Egg Curry

Egg is a versatile ingredient and is a favorite amongst many people.Egg curry is one of the easiest and tastier dish one can make with Egg.There are many variations for making the Egg Curry. This recipe of mine has a nice flavor and doubles up as a delicious dish that can be served with Rice/Roti or even Bread :)

Time:Making Time (20 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• Boiled Egg - 4 
• Onions - 1 medium finely chopped
• Tomatoes - 2 medium finely chopped
• Ginger,Garlic Paste - 2 tsp 
• Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp 
• Garam Masala Powder - 2 tsp
• Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Lemon juice - 2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Coriander leaves - for garnish

Preparation:

1. Boil 3-4 eggs and Cut them into half and keep aside.
2. In a pan, add 2 tbsp of Oil,add Ginger-Garlic paste, chopped Onions and sauté till the onions start turning golden brown.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes and sauté till it the oil starts separates.
4. Now add the Turmeric Powder,Red chilli Powder, Mix well and add 1 cup water.Simmer and cook for about 5 mins.
5. Add Garam Masala Powder to this and Salt to taste and cook again for a few mins.
6. Once the raw smell disappears, add the Cut/sliced eggs and stir gently so that the eggs get coated with the masala.Simmer for 2-3 mins.
7. Add the Lemon Juice and mix well.
8. Garnish it with chopped coriander.
9. Serve Hot with Rice or Roti.

Chef's Tip - Take care not to cook too long after adding Lemon juice.You can even sauté the boiled egg separately before slicing it,if desired.

Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer is a popular vegetarian dish made out of Spinach and Paneer (Indian Farmer's Cheese).This is really easy to make and is extremely tasty when served with Rice, Naan or Roti :)

Time:Making Time (20 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• Fresh Spinach Leaves - 1 bunch
• Paneer cubes - 1 cup
• Green peas - 1 cup (Optional)
• Onions - 1 medium sized 
• Tomatoes - 2 medium sized
• Ginger,Garlic chopped (or Paste) - 1 tsp 
• Green Chilli - 3
• Garam Masala - 1 tsp (Optional)
• Salt to taste
• Jeera(Cumin) seeds - 1 tsp
• Oil/Butter - 4 tbsp
• Turmeric Powder - a pinch
• Fresh Cream - 1 tbsp (Optional)

Preparation:

1. In a pan, add 1 tbsp Butter/Oil and saute the Paneer cubes till they turn golden brown.Keep aside.
2. Boil the Palak separately, drain the water and keep aside.
3. In a pan, add 1 tbsp of Oil, add the Ginger-Garlic,Green chillies,chopped Onions,Tomatoes and saute for a few mins.
4. Allow it to cool and grind the above ingredients along with the boiled palak into a fine paste by adding enough water. (vary water as per the desired consistency)
5. Now add 2 tbsp of Butter/Oil, add Jeera(Cumin) seeds to it and allow it to splutter.
6. To this, add the ground paste and allow it to cook till the raw smell disappears.
7. Add the Green Peas,a little of Garam masala powder to it and enough salt to taste.
8. Allow it to simmer until the Grean peas is cooked.
9. Now add the fried Paneer Pieces and cook till they become soft.
10. Garnish it with little fresh cream on top
11. Serve with Hot Rice or Roti

Chef's Tip - If you don't have Fresh cream, you can also add 2 tsp of curd to the recipe to give a good consistency and richness to the taste. This is optional. It tastes good enough without the Curd/Cream

Rajma masala

Rajma masala is a very easy and delicious gravy that is made with Red Kidney beans.This recipe of my mom's is a favorite amongst my friends. Jeera rice is undoubtedly the best combination with Rajma and is also referred as Rajma Chawal :) 

Time:Making Time (20 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• Rajma (Red Kidney Beans) - 1 medium sized cup
• Onions - 1 small chopped
• Tomatoes - 3-4 medium sized
• Ginger,Garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Garam Masala / Channa Masala Powder - 2 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder - 2 tsp
• Jeera Powder - 2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Coriander to garnish
• Jeera(Cumin) seeds - 1 tsp
• Oil/Butter - 4 tbsp
• Turmeric Powder - a pinch

