Egg kothu paratha

One evening i made some veggies for dinner and realized that it would not be enough. So I was thinking what to make. And my hubby was saying he will make frozen parathas. Thats when I got the idea why not make a quick Egg Kothu Paratha. It just took me 10 minutes to make and was delicious.

Serves : 2
Approximate Total Cost : $3.00
Approximate Cost per person : $1.50

Ingredients

Frozen Paratha - 2

Eggs - 2

Onion - 1 (thin long slices)

Tomato - 1 (chopped)

Green Peas (frozen) - a handful

Salt - to taste

Canola oil - 1 teaspoon

Cilantro - for garnish

Spices

Chilli powder - 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder - 1 teaspoon

Fennel powder - 1 teaspoon

Cumin powder - 1 teaspoon

Method 

1. Cook the frozen paratha as per the instructions on its packet.

2. Tear the paratha into small slices and keep it aside.

3. Add a teaspoon of oil in a hot pan and add the onions and salt and sauté well.

4. Then add the tomatoes and sauté until the tomatoes are soft and cooked.

5. Then add the frozen green peas and 4 tablespoons of water. Now add the spices and salt and cook until the peas are fully cooked and the water s evaporated.

6. Add the eggs to the above mixture and scramble it together. 

7. When the eggs are 3/4th cooked add the sliced parathas and combine and cook for two minutes until the egg is fully cooked. Garnish with cilantro. Serve hot.

Potato Egg Burrito

My favorite to-go meal for breakfast is the Mexican Egg-Potato-Cheese Burrito. I made an Indian version of this with Indian spices and was wonderful. I omitted the cheese because I dont like to include cheese with Indian food.

Serves : 2
Approximate Total Cost : $3.00
Approximate Cost per person :$1.50

Ingredients

Wheat Tortilla - 2 (I used homemade tortillas - the indian chapathis)
Potatoes - 3 (chopped into small cubes)
Eggs - 3
Canola Oil - 2 tablespoons
Salt - to taste
Pepper - to taste
Chilli Powder - 1 teaspoon
Sambar Powder - 1 teaspoon
Cilantro - for garnish

For Tempering

Mustard seeds - 1/4 tablespoon
Cumin seeds -1/4 tablespoon
Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tablespoon
Fennel seeds - 1/4 tablespoon  
Urad dal - 1/4 tablespoon


For the Dip

Plain Yogurt - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (to taste)
Cumin Powder - 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (to taste)
Salt - to taste

Method

1. To cook the potatoes : In a hot pan add a table spoon of canola oil and add the ingredients for tempering and saute for a minute. Now add the chopped potatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Add the chilli powder, Sambar Powder and salt and cook until the potatoes are roasted and cooked. Garnish with cilantro. Keep it aside.

2. To scramble eggs: In a pan add a tablespoon of canola oil and add the eggs, salt and pepper and scramble and keep it aside.
3. Mix the ingredients for the dip in a small bowl and keep it aside.
4. To make the burrito:
Lay the tortilla or the chapathi on a plate.

Add the roasted potatoes on top of the tortilla or chapathi.

Add the scrambled eggs on the top of the potatoes.

Fold the tortilla or the chapathi to form a burrito roll.
Serve with or without the dip. Some people dont like to use yogurt along with eggs, in that case you can skip the yogurt dip.

Veggie Fajitas Tacos

If you wanna spin a simple vegetarian dinner, why not try the veggie fajitas. It does not take more than 10 to 15 minutes to prepare this. I love Mexican Food since it has all the spicy flavors.

 

Serves : 2
Approximate Total Cost : $4.00
Approximate Cost per person : $2.00

Ingredients

Corn Tortillas - 8 (You can also use the Indian Chapathis)
Shredded Cheese - 1/2 cup (I used Asiago cheese)
Sour Cream - 8 dollops
Guacamole - 1 cup (Click here for the recipe)

For the Veggie Fajita

Green/Orange or Red Bell Pepper - 2
Red Onion - 1 small (thin long slices)
Mushrooms - 1 cup (sliced)
Baby Radish - 1 cup (sliced)
Salt - to taste
Cumin Powder - 1 teaspoon
Chilli Powder - 1 teaspoon
Canola Oil - 1 to 2 tablespoons

Method

1. In a hot skillet add all the ingredients for the Veggie Fajita and cook for 10 minutes in high heat until the veggies are cooked but still crispy. I add the veggies and leave it on high flame for 5 minutes without stirring, this helps in forming a slight char(brown tint) on the bottom part of the veggies. Then stir the veggies and try to brown it slightly. Don't overcook the veggies.
2. In another hot pan place the tortilla and sprinkle cheese on top of the tortilla. Once the cheese melts transfer the tortilla to a plate. 
3. Add the Veggie Fajita, Guacamole and sour cream on top of the cheesy tortilla. Serve with a Lime Wedge.

