Chocolate & Nuts Fudge

Hello everyone, I am pretty sure that you guys must be doing all various preparations for this Rakshabandhan. So why not give it a try for some Videshi mithai this time ?

I always try to keep my recipes simple, easy and quick, so just made these gooey Chocolate & Nuts fudge in microwave, very quick, simple and delicious. Won't take much of your time, so enjoy and just eat these heavenly cubes. I made them with just three ingredients only, so no more rush to superstores even :)))

I have an another reason to make these, just completed my 1000 subscribers on YouTube channel, super happy :). Thanks to you all for reading, watching and supporting me to this level. Love you all.

Video Link -
 

 

Ingredients :

• Good quality Dark chocolate : 200 gms ( I used 60% cocoa one)
• Condensed Milk : 150 ml (Adjust as per the taste) For homemade Condensed Milk recipe click here
• Nuts of your choice : 1 cup (I used walnuts, almonds & raisins) 

Method :

• In a microwave safe bowl keep the broken chocolate pieces and microwave for 1.5 minutes. Please do stir after every 30 sec as the chocolate have a tendency to burn very fast.
• Also warm up the condensed milk for 1-2 minutes.
• Mix all the ingredients, including nuts.
• Pop it into a tin lined with butter paper as shown in the video.
• Keep it into the fridge for 1 hour.
• Take it out and cut it into desired shape.

Note :

• You can use aluminum foil instead of butter paper.
• You can use double boiler for melting chocolate and warming up the condensed milk.

Please do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :)
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cookwithpriyanka

Enjoy!

Thanks & Happy Fudge making
Priyanka

Garlicky Mushroom fried rice

Hello everyone, today I have got you all a recipe of Garlicky Mushroom fried rice. A super duper easy and adaptable recipe. No compulsion with the veggies, you can always put up the recipes of your own choice. A very good option to use the leftover rice and a perfect meal for kids lunch box too. As far as the flavours are concerned, garlic and mushrooms goes very well together, so lets quickly run through the ingredients following the method :)

Video Link :

Ingredients :

• Rice - 1 cup (boiled & cooled)
• Mushrooms : 1 & 1/2 cups (chopped)
• Onions : 1 medium (chopped)
• Garlic : 1 tbsp (chopped)
• Carrots :  1/4 cup (chopped)
• Coloured Bell peppers : 1/4 cup (chopped)
• Cooked Corns: 2-3 tbsps
• Black pepper : 1 tsp
• Chili flakes : 1 tsp (optional)
• Salt : as per the taste
• Spring Onions : A handful
• Oil : 1 & 1/2 tbsps
• Tomato ketchup : 1 tbsp
• Dark Soya sauce : a dash
• White vinegar : 1 tsp

Method :

• Heat oil in a pan, add garlic, brown it a bit and then add onions. After a minute add carrots and saute it for couple of minutes.
• Now add Mushrooms, bell peppers and corns. Mix well and also add seasoning (black pepper, chili flakes & salt), cook it for another couple of minutes or unless the mushroom's moisture dries out.
• Once done, add rice and lightly mix. Add ketchup, soya sauce and vinegar, mix well and its ready :)

Enjoy!

Note :

• Try to prepare the rice a day before and then use it. In this way the rice won't stick neither it will brake.
• You can make it with the veggies of your own choice.

Please do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :)
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cookwithpriyanka

Thanks and Enjoy cooking
Priyanka :)

 

Mango Shrikhand

Mangoes are my all time favorite. But being in London have very limited access to Asian Mangoes. Found some this weekend, had few like this only and rest planned to make some dessert. 

Its very hot here, I can very well understand the heat in India. So made some Mango Shrikhand, its very light & refreshing dessert. Flavored it only with mangoes and didn't add cardamom or kesar, as just wanted to highlight mango in it. 

Its very easy and quick recipe, also very well prepared in advance, just refrigerate and serve chill. I prepared it with mangoes, but you can add any sweet fruit, dry fruits or even chocolate. So without wasting any of the time, lets quickly run through the ingredients, following the method.

Video Link :

Ingredients :

• Hung curd/ very thick yogurt : 1 cup
• Mango Puree : 1/2 cup
• Powdered sugar : 1/4 cup (adjust as per the taste and mango)
• Pistachios : 1 tbsp for garnishing

Note: the video ingredients may vary, but I have used the same ratio made it a bit easy.

Method :

• Beat the yogurt/curd with the help of a spatula or a spoon (please don't use a blender or whisk otherwise you will loose its consistency)
• Add in powdered sugar and Mango puree and mix well.
  Fold in some pistachios and leave some for garnishing.
• Serve it in a glass or a bowl, pour some mango puree on top and garnish it with some pistachios.

