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Saturday, July 30, 2011

Poha Upma (Flattened Rice Upma)


Poha Upma is a popular breakfast dish from Southern Part of India, which is  made of flattened / beaten Rice. In India, there are number of variations of Poha Upma prepared these days, as per taste of each region. This is very a very healthy & delicious dish. The cooking process of Poha Upma is so simple that a lay man cook wihout difficulties. Here is the recipe .....

Ingredients:
·         Beaten Rice (Poha) – 2 Cups
·         Urad Dal – 1 tbsp
·         Chana Dal – 1 tbsp
·         Peanut – 1 tbsp (Optional)
·         Onion (Sliced) – 2 (Medium)
·         Green Chilly (Sliced) – 3
·         Ginger (Minced) – ¼ inch piece
·         Potato (Sliced) – 1 (Medium)
·         Curry Leaves – 5
·         Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp
·         Salt as per taste
·         Cooking Oil – 3 tbsp
Preparation Method:
Ø  Soak Poha in water for 2 mins; Strain and keep aside.
Ø  Heat Oil in a Pan; add Urad Dal, Chana Dal & Sliced Green Chilly; fry for 1 min.
Ø  Add Curry Leaves, Sliced Onion, Minced Ginger and fry for 3-4 mins in medium flame.
Ø  Then add Sliced Potatoes, Turmeric Pwd & Salt, cook till Potatoes are tendered.
Ø  Finally add the Poha and again cook for 5-7 mins in medium flame.
Ø  Now the “Poha Upma” is ready.  Serve hot.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Coconut Beans Fry


Hi Guys!! In addition to my “Innovative Food Category”, I am going to talk about an easy and tasty recipe made of Green beans called “Coconut Beans Fry”.  As we are aware that Green beans are very healthy and delicious Vegetable. Let me brief some nutritional facts of it. Green Beans are fat free and low in calories. They are good sources of multiple vitamins that help to improve our Immune system. They are also rich in healthy dietary fibers that help in lower our cholesterol level. The second main ingredient of the dish is Coconut meat which contains vitamins, protein, and manganese, copper & dietary fiber.  Because of all these qualities, Green beans are being loved around the globe and become part of some “International Cuisine” too. As far as today’s recipe is concerned, I have made a slight change by cooking it with some coconut meat. Here is the recipe in case you would like to try…



Ingredients:
·         Green Beans  – 150 grms
·         Onion (Sliced) – 1 (Large)
·         Coconut (Grated) – ¼ Cup
·         Red Chili Powder – 1 tsp
·         Cumin Powder – ¼  tsp
·         Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp
·         Sambhar Powder – ¼  tsp
·         Salt as per taste
·         Cooking Oil  - 2 tbsp

Preparation Method:
Ø  Cut Beans into 1 inch Pieces; Wash and Drain them. Keep aside.
Ø  Heat the Oil in a Pan; add sliced Onion and sauté for 2-3 mins.
Ø  Add Beans and Salt; Cover and cook for 5 mins in medium flame.
Ø  Then add Red Chili Powder, Turmeric Powder, Cumin Powder, Sāmbhar Powder; Cover and cook till the Beans are tendered.
Ø  Finally uncover and add Grated Coconut and fry for 5 mins in medium flame.
Ø  Now the “Coconut Beans Fry” is ready.
Coconut Beans Fry is well served with Steamed Rice.

Type: Main Course

You may Like: Beans Aloo Fry, Bhindi Aloo Fry (Oriya Style)

Baingan Bharta (Mashed Brinjal Fry)

In addition to our North Indian Cuisine, I am going talk about a very popular Vegetarian dish from Punjab made of Brinjal / Eggplant called ‘Baingan Bharta” or “Mashed Brinjal Fry”. This dish has become so popular that every region has its own version. Before going to recipe let me brief some nutritional facts of Egg plant. Despite its colour and shape, eggplants are rich in Vitamin B1 & B6, Potassium, niacin and folic acid. Eggplants are good source of Phenolic compounds an antioxidant that can help prevent cancer They are excellent source of Dietary Fibers that not only helps to keep our blood sugar in control but also to improve our digestive function. As per the current research eggplant also has the potential to lower the total body cholesterol level. As far as the dish is concerned, I would recommend every one to try it at least once. Believe me this is a very delicious dish which goes well with Roti or Chapati. Here is the recipe in case you would like to try…

