Paneer Lajawab

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Paneer and matar simmered in luscious gravy…. A must try recipe!!!

Ingredients:

200 gm Cottage cheese

50 gm Peas (optional)

2 cardamom pods

1 cinnamon stick

2-3 cloves

1 bay leaf

1 tsp red chilli powder

¼ tsp turmeric powder

½ tsp coriander powder

¼ tsp garam masala

2 tbsp oil

1/2 tsp sugar 

Salt to taste

Hot water, as required

Coriander leaves

Ground to paste

1 large onion

2 large tomatoes

7-8 cashews

1-inch ginger

4-5 cloves garlic

1 green chilli

Method:

• Heat oil in pan; add cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves and bay leaf.
• Add grounded paste and all spices and cook about 7-8 min or till oil separates.
• Add peas and little hot water and cook till peas turn soft.
• Fry cottage cheese cubes in a non-stick pan with little oil or butter.
• Now add cottage cheese cubes to the gravy and cook covered for a min.
• Adjust consistency by adding hot water.
• Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Hummus and Cucumber Sandwich

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Easy and delicious sandwich recipe with goodness of hummus and cucumber….

Ingredients:

3/4 cup boiled chick peas

1 tsp sesame seeds

3 tbsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp yogurt

Salt to taste

Cucumber, sliced

Chilli flakes

8 Bread slices

Method:

• Roast sesame seeds for a minute. (They should not turn brown.)
• Combine the sesame seeds, garlic, lemon juice, curd, oil, salt and blend in a mixer to a smooth paste.
• Add the cooked chick peas and blend again till smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add 2 to 3 tbsp of the strained water and blend well.
• For sandwich, spread generous amount of hummus on a bread slice, layer cucumber and then sprinkle chilli flakes.
• Cover with other slice. Grill or enjoy as it is….

Soya and Channa Dal Kebabs with Guava Chutney

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Yummy and healthy kebabs prepared with Soya and dal, served with guava chutney…

Ingredients:

1 cup Soya wadi, soaked

50 gm channa dal, soaked

2 bay leaves

4 cloves

1 inch cinnamon stick

2 whole red chilli

1/2 tsp chaat masala powder

1/2 tsp black salt

1” inch ginger

4-5 garlic cloves

Salt to taste

1 tbsp Oil

1-2 tbsp roasted channa powder (optional)

For guava chutney:

2 ripe guavas

1-2 green chilli

1 inch ginger

1 tsp roasted jeera powder

1/2 tsp black salt

Method:

For chutney:

Remove seeds from guavas and grind with remaining ingredients into a smooth paste using little water.

For Kebabs:

• Heat oil in pan, add whole spices and sauté till they crackle.
• Add ginger and garlic, sauté for a min.
• Now add soaked channa dal and soya wadi and mix well.
• Cook for 1-2 min and keep aside to cool. Remove bay leaves.
• Now make a paste of above mixture and add in remaining ingredients.
• Make small tikkis from the mixture. Shallow fry them on medium heat until both sides turn golden brown.
• Serve hot with guava chutney or any of your choice.

Oats and Chocolate Trifle Pudding Jars

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Yummy fancy mini pudding jars filled with healthy Oats, Chocolate cake and crunchy Oreo ….

Ingredients:

Chocolate cake crumbs

Oreo cookies crushed

Chocolate vermicelli (optional)

For Oats Pudding:

1/3 cup oats

200 ml milk

1 ½ tsp corn flour

½ tsp vanilla essence

1/2 tbsp sugar or to taste

A pinch yellow color (optional)

Method:

• Mix all ingredients for oats pudding in a pan.
• Cook on medium heat while stirring continuously.
• Cook for 3-5 min till get desired consistency. Leave aside to cool.
• To layer pudding: evenly spread cake crumbs at bottom, add oat pudding and top with crush Oreo mixture. Repeat the layers and garnish with vermicelli or Oreo slice.

Oatmeal Cookies

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A simple recipe for tasty and crunchy Oatmeal cookies. Enjoy with a glass of warm milk….

Ingredients:                                                                                               

3/4 cup grounded oats

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup butter                                                 

4 ½  tbsp powdered sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla essence

2-3 tbsp crushed nuts (I used almonds)

Method:

• Beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
• Add vanilla essence and beat once again.
• Now add oats, flour and baking powder.
• Fold in crushed nuts and make a dough.
• Make cookies and place on greased baking tray.
• Bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes at 170 deg C.
• Leave in the tray for 10 minutes, transfer onto wire rack to cool.
• Store cookies in an airtight container.

Choco-Banana Bread

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Easy to bake, moist and yummy banana bread with chocolate chips….

