Showing posts with label Easy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easy. Show all posts

Coriander Chutney Sandwich


Picnics, Trips, Breakfast, Lunch - Eat this Coriander Chutney Sandwich anytime you want! Making it is child's play and it makes a great travel companion...

How to make chutney sandwich recipe, coriander chutney recipe, vegan sandwich, easy sandwich recipe

I was almost embarrassed to blog about this Coriander Chutney Sandwich. This is one of the simplest, basic recipe I have ever blogged about. I have been arguing with myself - should I or shouldn't I, for weeks now. Finally, the "should I" won. Winning arguments - I love simple recipes, and I'm sure so do you folks. No dish is too basic when it has all the right flavors. Flavor triumphs everything else

And there was also the fact, that this has been a favorite family Picnic meal forever. Literally, forever, as long as I can remember!! We don't go on picnics anymore, although I think we totally should. But in my head, you can only go for picnic to the beach. You can remove the girl from Goa, but not the Goa from the girl !! I miss that deep blue sea, the white sand and the shade of coconut trees under which we spread our bedsheets and picniced. While all my cousins and Gee swam without fear of the big bad ocean, I safely sat on the shore and built sand castles. They may think they enjoyed more, but I was closer to the food. Ha!!

How to make chutney sandwich recipe, coriander chutney recipe, vegan sandwich, easy sandwich recipe

I like Bangalore, but my only complain is it is only flanked by land on all sides, no beaches in site anywhere, the closest one is at least 400kms away. I can go to the gardens, but let's face it a garden is no beach and once you have tasted the sea, there is just no satisfying the soul with anything else!! So no picnics in sight anywhere, but we do take a lot of road trips. Not as many as I would like off late, but hey, something is better than nothing. And our little triangular Chutney Sandwich still accompanies us on these road trips along with bags of chips and bottles of soft drinks and chocolates. Of course chocolates!!!

Sometimes this Coriander Chutney Sandwich becomes my Saturday breakfast. I make the Coriander Chutney at night and store it in the fridge, so Saturday breakfast is a breeze. No one has to wait for me to wake up and make breakfast - slapping on some butter and chutney onto 2 slices of bread is definitely child's play. So I get to sleep in. And I myself don't need to worry about "what to cook for breakfast", the most tiresome question I ask myself most days.

How to make chutney sandwich recipe, coriander chutney recipe, vegan sandwich, easy sandwich recipe

How to make chutney sandwich recipe, coriander chutney recipe, vegan sandwich, easy sandwich recipe

This Coriander Chutney is made by blending / grinding together fresh grated coconut, fresh coriander leaves, green chillies for the heat, tamarind for sourness and salt with a little bit of water. A regular coconut chutney that is eaten with Dosa or Idli usually has a lot more of coconut than coriander, but here the quantity of coriander is far more than the coconut. The coconut is there just to add body to the chutney and perhaps, a little sweetness, but otherwise the Coriander steals the show. Add a little mint and sugar to make this chutney extra special.

This is one of "those" recipes which does not follow a recipe. Just take the quantity of the ingredients below as a guideline and change it to suit your palate. There is no right or wrong in making a chutney. The only thing I'd be cautious about is the quantity of water, start small and increase as you go. A watery chutney will lead to a soggy sandwich and no one likes a soggy sandwich, am I right? Except Gee, of course, how can sibling ever agree on anything, I wonder!!!

How to make chutney sandwich recipe, coriander chutney recipe, vegan sandwich, easy sandwich recipe


If you made this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment here or on Facebook, tag your tweet with @oneteaspoonlife on Twitter and don't forget to tag your photo #oneteaspoonoflife on Instagram. You can also email me at onetspoflife@gmail.com. I'd love to see what you are upto. 

If you like this recipe, do not forget to share it with your friends and family! 

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Coriander Chutney Sandwich


How to make chutney sandwich recipe, coriander chutney recipe, vegan sandwich, easy sandwich recipeCoriander Chutney Sandwich is made using a simple coconut and coriander chutney, bread and butter.

