Hyderabadi Biriyani

Saturday, April 12, 2008


Ingredients:
1 whole chicken / 2 lbs chicken,
1 kg Basmati rice / 2 lbs rice
1 cup thinly sliced onions,
2 tsp ginger/garlic paste,
3 tsp chilli powder,
½ tsp turmeric,
100 g cashew nuts,
4 or 5 bay leaves,
4 or 5 cloves,
2 cm long cinnamon sticks,
3 or 4 cardamom pods,
1 or 2 tsp shah jeera,
2 cups mint leaves,
1 cup coriander leaves (cilantro),
½ tsp garam masala powder(shah jeera, elachi, dal chini, lavang),
1 lemon,
1 ½ tsp salt (according to taste),
1 cup ghee (clarified butter),
½ cup yogurt,
1 cup oil,
few strands of saffron,
2 cups finely sliced onions,
Method
Make deep incisions on the chicken flesh - deep enough for spices to get absorbed but making them too deep could render the pieces smaller. Mix turmeric, chilli powder, salt, garlic paste, yogurt, and half-lemon's juice. Thoroughly apply this paste onto the meat flesh and let marinate for an hour. Heat about 100 ml of oil. Roast cumin, cloves, cinnamon, depoded cardamom, bay leaves, ½ spoon cumin, 1 spoon coriander powder, and finally add onions.Wait a couple of minutes to add mint leaves. When onions turn slight brown, add marinated chicken and cook for about 20-30 min. It should NOT be fully cooked at this stage; add garam masala and coconut powder and turn off flame when about ¾ cooked. Gravy should not be much, chicken pieces should look roasted. Meanwhile, while the chicken is still cooking, prepare the biryani rice. Slightly rinse 3 cups of basmati, and add water little less than the volume of the rice itself so that its only half cooked preferably in an electric cooker. Amount of water actually depends on kind of rice at hand and your experience helps to judge it. Also add 1-2 teaspoons of salt to it. Take a few semi-cooked grains of rice and colour them with diluted saffron for garnishing.You will need a utensil of about 12" (300 mm) base. Place about half of semi-cooked rice in it. Next, layer half of chicken on it again topped by a layer of rice (half of the remaining). One more layer of remaining chicken, finally with layer of rest of the rice on top ends the rice-chicken layering stage.Heat oil and deep fry half the sliced onions to golden brown. Similarly fry cashew. Garnish the top layer with these two along with 100 ml ghee, coconut milk, saffron rice grains and coriander. Lid the vessel and try making it airtight (but no pressure should build up). Put on high flame for 5 min before reducing it to low flame. The flame should NOT be at the vessel's centre, but on one side of it. Wait for 2-3 min and turn the vessel to heat other next part on its circumference. This way, keep rotating the vessel every 2-3 min for about 20 min. Every time you turn it, carefully disturb the contents by a shake/jerk so as to avoid settling of ghee at the bottom.Put off the flame and wait for about 10 min before opening. Before serving, mix the medley from the bottom. Serve with boiled egg halves. Enjoy. Rightly and carefully made, its an epicure's paradise.

Bread Jamun



Paper Dosa



Ingredients : For Paper Dosa
½ cup raw rice
¾ cup urad dal
½ cup rice flour
salt to taste
oil for cooking
For the Sambhar :
1 cup toovar dal
1 chopped tomato
1 chopped onion
2 brinjals, cubed
1 drumstick, cut into 4 pieces
1 potato, peeled and cubed
1 tbsp tamarind pulp
salt to taste
For the Sambhar Masala :
6 to 8 red chillies
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tsp methi
1 tbsp toovar dal
1 tbsp chana dal
1 tbsp urad dal
1 tsp haldi powder
½ tsp hing
1 tsp oil
For the Tempering :
1 tsp mustard seeds
6 curry leaves
¼ tsp hing
2 tbsp oil
**********************************LETS START COOKING
For the Sambhar Masala : Heat the oil and roast all the ingredients for the sambhar masala in it.Grind to make a fine paste in a mixer using a little water. Keep aside.
For the Paper Dosa: Wash and soak the raw rice and urad dal for 4 hours.Drain, mix the rice flour and grind to make a smooth paste using enough water to get a batter of coating consistency. Heat a non-stick tava and grease it lightly with oil. When hot, pour a ladle full of the batter and spread it using circular motion to make a paper thin dosa. Cook on one side, pouring a little oil along the edges while cooking. When it becomes crispy, make a roll.Repeat the same procedure for the remaining batter.
How to Proceed : Wash and pressure-cook the dal, tomato, onion, brinjals, drumstick and potato with 2 cups of water.Then put the tamarind pulp, sambhar masala, salt and 4 cups of water and allow it to boil.Prepare the tempering by heating the oil and frying the mustard seeds, curry leaves and hing until the mustard seeds crackle. Put this to the sambhar and boil for at least 15 minutes. Ready to serve.

