Savour the Authentic Flavours of Hyderabadi Anda Biriyani

"Hyderabadi Anda Biriyani: From a Delightful Train Journey to Dinner Plate"

Egg Biriyani alias Anda Biriyani

    Egg Biriyani, or Hyderabadi Anda Biriyani, is a delectable twist on the traditional biriyani that typically features meat or chicken. This vegetarian-friendly dish has its own unique charm, blending the rich, aromatic spices of Hyderabadi cuisine with the simplicity of eggs. But before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a little detour to explore the origins of Hyderabadi cuisine and how this egg-based biriyani came to be.

 

Iranian Zereshk Polo Morgh

Iranian Zereshk Polo Morgh - The Perfect Festive Dish for Eid al-Adha

Craving an authentic Persian feast? This Iranian Zereshk Polo Morgh recipe delivers succulent saffron chicken paired with fragrant, fluffy basmati rice and tart, ruby-red barberries. Perfect for festive celebrations like Eid al-Adha or Hari Raya Haji, this iconic sweet-and-sour Persian chicken and rice dish is a masterpiece of textures, featuring the ultimate crispy golden tahdig. Learn the traditional ice-blooming saffron technique to unlock maximum aroma and vibrant colour. Wow your guests with this showstopping, restaurant-quality Persian barberry rice with chicken that brings the true essence of authentic Middle Eastern hospitality straight to your dinner table. 

RAMADAN NOMBU KANJI

    At the onset of Ramadan, the Holy Month, I always get reminded of two things, one is Biryani and the other one is Nombu Kanji.  Nombu Kanji is simply the spirit of Ramadan served in a bowl.  Every year, our neighbour used to share us their special Iftar dishes and this Nombu Kanji was one default dish along with their famous Mutton Biriyani, Brinjal curry, Chicken Curry, Egg Gravy, Raitha and Firni. The routine comes up quite often during Ramadan month until the day of Eid.  I am a big fan of all these recipes.  I learnt this Nombu Kanji recipe from our neighbour's grandmother. This is a foolproof and an easy recipe which can be incorporated within minutes.

    My love for Biriyani is incomparable, and this Nombu Kanji simply fits into the genre.  The only difference is that it is a bit of gruel like with all good properties & flavour of Biriyani.  Those days I never thought much about the dish rather than just gobbling it up.  But years of thought process has made me read about the dishes, its origin, history and significance. 

    Well, when we all think about Ramadan, we all know the most obvious feature is the abstinence from food and drink from Sunrise to Sunset. The idea being to create an intimate experience of thirst and hunger for 30 days in a row. But this Muslim holy month is also a time to emphasize the spirit of giving and sharing, to practice as much charity as possible.  We can see quite a number of Zakat counters during this Holy Month.  So we can see most of the mosques in Tamil Nadu and Kerala catering Nombu Kanji during the holy month with the sole intention of offering help to the needy – ensuring nourishment for those who might not have enough to fill their stomach after a long day's fast.  

RAMADAN NOMBU KANJI

    Nombu Kanji is synonymous with the Iftar meal, marking the completion of the day’s fast during Ramadan. Iftar is the meal, families eat together at sunset to break the fast.  When Muslims break their day-long fast, the first thing they do is have water and dates. The Prophet Mohammed is believed to have opened his fast with dates, and Muslims try to follow the same practice when possible.  Even at some households in Tamil Nadu and some parts of Kerala, they follow it up with a few bowls of Nombu Kanji before praying.  This rice porridge keeps the stomach light, and it is also easily digestible for bodies that have been fasting.  

 

For more PORRIDGE/KANJI RECIPES, Click here...

