Category Archives: Recipes

Recipes: No Onion No Garlic Matar Paneer

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Another recipe I made during the nine days of Navratri when I do not use either onions or garlic in my cooking. Again I replaced onions and garlic with a cashew and sesame paste and we did not miss the onions at all. This was a very quick recipe and I made it in less than 30 minutes, start to finish.

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No Onion, No Garlic Matar Paneer

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup frozen paneer, refreshed in hot water for 15 minutes and then drained. Keep the water for the gravy
  • 1 cup frozen green peas
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 8-10 cashew nuts, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes
  • 1 tsp white sesame seeds
  • 3 medium sized tomatoes
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp cumin seed powder
  • 1 tsp garam masala powder
  • 3-4 tbsps beaten yoghurt
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tsps oil
  • Coriander leaves to garnish

Method:

  • Blend together the cashew nuts and sesame seeds into a fine paste and keep aside.
  • In the same blender, chop the tomatoes and blend well till it becomes a fine puree and keep aside.
  • Heat the oil and when warm, add the cumin seeds. When it starts to splutter, add the cashew nut, sesame paste and let it fry for a minute. Then add the tomato puree and let it fry for a minute.
  • Now add all the dry spices – turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, salt and garam masala and stir well. Add a bit of water if needed and let the masala fry well till the oil starts to come out and it becomes a bit dry.
  • Now add around 1 cup of water (here, add the water used to soak the paneer and the cashew nuts) and let it come to a rolling boil.
  • When it starts to boil, add the frozen peas and let it continue to boil and cook. The peas should be cooked in around 5-7 minutes and at this point add the paneer.
  • Let it cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Check for salt and seasoning and add as required.
  • Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with rice or any rotis.

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Recipe: No Onion No Garlic Ajwaini Aloo Shimla Mirch aka Potatoes and Bell Peppers

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Another no onion no garlic recipe made during Navratri. This one has some ajwain or carom seeds in it. Carom seeds help in digestion as they facilitate the release of the e gut juices and thymol which is an essential oil from these seeds has local anesthetic, antibacterial and antifungal properties. These seeds are also very rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants.

Ajwani Aloo Shimla Mirch

Ingredients:

  • 3 large potatoes, cut into long fingers (like french fries)
  • 2 green bell peppers, cut lengthwise
  • 1 tbsp carom seeds (ajwain)
  • 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
  • 2 tomatoes, puréed
  • 1/2 cup yogurt, whisked until smooth
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1-2 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala or sabzi masala powder
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • Salt to taste

Method:

  • Heat oil in a pan and when the oil is heated, add the cumin seeds and let it splutter.
  • Add the carom seeds and let splutter and then add the grated ginger and cook for a couple of seconds.
  • Add the potatoes and a bit of salt and cook till it is half done. Add the bell peppers and cook for a few minutes.
  • Now add the puréed tomatoes and the dry spices – red chilli powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder and coriander powder and cook till the moisture evaporates from the tomatoes and the oil separates.
  • Now add the yoghurt and salt (if needed) and the garam masala/sabzi masala and cook for a few more minutes until the gravy comes to a rolling boil.
  • Garnish with coriander and serve hot with a flatbread or rice of your choice.

Recipe: No Onion, No Garlic Broccoli in Red Pepper Gravy

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During the 10/11 days of Navratri, I do not eat food which has onions and/or garlic added to it. So this means, we’re usually cooking traditional south Indian Brahmin food, which does not incorporate these two vegetables. After a few days of cooking traditional dishes, I was bored and so decided to make something north Indian, but to make these gravy-based vegetables without onions and garlic is a challenge. I also had two heads of broccoli which were going to spoil soon so I experimented with this dish which tried to replace garlic and onions with asafoetida and cashew nuts and sesame seeds. It was a hit and even though I made enough for the whole day, we only ate for a single meal and I had to make something else for dinner!

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No Onion, No Garlic Broccoli in Red Capsicum Gravy

Ingredients:

  • 2 heads broccoli, cut into florets, washed and kept aside
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp carom seeds/ajwain
  • 4-5 cashew nuts
  • 1 tsp white sesame seeds
  • 2 tsp red chilli powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ¼ tsp asafoetida
  • 1 tsp garam masala powder or sabzi masala powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 4 tomatoes, chopped roughly
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 tbsps oil
  • Coriander leaves to garnish

Method:

  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and add 1 tsp cumin seeds.
  • When it splutters, add the coriander seeds, fennel seeds, carom seeds and cashew nuts.
  • Let the cashew nuts brown and then add the red bell peppers and the tomatoes.
  • When the tomatoes start to dissolve, switch off the gas and add the sesame seeds.
  • Let it cool completely and when cool, blend it into a fine paste.
  • In another clean pan, heat the remaining oil and add the balance cumin seeds.
  • When it splutters, add the asafoetida and turmeric and stir for a couple of seconds.
  • Now add the washed broccoli heads and stir-fry for a few minutes till the broccoli gets coated with the spices.
  • When the broccoli is half cooked, add the blended paste and season it with salt, red chilli powder and garam masala powder or sabzi masala.
  • Add water if the gravy is very thick and dry and bring it to the consistency you want.
  • Cook this gravy and the broccoli for a few minutes. Do not overcook the broccoli and keep it slightly al-dente.
  • Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with any rice or flat bread.