Recipe Type:  Sandwich
Cuisine:            Indian
Total Time:     15 minutes
Yield:                Serves 3-4


Ingredients:


For the Coriander Chutney:


1/2 cup freshly grated Coconut
1.5 cups loosely packed Coriander leaves
1/2 tsp Tamarind pulp
1-2 Green Chillies
2-3 Tbsp Water
1/4 tsp Sugar
Salt to taste

To assemble the Sandwich:


Bread
Butter

Method:


Grind/ blend together all the ingredients to get a smooth chutney.
Add the water by the spoonful to get a thick chutney. Do not add all the water in the beginning, the coriander and coconut will leave their own juices and the chutney may end up being runny.
Spread one slice of bread with butter and the other with the coriander chutney.
Stick the 2 slices together and cut into triangles to make Coriander Chutney Sandwich.



How to make chutney sandwich recipe, coriander chutney recipe, vegan sandwich, easy sandwich recipe



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Roasted Masala Makhana (Phool Makhana / Foxnuts)


Mid Week Munchies!! Looking for a healthy vegan crispy spicy snack to get through the day? You have GOT TO try these Roasted Masala Makhana!!

Masala roasted phool makhana recipe, how to roast makhana recipe, how to make makhana, roasted foxnuts recipe, how to cook lotus seeds recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com One Teaspoon Of Life

I almost thought summer was here and I'd started taking suggestions for summer recipes, you know those iced drinks that give you a brain freeze or those fresh salads etc. You get the idea. And then it started to rain. Not that I don't like it when it rains. I cannot say it enough - I love rains. Absolutely love love love (except when I am stuck outside in traffic). I'm a July baby, the month when monsoons are at their peak, so I guess my connection with rain is from birth. The sound of rain on a tin roof can still lull me off to sleep. 

There I go rambling, again!! But getting back to the point, rain makes me hungry. Well, at least it makes me want to eat. And I want those tiny bite sized snacks (usually pakoras) or sweets. Basically nothing healthy, get me anything deep fried or loaded on sugar and you are my new best friend.

This time, I did not have ingredients to make pakoras and I was just too lazy to go downstairs with an umbrella to buy pakoras. So ditch-the-deep-fried-snacks time it was.

So I made the next best thing - Roasted Masala Makhana, and it was SOOOOO good!!

Masala roasted phool makhana recipe, how to roast makhana recipe, how to make makhana, roasted foxnuts recipe, how to cook lotus seeds recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com One Teaspoon Of Life

I think I must have walked around super markets like 8 million times wondering what those puffy white balls kept on the shelf next to puffed rice was. I'd pick it up planning to find recipes online only to junk it at the billing counter, thinking I'll buy it next time after researching the recipes. But I'm glad my older and wiser sis Gee made me buy it like 2 months ago when we were both shopping. She told me how she had eaten it somewhere and it tasted so good, so crispy etc etc. She used all the right words and there I was finally billing it. 

This recipe is adapted from Veg Recipes of India. I love that site and most of all I trust Dassana, the author. I'm yet to find a recipe on her site that has failed me. I love her simple style of writing, all in all she is just awesome.

Masala roasted phool makhana recipe, how to roast makhana recipe, how to make makhana, roasted foxnuts recipe, how to cook lotus seeds recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com One Teaspoon Of Life

Masala roasted phool makhana recipe, how to roast makhana recipe, how to make makhana, roasted foxnuts recipe, how to cook lotus seeds recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com One Teaspoon Of Life

Makhana or Fox nuts are usually very chewy when packaged. To get them to crisp up, just roast them on really low heat in some oil until they are nice and crisp. Then immediately remove from heat and toss in the salt and spices. That's it. Nothing more! Allow it to cool before storing it in an air tight container.

I would have loved to tell you the shelf life, but in my house, it is very very short. Raj is a snacks magnet and is drawn to any snacks I hide in the kitchen. And since I'm trying really hard to stop buying snacks and biscuits and just make my own munchies, they barely last 2-3 days. I don't mind though as these are very healthy too.

Masala roasted phool makhana recipe, how to roast makhana recipe, how to make makhana, roasted foxnuts recipe, how to cook lotus seeds recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com One Teaspoon Of Life

In case you have never had it before, they taste very similar to pop corn but waaay crispier. And you can flavor them as you like. I had thought of chaat masala before I even looked at Dassana's recipe, so I stuck to it. But I've seen mint flavored and caramel flavored makhana in Food Hall and I may be trying to make them next.