Cuisine - South India
Recipe Type - Porridge
Difficulty - Low
Serves - 4-6
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 15 - 30 Minutes
Cooking Time - 20 - 30 Minutes

HOW TO MAKE RAMADAN NOMBU KANJI

RAMADAN NOMBU KANJI

INGREDIENTS:

For Nombu Kanji:

Chinigura/Jeeraga Samba Rice/Basmati Rice - 1/2 Cups
Minced Meat - 1/4 Cup
Moong Dhal - 1/4 Cup
Onions - 1 No.
Green Chillies - 3-4 No's.
Ginger - Garlic Paste - 1 Teaspoon
Tomato - 1/2 a tomato
Coconut - 2 Tablespoons
Coriander Leaves - Few
Mint Leaves - Few
Coconut Milk - 1 Cup
Water - 21/2 - 3 Cups
Salt - To Taste 

For a detailed Recipe on HOW TO MAKE COCONUT MILK, Click here…

CARAMEL PAYASAM - ODIA CHAULA KHIRI

    When I first saw the recipe of Caramel Payasam, I was sceptical.  A Caramelized Payasam???  Well, with recipes like Caramel Pudding, Butter Scotch, Ice Creams, or in cakes, my mind said, it could fit well into recipes like that, would it be good for a Payasam? But my preconceptions were cleared when I read that it is one of the traditional Payasam/Kheer from Orissa.  ORISSA, Currently, Odisha, this is an authentic Kheer from Odisha, and it's colloquially called Odia Khiri or Chaula Khiri.  Khiri is Kheer/Payas and Chaula is Rice and as it originates from the region, it comes to be called Odia Khiri.

    Looking deep into its origin and history before cooking is one habit I have taken up in recent years, mainly to convince my mind that a dish is worth a try. The recipe as such and the colour of the Kheer was so appealing that my mind was convinced rather soon to go ahead with the recipe.  At last, Aesthetics matters!!! (Here, my daughter can understand the term well, I guess).  Well, this Khiri recipe had a technique to yield the needed golden hue where in Kerala Paal Payasam we go to an extent of underlying caramelization of the whole concoction to yield the required pink hue synonymous to Paalada Payasam and Paal Payasam. 

    So, after a good amount of time reading about the dish and necessary homework, I got into action.  Don't ever think I take too much time to execute all the process... It was just a few hours before I was convinced and cooked this authentic Odia Chaula Khiri or simply the Caramel Payasam.

CARAMEL PAYASAM - ODIA CHAULA KHIRI

    Well, coming back to Odia Chaula Khiri or the Caramel Payasam, the two highlights of this dessert are the Spiced Caramel and the Rice.  Rice is one main ingredient used to make Payasam/Pradhaman/Kheer/Khiri/Payesh/Payokh - the utmost traditional dessert spread through the length & breath of the Indian Sub-continent.  Rice plays a major role in Indian Cuisine as a staple, and in terms of Religious significance, it symbolizes prosperity.  So rice kheer takes a significant place in most religious ceremonies. In Odisha, it is customary for a new bride to cook this Chaula Khiri as her first dish in her in-law's house.

    I have tried to make this Kheer alias Khiri with a note of intricacy, I have roasted the rice grains in caramel before cooking it in milk and that type of Kheer is called as Bhaja Chaula Khiri.  The later method, i.e. roasting the rice for a few minutes before cooking it with milk, yields a chewy yet firm rice grains, and also it has a pleasant hue with a wonderful taste.  I have used just Milk & Sugar, as traditional recipes call for these ingredients, and have slow cooked the Khiri in a pressure cooker. Slow cooking yields you with a golden hued Odia Khiri with a wonderful creamy texture.  But some recipes call for condensed milk and Khoya so that this Caramel Payasam can get the needed thickness in simple steps.

CARAMEL PAYASAM - ODIA CHAULA KHIRI

 

For more PAYASAM/PRADHAMAN/KHEER Recipes, Click here...

Cuisine - Odisha (India)
Recipe Type - Pradhaman/Payasam, Dessert
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 4-6
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 15 - 30 Minutes
Soaking Time - 2 Hours
Cooking Time - 15- 20 Minutes

For more DESSERT RECIPES, Click here...

 

HOW TO MAKE CARAMEL PAYASAM - ODIA CHAULA KHIRI - BHAJA CHAULA KHIRI

CARAMEL PAYASAM - ODIA CHAULA KHIRI

INGREDIENTS:

For Caramel:

Sugar  -  1/2 Cup + 1 Tablespoon
Warm Water  -  1/4 Cup
Ghee - 2 Tablespoon 
Cardamoms - 3–4 Nos.
Bay Leaf - 2 Leaves

 

For Caramel Payasam:

Basmati Rice / Long Grained Rice - 3 Tablespoons
Sugar -   1-11/4 Cup
Milk - 5 Cups

METHOD:

Preparation:

