Chicken Cutlet

Delicious, juicy and crispy chicken cutlet is  a fried patty that is served as a starter or even main course. This amazing recipe is from my mom’s kitchen that I have been enjoying since my childhood days. The love for the dish has graciously passed on to the generation next and my boys too love this scrumptious home made Indian style chicken cutlet. Quite often I make and store it in the freezer so that my son’s can have it whenever they wish. I have just used boneless chicken and a few regular spices available in any Indian household. My family relishes cutlets along with garlic bread but believe me it tastes amazing even with rotis and parathas.

Ingredients

Boneless chicken : 500 gms

Onion : 2

Ginger garlic paste : 1 tsp

Green chili : 4 to 5

Lemon juice : 1 tsp

Coriander leaves : 2 tsp

Mint leaves : 10 to 12

Black pepper : 1 tsp

Garam masala powder : ¼ tsp

Flour : 4 tsp

Bread crumbs : for coating

Oil for frying

Salt to taste.

Step 1

Wash the chicken pieces and pat them dry.

Step 2 

Grind into a semi smooth paste.

Step 3

Heat a tsp of oil in a pan. Add onion and saute for a couple of minutes. To this add the sliced green chili, ginger garlic paste, pepper, mint and coriander leaves, garam masala and salt. Cook them all together for about 2 to 3 minutes and then switch off the flame.

Step 4

Pour the onion mixture on the minced chicken. Add the lemon juice and mix it well until they all come together. Add a soaked and drained bread to it so that it works as a binding agent.

Step 5

Grease your palm and make equal sized balls. Next press and give the cutlets the desired shape.

Step 6

Mix the maida and water to make a slurry. In a separate plate spread the bread crumbs. First dip the cutlet in the slurry and the roll it in the breadcrumbs to evenly coat the cutlets.

Step 7

Heat oil in the frying pan and fry the cutlets until crisp and golden brown. Once done take them out in an absorbent paper.
Serve hot with sauce or mayonnaise of your choice.

Tip

Add a tsp of oil while grinding the chicken as it will help the cutlets to remain moist.

Korean Egg Roll

“Sunday ho ya Monday, Roz Khao andey  ( संडे-हो-या-मंडे-रोज-खाओ-अंडे )” and when you get bored of the repeated preparation opt for a new one. I just love including eggs in my recipe as there is something so satisfying about when they are perfectly cooked. I came across the recipe recently and thought of trying my hand on it and luckily I nailed it in my first try. There are many different variations of  omelet but believe me this will make you fall in love with it. A new spin to the traditional omelet is indeed a must try dish.

Ingredients

Egg : 4

Grated carrot : 2 tsp

Coriander leaves : 1 tsp

Thinly sliced green chili : 1

Salt as required

Oil or butter : 1 tsp

Step 1

Separate the yolk and egg white.

Step 2

Add the grated carrot, coriander leaves, green chilli and salt to the egg white and lightly whisk with the help of a fork. Add a tsp of water to the egg yolk along with a pinch of salt and mix it .

Step 3

Take a thick bottom pan and brush with butter or oil.

Step 4

 

Once hot, reduce the flame and pour a thin layer of egg white and spread evenly.

Step 5

Once it starts to cook, gently fold it.

Step 6

With the help of a spatula, lift the edge of the cooked egg and pour the remaining egg white and let it cook.

Step 7

Repeat the process with the remaining egg white.

Step 8

With the help of a spatula gently lift the cooked egg and pour a thin layer of yolk and spread evenly in the pan.

Step 9

Once done, roll it gently and add the remaining yolk. Gently press the spatula over it to give a nice square shape.

Step 10

Take it out on a chopper board.

Step 11

 

Slice them into roundels and enjoy it.

Tip

Use low heat 

To make the roll thicker, increase the amount of eggs.

 

Dates, carrot and walnut cake with zero added sugar

Dates, carrot and walnut cake with zero added sugar

Delicious, moist and healthy cake with the goodness of dates, carrot and wallnut is a delightful guiltfree indulgence. My husband was diagnosed with diabetes almost a decade ago and as an ardent sweet lover it became an hulrricane task to beep keep him away from desserts.As a result I kept on trying innovative recipes in my kitchen with sugar substitute. Recently I came across a simple and easy healthy cake recipe with no added sugar and an amazing taste. This healthy cake recipe with the sweetness of dates is a must try as an alternative to classic cake recipe.

Ingredients
Dates – 16 to 18
milk -1 /4 cup
Flour– 1 cup
Grated carrot – 3/4
Egg-2
Butter– 100 grams
walnut – 7- to 10
Baking powder-1/4 tsp
baking soda –1/2 tsp
Vanilla essence – 1/4tsp

 

step 1

In a small pan add the deseeded dates and milk and let it boil and simmer for a couple of minutes.

