Author Archives for My Cooking Diaries

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About My Cooking Diaries

This is Cecilia Pinto, based in Mumbai, India. Started this blog to share my cooking experiences with the world.

Mutton Palak


A delicious and light meat dish that can be served as a main course with rotis, pulao or steamed rice. Made with simple ingredients and minimal spices, the dish turns out rather light and tasty!! Spinach contains several essential vitamins. So enjoy this dish packed with nutrients.

Ingredients

½ kg. mutton

2 to 3 bunches Palak (Spinach)

4 green chillies

1” piece ginger

10 flakes garlic

½ bunch (small) coriander leaves

½ tsp. mustard seeds

½ tsp. methi (fenugreek) seeds

1 tsp salt or to taste

2 to 3 tbsp. ghee or oil

Clean and cut into desired cubes.  Wash and set aside.  Clean the palak, immerse in salted water and leave for 10 to 15 minutes to dislodge any dirt and kill insects. If any.  Wash in several changes of water, drain and chop finely.

Grind the ingredients from green chillies to methi seeds to a smooth paste.  Forgot to add coriander leaves in the video. Slice the onion and chop tomato.

Heat the oil/ghee and fry the onions till translucent and soft.  Add the ground paste and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.  Add the mutton, stir and cook till fat separates.  Then add the spinach and tomato and 1/2 cup water if required and cook till meat is tender and done.  Serve hot with rotis, steamed rice or a pulao.

Egg Salad in Tomato Accordions


Egg Salad in Tomato Accordions

An excellent salad which can serve as a starter, appetizer, 1st course, accompaniment and make a colorful and eye-catching centre-piece to a table at any party!!

Ingredients

3 large tomatoes, round in shape

3 eggs

½ cup finely chopped celery

½ cup finely diced green capsicum

½ cup finely sliced onion

2 tbsp. chopped coriander leaves

½ tsp. salt or to taste

¼ Pepper or to taste

2 tbsp. prepared mustard

2 to 3 tbsp. mayonnaise

Boil the eggs )check out my post on How to boil the perfect egg https://cooklikececilia.com/2015/11/25/think-you-know-how-to-boil-an-egg-think-again/)

Peel the eggs, chop and place into a large mixing bowl.

Combine the eggs with the chopped capsicum, onions, celery, coriander leaves, mustard, salt and pepper.  Now to avoid the onion, celery and capsicum leaving water, add a ¼ tsp. salt mix with the vegetable and leave aside for 15 mintues.  Then squeeze put the water and add to the egg and seasonings.  I missed this step and the salad dressing became a little runny.

Add the mayonnaise, mix well and chill for ½ hour.

Turn tomato stem down and cut into 6 slices without cutting into the bottom.  Remove the seeds as much as possible and discard.  Sprinkle some salt over the cut tomato.

Serve the tomato whole as a starter or 1st course.  As a salad, cut into the bottom of the tomato while serving while keeping the tomato compact, so that guests can serve as much as required.  May be served for supper alongwith soup and crusty bread.  Enjoy!!

Fill the egg stuffing in between the tomato slices.  Serve on a shredded lettuce or any salad greens.  Sprinkle over with chives, mint or parsley.

Stuffed Karelas


Stuffed Karela (Bitter Gourd, Bitter Melon)An excellent recipe for Bitter Gourd lovers.  Light and without excessive spices.Karelas also called bitter melon, cerassee, goya, bitter
apple, bitter gourd, bitter squash, balsam-pear, karavila and
many more.

Ingredients

12 Bitter Gourds (small sized)

15 to 20 button onions (optional)

2 large onions

2 large tomatoes

8 cloves garlic

1 tsp. coriander powder

½ tsp. cumin powder

1 tsp. Amchur (dry mango powder)

½ tsp. turmeric

½ tsp. chilli powder or to taste

½ tsp. salt plus some salt for applying to the gourds

2 to 3 tbsp. Oil

Cut off the head and tail of the gourd and peel/scrape the warty exterior. Make a slit on one side and scoop out the seeds and flesh.  Discard. Wash and apply salt to the karelas and set aside.

