Prawns in Tomato Gravy

Courtesy : Mom-in-law
Here comes another delicacy from God's Own Country.  A very quick to prepare dish, we relish this with Rotis, Rice or even Bread.

You'll need :

• Prawns(medium) : 500gms (deveined and cleaned)
• Onions : 3 nos (thinly sliced)
• Tomatoes : 4 nos
• Green chillies : 2
• Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1 tsp
• Chilly powder : 3/4 tsp
• Tumeric powder : 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala powder - 1 tsp
• Salt - As reqd
• Coconut Oil - around 4 tbsp
• Coriander leaves to garnish

Method : 

• Grind together the Tomatoes and green chillies and keep aside.
• Heat oil in a pan or a kadai. Saute the onions and ginger garlic paste untill just brown.
• Add the tomatoes paste, all the masala powders and salt and saute till it separates oil.
• Add the prawns, mix well and cover cook for 5-7mins.
• Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Note :- Take care to see that prawns are not over cooked. It will get cooked in less than 7 mins. Over cooking turns the prawns hard to chew.

Dry Gobhi Manchurian

Courtesy : Neha Jain

This is an all time favorite of most Indians and great snack for weekends.

You'll need :

• Cauliflower : 2 cups (cut into florets)
• Onion : 1cup (diced)
• Capsicum : 1cup (diced)
• Grated Ginger : 1tsp
• Vinegar : 1tsp
• Oil to deep fry
• Coriander leaves / spring onion : 1/2 cup (finely chopped, for garnish)

For the Batter

• Maida / plain flour : 1cup
• Cornflour : 1/4 cup
• Ginger-garlic paste : 1/2 tsp
• Pepper powder : 1/4 tsp
• Soya Sauce : 1/4 tsp
• Red chilli Sauce : 1/4 tsp
• Tomato Ketchup : 1/4 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Water : 1/4 cup

Method :

• Mix ingredients for the batter until you get a slightly thick consistency. 
• Heat oil in a wok until its just short of smoking hot, coat each cauliflower with the batter and drop it into the hot oil. 
• Fry until golden brown and drain on kitchen towels and keep aside.
• Heat 1tbsp oil in a pan and saute the onions, grated ginger and capsicum till onions turn translucent. 
• Add the fried cauliflowers, 1tsp soya sauce, 1tsp red chilli sauce and 1tsp vinegar and mix well.
• Garnish with coriander leaves or spring onion.

Yam Kebabs (Suran Kebabs)

Courtesy : Mom
A great starter or side-dish for rice, this recipe takes a little more effort compared to my other dishes. And the effort does gives a great result at the end.

You'll need :

• Chana dal : 1/2 cup
• Suran or Yam : 1 1/2 cups (finely chopped)
• Onion : 1/2 cup (sliced)
• Ginger : 1 1/2 tsp (grated)
• Garlic : 2 cloves (chopped)
• Green chillies : 2 (chopped)
• Mint or pudina : 1/4 cup (chopped)
• Chaat masala : 1tbsp
• Garam masala : 1/4tsp
• Oil for cooking : 3tbsp
• Salt as per taste
• Oil for grilling
• Water as required

Method:

• Heat 1tbsp of oil in a pan, add the chana dal and saute it till it gives a nice aroma.
• Cool and grind the chana dal to a powder. Keep aside.
• In another pan, heat the remaining 2tbsp of oil and saute the onions, ginger, garlic and green chillies till the onions turn translucent.
• Add the yam/suran and cook over a slow flame for 5-7 minutes. 
• Add 1/2 cup of water and cover and cook till the yam/suran is soft and all the moisture has evaporated.
• Cool and grind to a paste along with the mint without using any water.
• Combine the chana dal powder, suran mixture, chaat masala, garam masala and salt and mix well.
• Divide into 4 equal portions and shape them into kebabs/ cutlets.
• Shallow fry till they are lightly browned on all sides.
• Serve hot with green chutney and onion rings.

Paneer Capsicum

Courtesy : Mom
An another delicacy learnt from Mom. The aroma itself speaks a lot about its taste. Try this quick side-dish for rotis/pulav and you'll love it.

You'll need :

• Paneer : 500gm (diced) 
• Capsicum : 1cup (diced) 
• Tomatoes : 2nos 
• Green chillies : 3-4 
• Garlic : 2-3 cloves
• Ginger : 1-inch slice
• Jeera : 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric pwd : 1/2 tsp
• Oil : 1tbsp
• Salt to taste

Method :

• Grind together the tomatoes, green chillies, garlic and ginger .
• Heat oil in a pan, add jeera and let it splutter.
• Add the ground tomato masala, turmeric powder and saute for few mins, till it leaves oil.
• Add the diced paneer, capsicums and salt to taste and mix well. 
• Cover cook for some time or till the paneer is tender.
• Paneer Capsicum is ready to serve!!! 

Fried Chicken

Courtesy : Manju
This Fried Chicken is as good as any KFCs. Tried, tested and is finger lickin' goood!!!!!!

You'll need :

• Chicken : 1/2kg
• Red chilli pwd : 2tbsp
• Turmeric pwd : 1tsp
• Ginger-garlic paste : 1tsp
• Chicken/Meat Masala : 1tsp
• Soya Sauce: 1tbsp
• Lemon juice : 1tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Egg : 2
• Bread Crumbs : 2cups (5-6 bread slices powdered in a processor)
• Oil for deep frying

Method :

• Clean and cut the chicken such that, you retain the two leg pieces but chuck-out the bones from the remaining chicken. Mark slant-cuts on the leg pieces.
• Now marinate the Chicken pieces with all the Spices and salt from the above list and refrigerate for  2-3hrs. (I usually marinate and refrigerate overnite. Makes my job the next day a lot easier.)
• Now place the marinated chicken in a wide pan and cover cook on medium heat for 10-15mins or till the chicken becomes tender from inside.(Do not completely fry and cook at this stage. You just need to par cook them).
• Meanwhile, in one bowl, beat the eggs with little salt and keep aside.
• In another bowl, keep the bread crumbs ready.
• Heat oil for deep frying.
• Once the chicken is tender from inside, take them out one @ a time and directly dip them into the bowl of egg 1st, then roll them into bread crumbs till completely covered and quickly deep fry till light-golden colour.
• Your Fried Chicken is ready..!!!