Gulab Jamun

Gulab Jamun is one of India’s famed and popular desserts.  It is basically fried dough balls soaked in lightly spiced sugar syrup.  This dessert is a must at Indian festivals and major celebrations.  There are several recipes to make the perfect ‘Gulab Jamun’ and this  is an easy and quick one, Can be served chilled or warm.

Ingredients:::

• Milk powder - 1 cup
• Plain flour - 3/4 cup
• Salt - To taste
• Baking powder - 1 teaspoon
• Melted ghee - 2 tablespoons 
• Curds  - 2 tablespoons 

For Syrup:::  

• Granulated sugar - 3 cups
• 4 cups water – add few cardamons, 
• Rose water- 1 tsp
• A few strands of Saffron.

Method:::

1. In a bowl Mix milk powder, plain flour, salt, baking powder together with 2 tablespoons of curds and 2 tablespoons of melted ghee.   
2. Knead the dough – it will be soft and shiny from the ghee.   
3. Make small round balls ensuring that they are smooth with no cracks.  
4. Take oil in a pan and deep fry on a very slow fire till they are dark brown.    
5. It is important that the fire is very slow or else the balls will brown too quickly.   
6. Fry in small batches.
7. Add immediately to hot syrup and boil for 5-10 minutes till double in size.

Onion Rings

Onion Rings

Crispy coated onion rings is a most popular snack dish of drive-in restaurants. These delicious onion rings are the excellent appetizer or side dish, which gets amazing taste and texture only when fresh, homemade buttermilk is used for making its batter.

Ingredients:::

Ingredient

• Onion - 1 big
• All-purpose flour (maida) - 1/2 cup
• Cornflour - 1 tbsp
• Buttermilk - 1 cup
• Soda-bi-carbonate - 1/2 tsp
• Black pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
• Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - to deep fry

Method::

1. Peel the onion and wash in tap water.
2. Pat dry with clean kitchen napkin and cut into thin round slices, just like we cut it for making sandwiches.
3. Take out the rings from each slice as many as you can.
4. Make sure, if the onion slices are thin then thin rings will come out and that is the best thing about it.
5. Take a bowl and mix remaining ingredients very well.
6. Make a lump free batter with continuous mixing.
7. Heat good amount of oil in a frying pan.
8. Dip 2-3 rings in the prepared batter, coat from all sides and drop into hot oil.
9. Fry the onion rings on medium high flame from both sides until turns little brown and crispy.
10. Drain the fried onion rings on oil absorbent paper.
11. Serve immediately with mango salsa dip, tomato sauce.

Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer or Spinach with Homemade Cheese is easily one of the most recognizable and popular Indian dishes.

Ingredients:::

Ingredients

• Spinach chopped - 1/2 kg     
• Paneer-  200 gm
• Oil – 3 tbsp
• Onions – 2 pc, minced
• Ginger – 1″ pc, minced
• Garlic – 4 cloves, minced
• Water – 1/2 cup
• Tomatoes – 2 large or 1 (pureed)
• Garam Masala - 2 tsp
• Cumin Powder – 1 tsp
• Coriander Powder – 2 tsp
• Red Chili Powder – to taste
• Salt - to taste
• Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp
• Heavy Whipping Cream – 8 tbsp or to taste
• Milk – to taste (optional)

Method:::

