Month: August 2017

Instant Pineapple Pickle

INSTANT PINEAPPLE PICKLE

This is an instant pickle recipe of pineapple with milder seasonings and is a unique fruit-based concept of making pickles. It is moderately spicy, a bit sweet and also salty and is super healthy considering it is a pickle which is generally thought to be an unhealthy option to go for. This dish is good with anything you eat and is good even for kids. A super easy and fun preparation which will surely bring you a smile after you taste it.

Ingredients:-

  1. Pineapple – 250 gms.
  2. Salt, both white and black – 1 tbsp.
  3. Red Chilly Powder – 2 tsp.
  4. Black Mustard Powder – 1 tsp.
  5. Pickle or Achar masala – 1 tsp.
  6. Vinegar – 1 tbsp.
  7. Asafoetida – A pinch.
  8. Dry Mango or Amchoor Powder – 1 tsp.
  9. Olive Oil – 1  tbsp.

STEPS

Step 1

Wash and chop the pineapple into medium-sized small cubes. Let it dry in fan till its water dries up.

IMG_3856.jpg

Step 2

Take a bowl and add the pineapple pieces into it. Now add both the black and white salts, red chilly powder, black mustard powder, achar masala, asafoetida, vinegar, dry mango powder and olive oil in the given amounts and mix all well.

Our Instant Pineapple Pickle is ready. Store it in a glass jar and put it in sunlight for two days for that awesome taste.

Friends do try the recipe at home. Share your comments and feedback. Have a great week everyone. Till then healthy cooking, happy living!!!

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Spinach Fritters In Mustard Gravy

SPINACH  FRITTERS IN MUSTARD GRAVY

Hello everyone. How are you all? Today’s blog that I have made is a rural-inspired dish, from the rural areas of Bihar finding the base of it in mustard. Now, as you already know that India is mostly an agro-based country and the rural areas occupy a prominent role in its economy and overall setting. In the rural areas of Bihar, people make dishes suiting their budget and in this regard, mustard comes up as it is abundantly found here. So people make mustard-based dishes and they really are sometimes great. So I have made this dish hoping that you all will like it and give it a try. It’s super easy, just be in a process and requires less oil as mustard is a very oil-free ingredient. Combined with spinach or any other greens, this dish is wholesome, healthy and having a unique taste. So what are you waiting for, just try making it and enjoy this mild, rural and delicious treat straight from the land of Buddha,Bihar.

Ingredients:-For the fritters

  1. Spinach – 250 gms.
  2. Gram Flour – 200 gms.
  3. Onions(finely chopped) -1.
  4. Green Chillies(finely chopped) – 2.
  5. Salt – According to taste.
  6. Asafoetida – A pinch.
  7. Red Chilly Powder – 1/2 tsp.
  8. Garam Masala – 1 tsp.
  9. Mint or pudina – 1/2 a bunch.
  10. Vegetable Oil – for shallow frying.

For the gravy:-

  1. Yellow Mustard – 3 tbsp.
  2. Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp.
  3. Tomato Puree – 1 tbsp.
  4. Ginger-Garlic paste – 1 tsp.
  5. Red Chilly Powder – 1 tsp.
  6. Coriander Powder – 1 tsp.
  7. Garam Masala – 1 tsp.
  8. Salt – According to taste.
  9. Cumin Seeds – 1/2 tsp.
  10. Vegetable Oil – 2 tbsp.

For garnish:-Fresh Cream and chopped cilantro.

STEPS

Step 1 

For making the spinach fritters, take a bowl and add the given amounts of gram flour, spinach, chopped onions, salt, turmeric powder, red chilly powder, asafoetida, garam masala, mint leaves and adding water make a batter of it. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed kadhai and when it becomes moderately hot, drop in the batter making balls and fry it till browned and crisp.

IMG_3841Step 2 

For making the gravy, make a paste of yellow mustard. Now take a kadhai, add one tablespoon of oil and splutter half teaspoon of cumin seeds. Now add chopped onions, and ginger-garlic paste and fry it for two minutes. Next add the masalas, coriander powder, red chilly powder, garam masala, salt, turmeric powder and tomato puree. Fry these for two minutes and add the mustard paste. Again fry it for one minute. Now add water for the gravy and let it boil for five minutes. Lastly, drop in the spinach balls and let it cook on medium flame for three minutes.

