Dry Bhindi ( Okra ) vegetable

Ingredients :-  1/2 kg lady's finger (okra/bhindi) 1 big Onion  2 tsp Cumin seeds 1 Tomato 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 1 tsp Coriander powder 1 tsp chilli powder salt according to taste 1 tsp cooking oil Method :- Wash and cut Okra (Bhindi) in 4-5 pieces each. Don't wash it after cutting, it will make the preparation very gooey. Heat oil in a pan add cumin on it till brown, now add chopped onion and fry till slightly brown Add...

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Fenugreek , Brinjal/Eggplant Vegetable ( Methi Baingan Sabzi)

The combination of fenugreek and egg plant is amazing in taste, this is one of my mom's recipe and one of my favorites too. Ingredients :- 4-5 small - brinjal diced into cubes 250g - fenugreek leaves finely chopped 1 - tomato chopped into pieces 1 tsp - red chilli powder 1 tsp - coriander powder 1/4 tsp - turmeric powder Salt as per taste 1 tsp oil  1/2 tsp cumin seeds 1/4 tsp asafotedia  Method :- In a cooker,...

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Make your chapatis/roti soft

Yesterday when I was speaking to mom she told me about this tip and it really worked so I thought of sharing with you all. While making chapati/roti/phulka leave the dough for 30 min to make them softer...

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Lemon Broccoli

This is simple, yet very tasty broccoli starter. Ingredients :- 100 gm of Broccoli 1 tsp oil 2 Garlic Cloves, finely chopped Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste 1 tsp fresh lime juice Method :- Steam the broccoli for 5 to 7 minutes. ( Do not steam it in cooker) In a heavy nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium flame, and add the garlic, saute for 1 minute. Add the cooked broccoli, salt, pepper, and lemon juice, cooking just...

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Onions

To avoid watering of eyes while cutting onions, cut them into two parts and place them in water for 15 minutes before chopping them. Wrap the onions individually in a newspaper and store in a cool and dark place to keep them fresh for long time...

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Lower Cholesterol

Use olive oil. When added to vegetables, it tastes like you have added salted butter, without the extra salt and bad fa...

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Stir fried Capsicum Paneer ( Bellper and Indian cheese)

This is a wonderful appetizer made from Paneer ( Indian Cheese), tomato, onion and Bell pepper, one needs to add little salt and pepper once its cooked and it's ready.It's healthy as well as we just stir fry the vegggies. Ingredients :- 250 gms of Paneer 2 large Capsicums 2 Tomatoes 2 Onions 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 1 tsp of oil Method :- Cut Paneer into cubes, stir fry it till golden brown and keep it aside. Cut tomatoes,capsicum...

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Palak Paneer (Spinach and Indian Cheese) Curry

Palak Paneer is a traditional North Indian delicacy and is an integral part of the Punjabi cuisine. It is also one of my favorite dishes, because I love both palak and paneer. Ingredients :- 250 grams paneer 2 bunches of palak 3 medium sized onions (finely chopped) 2 medium size tomatoes (finely chopped) OR tomato puree. 2 green chillies (slit into half) ½ tsp turmeric powder ½ ginger paste ½ garlic paste 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp garam...

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Khandvi - (Gram Flour Gujrati dish )

This one is simple gujrati recipe, Simple and delicious, it melts in mouth. Ingredients :-  1 cup gramflour (besan) 3 cup buttermilk 1 tsp ginger green chilli paste Salt To Taste A pinch Asafoetida For seasoning :- 2 tsp Oil 2 tsp Sesame seeds 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds 1 tbsp Coriander finely chopped Method :- Mix all the ingredients (except those for seasoning) and make a smooth paste. Heat it on a low flame, stirring constantly...

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Soya Granules Curry

Soya granules (Nutrela) are very popular among the different soya products you find in the market, thanks to their versatility! They turn soft, increase in volume and blend easily with other ingredients.  Ingredients :- Soya granules 1cup Tomatoes 2 to 3 medium size Onion 1 medium size Ginger & Garlic paste 1tsp each Turmeric powder 1tsp Salt a/c to taste Dhaniya or Coriander powder 1 tsp Garam masala 1/2 tsp (optional) Fresh cilantro...

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Masala Chai with Honey

Ingredients :- 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup milk 2-4 black tea bags 1/2 tsp honey 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cardamom 2 cloves 1/2 tsp ground ginger Method :- Bring water and milk to a boil. Add other ingredients, return to boil. Turn off. Add teabags in a cup and filter the mixture through a strainer. Honey Masala tea is ready....

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Loukhi (Bottle Gourd/Ghiya) Sabzi

Ghiya is easy to make and its very nutrious for health too. Ingredients :- 1 bottle gourd (about 2 cups of diced bottle gourd) 1 cup diced onion 3-4 garlic cloves 1 cup diced tomatoes 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp mustard seeds 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 Green chili  1 tsp Ginger paste 1 tsp Coriander powder 3-4 curry leaves 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves 1 teaspoon Vegetable/Sunflower oil 1 cup water Salt to taste Method :- Wash and cut...

