumin seeds-1/4 tsp
• Black gram dal-1 tsp
• Curry leaves-few (for seasoning)
• Chopped onions-2tbsp
• Chopped green chillies-2tsp
• Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Green gram dal(moong)-2tsp(semi boiled in water)
• Grated coconut-2tbsp
• Limejuice-1tsp
• Coriander leaves for garnishing

Method

• Clean the banana flowers and chop into tiny pieces.
• Boil the flowers in salt and water and keep aside.
• Heat oil in apan .
• Add mustard seeds,red chillies,cumin seeds,whole blackgram dal.
• Now add curry leaves and chopped onions.
• Saute till the onions turn translucent.Add chopped green chillies,turmeric powder,semi boiled greengram dal,grated coconut .
• Add boiled banana flowers,salt and limejuice.Mix well.
• Garnish with coriander leaves .
• serve hot with plain rice.

Greenapple Salad

Ingredients:

• Green apples(grated) -2
• Raw mango(grated)-1
• Coriander-1 bunch
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• Mix the grated apples and mango together in a salad bowl.
• Sprinkle some salt and pepper on the mixture .
• Add coriander followed by the lemon juice.
• Mix everything together and chill it in the refrigerator.
• serve chilled.

Coconut chutney

This is a very common South Indian dish which serves as an accompaniment to an assortment of dishes from idlis and dosas to chitranna and vangibath.

Ingredients

• Fresh coconut(shredded)- 2 cups (or the coconut can be cut into thin slices)
• Mustard seeds-1tsp
• Urad dal-2tsp
• Channa dal-1 tsp
• Dry Red chilles-2
• Green Chilies-2
• Curry leaves 6-7
• A pinch of hing (asoefetida)
• Lemon juice-1tsp
• Half cup of coriander(chopped)
  
• Salt to taste
  
• Water
  
• Oil-1tbsp
  
  

Method

• Heat some oil and add mustard seeds.when they crackle, add the dals and the red chillies.now add green chillies ,curry leaves and chopped coriander .
  


• Add this to the coconut and blend into a smooth paste.Add salt to taste.Goes well with dosas, idli and plain rice.
• Water can be added depending on the consistency you want.
  

Rajma(Red kidney beans)

Ingredients:

• Rajma ( Red kidney beans) 2 cups
• Salt To taste
• Turmeric powder -1 Pinch
• Onion( chopped )-1
• Garlic cloves( chopped)-5
• Ginger( chopped)-1 inch piece
• Green chillies(chopped)-3
• Tomatoes (chopped) -3
• Corainder powder -1/2 tsp
• Red chilli powder -1 tsp
• Garam masala -1/2 tsp
• Oil -2 tbsp
• Corainder leaves for garnishing
  Method
  
• Soak rajma overnight. Wash and pressure cook the rajma. Keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan, add ginger, garlic and chillies. Fry until they turn brown.
• Add onions and tomatoes. Cook until masala separates from oil.
• Add salt, turmeric powder and mix well.
• Add the boiled rajma, red chilli powder, corainder powder, garam masala and stir.
• Simmer the flame and cook until a thick gravy is formed.
• Remove from fire. Garnish rajma with corainder leaves .
• Serve hot with chapatis or rice.

Panna

Ingredients

• 1 raw mango
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp saffron strands
• 1/2 tsp cardamon powder
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  Method
• Peel and chop mango into chunks.
• In a pan, put mango, sugar and nutmeg.
• Boil till the mango is soft. Cool.Blend in mixie till smooth. Sieve.
• Add cardamon, saffron and bring to boil, stirring continuously.Take off heat. Cool.
• As and when required add a tbsp or more to a glass of chilled water and mix with an egg-beater, to froth.The pulp may be stored in the freezer for over a month.

Tangy Lemon Drink( Nimbu Squash )

Ingredients:

• Lemons-250 grams
• Sugar-250 grams
• Water-250 ml
• Vinegar -1 Tablespoon
  Method
• Take the lemons and wash and cut them into halves.
• Squeeze and collect the juice from the lemons.Store it in the fridge

Sugar Syrup

• Take the water and put it on heat in a saucepan.
• Add and disolve the sugar. Bring it to boil and make a syrup.
• You may have to remove the scum from the top of the sugar.Let the syrup cool down.
• Now take a dry glass bottle and mix the syrup, lemon juice and the vinegar in it.
• Shake the bottle a bit. Store this bottle in the fridge. ( you can keep this for a week or so in the fridge)

Serving

• When serving mix three fourths glass of water with one fourth glass of syrup and add ice cubes.
• You can garnish it with fresh mint leaves.You can also add some table salt if needed
• Another variation would be to add a pinch of black salt.If you want you can use soda water instead of the water. It will be a really refreshing drink and fizzy as well.