MEETHE CHAWAL || ZARDA PULAO

Meethe Chawal as it is popularly known in Northern States of India (Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab). A delicious rice preparation in Desi Ghee, colored with turmeric, flavored with spices like saffron, cardamom, with lots of nuts. The dish has a lot of variation within the Indian Subcontinent.  

Ingredients

• Basmati rice (soaked) – 1 cup
• Turmeric – ½ tsp
• Ghee – 3tbsp
• Cinnamon – 1small stick
• Cardamom – 4=5
• Cloves – 4-5
• Coconut (dry, sliced) – handful
• Raisins – handful
• Almond (chopped) – handful
• Cashew nut (chopped) – handful
• Pistachio (chopped) – handful
• Milk – 1cup
• Saffron – a pinch
• Sugar – 1cup
• Rose water - 2 spoon
• Pomegranate (for garnishing - optional)

Process

1. Soak basmati rice for about 30 min. Boil 2 cups of water and add ½ tsp turmeric into it (if you have saffron, you can use that instead of turmeric powder) Drain the soaked rice and carefully pour into the boiling water and cook the rice over medium heat. Once the rice is 80% cooked, drain the rice and keep aside on a strainer. 

2. Take a new heavy bottomed pan, heat over medium flame. Add ghee to the vessel once it's hot. Once the ghee melts. Add in the whole spices (bay leaf, clove, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise and the dried coconut. Stir for about 2 minutes and add in the chopped almonds, pistachio, cashew nuts and raisins. Roast this for about 1 min until the nutty flavor develops.

3. Add in the milk and saffron. Boil until the saffron releases its color and sweet smell. Now, add in the sugar and rose water. Stir until everything mixes well. Add in the rice and carefully mix the milk in the rice. 

4. Cover the vessel with a lid and cook on low flame for 5-7 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed by the rice. Transfer the rice to the serving platter and serve hot. Garnish with some pomegranate while serving.

P.S. The recipe reel is up on my Instagram page. Check it out @romisrecipe

MANGO KULFI🤗

The thick and creamy mango kulfi recipe is very easy to make and required only a few ingredients which are mostly available at home No condensed milk or cream is used for this, but still, this turned out very delicious. Do try this and share your feedback. 

Ingredients

1. Mango puree - 1 big mango
2. Full fat milk - 3 cups
3. Sugar - half cup
4. Saffron strands / kesar - few
5. Pistachio / chopped nuts (optional)

Process

1. In a heavy bottom pan add full fat milk and let it simmer on low flame for 20-30 minutes, let it reduce to half.

2. Add sugar and mix well.

3. Make puree of one big sized mango and keep aside

4. Take the saffron strands and add in some milk (cold milk, do not mix in hot milk directly) 

5. Add the saffron mix to the boiling milk and let it become more thicker. Turn the flame off once the mixture gets thicker.

6. Let it cool down completely. Then add the mango puree and chopped dry fruits. 

7. Pour in the mango kulfi mixture in the mould, cover and insert the ice cream sticks and let it refrigerate for 8-10 hours. 

P.S. The recipe reel is up on my Instagram page. Check it out @romisrecipe

Matar Makhana

Makhana are puffed lotus seeds. They are a popular food to eat during fasting. They are filled with carbohydrase, fiber, iron, zinc and many other nutrients. Makhana is quite popular in India and can be used in many recipes. I have tried Matar Makhana, which is a delicious rich curry filled with the goodness of makhana and green peas. Roasted makhana made in a thick curry of tomatoes, ginger and aromatic spices. This is a perfect one for a quick meal and pure vegetarian option. You can use onion or garlic as per your choice. Goes well with paratha or chapati. 

