Protein Shake

Sattu protein drink

Sattu — a staple food from Bihar has now been globally recognized as a magical ingredient and super food. The regional traditional drink also known as “ sattu sharbat” is indeed an energy booster and coolent that protects against the sun stroke and harsh summer. Rich in fiber, low in calories and high in protein, it is a perfect detox drink to cleanse the system. The tangy flavor of sattu sharbat gives an amazing kick to this summer refreshment and it keeps one full for a longer period of time.

Ingredients

Sattu : 4 tsp

Lemon juice : 1 tsp

Green chilli : 1 chopped

Black salt : 1\2 tsp

 cumin powder : 1 tsp

Salt : as required

Water : 2 glass

Step 1 
Take 4 tsp of sattu powder in a bowl.

Step 2
In a separate plate place the rest of the ingredients.

Step 3
 Add those ingredients in the sattu powder.

Step 4
Gradually add the chilled water and with the help of a whisker blend them all together. Stir it until the sattu combines with the rest of the ingredients and is uniform without any lump.

Step 5
Pour it in a glass and enjoy it chill.

Tip

For the sweeter version, add milk and jaggery to the sattu and mix it well.

Stuffed Tandoori Chicken Breast

The stuffed tandoori chicken breast is a contemporary and flavorful twist to the monotonous chicken breast recipe. Its tangy, spicy flavor along with mild sweet stuffing is destined to become one of your favorite chicken preparations. All you have to do is to prepare the stuffing and marinate the chicken with few regular spices easily available in Indian kitchens. Finally grill it in an oven or airfryer and relish this guilt free exciting recipe along with garlic bread to enjoy the best of both the world.

Ingredients

Chicken breast : 2

For the first marination

Lemon juice : 1 tsp

Salt : 1 tsp

For the second marination

Hung curd : 6 tsp

Ginger paste : 1 tsp

Garlic paste : 1 tsp

Red chilli powder : 2 tsp

Salt : as per taste

Kasuri methi : 1 tsp

Ajwain : 1\4 tsp

Tandoori masala : 2 tsp

Mustard oil : 1 tsp

For the stuffing

Fried onion : 2 tsp

Khoya : 2 tsp

Cashew nut : 4 to 5

Green chilli : 2 to 3

Coriander : 1 tsp

Salt : 1\2 tsp

Step 1
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Carefully make a pocket in the chicken breast by making a slit.

Step 2
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Rub the lemon juice and salt in the chicken breast thoroughly. Keep it aside for at least half an hour.

Step 3
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In a bowl combine together hung curd,ginger garlic paste, red chilli powder, kasuri methi, salt, ajwain, tandoori chicken masala and mustard oil. Whisk to make a smooth paste.

Step 4
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Mix the stuffing  together.

Step 5
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Stuff the chicken breast with the khoya mix.

Step 6
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Seal the edges with the tooth prick.

Step 7
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Marinate the chicken with the hung curd mix. Keep it aside and let it rest for a couple of hours.

Step 8
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Grill it on an airfryer at 180 degree c for almost 15 minutes or until done.

Step 9
wp-1599369707754518409041.jpgServe the tender and juicy chicken with bread of your choice

Tip

Marinate the chicken overnight for the best result.

Kesari Makhana Kheer

On the auspicious day of shri Krishna janmashtami ,I wish you all love, happiness and good health. It has almost been two decades since I brought home ladoo Gopal, the childhood form of Krishna  and since then it has been a ritual to celebrate this day with utmost love and devotion. Since lord krishna’s love for sweets is known to all, I decided to cook creamy and rich kesari makhana kheer as an offering on this special occasion. Fox nut or phool makhana is often associated with religious occasions and looked upon as pious and fasting food. Loaded with goodness of essential nutrients and medicinal value too, makhana is indeed our very own Desi super food. The delicious and rich kesari makhana kheer would definitely leave you spell bound with its tantalizing taste and alluring flavor.

Ingredients 

Milk : 1 kg

Makhana : 1 cup

Ghee : 2 tsp

Sugar : 4 tsp

Saffron : 10 to 12 string

Cinnamon powder : a pinch

Step 1
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Roast the phool makhana in ghee until they are crunchy.

Step 2
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Once done let them cool down.separate half the makhana whole and crush the remaining with the help of your hand.

Step 3
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Boil the milk in a thick bottom pan.Add the sugar and simmer it for about five minutes.

Step 4
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Next add the makhana in the milk and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes stirring occasionally on a medium flame. Also add the saffron string and cook the kheer until the makhana softens and milk reaches the desired consistency.

Step 5

wp-1597211206173396364750.jpgKesari Makhana Kheer

Lastly sprinkle the cinnamon powder and enjoy it hot or chilled.

