Savory Semolina Loaf

                   Savory Semolina Loaf

This cake can be eaten at anytime of the day either as a breakfast or a tea time snack or this can even be added to your lunch box menu. It is very easy to make. Just chop the veggies, assemble and bake it in the oven. It is very healthy as it is loaded with all kinds of veggies. It is soft on the inside n nice & crunchy on the outside.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup semolina

2. 3/4 cup fresh green peas

3. 1/4 cup beans

4. 3 carrots 

5. 1/2 cup chopped onion

6. 1 tsp minced ginger 

7. 2 green chillies 

8. 1/2 tsp turmeric

9. 1/2-1 tsp chilli powder

10. 3/4 cup yogurt

11. 1/2 cup water

12. Salt to taste 

13. 1/2 tsp baking soda

14. 1 tsp white sesame seeds

For tadka:

1. 1/2 tsp cumin seeds 

2. 1 tsp mustard

3. 3 tbsp oil 

4. 1 sprig curry leaves 

Method Of Preparation: 

1. Preheat the oven to 200 deg celsius. Oil the bottom & sides of a loaf pan & line it with a parchment paper & oil that as well.

2. In a separate pan, add all the vegetables, semolina, spices, salt & yogurt & mix well.

3. Add water little by little. Do not add all the water at the same time. The batter needs to be thick. 

4. Heat a kadai with some oil on the stove. When the oil is hot, add mustard, cumin and curry leaves. When it starts spluttering, turn off the stove & add this mixture into the batter & mix well.

5. Now add the baking soda & give it a stir. U need to act fast now. Immediately pour the mixture into the pan lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

6. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or till a tooth pick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

7. It is done when its soft on the inside & crunchy on the outside.

8. Let it cool in the tin & then slice it into pieces & serve it hot with sweet pickle, coconut chutney & tea.

Cucumber Raita

Cucumber Raita

This is one of my favorite raitas. I would like to have it everyday especially when it's hot outside as cucumbers are very light & refreshing. It is a great accompaniment for biryanis & parathas.

This is very simple yet tasty and can be prepared with very few ingredients. If your a yogurt lover just like me, then I'm sure you would love this.

Ingredients

1. Cucumber 1 big chopped
2. Green chillies 2 finely chopped
3. Red chillies 2
4. Onions 1 finely chopped
5. Yogurt 2 cups
6. Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
7. Chilli powder 2 pinches(optional)
8. Hing 1 large pinch
9. Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
10. Curry leaves 1 sprig
11. Coriander leaves for garnish
12. Black pepper 2 big pinches
13. Salt to taste

Method Of Preparation

1. Add 2 cups of yogurt in a bowl
2. Add the chopped cucumbers to this
3. In a Kadai, add oil
4. When the oil gets hot add mustard, cumin seeds.
5. When it starts to splutter, add the curry leaves. Sauté for 5 seconds
6. Then add the chopped green chillies, red chillies, onions and sauté well till the onions become translucent
7. Add black pepper & hing & sauté for another 5 seconds & then turn off the stove
8. Once done, add this to the yogurt and cucumber mixture & mix well.
9. Sprinkle red chilli powder(optional)
10. Garnish with coriander leaves

Aloo Matar Ki Tahari

                 Aloo Matar Ki Tahari 

                         

                             

Tahiri/Tahari is a very famous pulao in the Pakistani Cuisine which belongs to the biryani family.This dish is very popular in North India, especially in the regions of Uttar Pradesh & Punjab. 

Traditionally this dish is prepared by adding potatoes and peas to the rice but you may also add cauliflower, carrots and beans to make it look more colorful and appetizing.

This is very simple and easy to prepare. Now let's get started.

Aloo Matar Ki Tahari

Recipe type: Indian
Serves: 3
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

Long Grain Basmati Rice  1 cup
Potatoes 2 big
Tomatoes 1
Fresh Green Peas 1 cup
Ginger paste 1 tsp
Garlic paste 2 tsp
Green chillies 2 tsp
Mint & Coriander leaves 1 cup
Water 2 cups
Turmeric 1/2 tsp
Red Chilli Powder 1 tsp
Garam Masala 1 tsp
Salt 

Juice of lemon 1 tsp
Ghee/Oil 3tbsp
Cumin seeds 1 tsp
Cloves 3
Cardamom 4
Bay leaves 2 small leaves
Cinnamon  3 small sticks

Method Of Preparation

1. Wash the rice well and keep it aside.
2. Chop the tomatoes mint & coriander leaves
3. Coarsely grind the ginger, garlic & green chillies
4. Cut the potatoes into cubes
5. Thinly slice the onions & keep it aside
6. In a heavy bottomed pan, add oil or ghee or both
7. Add the cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon, cardamoms & bay leaves
8. When they start to splutter, add the onions... Sauté till they turn translucent.
9. Add the coarsely ground paste. Sauté till the raw smell disappears
10. Now add the mint & coriander leaves. Sauté till the leaves shrink & the raw smell disappears
11. Add the potatoes. Sauté for about a minute
12. Now add the tomatoes. Sauté well. Add salt & let the tomatoes cook on low flame. The water from the tomatoes needs to dry up before u add the rice.
13. Add the green peas and sauté for a few seconds.
14. Add the rice, turmeric powder, chilli powder & home-made garam masala and sauté on medium-low flame for about a minute or two
15. Add 2 cups of water, add the juice of lemon and cook on low flame for 15 minutes or till done.
16. Remove the lid only after 10 minutes
17. Serve hot with the cucumber raita or the raita of your choice, pickle & pappad