Smoked Eggplant(Baingan ka Bharta)

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The smoky flavor of the roasted eggplant seasoned with green chillies and onions gives a distinct flavor and taste to this dish.There are several ways to make this healthy and tasty bharta but I usually make it in two diffenent ways.In one recipe I simply add the onions,chillies and add mustard oil and mash it.This is a quick way to make the bharta.In the other recipe i cook the roasted eggplant along with the onions and chilles.Both the dishes can be had with plain chapati.
Quick Eggplant Bharta
Ingredients
Eggplants(Big size)-2
Finely chopped onions-1/2
Finely chopped green chillies-2(you can add more or less chillies as per your taste)
Ginger-1/4 teaspoon,finely chopped
Mustard oil/Ghee/Olive oil-2 teaspoons
Salt to taste
How to Roast the Eggplant
-Wash the eggplant properly and prick it at several places using a fork.
-Slit the eggplant but don't cut it into two halves.
-Put the eggplant on the gas flame and cook till it's skin is completely charred.
-Turn the flame off and let the eggplant cool completely.

How to make the Quick Bharta
-Take the charred skin of the eggplant out completely and wash it under running water once.
-Take a container and put the eggplant and add salt and mash it properly.
-Now add all the above ingredients including ghee/mustard oil and mash again.
-Baingan Bharta goes well with chapatis.

Masala Eggplant Bharta
Ingredients
Eggplants(Big size)-2
Finely chopped onions-1/2
Diced tomatoes-1/2
Finely chopped green chillies-2(you can add more or less chillies as per your taste)
Ginger-1/4 teaspoon,finely chopped
Cumin seeds- 1/4 teaspoon
Turmeric powder-a pinch
Finely chopped fresh coriander leaves-3-4 teaspoons

Vegatableoil/Olive oil/Ghee-2 teaspoons
Salt to taste
Method
-Follow the above steps to roast the eggplants.
-Heat a pan and add the cumin seeds.Let it splutter.
-Add the chopped green chilies,turmeric powder and onions and saute till the onions become translucent.
-Now add the diced tomatoes and cook for 2- minutes.
-Put the mashed eggplant and mix well and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
-Turn the flame off and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Poha Mixture(Flattened Rice Flakes)

Poha mixture is yet another easy to make recipe.It is made by roasting the flattened rice flakes.You can store the mixture in an air tight container for at least a week.It's tasty and healthy too.This is a great tea-time snacks and kids will love it.
Ingredients
Flattened rice flakes(Thin variety)-2 cups
Roasted Peanuts-A handful
Roasted chana dal-3-4 teaspoons
Cashew nuts-7-8 fried
Boondi-4-5 teaspoons
Sev bhujia-1 small packet
Green chillies-2,finely chopped
Curry leaves-4-5
Salt to taste
Oil-2 teaspoons

Method
-Add a teaspoon of oil in a pan and roast the poha on medium flame by stirring ocassionally.
-Take the roasted poha out on a plate.
-In the same pan now add 1 teaspoon of oil and curry leaves and green chillies.
-Fry the chillies and the curry leaves till they turn crispy.
-Now add the fried cashew nuts and the roasted chana dal.
-Add the roasted poha back to the pan and turn the flame off.
-Add the boondi,sev bhujia and mix well with a spoon.
-Store in an air tight container.

Quick Poha(Flattened Rice Flakes) for Breakfast

Poha, a snack made of flattened rice. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Poha or flattened rice flakes is an easily digestible form of raw rice.There are several recipes made from poha.It is a quick-to-make and very nutritious food.
Poha with Onions and Potatoes
Ingredients
Poha-thin/thick variety 2 cups
Onion-1 medium size
Potato-1 medium size
Ginger-1 small piece
Green chillies-2
Turmeric powder-1/4 teaspoon
Roasted peanuts-a hand
Mustard seeds-1/4 teaspoon
Lime juice-3 teaspoon
Curry leaves-5-6
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves-for garnishing
Vegetable Oil- 3 tablespoons
Method
-Wash the poha and drain the water using a strainer.Let it soak some water for 5-6 minutes.
-Cut the onions and potatoes into small pieces.
-Make a paste with ginger and chillies.
-Take the skin out of the peanuts by rubbing them with both hands and blowing off the skin.
-Heat and pan and add 3 table spoons of oil to it.
-Add the curry leaves and mustard seeds and let it splutter.
-Now put the cut potatoes and turmeric powder and cook for 3-4 minutes.
-Add the chopped onions and a pinch of salt and cook it along the potatoes.
-Put the roasted peanuts and the ginger and green chilli paste.
-Take a handful of soaked poha and add to the pan.
-Add salt according to your taste and mix well.
-Turn the flame off and add lime juice and mix well.
-Now slowly add the rest of the poha,taking a handful at a time.
-Serve hot with green chutney.
-Garnish coriander leaves on top.