Peel and wash the button onions, if using, and set aside.

Chop the onions, tomatoes and garlic and grind to a chunky paste. 

Heat a wide pan, add a tbsp. of oil.  The Karelas would have released some water, discard and add the gourds to the hot pan, saute to light brown on all sides.  Remove and set aside to cool.

To the same pan, add 2 tbsp. oil.  When hot, add the ground onion tomato paste, the button onions and the masala powders and salt, to taste. Bear in mind that the Karelas are already salted.  Cook till moisture evaporates.  Keep aside to cool.

When cool, stuff the karelas with the stuffing.  Place on the pan. Add some water and cook till done and dry.  Serve hot. Enjoy with roti or rice, as you wish.

Narvale Pollay Mangalore fragrant green dosa


Narvale leaves Dosa

Narvale Pole, fragrant leaves pollay

Nerugala leaves dosa

Mangalore green dosa,  Konkan recipe

Narvale leaves have a very good fragrance and apart from that the leaves have medicinal qualities that help reduce inflammation in the body thus relieving aches and pains, improving gut health, etc.  Do try this healthy recipe provided you can lay your hands on these fragrant leaves.  My mother made these dosa quite often for breakfast or evening tea and we used to relish these dosas, while we were growing up.   Unfortunately, I came across these leaves after almost 45 years and they immediately brought back fond memories of my dear mother. 

Ingredients

2 cups rice

1.5 to 2 cups Narvale leaves

1 cup fresh coconut

2 tbsp. jaggery or to taste

1 tsp. salt or to taste

½ tsp. instant yeast

Wash and soak rice for min.4 hours. Remove the leaves from the branches and stalks and separate the tiny stem, and try to use just the leaf as far as possible, so as not to dilute the fragrance and the taste. Soak the leaves in water to loosen the dirt and then wash well.  Grind the rice, coconut, narvale leaves and jaggery to a smooth paste.

Meanwhile, keep the yeast to bloom with 1 tbsp. sugar and 2 tbsp. warm water.

Fermenting agent may be omitted, if you wish.  In this case, you may require to keep for fermenting for over 8 to 10 hours. Add the yeast to the rice batter and leave to ferment.  When it rises, heat a dosa pan and add a ladle of batter and allow bubbles to appear. Then cover and cook till dosa is cooked and surface appears opaque.  Drizzle with ghee and serve for breakfast or evening tea, with a dollop of butter, if you like.   Very fragrant pollay. 

Ripe Mango Curry


Monsoon Cooking- Monsoon recipes

Mangalorean style Ripe Mango Curry – Sweet, Sour, Spicy delicious mango curry

Ingredients

6 ripe mangoes, small round juicy and fiborous variety

1 mendium onion, chopped

1 sprig curry leaves

1 tsp. mustard seeds

2 tbsp. Oil

1 tsp. Jaggery

1 tsp. salt or to taste


For masala paste
Roast and grind to a paste with 1/2 inch ginger
6 red chillies
2 tbsp. Coriander seeds
1 tsp. Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp. Fenugreek seeds
1/2 tsp. Turmeric powder
2 tbsp. Coconut
6 flakes garlic

Choose mangoes that are small and round and typical for curry.  They are usually the chewing mangoes which are full of fibre.  Wash and peel the mangoes.

Press to squeeze the mangoes to loosen the flesh and extract some juice.

Roast all the ingredients for the masala paste, except ginger.  Grind to a smooth paste with water.

Place the mangoes and the juice in a pan.  Add 3 cups water and bring to a boil.

Then add the masala paste and salt and cook till curry appears glossy and the mangoes are cooked.  Add jaggery, stir and simmer 5 minutes.  Take off heat.

Take a pan, heat the oil.  Add mustard seeds, when they splutter add the curry leaves and the chopped onion and fry till light brown.  Immediately pour over the curry and serve hot with steamed rice.   Have the rice with the curry and chew the mango till nothing is left on the seed.  Super delicious!

