Cream of Mushroom Soup

A healthy soup recipe for everyone. It is not too heavy though it uses cream. Tastes good when served hot. 

Ingredients :

1. Mushroom- 10
2. Salt to taste
3. Butter- 2 tbs
4. Pepper powder- 1/4 tsp
5. Worcestershire sauce- 1 tbs
6. Home made stock- 2 cups
7. Sour cream- 1 cup
8. All purpose flour/cornflour- 1 tbs
9. Garlic- 2 cloves

Procedure :

Wash and chop the mushrooms. In a deep bottom pan add the butter and the chopped mushrooms. Fry the mushrooms until they leave water. Cover and cook for 2 minutes until the water evaporates. Now add the flour and mix well. I used all purpose flour but you can also use cornflour. This is done to give a certain thick consistency to the soup. Pour the home made stock and cover the pan and cook over medium flame. Add the garlic too.

Now for the stock , I have used chicken , carrot , bay leaf , cinnamon , clove , salt , black cardamom and whole black pepper. In a cooker add some oil and fry all these ingredients together then add 2 glass of water. Cover the cooker and cook it for 15 minutes on medium flame. A nice aromatic stock is ready to use!!

When the stock starts to thicken up , add the cream and mix well. Sprinkle pepper powder , sauce and salt to taste. Cover and cook until the soup reaches its desired consistency. Here I would suggest to use a little less salt before so that when the soup thickens up , it does not turn out to be too salty. Turn off the heat and let the soup cool down a bit. Then blend the whole soup into a smooth puree. Boil once again before serving.

Strawberry Roulade

 This is the first time I tried my hands on roulade recipes. And what else can I make apart from the famous Strawberry Roulade!! The mild sweetness of this roulade impressed us a lot as we both are not that big fan of sweets. If you prefer extra sweetness, you can change the sugar quantity according to your taste.

Ingredients :

1. Egg- 6
2. All purpose flour- 100 gm
3. Confectioner sugar- 200 gm
4. Whipped cream- 200 gm
5. Strawberry- 1 cup

Procedure :

In a bowl take the egg whites. Now while separating egg whites from the yolk be extra careful. If you mix up the yolk with the egg white , the beaten egg white will never be stiff enough. Beat the egg whites until they turn fluffy and stiff. Keep it aside. In a separate bowl take the egg yolks and mix well. Add the sugar and beat until the color turns pale and the mixture becomes fluffy. Fold in the flour. Do not over mix it. Pre heat the oven at 350 F. Prepare the baking pan. You can spray some cooking oil and dust a little flour in the pan or you can use a baking sheet. Fold in the egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Mix well and pour the batter in the baking pan and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the surface turns light brown. Test with a toothpick if its done or not. Take out and roll it softly. Do not put much pressure. I rolled it while it was warm so that it does not break. Keep it rolled for 5 to 7 minutes.

 Meanwhile, beat the cream and add some more sugar if needed ( I added 3 tbs sugar). Take half of the strawberries and puree them. Cut the remaining strawberries into pieces. Now open the roll. Spread the strawberry puree and then the cream and on top place the strawberry pieces. Roll it again and hold it with the help of toothpick. Place it in refrigerator for 2 hours and then cut the roulade into pieces and serve.

Laal Murg

Its a similar version of Laal maas that is a famous Rajasthani lamb recipe. Here I have used chicken instead of lamb. But the dish came out pretty good. And specially the red color!! And the most amazing part is that I did not find it too spicy :)

Ingredients :

1. Chicken breast- 3
2. Onion- 1
3. Tomato- 1
4. Dry red chilly- 7
5. Bay leaf- 1
6. Clove- 3
7. Green cardamom- 2
8. Cinnamon- 2
9. Garlic paste- 1 tbs
10. Ginger paste- 1 tsp
11. Curd- 2 large tbs
12. Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
13. Coriander powder- 2 tbs
14. Cumin powder- 1/2 tsp
15. Crushed black pepper- 1/4 tsp
16. Chicken masala powder- 1/4 tsp
17. Salt to taste
18. Ghee