If you made this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment here or on Facebook, tag your tweet with @oneteaspoonlife on Twitter and don't forget to tag your photo #oneteaspoonoflife on Instagram. You can also email me at onetspoflife@gmail.com. I'd love to see what you are upto. 

If you like this recipe, do not forget to share it with your friends and family! 

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Roasted Masala Makhana (Phool Makhana / Foxnuts )


Masala roasted phool makhana recipe, how to roast makhana recipe, how to make makhana, roasted foxnuts recipe, how to cook lotus seeds recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com One Teaspoon Of LifeRoasted Masala Makhana is a vegan snack made by roasting foxnuts and tossing it with spices.

Recipe Type:  Snacks
Cuisine:            Indian
Prep Time:     0 minutes
Cook time:     20 minutes
Yield:                Serves 3-4


Ingredients:


100gms Makhana (Phool Makhana / Foxnuts )
4-5 tsp Oil
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
1 tsp Chaat Masala
Salt to taste

Method:


Heat oil in a pan or kadhai.
Add the makhana and roast on low flame for 12-15 minutes until crispy.
Remove from heat and immediately add the turmeric powder, red chilli powder and chaat masala. Mix well.
Add salt to taste. Chaat masala contains salt, so adjust the salt accordingly.
Store in an air tight container when completely cooled.


Masala roasted phool makhana recipe, how to roast makhana recipe, how to make makhana, roasted foxnuts recipe, how to cook lotus seeds recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com One Teaspoon Of Life
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MIL's Spicy Tomato Curry with fried Bhindi (Okra) [Video]


Spicy Tomato Curry with fried Bhindi / Okra recipe with video instructions. Spicy Tomato Curry is a quick vegan tomato soup that is served with pan fried okra. Spicy Tomato Curry is vegan, gluten free and fits a Jain diet.


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How to make spicy tomato soup recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.com


How to make spicy tomato soup recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.com


They say winter is over. While I love the promise of sunshine all through the day, I miss the chill in the air. Luckily, it is still chilly in the morning, so I'm enjoying the last few days with my jacket until it is stacked in the cupboard for the next 6-7 months until the monsoons bring on some more chill.

Winter may be over, and warm nights back on the calendar, but hey, that really does not stop me from enjoying hot meals. And speaking of hot meals, especially my Mother-in-law's Spicy Tomato Curry. This curry is perfect for winter nights or rainy nights when all you want is a bowl of spicy sour soul warming goodness. But don't let the weather stop you from enjoying something this delicious. Unless you live on the coast in a tropical country in the Northern Hemisphere, you still have a few days of cold nights left, use it to enjoy this Tomato Curry.

While the name suggests curry, this is really a spicy Tomato Soup flavored with cumin, thickened with chickpea flour (gram flour/ besan) and garnished with fried okra (bhindi). Isn't fried okra the BEST? Crispy crunchy salty and we can always pretend it is healthy, after all it is a vegetable. If I haven't convinced you to fry that okra, you can just as well be a health freak and grill it up until it is nice and charred. My mother in law sometimes adds boiled potato cubes to the curry as well, but okra is the family favorite.

This is probably the quickest and absolutely no fuss soup I know to prepare. So no fine chopping, no 100 ingredients, no exotic spices (unless you consider cumin exotic), no hours and hours of simmering. NADA!!! Just 3 main ingredients and barely 40 minutes to prepare. No chopping, just blending.

How to make spicy tomato soup recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

How to make spicy tomato soup recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.com


Making this curry is super simple. I pressure cook the tomatoes whole for 8-10 minutes or 1-2 whistles. Then allow them to cool a little, before peeling them and blending. Meanwhile, fry up your chopped okra or boil the potatoes. Heat oil in a kadhai or pot and add cumin seeds. When they brown, add in the gram flour and saute it well for 1 minute. Then add in the blended tomatoes. Add water if required. Season with salt and red chilli powder and allow it to simmer for 5-8 minutes. If it is too thin, add more gram flour. If it is too thick add water. Too sweet, then add a little tamarind juice or lime juice. Too sour, then you can sweeten it with sugar or jaggery. Just TRUST your taste buds more than anything. I like my curry hot, sour with full flavor of cumin. Add the fried okra or potato just before serving.