Vegetable Pulav



Ingredients :
¼ kg basmati Rice
25 gms carrots, chopped.
25 gms french beans, chopped.
25 gms cauliflower, chopped.
25 gms peas.
2 cloves
2 cardamoms
2 pieces cinnamon
2 onion, sliced.
¼" piece ginger, crushed
3 flakes garlic, crushed
¼ tbsp chilli powder.
a pinch haldi powder
1 tbsp coriander, chopped
3 green chili
2½ cup water
3 tbsp ghee
salt to taste
***************************************LETS START COOKING
Heat ghee in a cooker, then put the cloves, cardamoms, cinnamom, slicedonions and sauté for sometime.Put the ginger garlic and sauté till it smells nicely.Put the rice and mix for sometime, then put vegetables, chili powder, haldi powder, coriander leaves, green chilies, salt and water.Close the cooker lid and pressure cook for 5 minutes. Take out from heat.Ready to serve.

Kerala Style Chicken Curry

Friday, April 11, 2008




Chicken - 1 kg
Onion(large) - 3 nos(finely sliced)
Tomato - 3 - 4 nos
Pepper powder - 3 tsp
Dried red chillies - 4 - 5 nos
Ginger - A two inch piece
Garlic pods - 10 nos
Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
Salt - As reqd
Oil - 3 - 4 tbsp
Curry leaves - A few
Coriander powder - 4 tbsp
Tamarind - A lemon sized ball
Garam masala powder - 1 tsp
Coriander leaves(chopped) - 2 tbsp
***********************************LETS START COOKING**
1)Clean the chicken and cut into small pieces.
2)Marinate the chicken with a paste of dry red chillies, ginger and garlic, lemon juice, salt and turmeric powder. Let it remain for 3 to 4 hours.
3)Heat oil in a pan or a kadai.
4)Fry finely sliced onions till golden brown.
5)Add curry leaves, tomatoes, salt and coriander powder and fry till the tomatoes become pulpy. Keep it aside.
6)Heat 2 tbsp of oil in another kadai.
7)Fry the chicken for 5 minutes on high flame. :- The chicken will cook very quickly.
8)Add the tomato-onion mix and blend everything properly.
9)Add tamarind pulp dissolved in half cup of water and simmer for some time.
10)Add garam masala. Mix lightly.
11)Add coarsely ground peppercorns.
12)Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot.

Chola Battura





1½ tsp sugar

20 grams fresh yeast or 2 tsp dry yeast

2 tbsp fresh curds

25 grams ghee or margarine or butter


Chapati

Thursday, April 10, 2008


Wheat flour
1 tsp salt

Poori





2 tsp sugaroil or ghee for frying

asafoetida

water

salt to taste
**********************************LETS START COOKING

Spicy Paneer Nan

Wednesday, April 9, 2008


20 grams fresh yeast or 2 tsp dry yeast
25 grams ghee or margarine or butter
2 tbsp fresh curds
1½ tsp sugar
grated1 onion, chopped
3-4 green chillies, chopped
2 tbsp coriander, chopped
Sieve the flour properly.Put the sugar and yeast in 1 teacup of warm water and mix till the yeast dissolves. Cover and wait for 5 to 7 minutes until the mixture is full of froth.Put this liquid along with the curds, ghee and salt to the flour and make soft dough by using some more warm water.Knead the dough for at least 6 to 7 minutes.Keep the dough under a wet cloth for 30 minutes. Knead again for 1 minute.Mix all the ingredients for the stuffing properly.Divide the dough into 20 small parts and shape into naans. Put 1 tbsp of the filling in the centre.Seal the edges and roll into oblong shape to any other shape whichever you like.Grease a pressure cooker very lightly with oil. Take out the lid from the pressure cooker and heat it upside down.Take each naan, apply a little water on one side and stick the wet side around the inside of the pressure cooker till brown spots appear. Continue the same procedure for the remaining naans. (One at a time you can apply 3 to 4 naans inside the walls of a pressure cooker).Take out and apply butter.Ready to serve.

