Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Dhum - Hyderabadi (Shrimp) Biriyani - Shrimp Biriyani

Whenever I see recipes ,titling dhum biriyani, I used to think that it will be a heactic job.today I planned to cook shrimp biriyani as a one pot dish.My friend Ayesha called me and when she was speaking askd abt my lunch.she told me to prepare it as dhum biriyani and she gave me the guidelines.I took her guidelines and vah-chef's tip of marinating shrimp,and prepared this dish.It was awsome.My Hubby will not talk much.I have to understand ,by his deeds.He was asking more and more and we finished off the biriyani within minutes.My son loved the juicy prawns and he too had well.I was so satisfied . This dhum biriyani,makes the shrimp juicy.Give it a try, u will love it a lot....



Ingredients:

For Marination:
1.Prawns                 -       1 lb
2.G&G paste           -        1 tsp
3.Red chilli pwdr    -        1 tsp
4.Lemon Juice          -        half

For Cooking Rice:
1.Basmati rice         -        2 1/2 cup
2.Oil                        -        1 tsp
3.Whole garam masala ( 2 cloves,1/2 inch cinnamom,2 bay leaves)
4.Salt                       -         1/2 tsp

For Gravy:
1.Whole Garam masala   -       4 cloves.1/2 inch cinnamom,2 bay leaves
2.Ghee                             -       2 tbsp
3.Oil                                -       2 tbsp
4.Onion                            -       1 1/2
5.Tomato                          -       2 1/2
6.Green chillies                -       5
7.G&G paste                     -       2 tsp
8.Mint                                -       1 cup
9.Cilantro                          -        1 cup
10.Orange color                 -        1 tsp

Method:

Marination:
* Marinate shrimp with all other items under marination for 15 to 20 mins.
* This will make the shrimp to absorb the masalas well.

Cooking Rice:
* Take a rice cooker and cook basmati rice with oil,salt and whole garam masalas ,up to 90%.
* Take it out and transfer it to another container and close it tightly,as  rice shud  be hot for biriyani.
* We can also cook it on stove top and drain the water .

For Gravy:
* Gravy shud be prepared simultaneously.
* Slice onions finely,chop tomatoes and slit green chillies.The amount of onion and tomatoes must be little bit higher than chicken and mutton biriyani.Bcoz shrimp will not give out much water.So in order to have a thick gravy, we are using much higher amt.
* Take a pan ,add oil,ghee and splutter with whole garam masalas.
* Saute onion and green chillies well with little salt.
* Add G&G paste and saute well.
* When onion leaves out oil, add tomatoes and sprinkle some salt.
* The tomatoes shud disintergrate into the gravy.
* Now dump in the marination and saute well, till shrimp is cooked 95 %.
* Add mint, cilantro and cover it and cook for 2 more minutes.

For keeping in dhum:
* Now take a wide- heavy bottomed,container and add 1 tbsp of ghee .
* Transfer the prawn gravy to the container .
* Pour the cooked rice on top of the gravy and spread it well ,without any lumps.
* dilute the orange color in a tbsp of water and pour it over the rice.


* Take a wet towel and spread it on top of the container .
* Place some weight on top of the towel.Here I have kept 5 plates (dinnerware set) on top.
*  Place a tava over the stove and keep this covered container on top.
* Place it in dhum for 10 to 15 mins.
* Take it out carefully, and mix the rice and gravy using a fork as shown in last pic.
* Now ur shrimp biriyani is ready.Serve hot with raitha.

Dhum biriyanis have more flavour than one pot biriyanis.We enjoyed our lunch.The prawns tasted heavenly,as it was marinated well with masalas.Planning to do chicken and mutton biriyanis in the same manner.

Note:
We can also add curd instead of lemon juice.Dont add water while making the gravy.The water content in the gravy shud be contributed by onion,tomatoe and shrimp.
For more biriyani recipes, chk my previous postings...



Sending it to Akila's "Dish name starts with D"

Hydrabadi Dum Biriyani

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

I am Tagged

When I was abt to post my recipe, I got  messages from Priya Vasu,Suja ,Priya and akila ,that I am tagged..It was a pleasant surprise for me to share my experience.....Thank u suja ,Reva,Priya  and Akila for tagging me..Sure I will keep the chain rolling.......
Here is the questionnaire.....

