Tag: recipe

Mains

Kerala Fish Curry

The HomeChef

Kerala fish curry is one of the most delicious dishes from the state of Kerala in India. It is a tangy and spicy dish best had with steamed rice.

Traditionally fish curry is made in a clay pot and one of the key ingredients is the Kudam puli or Fish Tamarind. This recipe will use the regular tamarind instead of Fish tamarind. But please go for it if you have it handy.
This recipe also includes coconut milk which gives a nice texture and flavor to the curry.

Kerala Fish Curry

  • Servings: 3-4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  1. Fish cut into thick slices( red snapper, mackerel etc) ~ 750gms
  2. Onions – 2 big (or Shallots ~12 will give better taste)
  3. Tomato- 1 small
  4. Tamarind pulp using 1 small lemon sized tamarind
  5. Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
  6. Fenugreek seeds- 1.5 tsp
  7. Curry leaves- 3 springs
  8. Red Kashmiri chilli powder – 3 tbsp
  9. Coriander powder- 1 tbsp
  10. Turmeric powder- 1-2 tsp
  11. Oil (preferred coconut oil) – 1/2 cup
  12. Coconut milk- 1/2 cup
  13. Crushed ginger- 2 tbsp
  14. Crushed garlic- 10 cloves
  15. Salt as required


Please watch video for the method:

Mains

Chilli Garlic Naan- restaurant style

The HomeChef

One of the most popular Indian breads and a hot favourite in all Indian restaurants is the Naan. I always thought that we must need a tandoor oven to cook a naan. But I was pleasantly surprised that we can still make it at home with the same effects of a tandoor oven by using a simple gas stove at home.

This recipe shows how to make Naan at home in restaurant style tasting more delicious and softer than any other restaurant. The toppings can be changed to get different types of naans or skip it to get plain naan. A great and easy recipe to try today.

Chilli Garlic Naan

  • Servings: 10 naans
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  1. Plain flour or Maida- little over 2 cups
  2. Yeast sachet (7g) – 1/2 sachet
  3. Sugar- 1/2 tsp
  4. Warm milk- 1/3 cup
  5. Yogurt- 3- 4 tbsp
  6. Baking soda- 1/4 tsp
  7. Salt as required
  8. Oil- 1 tbsp
  9. Chopped garlic- 3 tbsp
  10. Chilli flakes as required
  11. Coriander leaves- a little
  12. Butter or ghee a little as required for topping (optional)

Directions

  • In 1/3 cup warm milk, add half sachet yeast and 1/2 tsp sugar and set it aside to froth for 5 mins. Make sure the milk is not too hot or cold.
  • In little over 2 cups of plain flour, add little salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 3-4 tbsp of yogurt, and the yeast mixture. Knead into dough and add little more milk/water as required to be able to bring into a ball.
  • Then add 1 tbsp oil and knead for 3 mins and set aside covered for 2-3 hours for the dough to rise.
  • Make the dough into balls of small size. On a floured surface, take each ball of dough and roll it thin to oval or round shape like a roti.
  • On the top, sprinkle some finely chopped garlic, chilli flakes and coriander leaves. Roll the pin over to press it a bit in. You can skip the toppings for plain naan.
  • Heat a flat pan on stove. In medium heat, cook the naan with the topping facing up. After 1 min or so, the bottom will be cooked. Take tongs and remove the naan from pan.
  • Place a rack from the grill over the flame.  On low to medium flame, place the other side (top) of the naan over the rack facing the flame and cook for around 1-2 mins. You will get burnt pops like in a tandoor oven.
  • Remove and spread some butter or ghee over the top optionally.
  • Enjoy the light, soft naan with your favourite side!

Please find the video recipe below:

Mains

Chicken Tikka Masala

The HomeChef

Chicken Tikka Masala is an amazing, mouth watering dish. It is definitely a must try recipe to have with rice or any Indian bread. It is so popular dish that it is featured in the menu of most Indian restaurants.

