My Very Own Pakora (fried snack)

My Very Own Recipe for Pakoras

This here is a fried Indian snack that is nice and fattening. Don't OD on these, they're good only for once in while indulgence ;-)

You can make pakoras out of any veggies (much like tempura) but this recipe is for onion pakoras.

Ingredients:

Onions

Gram Flour (Besan)

Water

Salt

Red chilli powder

Turmeric Powder

Green chillies (optional)

Oil

Preparation:

Slice a large onion thinly - the amount of onions is up to you, if you want more pakoras slice more

In a medium sized bowl add 1/2 a cup of the gram flour (called besan at indian stores)

Add 1/8 cup water to the flour

whip with a fork

the consistency should be like cream of wheat

add 1/8 tsp of red chilli powder

add 1/4 tsp. of turmeric powder

add 2 tsp. salt

slice the chillies length wise into 2 pieces then cut those pieces in half

add the onions and the chillies to the mixture

mix and stir around with the fork till everything is blended equally

heat the oil in a pan on medium heat

it is important that the oil be hot before the next step

take the fork and pick up a bit of the onion mixture (see picture for size)

drop into the oil (dont drop from too high or oil will splatter and burn your skin)

drop in as many as you have room for

fry for a little bit then flip over

the cooked side should be a golden brown

remove using a spatula with holes and place on a paper towel so the excess oil can be absorbed

wait till cooled before enjoying

i personally like to dip mine in ketchup

the texture should be nice and crunchy

here is a close up:

enjoy!

My Very Own Beef Stew - Indian Style

My Very Own Recipe for Beef Stew (Indian Style)

So I have to give a little credit to my cousin who helped me with this recipe. If he wants a mention I will add his name later...

Ingredients:

1lb. beef cubes

2 Medium onions

Olive Oil

Dried Red Pepper

Garam Masala

Salt

Water

Ginger paste

Garlic Paste (or minced - whatever you can find)

Naan Bread

explanations:

-The most important thing about beef stew is the type of meat. The meat I got (which turned out amazing) was juicy red cubes of boneless beef. I wish I had taken a photograph of the meat before I added it to the cooker, but unfortunately I didn't

-Here is a photo of the dried red pepper to make it easier to find at your local grocery:

-Garam Masala is basically a mix of all kinds of spice ground up into a powder, I got mine at whole foods

-Naan Bread is a flat but pudgy Indian bread that goes great with soaking up some gravy

Preparation:

Heat the olive oil in a pressure cooker (about 1/8 of a cup)

slice the onions thinly and add to the heated oil

fry till the onions are golden brown (NOT burnt or crunchy)

add one piece dried red pepper (break it in half)

add 1 tsp each of garlic and ginger pastes

stir it in

add the cubes of beef (they should be 1" by 1")

stir it around

add salt to taste (i like salt so i added like 1.5 tsp.)

add 1 tsp. of garam masala

stir it in for a few minutes

it should look something like this by now:

Add 8 oz. of water (i like my stew with more juice, if you want a drier stew add less water)

close the pressure cooker and cook for 20 minutes

let the pressure out and open it up

cook on med-low with the cooker slightly uncovered (this will tenderize the meat)

cook until the gravy is at the consistency and level that you want

it should look something like this:

sorry this was taken after we had already ate some :-p

take your naan bread and heat it up in a pan

dip it in your stew and enjoy!

My Very Own Fish and Chips

My Very Own Recipe for Fish and Chips:

(picture to come soon-we ate it all up before i remembered to take pictures)

Ingredients:

all purpose flour
Whisked eggs
Bread crumbs (I made my own, but you can buy them too)
Vegetable Oil
Tilapia boneless Fish fillets
Frozen Shoe-string Fries (they get extra crispy)
Salt
Pepper

Preparation:

Put the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls
Cut the fillets into easy to handle pieces (3x2) and make sure they aren't too thick.
Heat oil in a pan or deep fryer
add salt and pepper to the bread crumbs and mix it all well
Coat the fillets in flour, then the eggs (let the excess drip off) then in the breadcrumbs.
Now deep fry them in the oil (make sure its hot enough)
Flip them over - brown each side to a perfect golden color.