Step 2

 

Let it cool and make a paste in a blender

step 3

Grate the carrot and squeeze the excess water.

step 4

Melt the butter and add the dates paste to it. Gradually add the grated carrot and egg to the butter and combine them all together with the help of a whisk.

step 5

Sieve the flour along with the baking powder and baking soda

Step 6

Now add the wet mix to the dry one. Add the Vanilla essence and chopped walnut. Fold the mix gradually until they all combine together.

Step 7

Preheat the oven at 160 degree Celcius. Pour the cake batter in a greased container

step 8


B

Bake for about 40 minutes at 160 degree celcius until done.

step 9

Cool and enjoy the cake.

Tip

soaked dates adds moisture and texture tothe cake.

To check the cake, insert a knife or toothpick in it and if it comes out clean then the cake is done.

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Low fat ( Zero Oil ) Chicken Popcorn

The zero oil small bite sized juicy chicken, breaded and baked to perfection, chicken popcorn is my boys all time favourite snack that they can munch on any time of the day. I usually half cook and freeze so that whenever they feel the craving of popping it, they can airfryer for a couple of minutes and enjoy it guilt free. This healthier version of the conventional chicken popcorn tastes amazing that can be equally relished by people of all ages.

Ingredients

Chicken breast : ½ kg

Ginger garlic paste : 2 tsp

Curd : 2 tsp

Schezwan sauce : 1 tsp

Red chilli sauce : 1 tsp

Tomato sauce : 2 tsp

Black pepper : 2 tsp

Salt as required

Bread crumbs : 100 gms

Step 1

Slice the chicken breast into bite sized pieces and wash thoroughly. Squeeze the excess water. Add ginger garlic paste, curd, tomato sauce, chilli sauce, Schezwan sauce, black pepper and salt. Mix well.

Step 2

Marinate and keep it aside for a couple of hours or overnight.

Step 3

Roll each piece in the bread crumbs.

Step 4

Place each one of them separately in the airfryer and brush with oil.

Step 5

Cook for about 10 to 12 minutes at 200 degree Celsius until the crust is crunchy and the chicken is tender.

Or

Shallow fry in a thick bottom pan.

Step 6

Enjoy the chicken popcorn with sauce or mayonnaise of your choice.

Tip

Bread crumb is one of the key ingredients and so use the best one.

Sprinkle your choice of seasoning to make it even more tastier.

 

Chicken Bacon Sandwich

One can never go wrong with a sandwich as it never fails to impress. Anubhav, my elder son, recently bought a packet of chicken bacon, providing me with a canvas to experiment with the culinary art. I have always enjoyed trying new and innovative recipes in my kitchen and this time it was no different and ended up making an awesome sandwich with stuffing of bacon, egg, onion and green chillies. Believe me it was amazing and my family just loved it. Do give a try to this power packed recipe.

Ingredients

Chicken bacon : 2 slice

Egg : 2

Whole wheat bread : 2 slice

Onion ring : 1

Green chilli : 1

Butter : 3 tsp

 Step 1

In a thick bottom pan add a tsp of butter and heat the bacon slice  for a minute flipping both the sides. 

Step 2

In the same pan saute the onion slice and green chilli for about a minute. Season with salt and pepper. 

Step 3

Beat the egg and add salt to it.

Step 4

Butter the bread slice on both sides.

Step 5

Heat butter in a pan. Dip the bread pieces in the whisked egg and gently place both the slices in the pan. Pour the remaining egg over the bread.

Step 6

Once golden brown gently flip and neatly fold the egg over the bread.

Step 7

Place the sauteed bacon, onion and green chillies evenly on the bread slices.

Step 8

Gently place the bread over the other slice and saute it for another couple of seconds.

Step 9


Enjoy the sandwich

Tip

Enhance the flavour with mayonnaise, fresh lettuce, tomatoes or any other stuffing of your choice.

Keema pav

Keema pav has gradually become an iconic street food of Mumbai that initially originated from the famous Mumbai’s Irani restaurant. Keema in any form has been my favourite childhood indulgence and my mom would often cook it for me. My love for keema has been genetically passed on to my foodie ” chota beta” who just loves it in any possible way. As a result my experiment with keema has always been an integral part of my culinary journey. Keema along with pav tastes absolutely amazing and is a combination to die for. It is normally cooked with mutton keema but I have tried with chicken keema and believe me it tastes equally amazing.