Brinjal / Eggplant
   
Ingredients:
·         Brinjal / Eggplant – 1 (Large) – Preferably Purple or Black one.
·         Onion (Finely Chopped) – 2 (Medium)
·         Green Chilly (Finely Chopped) – 2 (If you want spicy add  more)
·         Ginger (Finely chopped) – ½ inch Piece
·         Garlic Cloves (Finely Chopped) –  3
·         Tomatoes (Finely Chopped) – 3 (Medium)
·         Cumin Seeds – ¼ tsp
·         Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp
·         Garam Masala – ¼ tsp
·         Mustard Seeds – ¼ tsp
·         Fenugreek Seeds – ¼ tsp
·         Fennel Seeds – ¼ tsp
·         Asafetida (Hing) – 1 Pinch (Optional)
·         Curry Leaves – Few
·         Salt as Per taste
·         Cooking Oil – 2 tbsp
·         Coriander Leaves – For Garnishing

Preparation Method:
Ø  Roast the Eggplant either in Charcoal or in Microwave for around 15-20 mins. If in Charcoal, you can have an authentic taste.
Ø  Peel off the Skin of Eggplant and mash it properly. Keep aside.
Ø  Heat Oil in a Pan; Add Mustard Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Fenugreek Seeds, Fennel Seeds and Asafetida and when they crackle, add Green Chilly, Curry Leaves, Chopped Ginger & Garlic and sauté for 2 mins in medium flame.
Ø  Add Chopped Onion and sauté till it turns Pink Color.
Ø  Then add Chopped Tomatoes, Salt, Turmeric Powder, Garam Masala and cook in medium flame till it separates Oil.
Ø  Finally place the Mashed Eggplant; mix well and cook for 5-7 mins.
Ø   Now the “Baingan Bharta” is ready. Garnish with Coriander Leaves.

Baingan Bharta is well served with Roti, Paratha and even Steamed Rice.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Thai Stir Fry Vegetable with Prawn


Hi Guys!! In addition to our “Thai Cuisine”, I am going to talk about an easy recipe made of Vegetables and Prawn called “Stir fry Vegetables with Prawns”. This dish is not only delicious but also very healthy one. As we are aware that Cauliflower & Broccoli are high in vitamin C & Manganese, which are both powerful antioxidants. They are good source of dietary fibers with multiple nutrients that help to clean our digestive system with having some substance that can help to prevent cancer. Carrot is also rich in multiple nutrients that help to reduce our cholesterol, prevent us from heart attacks and warding off certain cancers. Finally Prawns are good source of protein that helps to protect the walls of our blood vessels because of which the cardiovascular health of a person can improve. Seeing all these health benefits, no one can ignore this dish. Here is the recipe in case you would like to try…

Ingredients:
·         Cauliflower – ½ Cup
·         Broccoli  – ½ Cup
·         Carrot  - ½ Cup
·         Prawn – 6-7
·         Garlic Cloves – 2 (Sliced)
·         Soya Sauce – 1 tbsp
·         Fish Sauce – 1 tsp
·         Oyster Sauce – 1 ½  tbsp
·         Pepper Powder – 2 tsp
·         Thai All Seasoning Powder – ½ tsp
·         Sugar – ½  tsp
·         Cooking Oil – 1 tbsp

Preparation Method:
Ø  Cut Cauliflower and Broccoli in medium florets.
Ø  Cut Carrot in long and thin slice.
Ø  Clean and Devein the Prawns and leave the tail in tact.
Ø  Wash and drain all the vegetables and keep aside.
Ø  Heat Oil in a Pan; add sliced Garlic and sauté for 1 min.
Ø  Add Cleaned Prawns and sauté till they turn pink.
Ø  Add all vegetables and sauté for 5-7 mins in medium flame.
Ø  Add Pepper Powder; Sugar; Soya Sauce; Fish Sauce; Oyster Sauce and cook for 2 mins.
Ø  Then add some water and cook for 2 mins.
Ø  Finally add Thai All Seasoning Powder and cook for 1 min.
Ø  Now the “Thai Stir Fry Vegetable with Prawn” is ready.

“Thai Stir Fry Vegetable with Prawn” is well served with Steamed Rice.





Saturday, July 23, 2011

Masala Prawn

Hi Guys!! In addition to our Non-Vegetarian dish category, I am going to talk about a very popular recipe made of Prawn called “Masala Prawn”. As we aware that Prawns & Shrimps are the most popular type of seafood that are consumed in restaurants and homes all around the globe.  They are being used in wide varieties of dishes ranging from curries to rice dishes to salads. Before the recipe let me brief some nutritional facts of Prawn. Prawns are considered to be a healthy food. They are good source of protein, which helps in overall growth and development of our body. They are rich in Selenium and Selenium is likely to protect us from the growth of cancer cell. Prawns are also low in cholesterol content and high in vitamin B12 that helps to protect the walls of blood vessels because of that the cardiovascular health of a person can improve. Prawn calories are low as compared to the calories of any other red meat with numerous several other nutritional contents which make it tastier and healthier option then other food stuff. My way of cooking Masala Prawn  is bit different than the traditional way. Here is the recipe, in case you would like to try at your kitchen…