Mangomole Fish Tacos

Fish Tacos is one of my favorite Mexican dish. The spicy fish and the sweet ripe mango produces a burst of flavors. Its so heavenly. You will be surprised how the flavors of the crispy fish, sweet mangoes, spicy jalapeno and tangy lemon produces sparks!! Instead of using avocados to make Guacamole I thought why not substitute sweet mangoes instead of avocados!

Serves : 1
Approximate Total Cost : $3.00

Ingredients

Baked Fish Fry - 1 fillet (chopped into cubes after baking) - click here for the recipe

Corn tortilla - 4

Sour cream - 4 dollops

Lemon - 1 

For the Mangomole

Ripe fresh mango - 1 (chopped into small cubes)

Shallot - 1 (minced)

Garlic - 1 clove (minced)

Jalapeño - 1 (minced)

Tomatoes - 1 tablespoon (finely chopped)

Cilantro - 1 tablespoon (finely chopped)

Salt - to taste

Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed) 

Method

1. Mix all the ingredients for the Mangomole in a bowl and allow it to rest for half an an hour so that all the flavours combine.

Heat the corn tortillas for a minute or two until they have slight brown spots and cooked.

2. Spread a dollop of sour cream on top of each tortilla.

3. Then add the chopped fish and Mangomole on each tortilla. Squeeze a fresh lemon on the top of the tortillas or serve with a lemon wedge. 

Baked Fish Fry - Indian style

I love Fish Fry. But really deep fry or pan fry it???? How about we get the same texture by baking? That was my goal and tried this way and was so yumm. It took me around 3 trials to figure out to make crispy fish at the right temperature with the right method.

Serves :2
Approximate Total Cost : $5.00
Approximate Cost per person :$2.50

Ingredients

Tilapia fish fillets - 2

Tumeric - 1 teaspoon

Lemon - 1 (freshly squeezed)
Canola oil spray 

For the marinade

Cumin powder - 1 teaspoon

Chilli powder - 1 teaspoon

Fennel powder - 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder - 1 teaspoon

Lemon - 1 (freshly squeezed)

Canola oil - 1 tablespoon

Salt - to taste

Pepper - to taste

Method

1. Wash the fish fillets with tumeric and juice of a lemon. 

2. In bowl mix all the ingredients for the marinade. Add little water and mix it so that it forms like a paste. Rub this paste on both sides of the fish.

3. Line a baking sheet with foil (makes cleaning easy) and place a rack on top of it.

4. Spray both sides of the fish with canola oil spray and place it on the rack. If you want some extra crispiness on the fish then add a tablespoon of oil on top of the fish.

5. Bake at 450F for 30 minutes until the marinade on the fish is fully cooked and looks fried. Then broil in high for 3 to 5 minutes to get a crispy top. Check the fish every 10 minutes as oven timings vary. My oven cooks really slow. Then remove the fish from the rack with a flat spatula else the fish will break. Serve hot. 

Chinese Pepper Soya

A good vegetarian side for Chinese Egg Fried Rice is the pepper soya. It is healthy and delicious. The best part is, it is very simple to make.

Serves : 2
Approximate Total Cost : $2.00
Approximate Cost per person :$1.00

Ingredients

Onions - 1 small (chopped into cubes)

Green Bell Pepper - 1/2 ( chopped into cubes)

Soya chunks - 1cup

Ginger - 1 tablespoon (minced)

Garlic - 1 tablespoon (minced)

Green chilli or Jalapeño - 2 (slit into two pieces)

Canola oil - 2 tablespoons

Spring onions - 1 (finely chopped)

Salt - to taste

Pepper - 1.5 tablespoons (adjust to taste)

Soy Sauce - 1.5 tablespoons

Corn starch - 1 teaspoon (mixed with 4 to 5 teaspoons of water) 

Method

1. To cook soya chunks : Boil water in a pan. Add the soya chunks, cover it with a lid, switch off the flame and set aside for 20 mins. This will cook the soya. Then drain the soya and wash it down with cold water.

2. In a hot skillet add 2 tablespoons of oil and ginger and garlic and sauté for a minute. 

3. Add the onions and salt and sauté for three minutes.

4. Add the green bell pepper and green chillis and sauté for three minutes.

5. Add the cooked soya chunks. 

6. Add soy sauce , corn starch mixture and pepper. (Taste and add salt if required as soy sauce already contains salt). Cook for three minutes. 