Ingredients 

Chicken keema : ½ kg

Onion : 2

Tomatoes : 2

Ginger garlic paste : 2 tsp

Coriander seed : 2 tsp

Turmeric powder : ½ tsp

Red chilli powder : 1 tsp

Garam masala powder : ½ tsp

Apricot paste : 1 tsp

Green chilli : 2

Cinnamon stick : 1

Cardamom : 1

Coriander leaves : 4 tsp

Salt as per taste

Oil : 3 tsp

Step 1

Wash the keema in a stainer.

Step 2

Grind together coriander seed, onion, cinnamon, cardamom, green chilli and coriander leaves.

 

Step 3

Heat oil in a pan and fry onion until golden brown. Add the diced tomatoes and saute them together until the tomatoes are soft.

Step 4

Add the ground masala along with ginger garlic paste, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt and saute until the oil leaves the side of the pan.

Step 5

Put the keema and combine it together with the rest of the masala.

Step 6

When the oil leaves the side, add apricot paste along with a cup of water and cook it for another ten minutes until the gravy reaches the desired consistency.

Step 7

Garnish with coriander leaves and lemon wedges and serve it along with pav.

Tip

The apricot paste adds a sweet and tangy flavour to the keema.

Pani puri ( Ghup Chup )

Pani puri ( Ghup Chup)

Pani puri does not need any introduction since it tops the chart among the Indian street food. The crunchy Puri’s along with flavourful stuffing and sweet chutney filled with spicy Pani is to die for. Believe me the burst of flavor in your mouth is so heavenly that you want to eat unstoppably and eyes become bigger than the stomach. A perfect balance of sweet, tangy and spicy, trust me pani puri can never go wrong. Although it is found in almost every nook and corner of Indian streets but due to unhygienic ways it eventually puts you at health risk. So here is a mouth watering recipe that can be easily prepared at your home so that it could be enjoyed within your comfort zone. The puri is easily available throughout the length and width of the country.

For the pani

Mint leaves : 1 cup

Coriander leaves : ½ cup

Green chilli : 4

Garlic : 4 pods

Cumin seed : 1 tsp

Tamarind pulp : 2 tsp

Chat masala : 2 tsp

Black salt : 2 tsp

Chutney

Tamarind : 100 gms soaked and deseeded

Jaggery : 100 gms

Chili powder : 1 tsp

Salt : ½ tsp

Stuffing

yellow peas : 250 gms soaked overnight

Potato : 2 large

Turmeric powder : 1 tsp

Red chili powder : 2 tsp

Coriander powder : 2 tsp

Cumin powder : 1 tsp

Ginger garlic paste : 2 tsp

Salt as per taste

Step 1

Pressure cook the soaked peas along with turmeric powder, salt and water for about 5 whistles. Separately boil the potatoes.

Step 2

Heat oil in a kadai and add the ginger garlic paste and saute until the raw smell disappears. Next add the coriander powder, cumin powder, chili powder and chat masala and salt and cook them all together.
Add the boiled peas and stir till it comes to the boil, put the boiled and mashed potatoes and cook them together for a couple of minutes. Ragra is ready for the stuffing.

Step  3

Make the tamarind chutney by cooking together tamarind with jaggery, chili powder salt and chat masala. Cook them all together until the chutney reaches the desired consistency. Once done, keep it aside and let it cool.

Step 4

For the pani, grind together mint leaves, coriander leaves, green chili, garlic, cumin seed, tamarind paste, salt and chat masala.

Step 5

Transfer it in a large bowl and add about 3 to 4 cups of water whisk it together with the help of a spoon. The pani is ready. Put it in the fridge for some time before serving it.

Step 6

Stuff The puri with ragda , chutney and pani and enjoy the blast of flavor.

Tip

Boiled and mashed potatoes thickens the consistency of the ragda.

 

Chicken Sukka

Chicken sukka is a Maharashtrian style dry chicken recipe that is a treat for spice loving people. In my growing up years the one and only recipe we knew about with coconut was the nariyal barfi. It was only after I moved to Mumbai that I realised that coconut was one of the key ingredients for the base of any gravy and now I enjoy exploring new recipes with this incredible ingredient. Coconut not only gives texture to a dish but also adds nutty flavour to it. Chicken sukka is cooked with aromatic spices along with coconut that gives it a distinct flavour. It is a semi dry dish that can be served both as a starter or even as a main course.

Ingredients

Chicken : 500 gms

Ginger garlic paste : 2 tsp

Onion : 2

Turmeric powder : 1 tsp

Oil : 2 tsp

Salt as per taste

For the wet masala

coconut : ½ cup

Red chilli : 6

Coriander seed : 2 tsp

Cumin seed : 2 tsp

Peppercorns : 6

Cinnamon : 1

Clove : 2

Green cardamom : 2

Black cardamom : 1

Sesame seeds : 1 tsp

Poppy seed : 1 tsp

Step 1

Dry roast all the above mentioned ingredients except the dry coconut . Once done, let it cool.

