Tadka/Phodanicha Bhaat/Vaggarane Anna - Using BROWN RICE

Brown Rice is good for health but at the same time it does not taste as good as white rice.So most of the times, we eat this as a punishment just because we do not have option (Including me).

This is what made me come up with this recipe.Believe me,you will begin to love the brown rice with this recipe.It tastes better than the white rice when prepared.

Ingredients :

1. Cooked Brown Rice  - 2 Cups
2. Oil - 2 Tb Spoons
3. For Tadka/Fodani/Vaggarane - Mustard seeds and Cumin Seeds (1 Tea Spoon each), asafoetida and Turmeric Powder (1/2 Tea spoon each)
4. Garlic, chopped - 1 Tb Spoon
5. Onion - 1 in count,chopped
6. Chopped vegetables that you like
7. Green chillies - 1,chopped (I have used Jalapenos for a change.Give a try)
8. Peanuts - 1/4 Cup (Optional)
9. Salt to Taste

STEPS :

• In a pan, heat the oil.To that, add Mustard and Cumin seeds.After they splutter, add Asafoetida and Turmeric Powder.
• Now add, all the veggies,Garlic and Peanuts and saute them until they are well fried and cooked.When fried,you should get nice aroma.
• Add salt and mix it well.
• Now to this,add the cooked brown Rice  and mix it well with the Tadka or Fodani .Do it for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Garnish with Coriander and other vegetable.
• Brown rice is ready to serve.

TIPS : If you wish, you can add little Garam masala and Lime juice in this.

MATAR PANEER/मटर पनीर/Peas and Cottage Cheese in Tomato Gravy

Yeah!!! The most liked Punjabi dish it is.Let us see how to prepare.Very easy,quick and delicious.

Ingredients :

1. Paneer or Cottage Cheese - 200 grams (Cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
2. Green peas (fresh or frozen) - 1 Cup
3. Tomato Purée - 2 Cups. Click here for the recipe of home made Tomato Purée
4. Butter - 2 Table Spoons (Melted)
5. Kasuri Methi - 1 Tea Spoon
6. Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder - 1 Tea Spoon
7. Garam Masala - 1 Table Spoon (Kitchen King Masala is the alternative)
8. Milk (Not Heavy Cream) - 1 Cup
9. Maida or All Purpose Powder - 1 Table Spoon(Not shown in the Photo)
10. Salt to Taste

STEPS :

• First, in a pan, heat the butter on low to medium flame.To that add the Paneer cubes as shown in the photo below.This step is needed, so that paneer is slightly fried in golden brown color hence attaining a good texture and taste.
  
• Once, Paneer cubes are slightly fried from one are two side, bring flame to low and add Kasuri Methi,Garam Masala,Red Chilli Powder and Salt.Stir well until you smell a nice aroma of these spices.
• To this add Green Peas and Tomato Purée.If the Purée is very thick.Add water such that all the ingredients can be cooked for around 5 minutes on medium heat with lid closed on it.
• Take the lid off. Add a Cup of Milk and keep cooking on low to medium heat
• Maida : Now why maida??? this is the one which gives the desired thickness,silky texture and great taste to this gravy. To the maida, add water such that it becomes like batter (not thick paste),remove lumps and add it to the boiling gravy.On the medium heat,keep sturring the gravy for around 2 minutes to avoid any lump.
• Let the gravy cook for another 2 to 4 minutes and put the flame off.
• Matar Paneer is ready to serve with any Roti,Naan or even Rice.

TIPS :

• Never ever keep the butter on high flame.It may convert in to Ghee (Clarified Butter),there by giving the unwanted smell in this gravy (yes, we want butter but not Ghee here in)
• The idea of 'Maida paste' works really great.Try and tell me.
• Kasuri Methi :  Add little, it is heavenly.Add more than required, it is the spoiler as it over takes all other aromas.So be careful while adding it.Do not exceed the quantity more thatn 1Tea Spoon for the above measurements in the list

HOME MADE VEG BURGER/ALOO TIKKI BURGER

I know, you might have got the idea as the name suggests itself.So, come on, let us see, how to make it and make tummies of our loved ones happy happy :)

Ingredients :

1. 2 big Potatoes - boiled
2. green peas(Frozen or fresh) - 1/2 Cup
3. Any Garam Masala - 1 Table Spoon
4. Tomato Ketchup or Puree - 2 Table Spoon
5. Salt to Taste 
6. Crushed mint or Pudina (dry or fresh) - 1 Table Spoon
7. All purpose flour or Maida - 1/2 Cup
8. Butter (Melted to room temperature) - 1/4 Cup 

STEPS :

• Except Maida and Butter, mix all the ingredients(From #1 to #6),mash it well and make a nice dough.And then make the Tikki or Patties as shown below
  
• Dip the patties in maida from both the sides.
• In a heated Tawa or Skillet, pour the butter and keep the patty to fry.
• Now, once the bottom is well baked and fried, add some butter to upside and turn the patty upside down. (Repeat the step if needed)
• Take out the patty after it is well fried from both the side.
• Garnish this tikki with your fevorite veggies and cheese in a burger bread and serve.

TIP :

• grated carrots,beet root etc can be added to the potatoes.