Ingredients

1. Ghee - 2 tsp
2. Makhana (Foxnuts) 2 cup
3. Green peas - 1 cup
4. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
5. Tomato - 2 big (chopped)
6. Ginger - 2 inch 
7. Green chillies - 2-3 
8. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
9. Kashmiri red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
10. Salt - as per taste
11. Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
12. Half cup water
13. Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing (optional)

Process

1. In a pan heat 1 tsp ghee and add makhana and roast them for 5-6 minutes until they are light golden. Once done keep aside.

2. Make a fine paste of chopped tomatoes, ginger and green chillies.

3. Add ghee in the same pan and add cumin seeds and turmeric powder, saute for 2 seconds and add tomato puree and other powder spices. Saute for 2 minutes and add green peas. 

4. Once the peas are cooked and ghee starts leaving the pan add little bit of water and cook for one more minute, check if the peas is done properly. At this stage, add the roasted makhana and garnish with some freshly chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with paratha or chapati. 

Carrot Beetroot Halwa

I have tried beetroot halwa separately last year, this time thought how about mixing both carrot and beetroot and make halwa the same way we prepare gajar or beetroot halwa! And trust me, it was amazingly delicious. A perfect treat for all the dessert lover. 

Ingredients:  

1. Beetroot - grated one cup
2. Carrot - grated one cup
3. Milk (Full cream) - 1 cup
4. Cardamom - 2-3 
5. Bay leaf - 1
6. Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp

7. Sugar - 1 cup

8. Pistachios - 1/2 tsp
9. Ghee - for cooking 

10. Khoya / Mawa - 1/2 cup

Process:     

1. Wash the carrots and beetroots thoroughly under running water, peel and grate them. 

2. In a frying pan / kadhai, add ghee and add cardamom pods and bay leaf. Add grated carrot and beetroots. Let it cook for 4-5 minutes.

3. Once the carrot beetroot mixture starts spreading a nice aroma, add milk and let it boil, by covering with a lid, on low flame. Cook until the milk completely evaporates. Add sugar at this stage and mix well. 

4. When the moisture is half evaporated, add khoya and stir well until halwa thickens. Just before you finish off, add cardamom powder and garnish with chopped pistachios.

P.S. The recipe reel is up on my Instagram page. Check it out @romisrecipe

Macher Matha diye Moong Dal || Bengali special Moong Dal recipe with Fish Head

Macher matha diye moong dal or moong dal cooked with fish head. This is an exciting proposition altogether and a very popular recipe amongst we bongs. We are always tend to have more non veg dishes, and hence we keep on experimenting with non veg items with veggies, dal etc. Whenever we buy fish, we always make sure to get the big size fish so that the "Fish head" can be engineered for effective use, be it Murighonto or Macher matha diye Moong Dal. This is a simple recipe where we use onions, garlics, ginger garam masala to make this is rich one. the flavor from the fish head and the thick consistency of the dal makes it a complete dish. You don't need anything else in the menu if you have this awesome dal with steamed rice. 

Ingredients

1. Fish head - I have used Basa fish head / you can use Rohu or anything that is available
2. Moong Dal - 1/2 cup
3. Onion - finely chopped - 1
4. Bay leaf - 1
5. Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
6. Cloves - 2
7. Green cardamom - 2-3
8. Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp
9. Tomatoes - 1 big chopped
10. Cumin powder 1/2 tsp
11. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
12. Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
13. Mustard oil - 2 tsp
14. Green chillies - 2-3 (as per your taste buds)
15. Salt to taste

Process

1. Wash and clean the fish head properly and let it dry. Rub turmeric powder and little bit of salt on the fish head and keep aside.

2. Add oil in a frying pan  and one the oil is hot, fry the fish heads at medium heat so that they doesn't burn but cooks well inside. Keep aside once done.

3. In a separate pan, dry roast moong dal till it gives fragrance, just lightly dry roast and then wash and drain the water.

