Watermelon Gin-Min

Another healthy, cool and refreshing summer entertainer, watermelon juice with ginger and mint flavour. A fine thirst quencher, energy drink, low-fat, low cholesterol diet for you. Enjoy the goodness and health benefits of watermelon this summer. 

Preparation time : 10 mins
Serves                   : 3-4

Ingredients :
Half a deseeded watermelon 
1 inch ginger minced 
4-5 mint leaves
3-4 drops lime juice
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Ice cubes

Method :

Cut the watermelon into small chunks. Discard the skin

Blend watermelon chunks, ginger, mint leaves, lime juice, honey and ice cubes.

Now strain the watermelon juice to a juice jar.

Your refreshing watermelon drink is ready to serve....

Baked Fish On Vegetables

Baking fish on vegetables is a healthy way to eat fish. Marinated with spicy herb mix with lemon, garlic and olive oil gives the fish a real kick. Baked vegetables cooked just perfect are treat to eat along with fish. I have adapted this recipe from VahRehVah.com by the chef Sanjay Thumma. He has lovely recipes and explains everything very well. I have become a fan of his recipes. We all enjoyed this baked fish thoroughly. Give a try and let me know how it turned out for you. 

Preparation time : 10 mins

Baking time          : 30 mins

Serves                  : 2-3

Ingredients :

1 whole snapper with tail (you can use fish of your choice)

Vegetables like capsicum, potato and carrot -1 each

1 teaspoon coriander powder

1 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon chilly powder

Salt to taste

4 cloves of garlic

2 sprig dill leaves or sapsige soppu

4 sprig coriander leaves

Juice of half lemon

1 tablespoon olive oil 

Method :

Wash and clean the fish and retain the tail. It becomes easier to lift the fish and to flip it. Pat the fish dry. Make deep cuts throughout the fish on both sides.

Add coriander, cumin, chilly powder, salt, garlic, dill and coriander leaves to a blender and blend to a fine paste. To this squeeze half a lemon juice and pour oilve oil. mix well. 

Rub the spicy herbed paste on fish on both sides. Marinate the fish for 6-8 hours.

Cut the capsicum, potato and carrot into thin slices. 

Take a baking tray add the cut vegetables and squeeze juice of half lemon. No need to add the salt as the salt in the  fish ooze out while baking.

Now place the fish on the vegetables and bake the fish at 200°C for 30 minutes by flipping it. 

Enjoy the baked fish on vegetables.

Marinated snapper on vegetables

Baked Herbed Fish

Lamb Chilly Fry

Lamb chilly fry

A Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year 2014 to all my blog viewers. May you get all the happiness, peace and success throughout the year. We are all set to celebrate Christmas. We bought Christmas Tree from David Jones and it is beautiful. With all the decorations, lightings and a star on the tree top made it to look fabulous. Also I have bought all the stuff to bake chocolate cake tomorrow and my husband gifted me Jamie Oliver Big Boy BBQ. This charcoal BBQ is smart to look and portable. It is easy to carry and great for outdoor get together. Can use in parks or beaches :). I am loving it. I will definitely post the barbecue recipes soon. 

Coming to today's recipe this lamb chilly fry is a must try semi-gravy dish. The tasty and spicy masala is mixed along with the lamb and fried over medium heat for some time and cooked in pressure cooker. A good lamb recipe to try for this festive season. I have used boneless lamb in this recipe. You can use lamb with the bone as it tastes very good. Give a try and let me know the end result. Waiting to hear from you. Again wish you all a Joyous Christmas. 

Preparation time : 15 mins 

Cooking time       : 20 mins

Serves                   : 4-5

Ingredients :

750 grams lamb on the bone or boneless

1 medium size onion chopped

6 cloves of garlic without skin

Salt to taste

2 tablespoon ghee or oil

For grinding 

10 Kashmiri chillies (deseeded)

1 medium sized onion

2 inch ginger

1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 small lemon sized tamarind (15 grams)

6 cloves 

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

Method :

Dice the lamb into small pieces. Wash and place in a colander. Let the water drain off completely.

Grind the ingredients listed under ''grinding'' to a smooth paste by adding little water (don't add too much water). Keep aside.

Heat oil or ghee in a pressure cooker add garlic and onions fry till the onion become transparent. 

Add masala paste and salt and mix it. To this as add lamb, mix it nicely so that all the masala coats well on the lamb. Fry on medium heat for 3-4 minutes.Do not add any water as lamb leaves lot of water. Cover the lid and pressure cook on medium heat  and take 4-5 whistles. Let the pressure go completely and remove the lid and do the taste check for salt. 

Enjoy the lamb chilly fry with rice or chapathis........