Mashed Potato Indian Style(Aloo ka Bharta)

Mashed potatoes or aloo ka bharta is a delicious comfort food recipe.This recipe can be made with mustard oil/olive oil/vegetable oil or ghee(clarified butter). All you need is some boiled potatoes and some chopped onions and a few spices to enhance the flavor.This quick to make recipe can be made in various ways and the basic ingredients more or less remain the same.

Cheesy Mashed Potato(Bharta)
 Ingredients
Potatoes boiled-3 medium size
Processed cheese-2 cubes,grated
Garlic cloves-4-5,finely chopped
White pepper podwer-a pinch
Butter-1.5 teaspoon ,melted
 Salt to taste
Method
-Peel the boiled potatoes and mash them adding 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
-Heat the pan and add 1.5 teaspoons of melted butter.
-Now add the garlic and quicly saute fora few seconds and immediately add the mashed potato.
-Mix it well and add grated cheese on top and a pinch of white pepper.




Quick Mashed Potato(Bharta)
Ingredients
Potatoes boiled-3 medium size
Finely chopped onions-1/2
Finely chopped green chilli-1
Mustard oil/Melted ghee-1/2 teaspoon
Salte to taste

Method
-Peel the boiled potatoes.
-Take a container and add the potatoes and add salt and all the above ingredients.
-Wash your hands and mash the potatoes along with the ingredients.

Simple Mashed Potato(Bharta)
Ingredients
Potatoes boiled-3 medium size
Finely chopped onions-1/2
Finely chopped green chilli-1
Ginger,finely chopped-1/4 chopped
Fresh coriander leaves,finely chopped-1/4 teaspoon
Cumin seeds-1/4 teaspoon
Olive oil/Vegetable oil-1 teaspoon
Salte to taste


Method
-Peel the boiled potatoes and mash them adding 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
-Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds and let it splutter.
-Add chopped green chillies and ginger.
-Now add the chopped onions and saute for 2-3 minutes.You need not cook the onions till golden brown.
-Now add the mashed potato to the pan and mix all the ingredients stirring it constantly.
-Garnish fresh coriander leaves.

South Indian Style Mashed Potato(Bharta)
Ingredients
Potatoes boiled-3 medium size
Finely chopped onions-1/2
Finely chopped green chilli-1
Green chillies,slitted-2
Curry leaves-5-6
Mustard seeds-1/2 teaspoon
Roasted peanuts-1.5 teaspoon crushed
Asafetida- a pinch.
Vegetable oil/sesame oil-1 teaspoon
Salt to taste

Method
-Peel the boiled potatoes and mash them adding 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
-Heat the pan and add 1 teaspoon oil to it.
-Add the curry leaves,mustard seeds,slitted green chillies,and asafetida and  let it splutter.
-Add the chopped onions and the mashed potato now.
-Mix well stirring well occasionally.
-Add the roughly crushed roasted peanuts on top.

Quick Tips

• Boil the potatoes the night before and cool them and keep in the refrigerator.This will help you save time.
• The bharta can be used as a stuffing for dosas,wraps and even sandwich.
• The bharta tastes best with khichdi,plain rice or chapati.

Quick Mashed Potato(Bharta)
Ingredients
Potatoes boiled-3 medium size
Finely chopped onions-1/2
Finely chopped green chilli-1
Mustard oil/Melted ghee-1/2 teaspoon
Salte to taste

Method
-Peel the boiled potatoes.
-Take a container and add the potatoes and add salt and all the above ingredients.
-Wash your hands and mash the potatoes along with the ingredients.

