Ridge-gourd Halwa

Courtesy : Mrs.Sailatha

Haven't heard or tried this before?? Trust me, this Un-usual Halwa is as Tasty as any other dessert you have tried before and jhatpat to cook also.
A perfect one for Surprise your Guest Games!! Very rarely guessed...!!!

You'll need :

• Ridge-gourd : 2 (Deseeded and grated) 
• Ghee : 1tsp
• Sugar : 2tsp (as per your sweet-tooth)
• Cardamom pwd : 1tsp
• Milk : 1tsp
• Green edible colour 
• Fried Cashewnuts to garnish

Method :

• Heat ghee in a non-stick kadhai. 
• Tip in the grated Ridge-gourd and saute for few mins. 
• Now tip in the sugar and mix well and cover cook till Ridge-gourd becomes tender.
• Meanwhile, mix the green edible colour with milk and keep aside.
• Once the ghee starts to leave the sides of the kadhai (like for any other halwas), tip in the colour, cardamom pwd and mix well.
• Serve this Treat garnished with fried cashews!!!

Crunchy Mango Salsa

Courtesy : Me (Again from one of my tried, tested and victorious exps!!)
A wonderful accompaniment, I could eat this by itself for breakfast, lunch or dessert!!


You'll need :

• Ripe Mango : 1cup (cubed)
• Pomegranate : 1cup
• Mixed Dry-fruits : 1cup (kaju, badam, kismis, dates, or whichever available)
• Green chilli : 1-finely chopped
• Tomato : 1cup-finely chopped
• Cornflakes crushed : 1cup (regular flavored)
• Lemon juice : 1tsp
• Pepper pwd : 1tsp
• Olive Oil : 1tsp
• Mint leaves to garnish
• Salt to taste

Method :

• In your salad bowl, tip in all the above ingredients, except Cornflakes and mint leaves.
• Toss well and now tip in those crushed cornflakes and chopped mint leaves.
• Place the above salad in the refrigerator for 1/2hr. 
• Enjoy your Crunchy Cool Mango Salsa!!!

Dahi Potatoes

Courtesy : Maa

 This soooo simple yet delicious potato dish is truly one of my fav!!!

You'll need :

• Potatoes : 4
• Jeera : 1/2 tsp
• Red chilli pwd : 1/2 tsp
• Chaat masala : 1/2 tsp
• Curd : 1/2 cup
• Oil : 2 tsp
• Chopped Corainder leaves for garnish
• Salt to taste

Method :

• Peel,wash and cube the potatoes.
• Heat oil in a kadhai, add the jeera and let it splutter.
• Tip in the potatoes, red chilli pwd, chaat masala and salt. Toss well and let the potatoes roast well.
• Meanwhile, beat the curd well and keep aside.
• Once the potatoes are cooked, tip in the beaten curd, chopped coriander leaves and mix well.

Your Dahi Potatoes are ready to serve!!!

Paneer Bread Sandwich

This quick-fix Sandwich is nutritious and fulfilling. So go ahead and give it a try..

You'll need :

• Bread : 4 Slices
• Butter/ cheese slice (optional)
• Grated Paneer : 1 cup
• Grated Carrot : 1cup
• Grated Cucumber : 1cup
• Tomato : 1-Sliced 
• Green chilli : 1 finely chopped (optional, can replace with pepper or red chilli pwd)
• Chaat masala : 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Tomato ketchup : 1tsp (optional)

Method :

• In a bowl, mix Paneer, Carrot, Cucumber, green chilli/ pepper/red chilli pwd, chaat masala and salt.
• Mix well with a fork.
• Take one bread slice, spread Butter/ cheese slice on it.
• Now spread the Paneer mixture on top of it. Add a dash of ketchup to it.
• Place the two tomato slice on it and cover the whole mixture with another slice of cheese. (This will hold the filling in its place but can be avoided by health conscious).
• Now Finally, keep another slice of bread on it and press down the edges.
• Repeat the same with the remaining 2-slice of breads.
• Toast it on a tawa.

Your Paneer Sandwich is ready to go!!!!!

Courtesy : Me (Thank u..thank u!! I Luv Paneer in any form)

Capsicum Chicken

Courtesy : Bro-in-law (Vivin)

Here is an Oil-free Chicken dish, Pressure cook style. So ladies,who are still waiting for their Dream Microwave, Jab Hum hain Toh Kya Gum hain!! Be Happy n Try this out..

You'll need :

• Boneless Chicken : 500gm (preferrably chicken breast- curry/cube cut)
• Onion : 4 - Sliced
• Tomato : 1- Diced
• Capsicum : 2- Deseeded and diced
• Ginger-garlic paste : 1tsp
• Red chilli pwd : 1-1/2 tsp
• Haldi / turmeric pwd : 1/2 tsp
• Chicken curry/ Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
• Water : 1/2 cup
• Salt to taste
• Chopped Coriander leaves to garnish
• Chopped Mint leaves to garnish

Method :

• Marinate the Chicken with onions, tomatoes, capsicum, ginger-garlic paste, haldi/turmeric pwd, red chilli pwd, garam/ chicken masala, and salt.
• Keep aside for 15-20mins. This will help to set the masala and release oil from capsicum and water from salt and tomatoes.
• Now Pressure cook the marinated Chicken for 1-2 whistles with 1/2 cup water.
• Once the pressure is released from the cooker, transfer the chicken into a Kadhai and keep on medium flame. DO NOT ADD ANY OIL.
• Dry roast it till all water evaporates.
• Garnish with chopped coriander and mint leaves.

Your Oil-free Capsicum Chicken is ready to serve!!!

Tomatina Craze

Courtesy : Mom-in-law (Mrs.Sarala)

This Summer quench down your thirst with Tomatina in Indian Style!!!

You'll need :

• Ripe Tomatoes : 5-6 
• Ginger : 1/2inch slice
• Sugar : 3-4 tspn (can vary to taste)
• Water : 1cup
• Pudina/mint leaves for garnish

Method :

• In a juicer/blender, add all of the above ingredients except mint leaves and blend for 3-4mins.
• Now Sieve the mixture and pour into serving glass.
• Top it with mint leaves.

Your luscious Tomatina loaded with anti-oxidants is ready to serve!!!

(PS : Diabetics and Figure conscious :- chuck out the sugar from the list..Tomatina Darling still tastes the same)

Cheese Puris

Courtesy : Maa (Mrs.Geeta)

I'll begin with this simple yet delicious recipe and Trust me.. Kids will love this!!

You'll need :

Oil for deep frying

For making dough:

• wheat flour (atta) : 1cup
• ajwain : 1/2 tspn
• ghee : 1/2 tspn
• salt to taste
• water :  to knead 

For Filling:

• grated cheese : 1cup
• jeera powder :1/2 tspn
• garam masala : 1/2 tspn
• pepper pwdr : according to taste
• salt to taste

Method: 

• Mix the above ingredients of the dough and add water slowly to knead into soft dough. Keep it covered with a damp cloth for 1/2hr.
• Mix the ingredients for the filling and keep aside.
• Roll out small puris with the dough.
• Take one puri and spread the filling mixture at the center.
• Place another puri on top of this and press down the edges to seal them nicely.
• Deep Fry in oil like regular puris.

Your Cheese Pooris are ready to serve!!!