Pop Pop Popcorn Chicken

Crispy and Crunchy Popcorn Chicken

Who doesn't know about popcorn chicken? One of KFC's famous item. Every one loves to have these popcorn chicken. Did you know that you can make them at home? Yes... at home...in your kitchen.. with simple ingredients.... and the result you get will be awesome, a crunchy, crispy and delicious popcorn chicken :). Mouth is watering isn't it?. The original recipe calls for garlic powder, onion powder, cajun seasoning and so on. But I have made some modifications to the recipe so that we all can make them at home without these ingredients. This recipe requires double dipping to get a crunchy coating to the chicken. Read the recipe step by step to know how to make them.... 

Preparation time : 20 mins

Frying time          :10 mins
Serves                 :3-4

Ingredients :
250 grams chicken breast fillet chopped into small pieces
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup corn flour
1 tablespoon rice flour
1 cup Breadcrumbs
2 large eggs beaten
1/2 teaspoon chilly powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper powder
Pinch of chat masala
1/2 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
1 teaspoon oregano
Salt to taste 
Oil for frying 

Method :
Marinate the chicken with salt, ginger garlic paste, chat masala and 1/4 teaspoon each chilly and pepper powder. Keep aside.

Prepare the flour mixture by combining all purpose flour, rice flour and corn flour. To this add salt, oregano and 1/4 teaspoon each chilly and pepper powder

Beat the eggs and keep aside.

Put the Breadcrumbs in the bowl ( make your own breadcrums by taking 4-5 slices of freezed bread and blend it to powder). Check the picture below.

Ingredients to make popcorn chicken

Coating the chicken by first dipping the chicken piece in the flour mixture, and then in beaten eggs, then in breadcrumbs, again in beaten eggs and again in breadcrumbs. Follow this procedure for all the chicken pieces. Here we are double dipping the chicken in eggs and breadcrumbs to keep the coating intact while frying.

Coated chicken

Deep Frying : Fry chicken in hot oil using medium low flame till it turns golden brown color by flipping them. 

Serve hot with tomato ketchup

Mango-Mint Smoothie

Mango-Mint Smoothie

Summer has entered Sydney with full bang. Extremely hot here. Today the temperature raised to 40 degree Celsius. We are consuming lot of liquid diet now a days. This Mango-Mint Smoothie is perfect for summer entertaining and it is very refreshing, cool and yummy. Make this at home and enjoy :)

Preparation time : 10 mins
Serves                   :  2

Ingredients : 
1 sweet ripe mango pulp
1 tablespoon thick vanilla Greek yoghurt
3 tablespoon honey
1 cup light non-fat milk
7-8 mint leaves
 Ice cubes
Pinch of cardamom powder(optional)

Method :

Blend everything listed under ingredients until creamy.

Serve cold and enjoy the Smoothie.... Fresh and Juicy aaahhhhhaaaaaaa :)

Roasted Egg Curry

The roasted egg curry turned out amazing. I have roasted both eggs and spices here. The roasted eggs gave crunchy effect while eating. The spices were dry roasted on slow flame and blended to fine powder. The mint leaves gave this curry extra effect. Takes some time to prepare, but your efforts will not go waste. Perfect for chapathis. Do try this egg curry and let me know how it turned out for you.

Preparation time : 15 mins
Cooking time       : 20 mins
Serves                   :  3-4 

Ingredients : 
6 hard boiled eggs
2 medium onions chopped finely
3 medium tomatoes chopped finely
3 cloves of garlic chopped finely
1 green chilly chopped
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1.5 tablespoon egg curry powder ( see below for the ingredients)
1/2 teaspoon mustard
1 sprig curry leaves
1 sprig mint leaves(optional)
Coriander leaves for garnishing
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon oil

For the egg curry powder
10 Kashmiri chillies
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds or ajwain
1 teaspoon sesame
1 tablespoon grated coconut
Pinch of fenugreek seeds
1/2 teaspoon peppercorns
6-8 cloves
1 inch cinnamon stick

Method :

Boil the eggs in a pan with lot of water and little salt. Remove the shells and make three cuts on each of the eggs.

Heat oil in a pan sprinkle little salt and add eggs slightly roast the eggs and sprinkle little chilly powder and pepper powder. These spices will stick on the eggs. Remove from the pan and keep aside

Now dry roast all the ingredients together listed under egg curry powder on a low flame till nice aroma comes. Be very careful not to burn the spices. Allow to cool. Now blend them into a fine powder. This is your egg curry powder. This will yield about 3 tablespoon. I have used half of it. 

Heat oil in a pan add mustard let them crackle. Add curry leaves, green chilly and garlic saute for a minute

Add onions saute till transparent. Add tomatoes and cook till they become soft. Add salt and turmeric powder and saute for a minute.