Suja Suganathan ,Reva,Priya ,Priya VasuAkila has tagged me with a questionnaire ( set of eight questions)  and I am posting my answers. Thanks dear for tagging .I was also asked to tag eight blogger friends and keep the ball rolling :)The intention is to help us know each other better.Suja's questions and my answers...

1. What is your take on organic food , is it a big deal for you ?
 No, its not a big deal for me to have organic food.My concern is ,very fresh and healthy veges.
Bcoz ,though they say it as organic,do we know 100 % that it is so.....? So I dont mind wether it is organic or not.

 2. Do you time your breakfast,lunch & dinner or eat when you are hungry ?
 I dont have particular timings for my lunch,dinner or b/f..I prefer to have it whenever i feel so..But some times,it will be the off the time ,as I have to feed my son and have it.

3. What inspired you to write a food blog ?
 Very interesting question....I used to take pics of my recipes for the past 2 years .The reason for ,is to send it to my mom,sister ,to show that even I cook.Bcoz ,till I came to Irving,I know nothing.I started to cook  for the past 2 years.I struggled a lot with my husband,bcoz he is a very good cook.To satisfy him ,I have to cook going out of the world....means I need to cook perfectly and differently.He made me to do things again and again,with corrections.Now ,I am here with a lovely blog of recipes,which I have cooked with love and passion ( Errrrrrr),Ha ha ha.So dont worry beginners,u can achieve a lot by trying again and again.
   The reason for cooking blog is ,in mid sep,my mom went to b'lore to see my sis.My brother and dad were alone at home.My brother started cooking and will ask me doubts over the phone.This made me to think ,y cant we start a blog and help him with his doubts...hence the blog.

 4. You try a new recipe and it does not turn out good,what will you do ?
I will try to make it edible and feed my family.The reason is, my husband will find exactly wat went wrong ( Chef) than me .So this will help me to try it out new version.( though I used to get nice appreciations):(...wat to do same blood.

 5. Name three ingredients you consciously avoid or eliminate even when the recipe calls for it ?
More oil.cheese,coconut.

 6. Name three things you have to use in most recipes ?
Garlic,Onion,pepper pwdr.

 7. How important is eating meals together as a family to you?
 Its very important to have meals together.I love to chat while eating.But there will be none to hear me.Bcoz my hubby is a fast eater.He will finish it off within 3 mins......so sad.......but i will not leave him.Make him to sit as a punishment.ha ha ha.

 8. You do not like a particular dish at your favorite restaurant,what will you do ?
NO I will not go or if we had ordered it, ill try to finish it off.

 Now to the second set of questions

1)Are you a vegetarian, or have you thought about being one? 
No I am not . I love to be a vegetarian from mon- sat .But sunday I cant imagine it.

 2)Who inspired you to cook or bake?
My friends inspired me to cook.I had a batch of friends, in which I am the beginner.I used to bug them with questions and slowly started learning it from them.I learnt healthy cooking from my mom .From my MIL, I learnt how to manage cooking and kitchen.But US made me a complete cook .Recently started baking ...according to me cooking is a endless process.......in which we will be learning throught...

 3) How do you celebrate Christmas?...or a favorite holiday of your choice?
I prefer to celebrate Diwali,pongal ,new year,by going to temple .Surely we ll have a get to gether or pot luck.But now bcoz of my son thinking to start celebrating christmas ,by giving him presents - saying Santa gave him.....

 4)Do you prefer to celebrate New Year's Eve with friends and/or family, or prefer to ring in the New Year quietly, and privately, at home? 
When we were in India, we used to celebrate quietly ,by going to temple......but now we are enjoying ,by having pot lucks.,going together for temple......

 5)If someone were to ask you to bring dessert to a party, what would you bring? Store bought, or homemade, and if you were to make homemade, what would you make?
I will try to make it at home and take it out.I am not a store bought kinda girl.

I6) How will you celebrate your next birthday?
 My bday plans are decided by hubby.But I will surprise him with new gifts and make a grand menu for him to have.........

7)Do you have a New Year's resolution-and will you be sticking to it?
 Usually, I dont make it.Bcoz its better ,U dont make it than to brake it......But throught my life, I love to be good human,making others happy...

