Methi pulao

Take oil in the pressure pan, give a tadka of rai, jeera. Fry some chopped onions ( i used spring onion for this) then add a chopped tomato. when slightly mushy, add some peas and a chopped potato. then add chopped methi leaves and fry for some time. Add red chilly powder and vangibaath powder and salt, add rice, required amount of water and a bit of lime juice. Pressure cook as you usually do for pulaos and enjoy !

Pasta in white sauce

This is just my take on white sauce pasta...
cook macroni with salt and a little oil in water till done. then drain the water.
in another pan, take some oil, add chopped spring onions, then capsicum, carrots, mushrooms ( all finely chopped, can add any vegetable of your choice). add salt, chilli flakes and pepper powder as per taste. then add a little milk and grated cheese ( i used britannia cheese which i generally have at home) and cook till the milk thickens. add the cooked macroni and mix well. add oregano and adjust seasoning.
then take in a bowl and grate cheese on top and bake at 180 deg till the cheese melts ..
this pic was taken before the last step...

dal fry - 2

This is my signature dal dish ! all time fave at home and easy to make !!

in a pressure pan take some oil and add chopped garlic ( or jeera)  when brown, add chopped green chillies,  add chopped tomato, fry for a minute. then add moong dal.  and  some haldi  salt and water.  cover and cook for one whistle and then immediately drop pressure.  mix the  dal well, add some lime and garnish with coriander leaves.

karram kurram charmuro !

this is for the hunger pangs or something light and crunchy to have with tea !!

in a big kadai take oil and add rai, jeera (optional) and chutney dal and ground nuts.  and fry till the dals are well done.  can add bits of cashews too.. add curry leaves and red chillies.  then add haldi pwd, red chilli powder and salt,  add puffed rice and mix well and fry for a couple of minutes.  check seasoning and let it cool and store in air tight containers.
can add finely cut copra pieces too while adding nuts !

Dal Fry -1

This recipe is from my friend Chandrika Kini.  She uses just tuar dal , i added a spoon of moong dal and masoor dal each, along with 2 spoons of chana dal.

Cook the dals ( i cup tuar dal and the other dals if u so wish), with haldi jeera kadi patta and salt.

then prepare a tadka of onions, jeera green chillies, hing chilli powder. add salt and simmer.
 finally add lime juice and dhania  ! ( she has said that tomatoes can be added but i have not added).

Vegetable Biryani

this is adapted from the recipe 'egg biryani'.  instead of eggs i used mixed vegetables (also soya chunks).

Make greeen masala by grinding ginger, green chillies, garlic, coriander leaves and mint leaves.

cut all vegetables and prepare the soya chunks too.

fry long chopped onions till crispy.

Heat oil and ghee in the pressure cooker (or pan).

 Add whole garam masala ( cloves, green cardamom, cinamom, start anise, mace )

add slit cashew bits and slit green chillies.  fry for a while.

Add chopped onions and when brown add chopped tomatoes and fry till mushy.

 add soaked basmati rice ( soaked for ten minutes)and fry for a minute.

add the green masala, salt, haldi and garam masala mix well. ( I used Abhi ruchi biryani powder)

add the required quantity of water and pressure cook.

serve hot with raita of your choice.