Spicy Schezwan Chicken

Szechuan chicken is a Spicy Chinese Chicken dish. It consists of chicken bits tossed in a spicy and flavorful sauce.  I know authentically you would be using Szechuan peppercorns but these can be a little hard to find in some places. I decided a light coating of cornstarch would be better as I prefer my chicken bits to be crispy. This dish is great served with chinese fried rice or noodles.

Ingredients :

1 chicken
Oil for frying

For marination -

1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
1 tsp chilli paste
2 tbsp Soya sauce
2 tbsp Cornflour
1 Egg
Salt to taste

For Gravy -

3 tbsps refine oil
1 tsp  ginger finely chopped
1 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
1 capsicum, cut into cubed
3 large onion, cut into cubed
¼ cup spring onions, cut into 1" long strips
2  red chilies
½ tsp chilli powder
½ cup tomato sauce
1 tbsp Soya sauce
1 tsp chilli sauce
11/2 tsp schezwan sauce
1 cup chicken stock
¼ tsp sugar
½ tsp black pepper
¾ tbsp corn flour mixed with ¼ cup water
Salt to taste

Method :

First clean and wash the chicken and cut in to small sized pieces without removing the bones.

Prepare a mixture of all the ingredients for marinade well. Marinate the chicken pieces in the mixture  at least for 30 minutes.

Now heat the oil in a deep frying pan, fry the chicken pieces to a golden colour. Do not over cook the chicken pieces. Drain and keep aside.
Heat oil in an another pan, add red chilli, chopped ginger and garlic, spring onion, onion, capsicum, saute for 5-7 mins.

Next add tomato sauce , chilli powder, soya sauce, chilli sauces, schezwan sauce, sugar and pepper powder, mix well together.

Now add the previously fried chicken pieces to this gravy, chicken stock, simmer and cook covered  for about 4 minutes.

Mix cornflour with a little water and make a smooth paste without lumps.

Add the paste to the boiling gravy, stir continuously till the gravy gets thicker.  Stir well to coat all the chicken with the gravy.

Serve hot with Indo-Chinese Vegetable fried rice / Veg Chilli Garlic noodles.
 



Sending this to Amy's "Hot & Spicy Treats" event, Surabhi's "Holi Hai"event,  My space "COLOURFUL HOLI", Julie's "Flavors of Cuisine :Chinese "



Read More

Green Peas Masala (Muttar Masala)

Green peas or fresh green peas looks beautiful and blends very well with onion and tomatoes. This recipe is very simple  to prepare. Definitely you will love the combination of onions and mushy tomatoes along with green peas blended with the spices. This masala gravy goes very well with a roti or rice.

Ingredients:

Green peas - 2 cups (I used dry peas)
Onions - 2, medium, finely chopped
Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Green chillies - 2, medium, finely chopped
Tomatoes - 2, medium, finely chopped
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Kashmiri red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
Cummin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil - 2 tsp

Method :


Soak dried peas overnight or for 6-8 hrs. Pressure cook peas for 4 whistles until soft, drain water and keep aside.

Heat a fry pan and pour in the oil, add cumin seeds allow ii to splutter. Add onion, Saute till the onions turn light brown.

Then add ginger-garlic paste and green chilli, saute for a minute.  Add tomatoes and saute till the oil separates from it.

Then add turmeric powder, kashmiri red chilli powder, coriander powder and garam masala powder. Mix well.

Finally add cooked green peas and salt to tatse, cook it covered on low heat stirring occasionally until green peas are cooked. (If neccessary then add little water)

Remove from heat. Serve it hot with poori or rotis or rice also.

 

Read More

Chewy Chocolate Cookies - Celebrating My 200th Post

         It is going 1 year 3 months , I am blogging, and I have gained a lot of friends and without the support of all of you it was not possible. I am posting my 200th post today and this makes me to feel so proud and happy and to celebrate this occasion I made Chewy Cocolate cookies. A special thanks to my elder sister (Indrani of Recipe Junction) and my hubby to support and encouraging me always for blogging.  I just started this blog as a hobby, now this become of my full time job!!! (hehe!! wanna say that I'm addicted).

