American Chopsuey

One of my favourite and the most appetizing dish!...

You will Need:

Noodles - 1 cup (deep fried in oil)

Broccoli - florets 6-7

Onion - 1 thinly sliced

Peppers - 1 cup slit lenght wise

Corn - 1/2 cup

Carrots - 1 small slit lengthwise

Corn Flour - 2 tsp

Tomato Ketchup - 3 tbsp

Vinegar - 1 tsp

Salt - to taste

Oil - 2 tsp

Egg - 1

Heat oil in a wok. Add the vegetables and stir fry for few minutes till partially cooked.

Add salt and corn flour. Mix Well.

Add 2 cups of water and stir till it boils to a medium consistency soup.

Add the ketchup and vinegar. Mix Well.

Empty the chopsuey in a bowl add fried noodles and fried egg. Garnish with spring onions / coriander if required.

Hakka Noodles

You Will Need:

Hakka Noodles - 1 packet

Mushrooms - handful

Broccoli Florets - 12

Sweet Peppers - 5 slit lengthwise

Onion - 1 slit thinly sliced

Carrot - 1 small slit in oval shape

Cabbage - handful shredded

Ginger - 2 tsp finely chopped

Spring onions - to garnish

Salt - to taste

Pepper - 2 tsp (white pepper preferably)

Oil - 3 tbsp

Soy Sauce - to taste

Vinegar - to taste

Boil Hakka noodles as per instructions and keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan. Add ginger and other vegetables and cook stirring continuously for few minutes. Till the vegetables are partially cooked.

Add salt and pepper and mix well.

Add the noodles and mix well. Add vinegar and soy sauce mix well.

Garnish with spring onions and Serve with Chilli Panner, Manchurian or American Chopsuey.

Anaheim Fry (Mirchi Bajji)

You Will Need :

Anaheim - 1

Corn / Gram Flour - 3 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp

Chilli Powder - 1/2 tsp

Mango Powder - 1/2 tsp

Oil - for deep frying

Take corn flour in a bowl. Add salt and enough water to make a thick batter. Mix well and keep aside.

Mix coriander powder, chilli powder, salt and mango powder together and keep aside.

Slit the chilli in the center and add the powder evenly inside.

Heat oil in a wok for deep frying. Once the oil is hot enough and fuming; dip the chilli in the corn batter evenly and deep fry in oil till brown.

Vermicilli Dessert

This is a simple and easy and a quick 2 minute dessert..

You Will Need:

Vermicilli - 1/2 cup

Ghee/ Clarified butter - 2 tbsp

milk - 2 cups

Sugar - 4 tbsp

Almonds - few or (Almonds, Cashews, Raisins, pistachios)

Cardamon Powder - 1 tsp

Heat ghee in a wok. Add the vermicilli and fry continuously till it gets a light brown color. Add the milk bring to a boil. Add sugar and dryfruits. Remove from heat and sprinkle the cardamon powder. Mix Well and serve..

OatMeal

Time to have something really healthy and nutritious ......thats Oat Meal..... rich source of fibre, iron and protein..... !!

this will make one cup

Oatmeal - 3 tbsp

Water - 1/2 cup

Sugar - 1 tsp

Milk - 3 tbsp

Almonds, Raisins - if you like

Fruits - again if you like

Empty oats in a cup add enough water little more than the quantity of oats.

Microwave for 2 min on Power 5.

Add almonds, sugar and milk. Mix well and Enjoi!

Broccoli and Cheese Pasta

You will Need :

Pasta of your choice - 2 cups

Mushroom - 1 cup

Corn kernels - 1 cup

Broccoli - florrets 12-15

Oil - 2 tbsp

Garlic - 3 flakes hopped finely

Cheese - 6 slices cheddar cheese (or any other of your choice)

Salt - to taste

Pepper - 1 tsp

Chilli flakes - to taste

Italian Seasoning - to taste

Boil pasta adding little oil and salt. Keep Aside. Heat oil in a pan add garlic and all the vegetables stir fry till partially cooked. Add salt and pepper mix well and keep aside.

Pre heat oven at 350 F. Grease a baking tray. Layer the pasta in it. Top it with vegetables and the third layer of cheese. Sprinkle chilli flakes and seasoning.

Cover with a foil and bake for 20 -30 min or till the cheese is melted.