Our Spinach Fritters In Mustard Gravy is ready. Garnish it with fresh cream and chopped cilantro.

Friends do try the recipe at home. Share your comments and feedback. Have a great weekend everyone. Till then healthy cooking, happy living!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Basa In Spinach Gravy

BASA IN SPINACH GRAVY

Hello friends.Welcome back. Today I’m going to share a  special recipe of basa fish cooked in a spinach, onion and tomato gravy giving it great taste and flavors which are truly healthy, all green and very satisfying. So let’s start with it—

Ingredients:-For the fish fry:-

  1. Boneless fish fillet – 200 gms.
  2. Salt – A pinch.
  3. Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp.
  4. Red chilly powder – 1 tsp.
  5. Garlic(crushed)- 3 cloves.

For the gravy:-

  1. Spinach or Palak – 250 gms.
  2. Onions(chopped) – 1.
  3. Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp.
  4. Red Chilly Powder – 1 tsp.
  5. Ginger-Garlic Paste – 1 tsp.
  6. Tomato Puree – 2 tbsp.
  7. Coriander Powder – 1 tsp.
  8. Garam Masala – 1 tsp.
  9. Green chillies – 2.
  10. Cumin – 1 tsp.
  11. Vegetable Oil – 2 tbsp.

For the garnish:- Fresh Cream.

STEPS

Step 1

Wash and marinate the fish fillet(here I  have used Baasa fish)with salt, turmeric powder, red chilly powder and crushed garlic. Shallow fry the fish in a pan. Finely chop the onions and green chilies. Blanch the spinach and then make its puree.

IMG-3806.JPGStep 2

Take a kadhai. Add the cumin and vegetable oil to it. When they splutter add the chopped onions. Fry them till half cooked. Now add the ginger-garlic paste. Next add the green chilies, salt, turmeric powder, red chilly powder, coriander powder, tomato puree, garam masala and fry for two minutes. When the masalas are well-cooked pour in the palak puree which you made earlier and stir it up. Let it cook on medium flame for three minutes. Now drop in the fried fillets and simmer again for two-three minutes. You may check the seasonings before switching the gas off. Garnish it with fresh cream.

Our Boneless Fish In Spinach gravy is ready. It’s delicious and healthy and sure is a sight for really hungry people. Serve it with hot chapatis and fried rice, a curry and some salads.

Friends do try the recipe at home. Share your comments and feedback. Have a great week everyone. Till then, healthy cooking, happy living!!!

 

 

 

Spicy Yam Curry

SPICY YAM CURRY

Hello and welcome dear friends to my cozy cooking corner. Today I’m sharing a delicious curry recipe of yam patties dipped in onion and tomato gravy. It’s a wholesome recipe and goes well with steamed rice, lentils or just rice alone. It is made more in the rural areas of northern India and is sure to delight us all. So let’s start with it—

Ingredients:-For the gram flour batter—

  1. Gram Flour or  Besan -1 cup.
  2. Salt – According to taste.
  3. Red Chilly Powder – 1 tsp.
  4. Asafoetida – A pinch.
  5. Garam Masala – 1/2 tsp.

For the curry—

  1. Yam – 250 gms.
  2. Onions(made into a fine paste) – 2.
  3. Cumin – 1 tsp.
  4. Kasuri Methi – A pinch.
  5. Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp.
  6. Red Chilly Powder – 1 tsp.
  7. Ginger-Garlic Paste – 1 tsp.
  8. Cumin Powder – 1 tsp.
  9. Tomato Puree – 1 tbsp.
  10. Garam Masala – 1 tsp.
  11. Vegetable or Subzi Masala – 1 tsp.(optional).
  12. Dry Mango or Amchoor Powder – 1 tsp.
  13. Salt – (According to taste).

STEPS

Step 1

Scrape, wash and cut the yam pieces in medium-sized squares. Now blanch them for five minutes or till half done.

Step 2 

Now make the gram flour batter. For that, take a bowl. Add the given amounts of gram flour, salt, red chilly powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida,garam masala and using water make a thick batter out of it. Coat the yam pieces in it and shallow fry them till golden browned.

