Meatballs with Spaghetti

Self cooking photograph

Sauce:
tomatoes	1 can, puree
onion	1 small, chopped
lemon	1
parsley	2tbsp
oregano	2tbsp
salt	to taste
red chili powder	1tsp
green chili	1, chopped
oil	2tbsp
Meatballs:
minced meat	1/2 kg/ lean lamb
bread crumbs	1/2 cup
gram flour	1 tbsp
egg	1
milk	1 tbsp
ginger garlic paste	1 tsp
black pepper	1 tsp, crushed
fresh mint	2 tbsp, chopped
fresh coriander	1 tbsp
salt	to taste
cheddar cheese	1 tbsp
Method:
Mix together all the meatball ingredients except the minced meat.
Now add the ground meat and just mix to combine.
Divide meat mixture into 12 portions and shape into balls.
Makes 12 balls.
In a pan, preheat the oil and light fry meatballs until light golden color; keep aside.
Method for Sauce:
Heat oil, add onion and fry until light golden.
Add tomato puree, a half cup of water and the rest of the ingredients except lemon; stir for 30 seconds.
Now add meatballs, cover and cook on low heat for 30 minutes on low heat.
Stir occasionally with a gentle hand not to break balls.
When meat is completely cooked and gravy is turning thicker, squeeze in lemon; stir.
Remove from heat and serve hot with cooked spaghetti.
Serves 4.

Chargha

Self cooking photograph

chicken	1-1/2 kg, whole
yogurt	1/2 cup
garlic/ ginger paste	1 tbsp
peeled tomato	1 large, round thinly sliced
tamarind	5
black-pepper	1tsp - whole
nutmeg powder	1/4 tsp
clove	5
cinnamon stick	1, 1 inch
carom seeds	1/4 tsp
black cardamom	1, medium
cumin seeds	1 tsp
coriander powder	1 tsp
red chili powder	2 tsp
turmeric power	1/4 tsp
salt	to taste
sesame seeds	1 tbsp, roasted
oil	2 tbsp
Method:
Remove the skin and clean the chicken completely.
Note: Rinse the chicken in cold water. Do not use hot or warm water, as water with any increased temperature can lead the promotion of bacterial growth. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Make cuts with a sharp knife.
Mix garlic/ ginger paste with yogurt along with all the whole and powdered spices.
Apply this mixture well to the chicken even into the cuts.
Now heat oil in a wok and place the chicken in breast side down.
Add thinly sliced tomato and tamarind, mix well; cover the lid and let it cook in its own water on low heat.
(Add a little water if needed)
Occasionally turn the sides of the chicken carefully.
Once its tender and water is completely dry, take out the chicken onto a lightly greased baking tray.
Spread the remaining gravy along with oil on top of the chicken.
Sprinkle the roasted sesame seeds evenly.
Bake it for atleast 30 minutes on 180 C in a preheated oven or until its golden brown.
Serve it with raita and salad on the side.
Option: Stuff boiled eggs in the hollow stomach of the chicken ;)
Serves 4.

Pizza Yummy - Father's Day Special

Self cooking photograph

Celebrate Father's Day with yummy & easy Pizza to impress the very important figure in your life, your Daddy! Be a proud daughter of a proud father; like me :)

Everyone loves pizza no matter which part of the world you belong. Pizza is always in demand in my friends & family especially my husband, they just love the way I make it. All thanks for someone who taught me how to make it perfect.
Note: It can also be made without meat (only vegetables) but make sure the paste is made perfect.

