CAULIFLOWER AND CAPSICUM RICE

Here is a simple and tasty meal in a dish which can 

be prepared in a jiffy ...

Lunch or Dinner...this dish comes in as a handy lifesaver...

It can be prepared with minimum fuss 

and mind you... it is a tasty and healthy dish rolled into one...

INGREDIENTS

• BASMATI RICE - I CUP
• ONION -1
• CAPSICUM(chopped) - 1 CUP
• CAULIFLOWER (chopped)-1 CUP
• OIL -1 TABLESPOON
• GREEN CHILLIES- 2-3
• GARAM MASALA POWDER -1 TEASPOON
• TURMERIC POWDER - 1/4 TEASPOON
• SALT TO TASTE
• CORIANDER LEAVES FOR GARNISHING

METHOD

• Wash and soak the rice for 15 minutes.
• Heat the oil in a pressure pan.
• Saute the chopped chillies,chopped onion and chopped vegetables for a minute or two.
• Add the turmeric and garam masala powder. 
• Now add the drained rice and mix well.
• Add two cups of water and salt to taste.
• Pressure cook for 3 - 4 whistles.
• Remove from heat.
• Serve with any raitha or chips or sabzi/curry of your choice.

GHEE RICE

Here is a simple meal in a dish....the all time favorite Ghee Rice

INGREDIENTS

• BASMATI RICE -1 CUP
• GREEN PEAS-1/2 CUP
• ONION -1
• GREEN CHILLY-1 to 2
• CUMIN SEEDS -1/2 TEASPOON
• GHEE-4 TABLESPOONS
• CASHEW NUTS -1 TABLESPOON
• RAISINS-1 TEASPOON
• SALT TO TASTE

METHOD

• Wash and clean the rice.
• Soak  for 10 minutes.
• Drain .
• Cook with enough water till well cooked.Drain the cooked rice.
• Boil the green peas with a little salt and sugar.Drain.
• Heat the ghee in a pan.
• Fry the cumin seeds,cashew nuts,slit green chillies and chopped onions.
• Add the green peas and saute along with salt to taste.
• Now add the cooked  rice to the sauteed mixture.
• Stir gently and cook covered on low heat for a few minutes.
• Serve with any curry of your choice or just raitha or potato wafers.
• This is a great lunchbox dish too...

TOMATO BHATH

Here is a quick and easy meal in a dish that is an all time favorite for the young and old alike...

Just a handful on tomatoes and onions help you dish out this tasty dish in a matter of minutes...

INGREDIENTS

• RICE -1 CUP
• MOONG DHAL-1 TABLESPOON
• TOMATO JUICE -1 CUP
• CHOPPED ONION-1
• CHOPPED TOMATO -1
• RED CHILLY POWDER -1 TEASPOON
• TURMERIC POWDER -1/4 TEASPOON
• GARAM MASALA POWDER-1/2 TEASPOON
• CUMIN SEEDS-1 TEASPOON
• CORIANDER LEAVES -LITTLE
• OIL-2 TABLE SPOONS
• SALT TO TASTE

METHOD

• Clean,wash and soak the rice for 10 minutes.
• In the mean while,heat the oil in a pressure pan.
• Fry the cumin seeds,onions and tomato pieces.
• Add the moong dhal.
• Add 1 1/2 cups of water.
• Add the powders and salt.
• Bring to a boil.
• Now add the soaked and drained rice.
• Cover the pressure pan with its lid and let it pressure cook for  4 -5  whistles.
• Switch off .
• Open when the pressure subsides.
• Fluff up with a fork and garnish it with coriander leaves.
• Serve with any raitha or just papads or potato wafers.

POMEGRANATE KESAR RICE

Here is a rice with a twist.... A tasty and flavorful ,aromatic rice with a difference....


INGREDIENTS

• BASMATI RICE -1 CUP
• BAY LEAF -2
• RAISINS -1 TABLESPOON
• POMEGRANATE  - 1/2 CUP
• WALNUTS -FEW
• KESAR -FEW STRANDS
• MILK - I TABLESPOON
• GHEE - 2 TABLESPOONS
• WHITE PEPPER POWDER - TO TASTE
• SALT TO TASTE

METHOD

• Cook the rice with enough water . Drain. Let it cool in a broad dish.
• Heat the ghee in a pan.
• Fry the bay leaves, raisins and pomegranate  for a few minutes till they become slightly soft.
• Add the white pepper powder and salt to taste.
• Now add this mixture to the rice and stir gently.
• Dissolve the saffron in warm milk and sprinkle it all over the rice.
• Keep covered for 15 minutes.
• Serve hot with any spicy curry or side dish.
• As it is a bland and fruity dish ,children love it and it is a hit in children's parties and is a great tasty and nourishing lunchbox recipe too.

CORIANDER BHATH

Here is a healthy and tasty rice that can be prepared with easily available ingredients in a jiffy...