Ingredients:

2 Ripe bananas

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup Soft butter

1/4 cup castor sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp Milk at room temp

1 tbsp chocolate chips

Mix together 1 tsp cocoa powder in 1 tbsp milk

Method:

• Sift together flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl.
• In another bowl beat together sugar and butter till creamy.
• Mash bananas in a third bowl and add to the butter mix.
• Now, slowly add the dry ingredients to wet and beat well for 2-3 min by adding milk and
• Fold in chocolate chips.
• Pour the batter in a greased and lined loaf tin. Swirl gently the cocoa powder mixture.
• Bake in a pre-heated oven at 170 deg C. for 20 - 25 min or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool completely, cut into slices and serve.

Yog-oats and Fruit Punch

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No-cook, healthy and delicious recipe can be enjoyed any-time. Grab your glass soon..... 

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup Oats

1/2 cup Yogurt

150 ml mix fruit juice

Chopped mix fruits

2 tbsp finely chopped almonds

1 tbsp crushed corn flakes (optional)

Method:

• Add oats and mix fruit juice in a bowl. Soak overnight in fridge or 5-6 hours.
• Before serving add in yogurt, mix fruits and almonds.
• Top with corn flakes and enjoy.

Mango Yogurt with Cardamom

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A luscious, flavorful and healthy dessert prepared by blending mangoes and yogurt….

Ingredients:

2 mangos, peeled and chopped

3 cups of plain thick yogurt 

Powdered sugar to taste

1/4 tsp cardamom powder

Chopped pistachios

Few mint sprigs

Method:

• Combine mango, yogurt, cardamom powder and sugar in a blender or food processor. Process till smooth.
• Empty it out into a freezer safe bowl, cover and keep it in the freezer.
• After an hour, take it out and whisk vigorously (or use a hand blender) to break up the crystals.
• Transfer frozen mixture to the airtight container and chill in freezer for at least 3 to 4 hours.
• Before serving top with chopped pistachios and mint and let stand at room temperature to soften slightly before serving.

Bottle gourd Cutlet Burger

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Healthy way to have burger and yummy way to have bottle gourd…..

Ingredients:

For Cutlets:

1 small bottle gourd (1 cup grated)

3 medium potatoes, boiled and grated

2 slices whole wheat bread, grind to crumbs

1 tbsp garlic paste

3-4 green chillies, finely chopped

4 tbsp green coriander, chopped

2 tsp cumin powder

1/2 tsp dry mango powder

¼ tsp red chilli powder (optional)

Salt to taste

Oil to shallow fry

For burger:

4 burger buns

4 cheese slices

Sliced tomato and cucumber

Butter to toast

Tomato Ketchup

Method:

• Soak grated bottle gourd in hot water for 1/2 min and strain out in cold water.
• Squeeze out all water and mix with all other ingredients for cutlets.
• Shape cutlets and shallow fry them till they turn golden brown on both sides.
• Spread butter on bun and slightly toast them and spread ketchup on both sides.
• Place sliced tomato, cucumber, cutlet and then cheese slice and enjoy !!!!

Watermelon Cooler

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Beat the summer heat with Refreshing drink prepared from watermelon and lemons….

Ingredients:

1 ¾   cup watermelon juice

20-25 mint leaves, torn

1/4 cup sugar or to taste

1/4 cup water.

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

Method:

• Muddle the mint with the sugar using a mortar or muddler.  Add the water. (You can microwave for few sec to dissolve the sugar and chill)
• Strain the mint mixture into a vessel. 
• Stir the mixture together with the limejuice and watermelon juice.
• Serve with lots of ice and enjoy!

Choco-Coffee Biscuits

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Yummy biscuits with a flavor of coffee and crunchiness of chocolate chips…

Ingredients:

1 cup all purpose flour

85 gm butter  

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tbsp instant coffee

1 tbsp hot water

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 tbsp chocolate chips

Method:

• Combine instant coffee and hot water.
• Shift flour and baking powder in a mixing bowl.
• Beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
• Now add coffee mixture and butter mixture to the flour and mix gently.
• Fold in chocolate chips and make a dough.
• Shape the dough with cookie cutter and place on greased baking tray.
• Bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes at 170 deg C.
• Leave in the tray for 10 minutes, transfer onto wire rack to cool.
• Store in an airtight container.

Shahi Aloo Masala

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Weekend special: Potatoes blended with spices and tomatoes to give distinctly flavorful taste.

 

Ingredients:

4 medium size potatoes

3 medium size tomatoes

1 onion, chopped

1 tsp cumin seeds

2 tsp sesame seeds

2 tsp coriander seeds

1 bay leaf

1 green chilli, chopped

5-6 cloves garlic

1 small piece chopped ginger

1/2 tsp red chilli powder or to taste

1/4 tsp dry mango powder

2 tbsp oil

Salt

Chopped coriander leaves

Method:

• In a small pan, dry roast coriander, cumin and sesame seeds. Allow it to cool and grind.
• Boil, cool and peel the potatoes. Dice them into small pieces.
• Boil, cool and peel the tomatoes and grind with garlic, ginger, green chilli to a fine puree.
• Heat oil, add bay leaf, onion and then add tomato puree, cook on low heat.
• Add salt, red chilli powder and dry mango powder. Cook covered till oil separates.
• Now add the potatoes and three heaped tsp of the dry roasted masala.
• Add 1/2 cup of hot water and cook for sometime.
• Add chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.