Procedure :

Wash the chicken breasts and cut them into medium chunks. Soak the dried red chillies in warm water for 5 minutes. Meanwhile finely chop the onion. Make a smooth paste of the chillies. In a pan add 2 tbs ghee and add cardamom, cinnamon, clove and bay leaf. Fry them for a minute until they leave a nice aroma. Add the chopped onion and fry until they turn brownish. Add 1 tbs of the chilly paste and fry until the mixture turns dark red in color. Add ginger and garlic and fry until the raw smell goes off. Add all the masalas and if needed some more ghee and fry until the mixture starts sticking to the base. Add the chicken chunks and fry them, covering the pan.

 Cook the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes and then add puree of the tomato. Beat the curd properly in blender. Let the chicken soak the tomato puree. Cook on medium heat. When the tomato is soaked add the curd and cook until the curd is soaked completely. Add some water and add salt. Cover the pan and cook until the chicken is done. Sprinkle the crushed black pepper.

Serve it hot with plain rice or paratha.

Prawn Biriyani

Biriyani as we all know is all about cooked rice with spices and non-veg/veg. It is said that the origin of biriyani is from Iran. But in India this dish has achieved such a high popularity that it has become our own dish now. India being the land of spices , has several delicious recipes of biriyani. Prawn biriyani is one of them.

Ingredients :

1. Prawn- 12
2. Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
3. Red chilly powder- 1 tbs
4. Black pepper powder- 1/4 tsp
5. Salt to taste
6. Onion- 1/2
7. Curry leaf- 5 to 6
8. Cumin powder- 1 tsp
9. Curd- 2 large tbs

10. Biriyani flower- 1/2 tsp 
11. Cumin seed- 1 tsp
12. Black pepper- 1 tsp
13. Rice- 1 and 1/2 cup
14. Ghee- as needed
15. Milk- 1/4 cup
16. Oil- 2 tbs
17. Cinnamon- 2
18. Bay leaf- 1
19. Green cardamom- 2
20. Clove- 4
21. Ginger paste- 1 tsp
22. Garlic paste- 1 tbs
23. Lemon juice- 1 tbs

Procedure :

In a bowl add the prawn , turmeric , 1/2 tsp chilly powder , pepper powder and a little salt. Sprinkle the lemon juice and marinate the prawns for half an hour. Make a paste of the onion. In a pan heat 1 tsp oil and add bay leaf , cinnamon , cardamom and cloves. Fry them until they leave a nice aroma. Add the rice (soaked in water for half an hour) and fry for a minute or two. Add 1 tsp chilly powder , salt and 1/2 tsp cumin powder. Add water and cover the pan. Cook the rice on medium flame until its just done. Turn off the heat and keep the rice covered. In a separate pan add remaining oil and fry the prawns over medium heat. 

Fry for 3 to 4 minutes as excess frying may turn the prawns a bit hard. In the same oil fry the onion paste until it turns dark. Add the ginger-garlic paste , remaining chilly powder , salt , cumin powder , chopped curry leaves and fry. Separately dry roast the biriyani flower , cumin and pepper and blend them. Add 1 tsp of this powder to the onion mixture. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes and add curd. Cook until the mixture leaves oil. Add the prawns and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes and turn off the heat. In a large pan brush the bottom with ghee and spread one layer of the rice and then spread a layer of the prawn mixture. Add some milk and 1 tsp of the blended powder. Thus keep layering. Now place the pan on 'dum' for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve the hot prawn biriyani with simple curd.

Chicken Leek Soup

Another soup recipe for non vegetarians. Leek has a mild onion like taste. Its crunchy when raw. And turns very soft after boiling. It is also used to make stocks. Here I have made a very old soup recipe which is recognized for its healthy aspects.