Serve it with some crusty bread and dinner is done! You can also serve it with rice, though then I'd recommend you keep it thick.

How to make spicy tomato soup recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

How to make spicy tomato soup recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.com


How to make spicy tomato soup recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.com


If you made this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment here or on Facebook, tag your tweet with @oneteaspoonlife on Twitter and don't forget to tag your photo #oneteaspoonoflife on Instagram. You can also email me at onetspoflife@gmail.com. I'd love to see what you are upto. 

If you like this recipe, do not forget to share it with your friends and family! 

You can follow One Teaspoon Of Life is there on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+ or you can subscribe to One Teaspoon Of Life and receive all the latest updated via Email (How convenient!!)






Video Recipe





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Spicy Tomato Curry


How to make spicy tomato soup recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.comSpicy and easy Tomato Curry or Soup made with fresh tomatoes, thickened with gram flour and garnished with crispy fried okra.

Recipe Type:  Soup
Cuisine:            Indian
Prep Time:     10 minutes
Cook time:     40 minutes
Yield:                Serves 2-3

Ingredients:


5-6 large Tomatoes
6 tsp Oil
1 Tbsp Gram Flour (Chickpea Flour / Besan)
1 tsp Cumin seeds (Jeera)
15-20 small Okra (Bhindi)
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder (Optional)
A handful of Curry leaves
Red Chilli Powder to taste
Salt to taste
Water as required

Method:


1. Pressure cook the tomatoes with 1 cup of water for 1-2 whistles or 8-10 minutes. If cooking in a pan, cook the tomatoes until they are soft. Reserve the water.
2. Peel the tomatoes and leave aside to cool.
3. Chop the end of the okra.
4. Heat 3 tsp oil in a small pan and fry the okra until they are slightly browned and crispy. Keep flipping the okra so that they cook evenly.
5. Once the tomatoes have cooled, blend into a puree with 1 cup of reserved water.
6. Once the tomatoes have cooled, blend into a puree.
7. Heat 3 tsp Oil in a large pan or pot and add the cumin seeds and curry leaves.
8. Once they brown slightly, add the gram flour and saute for 1 minute until the raw smell disappears.
9. Add turmeric powder and red chilli powder.
10. Pour in the blended tomatoes and 1 cup of water. Add salt to taste.
11. Let it come to a boil and then simmer for 5-8 minutes.
12. If the consistency is too thick, add more water. If it is too thin, add a 1 Tbsp gram flour mixed in water.
13. If the curry is too sour, add a little sugar. If the curry is not sour enough add a little tamarind juice or lime juice.
14. Add the crispy okra just before serving.
15. Serve hot with crusty bread or rice.


How to make spicy tomato soup recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.com




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Corn Tomato Bharta

Vegan tomato curry from Maharashtra, Maharshtrian tomato saar
Tomato Saar
Tomato Gazpacho










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Vegan Zucchini Spinach Frittata


What's next on your breakfast table? How about this light and fluffy Vegan Zucchini Spinach Frittata made from chickpea flour, zucchini and spinach!

How to make vegan frittata recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life How to make vegetarian vegan omelet recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

Breakfast time!

I've been eating clean this week. I've got some annoying breakouts on my face and I have gotta get rid of them. By clean eating, I mean no sugar, no greasy fried food, no processed food, basically no giving into temptation. So HARD, especially when people in office are getting sweets and chocolates pretty much everyday.

Instead I'm eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. At the start of the week I had oranges, apples, pomegranates and strawberry. Yummm. So fresh. I'm also on my way to making my first ever all natural orange face pack. Hope it works...

How to make vegan frittata recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life How to make vegetarian vegan omelet recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

Even if you don't have any acne or other skin problems, just try this little trick my sister Gee taught me. Soak orange peels in a mug of water for 3 to 4 hours or overnight. Use that water to wash your face. Careful with your eyes though - keep them shut. That water has such a fresh fragrance of oranges, it will wake you up instantly and leave your skin smelling all orange-y for a good half hour. I'm not even a fan of oranges, but I definitely loved that fresh feel in the morning. If you have any such wonderful beauty rituals, leave me a comment.

