Duck Curry

Ingredients;
Duck- 2kg,cleaned, skinned and cut into pieces
Onions-2,medium sized, thinly sliced
Ginger-finely chopped,1tbsp
Garlic-finely chopped,1tbsp
Green chillies-2,slit
Tomato-1, sliced
Potatoes-2 medium sized, washed and peeled
Turmeric-1/4tsp
Vinegar-50mls, optional
Salt to taste
Coconut milk-100mls
Oil-2tbsp
For the coconut paste;
Coconut-1cup, grated
Red chilli powder-2tsp
Coriander powder-2tsp
Garam masala-1tsp

In a pan add the grated coconut and fry it without oil on a medium flame until the coconut turns light brown. To this add the red chilli, coriander powder and garam masala. Saute it until its warm and switch off the flame. Allow this mix to cool and powder this well in a grinder, add some water and grind it to form a smooth paste. Keep this mix aside.
Now heat a pressure cooker, add the oil. When the oil is hot add in the onions, ginger and garlic. Saute these until cooked. Now add the ground coconut mix, vinegar and salt and mix well. Add the whole potatoes on top and close the cooker. Allow to cook until 4 to 5 whistles. Once cooled,open the cooker and take out the potatoes. Cut each potato into 4 wedges. Add this back to the curry with the tomato. Allow to cook for 2 minutes. Lastly pour in the coconut milk, heat it but do not allow to boil.
Switch off the flame and let it rest for 15 mins.
Serve with appams, chappatis, rice or bread!!!!!!!!!!

Keralan Chilli Beef

Ingredients;
Boneless Beef-1/2kg,cut into thin long strips
Onions-2,medium,ground
Garlic-2 to 3 tbsp,minced
Green chillies-2 to 3,finely chopped
Turmeric powder-1/4tsp(optional)
Pepper powder-1/4tsp
Red chilli powder-2tsp
Dry chillies-2
Coriander leaves-2sprigs,finely chopped
Mint leaves8 to 10
Sauces-soya-2tbsp,chilli-2tbsp,tomato-2tbsp
Salt as per taste
Oil-2tbsp

Coat the beef with turmeric salt and pepper.Pressure cook it for 3 to 4 whistles.When the cooker cools down.Cook without lid to evaporate any water.In a heat the oil.Now add garlic and after few seconds add in the green chillies.Saute it for as minute.Do not allow it to brown.Add in the ground onion.Saute for 5 or more mins until the raw taste is gone.In a grinder add the red chillies,herbs and chilli powder. Grind to form a smooth paste.Add this to the onion mix.Saute it dry.Add the cooked beef and all the 3 sauces.Mix well on a medium flame for 3 to 4 mins.
Serve with rotis,bread or appam.

Green Chicken Curry

Courtesy-Nisa Homey of www.nisahomey.com
Ingredients;
Chicken-1/2kg
Onion-1,chopped
Tomato-1,cubed
Yogurt-1cup
Butter-1tbsp
Oil-1tbsp
Salt as per taste
Turmeric-1/4tsp
Garam Masala-1/2tsp
Pepper powder-2pinch
For the green masala;
Shallots-5 to 6
Ginger-1inch
Garlic-5 to6 cloves
Coriander leaves-a handful
Curry leaves-1sprig
Green chillies-5
Salt-1tsp

Coat the chicken with turmeric,salt and garam masala and leave to marinate for 10 mins.Grind the ingredients for the green masala. Add this to the chicken.Cook the chicken in the masala until done.Pour in some water if needed.In a separate pan add the oil and the butter and saute the onions.Add this and the cubed tomatoes to the chicken and allow to cook until the tomatoes soften.Allow the gravy to thicken and then pour in the yogurt. Lower the flame and stir well.Switch off the flame.Sprinkle the pepper powder on top.Leave it for 10 mins before serving with rotis,bread or rice!!!!!!

