Spagetti with saucy chicken steaks

Tired of all the usual snacks/breakfast? Just give atry for this different dish with spaghetti and chicken

Ingredients:

1. Spagetti- as required
2. Chicken breasts- 1/4 kg, cut into 1/4 inch width strips
3. Onion- 1 large, very thinly chopped
4. Tomato- 1 large, thinly chopped
5. Capsicum- 2 large, thinly striped
6. Bay leaves- 2
7. Salt- 1 -2 teaspoon
8. Sugar- 1 teaspoon
9. Pepper powder- 1 1/2 teaspoon
10. Red Chilly powder- 1 teaspoon
11. Cornstarch- 2 teaspoon
12. Soya sauce- 2 teaspoon
13. Water- 1/2 cup
14. Oil- 2 tablespoons 

Method:

1. Marinate the chicken strips with 1 teaspoon pepper powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt and keep aside while cutting veggies.
2. Meanwhile cook the spagetti as per packet instructions and keep aside.
3. Heat oil in a pan and fry the chicken strips in medium heat till the pink colour disappears,remove and keep aside.
4. To the same pan and the very finely chopped onions and saute till soft.
5. Add the fried strips to pan, along with remaining ingredients except capsicum, cornstarch, soy sauce and water. 
6. Add capsicum, cover and cook for 10 minutes.
7. Mix cornstarch, soy sauce and water in small cup and add to the steak onion mix. Mix well,and cook in low flame for 2 mins till the sauce achieves required consistency.
8. Serve hot with spagetti, mix and eat!

Enjoy the  saucy steak with spagetti ! Happy Day!

Kappa with Onakkameen/Dry fish and Tapioca

Boiled tapioca seasoned with dry fishes enriched by coconut and onions!


Ingredients:

1. Tapioca- 3/4 kg
2. Dry fish- 3/4 cup
3. Onion-1,thinly sliced
4. Grated Coconut- 1 cup
5. Garlic- 4 pods,sliced
6. Mustard- 1/2 teaspoon
7. Red chilly powder- 2 1/2 teaspoon
8. Coriander powder-1/2 teaspoon
9. Turmeric powder- A pinch
10. Salt- 1-2 teaspoon,as required
11. Curry leaves- 10nos
12. Oil-2 tablespoon
13. Water- to boil tapioca

Method:

1. Rinse well the dry fishes to remove any excess salt(rinse just once if unsalted)
2. Boil the tapioca with a little salt and pinch of turmeric,drain and keep aside
3. Heat oil in a pan, keeping aside 1 teaspoon oil and fry the rinsed dry fishes with little turmeric (and salt if unsalted) till crispy,remove from fire.
4. Meanwhile crush with hands, onions,garlic,grated coconut ,red chilly powder,salt.
5. Add the cooked tapioca to the pan with fishes along with the crushed onion spice mix.
6. Mix thoroughly so that masala is spread all over the tapioca.
7. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in another pan and season mustard seeds and curry leaves,pour them to the tapioca.
8. Heat covered in low flame for 5 mins
9. Remove from fire,move onto serving dish.

Serve the tapioca with dried fishes hot! Give a try.

Oats Upma

Healthy and tasty upma made up of oats. Prepared in a very less time

Ingredients:

1. Oats- 1 cup
2. Ginger- a small piece,finely chopped
3. Mustard seeds- 1/2 teaspoon
4. Urad dal- 1/2 teaspoon
5. Red chilly- 2
6. Curry leaves- 5-6
7. Salt-1 teaspoon,as required
8. Oil- To crackle seeds
9. Water-1 cup

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan and crackle mustard seeds.
2. Add the urad dal,ginger and saute till raw smell fades away
3. Add the red chilly and curry leaves.
4. Add water,salt and when the water boils,add the oats,mix well
5. Keep on fire till the oats is cooked and water is absorbed
6. Serve hot!

Well I consider it as an instant breakfast on lazy mornings! But don’t forget the nutritional values of oats,happy eating.You can add grated coconut too to enhance the taste.

Beef Kappa /Beef with Tapioca

A very tasty combination of kappa/tapioca and beef. A very much loved dish in southern Kerala. Have it as a snack/lunch/dinner/breakfast/or brunch! It suits all time!

Ingredients:

1. Tapioca- 1 kg,cut into small chunks
2. Beef- 1/2 kg,cut into small pieces
3. Salt- 1/2 teaspoon
4. Turmeric powder- a pinch
5. Water-1/2 cup

Marinate Beef with

1. Red chilly powder- 1tablespoon
2. Coriander powder- 1tablespoon
3. Pepper powder-1 teaspoon
4. Turmeric powder- 1/4 teaspoon
5. Salt-1-2 teaspoon

Dry roast

1. Grated coconut- 3/4 cup
2. Garlic- 4 pods,sliced
3. Coriander powder- 2 teaspoon
4. Chilly powder- 2 teaspoon
5. Turmeric powder- a pinch
6. Salt-1/2 teaspoon
7. Onion-1/2large,thinly sliced
8. Curry leaves- 10

Method:

1. Marinate the cleaned beef with the marinating ingredients for 20-30 mins.
2. Cook the tapioca pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt and turmeric,and keep aside.
3. Pressure cook the beef in the same water remaining(if any or add more water)
4. Meanwhile dry roast the ingredients and grind them to a very smooth paste with minimum water.
5. Take the cooked beef,tapioca in a wide pan,mix well
6. Add the ground paste and stir well. 
7. Cook on very low flame for 5 mins ,assuring the ground paste is spread all over the beef and tapioca.
8. Remove from fire,move to a serving dish and serve hot!

