Mirchi ka Salan

Click to enlarge imageThis recipe has an amazing taste to it and coupled with the tamarind and onions has a sweet and tangy taste to it. It goes beautifully with all kinds of biryani...right from chicken, mutton and even kofta pulao!Ingredients:5-6 Thai chillies10 curry leaves1 tsp mustard seeds1 tsp cumin seeds1 tsp salt1 tsp red chilli powder1 tsp ginger garlic paste4 tbs dessicated coconut4 tbs til1 handful peanuts1 tsp khash khash1 tsp mustard seeds2 tbs oil1 cup tamarind puree1 1/2 large onion, finely slicedCilantro to garnishMethod:Heat oil and fry the onion till crisp and golden brown. Using a slotted spoon remove and freeze for a while.Dry...

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Cheesy Quesadilla

Click to enlarge imageIngredients:Mission brand Tortillas, burrito sized: approx 8Sour Cream as neededMexican blend four cheese to garnishQeema as neededRanch dressing, again as needed Method:Slightly warm the tortilla on a semi-warm flat pan. Remove and apply sour cream all over.Fold the tortilla in the middle and spread qeema evenly and top it with shredded cheese and Ranch dressing. Fold it in half and press lightly.Microwave for a about 30-40 seconds. Run a pizza cutter and slice into three parts. Serve h...

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Hyderabadi Biryani

Hyderabadi BiryaniIngredients: Meat - 1 KG BonelessBasmati Rice - 1/2kgOnion - 2 BigLime Juice - 1/4 CupSafron - 2 pinch of safron, immerse in waterSafron color - A pinch of color liquified with waterGhee - 2 Tsp.Oil - 2 Cup oilSalt - To tasteMethod:Cut the meat into 4" square pieces and wash itAdd ginger garlic paste to the washed meat and Marinate it for 1 hour.While marinating you cut the onions thinly lengthwise and Fry the onions in the oil on low flame till it becomes golden brown.Now remove the golden brown onions from the oil and spread it on the plate, when it cool then crush it with your hand.Now add the curd 3/4 part of crushed fried...

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Hyderabadi Biryani with Curry

Hyderabadi Biryani is a popular variety of Biryani.There are 2 styles of preparing this variety. The Katchi Biryani is prepared with the Kacci Akhni method (with raw gravy). It is usually accompanied with Dahi ki Chutney Raita(a yogurt dish) or Mirch ka Salan.RecipeIngredients:1 whole chicken / 2 lbs chicken,1 kg Basmati rice / 2 lbs rice1 cup thinly sliced onions,2 tsp ginger/garlic paste,3 tsp chilli powder,½ tsp turmeric,100 g cashew nuts,4 or 5 bay leaves,4 or 5 cloves,2 cm long cinnamon sticks,3 or 4 cardamom pods,1 or 2 tsp shah jeera,2 cups mint leaves,1 cup coriander leaves (cilantro),½ tsp garam masala powder(shah jeera, elachi, dal...

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Gorgeous Lemons!

Click to enlarge imageHere are some pictures of the lemon harvest from my backyard this season. The yield has been better from last year, as you can make out from the pictures the lemons are absolutely juicy and so very gorgeous to look at.After distributing it among friends and family I'm still left with a lot of lemons. I wanted someone to please suggest what I can make with them....apart from lemon pickle, that is!...

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Banana Nut Muffins

Click to enlarge imageThis muffin recipe is adapted from SaffronHut's blog. The muffins are undoubtedly delicious. The combination of bananas and walnuts is very unique. For people looking for the recipe, here it is!Ingredients:3 ripe bananas1 egg3/4 cup sugar1/3 cup unsalted butter1 tsp baking soda1 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp salt1 1/2 cups all purpose flourSmall handful of walnuts, chopped Method:Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line muffin pan with muffin paper cups.Mash bananas well with a masher. Chop the walnuts and reserve 1 tbsp for sprinking on top.Add sugar and melted butter and keep aside.Mix the dry ingredients really well, add to banana...

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Chicken Stow

Click to enlarge imageMy Mom used to make this amazing curry, right from a sick person to a healthy one....it fits right in. And I couldn't think of anything better to eat in my flu than this. Some comfort food people :) Alright now for the recipe...Ingredients:2 tbs oil1 lb chicken, cut into cubes1 1/2 cup yogurt2 onions1 tsp garam masala1 1/2 tsp salt1 tsp ginger-garlic paste1/4 tsp red chilli powder5-6 green chillies4-5 dried red chillies1 cup waterCilantro sprigs while cooking and some for garnishing Method:Heat oil in a heavy based pan. Add all the above ingredients and cook till oil seperates from the sides.Keep a little cilantro aside...

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Raisin Cake

Click to enlarge imageThis cake recipe is perhaps the most quickest and argueably tastiest so far in my experience of baking (which is actually zilch to speak of). The ingredients are always in handy in the pantry. It was passed on to me from my aunt and she simply loves baking it every now and then. So here goes the recipe.Ingredients:Pam's Non stick cooking spray1 cup all purpose flour4 eggs1 tsp baking powder1 cup sugar1 cup oil1 tsp vanilla essence1 cup raisinsMethod:Beat the eggs using a hand blender, as it turns fluffy add sugar. Slowly sift in the flour and add vanilla essence along with baking powder. Finally add the oil and blend further...

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