Did you know that Chicken Tikka Masala was declared the British National dish in 2001. So surely it must be special.

Please find below the recipe to make this tasty dish.

Chicken Tikka Masala

  • Servings: 4-5
  • Difficulty: medium
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Ingredients

    For the Marinade:

  1. Chicken breast pieces – 500 gms
  2. Ginger garlic paste- 2 tbsp
  3. Kashmiri chilli powder- 1 tsp
  4. Turmeric powder- 1 tsp
  5. Coriander powder- 1 tbsp
  6. Garam masala- 1/2 tsp
  7. Yogurt- 2 big tbsp
  8. Salt as required

    9.  

    For the gravy

  9. Onions – 4 medium
  10. Tomatoes- 2
  11. Ginger garlic paste- 2 tbsp
  12. Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
  13. Chilli powder- 1/2 tsp
  14. Coriander powder- 1 tbsp
  15. Cashews- 9 nos to be soaked
  16. Fresh cream- 2 tbsp
  17. Garam masala- a pinch
  18. Dried coriander leaves/ Kasthuri methi- 1 tsp
  19. To garnish- 1/2 onion and 1/4 capsicum
  20. Oil and salt as required

Please watch video for the recipe

Mains

Pepper (Milagu) Rasam

The HomeChef

A traditional South Indian dish as part of every festive meal to have with steamed rice. It is a soup consistency dish which is highly recommended to help in digestion and is usually had after the popular sambar in a meal. A tamarind based recipe with pepper,garlic and cumin. One of the most easiest dish to cook in a jiffy. Enjoy!

Pepper (Milagu) Rasam

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  1. Tomato -1
  2. Tamarind- 1/2 lemon size
  3. Garlic – 6-7
  4. Cumin seeds- 2 tsp
  5. Peppercorns – 2 tsp
  6. Turmeric powder- 1 tsp
  7. Rasam powder – 1 tbsp
  8. Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
  9. Curry leaves – few
  10. Salt as required
  11. Oil as required for tempering

Please watch video for the recipe

Mains

Chicken Biryani in under 3 mins

The HomeChef

The flavoured rice with meat called Biryani comes in so many varieties and can be cooked in multiple different ways. Some are unique to a particular region like Malabar Chicken biryani, Ambur biryani, Thalapakatti biryani just to name a few.

This Chicken biryani which I have shown in this recipe is one of the easiest to cook with less time involved but at the same time absolutely delicious. The rice and chicken are cooked together at the same time and the flavours will be spread evenly in this method. A mouth watering dish to add to your next meal. Enjoy!

Chicken Biryani

  • Servings: 4-5
  • Difficulty: medium
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Ingredients

  1. Basmati rice – 3 cups
  2. Chicken- 1.5 kg
  3. Onion- 5 medium
  4. Tomatoes- 2
  5. Mint leaves- 1 cup
  6. Coriander leaves- 1/2 cup
  7. Cinnamon stick- 1
  8. Anise seed- 1
  9. Ginger garlic paste- 2 tbsp
  10. Bay leaf – 1
  11. Turmeric powder- 1 tsp
  12. Salt and oil as required

    13. Ingredients for marinade

  13. Ginger garlic paste- 3 tbsp
  14. Chilli powder- 1 tsp
  15. Coriander powder- 2 tbsp
  16. Cumin powder- 1 tsp
  17. Biryani powder- 1 tbsp
  18. Turmeric powder- 1 tsp
  19. Green chilli- 2
  20. Yogurt- 3 tbsp
  21. Cardamom pods- 5
  22. Clove- 3
  23. Peppercorns- 1 tsp
  24. Salt as required

Please watch video for the method:

Mains

Lemongrass chicken curry with coconut

The HomeChef

Thai cuisine is something I enjoy very much due to its deep flavours from the ingredients they use including coconut, galangal, lemongrass and chilli. This recipe is a thai inspired one but also closely resembles in taste to the Kerala chicken curry. Very simple and easy to cook recipe to have with steamed rice.