Green peas paratha

Tuesday, April 8, 2008



5 green chillies, finely chopped
1 tsp jeera
1 tbsp ghee
2 tbsp ghee
½ tsp salt
For the parathas : Ghee for frying
***************************************LETS START COOKING
For the stuffing :Mash the boiled green peas. Heat the ghee in a vessel and sauté the jeera. Put the green chillies, sauté for 1 minute and then put the mashed peas and salt. Cook for 1 minute and allow the mixture to cool.
For the dough: Sieve the flour with the salt. Apply ghee to the flour. Use water and make into small parts.Knead properly and divide into 10 to 12 parts.
How to proceed:Take a small part of the dough, flatten a little and put 1 tbsp of the green peas mixture in the center.Cover the mixture by drawing up the edges towards the center.Press on a floured board and roll out into a round as large as saucer. Put the paratha on a hot tava (griddle). Cook for a minute or two and turn once. After 1 minute, put a little ghee around the edges, turn again and fry the other side. When brown patches appear on both sides, the paratha is ready. Repeat the same procedure for the rest of the dough.Ready to serve hot

Methi Ki Roti

Monday, April 7, 2008

½ tsp jeera
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped
2 green chillies, chopped
½ tsp ginger, chopped
2 tsp oil
salt to taste
***********************************LETS START COOKING

Aloo ki Poori

Saturday, April 5, 2008


2 potatoes, boiled
2 pinches pepper powder
½ teacup milk
2 pinches saffron
2 tbsp melted ghee
½ tsp salt
ghee for deep frying

Chicken Vindaloo

Tuesday, March 18, 2008


few coriander leaves
1/2 onion finely sliced
12 dry kashmiri chillies
1/2 an inch turmeric
2 pods cardamoms
10 garlic cloves
2 tbsp vinegar

Chicken Khurma

Saturday, March 15, 2008


2 medium Onions
3 big Green Chillies, chopped
1/2 inch Ginger, chopped
1/4 cup Coconut grated
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp Cumin seed powder
1 tsp Saunf Garam masala
Salt to taste
4 tsp Oil
2 tbsp Coriander leaves

Butter Chicken

Wednesday, March 12, 2008



2 tomatoes puree in a blender
2 onions, chopped
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
15 cashew nuts paste
1 ½ tbsp butter
3 tbsp cream
1 tsp chilli powder
Oil for frying salt to taste
½ tbsp garam masala (cloves, cinnamon and cardamom powdered)
2 tbsp lime juice
½ tsp jeera
5 tbsp yoghurt

Chicken Biriyani

Monday, March 10, 2008


2 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tsp finely chopped fresh ginger
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp toasted flaked almonds
1 tsp ground coriander
a pinch of nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp turmeric
6 fl oz natural yogurt
1 tsp sugar
3 tbsp raisins or sultanas salt and black pepper

Method :Boil the rice in 3 pts water with a little salt for 8 minutes, stirring once and keeping the water at a rolling boil.Drain and reserve. Meanwhile, thinly slice the chicken breast. In a large saucepan or casserole with a tight fitting lid heat the oil and fry the onion, ginger and garlic for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the chicken, raise the heat and stir fry for 3 minutes.Add all the ground spices and stir again for a few seconds. Add the yogurt and stir for one minute, then add the sugar and raisins or sultanas and stir again. Check seasoning. Put the rice on top then cover the saucepan with foil or a damp tea towel and put the lid on tightly.Reduce the heat to low and cook undisturbed for 10 minutes.Remove from heat and rest, still covered, for 5 minutes.Uncover, sprinkle with the garnishes and serve.

Baked Chicken

Wednesday, March 5, 2008




Ingredients :

Chicken 2 portions (without skin)

Lemon juice 2 tsp.

Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp.

Green chilies Four

Oil 1 tsp.

Plain flour 20 gm.

Salt and pepper as per taste

Lemon wedges and coriander leaves

Method :Wash and dry chicken Chop green chilies fine or grind to paste. Mix well with ginger, garlic & lemon. Apply this on the chicken with oil and allow it to marinate for 3-4 hoursPre heat the oven Mix salt and pepper in flour. Sift. Arrange chicken on a grill rack skin side down. Sift half the seasoning over the chicken and bake for 15 minutes. Turn the chicken over and sift the remaining flour and grill for another 15 minutes till brown. Garnish with lemon wedges and coriander leaves.