• Wash and soak the rice for 2 hours. 
• Drain the water and allow the rice to dry on an absorbent kitchen towel for 1/2 an hour.
• Pulse the rice in a mixer for a few seconds, to make it into a coarse powder.
• Alternatively, can use whole rice too.
• Dry roast the saffron strands for a few seconds, soak it in 1 Tablespoon of warm milk & keep it aside.
• Blanch the Almonds and Cashew Nuts & cut them into small pieces.
• Grind the Cardamoms along with a few teaspoons of Sugar into a fine powder.
• Boil the Milk is a heavy-bottomed pan and continue to boil it on a low flame until it is reduced and thickened.

Authentic Ayam Masak Merah (Malaysian Red Chicken Curry)

Ayam Masak Merah Recipe

    Ayam Masak Merah (Malaysian Red Chicken Curry) is a luscious, bright crimson dish featuring succulent fried chicken bathed in a spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet tomato-chilli sambal.  This authentic Malay style chicken curry is a prominent feature at festive occasions like Eid (Hari Raya) and traditional weddings across Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Though its fiery red hue looks intimidating, the heat can easily be adjusted from mild to robust. 

    The secret to an extraordinary Ayam Masak Merah lies in the art of patience—slow-cooking the freshly ground spice paste until the oil separates, creating a silky, flavourful gravy that infuses beautifully into the meat.

Authentic Malaysian Nasi Minyak Recipe with Ayam Masak Merah

Authentic Nasi Minyak Recipe: Malaysian Ghee Rice

Nasi Minyak, or Malaysian Ghee Rice, is the ultimate festive, aromatic rice dish that anchors traditional Malay weddings and festive Raya feasts. Infused with pandan, lemongrass, and rich evaporated milk, this fluffy basmati rice dish offers a cornucopia of flavours and vibrant colours that elevate any meal. Learn how to cook perfect, non-greasy Nasi Minyak using a stovetop, rice cooker, or microwave with our authentic, foolproof recipe guide.

BENGALI CHICKEN KOSHA

    Sometime last year, my son send me a recipe and asked me to make it.  When I looked into the recipe, I was damn sure why he even asked me to make it.  The Chicken Curry had Potatoes in it.  Chicken/Mutton/Beef with Potatoes are liked head down by my hubby & kids.  So went along to make a new recipe - a Bengali Style Chicken Curry, the popular Chicken Kosha. 

    Chicken Kosha is a traditional Bengali way of cooking chicken. It is rated as high on spice level in local terms.  Pondering through the recipe and its history & origin, The word Kosha in Bengali means dry or with a little gravy but mostly quite dry in consistency. It’s a popular dish from a Bengali Kitchen & every Bengali family has their own version of cooking Kosha - may be Chicken/Mutton.  This recipe is the one my son send me and the way I cooked Chicken Kosha.  

    And experts suggests cooking this recipe in an Iron Wok, which brings out the dark colour unique to the authentic Kosha recipes.  But I personally would recommend removing the dish from the wok, once cooked.  Otherwise, the acidity in the Curry can react with the Iron wok giving a metallic taste to the dish, and also it can make the dish go very dark.  I learnt this during my initial days of cooking.  Traditional Kosha recipes and particularly Bengali style of cooking mostly use Mustard Oil.  You can get easy with your preferred Vegetable Oil while cooking this recipe, but Mustard oil gives the authentic flavour to Chicken Kosha.

For more BENGALI RECIPES, Click here...

Cuisine - Bengal, India
Recipe Type - Curry
Difficulty - Medium
Spice Level - Medium - High
Serves - 3 - 4
Author - SM  

Preparation Time - 15 -20 Minutes
Marinating Time - 1 Hour/Overnight
Cooking Time - 30 - 40 Minutes

 

For more RECIPES WITH CHICKEN, Click here...