Vegetable Cutlets

Ingredients;
Mixed Vegetable-2cups(peas,cauliflower,carrot)
Potatoes-2,medium sized,boiled
Onion-1,medium,finely chopped
Beetroot-1/2,grated
Green chilles-2,finely chopped
Curry leaves-5 to 6 leaves,finely chopped(optional)
Ginger-1/2inch,finely chopped
Pepper powder-1/2tsp
Turmeric-1/4tsp
Red chilli powder-1/2tsp
Garam Masala-1/2tsp
Breadcrumbs-2cups
Eggs-2,beaten
Salt as per taste
Oil

Microwave the mixed vegetables for 5 to 6 mins.After it cools down,mince it.In a pan add a tbsp of oil.Saute the onion,ginger,green chillies and curry leaves.When the onion is cooked add the grated beetroot and cook it for 2 to 3 mins.Next add the minced vegetables and saute it until it becomes dry.Sprinkle the pepper powder,salt, chilli powder and garam masala. Add in the mashed boiled potatoes and mix with the vegetables.Remove this mix onto a plate and allow it to cool.After this make it into desired shaped equal sized cutlets.Dip each cutlet into the beaten egg and roll it in the crumbs.You may choose to freeze it or fry it.These can ether be deep fried or shallow fried.Serve with ketchup or any dip of your choice!!!!!!!!!

Keralan Beef Curry

Ingredients;
Beef-1kg,
Onion-2,finely chopped
Ginger-1/2inch,finely chopped
Garlic-2,finely chopped
Curry leaves-2sprigs
Potato-1 large
Chilli powder-11/2tbsp
Coriander powder-2tbsp
Garam masala-1 tsp
Turmeric-1/2tsp
Coconut milk-1/2cup
Vinegar-3tbsp
Coconut chips-3tbsp
Salt as per taste
Oil-3tbsp

Heat the oil in a pressure cooker.Fry the coconut chips until golden coloured. Remove this out and then add in the onions,ginger, garlic and curry leaves.Saute it until the onion the onions slightly browns.Add in the beef and allow the meat to brown uniformly.Add in the spices and salt.Roast the spices.Pour in the vinegar.Mix well.Drop in the whole unpeeled potato.Close the cooker and allow to cook for 3 whistles.When the cooker cools down cut the potato into wedges.Add this back into the meat.Pour in the coconut milk and allow the curry to cook for another 10-mins.Add in the fried coconut chips.
Serve with appam, bread, rotis or rice!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cream Cheese Raspbberry Cookies

Ingredients;
Cream Cheese-100gms
Butter-50gms
Sugar-100gms,powdered
Plain flour-150gms
Corn flour-3tbsp
Baking powder-1tsp
Raspberry Jam-2to3spoonful

Beat the cheese and butter until smooth.Add in the sugar and mix well.Add both the flours and the baking soda into a bowl.Sieve it and add this slowly into the cheese-butter mix.Knead it into a dough,divide into equal balls,flatten it and make an impression with your thumb.Drop some jam into the centre of the cookie.Arrange on the tray and bake in a preheated oven for 20 to 25 mins at 180 deg cel.Allow to cool on a wire rack.Store in a cookie jar.
Enjoy!!!!!!!

You can use jam of your choice.If you don't want jam you can skip the step;the cookies taste equally good without it.

Biryani Recipe- One for All

This biryani recipe is tried and tested many times and it has never failed.The best thing about this is it can be used for any non vegeterian biryanis;be it red meat,white meat,fish or egg.

Ingredients;
Meat-750gms
Basmati rice-2cups
Onion-2,finely chopped
Ginger-1 inch
Garlic-1whole bulb
Green chillies-6 to8
Tomatoes-5,medium,roughly chopped
Whole spices-2cardamom,cloves-4,bayleaf-1 cinnamon-2inch,whole pepper-1tsp
Turmeric-1/4tsp
Garam Masala-1/2tsp(optional)
Butter-2tbsp
Nuts and raisins
Coriander leaves-3,finely chopped
Salt as per taste
Water.