4. Cook the dal with 2 cups of water and little bit of turmeric powder and salt. 

5. Now, in the frying pan (the same pan can be used in which fish heads were fried) first add little oil, bay leaf, cumin seeds, cardamom and cloves. When they starts to splutter add onion and saute them for 2-3 minutes. Add ginger garlic paste and chopped tomatoes. Mix everything nicely and then add powder spices (cumin coriander and red chilli). Fry till the raw smell goes off and oil starts to release from the side.

6. Now add the pressure cooked dal and add some more water to get the desired consistency, if required. 

7. Break the fish head into pieces and add to the boiling dal. Let it cook for another 5-7 minutes till the fish head becomes soft. In the meanwhile, check the salt and seasoning and add salt if required. 

8. Once the dal is ready, drizzle some ghee and turn off the flame. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Mangalorean fish curry

Super spicy and full of flavor, this Mangalorean fish curry will surely satisfy your taste buds. Serve Mangalorean fish curry along with steamed rice for a perfect Mangalorean meal (And if you have banana leaves to serve it, Bang on!!)

Ingredients

1. Fish (king fish or Pangasius or any of your choice) 
2. Black pepper powder - 1 tsp
3. Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
4. Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
5. Salt - 1 tsp
6. Dry red chilli - 3-4
7. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
8. Coriander seeds - 1 tsp
9. Green chillies - 3-4
10. Garlic - 5-6
11. Mustard oil 
12. Onion - 1 big finely chopped
13. Curry leaves - handful 
14. Curd - 2 tsp
15. Coriander leaves - for garnishing

Process 

1. In a bowl, add black pepper powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt. Add little water and mix them properly and keep aside.

2. Heat a frying pan and add red chillies, cumin, coriander, green chillies, garlic and roast them till aromatic. Let them cool down and them make a coarse grind. 

3. Add oil in the frying pan and saute chopped onion and curry leaves. Once the onions are little brown add the grinded masala. Mix well and let it fry for few minutes

4. Now add the powdered masala paste and check the salt, if required you can add little more. Fry for few more minutes and then add curd and little water. Mix well and add the fish pieces. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, cover with a lid.

5. Sprinkle some fresh coriander leaves once done. Serve hot with steamed rice. 

P.S. The recipe reel is up on my Instagram page. Check it out @romisrecipe

Roasted Tomato Soup

Roasted Tomato soup is an all time favourite one when it comes to soup. With a few ingredients and very less time you can have this yummy and flavored blow of goodness.

Ingredients

1. Tomatoes - 3-4 large
2. Garlic - 5-6 medium sized 
3. Black pepper - 1/2 tsp
4. Sugar - 1/2 tsp or as per taste
5. Olive oil - 2 tsp
6. Warm water 1/2 cup or add as needed
7. Salt as per taste

Process

1. Rinse the tomatoes in water few times in a strainer and clean properly. 
2. Heat a frying pan cover with a lid for 7-10 minutes. (You can use microwave also)
3. Slice the tomatoes and chop the garlic and place them on the frying pan. Drizzle the olive oil evenly on the tomatoes and garlics. Cover with the lid and let it cook for 20-25 minutes or till the tomatoes have shrunk in size and gook golden. 
4. Once the tomatoes are slightly warm add them in a blender along with garlic. Add crushed black pepper, salt and sugar, and hot water and blend to a fine and smooth puree. If the soup looks thick, you can add more water as per your desired consistency. 
5. Pour the soup in a pan and heat it lightly before serving. Garnish with some Mint leaves and white sesame seeds (optional) or you can use fresh cream too. 
6. Serve hot with breadsticks or bread croutons 

Cauliflower Peas curry || Dry Gobi Matar ki Sabji

I am sure many people love to have this Cauliflower peas curry. This is a humble North Indian dry curry with two top favorite winter veggies Cauliflower and green peas. We love both gobi and matar at our home. So during the winter season I love to cook with these two vegetables often. I especially make this dry curry for quick meals. This is a very easy recipe without onion garlic that we can serve with rice or chapatis / rotis.