Punjabi Sukhi Dal

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Tangy and healthy lentil recipe flavored with spices… A Punjabi delight!!!

Ingredients:

1 cup Urad dal  

1 onion, sliced

1 inch ginger piece, chopped

3-4 garlic cloves, crushed

2-3 green chilies, chopped

1 tsp cumin seeds

1/4 tsp asafoetida

1/2 tsp coriander powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp garam masala

2 bay leaves

2 cloves

Salt to taste

2 tbsp ghee

1 tbsp lemon juice

Coriander leaves, finely chopped

Method:

• Clean and wash the dal properly. Soak it in water for 30 minutes.
• Microwave dal with 2 cups of water at 100% power for 10-12 min or till done.
• Heat ghee in a pan and add cloves, bay leaves and cumin seeds, allow crackling.
• Now add onions, ginger, garlic and green chilies and stir-fry till golden brown.
• Add asafoetida and all dry spices and fry for few seconds with little dash of water.
• Now add dal and mix very gently. Cover and cook till spices blend well with dal.
• Sprinkle lemon juice and chopped coriander leaves.
• Serve hot with roti or parantha.

Oreo Cheesecake Shots

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Easy to prepare, rich and creamy Cheesecake with Oreo cookies…. A yummy treat!!!

Ingredients

For the Crust

60 g Oreo biscuits without filling or digestive biscuits

1 ½ tbsp melted butter

For the Filling:

155 g cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped

1/3 cup + 1 tbsp castor sugar

3-4 Oreo cookies

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

1 tsp lemon juice

Method:

• For crust, put the cookies in a zip bag and crush them with a rolling pin until fine crumbs.
• Take out the mixture in a bowl and stir in melted butter until well mixed.
• Spoon the mixture in each shot glasses, press down and keep in fridge to form a hard crust.
• For filling, beat the whipping cream until soft peaks. And set aside.
• Now roughly crush remaining 4 oreo cookies with a rolling pin. Keep aside.
• In a bowl add in cream cheese, sugar, vanilla essence, and lemon juice. Stir until well combined. Add in whipped cream and whisk gradually until mixed.
• Finally add crushed oreos cookies and lightly mix to combine.
• Now spoon the individual glasses with the filling, press a little and make the top smooth. Chill them in the refrigerator overnight or till well set.
• Top with chocolate chips and Oreo cookies and serve chilled.

Custard Cookies

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Super-simple and soft cookies flavored with custard powder….

Ingredients:

3/4 cup all purpose flour

3 tbsp custard powder

1/3 cup + 1 tbsp icing sugar

1/2 cup Butter

1-2 tbsp Milk (if required)

1 tsp Vanilla essence

Method:

• Sift together flour and custard powder. Keep aside.
• In a mixing bowl beat together butter and icing sugar until smooth and creamy.
• Add the flour mixture and add vanilla extract and mix well. (If the dough is stiff, add milk as required.)
• Shape the dough according to your choice. Place them on greased baking tray.
• Preheat oven to 175 Deg C. Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes.
• Leave it on the baking tray for few minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Baked Cinnamon Doughnuts

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Soft and yummy baked doughnuts with cinnamon-sugar topping…

Ingredients:

1.5 cups flour + 1/3 cup for kneading

1/2 tbsp dry active yeast

1 tbsp milk powder

1/2 cup milk

60 gm butter, soft and cut in small cubes

1/4 tsp salt

5 tbsp sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

For Topping: mix together 1 tsp cinnamon powder + 1/2 castor sugar

Method:

• In a bowl, shift 1.5 cups flour, add milk powder, salt and mix.
• Use warm milk and mix in sugar and yeast and keep aside for 5 min.
• Add yeast mixture to flour and mix well. Mix in vanilla essence and butter.
• Using remaining1/3 cup flour little at a time, knead the sticky mixture until smooth.
• Place the dough into a greased bowl and cover and leave for 1 hour till it doubles in size.
• On floured surface, roll the dough into 1/2 inch round disc.
• Use doughnut cutter or any lid to cut out into the shape.
• Place doughnuts on greased baking tray with leaving space in between and leave for another 15 min.
• Bake in preheated oven at 200 deg.C for 10 min or till turn golden brown.
• Brush some melted butter on each of them and roll into castor sugar and cinnamon mixture till well coated from all sides.

