Sunday, February 19

Baingan Ka Bartha


Baingan is Brinjal and this dish is more like a ‘kathirikai masiyal’ that we’ve in south India. Here we like to eat it with steamed rice while in north it is preferred with rotis also. Usually for Baigan ka bartha, large eggplants are chosen and charred on stove before the flesh is scooped to prepare bartha. This is so flavourful and even people who detest Brinjal would like to try it.


Ingredients:

1.     Brinjal – 1 large
2.     Tomatoes – 2 medium
3.     Onions – 2 medium
4.     Garlic – 3 cloves
5.     Chilli powder – 1 tsp
6.     Asafoetida – 1 pinch
7.     Dhaniya powder – 1 tsp
8.     Cumin seeds – ¼ tsp
9.     Salt to taste
10. Oil - 1 tbsp

Method:

Step 1: Roast the Brinjal directly on stove on all sides
Step 2: Cool it peel the skin and slit to check for worms and mash it with masher
Step 3: Heat oil in a tawa, temper with cumin seeds and asafoetida
Step 4: Sauté with it finely chopped onions then add grated garlic ,chopped tomatoes, chilli powder, dhaniya powder and salt in that order
Step 5: Add little water if required and let it cook
Step 6: Once done add the mashed Brinjal to it and stir well
Step 7: Serve with rice/ rotis.

Saturday, February 18

Macaroni with Cheese & Tomato


As a learner I was disciplined to religiously follow the instructions and try recipes on the pack of any procurement for kitchen. This recipe is an adaptation from bambino macaroni pack and it is pretty easy. Tangy and cheesy, this is loveable for kids and kid-likes. 
   


Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

1. Oil – 1 tbsp
2. Onion – 1 large
3. Ginger-Garlic paste – 1 tsp
4. Garam masala – 2 tsp
5. Chilli powder – 1 ½ tsp
6. Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
7. Jeera powder – 1 tsp
8. Chopped tomatoes – 2 cups
9. Macaroni – 2 cups
10. Salt to taste
11. Cheese – 2 cubes or slices

Method:

Step 1: Cook macaroni with salt as per instructions on the packet.


Step 2: Heat oil in a cooker and sauté chopped onions, then add ginger-garlic paste to it and continue to sauté.


Step 3: Add garam masala, chilli powder, turmeric powder, jeera powder and chopped tomatoes.
Step 4: Sauté until the tomatoes are mushy.


Step 5: Add macaroni, stir and cook covered for 5 min in simmered heat.
Step 6: Now open and add cheese, stir and serve immediately.


Chatpatta Macaroni


This is yet another macaroni recipe from bambino cover; both my husband and sister-in-law had liked it very much. This can make a decently good, filling and healthy snack as it is light and chatpatta and quick. I pack it for lunch and I get pretty good comments :)


Ingredients:

1. Macaroni – 250gm
2. Oil – 1 tbsp
3. Jeera -1 spoon
4. Onion - 1 chopped
5. Bush beans cut into long diagonal pieces – 1 cup
6. Carrots cut into long pieces – 1 cup
7. Salt to taste
8. Chat masala – 2 tsp

Method:

Step 1: Heat oil in a cooker and temper with jeera and then sauté onions in it until transparent
Step 2: Add beans, carrot and fry for 30 seconds
Step 3: Now add macaroni, salt and water 1 ½ cups water is required to cook 1 cup macaroni)
Step 4:Close the cooker lid and keep on high flame for 2-3 min; then simmer it for 5-8 min and switch off the stove
Step 5: Open and stir in freshly chopped tomatoes, onions and chat masala
Step 6: Serve garnished with coriander and squeezed in lemon