 

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN KOSHA - BENGALI STYLE SPICY CHICKEN CURRY

BENGALI CHICKEN KOSHA

INGREDIENTS:

To Marinate the Chicken:

Chicken - 1 Kg
Onion - 2 Nos.
Garlic - 7-8 Cloves 
Kashmiri Chilli Powder - 11/2 Teaspoons
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 Teaspoon
Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon
Oil - 1 -2  Tablespoons

For Chicken Kosha:

Oil - 1/4 Cup
Potato - 4-5 
Bay Leaf - 2 Leaves
Dry Red Chillies - 2-3 Nos.
Green Cardamoms - 4-5 Pods
Onions - 2 Nos.
Ginger Garlic Paste - 2 Tablespoons
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Teaspoon
Red Chilli Powder - 11/2 Teaspoon
Coriander Powder - 11/2 Tablespoon
Cumin Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Tomato - 1 No.(Large)
Green Chillies - 4-5 Nos.
Black Pepper Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Lemon Juice - 1 Teaspoon
Sugar - 1 Teaspoon

 

METHOD:

To Marinate the Chicken:

• Clean, Wash & cut the chicken into medium-sized pieces.  Wash them thoroughly and allow it to drain through a colander.
• Heat oil in a pan and sauté 2 finely sliced Onions along with  a dash of Salt on a medium-low flame.
• Slightly crush the Garlic Pods and add it along with the Onions and fry them on a medium-low flame until Onions turn into rich brown colour.
• Adding salt while sautéing the Onions helps in speeding up the browning process.
• Care should be taken not to burn the onions, which can make the dish bitter.
  
• Once, the Onions turn into golden brown, remove it from the pan and allow it to cool down.
• Now, marinate the Chicken Pieces with a dash of Salt, Kashmiri Chilli Powder, Garam Masala Powder, fried Onions & Garlic and Lemon Juice.
• Mix well until well combined and keep it aside for about an hour or overnight.

BENGALI CHICKEN KOSHA

 For Chicken Kosha:

• Peel, wash and cut Potatoes into large Cubes.
• Leave the Cubed Potatoes in salted water until use.  Drain off any excess water before adding it into the hot oil.  
  
• Heat 1/4 Cup of Oil in a wok and deep-fry the Potatoes(a small batch at a time).
• Fry the Potato Cubes until golden brown and keep them aside.
• In the remaining Oil, add Bay Leaves, Green Cardamoms & Dry Red Chillies(snapped into 2 or 3 pieces). 
• Fry the spices on a very low flame until fragrant.
• Add finely sliced Onions and sauté it on a medium-low flame until it turns into golden brown.
• Now, add Ginger Garlic Paste and fry this on a low flame until the raw flavour goes.
• Then add, Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Coriander Powder & Cumin Powder and give a quick stir.  Fry this on a low flame for a few minutes.
• Then add finely chopped Tomato and cook this on a low flame until the tomato turns soft & cooked.
• Sprinkle some water if needed at this stage & Cook this Masala on a low flame for a few minutes until oil separates from the mix. 
• Now add the marinated Chicken Pieces to the Kosha Masala along with Green Chillies slit into two.
• Add about 1/2 cup of hot water to the above and mix well.
  
• Cover & cook on a low flame until the Chicken pieces turn soft and cooked, stirring occasionally.
• Once the chicken is cooked, add the fried Potatoes,  sprinkle some Pepper Powder and cook this on a low flame for a few minutes until the potatoes are well coated with the Kosha Masala.
• Adjust the amount of Salt at this stage, add Sugar and leave the Chicken Kosha on a low flame until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Chicken Kosha is a slightly dry gravy like Curry.  Adjust to your preference.
• Once the Chicken is well done, switch off the flame and keep it covered for a few more minutes on the stove top.
• Serve Chicken Kosha hot, with Roti, Naan, Paratha, Chapati, Kulcha, Batura, Puri, Luchi, Parotta.
• Goes well with White Rice or or with steamed Basmati Rice. It can also be served along with with Rice Dishes, Biriyanis & Pulaos, Kichadi etc.,
  

 

BENGALI CHICKEN KOSHA

NOTES:

• Can use any type of vegetable oil for the recipe. Mustard Oil gives an authentic flavour to the dish.
• Slow cooking enhances the flavour of the dish.
• Adding Kashmiri Chilli powder gives a vibrant colour with a red hue in the gravy.
• Kashmiri Chilli Powders are less spicy but have a bright red colour.
• If Kashmiri Chilli Powder is not available, use normal Dry Chilli Powder, but adjust the amount to suit your spice level.
• Can use Red food colouring to do the job, if preferred - which I would suggest not to... 
• While frying the onion slices for marinating, care should be taken not to burn them, which will totally spoil the taste of this dish.
  