Beauty tips aside for the moment. Let me get back to my clean green recipe - Vegan Zucchini Spinach Frittata. Frittata is usually a really thick omelet that is either baked or cooked in a deep pan on stovetop. This vegan zucchini spinach frittata is made from chickpea flour or gram flour (besan). lightness of the frittata is achieved by adding fruit salt (eno). If you don't find fruit salt, replace 1 tsp of fruit salt with 1/2 tsp of baking soda and 1/2 tsp of lime juice or citric acid. Allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes to let the baking soda react with the citric acid.

How to make vegan frittata recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life How to make vegetarian vegan omelet recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

You remember this wonderful Vegan Zucchini Kale Lasagna I made last week? I still had some baby zucchinis left over from it, that I sliced into thin slices and used here in this frittata. It is clean and it is green, One green ingredient down, more to go.

I wilted some spinach with garlic and chopped that roughly and added it to the frittata for my second and last green ingredient. Toss in some chopped onions and tomatoes and we are all set to make the frittata. Here's the fun part now, you can flavor this frittata however you like. I kept it minimal and only added a pinch of turmeric and half a teaspoon of chilli flakes. You can add anything from herbs like oregano, thyme, basil to spices like cumin, fennel or carom. After all, you are the CHEF!

How to make vegan frittata recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life How to make vegetarian vegan omelet recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com


How to make vegan frittata recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life How to make vegetarian vegan omelet recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com


If you made this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment here or on Facebook, tag your tweet with @oneteaspoonlife on Twitter and don't forget to tag your photo #oneteaspoonoflife on Instagram. You can also email me at onetspoflife@gmail.com. I'd love to see what you are upto. 

If you like this recipe, do not forget to share it with your friends and family! 

You can follow One Teaspoon Of Life is there on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+ or you can subscribe to One Teaspoon Of Life and receive all the latest updated via Email (How convenient!!)

If you liked this, you may also liked:





Vegan Zucchini Spinach Frittata


How to make vegan frittata recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life How to make vegetarian vegan omelet recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.comVegan Zucchini Spinach Frittata is a pan fried vegan frittata (thick omelet) made with chickpea flour (besan), zucchini and garlic wilted spinach

Recipe Type:  Breakfast
Cuisine:            Indian
Prep Time:     10 minutes
Cook time:     15 minutes
Yield:                Makes 2

Ingredients:


1 cup Chickpea flour or Besan or Gram Flour
2 cups chopped Spinach
2 baby Zucchini
1 small Onion
1 small Tomato
2 Garlic Cloves
1/2 tsp Chilli flakes
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Fruit Salt or Eno
1 cup Water
4-5 tsp Oil
Salt to taste

Method:


Mince the garlic. Finely chop the onion and tomato. Slice the zucchini.
Heat 2 tsp oil in a pan.
Add the minced garlic and fry for 20-30 seconds.
Add the chopped spinach and fry until wilted. It may take around 2-3 minutes.
Take the chickpea flour in a large bowl.
Add turmeric powder, chilli flakes, salt, fruit salt and 1/2 cup water. Add more water if required. The batter should be loose and light.
Heat a small non stick frying pan and grease it.
Spoon half the batter onto the pan.
Sprinkle half of the wilted spinach, zucchini, onion and tomato. Alternately, you can add all the vegetables to the batter before spooning the batter.
Cook on low to medium heat. Spoon oil on the sides.
Once the first side browns slightly, spoon 1 tsp of oil on the top and flip the frittata.
Cook until the second side browns slightly. Remove from heat.
Repeat the same steps with the other half of the batter.
Serve hot.


How to make vegan frittata recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life How to make vegetarian vegan omelet recipe at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com
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Ghee Rice Recipe


Happy Republic Day to all my fellow Indians...

How to make ghee rice recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.com
What did you do today?