In a pan boil enough water with salt and 2cardamoms.Add in washed rice and cook it until done.Drain and keep it aside.
If using red meat,add salt and turmeric to it and pressure cook for 3 to4 whistles or until the meat is tender.Mince together the ginger garlic and greenchillies.In a heavy bottom deep pan,add oil.When the oil heats throw in the whole spices.After few seconds add the ginger garlic chilli minced.Roast it for a minute and then add the onions.Sprinkle some salt to sweat the onions.When the onions are cooked add in the turmeric(if not used earlier) and garam masala.Add the tomatoes and cook on a medium flame until the tomatoes are completely mashed.Now add in the meat,if using white meat or fish allow it to cook in this sauce.If required add water/stock.If using red meat add the cooked meat and the stock.When the meat is cooked allow the sauce to thicken.Heat the butter and fry the nuts and raisins.Now put 3/4th of cooked rice on top of the meat gravy.Sprinkle the coriander leaves and pour half of the butter with nuts and raisins.Add remaining rice and sprinkle remaining coriander leaves and nuts and raisins.Close the lid and allow to cook on a low flame for 5 mins..Let it rest for 10mins.Mix the meat with the rice.
Serve with cold raita,poppadum and pickle!!!!

If using fish ,I prefer not to use garam masala.
If making egg biriyani,boil the egg and make shallow cuts on it.
If you use spices such as chilli powder or garam masala,you may use some yogurt.

Chicken cooked in yogurt and spices(Murg Khara Masala)

Ingredients;
Chicken-500 gms,medium sized portions
Onion-1,chopped lengthwise
Ginger-1/2inch
Garlic-4cloves
Chilli powder-1tsp
Coriander powder-1tsp
Turmeric-1/4tsp
Salt-112tsp
Cumin seeds-1/2tsp
Whole spices-4black cardamoms,8 cloves,bay leaves-2,cinnamon-2inches,pepper-1tsp
Yogurt-50mls
Water-1/2cup
Green chillies-4
Coriander-3sprigs,finely chopped
Oil-3tbsp

Heat oil in a heavy bottom pressure cooker.Add the onion and saute it.Finely crush the ginger and garlic and add this to the onions and roast until raw smell is gone.Drop the chicken peces and stir fry it for 2 mins.Add in the whole spices and chilli,coriander,turmeric powders and salt.Mix well.Pour in the water and pressure cook it for 5 to 6 minutes.Let the cooker cool down.Heat it until the gravy thickens and oil separates.Now pour the yogurt.Cook it on a medium flame until the oil separates.Garnish with slit chilles and coriander leaves.Serve with rice,rotis or parantha!!!!!!!!

*Use the curd/yogurt at room temperature to avoid curdling.You may also add 1/4tsp of oil into the curd.
*Original recipe uses red meat
Courtesy;Bajias cooking

Thattukada Beef Fry

I must admit that we both are thattukada fans.This time on vacation, visit to these shops was a strict no- no becos of the headlines that gave the food chain a rough ride.I wasn't brave enough to give it a try.
So why not make that delicious beef fry at home.Its fascinating to serve it the same way as we get it from the thattukadas.

Ingredients;
Beef-1kg
Onions-2,sliced lengthwise
Ginger-1inch
Garlic-1pod
Green chillies-5
Curry leaves-1sprig
Chilli powder-11/2tsp
Coriander powder-2tsp
Garam masala-1tsp
Fennel powder-1tsp
Turmeric-1/2tsp
Oil-3 to 4 tbsp(coconut oil preferred)
Coconut pieces-3 to 4 tbsp
Salt as per taste

Coat the beef with turmeric and 1/2tsp salt.Pressure cook it for 3 whistles.Now open the cooker when it cools down.Let the water evaporate by cooking in it with lid open.Grind together the garlic,ginger and greenchillies.
Heat the oil in a pan.Add the ginger,garlic and chillies mince and let it roast.When half done add the onions ,cuury leaves,coconut pieces and stir fry on a medium flame until cooked.Now add the chilli,coriander,garam masala and fennel powder.Roast it for a minute or two and then add the beef Now mix well.Let the beef coat in the spices on a low flame.Stir well to avoid the masala from burning.It will take 5 to 6 mins to make beef dry.
Serve with appam,parathas or rice!!!!!!!!!

