Beef & Koorka (Chinese potato) stir fry

Koorka or Chinese potato is a favourite vegetable in our family. Koorka mezhukupuratti and hot rice itself is  a fulfilling meal. I use veggies in beef to reduce the quantity of meat intake which can keep a check on the calories while not compromising on the taste.

the recipe

Beef   (boiled with ginger, pepper and green chillies) - 500 gms

Koorka, (boiled) - 200 gms

Small onion, chopped - 10 - 15

Ginger, finely chopped - 1 tsp

Garlic, finely chopped - 1 tbsp

Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Turmeric powder - 1/4 - 1/2 tsp

Chilly powder - 3/4 tsp

Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp

Coriander powder - 1/4 tsp

Salt - to taste

Oil - 2 tbsp

the method

Heat oil in a pan and add the finely chopped garlic. When light brown add onion and stir till translucent. Add the ginger and curry leaves. Saute for a while and add chilly, turmeric, coriander, pepper and garam masala. Stir for a minute and add the boiled beef with about 1/4 cup of its stock. Add the boiled koorka. In medium heat keep stirring till beef and koorka is mixed well and the beef stock is completely evaporated. Serve with rice.

Stuffed Paratha

the recipe

Chapati dough – to make 12 thin chapatis ( I used 1 ¼ cup wheat flour)

black sesame – ½ tsp or more

cumin  - ½ tsp or more

ingredients for the stuffing / filling (the combination and quantity of veggies can be as per need)

potato – 1

carrot – 1

cauliflower – ¾ cup florets

beans – 5-7

onion – 1

garlic paste -  1 tsp

ginger paste -  1 tsp

garam masala -  ½ tsp

turmeric  1/8 tsp

chilly powder – ½ tsp

pepper powder – ¼ tsp

oil – 1 tbsp

butter (optional) – 1 tsp

raisins (optional) – 5

salt – to taste

the method

Heat oil in a pan and stir in the onions. When translucent add garlic and ginger. Stir for a minute and add turmeric, chilly, pepper and garam masala. Stir for few seconds and add all the chopped vegetables. Add the finely chopped raisins and salt. Add enough water to cook the vegetables till soft (pressure cooking is better). Add  butter to the cooked vegetables and mash it to a coarse paste.

Roll out the dough into thin chapattis. While rolling place a pinch of sesame in 6 of the chapattis and place a pinch of cumin in other 6 chapatis.

Assembling

Place a chapatti with the sesame on the rolling board. Place 1 ½ to 2 tbsp of the veg mash in the chapatti and spread it evenly (leaving ¾ inch space on the sides). Close it with another chapatti rolled with the cumin seeds. Seal the edges by gently rolling it. Heat a griddle and cook the stuffed parathas with oil pressing down the sides. Serve with raita or lentil curry.


the recipe goes to Stuffed Paratha event by Vardhini

Tangy Tamarind Chicken Curry

Chicken is such a versatile meat that it can imbibe a variety of flavors. The frequent use of chicken in our kitchen demands new recipe once in a while. I thought of a spicy change and ended up adding some tamarind paste, and the taste was awesome. Tamarind gives a mild sourness, a little sweetness and a very good consistency to the gravy. 

the recipe

Chicken – 1200 -1400 gms

Onion – 2

Green chilly – 2 small

Curry leaves – 2 sprigs

Coriander leaves – 1 + 1 medium plants

Chilly powder – 1 ½ tsp (adjust to taste)

Turmeric powder – 1 tsp

Roasted coriander powder - 1 tsp

Pepper powder – 1 tsp

Tomato – 2 medium

Salt to taste

Oil – 2 -3 tbsp

Tamarind – 1 ½ to 2 tsp

 Ginger – 1 ½ inch piece

Garlic – 10 cloves

Garam Masala – 1 ½ tsp

the method

Wash the chicken and keep it aside. Grind the ginger, garlic and garam masala (3G paste) into a fine paste (add some water to grind).

Heat oil and add the chopped onion. When light brown add the 3G paste, curry leaves and green chillies and sauté till the water content is evaporated. In medium heat add chilly, turmeric and pepper powder and stir till lightly roasted. Stir in the tomatoes and roasted coriander powder and stir till tomatoes are soft. Chop one coriander leaf plant and add to the masala. Add the chicken pieces and salt. Mix well. Add half cup water and cook. Add more (1/2 cup) water if required. Dissolve the tamarind in ¼ cup water and make a pulp. Strain it. When the chicken is almost done pour the tamarind pulp and chopped coriander leaves (from 1 plant). Simmer for five minutes. Serve with rice. It is irresistible.

Please do not try this recipe if you have gastric problems. The use of tamarind and green chilly is likely to increase heart burn.

other chicken recipes in this blog are:

Ginger Chicken

Mughlai Chicken

Hot 'n' Sweet Chicken

Chicken Sandwich

Apple & Raisin mini Galette

Galette is a French free form crusty cake. It is a free form because it can be done either with a home made dough or a ready to use puff pastry and the shape can vary according to one's taste with a sweet or savory filling. Since this was my first attempt at a galette i tried a mini version.

the recipe

Wheat flour - 1 cup

Butter - 40 gms or more

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Sugar - 1 - 2 tsp

Cold water - a little less than half cup

Apple - 2

Raisins - 2 tbsp

Cinnamon powder - 1/2 tsp

Sugar - 1 tbsp

Butter - 1 tsp

the method

Place the wheat flour, salt and sugar in a bowl and mix well. Chop half of the butter and crumble it with flour. Chop the other half of the butter and sprinkle it over the crumbled mix. Combine the dough by adding cold water little by little. Do not knead the dough. When the wheat and butter mix is brought together, press it down to a disc shape, cover and refrigerate for half an hour.

Meanwhile, peel the apple and slice it into thin pieces. Heat one teaspoon butter. Place the apple, sugar and raisin in the butter. Add cinnamon powder and gently mix for one minute. Turn off heat.

Roll the refrigerated dough into 2 cm thick pastry. Roll it gently so that the air bubbles are not pressed down. Leave about 2 inch from the sides and arrange the spiced apple slices. Fold the sides of the galette. Bake at 180C for 20 minutes or till it browns. Place the raisins between the apple slices. Serve warm.

Methi Prawns

Methi prawns happened as a result of my desire to prepare something different from the usual prawn preparation. The recipe is inspired by the malai chicken ( with the addition of coconut cream) and some other North Indian dish (with the addition of Kasuri Methi).

the recipe

prawns – 250 gms

onion – 1

tomato – 1

turmeric powder – ½ tsp

ginger juliennes – 1 tbsp

chilly powder – 1 ½ tsp

coconut milk – ¼ cup

kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) – 1 tsp

salt – to taste

oil – 2 tbsp

pepper powder – ¼ tsp

the method

Clean and de-vein the prawns.

Heat oil in a pan and add the chopped onion. When translucent add ginger and sauté till the flavor comes out. Add turmeric, chilly and salt and stir for a while. Stir in the chopped tomato. When soft add the prawns and let it cook in low flame (about 5-7 minutes). Pour the coconut milk 1 tbsp at a time. Let the gravy absorb the milk and repeat adding the rest of the milk similarly. Soak kasuri methi for about 2-3 minutes. Wash it twice and then add to the prawn gravy. Cook for one minute. Add the pepper powder and give a nice stir. Turn off heat. Serve with rice.