Prawn Chilly Fry

Finally the weather feels much warmer and I see smiles all around which means summer food! Lets start off with a Prawn Chilly Fry.

Ingredients

500gm tiger prawns

7 tbsp olive oil

6 garlic cloves, crushed 

1 1/2 piece ginger crushed

1 medium red onion finely sliced

2 spring onions finely chopped

1 large green chilli finely chopped

Handful pinch of fresh coriander, finely chopped

2tsp Kashmiri chilli powder

2tsp coriander powder

1tsp turmeric powder

1tsp garam masala

1/2tsp ground star aniseed

1tsp salt

Juice of half a fresh lime

Cooking

Heat the oil in an non stick pot 

Add the crushed garlic and ginger and sauté for a minute

Throw in the red onions and springs and sauté for a further 5 minutes

Sprinkle in all the dry spices and stir in for a minute

Add the prawns, tomatoes, chillies, coriander and stir fry for 3 minutes

Add the lime juice, salt and stir fry for a further 3 minutes

Serve as is with a fork

Chatpata Choley - Sweet & Sour Chickpeas

This delicious, nutritious, high protein pulse is popular amongst vegetarians the world over and it's one of my favourite too. This particular dish is my take on a classic,  Chatpata Choley, in other words spicy, sweet and sour chickpea's.

 

INGREDIENTS

1kg chickpeas cooked
2 small onions finely chopped
1tbsp crushed garlic
1tbsp crushed ginger
2-3 fresh green chillies finely chopped
1tsp cumin seeds
4tbsp sunflower oil/olive oil
1tsp garam masala
1tsp chilli powder
1tsp ground coriander
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground star aniseed
1tsp salt
1tsp sugar
1tbsp concentrated tamarind paste dissolved with 300ml water

Serves 4

 COOKING

In a large deep frying pan heat up the oil on a medium heat, once hot throw in the cumin seeds and allow too crackle for 15 seconds. Add the onions, garlic, ginger, chillies and sauté for 10 minutes until onions softened. Add the chick peas and stir fry for 3-4 minutes. Pour in the tamarind juice, sprinkle in the spices, lower heat and simmer for 16-18 minutes, stirring occasionally until the tamarind juice has evaporated.

 

Serve Hot.

Bav's Detoxifying Spicy Steamed Salmon

So whose started a new diet in the new year after all the festive indulging, cutting down on calories, eating healthy and no doubt have joined a gym? It’s still going too be cold out there for a while and we will need a variety of foods too boost the immune system, give us energy and help as with the detoxifying.

More and more of us are eating fish, as a healthy option, less calories, hardly any fat and great for loosing weight. Though fish does tend to be bland at times unless spices are used, this got me thinking of how certain spices and herbs have extremely good health benefits. So I decided to create the perfect immune boosting, detoxifying fish dish; that not only tastes great but has great health benefits.

Spicy Steamed Salmon, Mash Potato & Coriander Chutney

Ingredients

250gm salmon- high in omega 3, for a healthy heart.

½ tsp cayenne pepper - increases metabolism, other Cayenne Pepper benefits.

½ tsp turmeric powder - natural liver detoxifier, other Turmeric Powder benefits.

½ tsp coriander powder - general digestive aid.

2 garlic cloves, crushed - helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

1 piece of ginger, crushed - traditional medicine for the treatment of cough, cold and congestion.

1 red chilli finely sliced - stimulate blood circulation and are reputed to help prevent heart disease and cancer.

1tbsp lime juice - helps with weight loss.

1tbsp olive oil - controls LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels.

Sprinkle salt & pepper to taste.

Serves 1

Preparation

In a small bowl, sprinkle in the cayenne pepper, turmeric and coriander powder. Add the crushed garlic, ginger, lemon juice, olive oil and mix to form a paste.

Place the salmon on a plate and apply the paste evenly, by hand or using a spoon.

Place the salmon on a large sheet of foil, sprinkle salt, pepper, red chillies and fold the foil into a parcel, making sure its hollow inside and that no steam can escape. Leave to marinate for 30 minutes or place in the fridge for a day, if using the next day.

Place the salmon parcel in a pre-heated oven at 200°C degrees for around 18-20 minutes.

Serve Hot!

Remember drink pleanty of water.



Butter Jeera Chicken

If your south Asian and grew up in the UK, you are well aware of the Jeera Chicken, very popular among Indian & Pakistani homes throughout the west. It's one of my favourite starter chicken dishes of all time, chicken on the bone cooked in plenty of cumin, herbs, spices and often eaten dry.

Its cooked in various different ways, below is my buttery version of a classic, not for the faint hearted.......

