MACH ER (FISH) KOFTA CURRY

Today I am here with a mouth-water fish dish from Bengali cuisine. Truly speaking, a Bengali meal is incomplete without fish. Fishes are prepared in the very delightful ways in Bengali daily meal or occassion. But those Bengali kids, who brought up in abroad are hard for them to cop up with fish bones. This recipe is the great solution for those kids, who avoid fish scaring of fish bones. Tryout once, you will never forget its taste.

INGREDIENTS:

FOR KOFTAS (I made 18 koftas):

500 gm Medium Sized Pieces of Rohu Fish (you may use Catla, Buffalo Carp, Bhetki or Barramundi or Pomfret)

1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 Medium Onion (finely chopped)
3 Finely Chopped Green Chilies
2 Slices of Bread
2 tbsp Finely Chopped Coriander Leaves / Cilantro
1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder (freshly pounded)
Salt to taste
3-4 tbsp Oil to shallow fry koftas

FOR GRAVY:

1/2 Cup Freshly Grated Coconut
2 tbsp Onion Paste
1 Medium Onion (finely chopped)
1&1/2 tsp Ginger Paste
1 Bay Leaf
1 tsp Dry Roasted Cumin Seeds (powdered)
1 tbsp Red Chili Powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1&1/2 tsp Coriander Powder
1/4 tsp Powdered Nutmeg & Mace
2 tbsp Finely Chopped Fresh Coriander Leaves / Cilantro
3 tbsp Oil
1 tsp Clarified Butter (ghee)
Salt to taste

METHOD:

TO PREPARE FISH KOFTAS:

Wash fish pieces nicely and make those pat dry. Marinate fish with turmeric powder and salt. Keep aside for 15-20 minutes. Fry fish pieces nicely (both sides) and remove from oil.

Discard bones and skin from the fish.

Take fish, onion, bread, coriander leaves, chilies, garam masala and salt in a bowl. Mash and mix everything well.

Form the fish mixture in small balls, shallow fry them both sides slightly till those turn into golden brown. Keep them aside.

TO PREPARE GRAVY:

Add chopped onion in hot oil, fry till it changes its turns translucent. Add onion paste, ginger paste, chili powder, turmeric powder, grated coconut, coriander powder, nutmeg-mace, bay leaf and salt one by one. Fry the spice mixture for 2-3 minutes.

Add 2 cups or enough warm water to cover the koftas. Bring it to boil. Add the koftas, lower the heat and cook it covered for 2 minutes. Turn the koftas. Sprinkle coriander leaves, clarified butter (ghee) roasted cumin powder. Remove from heat.

Serve hot with steamed rice or pulao or biryani. Have this toothsome dish on your lunch or dinner table and enjoy Bengali delicacy!!!

Sending to: Cook with Comfort ~Blog Anniversary Event, Holiday Recipes ~ 3rd Blog Anniversary Event

BESAN LADOO - MICROWAVE VERSION

Recipe Source & Acknowledgement: Homely Food

This is a very popular ladoo among North Indians. Besan ladoos are made from gently roasted gram flour or besan. My mom mostly prepared it at the time of Navratri, Holi and Diwali. She made it very perfectly and tasty. Anytime, without any occassion we can have it. Yummy and delicious, yet easy to make ladoos are loved by all!!!

INGREDIENTS:
1 Cup Gram Flour (besan)
3/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
8 tbsps Clarified Butter (ghee)
1/2 tsp Cardamom Powder

METHOD:
Heat clarified butter in a microwave safe bowl at 100% MW power for a minute.

Remove the bowl from microwave, add gram flour and mix it very well, there should not any lump.

Microwave at 100% MW power for 4 minutes, stirring it after every 1 minute. Again microwave at 50% MW power for 3 minutes, stirring it after each minute.

Remove from oven add sugar and cardamom powder in it. 

Mix it thoroughly. Let it cool. 

Divide into small portions and give them a shape of ladoos. Store it in air-tight container.

Sending to:  Chandrani's Holiday Recipes

LEMONY BUTTERY FISH

This is a classic fish recipe, which is pretty simple but tastes delectable. While making butter sauce, take care of not to burn the butter. It looks golden still tastes nutty. Fish cooked with lemon & butter is yummy and flavorful, very easy to cook.

