Chicken Coriander

Fed up of the same chicken curry? Here is fresh and new recipe to follow. Coriander haters, this recipe is not for you.

Ingredients:

List 1 :
Green Chilli : 10-12
Coriander leaves : 1 cup finely chopped
Curry leaves : 1 sprig
Water

List 2 :
Shredded coconut : 1/2 cup
Poppy seeds/ khus khus : 1/2 tbsp
Cashews : 20 ( soak in hot water)

Other ingredients:
Chicken: 1/2 kg
Jeera/ Cumin seeds : 1 tsp
Coriander seeds : 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder : 1/2 tsp
Ginger Garlic Paste : 1 tbsp
Salt according to taste

Procedure:
1. Grind all the ingredients in list 1 and list 2 separately.
2. In a kadai/ pan add oil followed by cumin seeds. Once they start sizzling add coriander seeds.
3. Add the cleaned and washed chicken followed by turmeric powder.
4. Add ginger garlic paste, followed by the grinded ingredients from list 1.
5. Add salt lower the simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
6. Add the paste 2 i. e. all the ingredients from list 2 and cook for 5 more minutes.
7. Add garam masala and garnish with coriander leaves.

Basil Watermelon Juice

The summer is just rising in Phoenix. And we need no reason to drink water. Because of the rising heat we tend to drink lots of water. But I am experimenting with new flavours. I had tried the combination of watermelon, mint and lemon.

This is another stuff that I tried. Watermelon and basil. The classic combination.  The basil just parches off our thirst leaving a cold feeling in our throat.

Ingredients:

Watermelon pieces : 2 cups or watermelon puree 3 cups

Basil leaves : 10

Honey : 1 tbsp

Procedure:
1. In a blender blend the watermelon slices and basil leaves.
2. Drizzle honey and serve cold.

Notes: Store it in freezer so that the flavor seeps into the juice. Especially the basil flavour.

Asparagus ki Subji/ Indian style asparagus curry

Asparagus is not what we normally use in Indian cooking. I recently had been out on weekend to Greer. And we had a barbecue party where we had lots of items barbecued. Asparagus was one of them. And it tasted yummy. And when we got talking with others I came to know that it is a very healthy vegetable. It is said that Asparagus increases the milk content for Mother's who breast feed their kids.

A healthy Asparagus recipe with Indian Tadka.

Recipe Source : Show me The curry

Ingredients:

Asparagus : 1/2 kg (Cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
Cumin/ Jeera.  : 1 tsp
Fennel Seeds : 1 tsp
Ginger : 1 inch (Finely Chopped)
Garlic :  1 full pod ( I love the taste of Garlic)/ 5-6 pods are ideal
Tomatoes : 2
Red Chilli Powder : 1 tsp
Salt according to Taste
Oil : 1 tbsp

Procedure:
1. In a pan add oil followed by cumin seeds and fennel seeds.
2. Once they start sizzling add the finely chopped ginger and garlic.
3. Add the tomatoes and cook they turn mushy.
4. Add the chopped Asparagus, red chilli Powder and salt.
5. Cook for 5 minutes.

Notes : Don't cook for a long duration after adding asparagus or they will lose their crunchiness.

Sungta Hinga Udka randai/ Asafoetida flavored Prawns dipped in Red Coconut Gravy

Fish in coconut gravy with asafoetida flavor is a famous cuisine in the Mangalore coastal region. The smell is irresistible. The asafoetida enhances the taste of the gravy.

Ingredients:

List 1:

Shredded Coconut : 3/4 cup

Red Chillies : 15

Tamarind : Gooseberry sized 

Water : as much necessary to grind it into a paste. 

Other Ingredients :

Prawns : 1/2 kg

Asafoetida : a pinch

Coconut Oil: 1 tsp

Procedure:

1. Grind the ingredients given in list 1.

2. In a deep bottom pan add the grinded paste along with salt

3. Add the washed and cleaned shrimp into the pan.

4. Once it comes to boil sprinkle it with 1 tsp of coconut oil.

5. Make a paste of asafoetida with 1/2 tsp of water and add it to the gravy.

Notes : I have used the asafoetida paste not the powder.

Chicken Chettinad

I came across this recipe from Oggarina Dabbi. A kannada cookery show. The recipe is a follows.

Ingredients:

List -1:
Shredded Coconut : 1/2 cup
Whole Pepper : 1 tsp
Cinnamon : 2, 1 inch pieces
Cloves : 8
Cardamom : 3
Soaked Cashews : 10-15 (Soak Cashews in hot water until it turns slightly soft)
Poppy Seeds : 1 tsp
White Sesame Seeds : 1 tsp

Other Ingredients:
Chicken : 1/2 kg
Byadagi Chillies : 4-5
Ginger : 1 inch
Garlic : 6-7 pods
Onion : 1
Tomato : 2
Curry leaves a few
Coriander leaves to garnish
Chilli Powder : 1 tsp
Coriander Powder : 2 tsp
Butter : 1 tbsp
Salt according to taste


Procedure:
1. Grind all the ingredients in list-1 with a little water.
2. In a Kadai/ Pan add oil followed by byadagi chillies, curry leaves, finely chopped ginger and garlic and saute for 2 min.
3. Add the finely sliced onion and once they turn translucent add finely chopped tomatoes.
4. Add the washed chicken pieces along with the mixture which is grind-ed in step 1.
5. Add salt, coriander powder and Chilli Powder with little water for the chicken to cook.
6. Add butter and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Things I learn from Disney Movies

Yes Yes Yes!!! I still enjoy watching Disney Movies. Apparently there are thousands of Disney Movies.
 And I have not even watched say 50% of them. (Refer Wikipedia for the complete list). The best part about them is they are a complete family entertainer.

The recent movie Maleficent has changed my opinion about good and evil. Disney has brought out an evil character out of a book and painted her white by giving justification for her actions ( I used to wonder why would she just come and curse a baby without any reason).

Evil and good are just opinions and perspective of people. There is a logical reasoning for everyone's action. So we can't judge someone just based on a few actions. If we carry our lives just according to what others expect we are good, or we are either mocked at or worse our opinions are not even worth considering (They just curse our eccentric thoughts).

1. Princess and The Frog

We all are familiar with the tale. But the movie doesn't suggest that all frogs are Prince's. It goes to give us the best message that your dreams come true with hard work. She worked hard each day of her life to build her own restaurant. 

2. Pinocchio

Honesty is the best policy. Or else just watch out for your nose. Lies keep building up. Thanks to Jiminy Cricket and his guidance.

3. Frozen

Stop Caring what everyone else thinks. Unchain yourself from your inner struggle. The song goes on something like this.

"The fears that once controlled me, can't get to me at all. It's time to see what I can do, to test the limits and break through. No right, no wrong, no rules for me. I am free!"

4. Rapunzel

She was locked up in the tower for 18 years. And she kept herself busy with hobbies like dancing, painting, baking, reading, singing, astronomy, playing, Ventriloquy and what not. She doesn't have time to spare. So keep yourself busy all the time. 

5. Snow White

Looks do not matter. Even her evil step mother was as beautiful as snow white. Lack of compassion and kindness lead to complication.