Base:
all purpose flour	450g
instant yeast	2tsp
sugar	1tsp
butter	2tbsp
salt	1tsp
oil	3tbsp
egg	1
luke warm water	1/2pint - approx
Tomato Paste:
red big tomatoes	1/2kg, chopped
ginger/garlic paste	1/2tsp
onion	1/2 medium, chopped
red chilli powder	1/2tsp
salt	1/2tsp
oregano	1/2tsp
oil	2tbsp
sugar	1tsp
Meat Topping:
mince meat	1/2kg
(if chicken then use very small chicken cubes)
ginger/garlic paste	2tsp
red chilli flakes	1tsp
salt	to taste
oil	2tbsp
Final Topping:
capsicum	1, thinly sliced
onions	2, chopped
tomato	1, sliced
black olives	1 cup, sliced
corns	1 cup - optional
mushrooms	1/2cup,sliced - optional
green chillies	4, chopped
shredded cheese	2 cups
(Note: I like pizza with heavy topping but you can skip any vegetable depending on your choice.)
Method:
Base:
Mix everything together except water.
Rub with hands till it resembles breadcrumbs.
Mix in water lightly and make a ball; keep in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
(Usually I keep it in the microwave)
* Meanwhile, prepare tomato paste.
Tomato Paste:
Heat oil in a pan, add onions, garlic and ginger paste.
Cook until onions are soft.
Add finely chopped tomatoes and remaining ingredients, simmer.
Leave it uncovered, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes on high flame or until its thick.
(If you want, you can also add 4tbsp of chilli garlic sauce to enhance the taste.)
Keep it aside and let it cool.
Meat Topping:
Heat oil and add minced meat; cook for 2 minutes.
Add garlic, ginger, red chilli flakes, green chillies and salt; strir fry for 2-3 minutes.
When meat is almost dry and tender, add onions and mix well; stir for 1 minute.
Remove from heat and set aside.
Completion:
When dough is double of its size, knead it until smooth and elastic.
Divide the dough into 3 parts and roll out each to fill your pans.
Let these stand for 20 minutes and poke lightly with a fork.
Spread tomato paste evenly over 3 pizza bases.
Sprinkle cheese evenly.
Now layer the cooked meat evenly over the tomato paste on each dough.
Mix all vegetables together and sprinkle over equally except tomato.
Layer sliced tomato on top.
You can also sprinkle more cheese as final layer on top.
Bake these pizzas in a preheated oven at 200 C for 20 minutes or until crust is cooked underneath and is golden brown.
Serve hot.
Makes 3 large pizza.
	Happy Father's Day!

Turkish Shawarma

Self cooking photograph

An easy and healthy treat ;)
Bread:
allpurpose flour	1/2kg
sugar	1tsp
salt	1tsp
yeast	2tsp
oil	3tbsp
Luke warm water to make dough.
Method:
Mix everything together except water.
Now add enough water to make dough.
(Don’t knead too hard)
Cover the dough with a cling wrap and keep it in warm place for 1 to 2 hour.
Now knead again until smooth.
Divide the dough into 15 portions.
Sharp each portion into a ball and roll out into an oval.
Transfer the bread to lightly floured baking tray.
Let it stand for 10 minutes.
Bake in preheated oven at 230 C for 10 minutes or until puff.
Chicken Filling:
chicken boneless	1 kg, small cubes
ginger/garlic paste	1tbsp
onions	2, chopped
capsicum	1, chopped
green chillies	7, chopped - adjust ur taste
blackpepper	1/2tsp, crushed
red chilli flakes	1tsp
lemon juice	2 tbsp
oil	1tbsp
Method:
Marinate the chicken with garlic, ginger, green chillies for half an hour.
Heat oil in a pan and fry onions till transparent.
Now add marinated chicken and cook until chicken is tender.
Add capsicum, black pepper, red chilli flakes and lemon juice.
Mix well and cook on low heat for 3 minutes.
Now fill all the oval pockets with cooked chicken.
Serve with relish/ salad, mint sauce and ketchup.
Relish/ Salad:
lettuce	some leaves chopped
onions	2,  chopped
tomatoes	2, chopped
cucumber	2, chopped
green chillies	4, chopped
Seasoning:
vinegar	1tsp
sugar	1tsp
salt	1/4tsp
lemon juice	1tbsp
pinch of blackpepper
Method:
Mix seasoning and toss it with chopped vegetables.
Serve it with 15 shawarma along with sauces.
Serves 6 to 7 (2 pockets each).