Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Keema Mattar (Indian Lamb Mince with Peas)


Keema Mattar is a popular non veg dish in India. It's a straight forward recipe and is pretty easy to master, all you need is a little patience. The result is a delicious spiced minced lamb dish which tastes great accompanied with fresh garam chappatis or fragrant basmati rice. Check it out, let me know what you guys think!

Serves 4-6

What we Need:
  • 1 1/2 lb minced lamb
  • 1 cup peas
  • 1 onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2" ginger
  • 1 green chilli
  • handful fresh coriander
  • 1/4 cup yogurt
  • 1/2 cup of tin tomatoes
  • 1 tsp tomato puree
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 big black cardamom
  • 2 cloves
  • 1/4 cinnamon stick
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 2-3 tsp (or according to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/2 cup water

How we do:
  • In a food processor, place in the onion, garlic, ginger, chilli and the powdered spices.
  • In a non stick pan, heat the oil. Add the whole spices. When they begin to sizzle add the processed masala paste. Cook the paste on a low heat for 7-10 minutes. Keep stirring.
  • If the paste begins to stick to the bottom of the pan, you can add a couple of tbsp of water.
  • When the masala paste is golden and cooked (you can see the oil separate from the masala at this point), add the tin tomatoes and puree. Keep stirring for another 5 minutes.
  • Add the mince. Cook on medium heat and stir until it changes colour. You will see water form in the pan.
  • Once the water has reduced fully, add the peas and add 1/2 cup water.
  • Cover the pan and let it cook for another 10 minutes on low heat. Keep stirring every 2 minutes.
  • Now add the yoghurt and cook it for another 2-3 minutes. Add the coriander.
  • Balle Balle you are done! Best served with naan, chappati or rice!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

TANDOORI PANEER KEBABS

This recipe is great as an appetizer or even a party snack. Extremely easy and really quick to make. Although I baked mine, you can bbq them or cook them on a griddle. Easy as!

Serves 4-6 people

What we need:

250g cubed paneer (mine was store bought but you can easily make home made paneer. Here's a great recipe for it: http://cookeasy.wordpress.com/2006/11/05/make-paneer-at-home/
2 tsp garlic paste
2 tsp ginger paste
3 tbsp yogurt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1-2 tsp salt
2 tsp tandoori masala (available from local indian grocery store)
pinch of citric acid (or dash of lemon juice)
handful of chopped cilantro (coridander)
1 large red + 1 green bell pepper (cut into 2" squares)
1 big onion (cut into 2" squares)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
12 wooden skewers

How we do:
  • Preheat oven to 250C/500F
  • In a bowl add the paneer and all add the ingredients listed above (apart from the skewers!). Mix well. If you have time, you can prepare this the day before and let it marinade overnight in the fridge. If not, no worries, you can cook it straight away too.
  • On your first skewer, thread the paneer, peppers and onions. Repeat this process until the skewer is full. Continue to do this on the remaining skewers.
  • Rest the skewers on a teflon/foil lined baking tray. Brush with oil.
  • Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Balle Balle we're done! Serve with salad. (You can also squeeze on some lemon juice and sprinkle on some chaat masala for that extra 'chat patta' taste).


Friday, March 26, 2010

Restaurants I can't wait to eat at when I'm back in the States...



As many of you know, I haven't been in the States for a while now. I am going back very soon and decided to write a list of all the Amrican fast food joints that I have been craving and have to visit whilst I'm there!

* Chick Fil A
* Chipotle
* Moe's (neeed some of that queso)
* Fudruckers
* Panera Bread
* Checkers (yes please on the fries)
* Publix Sub
* Kim Wu
* Chick Fil A
* Sloppy Taco Palace
* Applebees (<3 their boneless wings)
* Buffalo Wild Wings
* Ale House (Zinger Mountain Melt)
* Did I mention Chick Fil A already?

Oh and I know it's not fast food but I believe a trip to Texas de Brazil is also in order.

If you think I've left anything out, let me know. In the mean time, ima hit the gym and burn some calories before I get there...!