Stir Fry Vegetable

You will Need:

Sweet Peppers - 5 all colors

Squash - 1 cup

Corn - 1/2 cup

Snow Peas - 1 cup

Beans - handful

Mushroom - 1 cup

Carrot - 1

Broccoli - 1 cup

Ginger - 1" chopped finely

Garlic - 4-5 flakes chopped finely

Green Chillies - 1 chopped finely

Vinegar - 2 tsp

Soy Sauce - 3 tsp

Coriander Leaves - 3 tbsp chopped finely

Oil - 3 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Pepper - 2 tsp

Cut all vegetables in desired shapes and size and keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan, when hot add ginger garlic and green chillies. Mix well. Add all the vegetables except for mushrooms. Mix well and cook for 3 min. Add the mushroom and salt and stir and cook for few mins till vegetables are partially cooked. Mix some corn flour in 1 cup of water and add to the vegetables. Cook for few min. Add pepper , soy sauce and vinegar. Garnish with coriander leaves and Serve !

MolagaPudi (Curry Powder)

You will Need :

Chana Dal - 1 cup

Urad Dal - 3/4 cup

White Sesame Seeds - 2 tbsp

Whole Red Chillies - 4 (adjust to taste)

Salt - to taste

Asafoetida - 1 tsp

Oil - 1 tsp

Heat Oil in a pan. Add all the ingredients and fry; stirring constantly till you get the aroma and the ingredients turn light brown. Turn off the gas. Grind all spices together to a rough powder. Adjust chillies as per taste. Store for later use.

Serve along with oil for idli, dosa, Adai etc...

Molagutal (Dal)

You Will Need:

Carrot - 1 cut into slices

Peas - 1 cup

Corn Kernels - 1 cup

Coconut - 3/4 cup

Cumin Seeds - 2 tsp

Peppercorns - 1 1 /2 tsp

Curry Leaves - 1 strand

Salt - to taste

Mustard Seeds - 2 tsp

Urad Dal - 2 tsp

Water - 4 cups

Tuvar Dal / Moong Dal - 1/2 cup (cooked and mashed)

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp

Grind grated coconut, cummin seeds and peppercorns to a fine smooth paste.

Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and urad dal. When it splutters add curry leaves and 1 cup of water. Add the vegetables and turmeric powder and cook with lid for few minutes. Add the coconut paste, dal and the remaining water and salt. Mix Well and cook till the Curry comes to a boil. Serve with Rice or chapathis.

Tips: You may also use these vegetables - broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, chow chow, beans, pumpkin, squash.

Beetroot Curry

You will Need :

Beetroot - 2 cut into 1" pieces

Coconut grated - 1/2 cup

ginger - 1/2"

green chillies - 1/2

sour curd (optional) - 1 tbsp

curry leaves - 3-4

oil - 2 tsp

cumin seeds - 1 tsp

salt - to taste

Water - as required.

Grind coconut, curd, ginger, green chillies to a smooth paste adding water. Boil beetroot and keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and curry leaves. When it splutters add the beetroot and the coconut paste. Mix well. Add water if required to make a thick gravy. Cook till the coconut gravy mixes well with the vegetable. Add salt to taste, mix well. Beetroot curry is ready to eat.

Banana Oatmeal Bread

You Will Need:

Bananas - 3 ripe

Egg - 2 Large

Baking Soda - 1 tsp

Yeast - 1 tsp

Water - 1 cup

Oatmeal - 3 cups

Flour - 1 cup

Milk - 1/2 cup

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Sugar - 3/4 cup

Cane Sugar - 1 cup

Nuts and Raisins - handful

Oil - 1 1/2 cup

Dissolve yeast in water and keep aside. Cut bananas into peices and add to the blender. Add eggs and sugar and blend on low speed for 1 min. Add sugar, oil and cane sugar and blend again for 1 min on low speed. Add salt, baking soda and yeast water and milk. Blend for 1 min on low speed. Add oatmeal and flour and blend on low speed and medium speed for 2 mins each thrice. The batter should be of medium consistency

Pre heat oven at 350 F. Empty the batter in a greased baking tray. Arrange the nuts and raisins in it. Bake for 1 hour or till tooth pick comes out clean from the bread. Cut into slices.

Serve with tea for breakfast or as a snack!

Dal - Method 2

You Will Need :

Lentils - 1 cup

Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp

Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp

Red Chilli Powder - 1/2 tsp

Kasoori Methi - 2 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Oil - 2 tsp

Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp

Coriander leaves / curry leaves - to garnish

Cook lentils till soft. Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard and cumin seeds. Add kasoori methi. cook for a minute. Add the Lentil and the remaining ingredients. Add sufficient water if required. Cook till the gravy comes to a boil. Garnish with Coriander leaves and Serve...

