42. Panha (Raw Mango Drink)

Final Outcome: Nice!

        I will say this again: I am making so many different things because of this resolution which normally I would have been too lazy to try!

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Raw Mango/ Kairi: 2
Jaggery: Measure given in method
Cardamom: 1/2 tsp
Salt

Method:
1. Peel Raw mangoes with a peeler. Cut out the pieces and take out the seed(koy). Pressure cook the pieces (2 whistles).
2. Grind the cooked mango pieces into a fine paste.Put the mango paste into a pan and add same quantity (measure) of crushed jaggery to it. Simmer for about 5-7 mins until jaggery dissolves.
3. Add cardamom powder and mix well. cook for another 1-2 mins.
4. After the "Panha" mixture cools down, refrigerate it. It can be stored for 8-10 days.
NOTE: The above mixture can be prepared without cooking. Just mix together mango paste, jaggery and cardamom  However this mixture cannot be stored for more than 2-3 days.
To Serve:
Take about 1 tbsp of the mixture in a glass add cold water and 1/8th tsp of salt. Mix well and serve.

The below picture looks like homemade beer:-). But trust me this is a very yummy drink and looks much better than in the picture.

     

41. Fresh Green Salad

Final Outcome: Fresh!

        Very Healthy salad except for maybe cheese. Cheese is optional, but since this salad has no dressing cheese adds a little taste and flavor to it.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Lettuce leaves: 1 small bunch
Tomatoes (Roma if available): 3-4 chopped. If using regular tomato: 1
Carrots grated: 2 small
Banana: 1 chopped
Almonds: 3-4 grated
Strawberries: 6-7 chopped
Processed cheese: 1 tbsp grated
Salt
Pepper crushed : 2 tsp
Lemon juice: 2 tsp

Method:
It cannot get simpler than this: Mix all ingredients and enjoy!

        I am catching up speed again :-). I have made another recipe (summer special) which will be posted in couple of days.

40. Gajrela

Final Outcome: Excellent!!!

        I made this for Holi. Custom dictates 'Pooran Poli' for holi but I ...... well good food is what matters right?

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Carrots: 2 small grated
Milk: 1 litre
Rice: soaked and coarsely ground.
Cardamom powder: 1/2 tsp
Ghee: 1 tbsp
Cashew nuts roughly chopped: 8-10
Raisins: 8-10
Sugar: 1/4th cup
Khova/condensed milk: 1 tbsp (optional)

Method:
1. Heat Ghee in a pan. add Cashews and raisins. Fry till they turn golden brown.
2. Add Grated carrot and let it cook for a couple of mins. Then add milk. Let it cook for about 15 mins stirring continuously.
3. Add sugar, cardamom powder and ground rice.
4. Stir continuously for about 10 mins until it thickens.

It is thicker than it looks in the picture.

39. Creamy Buttermilk spinach pasta

Final Outcome: Yummy!!!

        This recipe is very unique. I never thought the ingredients it contains can work together to create a wonderful Italian dish.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Pasta: 2 cups boiled water with a tsp of salt 
Spinach Puree:  1/2 cup
Buttermilk or curd: 1 cup
Garlic: chopped 3 cloves
Flour/ Maida: 1 tbsp
Capsicum chopped: 1/2
Mushrooms: 5-6 chopped
Italian seasoning: 1 tsp
Salt
Crushed pepper as per taste
Oil
Mozzarella cheese grated: 2 tbsp

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan. Stir fry capsicum and mushrooms till they are soft. Add salt, pepper and a little Italian seasoning. Set it aside.
2. In the same pan heat a little oil and add garlic (don't burn it). Add Flour stirring continuously. After it turns light brown add butter milk and stir. Keep on low heat for 4-5 mins and stir. Add spinach  puree, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Let it cook for 4-5 mins.
3. Add cheese, pasta  capsicum and mushrooms. Mix well and cook for a couple of mins. 