I did exactly what I have been doing since I was probably 8-9 years old. We all gather around the TV at 9am, turn on Doordarshan and watch the Republic Day Parade. Times have changed, I've moved from a 12 channel TV that actually just had one station to telecast to one that has so many channels I lose the count, but the Republic day tradition remains unchanged. And I realised, it is not just in my house, but a lot of people of my generation still continue the tradition started by our parents. 

Time stands still at the Amar Jawan Jyothi, eyes mist up when the President honors the soldiers with Ashoka Chakra and the chest swells with pride when the Armed Forces walk by in absolute synchronicity. Then come the fun floats with each state showcasing it's highlights. I loved Goa this year, such a peppy song being played. Then are the dances from children, stunts on bikes and the air force display. Of all the year I've watched, this year's bike stunt - especially one called the Christmas Tree gave me goosebumps!! 

How to make ghee rice recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.com
What a lovely show it was... melancholy, patriotism, pride, happiness, awestruck - all these feelings in a duration of less than 2 hours. 

With all those emotions in me, I really wanted something simple for lunch today. Simple to make and simple in taste. This Ghee Rice felt perfect for the moment.

Ghee is to Indians what butter is to the French. Most Indian households will have a jar of ghee, mostly homemade, and sometimes store bought. Although ghee is indispensable to most Indian sweets, it has a special place in savory cooking too. Ghee is smeared on rotis, ghee is drizzled over rice, some people even add a tempering of ghee to curries. Ghee holds such a  revered place in our lives that every festival meal served on a Banana leaf begins only after Ghee has been served.

How to make ghee rice recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.com
Ghee Rice celebrates Ghee like no other dish does. Ghee Rice is a simple rice dish where Basmati Rice is cooked in rich flavorful Ghee. Nuts roasted in ghee are added to add texture and more richness to the dish. Unlike most of Indian cooking, Ghee Rice is a very mild dish. While spices are added to add fragrance, they are kept to a minimal, letting Ghee take the center stage. This dish is not hot or over-spicy, 

Ghee Rice is best served with a simple dal. Try out this restaurant style Dal Fry or this mixed lentil Pancharangi Dal.

How to make ghee rice recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

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Ghee Rice


How to make ghee rice recipe at One Teaspoon Of Life www.oneteaspoonoflife.comGhee Rice is a simple Indian rice dish where Basmati rice is cooked in ghee or clarified butter.

Recipe Type:  Main
Cuisine:            North Indian
Prep Time:     40 minutes
Cook time:     30 minutes
Yield:                Serves 2


Ingredients:


1 cup Basmati Rice
3 Tbsp Ghee
1 Onion
1 Green Chilli
1" Cinnamon
2-3 Cloves
2 Cardamoms
1 Bay leaf
5-6 Peppercorns
8-10 Cashew nuts
1.5 cups Water
Salt to taste

Method:


Wash the basmati rice until the water runs clear. Around 5-6 times. Drain and keep aside for 30 minutes.
Heat the ghee in a large pan.
Split the cashew nuts and add to the pan. Roast them until they are golden brown, then remove from the ghee and keep aside.
Add all the whole spices to the ghee and fry for 45-60 seconds on low heat until fragrant.
Add chopped onion and slit green chilli. Fry until the onion is translucent.
Add the rice and toast it gently for 30 seconds.
Add water and salt. Cover and cook on low to medium heat until the rice is cooked.
If all the water is absorbed and the rice feels undercooked, sprinkle 1-2 Tbsp water and cover and cook on low heat until rice is done.
Add chopped onion and slit green chilli. Fry until the onion is translucent.
Allow it to cool a little before fluffing it with a spoon.
Serve hot/warm along with dal.


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Goan Mushroom Cafreal Recipe | How to make Mushroom Cafreal


Mushroom Cafreal recipe with step by step photo and video instructions. Mushroom Cafreal is a Goan semi dry curry made by stir frying mushrooms marinated in a coriander based green sauce. Mushroom Cafreal is vegan and gluten free.

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How to make vegan Goan Portuguese Mushroom Cafreal curry at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com


This Mushroom Cafreal was the perfect finish to my weekend. I spent some quality time with my favorite girl in the whole wide universe and I had to end the day with some real quality food. 

What quality time you ask? With whom you ask?