Make-Ahead Basic Gravy(Indian Recipe)

Indian cooking is usually done with fresh ingredients and it's a common misconception that Indian food takes hours to cook.
Today's recipe is a basic Indian gravy that uses some of the common ingredients. Preparing this gravy ahead of time can further cut down on your cooking time.This gravy is cooked using a little more oil and no water is added.Use freezer storage bags to store this gravy and don't forget to label the bags with dates.
This gravy can be used to make a recipe using boiled potatoes and blanched vegetables.You can even cook eggs,meat,fish or paneer(Cottage Cheese) and green peas.
Ingreadients
Onions-1 big,sliced
Tomatoes-2 medium,Pureed
Ginger-Garlic paste-2 teaspoons
Green chilli-1,Finely chopped
Cinnamon-1 piece
Black pepper-2-3
Bay leaf-1
Green Cardamom-1
Red chilli powder-1/2 teaspoon
Coriander powder-1.5 teaspoon
Turmeric powder-1/4 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Oil-5 teaspoons

Method
-Heat a pan and 5 teaspoons of oil and saute the sliced onions till translucent.
-Add finely chopped green chillies and all the above ingredients and cook for 3-4 minutes.
-Stir well to see that the gravy has been cooked properly.
-Turn the flame off and allow this gravy to cool completely.
-Take a spoon and put the gravy in a freezer storage bag or an air tight and dry container.
-This gravy stays fresh if stored properly for 3-4 days.
-Remember to use a spoon every time you use the gravy.

Simple Egg Omelette

I've made this omelette with eggs,spring onions,onions,coriander leaves and green chillies.I have used a little more green chilli but the the choice is all yours.Adding less green chillies will make the recipe equally tasty.It's simple,tasty and is ready in 2 minutes.
Ingredients
Eggs-2
Spring onions finely chopped-3 teaspoons
Onions finely chopped-2 teaspoons
Chopped coriander leaves-3 teaspoons
Green chillies,chopped- 2 teaspoons
Salt to taste
Oil-3 teaspoons

Method
-Break the eggs and put in a bowl and add 1/2 teaspoons of salt.
-Beat the egg with a fork till it becomes light and airy.
-Add all the above ingredients except oil.
-Heat 3 teaspoons of oil in a fry pan and add the beaten eggs.
-Cook for 2 minutes on medium flame and turn using a spatula.
-Tasty Indian Omelette is ready.
-Have it with toasted brown bread.

Mushroom Masala(Indian Recipe)

This mushroom and capsicum recipe is cooked in tomato-onion gravy and is spiced up by ginger,garlic and whole garam masala.It is best serves with chapatis or vegetable pulao.This delicious recipe can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Button mushroon-1 pack
Green Capsicum-1 big
Onions-1 large
Ginger-1 inch peice
Garlic-5-6 cloves
Green Chilli-1
Tomatoes-2 medium size
Turmeric powder-1/4 teaspoon
Coriander powder-2 teaspoons
Red chilli powder-1 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Vegetable oil/Olive oil-2.5 tablespoons
Fresh coriander leaves-2 teaspoons,finely chopped

Whole Garam Masala
Black pepper-3-4
Green cardamom-2
Black cardamom-1
Cinnamon-1 piece
Bay leaf-1

Method
-Wash the mushrooms with water thoroughly and cut them into halves.
-Cut the capsicum into medium square pieces.
-Dice the tomatoes and blend them in a mixer/blender to make a smooth puree.
-Finely chop the onions.
-Make a paste with green chillies,garlic and ginger.
-Heat 2.5 table spoons of oil in a pan and add the whole garam masala.
-Add the chopped onions and diced capsicum saute till the onions turn a little golden.
-Add the ginger,chilli ,garlic paste and saute again for 1-2 minutes.
-Now add the tomato puree and stir well.
-Immediately add turmeric powder,coriander powder,red chilli powder and salt and let the masala cook for 3-4 minutes on medium flame.
-Add the cut mushrooms and cook till the mushrooms are properly cooked in the masala.
-Keep mixing the mushroom and masala and cook for about 5-6 minutes.Garnish with chopped coriander leaves
-Turn off the flame and serve this delicious mushroon-capsicum masala with chapatis or vegetable pulao.