Strawberry and Grape Parfait

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Welcome summer with the yummy and healthy Parfait….

Ingredients:

10-12 Grapes, chopped

8-10 Strawberries, chopped

1/2 cup Hung curd or Greek yogurt

1/4 cup Granola

Shredded coconut (optional)

Method: 

In individual glasses, place a layer of granola at the bottom, then strawberries, add a layer of yogurt, and repeat same with grapes.

Sprinkle a tsp shredded coconut on top and set glasses to chill and then serve.

(Amount of ingredients and layering of fruits depends on your choice)

Colorful Coconut Ladoos

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Surprise your guests on this Holi with these Colorful ladoos prepared by giving an easy twist to a very simple recipe …

Ingredients:

1 cup condensed milk

1 cup Desiccated coconut powder  + for rolling

Pistachios for garnishing

Colors of your choice 

Method:

• In a pan, mix together coconut powder and condensed milk and cook on a slow flame till the mixture leaves the sides of pan (approx 5-7 minutes).
• Separate the mixture on greased plate into equal portion according to the size of ladoos.
• Add a drop of color to each portion and with oiled hands make ladoos.
• Roll the ladoos in coconut powder and add pistachio flakes on each of them. 

Spinach Buttermilk Pancakes with Pepper Relish

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Enjoy breakfast with this healthy pancake recipe served with tangy pepper relish….

Ingredients:

For pancakes:

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup plain flour (maida)

Appox. 2 cups buttermilk

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

Salt to taste

1/2 tsp red chilli flakes

1 cup chopped spinach

3 spring onions, chopped

1-2 green chilli, chopped

Oil for cooking

For Pepper relish:

2 large tomatoes, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

1 onion, chopped

1/2 tsp ginger, finely grated

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tbsp olive oil

1/4 tsp mustard seeds

1/4 tsp black pepper powder

1 tbsp vinegar

1 tbsp raisins

Salt to taste

Method:

For the relish:

• Heat oil in a pan or microwave for 30 sec at 100% power.
• Add all the ingredients, mix well. Cover and microwave for 5-6 min (stir in between) till soft and sticky rather than too saucy. Keep aside.

 For pancakes:

• Sift flours and salt. Mix all the other ingredients.
• Add enough buttermilk to get a pouring consistency. Whisk well.
• Smear oil on non stick frying pan in centre. Pour a spoonful of the batter on it.
• Cook one side till it is light brown and then turn the side.
• Serve hot with pepper relish.

Cornmeal Bread (No-yeast bread)

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Easy-to-make and No- yeast bread recipe prepared with corns and olives …

Ingredients:

2 cups flour (maida)

1/2 cup cornmeal or maize flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 ¼  tsp salt

1 ½  tbsp butter

4 tbsp curd

3 tbsp cream

2-3 tbsp boiled corns

1 tbsp olives, chopped

1 tsp red chilli flakes

1 tsp dried herbs

1/2 tsp black pepper powder

Method:

• In a bowl, shift flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt.
• Add butter and mix well to get lightly crumbly mixture.
• In another bowl, whisk curd and cream together.
• Add corns, olives, dried herbs, chilli flakes and pepper powder.
• Add this mixture to dry ingredients and mix well.
• With enough water or milk (appox.1/4 cup) make a smooth dough.
• On a floured surface, roll dough into a loaf. Place dough into greased baking tin.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 180 deg. C for 25-30 min.
• Cut into slices and serve with some spread.

Sending this recipe to Priya's Bake Fest#29 event by Vardhini 

and Big Sweet Tooth and Vardhini's Dish It Out event - Breads from Scratch

                     

Achari Paneer Masala

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Soft Paneer cubes simmered in spicy and tangy gravy…. Perfect for weekend menu.

Ingredients:

200 gm cottage cheese (paneer), chopped in cubes

1/2 red capsicum, chopped

1/2 green capsicum, chopped

1/2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste

1/4 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp onion seeds

1/2 tsp fennel seeds

2 dry red chillies

2 bay leaves

3 tbsp oil

3 large tomatoes, pureed

1 medium onion, chopped

1 tsp red chilli powder or to taste

1/2 tsp coriander powder

1/4 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp garam masala powder

Salt to taste

Coriander leaves, finely chopped

Method:

• Heat oil; add chillies and bay leaves. Add mustard, onion and fennel seeds.
• When seeds start crackle, add ginger-garlic paste and saute well.
• Add chopped onions, when they turn pink; add chopped capsicums.
• Cook on low flame till capsicums turn soft and tender.
• Add tomato puree and dry masalas. Stir and cook for 4-5 min or till oil separates.
• Add 1/2 cup hot water and salt and cook until gravy looks thick.
• Mix in the paneer cubes and cook covered for few minutes.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with naan or rice.