Ingredients

1. Cauliflower floaters - 2 cups
2. Green peas - 1/2 cup
3. Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp or as per taste
4. Ginger paste - 1/2 tsp
5. Salt to taste
6. Turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
7. Oil - 2 tsp
8. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
9. Green chillies - 2-3
10. Ghee - 1 tsp
11. Coriander leaves - for garnishing

Process

1. To start with, blanch green peas and cauliflower for 3-4 minutes, drain and keep aside.
2. In a pan heat oil and temper cumin seeds and add blanched veggies and saute for a minute.
3. Season with salt, ginger paste and other spices (mentioned in the ingredient list), and green chillies. Mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes. Then cover the pan and cook in medium flame for 7-8 minutes or till done. Lastly add ghee and keep the pan covered for a minute.
4. Before serving sprinkle chopped coriander leaves (optional) and serve hot.

CHICKEN STEW

Chicken stew is a delicious meal with chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, broccoli and any other veggies of your interests. It's all simmered in a rich seasoned chicken broth until tender. This is one of our favorite meals when there is hardly any time to cook. The perfect comfort food to warm up on a cold day. 

Ingredients

1. Chicken thighs / leg pieces - 3-4 
2. Pepper - as per taste
3. Salt as per taste
4. Onion - 1 diced
5. Carrots - 1/2 cup
6. Broccoli - 3-4 florets 
7. Oil - 1 tsp
8. Garlic - 1 tsp (minced)
9. Butter - 1/3 cup
10. Chicken broth - 3 cups
11. Potatoes - 1 
12. French beans (optional) - 5 6 (cut into 2 inch pieces) - I have used seasonal veggies
13. Green peas (optional) - 1/3 cup - I have used seasonal veggies
14. Flour - 1/4 cup
15. Bay leaf - 1
16. Chopped coriander
17. Tomato - 1 

Process

1. Heat oil in a large pan / cooker over medium heat. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. You may need to cook in batches if you are using more than 5-6 chicken pieces. Remove from flame once done and cover to keep warm.
2. Add onions, carrots and other veggies to the pan / cooker and cook for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute and remove from the pan.
3. Now, melt the butter in the pan and add flour and whisk until combined. Cook for 1 minute. Now slowly pour the broth into the pan whisking constantly. Add the chicken and vegetables. Add the bay leaf and season the stew with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the stew to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until everything is tender. 
4. Sprinkle some coriander leaves and serve hot. 

Gajar Halwa Truffles with Pistachio filling

If you have time and love to make some delicious Indian Fusion Dessert then this recipe is for you. Everyone loves gajar ka halwa. I have made these fusion desserts with gajar ka halwa. Gajar halwa truffles with pista filling which just melt in mouth. Of course it needs time to prepare these gorgeous and pretty truffles. 

Ingredients

• Grated carrot - 2 cup
• Milk - 1 cup
• Condensed milk - 1/2 cup
• Khoya / mawa - 1/2 cup
• Ghee - 2 tsp
• Pistachio - 10-15
• White chocolate - 150 gram

Process

1. Heat ghee in a pan and add grated carrot. Cook for 10 mins on low flame. Add milk and again cook till the carrots are cooked and can be mashed. Add khoya and condensed milk and cook till all the moisture is evaporated. Gajar halwa is ready. Keep and and let it cook down.

2. In a blender, mix khoya and pistachio, you can add few drops of green color also (optional), blend them well and make small balls for the filling.

3. In a separate bowl, melt the white chocolate and keep aside.

4. Now start making gajar halwa balls. Make equal size balls. Flatten them and stuff the pistachio ball and seal them. Repeat the same process for all. 

5. Now, dunk these balls in white chocolate and keep on parchment paper, coat twice if required.

6. Sprinkle some colored chocolate sprinkles on the balls. (You can use silver balls or roasted cashews also)

P.S. The recipe reel is up on my Instagram page. Check it out @romisrecipe