Tip

The crushed makhana will help in thickening of the kheer.

 

Chicken Lollipop

No matter how old you become, when you are with your sibling you revert back to childhood.”

À couple of years back on my visit to my mom’s place, my dearest brother threw a surprise birthday party of mine since I happened to be there on that day almost after two decades. My beloved bhabhi along with her little angels left no stone unturned to make it a memorable one in spite of my father not being around. These little gestures are worth a thousand words. The menu included a fabulous spread but the one dish that stole my heart away was the scrumptious chicken lollipop. Although I had relished it a number of times earlier too, there was something about its taste that made it distinct. Indeed my recipe is borrowed from our hotel chef who willingly shared it with me. Try it yourself to experience the distinctive flavor of chicken lollipop.

Ingredients

Chicken lollipop : 12 pieces

Crushed ginger and garlic : 2 tsp

Onion : 1 thinly diced

Schezwan chutney : 2 tsp

Tomato sauce : 1 tsp

Soya sauce : 1 tsp

Vinegar : 1 tsp

Cournflour : 8 to 10 tsp

Salt : 1 tsp

Oil : for frying

Step 1
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Marinate the chicken lollipop with onion, crushed ginger and garlic, schezwan sauce, tomato sauce, soya sauce, Vinegar, corn flour and salt.

Step 2
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 mix it all together . try not to add water as the moisture of the sauce will help to combine all of them together. Cover it and let it marinate for about an hour.

Step 3
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Deep fry the chicken lollipop in a thick bottom pan on a medium high flame until it is crispy and golden brown.

Step 4
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Enjoy the crunchy chicken lollipop with sauce of your own choice.

Tip

The crushed ginger garlic and diced onion gives a unique flavor to the dish.

Chilka and chutney (Rice and lentil crepe)

The thin and crispy moong dal and rice chilka is a protein rich, high fibre power packed breakfast recipe. My younger sister Jaya makes some amazing chilka and I have borrowed this recipe from her. It is indeed the Indian version of crape where the rice and dal is soaked overnight and then blended into a smooth batter to make light and thin crispy Chilkas. Chilka literally translates peel and since these crepes are as thin as a peel it is probably called so. Combine it with spicy green chilli and garlic chutney to experience the tantalizing taste  to kick start a perfect day.

Ingredients

Rice : 2 cups

Moong dal : 1 cup

Garlic : 4 pod

Ginger : 1 inch

Green chilli : 4

Whole cumin : 1 tsp

Salt

Oil

For the chutney

Green chilli : 8 to 10

Garlic : 15 pod

Salt : 1 tsp

Lemon juice : 1 tsp

Sugar : a pinch

Step 1
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Wash and soak rice and dal overnight.

Step 2
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For the chutney coarsely grind that green chilli, garlic, salt, sugar and oil into paste.

Step 3
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In a mixer jar blend the soaked rice and dal, garlic, ginger, salt and water to make a smooth runny batter. Next add the cumin seeds and mix it all together.

Step 4
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Heat a griddle or tawa and with the help of a ladle spread it like a crepe. Drizzle one tsp oil over it and let it cook until it is golden brown. Flip and cook from the other side too. 

Step 5
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Serve it hot with the chutney of your choice.

Tip

One can also use paneer or vegetables as a stuffing to make it even more healthy and exotic.

The tender and succulent mutton pieces cooked in mustard oil makes it one of the most hearty meals . Enjoy this curry with steamed rice to experience the flavours from bihar.

Bihari Mutton Curry

Adversity makes a person or breaks them. My dearest friend pallavi’s  life has been a roller coaster ride but the way she has emerged victorious needs all the appreciation and acknowledgement. Today she is a successful entrepreneur and runs a very popular catering business named ” Taazi Rasoi ” in Mumbai that has been serving lip smacking bihari mutton curry and in spite of all the other food influences in the city her  signature dish has marked its presence in the food world. She has gracefully shared her secretive recipe and am indeed very grateful to her for the same. The tender and succulent mutton pieces cooked in mustard oil makes it one of the most hearty meals . Enjoy this curry with steamed rice to experience the flavours from bihar.