Rajgira Amaranth Gluten free rotis


Rajgira, Amaranth millet, is specifically consumed on fasts and makes an excellent option for preparing various dishes suitable for “Upvas”.  

 A gluten free grain, It is considered as one of the best sources of plant-based protein.  It is high in fibre and has prebiotic effects. Hence excellent for gut health and relieves constipation.

It’s good for diabetics, aids in weight loss, rich in calcium so good for bones, its Vitamin C boosts immunity and is good for the heart due to its cholesterol-lowering properties.

Ragjira rotis

1 cup Rajgira flour

Water, as required for kneading

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. oil

Ghee as required

Sieve 1 cup Amaranth flour. Add 1/2 tsp salt or to tast. Knead, adding as much water as required, beginning with a small quantity, or the dough may turn sticky.  

Unlike, Jowar and Ragi, Amaranth flour does not require to be pre-cooked prior to making chapatis.

When the flour comes together, add 1 tsp. oil and knead to a soft pliable dough.  Cover and set aside 15 mns.

Then divide into 4 equal portions.  To prepare rotis, take one portion, dust with flour and press into a flat disc while rotating it between your fingers and palm.  Then place on a rolling surface and roll as thin as possible, dusting with flour as required.

Roast on a heated tawa on medium low, till brown spots appear on both sides.  Smear with ghee.  Transfer to a casserole or a steel dabba or any roti box you may be using to keep the chapatis warm, until time to serve.

Rajgira rotis, won’t turn as soft as jowar and ragi as the flour is slightly grainy.  But delicious to eat and easily digested!

Pro Chef


If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why?

I would certainly like to be a professional Chef.  I love cooking and feeding people but would have loved to learn professional cooking to know the nuances, intricacies and methods of cooking.  Secondly, would love to learn the science of food, but that is a different field altogether.

Ragi, Finger Millet Gluten free rotis


Gluten free rotis

Ragi, Finger Millet, Nachni, Rotis

Ragi is a rich source of dietary fibre and rich source of calcium, iron and protein.  Being the most popular among millets, Ragi is the ideal choice for starting with a millets diet.  Ragi or Nachni porridge i.e. Tisan is commonly consumed as a nutritious drink for normal as well as in convalescence due to it health benefits.

Now those looking for a gluten free diet can easily include ragi rotis as they are quite simple to make and aside from its nutritional benefits, ragi has a unique flavor and texture.  Enjoy making and eating these nachni rotis!!

Ingredients

1 cup Ragi Flour

1 cup water

½ tsp. salt

Ghee as required.

Sieve the Ragi flour and keep aside.  Place a pan on heat and add 1 cup water and salt.  When the water starts boiling add the flour and stir and mix well so the flour gets partially cooked.  When the flour comes together and water is absorbed, remove from flame.  Transfer to a wide plate and leave to cool till comfortable to handle but still warm.  Knead to a soft, pliable dough.  Set aside for 15 minutes.

To prepares the rotis, divide the dough into 4 portions.  Dust one portion generously with flour and press flat while rotating the dough between your palm and fingers to form a palm sized disc.  Then place on a rolling surface and roll as thin as possible dusting with flour as required.

Roast on a heated tawa/pan on medium low heat till brown spots appear on both side.  Smear with ghee.  Transfer to a casserole or a steel box to keep warm until served.

Jowar Sorghum Gluten free Rotis


Gluten free rotis

Jowar (Sorghum or Great Millet) Rotis

Jowar is the finest substitute for wheat and rice when it comes to nutrition because it has high levels of thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, and folate.  It is  rich in minerals like phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

commonly called jwaarie, jowar, jola, or jondhalaa

1 cup Jowar Flour

1 cup water

½ tsp. salt

Ghee as required.

