Veg Soya Burger

Vegetarian or non-vegetarian, you will love this veg burger recipe. Full of protein
packed, mouth watering, delicious and healthy.


Category:           Snacks
Cooking time:    30 minutes
Serves:               2

Ingredients:

1 cup soya granules

1 onion (chopped)

2 tomatoes (chopped)

1 tsp ginger-garlic paste

2 green chillies

1/2 tsp garam masala powder

1/2 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp red chilli powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 tsp garam masala powder

4 pieces pav bread

2 tbsp ghee

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

Coriander leaves for garnishing

Salt to taste.


Method:

1. Boil around a cup of water, remove from heat and add soya granules.

2. Stir for few seconds till soy granules soften.

3. Finely chop the green chillies.

4. Heat ghee in a pan on medium high heat, add cumin seeds, when cumin seeds
    start to get brown colour, add garam masala powder, chopped onions.

5. Fry the onion till it turns light brown around the edges.

6. Then add ginger garlic paste and green chillies and fry for few more seconds.

7. Add chopped tomatoes, and cook till tomatoes soften and become mushy.

8. Then add coriander powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder and salt.

9. Add soya granules. Cook till soy granules absorb all the flavors and let most of the
    moisture evaporate. Remove from heat and garnish with coriander leaves.

10. Slice the pav bread into two. Apply ghee to both sides of the bread.

11. Heat a flat pan on medium heat. Place the sliced pav on hot pan and fry on both
      sides till light golden brown.

12. Stuff each bread with soya granules mixture and serve the burgers immediately.


Tip:

Cook the tomatoes very well before adding the spices.You can substitute the Indian
pav bread with any kind of bread.

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Capsicum Chicken In Hot Garlic Masala

Capsicum chicken is the fusion of Indo-Chinese and tastes very delicious. Its easy
to make and is served as side dish. The capsicum gives unique flavor to this chicken
curry. If you're looking for a spicy and chilly chicken, try this recipe.


Category:         Side dish
Cooking time:  30 minutes
Serves:             4


Ingredients:

For tempering:

3-4 cloves

1 1/2 cinnamon stick

1 large cardamom

5-6 black pepper corns

2 bay leaves

4 whole red chillies


1 kg chicken (cut in medium pieces)

6-8 medium size onions (finely chopped)

2 large capsicum (de-seedes and cut)

4 tomatoes (finely chopped)

few pieces of ginger (grated)

3 big pods or 5 small pods garlic (crushed)

5 green chillies (slitted)

1 cup coriander leaves (finely chopped)

1/4 cup rum (optional)

3/4 cup oil (preferably mustard)

3 cups water


Powdered condiments:

1 tsp turmeric powder

3-4 tsp coriander powder

2 tsp chilly powder

1 tsp cumin powder

1/2 tsp garam masala

salt to taste


Method:

1. Heat oil in a flat bottom pan and add the tempering.

2. When the tempering starts spluttering, add the green chillies, grated ginger and
    crushed garlic and fry them till they turn light brown.

3. Then add the onions and fry till golden brown.

4. Add the chicken once the onion turns brown and the oil leaves the sides of the pan.

5. Keep cooking the chicken on medium flame for 10 minutes.

6. Then add the dry powdered condiments and keep frying the chicken without closing
    the lid till it becomes soft.

7. Then add chopped tomatoes, capsicum and half the quantity of coriander mentioned,
    rum and cook till the oil don't stick on the side of the pan.

8. Keep frying for five minutes on high flame for the chicken to get little crispy.

9. Then add water and cook for further eight minutes.

10. Remove it from flame, and garnish it with coriander leaves and serve it with naan
      or roti.

Strawberry Cold Soup

Strawberry cold soup is great for lazy summer days when you feel like starting your
meal with a light appetiser. Both hot as well as cold soup, are equally nutritious. In
cold soups generally raw ingredients are used.


Category:          Soups
Cooking time:   15 minutes
Serves:              4


Ingredients:

1 quarter fresh strawberries

2 cups water

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

2 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp chopped fresh mint

1/2 cup sugar

5 tbsps plain yogurt

Mint springs for garnish.


