Vermicelli kheer- creamy treat , simply ' wow '

Kheer is the favorite item for all sweet lovers.The tradition of preparing kheer has been descended to generations and Indian housewives master this art. A combination of rice or other carbohydrate with milk is what we mean by kheer. Kheer is a culture food and has it's mentioned in the great Indian epics too. The story goes like Goutama Buddha had once revived to life after having a bowl of kheer by a kind hearted lady. So, if you are an Indian, you must know the method of preparation of kheer. Today's women prefer to prepare kheer with vermicelli or simai as it's easy process and lesser time consuming. 

Ingredients:

Vermicelli ( 100 gms., standard packet available in the market),

Milk (full creme, 2 lts.),

Sugar ( 100 gms.),

Raisins(10 gms.),

Cashew nuts ( 10 gms.),

Cardamom ( 5 seeds.),

Butter for frying.

Procedure: Heat butter in a frying pan. Add vermicelli in it and toss for 5 minutes till it changes color to golden brownish. Remove it and keep aside. Heat milk in a container and boil till it becomes thick, creamy and attains a reddish color. Add sugar, raisins, cashew nuts and cardamom to it. In little time it will take a typical reddish tinge. Add the already fried vermicelli to it. Boil till the vermicelli becomes soft. You have to boil for 15 minutes and stir it constantly so that the milk does not stick to the bottom or starts to burn. You should take care that the milk should never get a chance to burn or it might spoil the taste of the kheer. When finished remove it to a classy serving bowl and allow to cool down. You can keep it inside a refrigerator so as to be cold and the resultant dish will take a thick creamy texture. 

You will love the taste of kheer so prepared. It's the ultimate of an Indian sweet dish prepared at home. Kheer in india is prepared in home and a non commercial item. Enjoy kheer with your family and friends, discover the taste which is loved by Indians for generations.

Fenugreek leaf stuffed Indian bread [Methi Parantha]

Fenugreek has  got a lot of medicinal importance. It's a high dietary fiber and a relieves from diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol level in blood, skin problems like boils , burns and eczema. Moreover , Fenugreek is essential for lactating woman. There are many delicious preparations of Fenugreek leaves. Fenugreek leaf stuffed Indian bread is an awesome preparation and brings about a difference in the taste of normal chapati/ parantha. Filled with nutritious values, methi parantha is an awesome vegetarian treat. Let's see the method of preparation of this dish.

Ingredients:  ( for preparation of 4 people)
White flour (350gms.)
Fenugreek leaf ( 2 bundles, normal size available in the market),
Garlic ( 4 cloves chopped into smaller pcs.),
Salt as per taste,
Oil for frying.

Procedure: Wash the Fenugreek leaves under running water and chop it nicely. Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a container and dash the chopped garlic cloves in it. Add the chopped Fenugreek leaves in it and cook till it becomes soft. cook for 5 minutes till the leaves releases water and becomes soft. Add the entire content into the white flour and mix it well. Add water slowly and prepare a dough with it. Add small amount of salt for taste. You should use your hands to prepare the dough and then make (15-20)small rounded ball like structures with it. Use the roller to roll a rounded flat slice. Take the rounded flat structure into a frying pan and dry heat it till it becomes fluffy. Now put oil with the help of a spoon and move it with the help of a spatula till it becomes a fried fluffy structure. When it changes color to slightly brownish ,then the parantha is ready.

This may be served with any veg. curry/ pickle/sauce.Northern part of India is very fond of these sort of stuffed paranthas and it's easily available in road side restaurants. Enjoy methi parantha and  be sure to get good nutrition.

Veg pizza with mushroom toppings

Pizza is a delicious item and probably tastes more delicious when prepared at home. Preparing pizzas at home is an easy affair.Mushroom is the source of protein and tastes delicious when applied with fast food. I had a challenge with a friend that home made pizzas are more delicious than commercially prepared ones.At least I was happy with the preparation. It's upto my readers who has to support the cause of home made fast foods.

Lets see the method of preparation.

Ingredients: 

Pizza bread,

Button mushrooms (medium sized ones to be purchased from the market), 

Onions ( 1 medium sized chopped finely),

Tomatoes ( 1 medium sized chopped finely),

Capsicum( 1 medium sized chopped)

Salt as per taste,

Mozzarella cheese ( 100gms.)