I am rolling this chain ,by tagging following friends

Kitchen Secrets
Saras Kitchen
US Masala
Priya's Easy and Tasty Recipes
Priya   Mitharwal
Sowmya's Kitchen
En Samayal araiyil
Swathi

Spicy egg curry

Eggs are loved by all and plays a vital role in non vegetarian menu.This curry has boiled eggs marinated in tomato puree, which gives the dish a tangy taste."Egg a day keeps the doc away "-for only kids..,but my hubby will always say this to have an egg daily....Hmm but i have to restrict him to have it twice a week.Egg curry is one of my fav too...lets get into the recipe....




Ingredients:
1.Eggs                  -          4
2.Onion                -          1
3.Tomato             -           1 1/2
4.Green chillies    -            1
5.G&G paste      -             1 tsp
6.Red chilli pwdr -             1 tsp
7.Curry leaves     -             1 spring
8.Cilantro

Method:
* Boil eggs with a pinch of salt.
* Chop the onion finely and slit green chilly.
* Grind tomatoe and cilantro into a fine paste.
* Take a wide pan,add oil and splutter with mustard seeds, urad dal,curry leaves.
* Saute onion with green chillies and sprinkle some salt.
* Add G&G paste and saute it well with onion.
* Wait untill oil separates from onion..add tomatoe puree.
* Add turmeric pwdr,red chilli pwdr and little salt.
* Cover and cook untill raw smell of the chilli pwdr vanishes.
* Mean while ,peel the egg and make slits into it.This will make the masala to enter the egg.
* Drop the eggs into the gravy and cook for 2 more minutes and turn off the heat.
* Garnish with cilantro and serve with hot rice.
Egg Curry

Monday, December 13, 2010

Oats Cookies with raisin topping

Oats is rich in protien and gluten free.It helps in controlling cholestrol and helps to reduce the risk of  heart attack.I had a pack of  oats sitting in my pantry, so tried these cookies.It came out really well.Got this recipe from the recipe provided by "Quarker Oats" outer cover.Altered it little by reducing the amt of oats and increasing the amt of all purpose flour.My son loved it and its healthy too as it contains oats and raisins.Give it a try u will also love it.


Yield                   :        20 cookies (medium sized)
Ingredients:
1.Butter                -      1 stick
2.Sugar                 -      a cup
3.Egg                    -      1
4.Vailla extract     -      1/2 tsp
5.All purpose flour-     1 1/2 cups
6.Baking soda        -      1/2 tsp
7.Salt                     -      1/4 tsp
8.Oats                    -       3/4 cup
9.Raisins               -        1/2 cup

Method;
* Mix sugar and butter ,beat them for 15 mins or untill it is creamy.
* Now add egg ,vanilla extract and beat again.
* Slowly add all purpose flour and mix for a while.( Dont beat well).
* Add oats,raisins and mix it again.
* Add salt again mix.
* Now take a round spoon ( I took a chutney karandi or laddle), make it as a mould.
* Fill it with the mixture and drop it on the un-greased baking tray.
* Dont over crowd the tray, place only 8 cookies,as it is medium sized.
* Bake it in batches.
* If it is small cookies, u can place it 10 cookies.Bcoz, during baking, it will enlarge in size.
* Pre heat the oven 350 degrees for 10 mins and place the baking tray.
* Bake till 10 - 12 mins or untill it becomes golden brown.
* Take it out ,cool it off  serve it with coffee or tea.

Note:
we can also add choco chips or any nuts.Dont melt the butter,this will disfigure the cookies.Just bring it to room temperature, by placing it out.

Sending this to Aipi and Priya's  Bookmarked events

Also sending to Versatile vegetarian Kitchen's Bake off event
Also Sending it to Priya's event CWF - Oats 
Also sending to Smitha's "Best Food I have eaten or blogged about"



Sunday, December 12, 2010

Lemon Rice

Lemon rice is one of the variety rices,which we prepare for many festive occasions.Its easy and simple.My son loves it a lot and he names it as yellow rice.Today i had no veges at home, yet to buy it .
Had lemon, so prepared with potato roast.It went well for our lunch.I am giving u a bit different version of preparing, which my friend sheena used to do.I love her preparation.Give it a try ,ull love it too.