Ingredients

1kg boneless chicken chunks

1tbsp crushed garlic

1tbsp crushed ginger

1tsp fresh green chillies finely chopped

1tsp roasted cumin seeds

1tsp roasted cumin seeds, coarsely ground

1tsp coarsely grounded pepper

1tsp garam masala

1tsp ground coriander

½ tsp ground turmeric

½ tsp chilli powder

1tsp salt

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

25gms  butter

Serves 4-6

Preparation

In a large wok, when which has a lid, heat up the butter on a medium heat until it has dissolved and fairly hot.

Sprinkle in the cumin seeds and allow too crackle for 15 seconds and then add the garlic, ginger, green chillies and sauté for a further minute.

Add the chicken and stir fry until all chunks have turned white in colour. Sprinkle in the garam masala, turmeric, chilli, coriander powders, stir in well, reduce heat, cover with a lid and simmer for 45 minutes on a low heat, stirring occasionally.

Sprinkle in the coarsely roasted cumin, black pepper, lemon juice, extra chillies and more butter if required, stir and serve hot.

Paneer Spinach & Tomato

I have been asked by customers and on my travels for a perfect recipe for Saag Paneer, which for those who don’t know is an Indian style cottage cheese in a spicy spinach pureed sauce. And even though I like cooking a traditional style paneer saag, it got me thinking of how I would like to cook it in my very own style.
 
So over the weekend this is what I done………..  

Ingredients

 

750gms paneer cubes, fried until slightly brown throughout

400gm baby spinach leaves, washed

1 medium tomato, seeds removed, chopped

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cayenne powder

1tsp ground coriander

1tsp ground white pepper

1tsp pomegranate powder

1 tbsp fresh garlic, finely chopped

1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely chopped

1tsp green chillies chopped

1 tbsp fresh lemon  juice

6 tbsp olive oil

Serves 2-4

 MARINADE

In a  fairly large wok heat up the olive oil on a medium to high heat, once hot add the garlic, ginger, chillies and sauté for one minute. Throw in the fried paneer cubes and stir fry for a further minute. Add the spinach, tomatoes, all dried spices and stir fry for five minutes, sprinkle in the lemon juice, one final stir and serve hot.

Spicy Grilled Prawns

Just love prawns, though for me need to be spiced up and yes butter to finish them off.

Here's my spicy grilled prawn recipe, quick, easy and very delicious.

Ingredients

250gms king prawns, shelled & de-veined

½ tsp salt

½ tsp chilli powder

½ tsp turmeric powder

½ tsp ground cumin

1tsp ground coriander

1 tbsp fresh garlic paste

1tsp green chillies chopped

1tbsp fresh lime juice

1tbsp coriander leaves and sprigs, finely chopped

25gms butter to baste

Serves 2-4

 MARINADE

In a medium size bowl, sprinkle in all the spices, add the garlic paste, chillies, lemon juice, fresh coriander and mix in well. Add in the prawns and mix well, use your hands, though wash well after. Marinate for 30 minutes.

Grill

Place the prawns on a lightly oiled tray, skewer if possible,  baste  with butter, put under a medium  pre-heated grill and cook for 12 minutes.

Serve Hot. 

Aloo Tikki

Is something like your fried potato cake or croquette though much spicy.

Taste's delicious!

Ingredients

1.5kg boiled potatoes, just cooked, skin removed

4 stalks of spring onions

5-6 Indian green chillies, finely chopped

1 large teaspoon finely grated ginger

2tsp salt

1 ½ tsp sugar

1tsp chilli powder

½ tsp ground white pepper

1tsp mango powder

3tbsp plain flour

3tbsp cornflour

1tsp ground black pepper

oil for shallow frying, at least 1½cm

Preparation

Sieve through the plain flour, cornflour and ground black pepper into a bowl and leave aside.

Place the cooked potatoes in a large bowl and sprinkle in all the herbs and spices.

Using a fork break into the potatoes and mix all the ingredients together. You don't want a mash though the potatoes broken into little pieces.

Make little patties around 4cm in diameter and 2½cm thick, leave to one side.

Place the patties into the plain flour mixture and coat well. Shake a little to get rid of any excess flour and place back on a plate.

Heat up the oil in a frying pan on a medium heat, once hot try one to begin with. They should fry very easily, around 3-4 minutes on each side and should brown slightly. Remove to a plate of kitchen towels to drain excess oil.If you are happy then fry the Aloo Tikki in batches of 5-6, otherwise reduce or increase heat slightly.

Serve Hot! 

Stir Fried Pak Choi in Garlic, Ginger & Chillies

Went next door to the Asian fresh vegetable shop and found pak choi, it's amazing the availability of variety of Asian vegetables in our local and large supermarkets. It just makes us want to try out new recipes, that we may only find in restaurants.

So here is my take on one of my favourite vegetables, pak choi, baby Chinese cabbage, stir fried in garlic, ginger and red chillies. Though a Chinese dish, this vegetable dish can go with any cuisine.