7. Garnish with spring onions and serve hot with Chinese Egg Fried Rice. 

Chinese Egg Fried Rice

I was never able to make the Chinese fried rice with the same flavors as you get in the restaurant. After different trials I finally made the Chinese fried rice which tastes like how you get in the restaurants. And its so simple to make. Atleast me and my hubby think so.

Serves : 2
Approximate Total Cost :$2.00
Approximate Cost per person :$1.00

Ingredients

Cooked rice - 1 cup

Carrot - 1 big (finely chopped)

Onion - 1 small ( finely chopped)

Frozen Peas - a handful 

Spring onions - 1 (finely chopped)

Ginger - 1 tablespoon ( minced)

Garlic - 1 tablespoon (minced)

Eggs - 2 (scrambled)

Salt - to taste

Pepper - to taste

Soy Sauce - 1 tablespoon 

Canola oil - 1 tablespoon

Butter - 1 tablespoon

Method

1. In a hot skillet add a tablespoon of oil and a tablespoon of butter.

2. Add the ginger and garlic and sauté for a minute.

3. Add the onions and little salt and sauté for 3 minutes.

4. Then add the carrots and sauté for 3 minutes. Now add the peas and sauté for another 3 minutes. Add a pinch of salt. (Add less salt than usual because we will be using soy sauce which already has salt)

5. Add the scrambled eggs, cooked rice, pepper, spring onions and soy sauce into the veggie mixture and stir well. Serve hot with Chinese Pepper Soya. 

Tropical Salad

This is a salad with fresh fruits and veggies. The sweetness of the mangoes and the hotness of the jalapeno brings out a burst of flavor in your mouth. When you have fresh fruits and veggies, you can always spin your own creative salad. That's how I did this salad which helped me to clear all the left over veggies and fruits!!!!

Serves : 2
Approximate Total Cost : $4.00
Approximate Cost per person :$2.00

Ingredients

Mango - 1 (chopped into small cubes)
Avocado - 1 (chopped into small cubes)
Cucumber - 1/2 (chopped into small cubes)
Tomato - 1 tablespoon finely chopped
Cilantro -  1 tablespoon finely chopped
Mint -  1 teaspoon finely chopped
Garlic - 1 clove (minced)
Lemon - 1 (freshly squeezed juice)
Jalapeno - 1 (minced)
Salt - to taste

Method

1. Mix all the above ingredients and set aside for 15 minutes. Serve it.

Berry Spinach Shake

A good shake with fresh healthy fruits is always a healthy breakfast. I like to have this simple shake to feel energetic in the morning or in the evening.

Serves : 1
Approximate Total Cost : $4.00

Ingredients

Strawberries - 10
Blueberries - a handful
Raspberries - a handful
Spinach Leaves - a handful
Orange - 1 (outer skin peeled)
FlaxSeed Powder - 1.5 tablespoon

Method

1. Blend all the ingredients in a blender(dilute with water to suit your taste) and drink it.

Soya Burger

I bought these soya crumbs and was in my pantry for a long time. I was craving for burgers and decided to make Soya Burgers.

Serves : 3
Approximate Total Cost : $5.00

Ingredients
Soya Crumbs - 1 cup
Potatoes - 2
Peas - 1 cup
Spring Onions - 1 (finely chopped)
Salt - to taste
Chilli Powder - 1 teaspoon
Sambar Powder - 1 teaspoon
Blue cheese crumble - 3 teaspoons (any kind of cheese)
Burger Buns - 3
Avocado - 1 
Spinach Leaves - a handful
Sour cream - 3 teaspoon

Method

1. Boil the potatoes and mash them and keep it aside.
2. Boil the peas and keep it aside.
3. To Cook the Soya Granules - Boil water in a pan. Add the soya granules, cover it with a lid, switch off the flame and set aside for 20 mins. This will cook the soya. Then drain the soya and wash it down with cold water.
4. In a bowl add the cooked soya crumbs, boiled potatoes, boiled peas, salt, chilli powder, sambar powder and spring onions and mix well.

5. Make burger patties by stuffing in a tablespoon of cheese.
6. If you are baking later, cover it with a plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake it.

Place the soya patties on a baking tray as shown and bake at 425F for 30 mins until it is golden brown and crispy.

7. Now  toast the burger bun. On the bottom part of the burger bun add some mashed avocado and spinach leaves. Place the burger patty on top of it. Add some Sour cream on top part of the bun and close the burger.