IMG_3746.jpgStep 3 

Take a kadhai. Add vegetable oil and splutter a pinch of cumin and kasuri methi in it. When it crackles add firstly turmeric powder, cumin powder, red chilly powder,ginger-garlic paste,garam masala and fry them for a minute. Now add the tomato puree and then add the onion paste. You can add chopped green chilies as well. Fry the masalas for two to four minutes and then add some dry mango or amchoor powder and some salt. Next, add the required amount of water for the gravy and after boiling it for two minutes drop in the fried yams. Simmer it for ten minutes.

Our Spicy Yam curry is done. Serve it with steamed rice, plain dal, chapatis or pooris.

Friends do try the recipe at home. Share your comments and feedback. Have a great week everyone. Till then healthy cooking, happy living!!!

 

Instant Apple Pickle

INSTANT APPLE PICKLE

Hello and welcome dear friends to my cozy corner. Today I’m sharing a special pickle recipe made from a fruit, apple which is lightly spiced, tastier and healthier too. So just try and make it and do let me know how it turned out. Let’s start making it—

Ingredients:–

  1. Apple – 2.
  2. Black Salt – According to taste.
  3. Yellow Mustard Powder- 1/2 tsp.
  4. Roasted Five Spices  Powder – 1/2 tsp.
  5. Oregano -1/2 tsp.
  6. Asafoetida – A pinch.
  7. Red Chilly Powder – 1/2 tsp.
  8. White Vinegar – 1 tbsp.
  9. Olive Oil(optional) – 1 tsp.

STEPS

Step 1

Wash and wipe the apples. Deskin them and cut in medium-sized square pieces.

IMG_3723.jpgStep 2 

Take a bowl. Add the chopped apples to it. Then add the spices, black salt, roasted five spice powder, oregano, roasted asafoetida, red chilly powder, powdered yellow mustard, white vinegar and olive oil though adding oil can be optional on your part. Mix well. So you can start using it immediately after it is made.

Our pickled apples are ready.

Friends do try the recipe at home.Share your comments and feedback.Have a great week everyone.Till then healthy cooking, happy living!!!

Ripe Papaya Raita

RIPE PAPAYA RAITA

Hello and welcome dear friends once again. Today I’m sharing a simple yogurt-based recipe of ripe papaya raita. It’s mildly seasoned and a healthy treat for all to be had with lunch and dinner platters or even as a dessert. So let’s start with it—

Ingredients:-

  1. Ripe Papaya – 1/2 of 1.
  2. Thick Curd – 1 bowl.
  3. Vegetable oil – 1 tsp.(optional)
  4. Salt, both black and white – According to taste.
  5. Red Chilly powder – 1 tsp.
  6. Roasted cumin powder – 1 tsp.
  7. Yellow Mustard Paste – 1/2 tsp.

For Garnish – Chopped Green Chillies and grated coconut.(optional).

STEPS

Step 1

Wash and finely chop the ripe papaya. Take a bowl and add the cut papaya to it and the curd. Now add the seasonings-salt(black and white), red chilly powder, roasted cumin powder, yellow mustard paste in the given amounts. You can also add 1 tsp of sugar or sugar-free and some mustard or vegetable oil too but it is only optional. Mix everything well. Garnish with chopped green chilies and grated coconut.

IMG_3696.jpgOur ripe papaya raita is ready. Serve it with chapatis, rice, dal, paranthas or you can have it as a fruit chaat. It’s a very healthy side dish.

Friends do try the recipe at home.Share your comments and feedback.Have a great weekend everyone.Till then healthy cooking, happy living!!!

 

The Fabulous Chef and Cuisines Award

THE FABULOUS CHEF AND CUISINES AWARD

Hello and welcome my dear friends to my blog-o-zone again. This blog is about a new award category that I am starting. It is named as—The Fabulous Chef and Cuisines award. It’s the first time this award has been created and I hope that it will be passed on to all the deserving bloggers in the near future in the spirit of celebrating blogging and a passion for food. I hope you all will love it.

NAME OF THE AWARD—- The Fabulous chef and cuisines award.

CREATOR OF THE AWARD—- Abha Jha.