Ingredients

Serves 2

250gm Baby Pak Choi, separate stalks and leaves

3 cloves garlic, finely sliced into strips

1 small piece of ginger, finely sliced into strips

2-3 fresh red chillies, finely sliced

200ml vegetable stock

1tsp sugar

1tsp salt

1tbsp dark soy sauce

1tsp fresh lemon juice

1tbsp sesame oil

4tbsp olive oil

Cooking

In a small bowl, pour in the sesame oil, soya sauce, lemon juice, salt, sugar, stir and leave a side.

Heat the olive oil on a high heat in a wok or deep frying pan.

Once hot, throw in the garlic, ginger, chillies and stir fry for a minute.

Add the stalks of the pak choi and stir fry for 2 minutes.

Add the leaves and stir fry for a further 2 minutes.

 Pour in the vegetable stock and soya sauce mixture, stir and allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes, before serving.

Semolina Pudding

Gujarati style semolina pudding, sprinkled with toasted fresh desiccated coconut and almonds.

A straight forward Indian dessert made from coarse semolina which is roasted in ghee (clarified butter), until slightly brown. Boiled saffron flavour milk is added, sugar or condensed milk as I have above and then vigorously stirred until the milk has evaporated.

Garlic Chicken Curry

Murgh Lasuni in other words, what you might see on a menu in any top Indian restaurant, chicken curry with loads of garlic.

I myself just love garlic and tend to throw loads of the stuff in many of my dishes. This particular recipe is quick and simple to make, which is as authentic and absolutely delicious for garlic lovers.

Ingredients

750gm small boneless chicken cubes

6tbsp olive oil

2 small white onions, finely chopped

8-10 black peppercorns

1 ½ tbsp crushed garlic

2-4 fresh green chillies, finely crushed

6 medium ripe tomatoes, liquidised

2tbsp natural plain yogurt (Bio Pot), whipped

1tsp garam masala

1tsp turmeric powder

1tsp chilli powder

1tsp ground coriander

1 ½ tsp salt

Preparation

In a large frying pan, preferably one with a lid, heat up the olive oil on a medium heat. Once the oil is hot, throw in the peppercorns and allow to crackle for 20 seconds. Add the onions, garlic, chillies and allow too sauté until dark brown.

Add the chicken and stir fry until all the pieces of chicken turn white.

Mix the blended tomatoes and yogurt well and pour in, stir, lower heat and cook for 30 minutes with a lid on, stirring occasionally.

Sprinkle in all the dry spices, stir and cook for a further 15 minutes.

I garnish this dish with fried flakes of garlic for that extra feel.

Serve Hot with Naan bread & rice.

Sweet Corn Curry

A Gujarati favourite sweetcorn in a spicy rich tomato creamy sauce.

Serves 6

Ingredients

750gm sweetcorn

500gm tinned chopped tomatoes, blended in a liquidiser

1 medium white onion, finely chopped

1tbsp crushed garlic

1tbsp crushed ginger

2-3 fresh green chillies, finely chopped

3tbsp fresh coriander, finely chopped

6tbsp red peanuts, coarsely grounded

1tsp chilli powder

1tsp turmeric powder

1tsp ground coriander

1tsp garam masala

1tsp pomegranate powder

2tsp salt

100ml single cream

8tbsp sunflower oil

Preparation

In a fairly large pot, heat up the oil on a medium heat, once hot sprinkle in the cumin seeds and allow to crackle for 20 seconds. Add the onions, garlic, ginger, crushed chillies and saute until light brown.

Sprinkle in the coarsely grounded red peanuts and stir fry for 2-3 minutes.

Pour in the blended tomatoes, sweetcorn and the also the dried spices, stir well and allow to simmer for 30 minutes with a lid on, stirring occasionally.

Finally pour in the single cream, sprinkle in the coriander, stir and cook for a further 10 minutes before serving hot, goes well with naan bread.

Spicy Butter Mushrooms

Very very naughty, though taste's divine.

Ingredients

600gms open cap mushrooms

4tbsp natural plain yogurt, whipped

2tbsp fresh lemon juice

6tbsp olive oil

75gm butter

1tsp turmeric powder

1tsp ground cumin

1tsp ground coriander

½tsp ground black pepper

1tsp chilli powder

1tsp salt

2tbsp crushed garlic

3-4 red chillies, finely chopped

3tbsp fresh coriander finely chopped

Preparation

In a fairly large bowl pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sprinkle in the dry spices and stir well.

Pour in the yogurt, lemon juice and whisk in well.

Throw in the mushrooms, stir in well, coating all the pieces with the marinade, allow to marinate for a few hours or use straight away.

In a medium frying pan or wok, add the rest of the olive oil and butter, allow to heat over a medium heat, once hot, add garlic, red chillies, fresh coriander and saute for a minute.

Add the mushrooms and stir fry for 15-17 minutes, until cooked.

Serve hot with warm bread of you're choice.