Method:

1. In a saucepan mix all the ingredients except yogurt and mint.

2. Bring them to  boil , reduce the heat and simmer for ten minutes.

3. Cool and puree the extract in a blender and chill.

4. Before serving, swirl a tablespoon yogurt through each portion and garnish
    with mint springs and strawberry slices.


Tip:

Let hot soups cool at room temperature, uncovered for 1 to 1/2 hours or until almost
at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until cold. Soups can last in the fridge
for up to three days.

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Mushroom Manchuria

Category:          Starter/side dish
Cooking time:   45 minutes
Serves:             4


Mushroom manchuria is one of the popular Indo-Chinese starter recipe served with
fried rice. Its tempting and tastes delicious.


Ingredients

1/2 kg mushrooms

1 cup corn flour

1 cup maida

1 tsp chilli powder

A pinch red colour

2 tbsp chopped ginger

2 tbsp chopped garlic

2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste

10 chopped green chillis

1/2 cup tomato sauce

2 tsp soya sauce

1 tsp white venegar

2 tbsp chopped spring onions

Oil for frying

Salt to taste.


Method:

1. Mix corn flour and maida with some water and make a thick batter.

2. Heat oil in a heavy pan.

3. Dip the mushrooms in the thick batter, fry them and keep aside.

4. After a minute put the fried mushrooms in a frying pan and fry them for a couple
    of minutes and strain.

5. Add ginger garlic paste, chopped ginger, chopped garlic, chopped chillies and
    fry on medium flame till the raw smell goes. Do not brown them.

6. Now add all the sauces and salt together and boil it just for a second and remove
    from the flame.

7. Add it to the fried mushrooms and garnish with chopped spring onions.

8. Serve hot.

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Tomato and Mushroom Risotto

Category:         Starter
Cooking time:  30 minutes
Serves:             2      


Tomato and mushroom risotto is a north Italian dish. Easy to make and filled full
of flavors. Creamy calorie-rich rice dish.


Ingredients:

1-1/2 cup rice (arborio rice)

3 medium size tomatoes

12 mushrooms

1 tsp butter

10 cherry tomatoes

1/4 cup cheese

1/2 tsp pepper powder

1 cup skimmed milk

2 cups vegetable stock

1/4 cup white wine.


Method:

1. Wash the rice for making risotto (there is no need to soak the rice).

2. Blanch the tomatoes by putting them in boiling water for 10 seconds and transfer them
    to a bowl of cold water.

3. Remove skin and deseed them. Chop finely.

4.  Soak the mushrooms in hot water, drain and roughly chop them.

5. In a thick-bottomed pan, heat half of the butter on medium heat and add the
    chopped tomatoes. Saute them till they are cooked.

6. Add the chopped mushrooms and stir-fry.

7. Add the rice and saute for 4 minutes and then add white wine cook on high flame
    for a couple of minutes, stirring frequently.

8. Stir in stock followed by half the quantity of skimmed milk.

9. Reduce heat and cook on medium flame, stirring continuously.

10. Cook the rice till it is done, stirring all the time.

11. Add salt and pepper.

12. Just before serving add the grated cheese, remaining butter and skimmed milk to
      give it a creamy texture.

13. Garnish it with cherry tomatoes and serve hot.
.
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Shahi Fish

Category:          Side dish
Cooking time:   45 minutes
Serves:              2

Shahi fish is a royal, popular and a delicious Indian recipe served as a side dish. Fish pieces
are fried golden brown and then added to dish at the end.


Ingredients:

2 fish (preferably pomfret)

2 onions chopped finely

6 garlic flakes

5 tbsp oil

1 tbsp fresh cream

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

Salt to taste

Oil for frying.


For paste:

1 ginger

1/2 tbsp poppy seeds

7 cashew nuts

1/2 dry coconut

For powder:

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

2 tsp red chilli powder

2 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp cumin seeds powder.


Method:

1. Remove the head and tail of fish and cut them into pieces.

2. Wash and dry the fish pieces.

3. Heat oil for frying. Fry the pieces till they turn golden brown and keep them aside.

4. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a pan, fry the onions till they turn golden brown.