         Summer is here. I am not a fan of summer but 2 things that summer brings with it are lovely: mangoes and vacation! I will be taking a short vacation soon:-)

38. Corn & Palak Pulao

Final Outcome: Good
        
        This is a very common pulao but I had never made it. There are so many such recipes (eg. Chole Bhature) which I have never cooked before. Chole Bhature is on my list, plan to make it as one of my 200 recipes.

Recipe for Corn & Palak Pulao:
Ingredients
Basmati Rice: 1cup
Palak Puree: about 4 tbsp(1 small bunch)
Corn Kernels: 1/2 cup
Cumin: 1 tsp
Black Pepper: 4-5
Bay leaf: 1
Cinnamon: 1/2 inch
Cloves:2
Ginger Garlic Paste: 1 tsp
Garam masala: 1 tsp
Ghee:1/2 tbsp
Oil 1/2 tbsp
Salt to Taste

Method:
1. Wash Rice and keep aside. Heat Oil and ghee in a pan. Add cumin, black pepper, Bay leaf, Cinnamon, and Cloves. After they turn fragrant add ginger-garlic paste and fry for about a min.
2. Add washed rice and Palak puree. Mix well. Add Corn kernels.
3. Add Garam masala, salt . Add 1.5 cups of water (water is adjusted as we have added palak puree).
4. Cook 2 whistles and serve hot.

        I am losing momentum now. Initially sometimes I tried new recipes back to back, but now its been a week since this pulao that I have tried anything new. I need some recipes.

37. Veggies Dal

Final Outcome: Very Very Tasty!!!

        This is a very tasty dal, completely worth the effort.

Recipe:
Ingredients: (please note all veggies have to be coarsely chopped as shown above)
Toor Dal: 1 cup
Carrots: 2
Potato:1
Raw Banana: 1
Egg Plant/Brinjal: 2
Pumpkin: about 200 gms (a handful of pieces)
Drumstick: 1
Ash Gourd: 7-8 pieces
Cumin: 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder: 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder: 1/2 tsp
Turmeric: A pinch
Garam Masala: 1 tsp
Oil
Salt
For the masala paste
Cumin: 1/2 tsp
Coriander seeds: 1/2 tsp
Grated fresh or dry dry coconut: 1/4th cup

1 or 2 red chilies
Onion chopped: 1
Ginger paste: 1 tsp
Tamarind juice: about 1 tsp
Green Chili: 1

Method
For the masala 
Heat the oil in a pan and add the cumin and coriander seeds. Add the dry red Chile, green Chile and onion and cook. After onion is tender add grated coconut stirring continuously till the mixture becomes golden brown. Add the ginger paste and tamarind paste and blend into a smooth paste. 

For Dal
1. Soak the toor dal for about 30 minutes. Add turmeric powder and 3 cups of water and pressure cook till the dal is done. Once done mash it well.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds. Add the Drumsticks, ash gourd,  potato, carrots . Let it cook (covered) for some time (these veggies take more time to cook).
3. Add raw banana, brinjals, pumpkin, coriander powder, cumin  powder and garam masala and stir for some time. Add water and salt, cover and cook till the vegetables done.
4. Add the cooked dal, masala paste (from above) and about 1 cup of water.
5. Bring it to a boil. Its ready!

        Its 11.30 p.m so no chit-chat. I better get some sleep. Have a very hectic day ahead.
     

36. Chocolate Pudding

Source: Sister in law (Shweta). She bakes amazing cakes.
Final Outcome: Can anyone resist such chocolaty, smooth, sweet temptation????

     I prefer recipes which require easily available ingredients. Shweta knows this so she gave me this recipe. Its amazing!!!!