Lemongrass chicken curry with coconut

  • Servings: 3-4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  1. Chicken – 500 gms
  2. Onions – 2, add more for a thicker gravy
  3. Ginger – a small piece
  4. Garlic – 5 pods
  5. Red chilli – 3 (increase according to heat required)
  6. Fish sauce/Soy sauce – 1 tbsp
  7. Lemongrass – 1 stalk
  8. Thick coconut milk- 1/2 cup
  9. Chicken stock – 3/4 cup
  10. Curry powder – 2tbsp
  11. Coriander leaves – to garnish
  12. Salt and Oil as required

Please watch video for the method:

Mains

Murungai Keerai Kolambu (Drumstick leaves with Dal curry)

The HomeChef

I miss eating so many native vegetables of India and Murungai keerai (drumstick leaves) is one of them. I was so happy to get hold of fresh drumstick leaves here in Melbourne. This keerai kozhambu is one of my favourite curry to have with steamed rice.

It is super healthy and rich in nutrition. If you are low on Iron, this is usually the recommended vegetable. It is rich in protein, vitamins and calcium.
Please find the recipe below:

Murungai Keerai Kolambu

  • Servings: 3-4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  1. Drumstick leaves – 1 cup
  2. Moong dal – 1/4 cup
  3. Toor dal – 1/4 cup ( you can also choose 1/2 cup toor dal and skip the moong dal)
  4. Shallots – 5 or Onion -1
  5. Tomato – 1
  6. Curry leaves – little
  7. Channa dal – 1tsp
  8. Turmeric powder – 1 tsp, Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
  9. Oil and salt as needed

Ingredients to grind into powder

Channa dal – 2 tbsp and Coconut – 2 tbsp

Please watch video for the method:

Mains

Pumpkin Erissery- Curry with pumpkin and dal

The HomeChef

Vishu is fast approaching. It is one of the key festivals of Kerala in India celebrated as the new year. Vishu always brings to my mind the Vishu kani, kaineetam and most definitely the sadya(feast). Erissery is one of the main dishes which is made for the sadya.

A delicious Pumpkin with toor dal curry along with the roasted coconut is a gravy not to be missed. This is a simple an easy method to try at home and can be enjoyed with steamed rice.

Ingredients:
1. Yellow Pumpkin – 1 cup
2. Toor dal – 1/4 cup
3.Chilli powder – 1-2 tsp
4.Curry leaves- few
5. Oil (Coconut oil preferred) -3 tbsp

To grind into a paste:
1. Fresh grated coconut – 1/2 cup. I used dry coconut – 4 tbsp with 1/2 cup coconut milk as a substitute.
2. Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

For tempering:
1. Grated coconut- 1/2 cup
2.Mustard seeds- 1.5 tsp
3. Curry leaves – few
4. Dry red chillies – 2-3
5. Oil (coconut oil preferred) – 2 tbsp

Please watch video for method.

Mains

Egg Kothu Parotta

The HomeChef

A light in the main street with people always in front of that shop. What could they be eating I used to wonder when I was a kid. I hear the chopping against the pan loud and clear. Then I knew it is the famous “Kothu Parotta”. A mouth watering dish!

For this recipe the key ingredient is paratha/parotta. I have used frozen parotta and followed pack instructions. You can get it from any Indian/Srilankan grocery shop. The other ingredients are very commonly found.

Please find the video recipe below:

Mains

Stuffed Mushrooms with pan fried Asparagus

The HomeChef

It is a great feeling to create a healthy dish. This recipe does just that.

Asparagus has been on my list to cook for a long time. It is known for its health benefits and nutritional value including being high in fiber and rich in vitamins like A,B,C and E.  It is generally served up as a side to a main dish.

The combination of Stuffed mushrooms with Asparagus turned out to be a wonderful light meal. Easy and simple to cook. Hope you like it too.

Please find the video recipe below: