Easiest and Tasty Dhokla Ever

Easiest and Tasty Dhokla Ever

You will need

• 2 cups besan (chickpea flour) , 
• 1 Glass water
• 1 Tbsp Sugar
• 4 Green Chillies finely chopped, 
• 1 Tbsp  Freshly squeezed lemon juice, 
• 1/2 tspn Turmeric powder, salt to taste.
• 1 cup fresh coconut grated  
• 2 Tbsp oil 
• 2 Tbsp mustard seeds
• 1/4 tsp  asafoetida(heeng)
• Curry leaves 
• Coriander leaves
• For the lemon -sugar syrup: 1/4 cup water, Juice of lemon, 1 tblspn sugar. Just mix it all together.

 Let's begin

1. Mix the Besan and Water to form a smooth batter. Add salt and sugar and give it a good stir. Taste the batter. It should be sweet and salty all at once. Batter should have a smooth consistency.
2. Grease a steel vessel that goes into your pressure cooker. Place this vessel (you can cake tin which fits in cooker) in the cooker and place the cooker on the gas stove. After the water in the cooker begins to boil add the Eno to the Dhokla batter, stir again quickly, you will immediately see the batter rising.
3. Now quickly pour this batter into the cooker vessel and put on the cooker lid. Steam the Dhokla for 8 to 10 mins without pressure. 
4.  After 10 mins open the cooker ,check with a fork it should come out clean and  let the Dhokla rest for a while.
5. When it is warm to touch mark out the slices with a sharp and well oiled knife. 
6. Make a sugar syrup and pour over the marked slices. The syrup is absorbed by the Dhokla making it extremely moist from the inside unlike shop-bought dhoklas which are terribly dry from within. 
7. Now Prepare the tempering by adding the mustard, asafoetida and curry leaves to hot oil. Cool it and then spoon this over the Dhokla. Garnish with fresh coriander, chilies and fresh grated coconut. 

 Still have any queries please drop a a comment will revert you quickly.

Happy Cooking.

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My Grand Mom Secret Mutton Lamb Curry....

Mutton (Gosht) My Grand Mom  Secret Mutton Lamb Curry....
This recipe  I have got from my maternal grandmother which she used to cook when my father used to visit my mom. One generation has passed, now my turn.So, when Sarvesh(my husband) visits my house in Delhi my mom cooks this same mutton recipe for him. You may find all ingredients the same as mentioned in other recipes but if you want to make it the best one then carefully read the procedure.
I can bet no other mutton recipe can taste better than this.

You will need

• 1 kg mutton 
• 2 Tbsp Mustard oil
• 4 Tbsp Pure Desi Ghee(unsalted butter as alternative) 
• 1 Tbsp red chilli powder
• 1 Tbsp Turmeric powder
• 1 Tbsp dhania(coriander) powder 
• 5 - 6 Onions  finely chopped
• 10 - 12 Garlic cloves minced
• 2 Tsp  ginger paste
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp mace (javetri)
• 4-5 cloves
• 1 inch of cinnamon
• 4 green cardamoms
• 2 brown cardamoms
• 8 - 10 black pepper
• 3 - 4 bay leaves
• nutmeg 1/4 tsp
• Ginger juliennes and coriander leaves- for garnishing.
• Pressure Cooker heavy bottom






• Wok- heavy bottom.

Lets make it:

Take  pressure cooker add oil, once oil is hot enough add a pinch of salt. 

Add onions wait till it becomes translucent in texture.

Add ginger and garlic paste stir for 3 - 4 minutes then add chilli,turmeric and dhania powder. 

Salt as per taste(remember you have added a pinch earlier). 

Add very little water to avoid paste from burning or sticking. Cover with lid (no pressure and keep stirring).

Finally add mutton and mix well keep stirring for 10 mins now add one and half cup of water.

Close with lid and wait for 3 - 4 whistles. (Mutton should only be 60 % cooked).

1. Now,take mace (javetri),cloves,cinnamon,cardamoms,brown cardamoms,black pepper,bay leaves and nutmeg mix all them together in a grinder and grind them till you have a powdered texture.Keep It aside.
2. Meanwhile, cooker will be open to ready(don't take out steam).
3. Take a Wok/Kadai add pure ghee/butter and add above powder(which we just made in grinder).
4. Keep mixing well over slow heat now take out only mutton pieces from gravy in cooker.And keep mixing well with in Kadai for about good 15 - 20 mins.
5. Gradually and slowly keep adding mutton gravy kept in cooker in kadai and keep mixing on low flame. 
6. Finally put all the mixture from wok back to cooker and check mutton should be 80 % cooked. 
7. Give 2 - 3 whistles. 
8. Your Mutton is ready Garnish well. 