Take care not to overcook the tapioca,but if you love it that way, proceed! Adjust the salt and spice requirements according to desire. Enjoy the delicacy of beef with tapioca!

Puttu Chicken

Puttu chicken/chicken puttu is a variation from the normal puttu. Along with coconut layering, chicken masala is also layered. Try it and enjoy!

Ingredients:

1. Chicken- 1/4 kg, boneless and cut into very small pieces
2. Tomato- 1 small, thinly cut
3. Onion- 1 medium, thinly sliced
4. Green chillies- 2,slit
5. Curry leaves- 8-10
6. Red chilly powder- 1 1/2 teaspoon
7. Pepper powder- 1 1/2teaspoon
8. Coriander powder- 2 teaspoon
9. Turmeric powder- 1/2 teaspoon
10. Salt- 1-2 teaspoon as required
11. Rice flour/Puttu podi- as required
12. Grated coconut- as required
13. Water- 1 cup
14. Oil- 1 tablespoon

Method:

1. Clean the chicken pieces and marinate them with 1/2 teaspoon each of red chilly powder,pepper powder,salt, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder and keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan and saute the onions till soft.
3. Add the tomatoes, green chillies, saute till they blend well with onions. 
4. Add the marinated chicken pieces along with remaining spices,salt and saute well. Add 1/2 cup water,curry leaves, cover and cook till chicken is cooked and the gravy is thick and almost dry(Dont make them too dry)
5. Mean while, make the puttu mix by adding little water to the flour just to wet it.
6. In a puttu maker add coconut, followed by chicken mix,puttu podi,again coconut,chicken mix,puttupodi. 
7. Repeat the same with the remaining, steam and cook.
8. Serve hot.

A simple variation to the normal puttu will be loved and like by all. Have a try!

American Chopsuey

Hey Do not get confused with the name! Its an Indo chinese cuisine. Noodles, topped up with a rich sauce and bulls eye adds extra appeal to the dish.

Ingredients:

1. Noodles- 200 gm,take as you need
2. Egg- 2
3. Cut vegetables- 1 1/2cups(carrot,capsicum,cabbage,mushroom,cauliflower)
4. Ginger- 2 inch piece,finely cut
5. Garlic- 4 pods,minced
6. Onion- 1 medium,thinly sliced
7. Cornflour- 2 teaspoon
8. Vegetable/chicken stock- 1 cup
9. Minced chicken- 1/2 cup
10. Salt- 1-2 teaspoon, as required
11. Pepper powder- 1-2 teaspoon,as required
12. Tomato sauce- 2 tablespoon
13. Chilly sauce- 2 teaspoon
14. Soya sauce- 1 teaspoon
15. Water
16. Oil- for frying noodles

Method:

1. Cook the noodles as per instructions, drain water and keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a deep bottomed pan and fry noodles little by little till crisp. Do not make it too solid.Drain oil and set aside
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan
4. Add the minced chicken pieces and fry for 2 mins.
5. Add the onions,ginger,garlic and saute till soft.
6. Add the cut vegetables and saute till they get cooked , but remains crispiness
7. Meanwhile mix the corn flour with chicken stock, all sauces, salt and pepper to a fine consistency.
8. Add this to the cooked vegetable chicken mix.
9. Add 1/4 cup water,mix well
10. Cook till the sauce attains a thick consistency.
11. Just taste it and add more salt or pepper if required, I added 1 teaspoon more pepper.
12. Now heat a non stick pan and make bulls eye with egg, salt and pepper.
13. Bring the fried noodles to a serving plate , top them with the prepared sauce and throw the bulls eye on top. Serve hot!.

Enjoy the Indo Chinese delicacy. Eggetarians and avoid mean and opt for vegetable stock, Vegans, just do the same and pull out form bulls eye part!. Kids would love it. My husband just loves the dishes. Please don’t over fry the noodles, since it would become difficult to mix with the sauce. Also you can use any noodles of your choice, I used the brown ones here. Enjoy!

Lemon Flavoured Chicken Pasta

Too simple dish, can be served as morning breakfast as well as evening snack. Healthy too, No cheese, no mayonnaise!