Ingredients

Mutton : 1 kg

Onion : 400 gms

Bay leaf : 3 to 4

Turmeric powder : 1 tsp

Red chilli powder : 2 tsp

Mustard oil : 4 tsp

Salt : as per taste 

Garam masala powder : 1 tsp

For the masala paste

Coriander seed : 3 tsp

Cumin seeds : 2 tsp

Pepper corn : 1 tsp

Ginger : 1 inch

Garlic : 40 gms

Step 1

In a blender jar make a smooth paste with ginger, garlic, corriander seeds, cumin seeds and pepper corn with approximately 2 tsp of water.
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Step 2
Marinate the mutton with oil, bay leaf, turmeric powder, salt and onion.
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Step 3

Pressure cook the mutton for just one whistle.
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Step 4

Release the pressure and add the ground masala paste along with red chilli powder. Nicely bhuno the mutton along with masala until the masala blends with the masala and oil leaves the side of the pan.
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Step 5

Now add a glass full of water and further pressure cook  on medium flame for about fifteen minutes or until the mutton becomes tender. Finally sprinkle the garam masala powder.
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Step 6

Enjoy the luscious mutton curry with plain steamed rice or Roti.
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Tip

The unbeatable pungent flavour of mustard oil gives the bihari mutton curry it’s distinct taste.

Nutrela Kebab (Veg)

My son’s love for kebabs has made me explore a new variety of veg and nonveg kebabs to keep his palate satisfied. Soyabean is one of the best sources of high protein  and this vegetarian and healthy kebab is an interesting way to include it in your child’s diet.  Nutrela soya may sound very regular but believe me its meaty texture elevates the dish to all together in a new dimension. Made with soya granual and chana dal, this veg kebab is not only  easy to cook but tastes amazing too and makes a great starter.

Ingredients

Soya granules : 100 gms

Chana dal : 150 gms (soaked for an hour)

Red chilli : 3 to 4

Bay leaf : 2

Black pepper : 8 to 10

Ginger : 1 inch

Garlic pod : 4 to 5

Coriander seeds  : 1 tsp

Cumin seed : 1 tsp

Clove : 3 to 4

Cinnamon : 1

Green cardamom : 2

Black cardamom : 1

Onion : 1

Green chilli : 2

Lemon juice : 1 tsp

Coriander leaves

Salt according to taste

Oil for frying

Step 1
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Boil the soya granules for about ten minutes. Strain the water and once cool squeeze the excess water and keep it aside.

Step 2
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Boil the soaked chana dal in one and a half cup water along with whole garam masala, ginger, garlic, bay leaf, coriander seed, cumin seed and salt for one whistle and lower the flame and let it cook for another ten minutes or until the dal becomes soft.

Step 3
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Once done check the dal and if there is excess water boil it further till it evaporates.

Step 4
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When cool separately grind the boiled soya chunks and the dal mixture. Take the mix in a bowl and add thinly sliced onion, green chili, salt, lemon juice along with two tsp oil as it will prevent the mixture from Getting dry.

Step 5
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Now divide it into equal sized balls and make tikkis out of them. Do not forget to apply oil in your palm to prevent the tikkis from sticking in your hand.

Step 6
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Shallow fry them in a medium hot oil until they are golden brown.

Step 7
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Enjoy the soya kebab with your family and friends.

Tip

In case the kebab mixture is soft and difficult to handle then add two tsp of bread crumbs into it.

Keema Kaleji

Keema kaleji

My mother is  a cookbook of simple yet delicious food. She turned seventy five this April and we had planned a grand birthday party but nothing worked out because of the lockdown due to Covid19. Since, left with no other choice to convey my love and respect towards her, I thought of dedicating  this blog  to my dearest mom who has been a consistent guide in my culinary journey. This is indeed our way to convey it that we are blessed with your presence and influence and pray to the almighty for your well being. This Keema kaleji is cooked by her for the blog. It is a very basic recipe with mutton Keema and liver chunk and few simple masalas that is easily available in any Indian household. You may simply accompany the Keema kaleji with any Indian bread or even plain rice.

Ingredients

Mutton Keema :250 gms

Liver chunk : 250 gms

Onion: 3 to 4

Ginger paste: 2 tsp

Garlic paste:1 tsp

Bay leaf: 3

Green cardamom: 4

Black cardamom: 2

Cinnamon stick: 1

Turmeric powder: 1 tsp

Red chilli powder: 1 tsp

Corriander powder: 2 tsp

Garam masala powder: 1 tsp

Curd: 100 gms

Mustard oil: 4 tsp

Salt : as per taste

Step 1
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Heat oil in a pan and add the whole garam masala along with bay leaf.

Step 2
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Once they crackle add the sliced onions and saute it until they get caramelized.

Step 3
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Next add the ginger garlic paste along with the dry masala and saut it until the oil leaves the side of the pan.

Step 4
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Put the Keema kaleji along with curd and saute it . Fry it till the masala and the keema comes together and the raw smell goes away . Then add two cups of water and cover it and let it cook on low flame for about ten minutes.

Step 5

Keema Kaleji
Keema Kaleji

Enjoy the Keema kaleji with roti, paratha or plain rice.