Add mint leaves and egg curry powder and saute them on a slow flame for 10 mins. Please don't add water at this stage. Keep stirring in between. This masala cooks well on the slow flame and becomes thick. 

Now add half cup water. Do the taste check. Add salt if necessary and now add roasted eggs. 

Mix well so that the masala coats nicely to the eggs and cook for 5 mins. Switch of the flame.

Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot with chapathi.

Ingredients for Egg curry powder

Egg Curry masala 

Roasted eggs 

Roasted egg curry

ALMO-CADO MilkShake

Almo-Cado Milkshake

Almonds are nutrient dense protein source. So incorporating them in our diet is very important. Today's milkshake is a blend of almond and avocado. So the name Almo-Cado milkshake. Very refreshing and yummy to taste. You will enjoy every sip of this milkshake delightfully. Try this at home and get your quality proteins. 

Preparation time : 10 mins 

Serves                   :  2-3

Ingredients :

1 large ripe avocado pulp

1.5 cups non-fat milk

3 tablespoon sugar or honey

7-8 almonds(skin removed)

Ice cubes 

Method :

Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. 

Pour to a glass and enjoy the milk shake.

Mango Lassi Popsicles

The countdown for Christmas has started. For the first time we are away from our parents and family during Christmas. Every year my dad and mom makes lot of Kuswar to share with dear ones, and dad makes a beautiful crib (special exhibition of art objects representing the scene of the birth of baby Jesus). I miss everything :( and also today is my Grand Mother's 8th death anniversary. I am missing you a lot dear Mai... But don't worry you are always with us. Sorry, I became bit emotional. About the Christmas celebration, I am waiting for this weekend to buy Christmas tree, stars and decoration stuff. We would like to make the Christmas memorable for our daughter this year. She gets excited whenever she sees Christmas trees, Santa and decorations. I know she will surely enjoy while decorating the Christmas tree. I will post the pics of our Christmas tree in ''The Hot Pot''.

Every age group loves to eat popsicles. I need not describe the taste and the feel while eating them. I made these lovely, Mango Lassi Popsicles yesterday. See the blue stick and the yellow top and put in the mouth and finish it Plop-Plop! Indeed a treat, isn't it! A healthy way to get your protein too in the form of yoghurt. You will love making them again and again. Please check the ingredients to know how to make them...

Preparation time : 10 mins

Freezing time      : 5-6 hours

Makes                   : 6 popsicles 

Ingredients : 

1 large sweet ripe mango flesh or pulp

3 tablespoon thick Greek Yoghurt

2 tablespoon honey 

1/4 teaspoon of cardamom powder

pinch of salt

1 teaspoon lime juice

1/4 cup of milk (optional)

Method :

Blend all the ingredients in the blender until it becomes creamy.

Pour this mixture in the popsicle molds and insert the stick. and freeze it for 5-6 hours

Take out the mold from the freezer and savor these delicious Mango lassi popsicles.... 

Note: After taking out from the freezer don't worry if the stick doesn't come out. Dip the popsicle molds in hot water for 1 minute, and pull them. They will come out beautifully....

Popsicle Molds

Mango Lassi Popsicles

Cheesey Chicken Spiral Pasta

I never liked the pasta when I ate it first time in a restaurant. Yucky was my reaction. Then I thought of feeding my daughter pasta to see whether she likes it or not. I bought Maggi penne pasta. The pack comes with the pasta masala powder. My daughter too didn't like it and she spitted it out with the first spoon itself. I decided not to feed pasta to my family any more... The pasta which I bought was lying in the shelf for many months then I finally handed over to my mom in law before coming here and I really don't know what she has done with it :)

Every Saturday I go to Coles supermarket to buy weeks groceries and there one full section is filled with different type of dry pastas... I couldn't resist buying a pack of spiral pasta. I tried this recipe and it worked out for my whole family.. It is cheesey, creamy, tangy and delicious... Though I have added chicken in it, vegetarians please do not get disappointed. Instead of chicken you can add different vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli, olives, carrots, red, yellow, and green bell peppers. It looks more presentable on the plate than adding just the chicken :). Follow the same method of preparing pasta sauce. Scroll down for the ingredients and the method of preparation.