Serve with Rice or Naan and Onion ring salad. 

You can't miss this.

Take Care

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Arrabiata Sauce for Pasta ,Pizza, wraps and everything

Arrabiata Sauce is one of the spicier styles of tomato sauces.It can be stored in glass jar in refrigerator so next time just add sauce to your pasta and it will be ready in 2 Mins.

You will need

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 cup Onion chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic minced
• 1/4 cup Red wine(optional)
• 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Basil chopped
• 1 teaspoon chopped Chilly Pepper
• 2 tablespoon Tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning powder.
• 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground
• 2 400 gram blanched tomatoes finely chopped
• 2 tablespoon Chopped fresh parsley

Lets begin.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan or saucepan over a medium heat, saute the onion and garlic in the hot oil for 5 minutes.

Stir in the sugar, wine, red pepper, tomato paste, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and tomatoes then last but not least the fresh basil, bring to a boil and reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes.

Add parsley and then spoon over of food of your choice.

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All Time Tomato Dip

All Time Tomato Dip 

You Need

• Tomatoes 4 large
• Onions small 2 Finely Chopped 
• Green Chilly  2 Finely Chopped
• Garlic Cloves 6 -8 Finely Chopped 
• Black/Kosher Salt 
• Mustard oil 1 tablespoon

Lets Begin

Roast on a gas cook top by just placing the uncut tomatoes straight on the burner and keeping the flame on low setting. Keep turning and cooking till all the skin on the tomato is charred and the inner flesh looks really soft. A good sign to watch for is that the tomato seems to 'cave in' on itself! 

Once the tomatoes are roasted, allow to cool fully and then peel off and discard the charred skin. Once cool, coarsely mash or mix it well in blender and keep aside for later use. 

Take a serving dip bowl pour the tomato mixture and add all above ingredients.

Add Mustard oil in the last.

This dip can be served with all cuisines and can be stored in refrigerator.

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Cottage Cheese(Paneer) My Style

A Must Try  Cottage Cheese(Paneer) My Style

You Need :

• Paneer Cottage Cheese 500 gms- Diced in squares or as you like
• Onion Chopped 2 cups or 4 large
• Fresh Tomato 4 large blended 
• Fresh Cream (Amul Tetra pack) 150 ml
• Fresh Yoghurt 100 ml
• Pure Ghee or white butter( unsalted) 3 tablespoon
• Black pepper 1/2 Tsp
• Red Chilly powder 1/3 tsp
• Sambhar Masala 2 table spoon 
• Water 1/2 cup
• Coriander leaves, Almonds and Raisins for Garnishing
•  Salt as per taste
• Wok(kadai) or Heavy Bottom Pan

Lets Start 


Take Wok,  add Ghee or white butter now on low heat add chopped onions and wait till it turn translucent (4- 5 mins) . Slowly add tomato puree and let them mix well on slow flame for another 10 - 12 mins. Once, it starts leaving Ghee add salt, curd and cream. Cover with lid and let it go for more 15 mins on low flame. Keep adding water to avoid curry from drying or sticking.  Moment you notice oily and red texture its half done. Time to add Sambhar Masala, black pepper and red chilly powder. Cover the pan for final gravy for another 10 mins. Consistency should not be too thick and red in color.

Finally add paneer and Garnish with Coriander leaves, Almonds and Raisins.

Serve hot with hot Paranthas...

Do try and give feedback.....

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Birthday Party Around The Corner

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year..

Another year has started your kid will turn one year older. How about a creative and something different this time. I will share my own kid "Aaroh" party pics and menu.

I must tell you that was a great hit and successful Party.

Theme was: Doraemon

Also you can drop me a mail or comments in case you want any assistance or ideas.....

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3 Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake

You will need

• 1 pkt cups penne pasta uncooked.
• One bunch of fresh spinach 250 gm boneless skinless chicken breast diced.
• Half teaspoon dried basil
• 1 cup pasta sauce 
• 1 cup diced tomatoes 0.25 cup cream 
• More than half cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon Parmesan 
• 5- 6 chopped mushrooms
• Oil 1 Tsp

 Lets Begin.....

Heat oven to 170 C .  Cook pasta as directed, adding spinach to boiling water for the last minute.  Meanwhile, heat Pan sprayed with cooking oil.  