Procedure: Boil the button mushrooms. Care should be taken so that the mushrooms should be soft but should not break. After boiling for about 10 mins. strain the water and remove the mushrooms. Take little oil (1 teaspoon) in a frying pan. Add the button mushrooms, onions, capsicum and tomatoes in it. Roasting the ingredients will give a better flavor. Just toss for 3-4 minutes.Add 1 teaspoon of salt to it.  Take the pizza bread. Spread the toppings- mushroom, onion , tomatoes on it. Take the mozzarella cheese and shred it on the pizza with the help of a shredder. The cheese should be shredded evenly. Now take the pizza bread and put it in an oven. Bake it at 220 degrees for 5 minutes. Your pizza is ready . You will be bewildered by the smell of the cheese and veggies.

You can cut into piece and serve with soft drinks. So, in your child's next birthday party , you are sure to make ' mom made pizzas' instead of commercially prepared pizzas. Enjoy preparing dishes at home.

Mashed coriander leaf fritters

Fresh herbs like coriander leaves enhances the taste of any cooked food. The freshness brought to any food by the addition of coriander leaves sets your mind boggling with the fresh essence. Coriander leaves also known as Cilantro is widely used in Middle Eastern , Central Asian, Indian, South Asian, Mexican, Texan , Chinese and Scandinavian cuisines. Also known for it's medicinal properties like anti bacterial, anti toxic, diabetic retardant, cholesterol and triglyceride retardant, carminative and digestive aid,  coriander leaves is a very popular ingredient all over the world. Apart from adding flavor to food, coriander leaves can be used in various innovative items which will be really tasty and exciting. Mashed coriander fritters is an exclusive item and can be enjoyed as a snack or a side dish while having main course. Let's see the procedure of preparing this dish.

Ingredients: 

Coriander leaves( freshly procured from the market , 4 bundles of standard size),

Potato ( 2 medium sized),

Tomato ( 1 medium sized chopped),

Green chillies( 3pcs. chopped into smaller pieces),

Onions (1 medium sized chopped into smaller pieces),

Oil for frying,

Salt as per taste.

Procedure: Chop the coriander leaves holding from near the root. Chop into smaller pieces excluding the root part which has to be thrown.Keep it aside. Boil two potatoes, remove the skin of it and prepare a mash. Add the chopped onion, tomato, green chillies and salt. Mix well with the help of your hands to make an an even mixture. Heat oil in a container. Make even balls with the prepared dough. You may make 30 rounded structures of equal size. Release the rounded doughs into the oil. You have to fry them till they take a typical golden brownish color. Then the doughs are ready to be eaten. Remove the fritters to a serving plate and it's ready to go romance with your tongue. 

This is an ideal combination to have with dal-rice, puffed rice and tea or with tomato sauce.Very less time consuming and easy preparation , this dish will definitely win the hearts of your friends, relatives or family members.Bring a difference to your regular lunch ,dinner courses and enjoy this exclusive  innovation with coriander leaves. Because it's you who can bring varieties to your boring, regular dishes and excitement to the drudgery of everyday life.

Chicken in coconut cream- a different experience

Chicken in coconut cream is an innovative item. The use of coconut cream in chicken has been  in vogue in Southern part of India. Spicy chicken with the essence of fresh coconut gives a different experience to culinary delight altogether. Chicken is an active source of protein and quite easily digestible item. Very easy to prepare and lesser time consuming, this dish can be a great challenge when guests land up in your house uninformed at any time. Let's see the method of preparation of this great discovery. 

Ingredients: (preparation for 4 people)

Boneless chicken (350 gms.)

Coconut cream (100ml.)

Curd/Yoghurt (100 ml)

Turmeric powder(1 teaspoon)

Salt as per taste

Green chillies(2-3 pcs.)

Coriander leaves for garnishing,

Oil for frying.