Preparation time : 10 mins

Cooking time       : 30 mins

Serves                  : 4 

Ingredients : 

2 cups dried spiral pasta( you can use any shape)

Salt to taste

Water 

Mozzarella or any grated cheese (as per your need)

For the pasta sauce

250 grams chicken breast fillet minced

1 large onion chopped finely

1 green bell pepper chopped finely

 4 tomatoes pureed ( I used whole peeled tomatoes)

5 large garlic cloves chopped finely

1 teaspoon cumin powder

1 teaspoon chilly powder

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1  teaspoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon tomato ketchup

1/4 teaspoon celery salt(optional)

1 teaspoon chilli flakes (I broke the kashmiri chillies into pieces)

1 teaspoon garam masala

1 teaspoon oregano

1 tablespoon oil

1 teaspoon sugar

Method :

Boil 6 cups of water in a pan, add salt, 2-3 drops of oil and pasta cook on medium heat till it is softt (It takes 5-6 mins). After cooked drain the pasta on colander and keep aside 

To make pasta sauce, heat oil in a pan add minced chicken, little salt, cumin powder, turmeric powder cook till soft. Saute and cook till the chicken gets cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan and put into bowl. keep aside

In the same pan add little oil, add garlic saute for a minute. Add onions and saute till transparent. Add bell pepper and saute them for few minutes. Add oregano, chilly powder, chilly flakes, garam masala, soy sauce, tomato ketch up and salt( take care while adding salt. even chicken and pasta also has salt) 

Add pureed tomatoes and cooked chicken. To this add celery salt and sugar.

Add half cup of water. Cover and cook for 10-15 mins. Keep stirring in between.

Switch of the flame. 

Now pour the sauce over the pasta and mix well. Add grated cheese or mozzarella cheese on top and place the bowl in microwave oven and cook for 5 mins on high till gets melted. 

Mix everything well and serve hot.... 

Pasta sauce 

Cooked pasta

Cheese on top of pasta and sauce mix

Melted  cheese after microwaving it 

Cheesey spiral Chicken Pasta 

Coffee Cake Baked in Microwave Oven

This is my first attempt to bake a cake. The coffee cake came out pretty good with the flavor of coffee. This cake is perfect for coffee lovers. A yummy evening snack to savor with tea or coffee. I baked the cake in microwave oven. The cake was fluffy, spongy and tasty. It did not disappoint me even in my first attempt. Take a quick look at the ingredients and learn to make it....

Preparation time : 15 mins

Baking time         : 8 mins

Yield                    : 15- 20 medium pieces

Ingredients : 

2 cups or 200 grams all purpose flour
1/2 cups or 100 grams granulated sugar

 3 eggs

100 grams unsalted butter

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla essence 

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoon instant or granulated coffee dissolved in little milk

Method : 

Cream sugar and butter in a bowl add vanilla, mix well. Add eggs to it and beat well. 

Sift the all purpose flour, baking powder and baking soda. (to avoid any clumps)

Add to the mix of sugar, butter, vanilla and eggs. Add the instant coffee mix. Add half cup of milk. Mix very well. 

Grease the non-stick bakeware with butter and dust it with flour

Add the cake mix or batter to the cake pan and place it in microwave oven for 8 mins on high.

(Keep a small cup or glass of water on the side so that the cake doesn't become too dry)

Remove and cool and invert it on a rack or a tray.

Note: To check whether the cake is perfectly baked, poke the toothpick on the top of the cake slightly in the middle. If it comes up with some wet batter or stickiness, the cake needs to be baked some more time. If the toothpick comes dry, then the cake is done. 

Cake batter poured in cake pan 

Perfectly baked coffee cake

Cake is ready to serve 

Grilled Chicken Maryland

In Australia, Chicken Maryland simply refers to a butcher's cut for a whole leg consisting of the thigh and drumstick. This Grilled Chicken Maryland is a yummy treat for the tummy. The soy sauce and corn flour in the marination makes all the difference. You will forget the whole world while eating this crispy, juicy and finger licking grilled chicken. Believe me there was a total silence in my dining table till every thing got over. :)

Preparation time : 10 mins

Marination time   : 8 hrs

Grilling time         : 30 mins 

Ingredients :

Chicken Maryland -1 kg

For marination 

3 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon corn flour 

1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon chilly powder

1/2 teaspoon pepper powder

1/2 teaspoon garam masala

1/4 teaspoon celery salt (optional)

2 tablespoon lemon or lime juice

Salt to taste  

1 tablespoon oil

Method : 

Wash the Chicken Maryland and place them in a colander. Let the water drain off from the chicken. 

Mix everything listed under marination. 

Make deep cuts throughout the chicken on both sides

Mix the masala and the chicken very well (masala should coat the entire part)

Refrigerate the marinated chicken for max 8 hrs or min 3 hrs

Take out the marinated chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes before griling 

Place the aluminium foil on the grilling surface and rub it with oil to avoid sticking of the chicken and place the chicken and grill it for 30 mins on medium heat by flipping it...

Your Juicy grilled chicken is ready to eat.... 

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with onion rings... enjoyyyyy...

Chicken Maryland with deep cuts

Chicken Marination 

Grilled Chicken