In a separate pan fry the Fries

and there you go, you have a delicious English meal!

I just tried this yesterday and was so surprised to see how well it all turned out, the inside was succulent and the outside crispy! it was so delicious, i was very happy and surprised at the result =)

enjoy!

My Very Own Chicken and Veggie Pasta

My Very Own Recipe for Chicken and Veggie Pasta
(this is a long one!)

(the finished product)

Ingredients:
Lean boneless chicken nuggets
Bell pepper (all colors - cut into small pieces)
Tomatoes
Broccoli (also in little pieces)
Zucchini (little pieces)
Green onions (chopped)
Cabbage (sliced)
Potato (peeled and cut into small pieces)
Pasta (any kind)
Garlic (chopped
Green Chillies (chopped)
Olive Oil
seasoning salt
Regular Salt
All purpose Flour


Prep:
boil pasta (add salt and oil to the water for faster and easier boiling)
clean the chicken and cut into bite size pieces
Heat 3 tbsp of Olive Oil in a non stick pot
Add the chicken pieces - sprinkle all purpose flour (2 tbsp) and seasoning salt (to taste) over it
Stir fry the chicken in the oil
When golden take out and keep aside
Fry the peeled and cut potatoes (about 1 medium) in the oil
when soft add all the veggies except for the tomatoes
When somewhat softer add the chicken to it
stir fry for a little while (don't let it get too soft)
remove the veggies from the pot

Put tomatoes in the microwave (about 4) for about 5 minutes in a glass bowl (dont add water)
mash the tomatoes
add salt to taste
add some more oil to the pot and fry the chopped garlic and chillies to it
saute for a bit
add the tomato sauce
when the aroma starts to rise add the noodles and chicken and veggies
mix together on the heat

enjoy!

Our Anniversary Dinner

My Husband and I just Celebrated our 5th Anniversary
Here is the Dinner I made:

Thats roast chicken, rice, yogurt and kabobs
the recipes to all these will come soon!

Z

My Very Own Queema (ground beef Indian style!)

My Very Own Recipe for Queema
(with some help from mom)

(finished product)

Ingredients (based on 1lb ground beef):
ground beef
2 small onions (chopped)
2 small Roma tomatoes (chopped)
4 or 5 strands of cilantro (chopped)
1/2 cup frozen peas
Sliced green chilli pepper (about 2 small)
bay leaves (1 whole)
cardamom (elaichi-2 whole)
turmeric powder (haldi-1/2 tsp.)
Red pepper powder (laal mirch-a pinch)
Cumin Seeds (zeera-1/4 tsp.)
Olive Oil (as desired)
salt (as desired)

Preparation:
Add olive oil to a non stick pot
Heat then add the chopped onions and the green chilli pepper
When the onion turns translucent - add all the masala (bay leaves, cardamom, zeera, turmeric powder, red pepper powder)
Stir it around for about 2 minutes
Add the tomatoes
Stir some more
Add the peas - stir
Add the ground beef - stir
Add the salt - stir
Add a bit of water if u want it a bit runny
(all this while the heat should be on medium)

now turn the heat low and cover the pot - leave for about 15 minutes

you will see the color and texture of the ground beef change and you will smell the aroma, then you know its done

try it with pita bread (like us) or you can make some steamed rice

enjoy!

My Very Own Meat Pasta

My Very Own Recipe for Meat Pasta

Ingredients:
any type of pasta you like
ground beef
tomato sauce (you can either use a jarred one, or you can use my recipe)
Shredded Cheese (mozzarella is the best)

Ground Beef Prep:
Chop some onions
heat it in olive oil
add the beef and brown it
don't forget the salt!

Tomato Sauce Prep:
chop a bunch of tomatoes
heat the tomatoes in a pot
add tomato paste and water
make a thick sauce
can add cream cheese to eat to make it extra creamy
add the beef to the sauce

Preparation:
Boil the pasta
add the saucy beef to it in an oven safe tray
pour the cheese over it
put it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes

when done leave it out for about 5-10 minutes

eat with garlic bread and a salad

enjoy!

My Very Own Meat Balls

My Very Own Recipe for Meat Balls

recipe coming soon.....!