           Chewy Chocolate cookies is a full of rich dark chocolate goodness from melted bittersweet chocolate, unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, egg and vanilla with a touch of salt.

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups of All-Purpose Flour

1/2 cup of bittersweet chocolate

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup butter

2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup cocoa powder (Natural, Unsweetened)

Method :

Preheat the oven 180C for 10-15 minutes.

Melt chopped chocolate on the stove top when the chocolate is smooth, set aside to rest while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda and salt and set it aside while you mix the wet ingredients.

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugars until creamy.  Beat in the eggs one at a time until incorporated. Add in the vanilla and mix. Beat in the cocoa powder until just mixed. Beat in the melted chocolate mixture. Then add the flour/baking soda/salt mixture slowly and continue to beat on a low speed until you have a thick cookie batter.

Using a 1/4 cup ice cream scoop or 1/4 cup measuring cup, portion out the dough on to the pre-lined baking sheets.  Flatten the dough mounds a little bit with your finger tips. Make sure to leave ample space between your cookies because they will spread while they're baking.

Bake 15-20 minutes or until a little crispy around the edges.  Remove from oven and place baking sheets on cooling racks for 5 minutes. Transfer the cookies to the wire rack to cool completely.

You can top it with powdered sugar.

Note: If you like your cookies crispier, allow them to bake a few minutes longer.

Sending this to My First Event "COLOURFUL HOLI" event, Preeti's "Color N Sweet- HOLI FEST" event, Anjali's "Cakes, Cookies and Desserts " event,
Vimitha's "Love n Chocolate Fest" event, Anzz Cafe's "Valentines Special " event, Sumee's "Bon Vivant" event, Vardhini's "Sweet Luv" event, Radhika's "Let’s Cook #12 ~ Sweet Somethings " event, Kalyani's "Valentine Fest - Served with Love" event, Radhika's "I Love Baking #1 " event, Srav's "Dish For Loved Ones " event, Surabhi's "Holi Hai " event,  Raji's "Healthy Diet Event ~ Baked Goodies " event and Julie's "ABC Series: EGG recipes " event





 

Read More

Fish Stuffed Egg Omlette Curry

Egg Omlette is a very common item in our daily meal but fish stuffed egg omlette sounds little different. Fish stuffed egg omlette curry is one of my hubby's favourite dish. So Egg lovers this is yet another delicious and different egg recipe for you.

Ingredients -  

For Omlette :

Egg : 2
Onion : 1, big, finely chopped
Green chilli : 2, chopped
Black pepper powder to taste (optional)
salt to taste
Milk : 1 tbls

For stuffing :

Rui fish : 2 pcs
Onion : 1, small, finely chopped
Green chilli : 1, finely chopped
Ginger paste : 1 tsp.
Turmeric powder : 1 tsp.
Red chilli powder : 1 tsp.
Coriander powder : 1 tsp.
Salt to taste

For Curry :

Onion : 1, large (grated)
Ginger-garlic paste : 1 tbsp
Tomato : 1, finely chopped
Turmeric powder : 1 tsp
Coriander powder : 1 tsp
Cumin powder : 1 tsp
Red chili powder : 1 tsp
Bay leave : 1
Cumin seeds : 1 tsp
Garam masala powder : 1 tsp.
Salt (as per taste)
Sugar : 1/2 tsp.
Coriander leaves chopped for gurnishing

Method -

Little turmeric powder and salt apply on rui fish,set it aside for 15 mins. Take a deep non sticky pan, put oil and when the oil is hot, dip the fish pieces in the besan flour and deep fry to golden brown. Drain of pepper towel.Let it cool on room temperature. Then scramble the fish without skin and bone.

Heat oil in pan, add chopped onion, fry for few minutes then add ginger paste,green chilli, spice powder, salt, sugar, scramble fish, mix well. cook for 5-7 mins.Keep aside. 

Break 2 eggs in a bowl, add milk, salt, pepper powder and whisk till frothy.
Take a flat bottomed pan, drizzle a tbsp of oil, and heat it on medium flame.

Pour the whisked egg mixture into the pan and swirl it around to spread evenly. Reduce flame to low and allow to cook for a minute and flip over. Cook for a few second.

