Grilled Fish with Steamed Potato

Self cooking photograph

Self cooking photograph

boneless fish	4 fillets
olive oil	1/2 cup
Sauce:
lemon juice	1/4 cup
vinegar	1 tbsp
cumin powder	1/2 tsp
red pepper	1/2 tsp
red chili flakes	1/2 tsp
black pepper	1/2 tsp, crushed
salt	to taste
garlic	3 cloves, chopped
mint	1 tsp, chopped
dried rosemary	a pinch (optional)
On the Side:
baby potatoes	4, steamed
tomatoes	2
green beans	5 - 6 steamed
sour cream	1 tbsp
lemon wedges
Method:
Combine all the ingredients (sauce) in a big container.
Add half of the oil in the sauce; mix well.
Marinate the fish for minimum 30 minutes.
Once the griller is ready, brush just a little oil on the cooking surface or grills.
Arrange fish fillets on the griller and now brush with the sauce.
Grill for 4 to 5 minutes on each side or as per your choice.
Now place tomatoes on the griller.
Remove once the fish is cooked.
Heat the remaining marinade to the boiling point and serve on the side along with the fish.
Garnish with lemon wedges and sour cream.
Serve with steamed vegetables and grilled tomatoes on the side
Serves 2.

Yellow Daal Makhni

Self cooking photograph

split mung beans	175gram, soaked
split orange pea	3 tbsp, soaked
onion	1 large, sliced
tomato	1 medium, sliced
garlic/ ginger paste	1tsp
coriander powder	1tbsp
red chili powder	1-1/2tbsp
turmeric powder	1/4tsp
salt	to taste
green chilies	5 - 6, whole
fresh cream	1 tbsp - optional
oil	1/2 cup
For Tempering:
cumin seeds	1 tsp
round red chilies	5, whole
garlic cloves	5
For Garnishing:
fresh coriander	2 tbsp, chopped
ginger julienne	1 tbsp
fresh cream	1 tsp
Method:
Heat half oil in a pressure cooker and fry onions until golden.
Add garlic/ ginger paste; saute for 1 minute.
Add red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric and salt; mix well.
Add daals, tomato, green chilies and 3 cups of water.
Boil on high heat for 5 minutes and then put on pressure for atleast  20 to 30 minutes.
Note: Daal should be very smooth and mashed.
Turn off heat, release the pressure and add fresh cream; mix well.
Note: Fresh cream can be skipped to make it simple daal.
Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan, fry all the ingredients for tempering together for about 1- 1/2 minute.
Pour it over the cooked lentil curry, cover and cook for 10 minutes on a very low flame.
Garnish before serving.
Serves hot with boiled rice.
Serves 4 to 6.

Lemon Vanilla Yogurt Muffins

Self cooking photograph

Super moist and light!
all purpose flour	2 cup
sugar	1 cup
salt	1/4 tsp
baking soda	1/2 tsp
butter	1/2 cup
eggs	2
vanilla essence	1 tsp
lemon zest	1 lemon
yogurt	1 cup
Method:
Preheat oven on 180 degrees C.
Line a muffin tray with liners.
Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
In another bowl whisk together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add in lemon zest, vanilla essence and yogurt; mix well.
Now stir in the dry flour mixture and mix until well combined.
Note: Do not over mix.
Pour the batter evenly about 3/4 full into the lined muffin cups.
Bake for  20 minutes or until a thin skewer inserted in the center comes out dry.
Let the muffins cool completely before serving.
Makes 12 to 14.

Potato Tortilla

Self cooking photograph

large potatoes	5, cut into round slices
large onion	2, chopped
eggs	6
capsicum	1, cut into strips
salt	to taste
garlic	5 cloves
black pepper	1/2 tsp
oil	3/4 cup
Method:
Heat oil in a frying pan and fry onions for a few minutes until light pink.
Now add potatoes and cook them covered on a very low heat for 10 to 15 minutes until tender.
Stir occasionally.
In a separate bowl whisk eggs, season and pour over potatoes.
Sprinkle capsicum strips on top.
Cook uncovered on low heat until the sides start to cook and firm.
Flip the tortilla and let the other side cook for a few minutes until it gets firmed.
Turned off the heat and serve hot.
Serves 6.

Healthy Green Rice

Self cooking photograph

green capsicum	2, cut into cubes
broccoli	10 florets
green chili	5, slit
green peas	1 cup
green broad beans	1/2 cup
french beans	10, cut into halves
onion	2, sliced
salt	to taste
oil	2 tbsp
rice	2 cups, boiled
Note: any green veges of your choice can be used.
Method:
Heat oil in a deep pan and fry onions for 1 minute.
Add broccoli, french beans, broad beans and peas; saute for 1 minute.
Add 1/4 cup water and cover the lid; cook on low heat until veges are just tender.
Note: All veges should remain a little crunchy; mashed would not taste good.
Now uncover, add chilies, capsicum and salt.
Continuously saute for 1 minute; water dries up.
Add boiled rice, mix well and cook till heated through.
Note: Do not break the rice while mixing.
Serve hot and enjoy.
Serves 4.