1. Cook Spinach with 1/2 cup Water in a microwave safe dish for 7-8 minutes stirring in between.
2. Blend cooked Spinach to desired texture.
3. Heat 2 tbsp Oil in a medium non-stick pan on high heat.
4. Once Oil is hot, add in the minced Onions, stir, cover and let it cook for about 5 minutes.
5. Add in the Ginger and Garlic and mix. Cook for another 4-5 minutes.
6. Add in the Tomates, cover and cook till the oil seperates from the mixture.
7. Keep stirring frequently as the Masala (Onion, Tomato, Ginger & Garlic mixture) tends to burn very fast.
8. While the Masala is cooking, cube the paneer to desired size…1/2″ cubes work well.
9. In a non-stick frying pan, heat the remaining 1 tbsp Oil.
10. Once Oil is hot, add in the paneer cubes and let them cook till they are golden brown on all sides.
11. Remove from the pan into a plate with paper towel to soak the excess oil.
12. In a couple of minutes, pour the Paneer into a bowl of cold water. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
13. Meanwhile, once the Masala is prepared, add in the mashed Spinach.
14. Mix and add the Garam Masala, Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Salt, Chili Powder & Turmeric Powder.
15. Mix well and cook for 3-5 minutes.
16. Add in the desired amount of Cream and /or Milk. Mix and cook for another few minutes.
17. Gently squeeze the water out of the Paneer and put the Paneer in the Spinach.
18. Mix gently and serve hot.
19. Enjoy with Naan, Chapati, Paratha or Rice.!

Garlic Bread

Garlic Bread

Garlic Bread is a delicious and mouth melting bread stick. Here the Indian bread slice is topped with the irresistible topping of garlic, cheese and butter. Although it is a great accompaniment dish with any type of pasta’s or macaroni’s, but we would like to eat this as it is considering morning or evening snack.

Ingredients:::

• Indian Bread slices - 2pc
• Parmesan cheese - 1 tbsp
• Butter - 1 tbsp
• Garlic minced - 6 Cloves
• Parsley finely chopped - 1 tsp
• Mixed herbs (store bought) - 1tsp
• Salt to taste

Method:::

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Apply the butter on each bread slice.
3. In a mixing bowl mix garlic, parsley, mixed herbs and salt.
4. Spread this mixture on the bread slices.
5. Place them on a baking pan and heat for about 8 minutes.
6. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and little bit of mixed herbs again and place on the top rack of oven.
7. Broil on high heat for 4 minutes, keep watching to avoid the burning of bread.
8. Remove out and cut each bread slice into two parts and serve on the spot.

Tips:::

• You may use brown bread or burger bread as well.
• When you are serving garlic bread to your kids, they try adding little bit of sugar and lots of cheese in the mixture. Your kids will definitely love it.

Tortilla Pizza

This is an easy homemade recipe. Tortilla actually home made roti or chapathi. You can make a plain cheese Tortilla pizza or add almost any topping you prefer. Easy crust. Save time and money. Have fun! This is mainly a Mexican based recipe.

Ingredients::: 

• Tortillas/ Roti (we used whole wheat)
• Chopped beans
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• Water
• Olive Oil
• 1-2 tbsp. taco seasoning
• One bunch green onions, chopped
• 1 tomato, diced
• Salsa, your choice
• Mexican cheese blend
• Sour cream

Method:::

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. While the oven is heating, take a medium saucepan and saute the onions slightly, but not to the point of soggy. We still want some crunch! Unless you like soggy onions...
3. After the onions have cooked to your desired texture, add the refried beans and cook on medium-low heat. Add just enough water to loosen up the beans. 
4. Add the garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and taco seasoning. Stir until blended and then take off the heat.
5. Once the oven is ready, line a baking sheet with foil. Take your roti/tortillas (you will need two for each pizza you made), spray lightly with cooking spray, and place on the sheet. Bake for 5 minutes on each side, or until crisp. DO NOT TURN THE OVEN OFF!
6. Once both sides are crisp, take out of the oven. 
7. On a plate, begin the layering process. First, baked roti/tortilla, then spread a couple spoonfuls of the beans into a thin layer, on top of the beans, add a little bit of salsa and spread over. 
8. Add the second tortilla, lightly smooshing it into the bottom layer so it sticks. On top of this tortilla, spoon on a little bit more salsa, add to your desire. 
9. Add chopped tomatoes, green onions and then top with cheese. 
10. Place back in the oven until cheese has melted.
11. Enjoy with sour cream!!