Recipe:(I made half a measure of this. I have put a picture at the end to show how much pudding was made)

Ingredients

1/4 cup (30gms) cornstarch (Yes corn flour and corn starch are the same . I looked it up)

1/2 cup(100gms) sugar
1/8 tsp salt

3 cups (705ml) milk

6 ounces (170 gms) semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped(Chocolate chips will work, I used Bournville dark chocolate)

1 tsp(5ml) pure vanilla extract(I did not have this but it did not make any difference)

Method:
1. Combine the cornstarch, sugar and salt in the top of a double boiler(for people like me how to make a  'Double boiler': heat water in a broad pan (about half filled). Hold another pan over it with the ingredients). Slowly whisk in the milk, scraping the bottom and sides with a heatproof spatula to incorporate the dry ingredients. Place over gently simmering water and stir occasionally, scraping the bottom and sides. Use a whisk as necessary should lumps begin to form. After 15 to 20 minutes, when the mixture begins to thicken and coats the back of the spoon, add the chocolate. Continue stirring for about 2 to 4 minutes, or until the pudding is smooth and thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

2. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer (or skip this step if you’re a slacker like me) into a serving bowl or into a large measuring cup with a spout and pour into individual serving dishes.

3. Refrigerate covered for about 30 mins.

         Thank you Shweta for this amazing recipe! This is totally different than anything I have ever tried.

        I had mentioned in one of the previous post that I plan on another resolution to go with this one. Here it is:I plan to start running (at least 4 days a week). But the plan has not materialized yet as I keep switching off my alarm! Why is the nap after hitting snooze so sound :-) . Now that I have declared my resolution, I hope it will motivate me. I just realized isn't it funny I speak about workout after such high calorie temptation posted above?

35. Garden - Fruits Salad

Source: Self
Final Outcome: Refreshing and tasty.

        This tasty and healthy salad is without any salad dressing. Look how beautiful it looks! Here's the recipe:

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Lettuce leaves: 1 bunch (washed and hand torn)
Oranges: 2 peeled and segmented
Pomegranate: 1
Bananas: 2-3 (chopped)
Strawberry: 4-5 (I forgot to add it!!!)
Cashew nuts: 6-7 roughly chopped
Sugar: 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Fresh ground pepper: 1 tsp

Method:
In a bowl mix all the ingredients. Leave it for about 5 mins so that salt and sugar mix well with the ingredients and add to the taste.
That's it, its done!

34. Crunchy Peanut Butter & Bhindi Masala

Source: Online searches
Final Outcome: Nice!

        Normally I do not write a lengthy monologue. However this post is going to be an exception. The reason as to why I do not write lengthy monologues is given at the end of this post.
        Okay getting back to the confusing title, they are 2 separate recipes but I am counting it as one. I made Bhindi Masala 2 days ago, but did not post it as my family did not consider this recipe a very innovative and worthy of recognition. I have SPOILT my family!!!. Now to appear on this blog the recipe has to be very good, innovative, tasty etc. Hence nobody (read my husband) bothered to take a picture of the Bhindi:-). 
        I began cooking  about 6 years ago (I was lucky that my mom never pushed me into kitchen and allowed me to concentrate on education. I began cooking only after I was married). Had I made this 6 years back it would have been a favourite. Nevertheless it is a new recipe that I tried. Hence I am combining it with Peanut butter and posting it. These two will be counted as one. Now I have to deal with my family who has got used to new and tasty treats every other day. I never imagined my resolution and blog will have such a side effect :-).
        Peanut Butter: my husband loves it and he missed it in India. So we decided to google the recipe.  I cannot believe its so simple. On a trial basis we made a very small quantity now but will make it again in a larger quantity. Sharing both the recipes here:

Recipe: Crunchy Peanut Butter  
Ingredients:
Handful of peanuts
Oil: 1-2 table spoon (preferably groundnut oil)
Salt: a pinch/ as per your taste
Honey: ~1 table spoon

Method:
1.Coarse grind about 30% of the peanuts , put them aside. These will make the 'crunchy' part of the peanut butter.
2.Fine grind remaining  peanuts. Add salt, honey and oil.
3.Grind again into a fine paste. You may need to add a little more oil and honey to this if the paste appears too dry. 
4. Mix in crunchy peanuts from step 1. Crunchy Peanut butter is ready!