• The true flavour of Chicken Kosha comes from the intense flavours of spices & mustard oil.
• Adding Sugar is purely optional, but helps to balance the overall taste notes in this Curry.

METHI CHICKEN

    Methi Chicken is a North Indian style Chicken Curry cooked with loads of Fresh Fenugreek Leaves. Fenugreek Leaves are called Methi in hindi and hence the name of the dish.  Methi Chicken is a tasty & rich Chicken Curry with a nice flavour of fresh fenugreek leaves coming through in every bite.  Methi Chicken Curry has hidden within itself multiple layers of flavour. This is a rich, creamy textured and aromatic Chicken Curry.  Methi Chicken is a curry where Pan-seared Chicken pieces are slow cooked in a rich yogurt based spicy gravy. Methi Murg is loaded with flavours from the spices used and the red hue of the curry from Kashmiri Chilli Powder, which treats you with a perfect feast to eyes, nostrils and taste buds.
    

    Methi Leaves are the selling point of this Curry, they impart a smell unique to itself.  Traditionally, fresh Methi/Fenugreek Leaves are used while cooking this recipe.  If you cannot get hold of fresh Methi Leaves use a handful of dried ones,  Though, the fresh ones are surely going to elevate the aroma of Methi Chicken.  I do not get fresh Methi Leaves, where I live.  Have to mention here, that my trial growing Fenugreek Leaves turn out to be futile every time I try to sprout it up from Fenugreek Seeds.  But have given a try once again with all meticulous nuances of trying to sprout & grow Fenugreek Leaves.  As of today, my measures seems to be worthwhile.  Has sprouted up well into microgreens.  Yet to see whether they are going to yield me with wonderful patches of Fenugreek Leaves.  Waiting to make incredible recipes with fresh fenugreek leaves. 

    Methi Chicken is an easy recipe which can be prepared quickly and needs less ingredients. The true flavour of  Methi Murg comes from the intense flavours of the spices added in the curry and above all the strong aroma of Kasuri Methi/Fenugreek Leaves. Curd/Yogurt Base gives this curry a silky texture. Methi Chicken Curry can be served as a side dish for Roti, Naan, Paratha, Chapati, Kulcha, Batura or with steamed Basmati Rice. Goes well with Rice Dishes, Biriyanis & Pulaos too.

Cuisine - North Indian
Course - Side Dish
Difficulty - Medium
Serves - 4-6
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 25 -30 Minutes
Cooking Time - 30- 45 Minutes

For RECIPES WITH FENUGREEK LEAVES/KASURI METHI, Click here...  

HOW TO COOK METHI CHICKEN- CHICKEN CURRY WITH FENUGREEK LEAVES

METHI CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS:

For Methi Chicken:

Chicken - 500 Grams
Onion - 1 No.
Spring Onions - few Stalks
Green Chillies - 4-5 No's.
Garlic - 3-4 Cloves
Ginger - 1" Piece
Fresh Fenugreek Leaves - 2 Cups
Oil/Butter - 2-3 Tablespoons
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 Teaspoon
Fennel Seeds - 1/2 Teaspoon
Asafoetida - a Pinch

For Yogurt/Curd Base:

Curd/Yogurt - 3 Cups
Turmeric Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Red Chilli Powder - 1 Teaspoon
Kashmiri Chilli Powder - 11/2 Teaspoon
Coriander Seed Powder - 2 Teaspoons
Garam Masala - 1 Teaspoon
Sugar - 1 Tablespoon
Salt - To Taste

For Garnishing:

Kasuri Methi(Dried Fenugreek Leaves) - 1-2 Teaspoons
Spring Onions - a Few
Coriander Leaves - a handful

METHI CHICKEN

METHOD:

For Methi Chicken:

• Clean & wash Chicken Pieces and allow it to drain.
• Clean, wash and separate the leaves from the Fenugreek Leaf stalks.  Can use tiny stalks of fenugreek leaves too.
  