5. Remove and keep them aside.

6. In the remaining oil in a pan add cumin seeds and let them crackle.

7. Put the paste made earlier and allow it simmer for 3 minutes adding 2 spoons of water.

8. Now add the powder and salt. Fry on a low flame till oil starts simmering on top.

9. Simmer for another 3 minutes and put the fish pieces.

10. Add cream and mix well. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes and then its ready to serve.

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Pista Barfi

Category:           Sweets
Cooking time:    30 minutes
Serves:               2


Pista barfi is a popular sweet all over india and served to guests during festivals.Serving
tasty pista barfi for Diwali is the perfect way to welcome your guests. Delicious pista barfi
is easy-to-make and delightful to eat.


Ingredients: 

100 grams pistachios

50 grams sugar

1/4 tsp cardamom powder

A few drops of green food colour (optional)


Method:

1. Soak the pistachios in warm water for about 30 minutes.

2. Drain all the water and peel pistachios and make a fine paste by using the food processor.
    Keep aside.

3. Dissolve sugar in 1/2 cup of water and prepare syrup of one string consistency.

4. Add the pista paste, cardamom powder and green colour.

5. Cook over a slow flame, stirring continuously till the mixture leaves the sides
    of the pan (approximately 5 to 7 minutes).

6. Transfer this to a plate and cool slightly.

7. Cut into desired shapes and serve.

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Spicy Braided Buns

                                                                         

                   
Category:             Snacks
Preparing time:    45 minutes
Serves:                 4


Ingredients:

250 grams maida

5 grams dried yeast

15 grams sugar

15 grams oil

5 grams salt

1 tsp green chilli paste

2 tsp ginger-garlic paste

ghee for toping

Warm milk as needed.


Method: 

1. Dissolve the sugar in the warm milk. Mix the rest of the ingredients and make a
    soft dough using the warm milk.

2. Knead very well. Keep the dough covered in a warm place till it becomes
    double in volume.

3. Knead again until the dough comes back to its original size.

4. Divide the dough into 6 portions.

5. Roll out three parts into long cylinders. Plait them and make fine buns of them.

6. Repeat with the remaining 3 portions.

7. Put on a well-greased baking tin, leaving enough margin for expansion.

8. Leave the tin in a closed cupboard for about 20 minutes.

9. Bake in a oven at 200 degrees Celsius for 10-15 minutes.

10. Remove from the tin and brush on top with ghee.

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Radish Masoor Dal

Category:            Dals
Cooking time:     30 minutes
Serves:               4


Dals are the best natural source of protein. Masoor dal is simple, east and is commonly
cooked in Indian household. Mostly it is served with steamed rice or jeera rice.


Ingredients:

1 cup masoor dal

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

3 tsp oil

1 cup shelled peas

1 radish

2 dry red chillies

Salt to taste


Method:

1. Scrape the radish and cut into one inch thin long pieces.

2. Heat the oil and fry the dal foe 2-3 minutes. Lower the flame and mix the vegetables
    and stir-fry for other 2-3 minutes.

3. Add half cup of water and mix in the spices. Cook on a medium flame for 3 minutes.

4. Add 3 cups of water. Then add salt to taste. Lower the flame, cover with a lid and cook
    on a low flame till the dal is done and preparation is slightly thick.

5. Take pan, heat 1 tbsp oil, mustard seeds, cumin seeds and finally dry red chillies.

6. Add this tadka to dal. Serve hot with puris or parathas.

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Sesame And Fresh Garlic Beans

Category:         Side Dish
Cooking time:  20 minutes
Serves:             4


Ingredients:

400 grams beans

2 tbsp sesame seeds

2 tbsp oil

50 grams fresh green garlic (or) 2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp pepper powder

Salt to taste.


