Payesh/Payasam

Lakshmi Puja is celebrated in almost every home in West Bengal right after Durga Puja. This is a special day when different types of food are offered to the Goddess. One of them is Payesh or Payasam as it is known throughout India. Though many people prepare it with vermicelli, we prepare it with rice on this special occasion.

Here's a little bit different way of preparing this traditional dessert:

Ingredients: Basmati rice 100 grams, Milk 2 liters, Raisins 50 grams, Sugar 500 grams, Cashew nuts 50 grams, Pistachio(few), Ghee 1 tsp, Cardamom 3/4.

Procedure: Soak the rice and raisins separately for half and hour. In a hollow bottomed pan, heat the ghee and add the cardamoms. Now add the rice and stir lightly. Add milk. Now keep on stirring till it becomes thick. Then add sugar, raisins, cashew nuts, and when it becomes thick, remove it from flame. When it cools down, garnish with pistachio.

Durga Puja Celebrations: Prawn Curry with Yogurt

Durga Puja, our biggest and most favorite festival is just around the corner. This gorgeous festival starts with Mahalaya, which ushers the beginning of Durga Puja, and also announces the final stages of the puja. A lot of enthusiasm and joy surrounds this festival of four days. We wait for the entire year for Durga Puja and enjoy to the hilt. Durga Puja is not only about new clothes, fun, decorations, exchanging of wishes and love, but also a whole lot about delicious food. Whether it is eating out or cooking at home, everyone wants to try something new.

So here's a delicious and easy to prepare recipe which you can try during Durga Puja...enjoy!!



You will need: Tiger prawns(6/7), Yogurt 1-2 cups, 6 Green chillies(slit), Whole spices(garam masala not grounded) 1 tsp, Chilli powder 1 tsp, Sugar 1/2 cup, White cooking oil(according to requirement), Salt to taste.

Procedure: Heat oil in a shallow pan. Fry the prawns golden brown and keep aside. Now fry the whole spice separately for few seconds. Now add the prawns, beaten yogurt, green chillies, chilli powder and salt and stir for sometime. Keep it on flame till the oil gets separated. Serve hot with steamed rice, fried rice, paratha or roti!

Bhetki Hariyali

Hello everyone!

I'm back from my self-imposed hiatus, and posting after quite a long time. Blogging is such a passion for me that I cannot stay away from it for long:)

Here's a nice recipe that I would like to share with you all. It is very tasty and easy to prepare.

You will need: Bhetki Fish(6-8 pieces), Shredded Coconut(5-6 tsp), Green Chillies 4/5, Garlic cloves 2, Coriander 1 bunch, Cooking oil 4 tsp, Turmeric(according to your need), Cumin Seeds(Jeera) 1/2 tsp, Salt to taste.

Procedure: Wash the bhetki pieces and coat them with turmeric powder/paste and salt. Heat oil in a shallow pan and fry the pieces lightly. Now make a paste of shredded coconut, coriander, green chillies, and garlic together in a mixer. Heat oil and add cumin seeds and green chillies. Then add the paste in it. Saute properly. Add a little water. Then add salt to taste. When the entire thing comes to a boil, add the fishes. Boil for 5 more minutes. Put off the flame, but keep the pan on heat for 5 more minutes. Serve hot with steamed rice or chapati and garnish with slit green chillies, tomato slices and coriander.

Masoor Dal Vada/ Chana Dal Vada

These vadas are quite simple to prepare, and great as side dish with steamed rice. It can be prepared with masoor dal or a combination of chana dal(chholar dal) and yellow split pea dal(matar dal). The recipes are different, though both tastes wonderful!

For Masoor Dal Vada, you will need: Masoor dal(1 cup), Salt to taste, Mustard oil or any cooking oil, 1 Onion shredded, Black pepper(little).

Procdure: Soak the dal overnight. Strain the water the next day and make a paste of it in a mixer. Add salt, onions, diced green chillies or chilli powder and make a thick paste. Heat oil and prepare vadas and fry them golden brown. Serve with steamed rice.

For Chana Dal Vada, you will need: Equal quantities of chana dal and matar dal(yellow split pea dal), Salt to taste, Coconut(shredded or grinded), Sugar(little), Green chillies, Oil.