Recipe: Bhindi Masala  
Ingredients:
Bhindi (lady's finger)chopped bite size: 1/2 kg
Onions chopped: 2
Tomato chopped: 1
Ginger Garlic paste: 1/2 tsp
Green chillies: 2-3
Amchoor powder: 1/2 tsp
Garam masala: 1/2 tsp
Dhaniya poweder (coriander powder): 1/2 tsp
Kasoori methi : 1/4 tsp
Fresh coriander to garnish
Oil: 1+1 tbsp
Salt to taste

Method:
1. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan. Add chopped bhindi to it. Cook uncovered for about 5-7 mins till its tender. Add amchur powder to the bhindi and mix. This avoids bhindi from getting sticky. Cook bhindi for a few more mins.
2. Heat 1 tbsp in a pan. Add green chilies and onion and fry till its golden. Add ginger garlic paste and fry till its fragrant. Add chopped tomato. Cook till the tomato is tender and becomes pulpy.
3. Add Garm masala powder, Dhaniya powder and salt  to the cooked onion- tomato gravy.
4. Add cooked bhindi to the above masala and mix well. Keep it on a low heat for 4-5 mins. Add Kasuri methi and mix. Take off from heat and serve with fresh coriander.

        Wow a lengthy post! I think that the reader may be interested in reading the recipe more than my monologue hence I don't write long posts. I add my own little snippets at the end. I have never been a lengthy writer ( I scored well in exams where I was expected to solve problems or multiple choice question formats but not so much in theoretical papers. I think examiners considered me lazy:-)).


        

33. Zucchini pasta with tomato mushroom sauce

Source: http://www.dailygarnish.com/2010/08/zucchini-pasta-with-tomato-mushroom-sauce.html
Final Outcome: Very good!!!

        We always love pasta. This is a very good recipe. I have made some changes to the recipe. 

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Red Onion chopped: 1
White onion chopped: 1
Tomato: 3-4 large
Mushrooms: 1 pack button mushrooms
Baby corn chopped: 5-6
Capsicum chopped: 1
Garlic cloves: 3-4
Italian seasoning: 2 tsp
Zucchini shaved into stripes: 1(I just had 1. 2-3 would have been great).
Pasta boiled: 1 cup
Oil
Salt to taste
Pepper powder to taste

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan. Add garlic and onions and saute. After the the onions turn translucent add baby corn and cook for 5 mins. Add capsicum and mushrooms.
2. Add chopped tomatoes. Let it cook till the tomatoes leave a lot of juice and sauce becomes watery. Add Italian seasoning and salt.
3. Stir fry zucchini stripes in a pan with little oil and season it with salt and pepper.
4. To serve place boiled pasta in a bowl. Pour the above sauce on the pasta. Top it with zucchini stripes. (If you have enough zucchini replace pasta with zucchini stripes).

         I read this article today: Living with less. Nice article. Otherwise it was a normal Monday ( pulled myself out of bed, dragged my feet till almost 8, then rushed to office:-))

       

32. Idly Burger

Source:
Final Outcome: Very good!

        Here comes part 2 of leftover idlies. My mom shallow fried the leftover idly when we were kids. This idly burger is inspired by that.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Idlies leftover: as many burgers as you want. I used 5.
Potato: Cut into thin circular cuts (I used 10 slices, 2 for each burger).
Italian seasoning: 1/2 tsp
Paprika or Chile powder (I used paprika): 1/4th tsp
Cheese slices: 1/2 slice per burger
Salt
Oil

Method:
1. Cut idly into half (circular) in such a way that you have 2 thinner idlies out of one idly.
2. Shallow fry these idlies in oil till they turn golden brown.
3. Fry potato slices until they are cooked. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, paprika and salt over it.
4. Place one slice of idly at the bottom. Place 2 potato slices over it. Place cheese slice over it. Place another idly slice over it to finish the burger. Serve with ketchup.