Ingredients:
For setting the rice:
1.Cooked rice                  -        1 1/2 cup
2.Lemon juice                  -         1/2 cup
3.Turmeric pwdr             -          1/4 tsp
4.Salt                               -          to taste

For Tempering:
1.Oil                               -         1 tbsp
2.Mustard seeds             -          1 tsp
2.Urad dal                      -          1 tsp
3.Chana dal                    -          1 tsp
4.Red chillies                -            4
5.Curry leaves               -           1 spring
6.hing                            -             a pinch
7.Cilantro                      -            for garnishing
Method:
* Cook rice with a tsp of  oil and spread it on a tray for drying.
* This oil helps te rice to stay non-sticky.
* When the rice is cold, add lemon juice,salt,and turmeric pwdr.
* Let it sit for 10 mins,so that the rice absorbs the lemon flavour well.
* This is will help us to add the juice according to our taste.
* Now take a wide pan add all the ingredients under ' for tempering' except cilantro.
* When the tadka is over, dump in the lemon rice to the pan and mix well.
* When the rice looses ,the raw smell,turn off the heat and garnish with cilantro.
* Serve hot with crispy potato fry.

Note:
We can also add fried peanuts for the rice.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Ven Pongal / Milagu Pongal and an award

Pongal is a very famous break fast in south India.Its a combination of rice and dal with spices.We used to go to 'saravana bhavan' and order only pongal & vadai.The taste can never be met with any other restaurant according to me.My MIL is very famous for her pongal.I am giving her recipe with some alterations.My dinner was pongal today with sambar.This is the only combination , my hubby likes.But it can be served with chutney also.

Ingredients:
 For pressure cooking:
1.Raw rice                       -                1 cup
2.Moong dal                    -                 1/2 cup
3.Pepper corns                -                  1/4 tsp
4.Cumin seeds                 -                  1/4 tsp
5.Turmeric pwdr             -                  a pinch

For Tempering:
0.Hing                            -                   a pinch
1.Crushed ginger            -                    1/2 inch
2.Crushed Green chillies -                    1
3.Crushed pepper corns   -                     1/2 tsp
4.Crushed cumin seeds   -                      1/2 tsp
5.Curry leaves                -                      1 spring
6.Cilantro

Method:
* dry roast moong dal ,till it turns golden brown .
* Wash and soak it with rice for half an hour.
* Take a pressure cooker,add the soaked rice ,moong dal with pepper corns , cumin seeds and turmeric pwdr.
* Add 4 1/2 cups(for 1 1/2 cups of rice& dal) of water and cook for 3 whistles.
* Take a wide pan and add 2 tbsp of ghee and 1 tbsp of oil.
* When the mixture is hot,add cashews and fry them.
* Now add all the ingredients under 'for tempering' except cilantro.
* When the raw smell of the ginger is gone, dump in the cooked rice and dal mixture.
* Scald well , within 2 to 3 minutes, pongal will start to gather like a halwa.
* Adjust salt to taste.
* Turn off the heat and garnish with cilantro.
* Serve hot with chutney or sambar.
Chk my posting for (pongal and idli)  sambar recipe.

Note:
Roasting of moong dal will give ur pongal a wonderful aroma.By cooking rice&dal with cumin seeds and pepper, pongal will have a unique taste.If u dont want to add much ghee, still u want to have its aroma,just take a small cup ,grease it with little ghee,make it as a mould of pongal  and serve it on a plate.It will be very innovative for kids and less ghee for adults.

An award:
Akila of  Learning to Cook  has awarded me this ,lovely blogger award.She is an awsome cook.
chk her blog for wonderful recipes.
                                              

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Left over spl - Tamarind Rice

I had some left over rice sitting in my kitchen.Used my grand ma's method and prepared this tamarind rice.It tastes heavenly than the one which we prepare instatantly.The reason is ,tamarind juice is marinated with the left over rice overnight .This makes the rice to absorb the flavors well.So no worries, if u have so much rice left over .


Ingredients:
1.Tamarind Juice             -            1/4 cup
2.Turmeric Pwdr             -             1 tsp
3.Salt                               -              to taste

For Tempering:
1.Mustard seeds               -              1/2 tsp
2.Urad dal                        -               1/2 tp
3.Chana dal                      -                1 tsp
4.Methi seeds                   -                1/4 tsp
5.Hing                               -                a pinch
6.Curry leaves                   -                1 spring

Method:
* Take thick juice from tamarind.
* Add tamarind juice ,turmeric pwdr to the rice and marinate overnight.
* Take a pan, add oil,splutter with all the ingredients under 'For tempering'.
* Dump in the marinated rice to the tadka ad mix well.
* Adjust salt to taste.
* Serve with any deep fry.
Note:
Dont add too much water to the tamarind juice,it will make the rice watery.Take a thick paste.

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