ABOUT THE AWARD—-The Fabulous Chef and Cuisines award is about honoring the bloggers who have put in lots of patience, effort and dedication to showcase their culinary talents and expertise, being awesome so much that they deserve their due recognition. It is an award for beautiful blogger friends and their equally marvelous blogs which really make you mesmerized with their content, quality, presentation and the unfailing dedication to share the treasure trove of knowledge about cooking and food with the whole world. It’s for the deserving bloggers who put their heart, soul and a touch of magic to their dishes, yum and so fabulous indeed.

WHY I MADE THIS AWARD—-I am a blogger wandering in the world of food and fun and really love to know about various cuisines in India and the world alike and to experiment with my ideas on making different and new dishes. So when I started blogging I got three awards and it made me start an independent award category to facilitate the fellow bloggers all of whose blogs I found to be none other than ‘AWESOME‘ and whose creativity is awe-inspiring. I hope this award honors my fellow bloggers truly for their talents alike in the blog-o-sphere which has gems and beauties to look forward to.THANKS…

RULES FOR THE AWARD—-

  • 1. Put the above award, logo/image on your blog.
  • 2. List the rules.
  • 3.Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
  • 4. Mention the creator(Abha Jha)of this award and please provide a link or pingback as (Abha of Abha’s Recipes).
  • 5. Write a post to show your award.
  • 6. Share a link to your best post(s).
  • 7. Share five interesting and different facts about yourself.
  • 8. Ask questions to the nominees.
  • 9. Nominate 5-12 bloggers or more if you wish.
  • 10. Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them and provide the link to the post you created.

SOME FACTS ABOUT ME ARE—-1. I am a health food enthusiast though would add that I am not a foodie.

2. I believe in keeping fit-n-healthy before doing any work and I feel today’s times of heavy pressure on all needs to prioritize the health factor at all costs. You can’t afford to keep health on the sidelines anymore.

3. I am a born pickle maker and can make pickles from all the fruits and vegetables found in the world. So, try me!!!

4. I am a person with a positive outlook towards life, come any situation and am keen to know about varied and wonderful cultures and cuisines of the world.

5. I believe in making good friends and maintaining the wonderful bond of friendship with truth and loyalty.

  • QUESTIONS FOR THE NOMINEES—-1. What is your idea of spending a perfect Sunday morning?
  • 2. What is your favorite color with which you associate your good luck?
  • 3. What is your perfect idea of getting and giving happiness in any form possible?
  • 4.If given a chance with whom would you want to exchange your personality with and why?
  • 5.If you got a chance what three things would you change around you or in your country?
  • 6. What quality you primarily associate with a true lady? How according to you is she beautiful, is it because of her skin or sense?
  • 7. What dish you recently had which was great and what ingredient in it caught your charm?
  • 8. If you were given to eat one dish repeatedly even if it could make you ill what would it be?
  • 9. What is the favorite dish of you made by your mom?
  • 10. If you could create a country where everything rotated around making and eating food, what would you name it?

I would really appreciate if all the nominees will respond to this award by writing a post and will pass on this award to others in the spirit of good blogging endeavors.

Have a great day. I love you all!!!!!

  1. MY NOMINEES ARE—-Chomp Chomp’s food blog.
  2. Megala of Megala’s Kitchen.
  3.  Anusha of Anusha’s cuisines.
  4.  Chitra Sundaram of Chitra’s Recipes.
  5.  Vidya Narayan of Masala Chilly blog.
  6. Ambika Jha of A little me, a little life blog.
  7.  Sumith of Kerala’s live blog.
  8.  Lathiya of Cook with Smile blog.
  9. Smart veg recipes blog.
  10.  Malini of Malini’s Space blog.
  11.  KR’s blog.
  12.  Nena of Nenabakingrecipes blog.
  13.  Rateka of Spicy and Sugary Bites.
  14.  Tingle-ur-taste buds blog.
  15.  Priya Pandian of Indian Kitchen blog.

Some of my best post(s)are—-1. Lajawab Fish Curry —https://abhajhablog.wordpress.com/2017/07/08/lajawab-fish-curry/.

2.Instant Bottle Gourd Pickle—https://abhajhablog.wordpress.com/2017/06/30/instant-bottle-gourd-pickle.