Procedure: Soak both the dals overnight. Strain the water the next day and make a paste of the entire thing with the shredded coconut in a mixer. Now add salt, sugar, green chillies and make a thick paste. Heat oil and prepare vadas and fry them golden brown. Serve with steamed rice.

ENJOY!!!

Healthy Fish Curry with Vegetables

This is one of my favorite recipes that my mom makes. This quintessential Bengali dish is tasty and easy on your stomach. I love this so much that I can eat it almost every day! The best part about this dish is--it has vegetables that are healthy and uses very little spices. It can even be served to children and ailing people, as it is full of nutrients.

Ingredients: Rohu or Katla fish(cut into pieces and smeared with turmeric and salt), 1 Potato, 3/4 Pointed Gourds(in Bengali it is called "potol" and in Hindi it is called"parwal"), 1 Eggplant, 1 tomato, Bori(this is especially a Bengali delicacy made from dal paste), Green beans, 1 Green Banana, 1 Cauliflower.
Spices: Ginger paste, Cumin seeds paste, Red chilli paste, Turmeric, Salt to taste, Vegetable oil.

Procedure: Fry the fish separately and keep aside. Fry the boris and keep separately. Pour oil into a shallow pan and add some ungrounded whole cumin seeds. Then add the diced vegetables and saute for a while. Fry until light golden brown. Now add ginger paste, cumin seed paste, chilli paste, turmeric, and salt and mix properly. Add proportional water in it. When the vegetables get boiled, add the fried fish. Before removing from flame, add a pinch of garam masala(spice) and serve hot with steamed rice.

P.S. --Sprinkle some fresh lemon juice as you enjoy with steamed rice, for enhanced taste!

Monsoon Favorites: Khichdi with Semolina

"Khichdi" or "Khichudi" as we commonly call it here in Bengal, is a popular recipe during monsoons. Khichdi is everyone's favorite, because it is great to taste, and can be prepared quite easily. Steaming hot khichdi with fries and chutney, is a must here during the rainy seasons! This delectable dish is really India's comfort food, being nutritious and yummy at the same time. Khichdis are of different types, cooked in a variety of ways, but more about them later.

Here's one easy to prepare recipe that's sure to tickle your tastebuds!

Ingredients: Suji or Semolina 200gms, Moong Dal(lentils) 150gms, Potatoes-2(diced), 1 Cauliflower(in small pieces), Green Peas(1cup), Ginger paste 1tsp, Green Chillies-2, Garam Masala(spices), Salt to taste, White cooking oil.

Procedure: In a dry shallow pan, fry the semolina(suji) and dal and keep separately. Fry the diced potatoes and cauliflower. Keep the dal semi-boiled. Now heat oil and saute some ginger paste first; add the fried potatoes and cauliflower, dal, green chillies, and boil for some more time. Add the semolina in this mix now. Add salt to taste. Just before taking off from the heat, add garam masala and ghee. Serve hot!

Thanks a Lot for the Award!

My blogger friend Sireesha has passed on these two beautiful awards to me. Thanks a lot Sireesha! I am glad that you chose me for the awards and found me eligible to receive them.

Nice Matters Award: Quoting my friend Sireesha, "Nice Matters Award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.” I am very happy to get this award!

Good Chat Blog Award: This is one award I am fortunate to qualify for.

Once again, thank you Sireesha from the bottom of my heart for these wonderful awards and considering me for them!

Summer Specials: Dahi Kebabs

With the sweltering heat outside, we develop a tendency to savor cold and less spicy food, that is actually good for your stomach. We should cut down on rich and spicy food during summers and eat light and non-greasy food as much as possible. Here's a simple summer recipe that's a special treat for the veggie lovers! The main ingredient here is yogurt or dahi, which is rich in calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12, potassium, and magnesium. It is easy to digest and is prepared without much hassle.

Ingredients: Gram flour(besan) 100gms, Cottage cheese(paneer) 50 gms, Cheese 25 gms, Yogurt 100 gms, Green chillies 5 gms, Ginger 5 gms, Garam masala(spices) 5 gms, Refined oil 100 gms, Raisins and Cashew nuts 25 gms, Salt to taste.