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Mix Vegetable

I was surprised when I came back home last evening, My husband had prepared a mix vegetable sabzi and it came out pretty good, the best part was that he had used just 1/2 tsp of oil.here goes the recipe for it. Ingredients :- 1 small Cauliflower separated into florets 1 Capsicum finely chopped 1 onion finely chopped 1 Tomato finely chopped 1/2 tsp of oil 1/2 tsp of turmeric 1/2 tsp coriander powder salt as per taste 1 bay leaf 1/2 tsp...

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Masala Chai

Ingredients :-   1-1/2 cups water 1/2 inch stick of cinnamon 2 cardamom  4 whole cloves 2/3 cup milk 2 tsp. sugar 2 tsp. of loose black tea Method :- Put 1-1/2 cups water in pan. Add the cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves and bring to a boil. Cover, turn heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.  Add the milk and sugar and let it  simmer again for 2 mintues.  Throw in the tea leaves, cover, and turn off the heat.  After 2 minutes, strain the tea into two cups and serve immediately.Hope you enjoy it. ...

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Honey Lemon Tea

Honey and lemon taste are delicious together.Here is the recipe for that perfect cup of Honey Lemon tea. Ingredients :- 1 cup water 1/2 tsp of tea powder 1 tsp honey 1/2 tsp lemon juice Method :- Boil water, add tea powder to it and let it boil for a minute In a cup add honey and pour boiling tea water to it. Add lemon juice to it A perfect refreshing cup of lemon Honey tea is read...

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Onion and Tomato Raita

Onion Tomato Raita is easy to make and a tasty one as well.It cane be enjoyed with parathas or with lunch and Dinner Ingredients :-  2 cups Yogurt/curd  (plain) 1 small Onion 1/ 2 tsp Salt 1 small Tomato 1 tsp of roasted ground cumin seeds 1/ 2 tsp Black pepper (ground) 1/2 tsp of chili powder Method :- Beat yogurt and mix until smooth. Chop onion and tomatoes and add to yogurt. Add salt,pepper,cumin...

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Store can foods upside down

Turning your canned goods upside down on the shelf serves two purposes. The tops stay dust free, so you don't have to wipe them off before opening and the food is pressed to the top  of the can, making it easier to remov...

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Lemon juice helps make rice less soggy

While making rice on the stove top, add a few drops of lemon juice when the water starts boiling. This will make the rice less soggy and less mushy and more yum...

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Rajma Curry

Rajma is one of the most common dish made in North Indian households and it's one of my favorite as well.I had awesome time cooking and photographing it and yum yum the taste :) .I made this Rajma and was thinking its way too much for both of us but it was finished the very day.Here is the way I made it :) Ingredients :- Red kidney beans (rajma), soaked overnight 1 1/2 cups Salt to taste Oil 2  tablespoons or butter Onions,...

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(Colocassia) Arbi fried recipie

This is a simple recipe of arbi.  It’s healthy since arbi is boiled first instead of deep frying.  Ingredients :- 250 grams arbi (arvi/ taro root/ colocassia) 1/2 tsp ajwain (carom seeds) A pinch of hing (asafoetida) 1/4 tsp turmeric powder Salt to taste 1 green chili finely chopped 5 curry leaves 1/4 tsp garam masala powder 1/2 tsp coriander powder 1/2 tsp amchoor (dried mango powder) 1 tbsp oil Method :- Wash and pressure...

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Cucumber Raita

Ingredients :- 2 small cucumber 2 tsp cumin seed powder 250 g thick set natural yogurt or curds available in market salt according to taste 1/2 tsp  red chilly powder Method :-  Peel the cucumber cut finely.  Beat the yogurt until smooth. Stir in the cumin along with the salt. Add finely cut cucumber to this mixture Sprinkle red chilly powder evenly...

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Spicy ivy-gourd (Tendli)

Tendli Sabzi Recipe Gujarati Style Tendli is also called Tindora in Hindi.  Tendli is the Marathi and Konkani term.  In English it is known as Ivy Gourd or Gherkins Ingredients :- 250 gms Tendli 1 large Onion 1 large potato 1 green chili 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp coriander powder 1 tsp amchur powder ( dried mango powder) 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 sprig curry leaves 1/2 tsp mustard seeds 1/2 tsp cumin seeds 1 tbsp...

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Methi Carrot sabzi

Methi Carrot sabzi , is one of my favorites and have learnt this from my mom.It's actually a maharashtrian dish, having stayed in Mumbai we always had neighbors who were marathi, so mom learnt this from them.Following is the recipe for it. Ingredients :- 1 cup Carrots- cut into cubes 1 cup Methi leaves-chopped ¼ tsp Cumin seeds  1 Onion- finely chopped 2 Green chillies-finely chopped 1 clove Garlic-finely...

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Corn Upma ( Khichu )

Well after much thought I've decided to write a blog about all my cooking experiences , I'm sure it would be fun and learning experience in itself. This is my first post for Simmer and Spice :).Hope you all like it and try it yourself. I  recently bought corns and wanted to make something nice , I remembered the corn upma which my mom makes for us, so I thought of giving it a try.  2 large Corns.  Shred it...

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