Flip the omelet again and place the cooked fish stuffing.Gently fold over with a large spatula. Turn off the heat and slide the omelette onto a plate using spatula, carefully close the omelettte.

Heat oil in an another pan, add bay leave and cumin seedswhen seeds splutter then add grated onion and fry for a minute.


Now add ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, coriander powder, umin powder, red chili powder and little water . Fry the mixture until oil get separated from it.


Add chopped tomatoes or tomato puree and salt . Stir for some time and add 2 cups of water.


Finally, Add garam masala powder and sugar. Cover the pan and let it cook for 6 to 8 minute in medium flame.


Now add egg omelette in the gravy. Cover it again and cook for another 5 minutes. when the gravy is little thick take it out.


Garnish with chopped coriander and serve with roti, naan or steamed rice.

Sending this recipe to Ramya's "ABC Series: EGG recipes" event, Amy's " Hot & Spicy Treats" event, My event "Colourful Holi"

Read More

Shubh Maha Shivaratri (Sivarathri) – February 2012

On February 20th, 2012 millions of Hinduism followers around the world celebrated a festival dedicated to Lord. Shiva called Maha Shivaratri (Shivarathri) Maha Shivaratri means “The Night of Shiva”. The religious ceremonies mainly occur during night. This is a celebration observed in honor of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was married to Parvati on this day. This is the night when Shiva is said to have performed the Tandava or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. People repeat the Panchakshara Mantra ’om namah shivaya’ as it is said he who utters the Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims flock to the places where there are Shiva temples.

     Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated yearly on the 13th and 14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha or Phalguna in the Hindu calendar.

Read More

Potato With Mint And Coriander Sauce (Pudila Dhaniya Aloo)

Potato is eaten cooked as a vegetable, boiled, baked (often jacketed), mashed or as chips (French fries). Potato is a frequent ingredient in soups, stews and pies.Crisps (chips) are eaten as snacks. Potato (Aloo) is perhaps the most popular vegetable in the world and is used in a number of dishes such as appetizers, curry,salads, dessert also.

Ingredients:

Potatoes - 250 gms
Onion - 2, small, sliced
Mint leaves - 1/2 cup
Coriander leaves - 1/2 cup
Green chillies - 3
Ginger-garlic paste - 11/2 tbsp
Tomato - 1, medium
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp.
Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
Bay leaves - 1 or 2
Oil - 4 teaspoon

Method:

Grind Mint leaves, Coriander leaves, Green chilies,salt and little water. Make a green paste out of it.

Boil potatoes and peel its skin carefully.

Heat oil in a pan, fry boiled potaoes until golden brown.

In the same oil, add bay leaves and cumin seeds, when seeds are splutter then add finely chopped onion, fry until golden brown.

Now add ginger-garlic paste, chopped tomato, cook for 2 mins.

Then add all spice powder, fried potato, salt and sugar, mix well.

Now finally add green paste, cook become golden yellow. Remove them from gas.

Serve it hot with any indian bread like roti, paratha.

Sending this to Siris Food Flavour's "Potato Mania" event

Read More

My First Event - SPOTLIGHT : COLOURFUL HOLI

First time I am hosting an event “SPOTLIGHT”, which is brainchild of my elder sister, Indrani of Recipe Junction. From now on, this event will be hosted by me mostly and (sometimes) by my sister. After the huge success of Spotlight -Winter vegetable, We have thought to go for a colorful theme, as HOLI is on our doorstep.

“Holi-The Celebration of Colour” - Holi marks the end of the winter gloom and rejoices in the bloom of the spring time. It is the best time and season to celebrate. Colours will fill the atmosphere as people throw abir or gulal in the air and to each other showing great joy and mirth in the arrival of this Spring Festival. Colours are the most joyous part of the Holi celebrations.

So you must have got the idea, the theme for this month will be "Colourful Holi". Deadline will be March 15^th, 2012.

The rules of this event :

1. As the theme is COLOURFUL HOLI , prepare any colourful dish or any traditional Holi dishes like, Kachori, Rajasthani Mathi, Gujrati Meetha Poora, Maharastrian Matar karanjis, Papdi Chat, Thandai  etc. The dish can be  a starter, main course, side dish, dessert, drink etc. Veg & Non-Veg -both are allowed.