INGREDIENTS:
1lb 4OZ  Salmon Fillet (may take Tilapia, Bhetki, John Dory or any white fish fillet)
1 parboiled Potato
1 medium Onion
2 tbsps crushed and minced Garlic
2 tsps Ginger juice
1 tsp Black Pepper powder
1&1/2 tsp Paprika flakes/powder
3 tbsps fresh Lemon juice
3 tsps all purpose flour
4 tbsps Olive oil
2 tbsps finely chopped Parsley
150ml warm water
1 tbsp Butter
Salt to taste

METHOD:
Cut fish fillet in cubes, marinate with 1 tbsp minced garlic, ginger juice, 1/2 tsp black pepper powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1 tbsp lemon juice, little olive oil and salt. Keep refrigerated for 30 mins to 1 hour.

In the mean time, cut potatoes and onions into thick slices. Set aside.

Dry roast flour for 2-3 minutes, keep stirring, don't burn it. Remove from heat and keep aside. Let it cool.

Heat 3 tbsps olive oil in a non-stick pan. Add fish pieces in it, keep the juice of marination aside. Fry fish pieces till those turn into light brown from both sides. Remove fish pieces from the heat.

Now mix potatoes and onions well with the remaining juice of marination. Add potatoes and onions in hot oil, fry for 3 minutes on high heat, so that potatoes and onions get crisp and flavored with the spices too. Remove potatoes and onions from the pan, leave aside.

Now, heat remaining 1 tbsps olive oil in same pan. Add flour, 1/2 tsp black pepper powder, 1 tsp paprika in it.  Fold well. Add 150ml warm water in it. Stir continuously for 2 minutes, so that no lumps formed within gravy. Put fried fish pieces, parsley, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 2 tbsps lemon juice and butter in it. Add salt to taste. Cook for another 2 minutes on low heat. Dont heat for prolonged time. Once everything mix nicely and gravy is thicken, remove it from heat.

Pour gravy along with fish pieces on the center of a palate and arrange fried potatoes and onions surrounded to it. Serve immediately.

Serve hot with pasta/spaghetti or simply with rice as a side dish.
Sending to:  Chandrani's Holiday Recipes

METHI NA THEPLA (GUJARATI FLAT BREAD WITH FRESH FENUGREEK LEAVES)

'Methi Na Thepla' is a staple flat bread from Gujarati cuisine and very famous in Western India. I am really fond of Gujarati dishes such as dhoklas and theplas. I have already posted Methi Paratha recipe here, but I make methi theplas oftenly in my kitchen, as it is soft, moist, thin and this theplas stay good for long. This is an ideal dish for travelling, you can eat them simply with pickle or chutney. Whole jeera (cumin seeds) or sesame seeds can be added to enhance the taste of theplas. This theplas are easy to prepare when compared to stuffed parathas. I prefer to make them when I am in no mood to cook elaborate meals.

INGREDIENTS:

3 Cups Washed & Finely Chopped Fresh Fenugreek Leaves (Methi Greens)
4 Cups Whole Wheat Flour (atta)
2/3 Cup Curd / Yogurt (dahi)
1 tsp Minced Ginger (adrak)
1 tsp Minced Green Chillies (hara mirch)
1/4 tsp Carom Seeds (ajwain)
1/4 tsp Asafoetida (Hing)
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder (haldi)
1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder (lal mirch)
1 tsp Cumin Powder (jeera)
2 tsp Sugar
1 tsp Salt (namak)
3 tbsp Clarified Butter (ghee)
1/4 Cup Refined oil (for frying theplas)

METHOD:

Take a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients including fenugreek leaves in it.
Add 3 tbsp clarified butter and yogurt, knead into a firm smooth dough, if water is required, add very little.
Cover with a wet cloth and set it aside for 20-30 minutes.
Divide dough into 30 equal sized balls.
Heat non-stick tawa on high flame and start preparing theplas one by one.
Lightly flour a rolling board or clean counter surface, take one ball and flatten it with your palms and start rolling it on the rolling board into round shaped circle of 7"-8" diameter. (It must be thin like chapati only)
Place rolled thepla on the heated tawa. Do the first flip when you see tiny bubbles rise on the top surface.
As soon as the first flip is done, drizzle few drops of refined oil and spread all over the surface of thepla. Flip again after 30-40 seconds and drizzle few drops of oil on this side too and spread evenly with a flat spatula and press gently.

Take off from tawa. Theplas should be soft and moist. Serve warm theplas with pickle, chutney or simply with yogurt.