Ingredients :

1. Leek (chopped)- 1 and 1/2 cup
2. Onion (finely chopped)- 2 tbs
3. Chicken broth- 400 gm
4. Salt to taste
5. Black pepper powder- 1/2 tsp
6. Sour cream- 1/2 cup
7. Milk- 1/3 cup
8. Lemon juice- 1 tbs
9. Butter- 3 tbs
10. Potato (boiled)- 1/2 cup


Procedure :

Chop the white part of the leek into thin slices. In a pan heat the butter and add onion , leek. Mix well and cook over medium heat covering the pan. This will help the vegetable to soften fast. When onion will turn translucent , add the chopped boiled potato. Mix well. Add salt and pepper. You can mix a little extra salt as at the end you will be adding , cream , milk etc. Pour the chicken broth to the mixture and cover the pan. Let it cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the vegetables are done. Turn off the heat. Let it come down to room temperature. Blend the soup. 

Now pour the smooth soup in a pan. Heat the pan. Add the cream , milk and mix well. Stir it so that it does not form lumps. When the soup starts boiling , turn off the heat. Serve it hot and sprinkle the lemon juice on top of it.

Baked Dahi Kebab

Dahi kebab was a sweet surprise to my husband. He never thought that curd can be used in making a solid kebab....but the kebabs turned out to be very crispy and tasty. 

Ingredients :

1. Curd- 1 cup
2. Paneer- 200 gm
3. Cornflour- as needed
4. Green chilly- 3
5. Cumin powder- 1/2 tsp
6. Ajwain- 1/2 tsp
7. Black pepper powder- 1/2 tsp
8. Chaat masala- 1 tsp
9. Salt to taste
10. Garlic- 2 cloves
11. Ginger- 1/2" stick
12. Oil
13. Ghee

Procedure :

In a large bowl add grated paneer , curd , finely chopped green chilly , ajwain , cumin powder , pepper , chaat masala , salt and minced garlic-ginger. Mix it well. Now add 4 tsp cornflour and mix again. Now brush cooking oil in a baking pan and take medium sized balls from the curd mixture and dip it in cornflour and press a little between palms. Place the tikkis on the baking plate.

 Pre heat the oven at 450 F and bake the kebabs for 25 minutes or until they turn brown. Change the side of the kebab in between. After its done , brush the kebabs with ghee and serve hot.

Moong-Paneer Seekh Kebab

A very delicious veg kebab recipe......sometimes we (the non-vegetarians) get surprised with the veg delicacies whenever we try a new thing. This kebab is one of those surprises. A perfect recipe for a party.I loved it...and  when I am updating the pictures of this recipe right now, my husband  is telling me that he wants those kebabs once again!!

Ingredients :

1. Moong daal (split)- 100 gm
2. Paneer- 100 gm
3. Salt to taste
4. Green chilly- 2
5. Bread (wheat)- 1 slice
6. Black pepper powder- 1/2 tbs
7. Cumin powder- 1/2 tsp
8. Oil- 1 tbs
9. Garlic- 2 cloves
10. Ginger- 1/4" stick
11. Ghee/melted butter


Procedure :

Soak the daal in water for 3 to 4 hours and drain it. Grate the paneer. Blend the moong daal with garlic , ginger and green chilly. The paste should not be too smooth. Take the bread slice and make dry bread crumbs from it(put it in the blender and blend for a minute). In a large mixing bowl , add all the ingredients except the oil and mix well. Now heat a non stick pan and add the oil. When the oil is a little hot , add this mixture and keep stirring it with a spoon. Keep the flame on medium. Mix the moong daal mixture well and turn off the gas when it turns a little dark. It takes hardly 5 to 7 minutes. Let the mixture cool down a little. Put some oil in the seekh. Take medium sized ball from the mixture and make kebabs in the seekh. Brush a little oil all over the kebabs. Pre heat the oven at 450 F and place the kebabs on the rack. Bake for 20 minutes or until they turn brown. Change the side of the kebab in between. When it is done, take out the kebabs from the seekh and brush with melted butter or ghee. This will help the kebab to retain a moist texture.