• Whisk Curd/Yogurt along with Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Coriander Powder, Garam Masala and Salt.
• Whisk until well combined and leave it aside.
• Heat Oil/Butter in a Deep Pan, splutter Cumin & Fennel Seeds on a low flame.
• Add Asafoetida powder and give a quick stir.
• Immediately add the Chicken Pieces to the above and sear the Chicken pieces until the colour changes.
• Sear the Chicken Pieces on a medium flame.
• Add finely chopped Onions, Spring Onions, Green Chillies, Garlic and Ginger to the seared Chicken Pieces.
• Saute the ingredients on a low flame until Onions turn translucent.
• Pour the Yogurt/Curd Base and mix well.
• Cook this on a low flame, stirring occasionally, until the chicken pieces are well cooked, and the raw flavour goes from the Spice -Yogurt mix.
• Sprinkle water if needed.
• Now add the Fenugreek Leaves and give a quick stir.
• Cover and cook for a few minutes, or until the greens wilt and are cooked through.
  
• Cook Methi Murg until oil separates from the Curry, and it reaches the desired consistency.
• Sprinkle Sugar and give a quick stir.
  
• Garnish Methi Chicken with a few teaspoons of finely chopped Kasuri Methi(Dried Fenugreek Leaves) & Coriander Leaves.
• Serve Methi Chicken hot with Roti, Naan, Paratha, Chapati, Kulcha, Batura or with steamed Basmati Rice.
• Goes well with Rice Dishes, Biriyanis & Pulaos too.
  

 

METHI CHICKEN

NOTES:

• Can use any type of vegetable oil for the recipe. Mustard Oil gives an authentic flavour to the dish.
• Slow cooking enhances the flavour of the dish.
• Adding Kashmiri Chilli powder gives a vibrant colour with a red hue in the gravy.
• Kashmiri Chilli Powders are less spicy but have a bright red colour.
• If Kashmiri Chilli Powder is not available, use normal Dry Chilli Powder, but adjust the amount to suit your spice level.
• Can use Red food colouring to do the job, if preferred - which I would suggest not to... 
• The true flavour of Methi Murg comes from the intense flavours of Cumin, Fennel, Asafoetida & needless to say  - fresh fenugreek leaves.
• If you cannot get fresh fenugreek leaves, add about 2-3 tablespoons of dried fenugreek leaves(Kasuri Methi).  
• Adding Sugar is purely optional, but helps to balance the overall taste notes in this Curry.

MINT PULAO

    Mint is one default herb I stock up in my refrigerator, along with Coriander leaves.  Any dish with a tinge of Mint, or ones extravagantly Mint, happens to be my all-time favourite note of flavour.  A fresh bunch of Mints from the wet market readily goes cleaned, ready to be stored for a few weeks.  Some wilted ones immediately turn into my favourite Pudina/Mint Chutney.

To read about the HEALTH BENEFITS OF MINT LEAVES, Click here...

    So is my love for Mint Leaves and mint flavoured dishes. Vegetable Mint Pulao - aromatic, flavour-filled, rich rice dish cooked with ample of spices & classic vegetables along with Mint Paste & ground Coconut paste and the pulao is cooked in Coconut Milk.  This is a deliciously rich dish, more or less similar to Vegetable Biriyani ya... ya... Vegetable Pulao(I can hear my kids saying, there's nothing called a Vegetable Biriyani as such... No Offence, my vegetarian & Biriyani lovers).  

    What makes this Mint Pulao unique is the addition of Mint Paste, which gives a wonderfully fresh aroma to the Pulao.  I love to keep Mint Pulao green, the trick is to add a hint of Sugar and Lemon while grinding the paste.  And keep in my mind that as soon as you grind it, you need to sauté it immediately, which also helps you to retain the green colour in the dish.  I have used Basmati Rice for the dish & the Rice is cooked in Coconut Milk & ground Coconut Paste. Mint Pulao can be cooked as such or along with Vegetables/Mushroom.

MINT PULAO

    This Mint Pulao recipe is cooked with Basmati Rice and the Rice: Water Ratio I used was 1:11/2 Cups.  I usually cook this Mint Pulao in a Rice Cooker. I  sauté all the ingredients in a pan, then transfer it into the Rice cooker along with the boiled Water & Coconut Milk. It can also be cooked in a Pressure Cooker.  Allow it to cook for a whistle on a high flame and then lower the flame and cook for another 10-12 minutes. The Rice Water Ratio - 1: 11/2 cups, suits well for both the methods.  But cooking in a Sauce Pan is more flexible.  Fewer ingredients and very less time to cook is the highlight of this one-pot meal.  Prepare some Curd-Onion Raitha or Vegetable Salad or simply pair it up with hard-boiled eggs and there you are with a wonderful & wholesome Rice Dish with a fresh note of Mint.