Coffee Cream souffle

Self cooking photograph

large eggs	3, separated
brown sugar	1/2 cup
instant coffee	1 tbsp
gelatin powder	1-1/2 tsp
cream	1 cup
water	1/2 cup
chocolate	grated to decorate
Method:
In a bowl cream egg yolks with sugar.
Make gelatin through double boiling method and add coffee once gelatin is dissolved.
Or
Mix coffee and gelatin powder in boiling water until dissolved.
In a separate bowl whisk egg whites until stiff.
In another separate bowl whip the cream until thick.
Now fold egg whites into cream.
Add coffee mixture in egg yolks mixture and combine/ fold in egg whites mixture.
Pour into a dish and keep in the fridge until set.
Decorate with grated chocolate and serve.
It can also be served with a cake.
Serves 6.

Garlic Bread with Cheese

Self cooking photograph

baguette	1
garlic cloves	8
olive oil	1/2 cup
parsley/ coriander	2 tbsp - fresh
mozzarella	100 g - shredded
parmesan cheese	1 tbsp - shredded (optional)
Method:
Preheat oven on 180 degrees C.
Line a tray with foil.
Blend together garlic,oil and parsley (or coriander) to make a puree.
Slice the baguette into 2 (length wise) and spread the puree on both sides.
(Do not use the entire puree)
Now close the bread like a sandwich and wrap it in aluminium foil; bake for about 10 minutes.
Now open the bread again, sprinkle the mozzarella over the top of both slices.
Now dust with parmesan and bake it again for 10 to 15 minutes or until the top is light golden brown.
(Do not cover with foil this time)
Wait for atleast 10 minutes before slicing and serve.
Serves 4 to 6.

Chicken Francese/ Chicken Francaise

Self cooking photograph

Easy, tender, light and lemony…heavenly.
chicken breast	2 pieces, butterfly cut
egg	1
flour	1/2 cup
chicken stock	1/2 cup
lemon juice	1/2 cup
salt	to taste
black pepper	to taste
oil	2tbsp
butter	1tbsp
dried rosemary	1tsp
baby potatoes	2, wedges (optional)
Method:
Whisk egg along with salt and pepper; set aside.
Mix flour with salt and pepper; set aside
Dredge the chicken in the flour to coat both sides and then soak into the egg both sides.
Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat and add in chicken; cook for 4 minutes on each side (golden brown).
Note: Only flip the chicken once.
Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover them with foil; set aside.
Now fry potatoes in the same oil until well cooked and golden brown.
Transfer wedges into the serving plate.
Now again in the same pan add stock and lemon juice and let it cook until it thickens.(adjust the seasoning)
Add the butter, dried rosemary and continue to cook until the sauce is much thicker.
Add the chicken into the sauce and cook again for just 1 minute.
Transfer to the same serving dish along with potato wedges and serve.
Serves 2.
Note:
U can skip wedges cooking part. I like wedges that’s why made it that way. People also serve it with pasta & rice.

Qeema Fry/ Minced Meat Fry

Self cooking photograph

minced meat	1kg, beef or mutton
green peas	1 cup, boiled
onions	2 medium, chopped
garlic paste	1-1/2 tbsp
ginger paste	1tbsp
green chillies	4, chopped
blackpepper or red chilli powder - as per taste
coriander powder	1tsp - leveled
cumin powder	1tsp
salt	to taste
oil	3/4 cup
fresh coriander	1tbsp - for garnishing
ginger julienne	1tbsp - for garnishing
Method:
Heat oil and fry onions until golden brown.
Add in minced meat, garlic paste, ginger paste, black pepper powder, cumin and coriander powder.
Stir fry continuously for 15- 20 minutes.
Add one cup of water, cover and cook on low heat for another 20 minutes.
Stir occasionally until the minced meat is tender; add more water if required.
Uncover, increase flame and stir occasionally till the oil separates from the meat.
Add boiled peas and green chillies; stir frequently for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat; garnish with fresh coriander and ginger julienne.
Serve hot with naan, chapati or bread and lemon on the side.
Serves 6 to 8.
Note: To make Keema Curry you just have to add 3 chopped tomatoes in it. Boiled potatoes cut into 2 inch cubes can also be added additionally in Keema Curry along with or without peas.