I spent my weekend strolling through crowded lanes of local markets with my favorite girl, my sis Gee - some real awesome quality Sister Time. We went to the old Bangalore areas of Chickpet, Raja Market, Baba Market and walked through lanes and little markets that we had never seen before. While we did not have any real shopping to do, we literally bought nothing - NA DA, we did something we hadn't done in such a long time. We did this a lot when we were both single and had all the time in the world to do what we do best - Window Shopping! We'd pick a street or a market and walk through it gazing at all the goods, barely stopping for a meal. That's exactly what we did, we walked, talked and laughed and ate just one Vada-Pav each and came back.

And as a plus point, in a totally unexpected little corner, I found a dry fruit store that pretty much has every nut and seed that I've only read of in recipes but never set my eyes upon. They had pecans and cranberries and pine nuts and hazelnuts etc etc. That tiny shop packed a punch. I'm so excited about my find!! Now all I need to do is find awesome recipes, so I can go back there and buy whatever nut I need.

How to make vegan Goan Portuguese Mushroom Cafreal curry at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

How to make vegan Goan Portuguese Mushroom Cafreal curry at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

Back to my dish of the day - Mushroom Cafreal. Although Cafreal is usually made with chicken, but this vegetarian option also rocks!

This Mushroom Cafreal is absolute MAGIC. The mushrooms are full of texture, and the green sauce is a full on flavor bomb. Mushrooms are always great, I simply LOVE Mushrooms. But if you don't replace the mushroom in this recipe with potatoes or cauliflower and it will taste just as awesome. I did make a Potato version for Raj and he loved it.

This Mushroom Cafreal is a game changer. Most people's idea of a curry is something that starts with roasting spices and involves cooking slowly on the stove top until everything comes together to get a balance of flavors. But this curry is nothing like it. It has only three steps - blending, marinating and frying. Of course, there are spices involved, but no roasting or frying them. And no slow cooking at all. This curry is complete from start to finish in almost 30 minutes. Yes, that's it - Half an Hour!!


The Cafreal is all about the sauce, that is also the marinade. It is such a simple sauce yet so delicious and versatile. It can be used not just for making Cafreal, but also in Biryani or to add zing to so many other curries. The green sauce is made of humble ingredients - fresh Coriander leaves, Garlic, Green Chillies, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cumin, Pepper, Sugar (optional), and lime juice. While the traditional recipe may call for vinegar, I can't stand its smell, and I also prefer the freshness of the limes over the vinegar, so I used lime juice. To make the marinade, just grind everything with a little water. You can store this in a glass jar in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. Add salt whenever you are using it.

Rub in the marinade to the mushrooms and let them soak in all that goodness. Then heat oil in a pan and fry the mushroom in one layer. If using a smaller pan, then it can be done in batches. Once the first side is browned, flip and allow the other side to brown. Then add the remaining marinade and fry for a few minutes until the raw smell goes off. If you want, you can also add water at this point to make a gravy. Garnish with coriander and lime and serve it with Pao or bread.

How to make vegan Goan Portuguese Mushroom Cafreal curry at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com


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Goan Mushroom Cafreal Recipe | How to make Mushroom Cafreal


How to make vegan Goan Portuguese Mushroom Cafreal curry at www.oneteaspoonoflife.comMushroom Cafreal is a semi dry vegan Goan curry made by stir frying mushrooms marinated in a quick spicy coriander sauce.

Recipe Type:  Main
Cuisine:            Goan Mushroom Cafreal Recipe | How to make Mushroom Cafreal
Prep Time:     10 minutes
Cook time:     30 minutes
Total time:     40 minutes
Yield:                Serves 2


Ingredients:


200 gms button Mushrooms
2 cups fresh Coriander leaves
1 Tbsp Garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp Ginger, chopped
2-3 Green Chillies, finely chopped
1" Cinnamon stick
0.5 tsp Cumin Seeds
8-10 Black Peppercorns
2-4 Cloves
0.5 Lime
1-2 Tbsp Water
3-4 Tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

Method:


1. Blend together coriander leaves, cumin seeds, cinnamon, black peppercorns, cloves, ginger, garlic, chilli, salt, lime juice with a little bit of water until smooth.
2. Clean the mushrooms and add in the blended marinade. Mix until all mushrooms are coated. You can halve the mushrooms if they are large.
3. Heat oil in a pan and add the mushrooms in a single layer. If using a small pan, this can be done in batches.
4. Cook on medium heat until the first side browns.
5. Flip and allow the other side to brown.
6. Add any remaining marinade and stir for 4-5 minutes or until the raw smell disappears.
7. If you want a gravy, you can add water at this stage to get the desired consistency and allow it to come to a boil.
8. Serve hot with pao or bread, or just like an appetizer.