For more BIRIYANI & PULAO RECIPES, Click here...


Cuisine - Indian
Course - Main
Spice Level  - Low - Medium
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 3- 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 10-15 Minutes
Soaking Time - 15 - 20 Minutes
Cooking Time - 20 - 30 Minutes 

 

For RECIPES WITH MINT LEAVES, Click here...

HOW TO COOK VEGETABLE MINT PULAO

MINT PULAO

INGREDIENTS:

For Mint Pulao:

Basmati Rice - 2 Cups
Carrot - 1/2 Cup
Beans - 1/4 Cup
Green Peas - 1/4 Cup
Potato - Few Pieces
Onions - 1 No.
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 Teaspoon
Mint Leaves - few
Coriander Leaves - few
Coconut Milk - 1 Cup
Water - 2 Cups
Salt - To Taste
Ghee - 1 Tablespoon

 

For a detailed Recipe on HOW TO MAKE COCONUT MILK, Click here...

For Mint Paste:

 

For Coconut Paste:

Coconut - 1/4 Cup
Fennel Seeds - 1 Teaspoon
Green Chillies - 2 No's.
Garlic - 7-8 Cloves
Ginger -1" Piece

Spices:

Ghee - 3 Tablespoons
Cinnamon (1") - 2 Sticks.
Cloves - 5-6 No's.
Cardamoms - 3 -4 Pods.
Bay Leaves - 2 Leaves

MINT PULAO

PREPARATION:

• Wash the Basmati rice until the water runs clear.
• Soak the rice for 20 minutes.
• Boil the water and keep it aside.
• Peel and dice Carrots & Potatoes into small Cubes, Cut Beans into 1/2" long pieces & keep it aside. 
• Wash and drain the Green Peas.
• Grind the ingredients mentioned under 'For Coconut Paste' into a fine paste.
• Grind the ingredients mentioned under 'For Mint Paste', just before sautéing it.
  

METHOD:

HOW TO MAKE MINT PULAO: 

MINT PULAO

• Heat Ghee in a pan, fry the ingredients mentioned under 'Spices' on a very low flame until aromatic.
• Add finely chopped Onions and sauté until onions turn translucent.
• Add the turmeric powder and fry it on a very low flame for a few seconds.
  
• Then, add the ground Coconut Paste and sauté until the raw flavour goes, and it turns fragrant.
• Now, add in the Mint Paste and sauté it on a low flame for about 2-3 minutes, or until the raw flavour goes.
  
• Add in the chopped Vegetables and give a quick stir.
• Drain the soaked Rice and add it to the above.
• Fry this for about 5-7 minutes on a very low flame.
• Pour in the Coconut Milk, boiled Water, Salt and mix well.
• Allow it to boil.
• Add finely chopped Mint & Coriander Leaves.
• Cover the pan and cook the rice on a low flame until the water is totally absorbed, and the rice is well cooked.
• Allow it to cool for a few minutes.
• Add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of Ghee to the cooked Mint Pulao and fluff it up.
• Serve Mint Pulao with Curd-Onion Raitha along with any kind of vegetarian or non-vegetarian curries.
  

MINT PULAO

NOTES:

• I have used  Basmati Rice in this recipe. Can use Chinigura Rice/Jeeraka Samba(Kaima)* rice for this dish.
• Can substitute half the amount of Ghee with Oil.
• Add ample of Mint Leaves for extra note of flavour.
  
• Adjust the number of Green Chillies to suit your spice preference.
• I have added both Ground Coconut Paste & Coconut milk to cook this Mint Pulao.
• If you do not prefer to add Coconut Paste, avoid Coconut & grind the other ingredients into a fine paste and follow the process.
• I love to keep Mint Pulao green, the trick is to add a hint of Sugar and Lemon while grinding the paste.  
• And keep in my mind that as soon as you grind it, you need to sauté it immediately, which also helps you to retain the green colour in the dish.
  