Tip

One can keep the consistency as per their taste 

Baked Aloo Dum

Potato (Aloo)  is amazing and one can never go wrong with it as it is both comforting as well as flavoursome. A cheesy twist to the traditional Indian aloo dum recipe can make all the difference and is impressive enough to be in your menu for the next party. Go ahead with the baked aloo dum recipe whenever you plan to cook something fancier and relish it as a side dish.

Ingredients

Baby potatoes : 10 to 15

Peas : 100 gms

Ginger paste : 1 tsp

Garlic paste: 1 tsp

Mozrella cheese : 200 gms

For the masala paste

Onion : 2

Tomato : 2

Corriander seed : 2 tsp

Cumin seed : 1 tsp

Whole black pepper : 10 to 15

Green cardamom : 2

Black cardamom : 2

Cinnamon stick : 1

Step 1
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Wash the potatoes and par boil them in a pressure cooker for one to two whistle. Once it gets cool Peel off the skin and prick them with the help of a fork.

Step 2
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In a mixie blend all the masalas to make a smooth paste.

Step 3
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Add 4 tsp oil in a thick bottom pan. Once hot add 1 tsp sugar and let it caramelize. Once brown add the potatoes and fry them until they change the colour.

Step 4
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Take it out in an absorbent paper.

Step 5
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Add 2 tsp oil in a karahi and put bay leaf and ginger garlic paste and saute it.

Step 6
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Once done add the masala paste along with turmeric, red chilli powder and salt and saute it properly until the oil leaves the side of the pan and the raw smell of masala goes away.

Step 7
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Add the green peas and cook it with the masala until the peas is soft.

Step 8
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Put the potatoes and cook it with the masala for another five minutes till the masala and the peas blends with the potatoes.

Step 9
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Add ½ cup of water and let it come to a boil.

Step 10
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Transfer it in an oven proof dish.

Step 11
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Sprinkle the grated cheese over the potato mix.

Step 12
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Bake it in a pre heated oven at 170 degree Celsius for twenty minutes or until the cheese melts.

Tip

Add ½ cup milk with 2 tsp of kasuri Methi to give the extra creamy texture.

Mewe ka gosht ( मेवे का गोश्त )

Holi in my native state Bihar is all about vibrant colours and delightful food. We play a lot with colour and eat even more. Right from traditional pua and dahi bara to the scrumptious mutton and puri ……..  Holi has all the essence of fun and frolic. Let’s make this Holi even more colourful with yet another incredible recipe from my dearest aunts ( Mrs Uma Sahay) culinary treasure. She has been kind enough to pass on this recipe with a promise that hopefully I would do full justice to her recipe. Thanks chachi for inspiring me towards this incredible culinary journey. Try this unique recipe step by step and in her words ” dekh maaza.”

Ingredients

For marination

Mutton : 1 kg

Onion : ½ kg cut into roundle

Grated ginger : 2 tsp

Bay leaf : 6

Cinnamon : 1

Black cardamom : 1

Green cardamom : 2

Oil : 4 tsp

Ghee : 2 tsp

Salt : as required

Dry fruit Paste

Cashew nuts : 6 piece

Almonds : 6 piece

Pistachio : 8 piece

Khus khus : 2 tsp

Ghee : 1 tsp

Garam masala paste

Cinnamon : 1

Black cardamom : 1

Green cardamom : 2

Clove : 4

Black pepper : 5 to 6

Mace ( javitri) : ¼ tsp

Nutmeg ( jaifal ) : 1

Saffron : 10 to 12 string soaked in 4 tsp warm milk

Step 1DCIM100GOPROGOPR0141.JPGMarinate the mutton and keep it aside for at least an hour. In a thick bottom pan cook the mutton on high heat for ten minutes and then reduce the flame and cover the lid and let it cook for at least half an hour stirring occasionally.

Step 2
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Soak the saffron in warm milk and keep it aside.

Step 3
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In a pan add one tsp ghee and roast the dry fruits.

Step 4

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0145.JPGGrind these roasted nuts along with khus khus and 2 spoon of milk and make a smooth paste of it.

Step 5DCIM100GOPROGOPR0142.JPGGrind the garam masala.

Step 6
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After half an hour once the mutton is tender add the garam masala paste and cover the lid so that mutton may infuse all the flavour.

Step 7
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In another 5 minutes remove the lid and add the dry fruit paste along with soaked kesar and cover it and let it cook until the all the flavour comes together and the mutton is soft and cooked.

Step 8

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Enjoy the mewe ka gosht with rumali roti or laccha paratha.

Tip 

Do not add water to the mutton since it would release its own broth and let the cooking be done in the same.

The dry fruit paste will thicken the gravy and give it a valvety texture.