One Day At A Time!

At the end of the week, when I run out of fresh vegetables, I turn to two of my favorite ingredients - frozen peas and eggs. I must say, both are readily available in my refrigerator most of the times.  Its been ages I made a stuffed paratha in my kitchen.  Egg Parathas are made two ways - one applying beaten eggs to roti, something similar to a French toast and another way stuffed with eggs. We like the latter, stuffed egg bhurji parathas with green chili achar. Dough: Whole Wheat Flour/Atta - 2 1/2 cups Oil - 1 tsp Salt Egg Bhurji Stuffing: Eggs - 5 Onion - 1 small Green Onions/Hara Pyaaz - 6 Mini Bell Pepper - 1 Cumin/Jeera Seeds - 1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste - 2 tsp Green Chili Paste - 1 tsp Black Pepper Powder - 1/2 tsp Turmeric/Haldi - 1/4 tsp Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp Oil - 2 tbsp Salt How to make Stuffed Egg Bhurji Paratha: Make Dough: In a mixing bowl, add whole wheat flour and salt. Add water, little at a time and knead to make a soft dough...

Finally, the weather has changed in my part of the world and its bright and sunny. I love my morning walks during spring. A fresh start for a day.  Anyways, today I made this simple chutney for our morning breakfast. Both cilantro and a hint of garlic with peanuts make this a perfect accompaniment for South Indian Idlis and Dosas. Ingredients Peanuts/Groundnuts/Shenga - 1 cup Onion (Chopped) - about 1/2 cup Coriander/Cilantro Leaves - about 6 sprigs Garlic - 1 big clove Green Chilies - 4 Tamarind/Imli/Chinch paste - about 1/2 tsp Salt Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp Curry Leaves/Kadipata - 5 Red Chilies - 2 Oil - about 3 tsp How to make Peanut Cilantro Chutney for Idli Dosa: Dry roast the peanuts in a pan until they get small brown spots. Let the peanuts cool. You can discard the peanut skin. I prefer peanuts with the skin, as the skin is nutritious. Keep the peanuts aside. Julienne slice the onions and garlic. Medium chop green chilies. In the same pan, add about 2 tsp ...

North Indian style creamy Paneer curries like Shahi Paneer, Paneer Makhani are true vegetarian delights. These restaurant style delicacies are perfect for entertaining Indian food lovers.   Kadhai Paneer is also a popular one - a semi dry Paneer curry with a lovely flavor of coriander seeds, Kasuri Methi leaves and crunchy bell peppers.

When it comes to baking, I try to be precise about measuring ingredients. And follow the tips for making any cake soft and moist.  Some say any cooking oil makes a cake really moist. My personal experience says Eggless Sour Cream Cake  turns soft. Recently, I found out Silken Tofu cakes are soft too. Some day, maybe I'll try that. But sour cream and silken tofu are not the ones easily available. What works best for an egg less cake?  Homemade thick yogurt a.k.a curds with little butter and little oil. Ingredients: All Purpose Flour/Maida - 1 1/2 cups Thick Yogurt/Curd/Dahi - 1 cup Sugar - 3/4 cup Unsalted Butter - 1/4 cup Oil - 1/4 cup Vanilla Extract - 2 tsp Orange Zest/Peel - 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder - 1 tsp Baking Soda - 1/2 tsp Salt - 1/4 tsp How to bake an Egg less Yogurt Sponge Cake: In a small mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients - all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Mix well. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F. G...

Potatoes are every one's favorite and especially kids. Aloo Tikki Burger is a light, yet filling snack, perfect for evenings. The subtle flavors of lettuce, tomato and onion taste great with a simple potato burger. If not bread, try these potato cutlets with tomato ketchup or any condiment of your choice.

Some days, I forget to soak rice and dal for our regular breakfast - Idlis and Dosas. At times, cereal works just fine. Other days, I rely on such instant versions of South Indian breakfast items. We love such quick gluten free delicacies for lunch as well. Prep work involves chopping vegetables, but still its far more convenient. Ingredients: Idli Rava - 3/4 cup Urad Dal Flour/Split Black Gram Flour - 1/2 cup Yogurt/Dahi/Curds - 3/4 cup Carrots (finely chopped) - 1/2 cup Bell Pepper (finely chopped) - 1/2 cup Green Onions/Scallions - 1/4 cup Cilantro/Coriander/Kothimbir Leaves - few sprigs Baking Soda - 1/2 tsp Salt Oil How to cook Instant Appe / Paniyaram with vegetables: In a mixing bowl, add carrots, bell peppers, green onions, cilantro, salt and yogurt (preferably slightly sour). Make sure the veggies are very finely chopped, especially carrots. Or you can grate carrots as well. I have used full fat / whole milk yogurt....

Since I blog about food regularly, you guys already know my love for cooking. But, its exactly opposite when I have to cook something just for myself. And such days, there are no leftovers either.  What are your solitary meals? My lazy lunches are generally salads and grilled sandwiches. Ingredients: Boneless Chicken - 1 pound Lemon/Lime Juice - 2 tbsp Garlic - 2 big cloves Black Pepper Powder - 1 tsp Red Chili Powder - 1/2 tsp Salt Unsalted Butter or Oil Baguette or Thick Sliced Bread Pesto Sauce Red/Purple Onion Bell Pepper/Capsicum Tomato Cheese Slices (optional) How to make Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwich: Preheat the oven at 375 degrees F. Grease a baking dish with oil or butter.  Crush the garlic cloves and add it to the dish. Place a skinless chicken breast on the baking dish. Sprinkle salt, fresh ground black pepper and chili powder. Add lemon juice and rub the chicken well with the seasonings.  Bake the chicken uncov...