Preparation:

1. Soak Rajma in water for a couple of hours
2. Pressure cook with a little salt until the Rajma becomes tender. (Don't overcook as it tends to get mashed)
3. Grind the tomatoes,few strands of Coriander leaves along with 8-10 pieces of cooked Rajma beans.
4. In a pan, add 2 tbsp Butter/Oil, Jeera(Cumin) seeds and saute for a min. Now add the ginger-garlic paste and saute the onions on medium heat until it turns golden brown. ( The oil should start separating from the mixture)
5. Add the ground tomato puree,all the masala powders to it and enough salt to taste. Adjust the water according to the desired consistency.
6. Add the cooked Rajma. Stir well and and allow it to cook for 10 mins
7. Garnish it with Coriander leaves. 
8. Serve with Jeera Rice or Roti or Poori :)

Chef's Tip - I add few Rajma beans while making the paste as it gives a good consistency and richness to the taste. This is optional. 

Aloo Saag

Aloo Saag has always been one of my favorites.I remember eating this recipe at a very few outlets in Chennai.I learnt this to make this recipe from a relative of mine.I love the flavor of Ajwain in this along Coriander and lemon. This recipe is the best when eaten with Poori. :)

Time:Making Time (30 mins)

Difficulty level:Medium

Ingredients:

• 2-3 Medium sized Potatoes
• 2 Medium sized Tomatoes,finely chopped
• 1 Big Onion,finely chopped
• 3-4 tbsp Besan (Channa Dal Flour)
• 3-4 Green Chilies (slit)
• 1/2" Ginger,finely chopped 
• 1/2 tsp Garam Masala
• 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp Jeera(Cumin) Seeds
• 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1/2 tsp Split Urad Dal
• 1/2 tsp Ajwain (Oregano) seeds
• Asafoetida, a pinch
• 3 tsp Oil
• Finely chopped Coriander leaves for garnish
• Curry Leaves - 4 to 5
• Lemon - 1
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Boil the Potatoes , Peel the skin and mash them.
2. In a kadai, heat 3 tsp of Oil, Add Mustard seeds and allow it to splutter.
3. Now add Chopped green chilies, Asafoetida,Curry Leaves,Urad Dal, Ajwain and Jeera in that order.To this add the chopped onions ,  turmeric powder and Garlic paste(optional). Fry till the Onions are golden brown in color.
4. To this add the chopped tomatoes and a little salt and allow it to cook.
5. Now add the mashed potatoes and mix well.
6. In a cup of water, add the besan flour and mix well to remove lumps.Add this to the mixture in the kadai and stir continuously to avoid lumps.
7. Add the Red Chilli powder and Garam masala powder to this mixture and allow it to boil. Add more water if the saag is too thick.
8. Once the dal is cooked, add the garam masala,chilli powder and salt to taste.You can alter the consistency of the Dal by adding water.
9. Allow the saag to boil well until the raw smell of besan flour disappears.Adjust salt accordingly.
10. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and top it up with a dash of lemon.Serve Hot with Pooris

Chef's Tip - Make sure to add Ajwain in this recipe, which adds a unique flavour.

Channa Masala (Chickpeas Masala)

This recipe mainly consists of Chick Peas(Kabuli Chana), is healthy and also easy to cook.This can be served with plain Basmati Rice,Poori or Roti :)

Time:Making Time (20 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• Chickpeas (Kabuli Chana) - 1 medium sized cup
• Onions - 2 medium sized
• Tomatoes - 3-4 medium sized
• Ginger,Garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Green Chilli - 3-4
• Garam Masala / Channa Masala Powder - 2 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder - 2 tsp
• Jeera Powder - 2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Coriander to garnish
• Jeera(Cumin) seeds - 1 tsp
• Oil/Butter - 4 tbsp
• Turmeric Powder - a pinch

Preparation:

