Me As Chef

INGREDIENTS: 1) 1 1/2 Cups Rice 2) 1/2 Cup Dried Tamarind 3) 4 Teaspoons Chana Daal 4) 4 Teaspoons Urad Daal 5) 1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds 6) 1/4 Teaspoon Asafoetida 7) 1 Teaspoon Coriander Seeds 8) 1/2 Teaspoon Fenugreek Seeds 9) 2 Dried Red Chillies 10) 2 Green Chillies 11) Few Curry Leaves 12) 1/2 Cup Peanuts 13) 1 Cup hot water 14) 1 Teaspoon Turmeric 15) Salt to taste 16) 3 Tablespoon oil PREPARATION TIME: 40 Minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * In a pan dry roast the peanuts and keep aside to cool * In a pan Dry roast fenugreek seeds, coriander seeds, grind to make powder * In a bowl add hot water to tamarind and keep soaked till soft * Once its soft, mash it and take out the tamarind pulp * In a deep vessel, cook rice till done and strain extra water and keep aside * In a wok, heat oil and add chana daal and saute it * Add Urad daal, mustard seeds, red chilly, green chilly, and asafoetida * Saute till mustard seeds crackle, add curry leaves and turmeric powder * Finally add

INGREDIENTS: 1) 250 gms Seedless Khajur/Dates 2) 1/4 cup Almonds 3) 1/4 Cup Cashew 4) 1/4 Cup Pistachios 5) 3 Tablespoon Poppy Seeds 6) 1/2 Teaspoon Elaichi/Cardamom Powder 7) 1 Tablespoon Ghee/Clarified Butter 8) Few Foil sheets PREPARATION TIME: 30 Minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * Chop the dates into small fine pieces and keep aside * In a pan add little ghee and roast nuts till 2-3 minutes * Add rest of the ghee and add all chopped dates * Keep mixing till dates mixture is melted and no lumps are there * Do not cook on high flame as the dates can burn, always low flame * Add in Elaichi powder and half of the poppy seeds * Keep stirring and add chopped nuts, mix till it the mix comes together * Take pan off heat and let the mix cool a little, till it can be handled * When the temperature is enough to take it in hand, divide mix into 4 parts * In a plate spread rest of the poppy seeds * Make 3" thick cylinder from one part and roll it onto poppy seeds * Similarly do

INGREDIENTS: 1) 1 Cucumber 2) 2 Tomatoes 3) 1/2 Cup Pomegranate Seeds 4) 1 Beetroot 5) Few Mint Leaves 6) 2 Green Chillies 7) Few Coriander Leaves 8) Handful Peanuts 9) Handful Raisins 10) Salt to taste 11) Black Pepper to taste 12) 1/2 Teaspoon Roasted Jeera Seeds 13) 1 Lemon Juice PREPARATION TIME: 15 Minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * Chop Cucumber, tomatoes and beetroot and mix it in a bowl * Chop fresh coriander and mint leaves and add to the bowl * Add pomegranate seeds and chopped green chillies * Sprinkle peanuts, raisins, salt and black pepper * Roast jeera seeds till it turns dark, grind and sprinkle it in bowl * Pour lemon juice and give a good mix to the salad * Serve immediately as salad or with tacos as a side dish

INGREDIENTS: 1) 250 gms Prawns 2) 1 Onion 3) 2 Green Chillies 4) 5-6 Garlic Cloves 5) 1/2 Cup Coriander Leaves 6) 2 Tablespoon Red chilly Sauce 7) 1/2 Tablespoon Soya Sauce 8) 1/4 Tablespoon Vinegar 9) 1 Tablespoon oil 10) Lemon Wedges for garnish PREPARATION TIME: 20 minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * De-vein and wash the prawns and keep them on kitchen towel * Chop Onions, garlic and slit the green chilly * Chop the coriander leaves and keep aside * In a wok, Heat oil, add garlic and saute for a minute * Add onions and saute till translucent * Add in the washed prawns and cook till almost done or turns pink * Add green chillies, and saute for a minute * Pour red chilly, vinegar, and soya sauce, mix well * Add chopped coriander leaves and give a good mix to the prawns * Serve hot with lemon wedges

INGREDIENTS: 1) 4 Medium size potatoes 2) 1/2 Cup Olive oil 3) 8-9 Garlic Cloves 4) 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest 5) 1 Teaspoon Oregano 6) 1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese 7) 3-4 Bacon Slices (Optional) 8) Salt to taste 9) Black pepper to taste 10) Fresh Mint Leaves for garnish PREPARATION TIME: 1 hour 20 minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * Wash and peel the potatoes and wipe them dry * Keep 2 wooden spoons or chopsticks on two sides of potato * Cut very thin slices till the wooden spoon, do not cut completely * Let the potato be intact from the bottom * Chop garlic cloves and mix it in olive oil, add oregano too * Grate cheddar cheese and keep aside * Fry the bacon slices till crisp and crush it once its cool * On the potatoes apply olive oil mix till oil seeps in the slices * Sprinkle salt and pepper generously * Bake the potatoes at 220 degrees for 20 minutes on a lined baking tray * Take the potatoes out and apply another coat of olive oil * Put some cheddar cheese on the top and put them