Sending this recipe to the event I'm the star and Bake fest created by Vardhini .

Palak Paneer

In our house we both have always been in anti-palak group. We had tried different versions of paneer recipes but not the simplest  Palak Paneer!! Its just that we thought we won't like the taste of spinach at all. But we were wrong!! This simple vegetarian recipe won our heart. It is a healthy recipe indeed.

Ingredients :

1. Paneer- 10 to 12 medium pieces
2. Spinach (Palak)- 2 bunches
3. Salt to taste
4. Oil- 2 tbs
5. Green chilly- 4
6. Garlic- 5 cloves
7. Chat masala- 1/2 tsp
8. Lemon juice- 1 tbs
9. Ginger- 1/2" stick
10. Sour cream- 2 tbs
11. Cumin seed- 1/4 tsp
12. Coriander seed- 1/4 tsp
13. Cumin powder- 1/2 tsp
14. Chicken masala powder- 1/4 tsp

Procedure :

In a pan add the spinach and some salt and water. Heat it on high temperature until the water starts to boil. Switch off the gas and drain the water. Let the spinach be cooled down a little and put them in the blender jar. Add the green chilly, ginger and blend it well. Do not add much water while blending. Crush the coriander seeds and heat the oil in a pan. Add the cumin , coriander , minced garlic and let them fry for a minute. Add the spinach mixer to it and mix well. Cook it over medium heat and stir in between. After 5 minutes , the gravy will turn a little dark , add all the masala powder and mix well and cook over low flame. If needed , add little water. When the gravy starts simmering, add the paneer cubes. Cover the pan and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cream and adjust salt level. Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the lemon juice. Serve hot with paratha or rice.

Sending it to the event I am the star.

and cooking with love.

Oreo and Vanilla Dessert

This  oreo-ice cream shake is a simple dessert recipe. With the minimum ingredients and minimum time you can prepare this recipe.

Ingredients:

1. Oreo cookie- 4
2. Vanilla ice cream - 3/4 cup
3. Milk- 2 tbs


Procedure:

Keep the cookies in a zip lock bag and beat lightly to break them into pieces. Now place half of the broken cookies at the bottom of the glass and press well so that no gap remains there. Blend 2 tbs ice cream , remaining cookie and the milk quickly. Now place 1 tbs of ice cream in the glass and then pour some of the blended shake. Do it alternately. 

When it is done, place the glass in the freezer for an hour so that the shake settles down properly. Serve chilled.

Baked Vegetable

This baked vegetable recipe is a bit spicy and tadkedar. You can always mix and match different spices for this baked vegetable recipe. And that is the best part of it. 

Ingredients :

1. Potato (small)- 3
2. Red bell pepper- 1
3. Mushroom- 6
4. Salt to taste
5. Lemon- 1
6. Black pepper powder- 1 tsp
7. Red paprika- 3/4 tsp
8. Dry oregano- 1/2 tsp
9. White sesame seed- 1/2 tsp
10. Olive oil


Procedure:

Wash the potatoes thoroughly and slice them. Do not peel the skin. Make long and semi thick slices of the potatoes and prick them well. Cut the bell pepper in medium chunks. Remove the stem part. Cut the mushrooms in thin slices. Now in a bowl add all the vegetables , 1 tbs oil , salt , pepper , paprika , oregano and sesame seeds. Mix well. Cut the lemon into half and sprinkle the lemon juice on top of the vegetables. Mix again and keep aside for 5 to 10 minutes. In a baking pan apply olive oil properly and place the potatoes in rows keeping the skin side down. Keep equal gaps between each potato slice. Place the mushroom and bell pepper too. Pre heat the oven at 400 F. Bake the vegetables for 35 minutes or until the potato is done. After every 10 minutes mix the vegetables well. When the vegetables are done, take them out and sprinkle the remaining lemon juice and serve hot.