INGREDIENTS

• BASMATI RICE -1 CUP
• TOOR DHAL - 1 TEASPOON
• CHANNA DHAL -1 TEASPOON
• CORIANDER LEAVES -2 CUPS
• GREEN CHILLIES - 3
• MUSTARD SEEDS-1/4 TEASPOON
• GARLIC -FEW PODS
• CHOPPED ONION-1
• OIL -FEW TEASPOONS
• SALT TO TASTE
• FRIED CASHEW NUTS-10 to 12

METHOD

• Wash and soak the dhals for 10 minutes
• Wash and clean the coriander leaves.Pat them dry.Chop them into coarse bits.
• Heat the oil in a pressure pan .
• Splutter the mustard seeds.
• Fry the slit chillies ,garlic and chopped onions.
• Now add most of the coriander leaves and saute well.(Reserve some for garnishing.)
• Add the soaked dhals and rice.
• Add salt to taste.
• Add  2 1/2 cups of water and pressure cook for 3 whistles.
• Open the pressure pan.Fluff up the rice.
• Garnish with fried cashew nuts and fresh coriander leaves. 
• Serve with raitha and chips.

CARROT PULAV / CARROT RICE

Here is your ultimate comfort food...straight from your Mom's kitchen....

Loaded with the goodness of carrots and spiked with a dash of green peas....

Perfect for your packed lunch or a quick meal ...


INGREDIENTS

• BASMATI RICE -2 CUPS
• ONION- 2
• GRATED CARROT-2 CUPS
• GREEN PEAS (shelled) -1 CUP
• GARLIC-4 CLOVES
• GREEN CHILLIES-4
• CUMIN SEEDS- 1/2 TEASPOON
• BAY LEAVES -2
• CLOVES-4
• CINNAMON -2 SMALL STICKS
• OIL -2 TABLESPOON
• CASHEW NUTS -8 to 10
• CORIANDER LEAVES -FEW
• SALT TO TASTE

METHOD

• Soak the rice for 10 minutes.Drain keep aside for  10 minutes.
• Heat the oil in a pressure pan.
• Fry the spices.
• Add the chopped green chillies ,garlic and chopped onions.
• Fry for a few minutes.
• Now ,add the grated carrots,green peas(shelled).Fry for a minute.
• Add the drained rice and stir well.
• Add 4 cups of water and salt to taste.
• Bring to a boil in a pressure pan.
• Close the lid and place the weight.
• Cook for 4 whistles.
• Open the cooker after the pressure subsides.
• Fluff up the rice.
• Garnish with fried cashews and coriander leaves.
• Serve with any dhal or gravy of your choice.
• Even a simple raitha  and chips will be fine.

CASHEWNUT PULAV

Here is a rich,mildly spiced rice dish...

Steamed basmati rice served with a splattering of ghee and cashewnuts...

A perfect dish that goes well with any side dish...gravy,dry,spicy or bland...

INGREDIENTS

• BASMATI RICE-1 CUP
• CASHEWNUTS-1/2 CUP
• ONION SLIVERS-1/2 CUP
• CAPSICUM SLIVERS-1/4 CUP
• CUMIN SEEDS-1/4 TEASPOON
• CINNAMON STICK-2 BITS
• ELAICHI-2
• SLIT GREEN CHILLIES -2
• SALT TO TASTE
• GHEE-1/2 CUP

METHOD

• Boil the basmati rice with a little salt and 4 cups of water to which 1/2 teaspoon of ghee is added.
• When the grains are well cooked,Drain the cooked rice.
• Heat the ghee in a pan.
• Fry the spices,slit chillies,slivered onions and capsicum and cashews. Add some salt to taste.
• Mix with the cooked rice. Toss gently taking care not to break the cooked grains.
• Serve hot with any side dish of your choice.
• The amount of cashew nuts  can be increased if you prefer a richer dish.

#Linked to  http://haffaskitchen.blogspot.in/2014/08/my-1st-event-announcement-back-to-school.html

SAFFRON PEAS PULAV

When the mood is celebration..... 

the best dishes decorate your dining table....

and this one is surely a fitting  crown  jewel  for 

 your banquet spread.....

INGREDIENTS

• BASMATI RICE-2 CUPS
• ONION-1
• GREEN PEAS-1/2 CUP
• GREEN CHILLIES-3
• MILK-1/2 CUP
• SAFFRON -1 PINCH
• CLOVES-4
• ELAICHI-2
• CINNAMON-1 SMALL STICK
• CASHEW NUTS-10-15
• GHEE-1/2 CUP
• SALT TO TASTE
• CORIANDER AND MINT LEAVES-FEW

METHOD

• Clean and soak basmati rice for 15 minutes.
• Dissolve saffron in warm milk.
• Cook the green peas till done with enough salt and a pinch of sugar.Drain.
• Chop onions into fine strips.
• Heat the ghee .Fry the cashew nuts. Drain and keep aside.
• Fry a teaspoon of onions till they become reddish.Drain and keep aside.
• Fry the spices ,slit chillies,onions ,peas and rice. 
• Add 4 cups of water and salt to taste.
• Cook till the rice is almost done.
• Now add the saffron milk. Cook till the fluids are absorbed.
• Decorate with fried cashew nuts,fried onions and chopped mint and coriander leaves.
• Serve hot with any tasty side dish (dry or curry) and raitha.

Linking to...

http://mykitchenodyssey.blogspot.in/2014/08/first-anniversary-give-away.html