2. Post it in your blog from February 15 to March 15 and link it to my announcement and original spotlight announcement link.You can send multiple entries.

3. Archived posts are allowed if they are reposted with the link to the announcement page and Original Spotlight announcement link.

4. The use of logo is mandatory as it helps spread the word about the event.

5. Non-bloggers can also send their recipes to the email below.

6. Use the linky tool at the end of the post to link your recipes. If u are having any problems linking up, just send me to my email  address : chandranibanerjee10 (at) gmail (dot) com with subject line Spotlight : Colourful Holi

   Your Name:

   Recipe Name:

   Recipe URL:

   Image no larger than 300 pixels.

  I am looking forward to see all the wonderful creations by my blogger and non blogger friends.

Previous Spotlight events :

Spotlight : Fish

Spotlight : Summer Fruit & Vegetables

Spotlight : Baking without oven

Spotlight : Winter vegetables 

Read More

Romantic Valentine’s treat – Chocolate Frosting Vanilla Heart Cake In Pressure Cooker

Happy Valentine's Day To All My Viewers and Blogger Friends

 Chocolate Frosting Vanilla Heart Cake

    I have a romantic treat you can start practicing to make in order to impress that special someone on Valentine’s Day.  Chocolate icing vanila heart cake – it’s sweet, scrumptuous and romantic, just as you want your Valentine’s Day to be. Yummmmmm…it’s finger linking good!!!!!!!

   This Valentines Day Special cake is sure to taste as good as it looks.  Your partner will love you even more as soon as you showcase this adorable cake which is an also an ideal dessert for other occasions as well. So, let’s get started on the best homemade Valentine’s treat ever!

Ingredients  :

All purpose flour (maida) - 1 1/2 cup
crush cashew - 1/2 cup
Sugar (powdered) -1 cup
Egg -2
Butter - 1/2 cup (125 grams)
Baking powder - 1 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp
Milk - 1/2 cup

For Chocolate frosting :

Cocoa powder -11/2 tbsp
Butter -60 gms
Powdered sugar - 1/2 cup
Hot milk/ hot water -1 tbsp
Vanilla essence -1 tsp

Method :

Sieve maida, baking powder and salt together  in a bowl.

In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer beat butter and sugar well.

Then add egg one by one and beat until well blended and smooth.

Add milk, vanilla essence and beat for a few more minutes.

Now flour add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth. Pour batter into the aluminum tin.

Fill the cooker with sand till 1 1/2 inches. Preheat the cooker for 5 minutes on high flame with the sand.

place the aluminum tin into the pressure cooker (I used contura pressure cooker). Close lid and reduce heat to low and cook for 40 mins to 1 hour for the cake to be done.

Check it after 40 minutes by inserting a wooden toothpick in the center of the cake, if it comes out clean, your cake is done, otherwise cook for some more time.Turn off heat and do not open the lid for 5 mts. After 5 mts remove the pressure cooker lid and carefully remove the aluminum pan.

Let cool completely before covering with frosting.

For frosting, beat cocoa powder and butter together. Then add Add sugar, vanilla essence and milk and mix well. Beat until the mixture is spreading consistency.

Keep the mixture in the refrigerator for 10-15 mins and then apply it on the cake using a spatula.

To assemble the cake, place one of the cake layers on a serving platter.  Top with 1 cup of the chocolate frosting and smooth over the top of the cake.

Decorate it with silver balls or gems and crush cashew nuts on top of cake.

Note :

Do not use the rubber gasket and weight valves.
Do not pour water inside the cooker as we are not steaming the cake.

Have fun and enjoy the delicious taste of this special treat..

Sending this to Killer On The Plate's "Love Lock With Sweet" event, Resh's "Chocolate Lover" event, Amy's "Decorating Challenge # 3 - Valentine's Day Ideas" event, Vardhini's "Sweet Luv" event, Radhika's "Let’s Cook #12 ~ Sweet Somethings " event, Simlyfood's "Lets Cook for Valentines (chocolate/hearts) " event, Srav's Culinary Concept's "Dish For Loved Ones " event, Kalyani's "Valentine Fest - Served with Love" event, Anzz's "Valentines Special " event, Raji's "Baked Goodies " event





Read More