Method:

1. Thread the beans and cut into diagonal pieces.

2. Chop the garlic with the green portion, into tiny pieces.

3. Heat the oil, stir-fry the beans foe 3 minutes. Lower the flame, and cover with a lid.

4. Cook til the beans are tender.

5. Remove from fire and keep aside.

6. To the same oil, add the chopped garlic or garlic powder.

7. Add the sesame seeds allow them to splutter for 30 seconds.

8. Mix in the cooked beans and toss.

9. Tastes best with rice or noodles.

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Chocolate Chips Diamonds

Category:           Sweets
Cooking time:    30 minutes
Serves:               4

Ingredients:

250 grams khoya

125 grams castor sugar

1/3 cup chocolate chips

1/4 cup tooty fruity

Pista for garnishing


Method:

1. Grate the khoya and fry in a kadahi till some of the ghee separates.

2. After cooling, mix the castor sugar, chocolate chips and tooty fruity.

3. Roll out on a greased surface and cut into pieces with a diamond biscuit cutter.

4. Garnish with pista.


Tip:

Apply some ghee to the biscuit cutter before cutting them into pieces.

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Badam Kheer

Category:           Sweets
Cooking time:    40 minutes
Serves:               4


Badam kheer is a rich and creamy desert that tastes yummy. This popular Indian sweet desert is loaded with great taste and goodness of badam.


Ingredients:

1 ltr milk

200 grams almonds

1 tsp corn flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp cardamom powder

1/2 tsp almond essence

1/2 cup slivered almonds and pistachios


Method:

1. Soak the almonds in the water for 4 to 5 hours. Grind to a paste.

2. Put the milk for boiling and let it reduce by half the quantity.

3. Then add almond paste, stir continuously to avoid sticking to the bottom.

4. Add sugar, almond essence and cardamom powder.

5. Add corn flour mixed with water. Cook till the kheer thickens.

6. Garnish with slivered almonds and pistachios.

7. Serve hot or chilled.


Tip:

Cook it over low flame stirring constantly. If you want liquid consistency of
the kheer, add 1 more cup of milk.

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Coconut Fish Masala

Category:          Main course
Cooking time:   45 minutes
Serves:              4


Coconut fish masala is a traditional Kerala recipe with some tangy and spicy flavors.
This can be prepared in many ways. Here, first the fish is fried and then added to masala.


Ingredients:

1  kg  Fish fillets                        

2  tsp Poppy seeds                      

1/2  Dry coconut                      

12  Green chillies                    

2  tbsp  Lemon juice                        

5  Onions                              

1/2  tsp Turmeric powder                

1  tsp  Ginger garlic paste            

1 Bay leaf                            

3-4  Cloves                              

1 Bunch coriander              

Water as needed

Oil for cooking

Salt to taste.


Method:

1. Make a paste of poppy seeds, dry coconut and green chillies using a little
    quantity of water.

2. Marinate the fish with salt, turmeric powder,  2 teaspoon lemon juice and
    keep aside for half an hour.

3. Fry the fillets.

4. Chop the onions finely. Heat oil in a pan, add bay leaf, cloves, salt and the
    chopped onions.

5. Fry until the onions turn golden brown and then add the masala paste.

6. Cook till the oil starts leaving the sides of the pan. Add the fried fish to the masala.

7. Cook for few minutes on low flame. Add lemon juice as per your taste.

8. Garnish with finely chopped coriander. Serve hot with white rice.

Tip:

Do not overcook the fish as it loses the flavor and moisture.  Freshness of the
fish can affect the cooking time.

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Motaboondi Ladoo

Category:             Sweets
Cooking time:      40 minutes
Serves:                 4


Mota Boondi ladoo is a very famous Indian dessert. This is usually made during
festival times and marriages. Made with besan, fried in oil and are soaked in sugar
syrup.


Ingredients:

1/2 kg  Besan flour                            

3 litres Water                                    

300 grams Ghee                                      

1/2 kg Sugar                                    

100 grams Nuts , chopped

Cardamom for the taste.


Method:

1. Make a thin paste of besan flour with a litre of water.

2. Heat ghee in a kadhai. Pour the besan paste with the help of jara.

3. As it falls into the ghee, boondi will be formed.

4. Fry for a few minutes and strain out the boondi.

5. Mix sugar with two litres of water and heat. Stir till sugar syrup is formed.

6. Remove from the heat and add cardamom.

7. Add boondi and mix well. Allow to cool, then make round ladoos with your hands.

8. Garnish with chopped nuts.


Tip: 

Apply some ghee to your hands before making the ladoo round shape.