Varutharacha Kozhi Curry(Chicken Cooked With Roasted Coconut Masala)

Ingredients;
Chicken-1 ,cut into medium size
Coconut-1cup
Onion-1,finely chopped
Ginger-1inch
Garlic-2cloves
Curry leaves-2sprigs
Tomato-1
Chilli powder-1tsp
Coriander powder-1tsp
Garam masala-1tsp
Turmeric powder-1/2tsp
Pepper powder-1/2tsp
Salt-2tsp
Water-1/2cup
Coconut/Refined oil-2tbsp

Coat the chicken pieces with the chilli,coriander,pepper powder,turmeric,salt and gmasala.Let it marinate for 30 mins.Meanwhile dry roast the grated coconut until brown coloures.Now grind it into a fine powder.Add in the tomato,ginger and garlic and make a fine paste.In a pan or chatti add oil.Now saute the onions and curry leaves.Let the onions cook.Add in the coconut paste and cook it on a medium flame until oil separates.Add in the marinated chicken.Let the masala coat the chicken pieces well .Add 1/2cup water.When it boils,put the lid on and cook on a medium flame for 30 to 40 mins.Stir every 5 mins.Since the gravy is thick there is chance that it will stick to the bottom of the pan.

Serve with appam,rice,chappati or bread!!!!!!!!

Daal Ghosht (Mutton and Lentils Curry)

Ingredients;
Mutton-1kg
Masoor dal-3tbsp
Chana dal-3tbsp
Moong dal-3tbsp
Onion-2
Tomatoes-2
Ginger-1inch,roughly choppes
Garlic-3 cloves roughly choppes
Coriander leaves-3sprigs,finely chopped
Whole spices-3cloves,2inch cinnamon,7 to 8 peppercorns
Garam masala-1tsp
Chilli powder-1tsp
Cumin seeds-1tsp
Oil-3tbsp
Lime juice-2tbsp
Water-2cups
Salt as per taste.

Soak the moong,masoor and chana dal in water for 1 hour.Meanwhile in a cooker add the mutton,1onion quatered,tomatoes quatered,ginger,garlic,whole spices,powdered spices, cumin seeds and salt.Add half cup of water and pressure cook for 3 whistles.Let the cooker cool down.Open the cooker add the lentils and 11/2cup of water and further cook for 2 whistles.Slice the one onion lengthwise.fry it in the oil until brown.pour this over the mutton gravy and allow it to cook for 2minutes.Finely add in the lime juice and coriander leaves.
Serve with rice or rotis!!!!!!

Traditionally the lentils are not allowed to overcook the dal looks like pearls in the curry
You may choose to swap mutton with lamb,beef or venison

Fish Cutlets/Cakes

Ingredients;
Fish-3/4kg,boneless(I used haddock)
Onions-2,finely chopped
Potatoes-2,boiled and peeled,finely chopped
Ginger-1/2inch,finely chopped
Garlic-3pods,finely chopped
Green chillies-2,finely chopped
Garam Masala-1/4tsp
Pepper powder-1/2tsp
Bread crumbs-2cups
Eggs-3
Salt as per taste
Olive oil-2tbsp,if making it in the oven or refined oil for deep frying

Add 1/2 tsp salt to the fish and microwave it for 6 to 7 mins on high to cook it.Alternately you can boil it with some water on the gas and let the water evaporate.Flake the fish.In a pan add 1 tbsp oil and add the onions,ginger,garlic and green chillies.Saute it well.Add the fish into this and stir it until the mix is compleely dry.Remove the mix from fire and let it cool down so that you can mix it with hands.Now add the spices and the potatoes.Mix it well with the hands.Check if more salt is to be added.Make small balls out of this mix.You can shape it as u like.Beat the eggs.Dip the cakes in the egg and then roll in the bread crumbs.Again dip in he egg and roll it in the bread crumbs.When all he cakes are coated.Leave to rest in the fridge for 30 mins.If deep frying heat the oil and deep fry each until it turns golden brown.Then drain t on kitchen towel.If you chose to make it in the oven,then apply oil to the foil lining the tray and arrange the cakes.Leave the cakes in a preheated oven at max for 10 mins and then turn.Spray or brush oil to the surface of the cakes.
Serve with tomato sauce or salads!!!!