How to make vegan Goan Portuguese Cafreal at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com



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Pancharangi Dal | Panchmel Dal


Cozy Comfort Food. Three words to describe the dish of the day - Dal. When you want to feel that cozy under a blanket feeling not outside but inside you, I say make dal. It is warm, hearty and healthy. No guilt trips to the gym either.

How to make vegan Panchmel Dal or mixed lentil soup at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

Dal is such an essential part of Indian cooking. From north to south, east to west, every region has their version of dal. I have so many dal recipes with me that I rotate frequently, some have made it to the blog and some may never make it here. Try out this Spinach Dal or this Restaurant Style Dal Fry sometime.

For those who have never attempted to make dal, I encourage you to do so. It is such a forgiving dish. You can add anything or absolutely nothing to dal, and it will still taste good. The simplest dal we make is something called "Tove" where all you add is a simple tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves and green chilli to already cooked pigeon pea lentils or toor dal. Salt is added after it is served. Dal can be that basic. Or it can be cooked with ginger-garlic, tomatoes and spices. Or with vegetables like this Heerekai Tove / Ridgegourd Dal.

How to make vegan Panchmel Dal or mixed lentil soup at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

Panchrangi Dal or Panchmel Dal is a mixed lentil dal that uses 5 different types of lentils - Toor Dal or Split Pigeon Peas, Chana Dal or Split Bengal Gram, Sabut Urad Dal or Black lentils, Moong Dal or split Mung Beans and the last is not really a dal - Moong or Mung beans. I learnt this recipe from my Aunt who lives in Gujarat. Pancharangi Dal or Panchmel Dal is a famous recipe across Gujarat and Rajasthan in Western India. These places are arid and hence, home to a lot of delicious spicy lentil recipes.

The dals are soaked for 30 minutes to 1 hour and then cooked until done. Dal is meant to be mushy in general. So cook until all the dals are well cooked. Then mush them up with a spoon. Fry finely chopped onions until translucent, then add the ginger-garlic paste and fry till fragrant. Toss in the chopped tomatoes and spices and cook well. Add the lentils and little water along with salt and simmer until you have the consistency you desire. 

How to make vegan Panchmel Dal or mixed lentil soup at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com


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Pancharangi Dal | Panchmel Dal


How to make vegan Panchmel Dal or mixed lentil soup at www.oneteaspoonoflife.comPancharangi Dal | Panchmel Dal is a Gujarati Dal made from 5 different types of dals and beans. It is a spicy mixed lentil soup.

Recipe Type:  Main
Cuisine:            Indian
Prep Time:     30 minutes
Cook time:     45 minutes
Yield:                Serves 3-4

Ingredients:


0.5 cup Toor Dal (Pigeon Pea Lentils)
0.5 cup Moong Dal
0.5 cup Moong Beans
0.5 cup Chana Dal (Split Bengal Gram)
4 Tbsp Sabut Urad Dal (Whole black lentils)
1 Onion
2 Tomatoes
1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
1 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
3 tsp Coriander Powder
2 tsp Cumin Powder
1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
3-4 tsp Oil
Salt to taste
Water as required

Method:


Soak all the dals in water for at least 30 mins.
Cook in a pressure cooked until cooked.
Heat oil in a kadhai and add the mustard seeds.
Once the mustard seeds splutter, add the cumin seeds and allow them to brown slightly.
Add the chopped onions and fry until translucent.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and stir fry until for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
Add the chopped tomato and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Add all the spices to the tomato and cook until the tomato is a paste
Add the cooked dal, salt and water. Simmer for 5-6 minutes or until you get the consistency you desire.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot with rice or roti.


How to make vegan Panchmel Dal or mixed lentil soup at www.oneteaspoonoflife.com

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