Paneer Chicken Masala

Things you will need :

• Boneless Skinless Chicken
• Fried Paneer - 1/2 cup; cut into small pieces
• Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
• Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder -1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder- 1 tsp
• Garam Masala Powder- 1 tsp
• Cinnamon powder- 1 tsp
• Cloves powder- 1 tsp
• Onion- 1 large; diced
• Dry Red Chillies - 2
• Green Chillies- 2 or 3 ; slit
• Curry Leaves- few;
• Garlic- 3 or 4 pods ; chopped
• Ginger -1 inch piece; finely chopped or grated
• Cilantro - few , chopped for garnishing
• Oil/Ghee - 1 tbsp
• Tomatoes - 2 diced
• Salt to taste
• Lime Juice - 1 tsp
• Kasoori Methi - 1 tsp

Preparation Method:

• Heat oil/ghee in a pan.
• Add cumin seeds, ginger, onions and garlic.
• Once golden brown , add curry leaves and green chillies and sauté .
• Keeping low-medium flame, add turmeric, coriander, red chilli, cinnamon, cloves and garam masala powder and stir until it looses its raw smell.
• Now add the chicken , salt and 1/4 cup water.
• Bring this to a boil and cook until chicken is nice and tender .
• Then add fried paneer and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
• Now add lime juice and kasoori methi and after a final stir garnish with cilantro.

Daal / Lentil Curry ( Version 1 )

Things you will need:

• Toor Daal- 1/2 cup
• Chana Daal- 1/2 cup
• Garam Masala- 1 tsp
• Coriander powder- 1 tbsp
• Red Chilli powder- 1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder- 1 tsp
• Kasoori Methi- 1 tsp
• Dudhi/ Bottle Gourd - 1/2 cup; peeled,de-seeded and cut into small bite-size pieces
• Carrots - 1/2 cup
• Onion- 1 large ; diced
• Green Chillies- 3 or 4 ; slit in half
• Dry Red whole chillies- 2
• Mustard Seeds- 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
• Tomatoes- 1 diced
• Ginger paste- 1 tsp
• Jaggery- 1/2 inch square cube
• Oil- 1 tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Cilantro - few for garnishing

Preparation Method:

• Pressure cook Toor daal and Chana daal together until they are completely mashed. This might take a few minutes. Make sure there is enough water in the pressure cooker for the daals to cook well.
• In another pan , heat oil and add mustard seeds,cumin seeds, dry red chillies.Wait till they splutter.
• Now add onions, green chillies, tomatoes,ginger paste and saute well.
• Then add Garam Masala,Coriander powder,Red Chilli powder,Turmeric Powder and saute well on low flame.
• Add carrots, dudhi and cook well on medium-high flame.
• Once the veggies are cooked, add daal along with 3/4 cup water, salt ,kasoori methi, jaggery and let it boil. Then simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Garnish with cilantro and serve with Chappathi or Rice.

Kovakka Mezhukkupuratti

Things you will need:

• Kovakka - 2 lbs ; each cut lengthwise into 4 pieces
• Onion- 1 large;diced
• Curry Leaves
• Turmeric powder- 1tsp
• Crushed Red Chilli -1 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Mustard Seeds- 1 tsp
• Green Chillies- 3 or 4 ; slit in half lengthwise
• Ginger Paste- 1 tsp
• Oil- 2 tbsp

Preparation Method:

• Heat oil in a pan.
• Add mustard seeds and wait till they splutter.
• Now add onion , green chillies,curry leaves and crushed red chillies.
• Once onion is brown in color,add turmeric powder and ginger paste and stir until the raw smell is gone.
• Turn the heat to medium-high and add kovakka pieces and stir.
• Cover the pan and cook for 3 mins.
• Stir occassionally.
• Now add salt and cook covered in low-medium heat for 4 to 5 mins.
• Stir well and make sure there is no water content in the pan.
• Do a taste test and add salt if necessary.
• 'Kovakka Mezhukkupuratti' is now ready to be served with warm rice and curry like Sambhar or serve with an indian bread Chappathi.

Bitter Gourd Crisps ( Pavakka Kondattam )

For this method, you will need a lot of sunlight for it to be really crispy.

Preparation Method:

Cut the Bitter Gourd into very thin slices.



Dust each piece with red chilli powder and salt . Make sure its dusted evenly on both sides. Spread this out on a sheet and set this outside under direct sunlight until its completely dry. You can prepare this in large quantities and store them in a air tight container . Deep fry a couple of handfuls and serve as a accompaniment to rice meal.

Yummy Chicken Manchurian

Things you will need :

• Chicken - 1 lb ; cut into bite-size pieces
• All Purpose flour (Maida)- 1/2 cup
• Corn Flour- 1/2 cup
• Salt to taste
• Pepper Powder- 1 tsp
• Green Chillies- 2 or 3 ; finely chopped
• Garlic-5 pods ; finely chopped
• Ginger- 1 inch piece; finely grated
• Onion- 1 medium size; diced
• Green Onion - few; finely chopped
• Soy Sauce- 2 tbsp
• Tomato Ketchup - 2 tbsp
• Chilli Garlic Paste- 1 tbsp
• Oil -for deep frying and gravy

Preparation Method :

• Using water mix all purpose flour, corn flour, pepper powder and salt into a fine paste.
• Mix the chicken pieces in the paste and set aside for half hour.
• Now deep fry till the pieces turn golden brown on all sides.
• Heat 2 tbsp oil in the same pan and add the ginger, garlic and onions and stir till onion turns golden brown.
• Add green chillies and stir again.
• Now add soy sauce,chilli garlic paste and tomato ketchup.
• Stir well for 3 mins.
• Now add the fried chicken pieces and mix well.
• Garnish it with green onions and cilantro.
• Serve 'Chicken Manchurian' hot with Chappathi/Indian Bread or Naan.