Procedure: Lightly fry the gram flour in a dry container and keep aside. Heat oil in a shallow fry pan or kadai and add ginger and green chilli pieces. Saute for a while. Now add grated cottage cheese(paneer), cheese, raisins, cashew nuts, gram flour(besan), and yogurt to it and make a thick paste. Make small cubes or chunks of kebab with this paste and grill/roast on a skewer. You can even prepare it on a microwave. Serve it hot with tomato/chilli /coriander sauce!

Famous Indian Chefs: Sanjeev Kapoor

Sanjeev Kapoor--The name is known to young and old, who love to eat. This celebrated and most popular Indian chef is extremely popular among food lovers, cooks, and all those who have a liking for Indian cuisine. He has given Indian food a completely new meaning and popularity by being a host in the long running cookery program on television titled, "Khana Khazana." He is one of the top chefs in India today and has written many books on Indian cuisine. His recipes are easy to prepare, tastes great and looks wonderful! No wonder he is so popular among housewives.

"Khana Khazana" won the award for the Best Cookery Show given by the Indian Television Academy (ITA) in 2001. Sanjeev Kapoor is also the recipient of the Best Executive Chef of World Award by H & FS and the Mercury Gold Award at Geneva, Switzerland by IFCA. His recipes stress on low calorie and healthy food, that is prepared in the shortest possible time. Food lovers can easily select and prepare from Sanjeev Kapoor's wide range of vegetarian and non-veg food, soups, salads, starters and sandwiches, that are available in his cookbooks and CD-ROMs.

How To Make Pav Bhaji

Pav Bhaji is a popular breakfast and snack in India, especially in the North and West. It has become quite popular in Kolkata too. Watch this video that will teach you to prepare Pav Bhaji at home. Enjoy!


How To Make Pav Bhaji

Chicken Pakora

Hello All! Though people are quite sceptical and panicky about eating chicken these days, here's a very common and mouthwatering recipe that's sure to sizzle at any party, get togethers, weddings, and birthdays. Chicken pakora can be a fantastic starter and appetizer for any given occasion!

Here's what you need: 200 gms of chicken(in small pieces and boneless), chopped cabbage 1 cup, 1/2 cup of besan(gram flour), chopped onions 1/2 cup, chopped garlic(1 tsp), ginger paste(1 tsp), tomato puree 1 tsp, chopped green chilles(1 tsp), red chilli powder(according to taste), 1 egg, vinegar 1 and half tsp.

Procedure: Marinate chicken pieces with vinegar, red chilli powder, and keep aside for 30 mins. Heat oil(preferably mustard oil) in a frying pan. Fry chopped cabbage and garlic lightly and keep it separately. Now make a paste with besan(gram flour), chopped onions, green chillies, little red chilli powder, and salt. Add tomato puree to tighten this paste. Take chicken pieces and coat them with the prepared batter, one by one. Heat oil in pan. Fry the chicken pieces until they are crispy and golden brown. Serve hot with onion rings and tomato sauce.

If you are serving chicken pakoras to guests invited, you can garnish them with lettuce leaves, tomato slices and coriander strands as well.

How to make Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the most popular non-veg food item that you''ll find in almost every restaurant across India. Time to make Chicken Tikka Masala is approximately 2 hours 1½ hours. It tastes great and is easy to digest. Here's an easy way to make Chicken Tikka Masala at home. Watch this video which shows you the steps.



VideoJug: How To Make Chicken Tikka Masala

Tags: chicken recipes, Indian recipes, chicken dishes

How To Make Naan Bread

Naan bread is a common name in any Indian household. Normally it is eaten with any curry, veg or non-veg. Naan is mostly common in Northern India, though this delicious bread has now become every food lover's favorite. Typically, a naan is a round shaped bread made of white flour. Nowadays, it is even served with various toppings as well.
I found this video that I thought of sharing with you. It teaches the entire process of making Naan bread in a simple way. Now you can prepare this yummy bread at home!

VideoJug: How To Make Naan Bread