Ingredients:
·         Prawn – 200 grams
·         Onion (Sliced) – 2 (Medium)
·         Ginger Paste – 1 tsp
·         Garlic Paste – 1 tsp
·         Tomato Puree – 3 tbsp
·         Red Chili Powder – 2 tsp
·         Sambar Powder – ½ tsp
·         Cumin Powder – ½ tsp
·         Salt as per taste
·         Cooking Oil (Preferably Mustard Oil) – 2 tbsp
·         Water – 1 Cup

Preparation Method:
Ø  Clean and Devein the Prawn and leave the tail intact.
Ø  Heat Oil in a Pan; add Sliced Onion and sauté till they turn golden brown.
Ø  Add Ginger & Garlic Paste and sauté till its raw smell goes off.
Ø  Add Red Chili Powder; Sambar Powder; Cumin Powder and sauté for a minute.
Ø  Now add Tomato Puree; Salt and cook for 3 mins in low medium flame.
Ø  Then add Prawns and cook for 5 mins in medium flame.
Ø  Finally add water & cook for 10 mins with cover; ensure that the gravy must remain thick.
Ø  Now the “Masala Prawn” is ready.

Masala Prawn is well served with Steamed Rice.

Stir Fry Morning Glory

Hi Folks!! In addition to our Thai Cuisine,   I am going to talk about a very common and popular Thai dish made of morning glory called “Pad Pak Bung Fai Deng”, or “Morning Glory Stir Fry”. Morning Glory is a leafy Green Vegetable and very much available throughout the season. As all of us know that Green vegetable are excellent sources of Vitamins, dietary fiber and minerals. A regular consumption of green vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of muscular degeneration, obesity and Type 2 diabetes, reason why it can be a part of any diet plan.  

For Vegetarians:
Ignore Oyster Sauce and Mushroom Sauce can be an ideal substitute.

Ingredients:-
·         Morning Glory – 250 Grms
·         Cloves of Garlic – 3 (Crushed)
·         Red Thai Chilies – 3 nos (Crushed)
·         Soya Sauce – 1 tbsp
·         Oyster Sauce – 2 tbsp
·         Salt as per taste
·         Cooking Oil – 2 tsp
·         Water – 50 ml

Preparation Method:-
Ø  Cut Morning Glories in 4 inch pieces; Separate leaves from stem.
Ø  Then wash and drain thoroughly. Keep aside.
Ø  Heat the Oil in a Pan; add Crushed Garlic and sauté for a minute.
Ø  Add Morning glory & Water: Stir fry for 2 mins.
Ø  Add Chilies, Oyster Sauce, Soya Sauce, Salt and Stir for 3 mins in high flame.
Ø  Ensure it should not be overcooked; otherwise the taste will be bad.
Ø  Now the “Stir Fry Morning Glory” is ready.
 Stir Fry Morning Glory is well served with Steamed Rice.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Moong Dal Cabbage Fry



Hi Guys!! In addition to our South Indian Cuisine, I am going to talk about a very simple dish called “Moong Dal Cabbage Fry”. This dish may sound pretty ordinary, but believe me it tastes very delicious. As we know that Indian dishes are rich in spices, but this one is completely other way around.  Since leafy green vegetable (Cabbage) & bean (Moong dal) are the main ingredients, it is considered to be a healthy dish that suits for everyone. We can get Vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, vitamin B6, biotin, calcium & magnesium from ‘Cabbage’ & ‘Moong dal’ is a good source of dietary fiber along with protein, vitamins A, C and E, phosphorus and iron. As far as the cooking process is concerned, this could be one of the easiest dish and takes hardly few minutes to prepare. Here is the recipe in case you would like to try…


Ingredients:
·         Split Green Gram (Moong Dal) – ¼ Cup
·         Cabbage (Chopped) – 1 Small size
·         Garlic Cloves (Minced) – 3
·         Ginger -  ¼ inch piece (Minced)
·         Green Chilly (Chopped) – 3
·         Cumin Seeds – ½ tsp
·         Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp
·         Salt as per taste
·         Cooking Oil – 1 tbsp

Preparation Method:
Ø  Soak Moong Dal for 5 mins and keep aside.
Ø  Heat the Oil in a Pan; add Cumin Seeds and when it crackle
Ø  Add Chopped Green Chilly; minced Ginger & Garlic and sauté for 1 min.
Ø  Then add soaked Moong Dal and fry for 2 mins in medium flame.
Ø  Finally add Chopped Cabbage along with Salt; Turmeric Powder and cook for 10 mins in medium flame
Ø  Now the “Moong Dal Cabbage Fry” is ready.
Moong Dal Cabbage is well served with Plain Rice and Roti.