Add chicken and basil and cook until chicken is no longer pink, about 3 minutes.  A

dd pasta sauce and tomatoes and bring to boil.  

Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.  

Stir in cream cheese until melted.  

Drain pasta and spinach, return to saucepan.  

Add chicken and mix lightly.  Stir in 0.5 cups of the mozzarella and spoon into baking dish.  Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.  

Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.  Bake 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

I am sure this you can't resist...

Happy cooking .....

Cheers

Deepika

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Successful Meal Times with Kids

Stop Worrying!!!

It may be true kids don't starve themselves to death, but that doesn't stop you worrying about rickets when your toddler has raced around from dawn till dusk fueled by nothing more than one ounce of milk and some biscuits.

So what moms should do?

• Please stop worrying and diluting your self in stress. More you worry less excited you will be to experiment with Kid.
• Toddlers have small stomachs - about the size of a small fist.
• Don't worry too much about pushing whole grains - young children's stomachs can't cope with too much whole meal pasta and brown rice, and too much fiber can sometimes affect their bodies' absorption of nutrients, so don't feel guilty about offering white pasta and white bread.
• If your child seems genuinely not to have any appetite, check their milk intake. For many kids, a bottle or glass of milk is the ultimate comfort food. Try to keep a gap of 2 - 3 hrs before meal time.Save the big milk drinks for after breakfast, lunch and dinner and, if necessary, prepone  mealtimes  to prevent them getting too hungry.
• In beginning just serve food and let kid choose his menu and don't worry about portion and nutrients. Be concerned about the routine and Pattern.
• Toddlers don't have an adult desire for a wide variety of foods and many prefer the same things every day.
• Exposing your child to a wide spectrum of different foods can, with patience, create good eating habits that last a lifetime. 
• Don’t be put off by food rejection. Your gate gourmet meal cooked with your effort ,time and stress could be rejected by your child even without tasting so don't worry and be ready with back up meal(which your child will eat without a doubt.) 
• Be realistic about the amount of effort you put into making your child’s meals. Don’t feel resentful when they refuse to eat.  
• Keep calm and don’t make a fuss of whether your child is eating or not. Instead, concentrate on making mealtimes enjoyable family events. If an occasion is enjoyable, your child will want to repeat it. 
• Be persistent and follow routine. Children are very good at judging their hunger so stick to a fixed time table.

Things which matter to make meal times to successful meal times.

• Baby high dining chair
• Bib and wash cloth
• Colorful and attractive meal.
• Happy Mommy.
• Right mood and time.
• Spoon and fork.

Just remember! make meal time a play time.They'll eat...

Take Care and all the best!!!

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Colorful Bread Pizza for toddlers

Colorful Bread Pizza for Everyone Anytime 

You will need :-

• Bread slices- 6 (one for each)
• onions -1 (finely chopped)
• Tomato - 1 (finely chopped)
• Capsicum - 1(finely chopped)
• Grated cheese (mozzarella)
• Processed cheese table spoon
• Pizza sauce
• oregano to sprinkle.

Mix all vegetables well, take a bread slice and smear it with pizza sauce.
Add the generous helping of grated cheese on it.
Grill the bread in an oven or over tawa for 3-4 minutes, or till the bread is crispy and the cheese melts.

Garnish with Oregano and You could even make a nice smilie face on it to make it more attractive to your little ones.

I am sure Kids will definitely love it...Yummmmy...

Try this and Happy Cooking...

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Easy Tomato Pasta

Easy Tomato Pasta


All you need:-

• Elbow macaroni 1 pkt
• Fresh Tomato Puree 1 cup
• Garlic cloves 4- 5 chopped
• Oregano seasoning 1 tea spoon
• Salt as per taste
• Olive oil one table spoon for kids try butter
• Tomato ketch up one table spoon
• Sugar one tea spoon
• Non stick Pan
• 2 cups water
• Sauce Pan for boiling
• Sieve for Macaroni

Lets Start


Boil macaroni in water and add some oil and salt and keep stirring so that it should not stick. Rinse throughly in Sieve under cold water.


In nonstick pan take oil/butter on low flame add garlic wait for 2 mins.
Add Tomato puree, salt, oregano and sugar one table spoon water and stir it for 3 - 4 mins till it gives a sauce consistency.
Now Add Boiled Macaroni with above sauce in same pan.
Finally add tomato ketchup and mix for another two - three minutes.


Serve Hot to your kid with some fresh Orange Juice he/she will love it.


Do Try this 

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