Chicken Fried Rice

Friday, February 22, 2008


1 cup chicken
1/2 cup prawns cooked
1 egg
1/4 cup capsicum cut into fine strips
1 cup regular onion, chopped fine
1 cup spring onions, chopped fine
2 tablespoons of ginger-garlic paste
1 cup of mixed vegetables
chilli sauce

Rosemary Chicken with Orange-Maple Glaze

Wednesday, February 13, 2008


Ingredients
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup maple flavored syrup
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
Method

1. Bring orange juice and wine to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat slightly, but keep high enough to continue a low boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in maple syrup and continue boiling for another 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until glossy and just slightly thickened. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl mix together the rosemary, salt and pepper. Rub mixture on both sides of chicken breasts, and set aside.
3. Melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken breasts, cover skillet and saute for about 5 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Pour orange-maple mixture over chicken (mixture will boil and bubble). Reduce heat to simmer; cover and let cook for another 10 minutes, basting occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and sauce has turned into a rich, thick glaze.

Chicken 65

Tuesday, February 12, 2008


2 tsp Chilli powder
3 tbsp Lime Juice
2 tbsp Curd
2 tsp Ginger garlic paste
Salt to taste
a little Food coloring
Oil for deep frying
For garnish:
Red Onions
Lime slices

Chicken Soup

Monday, February 4, 2008


Chicken Tikka

Friday, February 1, 2008


2 tbsp paprika
1 tsp mango powder
1 tsp chilli powder
juice of a lime
good thick yoghurt
salt to taste
2 lb chicken, diced
5 to 6 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
chicken stock or wateroil

Fish Patties

Friday, January 18, 2008


Ingredients:
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup bread crumbs
Oil for frying
Mix together for the patties:
250 gms codfish, cooked and minced
2 potatoes, boiled and smashed
1 small onion, chopped finely.
1/2" ginger, grounded into paste
3 garlic flakes, grounded into paste
5 green chillies, chopped finely
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp coriander leaves
Salt as per taste
Method:
Add to the patties mixture 1/2 of beaten egg
Mix it well
Make small rolls of the mixture and flatten it
Heat oil for frying
Dip the patties in the remaining beaten egg
Roll it in the bread crumbs
Deep fry till golden brown
Remove and drain it
Serve hot with wafers

Meen Mappas

Sunday, January 13, 2008


Ingredients:
½ kg - fish (black pompfret), cut into pieces
150 g - onion, chopped
150 ml - thick coconut milk
4 - green chilies, slit
12 flakes - garlic, chopped
2 tsp - ginger, chopped
curry leaves3 petals
kudampuli, torn into pieces and soaked in 150 ml water50 ml
oilmustard seeds
methi seeds
salt to taste
mix the flowing powders with 4 tbsp of water½ tsp - black pepper powder½ tsp - turmeric powder½ tsp - chili powder2 tsp - coriander powder.
Method:
Apply, chili, turmeric powders, galic paste, salt on fish. Marinate and deep fry
Heat the oil and season with mustard, methi, garlic, ginger, green chilies and curry leaves. Add onion and fry till sift.
Add masala paste, fry well.
Add kodumpuli and boil and boil till thick.
Add fish, cook on low flame for few minutes.
Add coconut milk, give boil and remove.

Chicken Fry

Saturday, January 12, 2008


1 onion
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
2 green chilies, finely chopped
3 tsp dhania powder
1 tsp garam masala
½ tsp haldi powder
1 tsp chili powder
A pinch of nutmeg and pepper powder
Cilantro leaves Salt to taste

Meat Stew

Thursday, January 10, 2008




Ingredients:
1/2 kg meat

3 chopped potatoes

2 tbsp ghee (optional - oil)

lemon juice as per taste
Make a paste of:

3 small onions

1" ginger2 garlic flakes

3 green chillies

3 cloves

1 black cardamoms

1" cinnamon

7 black pepper

1 tsp cummin seeds

1 tsp corriander seeds

Salt as per taste


Method:
Cut the meat into small pieces
Cook in enough water till half done
Remove the pieces and keep the meat gravy aside
Heat the ghee in a pan
Fry the grounded paste for 5 minutes; till oil separates
Add meat pieces and fry till brown
Add potatoes pieces and fry for a minute
Add the meat gravy and let it cook
When done, add lemon juice
Serve hot

Vegetable Cutlet

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Ingredients:
potatoes
peas
carrots
beetroot (optional)
ginger crushed
green chilies crushed
cinnamon and clove powder
sugar
lemon juice or citric acid
bread crumbs
salt to taste

Method:
First boil and peel and mashed the potatoes.
Boil the carrots and peas and then add to mashed potatoes.
Mashed them together.
Add salt, sugar, lemon juice or citric acid, cinnamon and cloves powder, crushed ginger and green chilies according to your taste.
Make little balls from this and give them your favorite shape.
Now roll into breadcrumbs and shallow fry on the griddle.
You can deep fry too, if you want to dip those in egg white and then roll into bread crumbs and fry.