Pickle Paratha

This one would be great as afternoon snacks or a side dish for dinner.

You will need: For the dough: White flour 500 gms, Salt, Sugar, Cooking oil.
For the pickle: Coriander, Mint leaves, Tamarind water, Salt, Sugar, Green chillies.

Procedure: Prepare the dough for paratha my mixing sugar and salt with the flour. Cover the dough now with a damp cotton cloth. For the chutney or pickle, make a paste with all the ingredients. Now add this paste to the dough and mix well. Prepare parathas(flat bread) either round or triangular, and fry them in cooking oil in a flat pan. Serve hot with pickle, spicy vegetables, butter, or yogurt.

Paneer(Cottage Cheese) Fried Rice

I learnt this recipe from my mom. I'm sure, this one's going to be a real favorite among veg food enthusiasts.

You will need: Cottage cheese(paneer) 200 gms, 1 medium-size Carrot(shredded), Green beans(chopped), Green peas, 1 large Onion(chopped), cooking oil, salt and sugar to taste, Soya sauce, Tomato sauce.

Procedure: Cut the cottage cheese in small cubes and fry lightly. Steam the vegetables and prepare the rice. Now saute the onions lightly in a shallow pan and mix the steamed vegetables with it. Add the sauted vegetables and the fried cottage cheese with the rice. Add salt, sugar, soya and tomato sauce and mix well. Serve hot.

Veggie Recipes With Rice

Few of my gourmet friends suggested me to put up some veggie dishes, which they can eat with rice, for lunch or dinner. So here's some really easy to prepare and great to taste veg dishes for you all. Enjoy!

Steamed Spinach:

You need: Spinach(chopped), black pepper, mustard oil, green chillies 3/4, poppy seed paste(we call it posto in Bengali), coconut(shredded).

Procedure: Boil the spinach properly after cleaning it. Drain the excess water. Heat mustard oil and add black pepper and chillies. Now add the spinach and saute for a while. When it becomes soft, add the poppy seed paste and shredded coconut. Saute for a while and remove from heat. Add little mustard oil on top and serve with steamed rice.


Spicy Okra(Masala Bhindi)

You need: 1 kg fresh okra(bhindi), mustard oil or any cooking oil, 1 large onion(sliced), 2/3 large tomatoes(sliced), 1 tsp cumin seeds, 6 garlic cloves(minced), 1 tsp coriander powder(or chopped coriander), 2 green chillies(chopped), salt to taste.

Procedure: Heat oil in a shallow pan and add the cumin seeds. Fry for a while. Add the onion slices, minced garlic, and green chillies and saute, until the onions turn golden brown. Now add the chopped okras(bhindi) and mix well. Add the coriander powder and light fry for few minutes. Add the tomato slices and cook for another 5 minutes. When you see that the okras are cooked and fried completely, remove from heat. You can eat this with rice, chapati or parathas.

Eggplant(brinjal) and Yogurt Curry


You need: 1 big or medium size eggplant, mustard 1 big tsp, poppy seed 1 tsp, yogurt 2 big tsp, red chilli powder 1 tsp, salt to taste, cooking oil, sugar to taste.

Procedure: Cut the eggplant(brinjal) into small cubes and fry lightly in a shallow pan. Keep aside. Now add two tsp oil in the pan and saute the mustard seed paste and poppy seed paste. Add the chilli powder and yogurt. Saute for a while. Now add the eggplant cubes, salt and sugar to taste. Cook for few minutes and serve hot with rice or chapati.

More veggie recipes to come next!

Delicious Mango Smoothie

Mangoes are available aplenty throughout summers. Eat them in any way you like, because it is rich in vitamin C, A, and beta carotene. You can have it sliced, frozen, coolers, shakes, ice creams, salsas, and in many other ways. One of my favorites is mango smoothie. I found this video which I thought of sharing with you. Learn step by step of preparing a mango smoothie.


How To Make A Mango Smoothie

What is your favorite summer recipe?

Here is a little brainstorming for all you food enthusiasts!

When the mercury soars sky high during summer months, there is a drastic change in our food habits and we become cautious of what we consume daily.

So here's a small quiz for you all--What is your favorite summer food? What do you crave for when the temperature is really high? Is it something cold? Salads? Soups? Ice creams?

Whatever might be your favorite, just share it with us!

My personal favorite? Well...it is just coolers and less spicy fish and veggies for me. And who can forget those yummy mango and melon shakes?

Chicken Sweet N Sour

People love eating lots of green veggies during summer months, as they are easy to digest and flush out the toxins from our body. But once in a while, it is okay to taste something delicious, so that you are not bored eating veggies. And what better way than savoring some delectable chicken recipes? While there are thousands of dishes prepared with chicken, this one is one of my favorites. It is easy to prepare and great to taste!

Ingredients: Chicken balls(preferably boneless) 10-12 pieces, Carrot-2, Cucumber-1, Large onions-2, Broccoli-7/8 pieces, Cabbage-200 gms, Lemon-2, Sugar-2 big tsp, Salt to taste, White cooking oil, Cornflour-1 or 2 tsp.

Procedure: Fry the chicken balls first and keep aside. Chop all the vegetables into small cubes and boil them in water, with little salt added to it. When it gets boiled, add lemon juice in it. Now add sugar. After that add the chicken balls in it.
Take cornflour, add a little water and make a smooth paste. When the broth comes to a boil, add this cornflour paste and keep on flame until it thickens. Serve hot garnished with onion rings!

Summer Specials: Mango Tango

This can be one of the best coolers, made with ripe mangoes, available throughout the summer months. Sip and beat the heat outside!

You will need: Ripe mangoes(diced) 2 cups, Ripe papaya(diced) 1 cup, Sugar 2 tsp, Chat masala 1/2 tsp, Crushed ice.

Procedure: Put all the ingredients in a mixer and prepare a smooth paste. If it is too thick, then add some chilled water. Add chat masala and serve with crushed ice on top.