Homely Platter

  INGREDIENTS: Pigeon Peas (Toor Dal) 2 tbsp Split Chickpeas (Chana Dal) 2 tbsp Yellow Split Gram (Moong Dal) 2 tbsp Whole Green Gram (Hari Moong Dal) 2 tbsp Split Black Gram (Urad Dal) 2tbsp Whole Black Gram (Sabut Urad Dal) 2 tbsp Red Lentils (Masoor Dal) 2 tbsp Whole Brown Lentils (Sabut Masoor Dal) 2 tbsp Kidney Beans (Rajma) 2 tbsp Cauliflower Florets 1/2 cup Green Peas 1/4 cup Carrot cut into small cubes 1/4 cup Paneer, grated 1/2 cup Onion 1 medium, thinly sliced Tomato 1 medium, chopped Ginger 1-inch grated Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp Cumin powder 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp Bay Leaf 1 Salt to taste  Mustard Oil 1 tbsp Coriander Leaves  Lemon Juice 1 tsp METHOD: Serving Size: 4-5 Wash the dals and soak them for 2 hours. Pressure cook them with turmeric, salt and enough water until soft. Heat oil in a pan and temper it with cumin seeds and bay leaf. Add sliced onion and saute until light golden. Add grated ginger, tomato and cumin powder and cook until the tomato softe...

  INGREDIENTS: Chicken Thighs 3-4 Carrot 1 medium cut into strips Green Papaya peeled and cut into thin strips Mushrooms 1 cup halved Cauliflower Florets 1 cup Potato 1 cut lengthwise Onion 1 medium, thinly sliced Tomato 1 finely chopped Ginger 1-inch, grated Garlic 6-8 cloves minced Green Chilis 1-2  Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp Black Pepper Powder 1/2 tsp Cumin Powder 1/2 tsp Salt to taste Oil 2 tbsp Fresh Coriander Leaves Paste 1/2 cup Water 3-4 cups METHOD : Serving size: 3-4 Season the chicken with salt and turmeric. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan and sear the chicken pieces on both sides until lightly golden. Lightly saute the mushrooms and cauliflower florets. Remove and keep aside. Heat the remaining oil, add the onion and saute until translucent. Add ginger, garlic and green chilis and cook for a few seconds. Add the tomatoes and cook until they soften. Add turmeric powder, cumin powder, black pepper powder and salt. Add the vegetables and the chicken thighs. Pour in water, c...

INGREDIENTS: Pabda Fish 3-4 medium-sized Poppy Seeds Paste 3 tbsp Coriander Leaves 1 cup ground with 1-2 green chilis and a splash of water Tomato 1 medium, finely chopped Nigella Seeds 1/2 tsp Turmeric, a pinch Salt to taste Mustard Oil 1 tbsp METHOD: Serving Size: 3-4 Rub the fish with salt and turmeric. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan, then sear them for just 1 minute per side to keep them tender. Set aside.  Heat the remaining oil and season it with nigella seeds. Once they sizzle, add the tomato. Sauté until it turns mushy. Lower the heat and add the poppy seed paste. Cook for 2 minutes. Add half a cup of water. Let it come to a gentle simmer.  Gently slide the pabda back into the gravy. Stir in the coriander paste and simmer for 3-4 minutes.  Adding the coriander paste towards the end of cooking helps retain its fresh green color. Garnish with slit green chili and coriander leaves and serve with steamed rice and cucumber salad.  

INGREDIENTS: Jackfruit 300 grams peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes Potato 1 large Onion 1 large, finely chopped Ginger 1-inch grated Garlic Cloves 5-6 minced Green Chilis 2-3 finely chopped Turmeric Powder 1 tsp Red Chili Powder 1 tsp Roasted Cumin Powder 1 tsp Garam Masala powder 1 tsp Black Pepper Powder 1/4 tsp Roasted Gram Flour (Besan) 2 tbsp Salt and Sugar to taste Mustard Oil 2 tbsp for sauteing the aromatics Prawns 10-12 medium-sized (deveined, shells removed, tails intact) Corn flour 3 tbsp Water 1/2 cup Panco Breadcrumbs 1 cup Coriander leaves chopped, a handful Oil for deep frying METHOD: Serving size: 4-5 Make a slurry with corn flour and water and season with salt and black pepper. Set aside. Boil the jackfruit cubes and the potato in salted water until fork-tender. Drain completely and spread them on a wide plate for 5-6 minutes. This allows the excess moisture to evaporate. Using a potato masher, mash them coarsely. Heat mustard oil in a pan and saute the onions until tra...

  INGREDIENTS: Chicken Breast 200 grams (cut into small, bite-sized chunks) Cauliflower Florets (medium cut) 2 cups Mushrooms (halved or quartered) 1 cup French Beans (cut into 1-inch pieces) 1/2 cup Carrots (sliced into thin rounds) 1/2 cup Onion 1 cubed Garlic Cloves 5-6 minced Black Pepper Powder 1/2 tsp Turmeric, a pinch Oil 2 tbsp Butter 1 tsp Lemon Juice 1 tsp Salt to taste Coriander Leaves, a handful chopped METHOD: Serving Size: 3-4 In a bowl, toss the chicken chunks with salt, pepper, turmeric and 1 tbsp of oil. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan, then toss the mushrooms on high heat until they brown. Remove and set aside. Heat the remaining oil and butter in the same pan and add the chicken pieces. Sear them until golden. Add the cauliflower florets and stir-fry on medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes. Add the beans and carrots, and saute for 4-5 minutes. Keep them al dente. Return the pre-seared mushrooms to the pan and sprinkle salt and black pepper. T...

  INGREDIENTS: Dalia 3/4 cup Moong Dal 1/4 cup Cumin Seeds 1 tsp Hing a pinch Turmeric Powder 1 tsp Carrot 1/4 cup diced French Beans 1/2 cup chopped Green Peas 1/4 cup Cauliflower Florets 1/2 cup Onion 1 finely chopped Green Chili 1-2 chopped Tomato 1, finely chopped Ginger 1-inch grated Red Chili Powder 1 tsp Salt to taste Oil or Ghee 2 tbsp Water as needed Coriander Leaves chopped for garnish METHOD: Serving size: 3-4 Roast the dalia and moong dal until they are slightly brown and fragrant. Dry  roasting the dalia until it’s fragrant and golden before cooking will keep the grains distinct.   Pressure cook them along with salt, turmeric and water for 2-3 whistles. Heat oil or ghee in a pan, add cumin seeds and hing. When the seeds splutter, add ginger, green chilis and onion. Sauté until the onions turn translucent and aromatic. Add the veggies (except the peas), salt and tomato. Cook until the tomato softens.  Add the turmeric and red chili powder, then pour in th...