Procedure: Boneless chicken purchased from the market should be chopped into smaller pieces. It should be marinated with turmeric powder and salt and kept for 15 mins. Heat oil in a container and fry the chicken in it. Fry till the chicken becomes semi soft and nicely cooked. Dash green chillies in it and start feeling the unique essence emitted from the chicken. You may buy the standard tinned coconut cream available in the market or extract coconut milk by simple homely methods. Add coconut cream in desired quantity over the chicken. Mix well with the help of a spatula. Add yoghurt /battered curd over the chicken. Add salt in required quantity. The chicken absorbs the mixture and the content becomes thick. You may add 1/2 cup water for preparing the gravy. The chicken absorbs the juice of the coconut cream and curd and the gravy thickens. You may use a spoon in order to test the density of the gravy. When it becomes thick and adheres to the spoon , you may conclude that the gravy is ready. Chop coriander leaves and sprinkle over the chicken. 

This dish can be served with steaming rice/chapati/naan/tandoori roti. The tantalizing taste of curd and coconut  cream along with the essence of fresh coriander will surely make a difference. Time taken for cooking is approximately 20-25 mins. You may be sure that with little available ingredients in your home , you can prepare an excellent 'fingerlicking' chicken dish. 

Paneer Mustard curry- a different experience

Paneer is the source of protein and is a tasty item. Whether prepared at home or brought from outside paneer is a magic item and you can have many many combinations with paneer to get exciting,tasty foods. While experimenting with various ingredients , I found that that combination of paneer with mustard and coconut cream makes a mouth watering dish. Let's see the method of preparation of this unique dish. 

Ingredients: (for 4 people)

Paneer[cottage cheese]( 350 gms.)

Mustard seeds (50 gms.soaked overnight and blended)

Coconut cream (50 ml.)

Oil for frying,

Turmeric powder ( 1/2 teaspoon)

Green chillies (3 pcs , slit in between)

Procedure: Chop the paneer chunks(cottage cheese) into smaller chunks. Make equal rectangular dices out of the main block.Marinate with turmeric powder and salt for 5 mins. Heat oil in a container and fry the paneer cubes slightly. Remove and keep aside. Soak the mustard seeds overnight and put in a blender to make an even paste. You may buy fresh coconut cream from the market or make the same in your home. Heat oil in a container and add the blended mustard paste into it. Add the coconut cream into it. Add the paneer chunks which was already fried earlier. Add 1/2 cup of water and mix well with the help of a spatula. Allow to stand for 5 minutes and see the gravy forming a thick content. You may garnish with green chillies slit in between . Remove from the container to a serving bowl and it's ready to serve. 

Paneer Mustard curry is best served with steaming rice. It's a very easy and tasty preparation and consumes the least time for the process of preparation. Anytime whenever you are free and want to experiment with culinary delights , this sort of results are really worth. Enjoy with your family and friends. Remember good food is the source of happiness.

Vegetables in garlic sauce- a healthy treat

Vegetables are the best source of anti toxins. Studies revel that garlic is a good protector of cholesterol in human bodies. To think of a healthy substitute of food , specially for those who are on restricted diet , vegetables in garlic sauce is the best substitute. A very good combination with bread/ mashed potatoes this is an ideal item for breakfast. Lets see the method of preparation.

Ingredients: (for a preparation of 4 people)

Carrot ( 4 pieces , approximately 150 gms. weight chopped into medium size)

Broccoli ( 1 medium sized, chopped into smaller pieces)

Radish ( 2 pieces chopped into medium pieces)

Capsicum ( 3 medium sized diced into small cubes)

Spring onions ( 3-4 pcs. chopped into smaller pieces, only the white part)

Tomatoes ( 3 medium sized chopped into smaller pieces)

Black pepper ( 3 teaspoons)

Garlic ( 4 cloves chopped into pieces)

Corn flour (1/2 teaspoon)

Procedure: Boil all the vegetables in water for about 8-10 mins till they become soft . Care should be taken so that the vegetables should not be too soft and not mashed. Drain water and keep aside. Heat oil in a container and dash the chopped garlic cloves  into it. It will emit a nice essence. Dash the vegetables which was boiled previously. Add 1/2 cup of water into it. Mix corn flour in required quantity with 50 ml. of water and add to the mixture. Sprinkle black pepper over it. Remove the content to a serving bowl. 

This dish is best served with bread. For people who likes to abstain from spices, this is the best option. For students , forced bachelors who have to cook their own food , this is perhaps the best choice.