1. Soak Chickpeas in water overnight.
2. Pressure cook with a little salt until the Chickpeas becomes tender. (Don't overcook as it tends to get mashed)
3. Cut onion,tomatoes and green chilli. Grind it in a mixie along with ginger,garlic,few strands of Coriander leaves and 8-10 Chickpeas.
4. In a pan, add 2 tbsp Butter/Oil, Jeera(Cumin) seeds and saute for a min. Now add the paste and saute on medium heat until it turns golden brown. ( The oil should start separating from the mixture)
5. Now add all the masala powders to it and enough salt to taste. Add enough water to make the gravy.
6. Allow it to simmer until the gravy is cooked.
7. Add the cooked Chickpeas. Stir well and cook over medium heat for 5-7 mins.
8. Garnish it with Coriander leaves.
9. Serve with Rice or Roti or Poori :)

Chef's Tip - I add few chickpeas while making the paste as it gives a good consistency and richness to the taste. This is optional. 

Tomato Dal

This dal recipe comes handy when you want  to make something really quick.Its extremely easy to make and tastes good too.I love the flavor of Coriander accompanied by a dash of lemon :) This can be eaten with rice or rotis.

Time:Making Time (15 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 Medium sized Tomatoes,finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cup Moong Dal
• 3-4 Green Chilies (slit)
• 1/2" Ginger,finely chopped 
• 1 tsp Garam Masala
• 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
• Turmeric powder
• 1 tsp Jeera(Cumin) Seeds
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1 tbsp Oil/Ghee
• Finely chopped Coriander leaves for garnish
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Pressure cook the Moong dal,Tomatoes,Green Chillies,Ginger,a pinch of turmeric powder & Salt along with enough water.
2. Once the dal is cooked, add the garam masala,chilli powder and salt to taste.You can alter the consistency of the Dal by adding water.
3. Now heat a tsp of oil and season with Mustard and Cumin seeds.Allow it to splutter.
4. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and top it up with a dash of lemon.Serve Hot with Rice or Roti.

Optional : You can also add 1 cup of Green Peas or some mashed potatoes to the Dal

Mutter Paneer

Green Peas is something thats healthy and also easy to cook.This recipe - Mutter Paneer is a delicious curry of Peas and Paneer.This is really easy to make and is extremely tasty when served with Rice or Roti :)

Time:Making Time (20 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• Green Peas - 1 cup
• Paneer cubes - 1 cup
• Onions - 2 medium sized
• Tomatoes - 3-4 medium sized
• Ginger,Garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Green Chilli - 3-4
• Garam Masala - 2 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder - 2 tsp
• Jeera Powder - 2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Coriander to garnish
• Jeera(Cumin) seeds - 1 tsp
• Oil/Butter - 4 tbsp
• Turmeric Powder - a pinch
• Curd - 2 tbsp (Optional)

Preparation:

1. In a pan, add 1 tbsp Butter/Oil and saute the Paneer cubes till they turn golden brown.Keep aside.
2. Now add the Ginger-Garlic paste,Green chillies,chopped Onions,Tomatoes and saute.
3. Allow it to cool and grind the above ingredients into a fine paste by adding enough water.
4. Now add 2 tbsp of Butter/Oil, add Jeera(Cumin) seeds to it and allow it to splutter.
5. To this, add the ground paste and allow it to cook with enough water.(based on the desired consistency)
6. Add the Green Peas,all the masala powders to it and enough salt to taste.To this add 2 tbspn of beaten curd (Optional).
7. Allow it to simmer until the Grean peas is cooked.
8. Now add the fried Paneer Pieces and cook till they become soft.
9. Garnish it with Coriander leaves.
10. Serve with Rice or Roti

Alternate Method -
I like the curry to be a smooth gravy,hence i grind the Onions and Tomatoes together into a fine paste.
If you dont want to grind them, just saute the ingredients together and add the masala powders to it and allow it to cook with the required amount of water.

Chef's Tip - I add the curd to the recipe to give a good consistency and richness to the taste. This is optional. It tastes good enough without the Curd.