Sieve the jowar flour and keep aside.  Place a pan on heat and add 1 cup water and salt.  When the water starts boiling add the flour and stir and mix well so the flour gets partially cooked.  When the flour comes together and water is absorbed, remove from flame.  Transfer to a wide plate and leave to cool till comfortable to handle but still warm.  Knead to a soft, pliable dough.  Set aside for 15 minutes.

To prepares the rotis, divide the dough into 4 portions.  Dust one portion generously with flour and press flat while rotating the dough  between your palm and fingers to form a palm sized disc.  Then place on a rolling surface and roll as thin as possible dusting with flour as required.

Roast on a heated tawa/pan on medium low heat till brown spots appear on both side.  Smear with ghee.  Transfer to a casserole or a steel box to keep warm until served.

Hare Chane Ki Chaat


Hare Chane Ki Chaat

Healthy snacking…

Hare Chane or Green Chana, also known as Chholia in hindi are a winter speciality as the fresh chana are available during the winter season in India. It is full of nutrients. You will find the chana sometimes in bunches with the stems and leaves and the chana and it is quite common to see people walking around with a bunch of the chana, plucking them directly, peeling off the shell and popping the chana in the mouth and munching on them.

This is a simple chaat recipe

Ingredients

2 cups Green chana (Shelled)

1 large Onion, chopped

2 Tomatoes, chopped

Small bunch fresh coriander, chopped

1 tsp. Red chilli powder

1 tsp. Chaat masala, or to taste

1 Lemon, juice

Boil the Chane with salt.  Drain and mix with the onion, tomato, coriander leaves, red chilli powder, chaat masala and lemon juice.  Serve in individual bowls and top with a lemon wedge.

To add some crunch, sprinkle with sev or potato salli.  Enjoy this tasty and healthy chaat as a snack, appetizer or an accompaniment to a main meal.

Dill Leaves Dal


Dill Leaves dal

Shepu/Suva

In India, dill is prepared in the manner of yellow ‘moong dal’, as a main-course dish. It is considered to have very good antiflatulent properties, so it is used as ‘mukhwas’, or an after-meal digestive. Traditionally, it is given to mothers immediately after childbirth. Source Wikipedia

Ingredients

1 cup Tur dal

1 large Onion, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

4 to 5 flakes garlic,

chopped 2 green chillies, slit

2 cups dill leaves, cleaned and roughly chopped

1/2 tsp. turmeric powder

1 tsp. salt or to taste

Tempering

2 tbsp. Coconut oil

1 tsp. mustard seeds

3 to 4 flakes garlic, crushed

1 sprig curry leaves

5 to 6 button red chillies or 2 whole kashmiri chillies

Pick and wwash dal, drain and add 2 to 3 cups water and add to a pressure cooker alongwith chopped onion, tomatoes, green chillies, garlic, turmeric powder and salt.  Cook on 5 minute setting in a nutripot.  Transfer the cooked dal to a norml essel and bring to a boil. 

Prepare tempering:  Heat oil in a pan, when hot add 1 tsp. mustard seeds.  When they splutter add 1 tsp. cumin seeds, 4 to 5 whole garlic crushed,  to 6 button chillies or 2 kashmiri chillies broken in pieces and curry leaves.  When light brown and aromatic, immediately add to the dal and cover with a lid to trap the falvors.  Serve hot with rice or any bread of your choice.

Feijoada in a Nutricook


Feijoada

Feijoada is a  stew of beans with beef and pork.  The name feijoada is derived from feijão, ‘bean’ in Portuguese. It is widely prepared in the Portuguese-speaking world with slight variations.

The basic ingredients of feijoada are beans and fresh pork or beef.

In Goa Feijoada is usually prepared with red beans (alsone) or red kidney beans and pork sausages.  Usually the long sausages are used in Feijoada.  I have not added any additional spice powders as I feel Goa sausages are spicy enough which is quite sufficient for our liking.  Hence this Feijoada dish is very easy and simple to make. 

Ingredients

1 cup Alsone/Red Kidney beans

15 Goa Pork sausages, the long ones

2 large Onions

2 large tomatoes

1 tbsp. ginger garlic paste

1 tsp. Salt or to taste

Method

Wash the red beans and soak overnight in plenty of water.  Drain and pick the beans to remove any that have not swelled or the bad ones.