Poha Chivda (Flattened Rice Flakes Snack)

I have been wanting to prepare this since quite some time... Searched a couple of blogs for this recipe One of the easiest and tasty snack for Tea Time!! Heres how i made it with a little variation of what I had read......

You Will Need:

Poha/ Rice Flakes - 1 lb

Mustard Seeds - 2 tsp

Cumin Seeds - 2 tsp

Green Chillies - 1 chopped finely

Red Chilly Flakes - 1 tsp

Chana Dal - 1/2 cup

Grated Coconut - 1 cup

Almond - handful

Curry Leaves - 2 strands

Asafoetida - 2 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp

Oil - 4 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Heat oil in a wok. Add mutard and cumin seeds when it splutters; add greenchillies, red chilly, chana dal, almonds (you may use other dry fruits and peanuts too) , grated coconut, curry leaves and some salt. Mix well till eveything is cooked and dry.

Add the poha , salt, asafoetida and turmeric powder. Mix well till poha is done and coated with the masala and other ingredients.

Turn off the gas. Let it cool and store in air tight container.

Mint Chutney

You will need:

Mint Leaves - 1 bunch

Coriander Leaves - handful

Ginger - 1"

Garlic - 4 flakes

Salt - to taste

Mango Powder - 2 tsp

Chaat Masala - 1 tsp

Green Chilly - 1

Blend all ingredients together to a smooth paste. Empty in a container and refrigerate. You may substitute mango powder and chaat masala with lime juice.

Mint Juice

Keep yourself cool this summer with Mint Juice!!

Mix a spoon of mint chutney with sugar and salt. Add water and ice. Mix well and Enjoi!

Pasta in Tomato Sauce

You will Need :

Pasta of your choice - 1 bowl

Tomatoes - 2 large

Corn Flour - 2 tsp

Corn Kernels - 1 cup

Mushroom - 1 cup

Garlic - 4-5 flakes

Oi - 2 tsp

Salt - to taste

Pepper - 1 tsp

Chilliy Flakes - to garnish

Italian Seasoning - to garnish

Cook pasta separately and keep aside. Blend tomatoes with garlic and keep aside. Heat oil in a wok. Add the tomato paste and corn flour and stir continuosly till the tomatoes are done. Add sufficent water to make a gravy consistency. Add corn and musroom. Cook for few minutes. Turn off the gas and add salt and pepper. Empty Pasta in a bowl add the sauce, garnish with seasoning and Serve....

Mixed Vegetable Soup

You Will Need:

Carrots - 2 tbsp chopped finely

Beans - 2 tbsp chopped finely

Corn - 2 tbsp

Peas - 2 tbsp

Cauliflower - handful florets

Onions - 2 tbsp chopped finely

Ginger - 1" minced

Garlic - 2-3 ponds minced

Green Chillies - 1/2 chopped finely

Corn Flour - 2 tsp (mixed in 1/4 cup milk)

Butter - 1 tsp

Salt And Pepper - to taste

Heat butter in a pan add ginger, garlic, green chillies and onions. Sit fry for 2-3 mins. Add the remaining vegetables and stir fry for 3 mins. Add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add the cornflour and stir. Turn off the gas add Salt and Pepper and Serve

Potato Soup

This is another favourite of mine.......I didnt know wht to prepare for lunch last weekend and didnt want to take much trouble.......so this is what i did potato soup and some garlic bread with cheese!

So this is how I prepared..and trust me it was really delicious....ummm

You will Need :

Potatoes - 2 medium boiled and peeled

Ginger-Garlic Paste - 2 tsp

Salt and Pepper - to taste

Grated Cheese - 2 tsp (optional)

Butter - 2 tsp

Mash potatoes adding water to bring to a paste consistency. Or use a blender. Heat butter in a pan and add the paste. Add sufficient water to bring to a soup consistency. Add the ginger garlic paste. Bring to a boil. Turn off the gas. Add salt and pepper. Garnish with some grated cheese....and Enjoi.........

Cucumber Soup

hmmm this one is weird.... the first time I read in a magazine....but it sounded pretty interesting and decided to try it out....... So here's my version of the recipe.....

You Will Need:

Cucumber - 2 chopped

Cloves - 2

Cinnamon - 1/2" stick

Bay Leaf - 1

Ginger-Garlic Paste - 1 tsp

Cornflour - 2 tsp (mixed in 1/4 cup water)

Butter - 1 tsp

Salt & pepper - to taste

Coriander Leaves - to garnish

Boil water add cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves and cucumber. Puree this paste along with ginger garlic (without bay leaves). Heat butter in a pan and add the puree, bring to a boil. Add the cornflour stir continuously. Cook for few minutes then turn off the gas. Add salt, pepper, garnish with coriander leaves. You may also add some grated cheese.