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Chilli Paneer

Category:            Main course
Cooking time:     30 minutes
Serves:                2


Chilli paneer is a famous and very delicious blend of Indian and Chinese cuisine
simply made with cottage cheese.


Ingredients:

200  grams Cottage cheese (paneer)                          

4 tbsp Cornflour                                                                                              

4  crushed Garlic cloves                                            

4  sliced Green chillies                                              

2 Onions (thickly sliced)                                

1 Large capsicum (cut into strips)                

1/2  cup Vegetable stock                                          

1/2  tsp White pepper powder                                                

2  tbsp Soy sauce                                                    

1  tbsp Chilli sauce                                                  

1/4th  tsp Ajinomoto  (optional)                                                

Spring onions for garnishing.

Oil for deep fry

Salt to taste

Method:

1. Cut paneer into diamond shaped pieces.

2. Heat oil in a wok (a metal pan having a rounded bottom), roll the paneer pieces
    in the cornflour and deep fry them. Drain and set aside.

3. Blend remaining cornflour ( nearly a tablespoon) in a quarter cup of water and set aside.

4. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a wok , add crushed garlic and stir-fry for a minute.

5. Add sliced green chillies, onions and green capsicum.

6. Saute for a couple of minutes. Add fried paneer and vegetable stock. Stir continuously
    for 2 minutes.

7. Add salt, white pepper powder, soy sauce, ajinomoto and chilli sauce stir well.

8. Add the remaining cornflour paste and cook on high flame.

9. Stir and toss until the sauce thickens to coat the paneer and the vegetable.

10. Garnish with spring onions and serve immediately.

Tip:

Don't over fry the paneer.
The dish should be served hot.

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Fizzy- Minty Iced Tea

Category:                      Drinks
Preparation time:          10 minutes
Serves:                          2


Fizzy- Minty Iced Tea is a very good digestive tea and contains tea rich in
anti-oxidants. For parties too serving iced tea is becoming popular.


Ingredients:

8 Ice cubes                      

2 Tea bags                      

1 cup Water                            

10 ml Lemon juice                  

20 ml Sugar syrup                    

10 ml Mint juice                      

50 ml Soda                                


Method:

1. Take a cup of hot water and dip tea bags to it for five minutes.

2. In a cocktail glass take eight cubes of ice and add the tea to it.

3. Add lemon juice, mint juice and sugar syrup to it and stir.

4. Then add soda to the tea.

5. Garnish it with some mint leaves and lemon slice.

6. Serve chilled.

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Flavoured Iced Tea

Category:                    Drinks
Preparation time:        10 minutes
Serves:                        2


Iced tea is a cool and refreshing drink prepared specially during summer season.
Iced tea is not just a coolant but also good for health. It contains anti- oxidants and
lemon, which has lots of enzymes.


Ingredients:

8 Ice cubes                      

2 Tea bags                      

1 cup Water                            

10 ml Lemon juice                  

20 ml Sugar syrup                    

10 ml Green apple syrup          


Method: 

1. Take a cup of hot water and dip tea bags to it for five minutes.

2. In a cocktail glass take eight cubes of ice and add the tea to it.

3. Add lemon juice, green apple and sugar syrup to it and stir.

4. Garnish it with some mint leaves or a slice of green apple and serve.

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Carrot Milkshake

Category:               Drinks
Preparing time:      15 minutes
Serves:                   2



Ingredients: 

4 Medium size carrots                      

 2 cups Milk                                              

1/4th cup Water                                            

1 tbsp Sugar                                            

 2 pinch Cardamom powder                      

Salt a pinch

Ice cream  a scoop.


Method:

1. Wash and chop carrot into pieces, add water.

2. Put it in a mixer and run it for a while.

3. Now add milk, sugar, salt, cardamom powder and run the mixer again
    for two minutes.

4. Strain the mixture and refrigerate for sometime.

5. Serve the juice in the glass with a scoop of ice-cream.

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