Remove the string and casing from the sausages.  Chop the onions and the tomatoes. 

Add the bean, sausages, onion and tomatoes to the nutripot dish.  You can use a cooker also to make this dish. Add 2 cups water or as much gravy as required.  Add salt and ginger garlic paste.  Give a good stir.  Cover the nutripot, switch on and set on “BEAN” for 15 minutes.  Hit START.

After the pot assesses the ingredients, the cooking timer will start from 15 counting down to O.   Switch off.  You may leave the pot till pressure reduces or you may use the vent to release the pressure if you are short of time. 

You can also use the “Keep warm” button and open the pot when ready to serve.

Serve hot with plain steamed rice or any rice preparation like sannas, etc. Goes well with the Goan bread Poee.  Enjoy!

Jowar Khichidi Sorghum Khichidi


Jowar is an ancient grain and is now increasingly making a come back due to its high nutritive values and being gluten free. Called Sorghum in english, it is a nutritious food, rich in protein, dietry fibre, B Vitamins and minerals. All sorghums contain mixed polyphenols, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. Sorghum grains are one of the highest food sources of proanthocyanidins. Source: Wikipedia

Besan Ladoos


Try these super easy and simple Besan ladoos. Whether called Ladoo, Laddu, Laadoo … they taste just Yum, melt in your mouth. Do try!!

Besan Ladoo

Makes 12 ladoos

Ingredients
2 cups besan
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup ghee

¼ tsp. turmeric

¼ cup cashewnuts, chopped fine
2 tbsps. Almonds/Pistas peeled, sliced
½  tsp. cardamom powder

¼ tsp. powdered nutmeg

Method

Begin roasting besan over a low flame, adding ghee 1 tbsp. at a time. Add the turmeric. Roasting will take approx  20 to 30 mins. The colour should turn deep, almost light brown. Add more ghee if required.  The besan should not look too dry.  If it is too dry add a tbsp of ghee.  If too wet add additional sugar later.

Add the sliced nuts, (reserve some for garnish) and roast 5 minutes on very low.  Take off flame. Leave aside to cool a little.  When mixture is still warm add sugar, cardamom and nutmeg powder.  Form into ladoos while still warm. Garnish with pista and almond slices.  I used melon seeds and saffron strands to give it an exotic twist!! 😉

Mince Green Masala


This is my favorite mince recipe, which is my mother’s recipe from the book “Mai’s Recipes”. When I was pregnant for my daughter, I was craving this dish made by my miother all the time. My mother managed to send it across to me and for the next couple of days, this mince was my only diet for breakfast, lunch, dinner and as a snack!! Goes without saying that my daughter also loves mince!

Mince (Green Masala) – Mai’s Recipes

Ingredients

½ Kg. Mince (Mutton or Beef)

1 large Onion

1 large Tomato

1 cup black peas

2 cloves

1” cinnamon

4 pepper corns

1 tbsp. Vinegar

1 tsp. Salt or to taste

2 tbsp. Oil

1 tsp. Sugar (optional)

Grind to a paste

4 green chillies

1 small onions

¼ tsp. black peppercorns

1 tsp. cumin seeds

1” pc. Cinnamon

2 cloves

8 flakes garlic

1” pc. Ginger

½ tsp. turmeric powder

Method

Wash the black peas and soak in water for approx. 6 hours. Wash mince and drain well.  Chop onion and tomato. Heat oil in a vessel.  Add the cloves, cinnamon and peppercorns and fry for a while, then add the chopped onion and fry till light brown.  Add the chopped tomato and fry till soft.  Add the masala paste and fry stirring all the time till oil separates.  Add the drained black peas and stir for a few minutes. Add the mince and salt and mix well, add 1 cup of hot water and cook till mince and peas are done.  Add vinegar, sugar and simmer for 5 minutes till oil surfaces.

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