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Recipe: Pineapple Fried Rice

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The other day S brought a whole peeled pineapple to eat. We ate around a third of it and then I was left wondering what to do with the rest of the pineapple. I usually make a pineapple onion raita with pineapple, but thought I should do something different with it. I then tried this pseudo-Thai Pineapple Rice and it was yum!

This pineapple rice is inspired by the Thai one but is Indianised as I am wont to usually do. I also tried to make it slightly healthier without the addition of any coconut milk.

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Pineapple Fried Rice

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups basmati rice, washed and soaked in water for 20 minutes, then drained completely and kept aside
  • 1 onion, chopped finely
  • ½ cup of pineapple chunks chopped into medium sized pieces
  • 2 tbsps raw peanuts
  • 2 tbsps cashew nuts
  • 1 green chilli, chopped into smallish slices
  • 1-inch piece ginger julienned
  • 1 tsp garlic paste or finely minced garlic
  • ½ carrot chopped into small pieces
  • 2 tbsps frozen sweet corn
  • 2 tbsps frozen green peas
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tsp oil
  • Coriander leaves and chopped green onions to garnish

Method:

  • Cook the basmati rice and when cooked, spread it on a large plate and cool completely.
  • In a pan heat the oil and when the oil warms up, add the garlic paste and ginger juliennes and stir for a couple of seconds. Then add the green chillies and let them cook for a few seconds.
  • Now add the raw peanuts and cashew nuts and let them brown.
  • Add the onion and let the onions cook till they become translucent.
  • When translucent, add the carrots, green peas and corn and let it cook.
  • Now add the pineapple chunks and let the pineapple slightly caramelised.
  • Add salt to taste and let it all cook for a few minutes.
  • Switch off the flame and add the rice and mix well.
  • Check for seasoning and serve hot garnished with coriander leaves and chopped green onions.

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Recipe: Malai Kofta

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One of the most famous dishes which you find in almost all Indian restaurants, Malai Kofta is a scrumptious dish, albeit one that takes a bit of time to make. This is a dish you should make when you want to impress someone or when you have a dinner party at home. These creamed dumplings are made of the mashed potatoes and paneer (fresh cottage cheese) and served in a rich tomato based gravy which is enhanced with the addition of fresh cream and cashew nuts.

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Malai Kofta

Ingredients:

For the kofta:

  • 1 cup frozen paneer/cottage cheese, refreshed in hot water for 30 minutes and then mashed well with a masher or your fingers
  • 4 medium size potatoes, boiled, peeled and mashed
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped green chillies
  • 2 tbsps cornflour or plain flour (maida)
  • salt to taste
  • 2 tbsps finely chopped coriander leaves
  • Sunflower or Vegetable oil to deep fry the koftas

For the gravy:

  • 2 large onions, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 inch piece of ginger
  • 3-4 cloves of garlic
  • 3-4 medium sized tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 7-8 pieces of cashew nuts
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1-2 tsps red chili powder
  • 1 tsp coriander seed powder
  • 1 tsp cumin seed powder
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • Water as required
  • 1 tsp kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves)
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tsps oil
  • 1 bayleaf
  • 1/2 inch piece of cinnamon stick
  • 2-3 cloves
  • 2-3 green cardamoms
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh cooking cream
  • Chopped coriander leaves to garnish

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For the Koftas

  • In a large pan, mix the mashed potatoes and paneer and add some chopped coriander and salt to taste.
  • Add the required amount of cornflour or plain flour to make it into a smooth dough.
  • Make medium-sized balls with the dough and keep aside.
  • Heat the sunflower or vegetable oil in a pan and fry the koftas till they turn golden brown and keep aside.

For the Gravy

  • In a pan, heat 1 tsp of oil and add the roughly chopped onions and fry for a few minutes till it becomes translucent. At this point, add the ginger and garlic and fry each for a fee seconds before adding the next ingredient.
  • When the ginger and garlic is fully fried, add the cashew nuts and let it fry for a while. Next add the chopped tomatoes and a pinch of salt and stir well till oil is released from the gravy. At this point, switch off the flame and let it cool.
  • When completely cool, blend this mixture till completely smooth. Use some milk to add moisture if you need.
  • In another pan, heat 2 tbsps of oil and add the dry spices – cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, one by one, and stir well. Next, add the blended gravy and let it boil.
  • Add the turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala and cumin powder and salt to taste.
  • When the oil starts to leave the sides, add the cream, reduce the flame and let it come to a nice rolling boil. Check for seasoning (and add if needed) and then add the kasuri methi (after crushing it a bit with your palms).
  • Add water if the gravy is too thick.
  • Garnish with coriander leaves and switch off the flame.

To serve

  • Add the koftas just before you are ready to serve the dish. If you add the koftas too early, it will break when it gets saturated with the gravy and it also soaks up the gravy.

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  • You can also serve the koftas as a tea-time snack.
  • You can also serve the koftas as a tea-time snack.
  • To make the dish richer, you can add a tsp of chopped nuts (cashew nuts, almonds, raisins etc) into the middle of each koftas as a stuffing before frying it.