Festival menu

Mixed Vegetable Pulao


Mixed Vegetable Pulao

Using frozen mixed vegetables

Ingredients

  • 2 cups basmati rice
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 2 stock cubes (chicken or vegetable)
  • 2to 3 sticks cinnamon
  • 5 cardamoms
  • 8 cloves
  • 2 tbsp. ghee
  • 4 cups hot water
  • ½ tsp. turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp. salt or to taste

Method

  1. Wash rice and soak in water for atleast 15 mns. 
  2. Heat a pot, add ghee and fry the onion, on medium flame. 
  3. Add the whole cinnamom, cardamom & cloves and saute till onion turns light brown. 
  4. Add the stock cubes and stir until it dissolves, add the frozen vegetable and saute for 2 minutes. 
  5. Add the drained rice and gently mix till the rice grains are coated with ghee and fluff up a bit. 
  6. Add the hot water, turmeric powder, optional if you want to leave the pulao white.
  7. Add salt to taste, it will already have some salt due to the stock cubes. Stir, bring to a boil. 
  8. Cover and reduce flame and cook. 
  9. Stir once in between to mix.
  10. Cook till water is completely absorbed. 
  11. Serve hot with raita, yogurt, pickle, dahi curry or at any festive meal.

Arabian Lamb Stew


Arabian Lamb Stew Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 Kg. Lamb/Mutton
  • 1 Large onion, chopped
  • 4 Garlic cloves, chopped
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 1 large potato, cubed
  • 2 Zucchinis, sliced into thick slices
  • 2 Carrots, sliced into thick slices
  • Salt to taste
  • 5 whole cardamoms
  • 5 whole cloves
  • ½ tsp. cumin seeds
  • 2 tsp. Lebanese 7 spice mix (or garam masala)
  • 2 tbsp. Olive oil

Method

  1. Clean, cut and wash lamb. Drain and set aside. 
  2. Heat a pan and add the chopped onion, fry till light brown. 
  3. Add the lamb and cook on high till the water almost dries up and lamb changes color. 
  4. Add the whole spices and garlic and stir. 
  5. Add the tomato paste and water and let it boil, lower heat and cook for one hour. 
  6. Then add the potatoes, zucchini & carrots, and salt and cook further 15 to 20 minutes. 
  7. Add some hot to thin the gravy if required. 
  8. When meat and vegetables are tender, turn off heat. 
  9. Serve hot with rice or bread.

Mhullabiya


Mhallabiyyeh – Creamy Rice Pudding

Mhallabiya is a famous and very common dessert in Middle Eastern Cooking. It is very simple and easy to make and result is almost like the Indian ‘Phirni’. Several ways to make it, and is usually made with rice flour, rice paste, corn flour which makes the pudding smooth and thick. I have used rice rava for the grainy texture.

An Arabian dessert

Ingredients

  • 1 litre milk
  • 125 gms. sugar
  • 10 gm. Rice flour (or paste)
  • 1 tbs. orange blossom water or rose water
  • Nuts or fruit to serve

Method

  1. Take a pan and add the milk along with the sugar and rice and dilute it well. 
  2. Place on fire and cook till thick and creamy and the mixture coats the spoon. 
  3. Will thicken further upon cooling. 
  4. Add the orange blossom water and stir. 
  5. Transfer immediately to individual or a large serving bowl. 
  6. Garnish with nuts and cherries or top with fruit cocktail.

Rissois de Camarao


Rissois de Camarao

Portuguese Shrimp Turnovers

Rissois is one snack we must have when we go to Goa. It is served at every occasion and is a mandatory snack at almost all parties and functions. Crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside, it is an instant favorite. The traditional filling is shrimp but feel free to make with chicken, minced beef, fish or a vegetarian filling using the filling recipe as a base.

Ingredients

  • Filling:
  • ½ cup cooked shrimps, chopped
  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 1 medium onion, chopped fine
  • 2 green chillies (deseeded), chopped fine
  • 1 tbsp. chopped coriander leaves, chopped (Optional)
  • ½ tsp. white pepper powder (if not use regular)
  • ¼ tsp. nutmeg powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 level tbs. cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp. water
  • 1 tbsp. grated cheese (optional)

Method

  1. Clean, devein and cook shrimps in boiling water for 3 minutes.  D
  2. Drain, cool and chop into pieces. 
  3. Heat the butter in a saucepan, add onion and fry till translucent, add green chillies and saute for a minute, add the milk, pepper, nutmeg and salt and heat through. 
  4. Prepare a slurry with the water and cornstarch and as the milk begins to boil, add the slurry all at once and mix thoroughly. 
  5. Cook on low flame till thick and glossy. 
  6. Add the cooked shrimp & heat through for a minute. 
  7. Switch off the flame. 
  8. Add the grated cheese and mix well.
  9. Leave aside to cool.