INGREDIENTS: 1) 2 Cups White Channa/ChickPea 2) 2 Tomatoes 3) 1/2 Cup Fresh Coriander Leaves 4) 1/2 Cup Pomegranate seeds 5) 1 Tablespoon Pitted Olives 6) 1 Cucumber 7) 2 Cubes of 1" each processed cheesed 8) 1 Tablespoon Light Mayonnaise 9) 1 Teaspoon Mustard Sauce 10) Salt to taste 11) Black pepper to taste 12) Few Roasted Groundnuts or Pine Nuts PREPARATION TIME: 30 Minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * Soak the Chickpeas in water for about 8 hours * Cook it till the peas are soft and can be mashed between two fingers easily * Strain excess water from chickpeas and keep aside * Chop the tomatoes, oilves, Cucumber and fresh coriander, keep it in a bowl * Add pomegranate seeds to the above mix * Finely dice the cubed cheese into small cubes and add to the bowl * Add the cool Channa to the bowl and give a good mix * Pour Mayonnaise and mustard and mix well till everything is coated * Sprinkle salt and pepper and mix well * Garnish with roasted pine nuts or ground nuts and f

INGREDIENTS: 1) 3 Raw bananas 2) 2 Onions grind to paste 3) 3 Tomatoes grind to paste 4) 2 Teaspoon Ginger garlic paste 5) 1/2 Cup Besan/Gram Flour 6) 1 inch grated Ginger 7) 1/2 Cup Curd 8) 1/4 Cup Fresh Coriander leaves 9) 4-5 Green Chillies 10) 1/2 Teaspoon Jeera Seeds 11) 1 Teaspoon Garam Masala 12) 1 Teaspoon Red Chilly Powder 13) 1 Teaspoon Coriander powder 14) 1 Teaspoon Turmeric powder 15) Pinch of Asafoetida 16) 2 Bay Leaves 17) 2-3 Cloves 18) 1 inch Cinnamon Stick 19) 2 dry red chillies 20) Salt to taste 21) Oil to fry PREPARATION TIME: 45 Minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * In a pressure cooker add water and the raw bananas, cook for 2 Whistles * Take bananas out and peel them, in a bowl mash the bananas * Add finely chopped Fresh coriander and green chillies * Add grated ginger, jeera seeds, salt, half garam masala and besan, mix well * It should be like mashed potato consistency * Form balls or rolls of this mix and keep them on a plate * Heat oil in a wok and fry t

INGREDIENTS: 1) 1 Cup Atta/ Whole Wheat Flour 2) 1 Cup Ghee/Clarified Butter 3) 1 Cup Sugar 4) 3 Cups Water 5) A Pinch of Elaichi/Cardamom Powder PREPARATION TIME: 40 Minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * In a pan heat up water and add sugar to it * Boil till sugar is melted and take it off heat * In kadai Heat ghee, leave 1 Tablespoon ghee which will be added later * Once ghee is heated and melted, add atta and mix constantly * It will look like a batter consistency * Keep cooking till the color changes to a darker brown * At this stage ghee too starts leaving the sides * Add Elaichi powder and mix well * Pour in the sugar water and keep mixing * Keep stirring till water is absorbed by atta * Cook till you see ghee on the sides , mixing frequently * Finally add in the leftover ghee and mix after taking kadai off gas * Once mixed its done! Garnish with chopped almonds and Serve hot!

INGREDIENTS: 1) 250 gms Paneer/Cottage Cheese 2) 1 Cup Dill Leaves 3) 2 Onions 4) 1 Capsicum 5) 1 Tomato 6) 2-3 Laung 7) 1/2 Teaspoon Jeera seeds 8) 1/2 Teaspoon ginger garlic paste 9) 1/2 Teaspoon Red Chilly powder 10) 1/2 Sabji Masala 11) 1/2 Teaspoon Tandoori Masala 12) Salt to taste 13) 2 Tablespoon oil 14) Fresh Coriander to garnish PREPARATION TIME: 15 Minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * Cut Paneer and Chop tomato finely, keep it aside * Cut Onions and capsicum in Rings or round slices * In a wok, heat oil, Crackle jeera seeds and laung * Add ginger garlic paste and chopped tomato, saute for a minute * Add onion rings, after a minute add capsicum rings and saute well * Add red chilly powder, salt, sabji masala and tandoori masala * Saute for few minutes, Add paneer and mix well * Cover and cook for few minutes * Add chopped dill leaves and fresh coriander, and mix well * Serve hot with naan, parathas or chapatis!