        I am planning another resolution to go with this one. Will declare it once my leg recovers from the fall. There is a pasta coming up next. After that I plan to make some desserts.

31. Idly Upma (modern version)

Source: My mom and upgraded by my husband
Final Outcome: Good

        This is 1st part of 2 posts relating to use of left over idly. It was a well planned leftover :-) . I wanted to try this dish so I made extra idlies yesterday night. Stored them in refrigerator and made 2 dishes using them. This is the first dish. Giving it a modern twist was my husband's idea.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Idlies: 8-10 (idly is prepared by soaking 1 cup urad dal, 2 cups idly rava and a     tbsp poha over night. Grinding it into fine batter. Allow it to ferment for 5-6 hrs)
Onion chopped: 1/2
Tomato chopped: 1
Capsicum chopped : 1/2
Ginger-Garlic paste: 1/2 tsp
Turmeric: a pinch
Soy sauce: 1 tsp
Oil
Salt
Tomato Ketchup as per taste

Method:
1. Heat oil in a pan add onion and fry. Add tomato, Capsicum, ginger garlic paste. Do not over cook it.
2. Add turmeric and continue to cook for a minute.
3. Add idlies (chopped into medium size pieces).
4. Add salt, Soy sauce and tomato ketchup and take it of heat and serve.

        Updates: I am still limping from my fall. My husband worked on this new look my blog is sporting now.

30. Palak Pappu (Palakuru Pappu)

Source: Colleague
Final Outcome: Good

        One of my colleague gets this amazing pappu in his lunch box. I pestered him for the recipe. Finally got it from someone else. Here it is:

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Palak: 1 bunch washed and chopped
Methi leaves: 1/4th bunch
Toor Dal: 1/2 cup washed
Tomato: 1 chopped
Salt to taste
Oil
Garlic minced: 2
Jeera: 1 tsp
Red chillies: 3-4 (preferably small round one's)
Curry Leaves: 7-8
Mustard: 1/4th tsp
Hing: little
Tamarind juice: 1 tsp (optional)

Method:
1. In a pressure pan (or cooker) add palak, methi, toor dal, tomato and salt and cook 2 whistle or until dal is cooked.
2. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard and jeera seeds. After they begin to splutter add minced garlic,hing, red chilies, curry leaves.(do not burn the garlic)
3. Add tamarind juice to the palak- toor dal preparation and pour hot seasoning over it.

         I started off my day with a bang!!!. Literally... I fell off my 2 wheeler and hurt my knee. I may need 3-4 days to recover. I know I have been grumbling on my blog for the last few weeks....but that's how it has been..Eh.

      

29. Coffee Cake Pudding

Source: self
Final Outcome: Yummy!!!

           This is my first dessert! This is one of the simplest recipes I have made.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Sponge Cake cut into slices: 250 gms
Fresh cream(Amul): 200 ml
Instant coffee powder (Nescafe): 4-5 spoons
Milk warm: 1 cup
Powdered sugar: 2-3 spoons
Chocolate chips chopped: 3-4 spoons

Method:
1. Mix  a spoon of coffee into warm milk. Place about 4-5 sponge cake slices in a container and pour half the milk on it. Let it soak for a few minutes.
2. Add about 3 spoons of coffee and a spoon of sugar into the fresh cream. Mix it gently. Pour half of this mixture on the soaked sponge cake.
3. Prepare another layer by repeating step 1 & 2.
4. Top it with chopped chocolate chips. Refrigerate for about 30 mins before serving.

        Dear 'Silence' where are you??? I miss you so much. I cannot write a single sentence without the chaos around me:-(. I would just love a short vacation from everything. Let me correct myself: I need a long.... very long.... never ending vacation:-(