Pastry dough:

  • 1 cup water or milk
  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 4 tbsp. butter
  • 1 tsp. salt

Method

  1. Take water in a pan, add the butter and heat till the butter melts and almost begins boiling. 
  2. Add the  flour, stirring to mix well till combined and begins to leave the sides of the pan. 
  3. Remove from heat.
  4. Grease a work surface and tip the dough and cool slightly while kneading to smooth and pliable. 
  5. Divide into portions and roll as thin as possible. 
  6. Using a cutter (or any cup or cover), cut rounds
  7. Place a tsp of filling in the centre, moisten the edges and fold into crescent shape pressing the edges firmly. 
  8. Dip in beaten egg, roll in bread crumbs
  9. And deep fry to golden brown and crisp. 
  10. Remove to absorbent paper and serve hot.

P.S.: This quantity makes around 35 Rissois.  You may freeze the extra Rissois, for future use.

Tandoori Chicken


Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken is synonymous with Indian cooking, a universally loved and enjoyed roasted chicken! Tandoori chicken also forms the basis of many Indian gravy dishes like, Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka masala, Chicken boti kababs. Try this 5 star quality tandoori recipe, which may seem overwhelming but is really quite simple. Roast in an oven or charcoal grill or BBQ on an electric grill. You may also roast on a pan on the stove top, but with this method the chicken tends to leave water while roasting, resulting in loosing some of the flavors of the marinade. But still possible to make tandoori chicken without an oven! Substitute the saffron with turmeric if not available and avoid the orange color if you must! I have not used butter to baste the chicken but does add more flavor and taste.

Ingredients

  • 1 Medium chicken

First Marinade

  • Salt
  • 1 tsp red chillie powder or to taste
  • 2 tbs. lemon juice
  • Butter for basting

Second Marinade

  • 3 tsp. yogurt
  • 3 1/2 tsp. cream
  • 3 tsp. ginger garlic paste
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin powder
  • 1/4 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp. saffron
  • 2-3 drops orange color
  1. Remove skin, clean and wash chicken.  Make two to three deep incsions each on the breasts, legs and thighs and marinate with salt, chilli powder and lemon juice. Keep aside for 15 minutes.
  2. Whisk yoghurt in a large bowl, add the remaining ingredients and mix well.  Rub the chicken with this mixture.  Keep aside for four hours or overnight if desired.
  3. Preheat oven to 350deg F. Skewer the chicken and keep a tray underneath to collect the drippings or roast in a hot tandoor or pre-heated oven till the moisture evaporates and it starts leaving oil. Baste with butter, if required.
  4. .Cut the tandoori chicken into desired sized pieces and serve with sliced onion, lemon, green salad and naan or any bread of your choice.

Prawn Biryani


Prawn Biryani

Prawn Biryani

Ingredients

  • 500 gms. Prawns
  • 500 gms. Basmati Rice
  • 3 large onions, sliced
  • 6 green chillies
  • 1 cup mint leaves
  • 1/2 cup coriander leaves
  • 2 tbsp. ginger garlic paste
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 cup yogurt
  • ½ tsp. turmeric powder
  • 3 tsp. chilli powder (Kashmiri) or to taste
  • Salt
  • 1 ½ tbsp. garam masala
  • 2 tbsp. ghee
  • 1 tsp. saffron
  • ½ cup milk
  • Few drops yellow color
  1. Clean, devien and wash prawns and drain well. Put prawns in a bowl and add the salt, ginger garlic paste, chilli powder, turmeric powder and 1 tbsp. garam masala powder, juice of lemon (reserve the squeezed lemon) and mix well.  Leave aside for 15 minutes.
  2. Then add the yogurt and mix well.  Leave to marinate for 15 to 30 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile wash and soak the rice for 30 minutes.
  4. Take ghee in a deep vessel and fry 1/4 of the mint leaves for five minutes.  Drain and set aside.
  5. Fry the sliced onions till golden brown, remove and set aside.
  6. Soak the saffron in half cup warm milk, add few drops of yellow color.
  7. Bring water to a boil in a separate vessel, add the reserved lemon, salt and the ½ tbsp. of the garam masala powder, 1/4 of the mint leaves to the water.
  8. Then add rice and cook, 3 minutes (after it comes to a boil).
  9. Drain and reserve ½ cup of the rice water. Discard the lemon.
  10. In the same vessel used to fry onions, place the prawns with the marinade, spread the fried onions (reserve 2 tbsp. for garnish), chopped coriander leaves and remaining half of the mint leaves, chopped. Dot with some of the saffron milk.
  11. Then add the rice and press lightly. Sprinkle the reserved rice water. Put the remaining onions, fried mint leaves and the saffron milk over the rice.
  12. Cover tightly with foil, put on the lid and cook on high flame for 5 minutes.
  13. Reduce flame and continue cooking for a further 10 minutes.
  14. Switch off the flame and leave to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
  15. Serve hot with tomato onion raita.https://cooklikececilia.com/onion-tomato-raita/
Prawn Biryani

Mutton Korma Gosht Korma


Mutton Korma Gosht Korma

Gosht Korma is a great lamb curry which does not make use of turmeric.  The consistency of the curry can be made to your choice of taste, thin gravy or thick to almost dry and all are delicious.  Adjust the amount of water accordingly. The thin gravy can be served as a main course with steamed rice. The thick/dry version with any Indian bread.

