Video: How To Cook Chingri Maacher Malai Curry | Prawns in Coconut Milk

No one can deny the look, taste and aroma of authentic Bengali dishes! Many true-blue and traditional Bengali dishes are gradually getting lost as time goes by. There are many families who hold on to their traditional recipes, especially during pujas and celebration times. Among many such recipes, Chingri Maacher Malai Curry oe Prawns in Coconut Milk occupies a special place in the hearts of Bengali food lovers. Let's see how you can prepare this recipe easily...

Green Mango Chutney

Back after long and today, I'll post a simple yet refreshing recipe that's guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds!

Indian summer is hot, scorching and stifling, but in a way, it also has some positive sides to it. You get a pick of fresh summer veggies & fruits to choose from and prepare mouthwatering delicacies. Mango, to begin with, is an authentic summer fruit that's hard to stay away from! Be it green or the ripe orange ones, you can whip up a lot of dishes with this delicious fruit. Then there are strawberries, litchis, watermelons, pineapples and various other berries. Neem leaves are considered to be having antiseptic and healing properties; so is yogurt. So summer isn't all that bad :) You can make the most of summer, eat healthy and stay happy!

Read on for a simple and tasty easy-to-prepare summer recipe:

(Serves 4 people)

Ingredients: 2 green mangoes, sugar 500 grams, mustard oil - 1tsp, pinch of panch phoron (whole spice blend).

Recipe:

• Firstly, cut the green mangoes in small pieces without peeling. Then boil them a little.
• After draining the water, add 1 tsp oil into kadai & a pinch of panch phoron. When it heats, add the mango pieces. Add a pinch of salt.
• Add sugar & water as required.
• When it boils & thickens, turn off the flame & let it cool. 

P.S.: You can use sugar candy in place of plain sugar for a thicker consistency.

Kadhai Paneer

When it comes to delectable veg recipes, few things can compare to paneer or cottage cheese. There are so many yummy dishes to whip up with paneer. It's easy as well as healthy. Kadhai Paneer is one of them. Although a Punjabi dish, it's a favorite with all now. Try it at home and enjoy!

You will need: Paneer (cottage cheese) cut into 1 inch triangular pieces, 3 tablespoons of cooking oil, cloves 2, 2 bay leaves, 2 dried red chillies, crushed coriander seeds (2 tsp), 1 medium onion (sliced), 2 tsp ginger paste, 2 tsp garlic paste, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 5-6 tomatoes (chopped), cinnamon - 2 inch piece.

Recipe: Heat oil in a kadai and add bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, red chillies and half of the crushed coriander seeds. Then sauté for a minute. Adding onion, sauté for a while. Add ginger and garlic paste and sauté a little longer. Now add coriander powder, red chilli powder and tomatoes. Cook till the oil separates. Add paneer, salt and half cup of water. Cook with cover in low heat for five minutes. Serve hot, garnished with the remaining crushed coriander seeds.

Virgin Mojito

Yesterday got to taste Virgin Mojito at a local coffee joint. Must say...'twas superb! The zing, the refreshing mint and the tangy lime taste made me feel real good. For those who don't know, Virgin Mojito is a great healthy summer drink enlivening your mind and body within seconds! It's not necessarily alcoholic and can be prepared with ginger ale or just by blending fruit juices and club soda. I won't deny that Virgin Mojito has now become one of my favorite cocktails :)

If you wish to stir up Virgin Mojito at home and treat your friends and guests, below is a link to a simple, easy-to-prepare recipe. You can use ginger ale, sprite, apple juice, lemonade and club soda according to your preference. Just remember to serve it chilled!

http://allrecipes.co.in/recipe/13130/virgin-mojito.aspx

Egg-Tomato Pakora

This easy recipe's great for afternoon munch at home or a get together with friends. And when it's pouring outside, it makes for a wonderful snacking along with hot tea or coffee...

See what you'll need...

Serves 4 people -- 2 eggs, 2 tomatoes, 1 large onion, chopped coriander leaves, few green chillies (chopped), little rice dust, pinch of turmeric powder, salt to taste, oil for frying, pinch of baking powder.

Directions: Mix all ingredients together and make a thick paste. Heat oil in a shallow fry pan. Make small flat pakoras and fry them till they turn crispy golden brown. Serve hot with onion rings and tomato sauce!

Food Food Channel - A Wholesome Entertainment!

These days, my entire family is glued to food food channel and I'm no exception either! Being a foodie, how can I miss out on those yummy platters dished out by some of the most celebrated chefs of India? Our dinner times are a lot happier now thanks to all those mouthwatering recipes aired on the channel! Almost all the cookery shows in Food Food are fabulous and the recipes original and easy-to-prepare. My favorite is of course, Sanjeev Kapoor's Kitchen, followed by Turban Tadka and Roti, Rasta Aur India. No doubt, Food Food channel launched in January 2011 has a growing viewership today from homemakers to newbie cooks like me. Besides droolworthy recipes, you get to know food tips from top chefs, food trends, kitchen ideas and much more! For those looking to whip up delectable recipes in no time can well invest their time in Food Food.

This Indian food and food lifestyle channel having completed two years already is a joint venture between Astro All Asia Networks PLC (a Malaysian cross-media group) and Turmeric Vision Pvt Ltd (TVPL), a television company owned by master chef Sanjeev Kapoor.

Unquestionably, Food Food channel today has emerged as a one-of-a-kind destination for food lovers far and wide and has won several prestigious awards. Here's wishing a long and flourishing journey for Food Food in the years to come!

Durga Puja, Shubho Bijoya et al.

Durga Puja...the biggest extravaganza and festive grandeur of the Bengalis are finally over. And I guess, we are still drooling over pre and post-puja merrymaking, sumptuous luncheons and dinners! Vijaya Dashami - marking the closure of Durga Puja and the immersion of the Goddess, comes with its own splendor and color...not to forget the huge variety of sweet dishes and homemade delicacies that we get to enjoy each year! Bengalis prepare a whole lot of mouthwatering dishes on the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, Vijaya Dashami and Lakshmi Puja. It is the time of mingling with near and dear ones and getting drenched in festive fervor. Kojagari Lakshmi Puja is another important event for most Bengali families in India and abroad, when the Goddess of wealth is worshipped with lavish 'bhog' offerings. The festive spirit continues up to Diwali and Kali Puja, when people engage in the festival of lights and bursting crackers. Deepavali sweets have their signature taste and color. People visit their dear ones and relatives with beautifully designed boxes of sweets. Diwali is followed by Bhai Phonta or Bhai Dooj, which is celebrated with many rituals along with a grand feast arranged for the brothers. So the gala treats just go on and on...

Hope you all had a fantastic Durga Puja! Here's wishing all of you a very happy Deepavali, Kali Puja and Bhai Phonta!