Homely Platter

  INGREDIENTS: For making the paste: Green Peas 2 cups Bengal Gram (Chana Dal) 1 cup, soaked for 4-5 hours Gram Flour 1 tbsp (optional, for binding) Nigella Seeds 1/2 tsp Asafoetida (Hing) 1 pinch Ginger Paste 1 tbsp Green Chilis 1-2 slit Roasted Cumin Powder 1/2 tsp Salt to taste  Sugar 1 tsp Mustard Oil 1 tbsp For the Gravy: Potatoes 2 medium, cubed Bay Leaf 1 Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp Cashews 8-10 ground to a smooth paste Ginger Paste 1 tbsp Tomato 1 pureed Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp Red Chili Powder 1/2 tsp Cumin-Coriander Powder 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder 1/2 tsp Hing 1 pinch Salt to taste Sugar 1/2 tsp Mustard Oil 2-3 tsp, and for deep frying the dhokas METHOD: Serving size: 5-6 Grind green peas, chana dal, and green chilis into a smooth paste. Heat mustard oil in a pan and temper it with nigella seeds and hing. Add the ginger paste and saute for a while. Add the ground paste along with the roasted cumin powder, sugar, and salt.  Cook on a low-medium heat, stirring continuous...

  INGREDIENTS: Paneer 250 grams (cut into cubes or thick strips Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder 2 tsp  Black Pepper Powder 1/2 tsp Coriander Powder 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder 1/2 tsp Kasoori Methi (crushed) 1 tsp Oil 1 tsp (for marinating paneer) Salt to taste Gram Flour (Besan) 1 cup Rice Flour 2 tbsp Baking soda, a pinch Oil for deep-frying Water as needed to make batter Cornflakes 2 cups, lightly crushed METHOD: Serving size: 4-5 In a bowl, combine paneer with turmeric powder, 1 tsp red chili powder, pepper powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, kasoori methi, coriander leaves, oil, and salt. Mix gently and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Mix besan, rice flour, baking soda, remaining chili powder, salt, and 1 tbsp hot oil (for extra crisp texture). Slowly pour in water while whisking continuously to create a smooth, thick, lump-free batter. Let it rest for 8-10 minutes. Dip paneer pieces into the batter. Roll in the crushed cornflakes and slide gentl...

INGREDIENTS: Paneer 200 grams, grated Potato 1 large, boiled  All-purpose Flour 2 tbsp Ginger, 1 inch grated Green Chilis 1-2 finely chopped Coriander Leaves chopped 1-2 tbsp Salt to taste Sugar 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds 1 tsp Onion 1 paste Ginger-Garlic Paste 1 tbsp Tomato 1 pureed Cashew Paste 2 tbsp Red Chili Powder 1 tsp Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp Coriander Powder 1 tsp Kasoori Methi 1 tsp Oil METHOD: Serving Size: 4-5 Mash the potatoes very smooth. Add the grated paneer, all-purpose flour, ginger, green chilis, salt, and coriander leaves. Mix gently and shape into small balls. Shallow-fry or deep-fry the koftas until light golden.  Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds. Once they begin to crackle, stir in the onion paste and the ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw aroma disappears. Add tomato puree and the dry spice powders. Cook till the oil separates. Add the cashew paste and 1 cup of hot water. Simmer for 5-6 minutes.  Once the gravy thickens s...

  INGREDIENTS: Basmati Rice 2 cups (cooked and cooled) Shrimp 10-12 (cleaned and deveined) Spinach Leaves 2 cups Oil 1 tbsp Butter 1 tbsp Cumin Seeds 1 tsp Onion 1 large, finely sliced Green Chili 1-2 finely chopped Ginger Paste 1 tsp Garlic 5-6 cloves minced Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp Salt and Black Pepper Powder to taste METHOD: Serving Size: 4-5 Blanch the spinach leaves for 30-40 seconds. Transfer immediately to ice-cold water to retain the green color. Drain and blend into a smooth paste. Sauté the shrimps on medium-high heat per side until just pink. Season them with salt and pepper. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, melt the butter, add cumin seeds, and let them splutter. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion turns translucent. Add green chili and ginger paste and cook until aromatic.  Stir in the spinach puree, turmeric and salt. Cook uncovered on medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Avoid overcooking to maintain the vibrant green color. Add the cooked rice and...

  INGREDIENTS: Rice 2 cups cooked and cooled Pre-cooked Shrimp and Broccoli (lightly coated in white sauce) 1 cup Oil 1 tsp Salt as required Black Pepper to taste Lemon Juice, a few drops Panko Breadcrumbs 1-2 tbsp METHOD: Serving Size: 3-4 Toast the breadcrumbs until light golden and crisp. Remove and set aside. Roughly chop the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a wok. Add the chopped broccoli and shrimp, along with the white sauce.  Warm gently and add the cooked rice. Toss for 1-2 minutes until everything is mixed. Season with black pepper and salt only if needed. Finish with a few drops of lemon juice. Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs and a pinch of black pepper on top. Serve with cucumber-sesame salad, along with two small bowls of chili oil and soy sauce. NOTE: This recipe is ideal for using up leftover broccoli and shrimp in a light white sauce.

  INGREDIENTS: Bread Slices 4 slices Eggs 2 Milk 1/4 cup Vanilla Essence 1/2 tsp Sugar 1 tbsp Salt a pinch Butter or Oil for cooking METHOD: Serving size: 3-4 In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla essence until well combined. Melt butter in a pan on medium heat.   Dip each slice into the mixture for a few seconds, then transfer it to the pan. Cook the bread slices until golden brown on both sides. Lightly dust with powdered sugar, top with banana and orange compote, and serve warm with honey, maple syrup or caramel syrup, and fresh fruits.