INGREDIENTS: 1) 6-8 Eggs 2) 4 Teaspoon Mayonnaise 3) 1/2 Teaspoon Mustard Sauce 4) 2 Green Chillies 5) 1/4 Cup Fresh Coriander Leaves 6) 1/4 Cup Milk 7) Salt to taste 8) Black Pepper to taste 9) Chopped Tomatoes for garnish 10) Chilli Flakes for garnish 11) Watermelon Seeds for garnish PREPARATION TIME: 30 Minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * In a deep vessel hard boil the eggs, once done leave aside to cool down * In a pan dry roast the watermelon seeds and keep aside to cool it too * Chop finely 2 green chillies and coriander leaves, keep them in a bowl * Peel the eggs and cut them all in half * Scoop out the yellow yolk and add it to coriander and green chillies bowl * Add Mayonnaise, salt and pepper, and mustard sauce, mix thouroughly * If its thick add little milk and try to make it a smooth thick paste * Scoop out a spoonful and fill a half of hard boiled egg white * Similarly fill all the egg halves * Add a tomato bit on each egg half * Sprinkle Chilly flakes and waterm

INGREDIENTS: 1) 2 Cups Rice 2) 1/2 Cup Peas 3) 1/2 Cup Carrots Diced 4) 1/2 Cup Boiled Potato Diced 5) 1/2 Cup Broccoli Florets 6) 2 Tablespoons oil 7) 1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds 8) 1 Teaspoon Grated Garlic 9) 2-3 Cloves 10) 1 onion Chopped 11) 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper 12) 1/4 Teaspoon Jeera Powder 13) Salt to taste 14) Fresh Coriander Leaves 15) 10-12 Cashew Nuts 16) 2-3 Lemon Wedges PREPARATION TIME: 40 Minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * Half the cashew nuts n toast them in little oil in a pan * Boil the rice, when done then drain water * In a wok, heat oil, crackle mustard seeds, cloves and grated garlic * Add chopped onions and saute till onions turn translucent * Add peas, carrots and diced potatoes, saute for few minutes * Add Broccoli florets and saute till potatoes get a golden brown * Sprinkle Salt, black pepper, jeera powder n add cashew nuts * Finally add boiled rice and mix properly * Sprinkle coriander leaves and it a final mix * Serve hot with lemon wedges and ketchup

Lets celebrate this festive season with royalty, prepare sheer khurma and surprise your relatives, friends and family! This is a kind of pudding which got its influence from mughals and is widely prepared in india during festive seasons. INGREDIENTS: 1) 500 ml Milk 2) 1/2 Cup Seviyan 3) 1/2 Cup Sugar 4) 1 Tablespoon ghee 5) 6-8 Cashew Nuts 6) 6-8 Almonds 7) 1/4 Cup Chironji 8) 1/4 Cup Raisins 9) 3 Green Cardamom 10) 1 Teaspoon Rose Water PREPARATION TIME: 30 Minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * Crush the cardamoms and keep aside * Chop the cashew nuts and almonds and keep aside * In a pan, dry roast the seviyan or vermicilli till nice golden color * In same pan, heat ghee and saute the chopped nuts of 3 -5 minutes * In a pan, boil milk and let it be on simmer for 8-10 minutes, till it thickens * Add seviyan and sugar and let the mix boil and thicken for another 6 minutes * Add roasted dry fruits, rose water and crushed cardamom, stir and take off heat * Serve hot or cold with

INGREDIENTS: 1) 500 gms Arbi/Colocasia 2) 2 Onions 3) 2 Tomatoes 4) 1 Teaspoon Ginger Garlic paste 5) 1 Tablespoon oil 6) 1 Teaspoon Jeera 7) 1/2 Teaspoon Red Chilly 8) 1/2 Teaspoon Coriander Powder 9) 1/2 Teaspoon Jeera Powder 10) 1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric 11) 1/4 Teaspoon Garam Masala 12) 1/2 Teaspoon Dry Mango Powder 13) 2 Green Chillies 14) Salt to taste 15) Fresh Coriander Leaves 16) Oil to fry PREPARATION TIME: 30 Minutes HOW TO PREPARE: * Cut and wash arbi into thin wedges and keep aside * Heat oil in a wok, fry the wedges till brown, * Make onion paste and tomato paste, keep seperate * Heat up oil, crackle jeera seeds and add ginger garlic paste * Saute and add onion paste, saute till it turns brown * Add Tomato paste, saute and add turmeric, salt, red chilly powder * Add Coriander powder, jeera powder, dry mango powder and garam masala * Add slit Green Chillies into the paste and pour 1/2 cup of water * Water helps mix all the flavour from the dry masalas * Sau