 

Moonu Raja Pongal - Three Kings & A Karaikkal Classic South Indian Dessert

Discovering the Tradition of Moonu Raja Pongal for Epiphany: A South Indian Surprise

 

    I have to admit, I was a complete novice when it came to the tradition of making Pongal for Epiphany. A few years ago, I stumbled upon a television programme that shed light on the unique celebration of Epiphany by the people of Karaikkal and Pondicherry, the charming French town in India. To say I was intrigued would be an understatement! Imagine my surprise when I learned that there was a dish crafted specifically to mark the day—a recipe that was as traditional as it was uniquely South Indian. Who knew that humble ingredients like raw rice, coconut milk, and sugar could hold such significance?

    

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CHICKEN LIVER FRY

    Chicken Liver Fry is a simple recipe cooked with Chicken Livers along with freshly ground Peppercorns and Spices. The same recipe can be prepared with Mutton Liver too. The ingredients are quite minimal, and the method is one of the simplest and quick to incorporate. Marinated Chicken Livers are roasted with spices and ample of Curry leaves. Very few ingredients are used in this recipe and freshly ground Peppercorns gives a magical touch and a wonderful flavour to this Chicken Liver Fry. This Chicken Liver Fry can be served as a Starter/Appetizer or as a side dish for Parotta/Roti and Chapatis.  Steaming hot Rice and Rasam paired up with this Chicken Liver Fry, is one best combo I personally prefer.

      Chicken Liver or Lamb Liver as a matter of fact may not be liked by many.  But it is one Offal used widely in cooking.  Cleaning the Chicken Liver is quite tricky, and we should make sure it doesn't turn out to be 'BITTER.'  I never encountered with this problem when I was in India.  The Butcher caters fresh Chicken Livers and would have a separate batch of Chicken Livers which we can buy.  I started cooking Chicken Livers after watching Chef Damu's cooking show to which we were an ardent fan while we were in India.  Immediately after the show, my husband and I would go out shopping for the ingredients, and this is one such recipe from that time. 

    But here in Malaysia, I find it hard to get well cleaned Chicken Livers. Sometimes the whole batch of cooked Chicken Livers turn out to be bitter and would go down the drain.  So make sure to remove any greenish part in the Liver and soaking the liver in cold water & then marinating the Liver also helps to get rid of the bitterness to an extent.

    Why does Chicken Livers turn Bitter once cooked?  This usually happens when the gall bladder attached to the liver, sometimes breaks when it is removed, and some liquid runs into the liver and makes it yellowish-green. So make sure to remove any greenish part of the liver, that is what makes it very bitter.
     

Tips to prevent the Chicken Livers from tasting bitter

• Clean them perfectly before cooking
• Remove any connective tissue and cut off any greenish parts from the Liver  
• Soak the Livers for about 20-30 minutes in cold water(not ice water)  just colder than room temperature.
• Then discard the water and pat dry the liver pieces.
• Wipe off any extra blood from the Chicken Liver with a paper towel.
• Marinate the Chicken Liver with Salt, Turmeric Powder and Lemon Juice for about 10-15 minutes.
• Cook properly.

 

For more CHICKEN Recipes, Click here...

Cuisine - South Indian Course - Side Dish
Spicy Level  - Medium-Spicy
Difficulty - Low
Serves - 3- 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 15-20 Minutes
Soaking Time - 20-30 Minutes
Marination Time - 10-15 Minutes
Cooking Time - 15 -20 Minutes

 

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN LIVER FRY

 

CHICKEN LIVER FRY

INGREDIENTS:

To Marinate the Chicken Liver:

Chicken Liver - 500 Grams
Lemon Juice - 1 Tbspn
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Tspn
Salt - To Taste

 

For  Masala Powder:

Coriander Seeds - 1 Tablespoon
Dry Red Chillies - 4 - 5 Nos.
Peppercorns - 1 Tablespoon

Cumin Seeds - 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves - 2 Sprigs

For Chicken Liver Fry:

Oil  - 2-3 Tablespoon
Fennel Seeds/Sombu  -  1 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves  -  2 Sprigs
Green Chillies - 4 Nos.
Ginger-Garlic Paste - 2 Tspn
Shallots  -  15 Nos.
Masala Powder - all the above ground spices
Pepper Powder  -  1 Tablespoon(Optional).
Salt  -  To Taste