Ingredients

  • 1 Kg. Lamb, assorted cuts if desired
  • ½ cup ghee
  • 10 green cardamoms
  • 5 cloves
  • 2 sticks cinnamon (1”)
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1 cup  chopped onions
  • 4 to 6 tbsp. ginger-garlic paste
  • 2 tsp. coriander powder
  • 1 tsp. red chilli powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 1 tsp. garam masala
  • ½ tsp. black pepper powder
  • 2 drops vetivier (optional)
  • ½ tsp. saffron
  • 2 tbsp. milk
  • Chandi-ka-Varq (optional)
  • 20 Roasted Almonds (optional)
  1. Clean and cut lamb into 1” chunks, clean chops.
  2. Whisk yogurt in a bowl
  3. Dissolve saffron in warm milk
  4. Pound Almonds lightly with a pestle
  5. Heat ghee in a vessel, add cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaves, sauté over medium heat until they begin to crackle.
  6. Add onions, sauté until light brown, add the ginger and garlic pastes and sauté until the moisture has evaporated.
  7. Then add the coriander powder, red chillies and salt and stir.
  8. Add lamb, fry for 5 minutes, add yogurt, bring to a boil, add approx. 3 to 4 cups water, cover and simmer stirring occasionally until lamb is almost cooked.
  9. Now add garam masala, and pepper and mix well.
  10. Add vetivier, stir and cover.  Simmer for 10 minutes.  Adjust seasoning.
  11. Add saffron and stir.
  12. Remove to a bowl, garnish with varq and roasted almonds.
  13. Serve with any Indian bread or pulao.

Mutton Polov


Mutton Polov

This is a traditional Mangalorean dish typically served at Roce ceremonies.  The Lunch or dinner at Roce ceremonies is either fish curry or mutton polov alongwith the other main items of the menu like chone tendli sukhe, sannas, vorn etc.

In Mangalore in old times, “Korpo” was used for this preparation i.e. fresh coconut and sliced onion would be put out to dry in the sun and used with the spices for the masala paste.  I am sure this is still being done when cooking is done on a large scale for weddings, etc. For home cooking, we would go with the quicker method of roasting the coconut and onion on a pan!

Mutton Polov

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 kg. mutton
  • ½ kg. Ash Gourd (Kuwalo) (Winter Melon)
  • 2 medium onions
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 cup light coconut milk
  • 1 tsp. salt or to taste
  • 2 to 3 tbsp. coconut

Roast and grind to a paste

  • 1 cup heaped fresh coconut
  • 1 onion
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 6 red Kashmiri chillies
  • 1 tbs. coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp.cumin seeds
  • ½ tsp. mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp. raw rice
  • 1” cinnamon
  • 4 cloves
  • 3 cardamoms

Method

  1. Clean and cut mutton into cubes, wash and drain well. 
  2. Clean the ash gourd, cut into wedges, remove the seeds, peel and cut into ½” cubes.  Wash and drain.
  3. Slice one onion and fry in a little oil to light brown
  4. Add the mutton pieces and cook till they change color and most of the water that is released evaporates. 
  5. Add sufficient hot water to the mutton, bring to a boil and cook for about 60 minutes.  If using a cooker, it will be quicker.
  6. Stir in between and add salt half way through cooking. 
  7. When the mutton is tender remove to another dish and set aside. 
  8. In the same vessel add a cup of water, the ash pumpkin cubes, 3 bay leaves, 1 tsp. salt (or to taste) and cook the vegetable adding a cup of thin coconut milk. 
  9. When half done, add the cooked mutton alongwith the stock. 
  10. Bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes. 
  11. Then add the ground masala paste, adjust the curry by adding the masala water. 
  12. Cook on medium till oil surfaces. 
  13. Test seasoning and add salt if required. 
  14. Meanwhile, take a frying pan add a tbsp. of coconut oil and fry the sliced onion till golden brown. 
  15. Garnish the curry and serve hot with rice or sannas, etc.

Easter Menu


Menu planning is essential for celebratory meal preparation.  Any recipe that requires some form of marination can be made a day ahead.  Spring Rolls and Potato chops can be made ahead except for the final frying. For spring rolls, make sure you place butter paper/baking parchment in between the layers to prevent them sticking to each other. Desserts too can be made ahead.

Liven-up your Easter celebration with these awesome recipes:

(Click on the pictures for a link to the recipes)

MENU OPTION ONE:

  • Mainly North Indian fare
  • Serve with any Indian bread
  • Starters: Spring Rolls
  • Dessert : Phirni
Kashmiri Pulao
Mutton Masala
Veth Chaman
Kastoori Kebab
Spring Rolls
Phirni

MENU OPTION TWO – “Mai’s Recipes”

  • Mainly Mangalorean fare
  • Serve with Sannas
  • Starters: Potato chops
  • Dessert: Egg Pudding/Caramel Custard
Jeera Rice
Pork Bafad
Pork Bafad
Roast Beef
Potato Chops
Kuwalo Bafad
Sannas
Bread Pudding

Making your own Marzipan Easter Eggs

Making Chocolate Easter Eggs

Menu Planning

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