Ingredients:

1. Macaroni- 1 cup
2. Boneless chicken breasts- 1/2 cup, cut into small pieces
3. Onion-1/2 , thinly sliced
4. Lime juice- 2 teaspoon
5. Black pepper powder- 1 1/2 teaspoon
6. Salt-1 teaspoon
7. Water- to boil macaroni
8. Oil- 2 teaspoon

Method:

1. Marinate the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper and keep aside.
2. Meanwhile boil the macaroni according to instructions on pack and keep aside
3. Heat oil in a pan and saute onions till soft.
4. Add the chicken pieces and saute till colour changes to whitish.
5. Pour in the boiled macaroni , add remaining salt,pepper and mix well.
6. Add the lime juice and mix thoroughly.
7. Saute till all water content evaporates and pasta becomes dry.
8. Add more salt or pepper if required, I love pepper flavour and added another 1/2 teaspoon of them
9. Serve hot

Very simple and easy to prepare dish. Kids would love it a lot. Any oil can be used, can be substituted with butter too. Happy eating!

Sweet Bread Toast

A sweet evening snack that kids would love to have.Healthy too, but since ghee is used, be careful with adults!

Ingredients:

1. Bread- 8 nos
2. Milk- 1/2 cup
3. Sugar- 1 tablespoon
4. Ghee-4 teaspoon

Method:

1. Dissolve sugar in milk and pour it in a wide plate
2. Heat a pan and add 1/2 teaspoon ghee.
3. Dip the bread in the milk syrup and throw into the pan.
4. Turnover the sides so that it wont get burnt
5. Toast the bread till they becomes  semi soft
6. Repeat the same procedure with remaining bread loafs

Serve hot with evening tea or as an breakfast!

Easy Bread Upma

Very easy upma made with bread. An easy tea time snack/ breakfast

Ingredients:

1. Bread- 6 ,cut into  small pieces
2. Onion-1/2 sliced
3. Green chillies,slit-2
4. Curry leaves- a few
5. Turmeric powder- A pinch
6. Salt- As required
7. Mustard seeds- 1/2 teaspoon
8. Urad dal- 1/2 teaspoon
9. Oil

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds and throw in urad dal.
2. Saute the sliced onions till they turn translucent
3. Add the green chillies and curry leaves and saute for a while.
4. Add the cut bread pieces and saute.
5. Add salt and turmeric powder, mix well
6. Saute till the bread pieces turn slightly brown.

Serve hot! garnish with coriander leaves !

Instant Onion Uthappam

A very very simple instant onion uthappam. Pretty good snack with evening tea.

Ingredients:

1. Rava/Semolina/Sooji- 1 cup
2. Urad dal/ Black gram- 1/2 cup soaked for min 1/2 hr
3. Onion- chopped into tiny parts-1 onion
4. Ginger- 1 inch piece,finely sliced.
5. Curry leaves- 4-5 crushed
6. Green chillies- 2-3(Optional)
7. Water as required
8. Salt as required

Method:

1. Grind the soaked urad dal into a fine paste with min water.
2. Add the ground paste,salt to sooji and mix well.
3. Add water to get a dosa batter consistency. Keep aside for 5 mins.
4. Heat a non stick pan ,pour dosa batter to make a thick base 
5. Sprinkle the chopped onions, ginger,green chillies,curry leaves 
6. Turn upside down when the base is done.
7. Cook till the fragrance comes.
8. Serve hot!

Too simple to prepare that too within a very short time within always available ingredients!

Lemon Rice.. Simple and Healthy!

Much healthy and tasty dish. Very easy to cook too. lemon is equally healthy for all.

Ingredients:

1. Rice- 1 cup
2. Oil-1 tablespoon
3. Lemon juice- extracted from a large lemon
4. Turmeric powder-1/4 teaspoon
5. Salt-1-2 teaspoon (depending on requirement)
6. Dry red chillies- 4
7. Mustard seeds- 1/2 teaspoon
8. Curry leaves-10
9. Pepper corns- 4-5
10. Bengal gram-1 teaspoon
11. Black gram-1 teaspoon

Method:

1. Cook rice and keep aside
2. Heat oil in a pan, splutter mustard seeds
3. Add curry leaves, Bengal gram,black gram,pepper corns,red chillies, saute for a while
4. Add salt,turmeric powder,lemon juice
5. Add the cooked rice to the pan and mix well

Serve hot with pickle! A healthy lunch-box for kids or have it as an evening snack. Enjoy!

Scrambled egg roll

A very very easy snack prepared within a short time with easily available items. Healthy and love the pepper flavour!

Ingredients:

1. Long bun- 2
2. Egg- 2
3. Onion- 1/4 thinly sliced
4. Mustard- 1/2 teaspoon
5. Oil- for spluttering mustard

Method:

1. Heat the pan with oil
2. Splutter mustard seeds
3. Saute onion for 2-3 mins.
4. Break the eggs into the pan and stir gently
5. Add salt and pepper
6. Mix well on low flame for a min.
7. Stuff the buns with the egg mix.
8. Microwave for a min.

Serve with hot/cold coffee. A very simple and nourishing dish, a time saver too!