Garlic Asparagus

The recipe is the same as the Lahsooni Tinda recipe that I posted earlier. Just substitute the Asparagus for the Tinda.

Birthday Lunch - Peas Pulao, Garlic Asparagus, Kofta Curry, Rich Chocolate Cake

It's K's birthday today. To celebrate, I made Peas Pulao, Garlic Asparagus, Meat Kofta curry and to finish off this great meal, dessert was a rich, moist chocolate cake. This was the first time I was baking a cake, and in all honesty I cannot take credit for this super good cake. Thanks to Pilsbury Cake Mix, the cake was superb and I got all the compliments :)


PEAS PULAO

2 cups Basmati Rice, cleaned and soaked in water
2-3 cloves
2 green cardamoms
1" cinnamon
1/2 red onion, finely sliced
1 cup peas (I used the frozen ones)
Oil
Salt to taste

Heat oil in a pan and add the cloves, cardamom, cinnamon. When they begin to sizzle, add the sliced onion. Cook till translucent. Add the peas and salt. cook for a minute. Drain water from rice and add to pan. Mix gently. Add 4 cups water and bring to boil on high heat. Reduce heat to medium, cover the pan and cook till the water has evaporated and rice is cooked. Remove from heat and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Fluff gently and serve hot with curry of your choice. Enjoy !

Healthy Plate : Pulao with Greens

On my last trip to Trader Joe's, I had found a packet called "Greens with Envy". The packet was a mix of healthy greens like Spinach, Broccoli, Asparagus spears and shelled Edamame. I used it to make a wholesome Pulao for dinner.

1 cup Basmati Rice, washed and soaked in cold water
1/2 packet of the mixed greens
2 cloves
2 green cardamoms
1" stick cinnamon, broken into two
1 medium sized onion, finely sliced
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
3/4 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
Salt to taste
Oil

Heat oil in a pan. Add the cumin seeds and when they begin to sizzle, add the cloves, cardamom and cinnamon. Cook for half a minute and then add the sliced onions. Cook till the onions turn pink. Now add the turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, lower heat and cook for a minute stirring constantly. Add the salt and the mixed green. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Drain water from the rice and add to the pan. Increase heat to medium and cook for a minute. Add 2 cups water, cover the pan and cook till the rice is done. Do not stir the rice while cooking or the rice will break making the dish mushy. Serve hot with plain yogurt or Raita. Enjoy !

Asparagus-Mushroom-Peas Bhujiya

I had half a packet each of Peas and Asparagus and some fresh white Mushrooms. I decided to combine all three and make a dish and it came out really good :) Even K gave this dish his sign of approval :)


1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 packet frozen Asparagus
10-12 white mushrooms, sliced
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Salt to taste
Oil

Heat oil in a pan. Add the onions and cook till the onion begins to turn brown. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook till the water in the mushrooms dries up. Now add the peas, asparagus, pepper and salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes or till the veggies are cooked and the asparagus retains a slight crunch. Serve with Rice / Roti. Enjoy.