Masale Bhat

The other day for lunch I made 'Masale bhat'. I remember my aunties preparing this during Ganesh chaturthi. they use to prepare this rice without onion, garlic or ginger. its aroma while cooking feels sooo good....so here's the recipe...n yes a must have thing for this recipe is Maharashtrian goda masala.

Ingredients:
1cup - Basmati Rice
2 cups - water to cook rice
3/4th cup - length wise cut Tindora
1/4th cup of Green Peas
1tbsp- Ginger and Garlic paste (optional)
2tbsp of Dry Coconut Powder
2 Bay leaves
1 Cinnamon Stick
2 Cloves
2 Cardamom Pods
3 Black pepper
1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
1/4Th tsp Methi Seeds
1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
1/2 tbsp Coriander Powder
10 Cashews halved lengthwise
10-12 Curry leaves
1 slit green chili
1/2tbsp Red Chili Powder
1/2tbsp Turmeric Powder
1 tbsp Goda Masala (kala masala)
2-3 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste
Fresh Cilantro and Fresh grated Coconut to garnish

Directions:-
1)Take oil in a pressure cooker and add all the dry spices accordingly- when mustard seeds pop,add cumin, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, cardamom, black pepper,Methi seeds, sauté for few seconds

2)Now add green chilies, curry leaves, dry coconut powder, ginger garlic paste

3)Throw in washed peas and Tindora, sauté them now add all powders and salt and now finally add soaked basmati rice with 2 cups of water.

4)Make 2 whistles that should be enough to cook rice.

5)In another pan heat little oil or ghee and fry halved cashews till they change color to light brown

6)Open pressure cooker when its cooled and garnish with finely chopped cilantro, cashews & fresh coconut if you like.

7)Serve it along with any raita, papads and pickle.

QUICK & HEALTHY PASTA

Today evening i was hungry n was dying to eat Pasta...so hurried inside kitchen n started preparing. i love my pasta to be colourful so opened fridge, was left with some spring onions, spinach n tomatoes...Woh! nice combination...but guys i hate adding cheese so made it without any cheese, if u like..then go ahead. i had it happily :) so here the recipe..a very simple one and different too..i call it chino-Italian..lol.

Ingredients of Quick Pasta:-

1 cup penne rigate pasta cooked n drained

1/2 onion chopped

1/4 cup spinach chopped

(one can also use corn, peas)

1 bunch of finely cut spring onion

1 small tomato chopped

2 Tbs tomato sauce

1/2 Tbs soy sauce

1/4 tspn oregano seeds

1/2 Tbs garlic finely chopped

1/4 tspn black pepper pwd

1/2 tspn red pepper pwd

2 Tbs oil

Salt as per taste

Directions:-

• Heat oil in a pan, add oregano seeds to sizzle, then chopped garlic n fry for a while.
• To this add finely chopped onion, add pinch of salt to it n fry till it becomes soft.
• Now add chopped tomatoes, spinach n spring onions n allow it to cook.
• Then add tomato sauce n soy sauce n again saute for 5 mins
• Now add black n red pepper powder n mix it
• Then add cooked pasta n salt as per taste to it.
• Mix it properly, keep lid on top n cook for few mins.
• Serve hot in a bowl. one can garnish with finely chopped spring onions.

wasn't it easy...n quick too!!