You may prepare even celery soup in the similar way.

Spinach Soup

This is one of my favorites. Not very popular though but very tasty and nutritious too! Heres my recipe....

You Will Need:

Spinach - 1 bunch

Ginger & Garlic - 1 1/2 tsp paste

Salt & Pepper - to taste

Cream - 1 tsp garnish

Cornflour - 2 tsp (mixed in 1/4 cup water or milk)

Butter - 1 tsp

Boil spinach in water and puree it with ginger garlic paste. You may also add some green chillies. Heat butter add the puree , add some water to make a soup consistency and bring it to a boil. Add the corn flour mixture and stir continuously. Turn off the gas add salt and pepper. Garnish with cream and serve!

Tomato Soup

You Will Need :

Tomatoes - 4

Garlic - 1 tsp paste

Butter - 1 tsp

Salt & pepper - Taste

Corn Flour - 2 tsp (mixed in 1/4 cup water or milk)

Cream - 1 tsp

Bread Croutons - few

Boil water in a sauce pan. Add the tomatoes. Cook till you see the skin coming out. Remove skin and blend it with garlic. Keep the boiled water which can be used for the soup. Heat butter in a pan and add the tomato paste. Add sufficient water to bring to a soup consistency. Bring to a boil and add the corn flour stirring continuously. Turn off the gas. Garnish with Cream and Bread Croutons. You may also add coriander leaves.

Croutons : Cut bread into cubes and fry in butter or oil till light brown.

Soya Koftas

You Will Need : Serves 4

Soya Chunks - 1 cup

Potatoes - 2 small to medium size

Onioins - 2

Tomato - 1

Ginger - 1/2 "

Garlic - 2 tbsp

Green Chillies - 1

Chilli Powder - 1 tsp

Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp

Garam Masala - 2 tsp

Oil/Ghee - 3 tbsp

Coriander Leaves - 3 tsp for garnish

Cream - 1 tsp for garnish

Salt - to taste

Boil Soya chunks in water. Strain and squeeze all the water from the soya. Smash the chunks. Boil potatoes, peel mash and add to soya. Add salt and chilli powder. Mix Well and roll into 1" balls.

Pre Heat Oven at 350 F. Grease a tray add the Koftas (balls) brush some oil over the koftas and bake for 15 min or till done (When the koftas turn brown and crisp).

Blend Onion, Tomato, Ginger, Garlic and green chillies to a paste.

Heat Oil in a pan. Add the paste and cook the paste dries and turns into light brown colour or oil separates. Add Turmeric powder and garam masala. Cook for few more minutes. Add some water to make a gravy and cook till it boils. Add salt and koftas.

Garnish with coriander and cream. Serve with rotis, rice.

Mysore Pak

You Will Need:

Gram Flour / Besan - 1 cup

Sugar - 1 1/4 cup

Ghee/ Clarified Butter - 4 tbsp

Water - 1/4 cup

Cardamom Powder - 1 tsp

Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a wok. Add the gram flour and fry on low heat without forming lumps. Fry until you get the aroma and the flour turns dark yellow.

Add sugar and mix well. Cook till sugar starts to melt. Add water and keep on stirring till the mixture leaves the sides of the pan. Add ghee and cardamom powder and keep stirring till the mixture turns thick and leaves the sides of the pan.

Grease a plate with ghee and empty the sweet into it Spread evenly. Cut into pieces once cool.

Banana Cake

You will need :

Durum Wheat Flour - 1 1/2 cup

Banana - 2 medium chopped

Butter/ oil - 3/4 cup

Cane Sugar / Jaggery - 1 cup

Egg - 1 large

Raisins and Nuts - handful

Water - 1/2 cup

Baking Soda - 1/2 tsp

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Add sugar, butter, egg, baking soda, salt in a blender. Blend till all ingredients mix well. Add bananas and water and blend to a smooth paste. Add the flour and mix well on low for 2 min and then on high for 2 mins. The batter should be of medium consistency. Pre heat oven at 350 F. Grease a baking tray and empty the cake batter into the tray. Bake for 20mins or until u get the cake flavour. Pork a fork or a toothpick into the cake to check if its done. The cake shouldnt stick to the fork or the toothpick if done.

Cut into slices and serve!

Tips: You may also use All purpose flour or Wheat flour and all purpose flour together.