Do give your feedback in the comments below....
Sending to: Cook with Comfort ~Blog Anniversary Event, Holiday Recipes ~ 3rd Blog Anniversary Event

PARMESAN CHICKEN

This heavenly & mouthwatering Italian chicken dish is so simple and easy to cook. I used to make this appetizing Parmesan Chicken was so delectable, we would fight for drippings, every last crumb. This chicken would cook in much faster way, buttery and crispy coated meat is really a fabulous one.

INGREDIENTS:
20 OZ / 600 gm Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
2 pods of Garlic (minced)
2 tbsps finely chopped fresh Parsley
4 OZ or 1/2 cup melted Unsalted Butter
1/2 tsp Salt
1 cup dried Italian Bread Crumbs
1/2 tsp Garlic Pepper
3/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tsp freshly grounded Black Pepper
1/4 tsp Italian Seasoning (herb mix)

METHOD:
Cut chicken in 2" X 1" pieces. Wash nicely. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towel.

Combine unsalted butter with minced garlic in a bowl. In a seperate bowl, mix Italian bread crumbs, fresh parsley, garlic pepper, grounded black pepper, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese and salt together.

Dip chicken pieces in garlic butter.

Then coat with bread crumbs-parmesan cheese mixture.

Now place chicken piece in 9" X 9" greased baking tray.

Keep little room in between the two pieces of chicken. Follow the same process for all chicken pieces. Sprinkle remaining garlic butter on the top.

Preheat oven to 450 F. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Switch off the oven. Keep as it is for another 5 minutes.

After baking chicken will look golden brown colour and crispy.

Serve hot with 'hot and sweet' tomato ketchup.
Linking to:  Chandrani's Holiday Recipes

SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE

This is a classic Italian recipe that get most twisted around. 'Bolognese sauce' is a meat-based sauce, used for pasta, spaghetti, lasagne or ragu, originating from Bologna, Italy. The all-time favourite recipe, loved by all. This is not true bolognese sauce, you may say a variation which widely used in northern part of Italy. It is actually rich meat with spicy tomato sauce. If any leftover will be there, that will taste even better on next day.

INGREDIENTS:
4 OZ / 100 gm Spaghetti
1/2 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh
2 tbsps Tomato Puree
1 tbsp Ginger paste
4 cloves of Garlic paste
1/2 medium Red Onion paste
1/2 medium Red Onion (chopped)
2 tbsps grated/shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 tbsp Dried Italian Herb Mix
1/4 tsp Black Pepper powder
1/3 tsp Paprika
2 tbsps finely chopped Parsley Leaves
2 tbsps + 2 tsps Olive Oil
1 tsp Butter
1 tsp Honey
salt to taste

METHOD:
Wash and cut chicken thigh in thin slices.

Boil chicken with 1/2 cup water for 10 minutes. Sieve water. Set aside.

Break each spaghetti in three pieces.

In a sauce pan, bring 1 cup water and 1/2 cup chicken stock to a boil. Add 2 tsps olive oil and little salt in it, then spagetti. Keep it boiling for 10 minutes till it gets tender. Drain and rinse the spaghetti under cold water. Put it in colander. Now heat butter in the same saucepan. Toss the spaghetti in it. Continuously keep turning for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Arrange spaghetti on a plate according to its circumference and make a round whole/gap  in the centre.

Heat remaining olive oil in a frying pan. Add chopped onions in it. When onions get translucent, add onion paste, ginger paste and garlic paste. Fry for 3-4 minutes.

Add tomato puree in it. Saute for another 2 minutes and add cooked chicken in it. Add paprika, black pepper powder, 3/4 tbsp Italian herb mix, chopped parsley leaves, honey and salt. Fold well. Fry for 3 minutes.

Now add 1/3 cup warm water in it. Keep on low heat for another 2-3 minutes. Add parmesan cheese. Fold nicely for another 2 minutes. Cheese mix up with bolognese sauce nicely. Remove from heat. Pour in the middle of spaghetti plate. Sprinkle remaining Italian herb mix with little salt on the spagetti layer.

Serve immediately.

TIPS: For a nice mix up, adding cheese with bolognese sauce is better. But you may
          sprinkle it at the top of bolognese also.
          May cook pasta, lasagne or ragu in the same way.
 
Linking to:  Chandrani's Holiday Recipes