Congratulations to all of you. Hope you like it. And don’t forget to nominate other blogger friends who too deserve this gesture. Have a great day. Take care.

 

 

 

 

 

Okra Fritters

OKRA FRITTERS

Hi and welcome all my wonderful blog buddies. I hope you all are doing good. Today I’ll share with you a simple crunchy-munchy snack recipe of Okra Fritters. These are tasty, fun and can really make your boring mood turn into a happy one. This recipe requires some rice flour and gram flour, onions, and chilies and it surely is a good treat idea for having with sweet, milky tea in brunch or as in evening snacks. So let’s start its making—

Ingredients:-

  1. Lady’s Fingers – 250 gms.
  2. Rice Flour – 1/2 cup.
  3. Gram Flour or Besan – 1/2 cup.
  4. Onions(chopped) – 1.
  5. Asafoetida or Hing – A pinch.
  6. Salt – According to taste.
  7. Red Chilly Powder – 1 tsp.
  8. Dry Mango Powder or Amchoor – 1 tsp.
  9. Garam Masala – 1 tsp.

STEPS

IMG-3640.JPGStep 1 

Wash and finely chop the lady’s fingers. Take a bowl and add the rice flour, chopped onions, gram flour, salt, red chilly powder, asafoetida, dry mango powder and Garam Masala. Add to it the chopped lady’s fingers. Using some water make a thick batter out of it of dropping consistency and heat oil in a kadhai. When the oil becomes adequately hot, drop in handfuls of the batter in the oil and fry them till crisp and browned. Drain out on tissue paper.

IMG-3638.JPGOur crispy, crunchy lady’s finger or bhindi fritters are ready. Serve them with sauces and dips of your choice as a snack or along with main course meals.

Friends do try this recipe at home. Share your comments and feedback. Have a great week everyone. Till then healthy cooking, happy living!!!

 

 

Chicken Curry With Baby Potatoes And French Beans

CHICKEN CURRY WITH BABY POTATOES AND FRENCH BEANS

Hello and welcome friends to my cooking space. Today I’m sharing a mix-n-match recipe of chicken, baby potatoes, and french beans to make this veg-cum-nonveg delight. It’s something you can cook when you have little ingredients left with you in your kitchen to churn out something tasty and healthier too. So let’ start with it—

Ingredients:-

  1. Chicken – 100 gms.
  2. French Beans – 1/2 cup.
  3. Baby Potatoes – 1/2 cup.
  4. Poppy Seeds and Yellow Mustard Paste – 1 tbsp.
  5. Ginger-Garlic Paste – 1 tbsp.
  6. Onions(chopped) – 1(big).
  7. Tomato Puree – 2 tbsp.
  8. Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp.
  9. Red Chilly Powder – 1 tsp.
  10. Coriander Powder – 1 tsp.
  11. Garam Masala – 1 tsp.
  12. Dry Mango Powder – 1 tsp.
  13. Salt – According to taste.
  14. Vegetable Oil – 2 tbsp.

FOR GARNISH —Kasuri Methi, Freshly chopped coriander and fresh cream.

STEPS

Step 1 

Wash and chop the french beans. Boil and peel the baby potatoes.

Step 2

Take a kadhai. Add the given amount of oil to it. Now add the chopped onions. Add the ginger-garlic paste and fry. Now add the masalas i.e, salt, turmeric powder, red chilly powder, coriander powder, dry mango powder,garam masala, and the tomato puree. Fry it for three minutes.

Step 3

Now add the chicken which you have washed and kept aside, the cut french beans and baby potatoes and fry them together with the masalas for ten minutes. Now add the poppy seed and yellow mustard paste and fry again. Care has to be taken not to fry the above paste for long as it may turn bitter in taste. Fry everything well and add water to make the gravy. Now pressure cook the whole dish till done. You can alternately make this dish adding any other veggies other than the ones used here and you can add dried mutton too replacing the fresh chicken as used here.

Step 4

Add kasuri methi and freshly chopped coriander to garnish. Add fresh cream too for the extra goodness. Enjoy.

IMG-3610 (1).JPGFriends do try the recipe at home. Share your comments and feedback. Have a great week everyone. Till then happy living, healthy eating!!! And happy Raksha Bandhan to all of you.