Step 2

In the same pan dry roast the grated coconut until it releases the aroma.

Step 3

Grind the coconut and roasted masala into a paste.

Step 4

Marinate the chicken with ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, salt and a tsp of ground masala. Keep it aside for at Least half an hour.

Step 5

Heat oil in a wok and add the sliced onion. Fry until golden brown.

Step 6

Add the marinated chicken and cook on a high heat for 8 to 10 minutes stirring occasionally.

Step 7

 

Add a cup of water and let it come to a boil. Next, put the ground masala and give them all a good mix. Cover and let it cook on medium flame for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Once the chicken is tender and moisture evaporates and you get desired consistency, it is done.

Step 9

Garnish and enjoy the chicken sukka with any Indian bread of your choice.

Tip

Dry coconut gives an authentic flavour to the chicken sukka

Aaru vadi

The taste and aroma of aaru vadi instantly reminds me of my great friend Radhika who introduced me to this scrumptious dish. Vadi evokes my memories of the dripping  rainy evenings we had spent together enjoying vadis cooked by her along with casual conversation and friendly chat. And since then it has become ritualistic to make aaru vadi in monsoon when the market is flooded with aaru patta. These colocasia leaves are loaded with health benefits and this crispy and delicious fritter is indeed a perfect way to include it in our diet. A must try recipe as the weather gets wet.

Ingredients

Aaru patta : 10 to 12

Masoor dal : 100 gms ( washed and soaked)

Rice : 2 tsp (washed and soaked)

Green chilli : 4

Garlic : 8 to 10

Ginger : 1 inch

Cummin : ¼ tsp

Asafoetida : a pinch

Peppercorn : ¼ tsp

Tamarind paste : 2 tsp

Coriander seed : 1 tsp

Salt as required

Oil for frying

Step 1

Grind the soaked rice and dal along with ginger, garlic, green chilli, cummin  peppercorn, coriander seed, tamarind paste and salt.

Step 2

Wash the aaru leaves and pat them dry. Place the leaf on a large plate and evenly spread the dal mix.

Step 3

Place the other leaf over it and coat the mixture. Repeat the process with the remaining leaves.

Step 4

Carefully seal the edges and roll the leaves. Place it in a steamer and steam for about 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 5

Once done, let it cool.

Step 6

Slice them into roundles and shallow fry till crispy and golden brown.

Step 7

Serve it hot with chutney of your choice.

Tip

Let the roll cool down completely and then Slice it for a perfect roundle.

Do not use water while grinding dal since this will make it very runny.

Kothambir vadi ( cilantro fritters)

Kothambir vadi ( cilantro fritters)

Coriander is a very commonly consumed herb that is often used in traditional Indian food. It is exclusively used as a garnish to make the food presentable and palatable. During my growing up days we often relished the coriander chutney as an accomplishment along with the staple rice and dal during the winter season. It was only during my stay in Mumbai that I came across a new term Kothimbir or kothmir, the word used for coriander leaves in Maharashtra and the vada or the fritters made from it is a highly popular and simple Maharashtrian snack recipe . Little did I imagine that the humble dhaniya patta could be transformed into such a mind blowing delicacy. Basanti, my house help makes amazing kothimbir vadi and I am sharing her recipe with my readers. It is made using coriander leaves, gram flour and few other regularly used Indian spices. Soft from inside while crunchy and crisp outside makes it a perfect tea time snack.

Ingredients

Kothimbir : 2 bunches

Besan : 1 cup

Rice flour : ½ cup

Green chillies : 6 to 8

Garlic pod : 8

Turmeric powder : 1 tsp

Asafoetida : a pinch

Ajwain : ¼ tsp

Salt as per taste

Oil for frying

Step 1

Wash the coriander leaves and squeeze the excess water. Next finely chop and put it in a bowl. In the meantime grind the green chillies and garlic into a smooth paste.

Step 2

Add the besan, rice flour, green chilli and garlic paste, turmeric powder, ajwain, hing, salt and a tsp of oil.

Step 3

Add water and knead a tight dough. 

Step 4

In a steamer add 2 glasses of water and steam the rolled dough for 15 to 20 minutes on a medium flame. Insert a knife and if it comes out clean, the dough is done and if not then steam it further for another 7 to 10 minutes.

Step 5

Remove it from the steamer and let it cool down. Once it comes to the room temperature cut it into small pieces.

Step 6

Shallow fry the vada in a medium hot oil until they are golden brown.

Step 7

Serve the kothimbir vadi with chutney of your choice.

Tip

Rice flour adds the extra crunch to the vadi.