Enjoy!!!!

Note:

• For hung curd - put the yogurt/curd on a sieve over a bowl. Put it inside fridge overnight. Morning you will see that the excess water is drained in the bowl and you are left with thick curd.
• If you see any lumps, then pass the mixture through a sieve and it will be fine.

Please do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :) 

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cookwithpriyanka

Thanks & Happy Cooking

Priyanka

Kadai Paneer - Restaurant style

Hello everyone, today I have got a recipe of Kadhai Paneer, one of my favourite dishes. Whenever I am visiting any restaurant or dhabas I never ever forget to order this. 

I tried so many recipes but not at all satisfied with the results, was not getting that restaurant flavours, thus never posted its recipe too. Then one day Jaspreet Nirula ji's  recipes clicked in my mind, he is one of my foodie friend and a very awesome cook, specially in rich cuisines, was pretty sure that he might have the solution for it too. I asked him and got a brilliant recipe. Tried it and simply loved it too. Made very minimal changes and finally very happy. Its a bit time taking recipe but believe me, its worth. So today I am dedicating my post to him. Thank you sir :)))))

So lets run through the ingredients, following the method.

Video Link :

Ingredients :

• Paneer/Cottage cheese : 200gms (Click here for the homemade paneer recipe)
• Tomatoes : 3 medium, chopped
• Onion : 1 small, diced
• Capsicum/bellpeppers : 1 medium, diced
• Fried onion paste - 1 onion (Fry in oil, blend it with a little water)
• Ginger : 1/2 tsps
• Garlic : 1+1/2 tsps
• Green chillies : 2 slit
• Kashmiri red chili powder : 1 tsp
• Kadai Masala : 2 tsps (Click here for homemade Kadai Masala recipe)
• Garam Masala : 1/4 tsp
• Kasoori Methi/Dried fenugreek leaves : 1 tbsp
• Fresh Cream : 1/2 cup (optional, I didn't add)
• Oil : 3-4 tbsps 
• Salt to taste

 Method :

• Heat 1+1/2 tbsps of oil in a pan, fry the paneer cubes till light golden in colour. Once done put them in warm water with some salt.
• In the same pan fry the diced capsicum and diced onions, maintain their crunchiness. Take them out on a plate and keep aside.
• In the same pan add a oil (approx 1tbsp), add 1 tsp of garlic and saute. Now add the chopped tomatoes to it and fry until they are half done. 
• Add red chili powder with 1/2 tsp salt and cook further. When oil oozes out and the tomatoes masala is cooked properly switch off the flame and keep aside.
• In a wok/kadai add some oil, to this add 1/2 tsp of ginger and 1/2 tsp of garlic and saute. Add 1+1/2 tsps kadai masala and fry. Then add green chillies and also add the fried onion paste. Mix it well, we don't have to cook it as its already cooked.
• Now add the tomato masala with some water (amount of water depends upon the consistency of gravy you want) and cook for a couple of minutes. 
• Add the sauteed capsicum & onions and also the drained paneer cubes, mix well.
• Finally add garam masala , 1/2 tsp of kadai Masala and kasoori methi and mix well.
• If you are adding cream, add it, cover for 2-3 minutes and cook on low flame. 
• Serve with hot chapatis, Rumalis (click here for Rumali roti recipe), laccha paratha.

Enjoy!!!!!!

Please do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :) 

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cookwithpriyanka

Thanks & Happy Cooking
Priyanka

Eggless lemony blueberry muffins with crumble topping

Hello everyone, today I will be showing you all that how to prepare Lemony blueberry muffins with crumble topping. They are crunchy outside and very moist and soft inside. At the same time they are eggless too. Lemon has given a nice kick and took them to the next level, though its not overpowering at all. You can have them with a cup of coffee or just like that as a dessert.

I made these cupcakes specially for my younger little sisi (Sister), Its her Birthday today and also she got selected as a Probationary officer in Bank of Baroda hence wanna wish her with lots of love and wishes. She really made us proud :))))

So without wasting any of the time, lets quickly run through the ingredients following the method.

Here is the video link :

Ingredients : 
As usual, I have divided the ingredients list in two parts- the dry & wet ingredients. This way it will be easy for you to follow. 
Dry ingredients:

• All Purpose flour/Maida/Plain flour : 1 + 1/2 cups
• Baking Powder : 1 + 1/2 tsps
• Baking Soda : 1/2 tsp
• Salt : 1/4 tsp
• Blueberries : 3/4 cup

Wet ingredients : 

• White granulated sugar : 3/4 cup
• Thick Yogurt : 1/2 cup (at room temperature)
• Vegetable Oil : 1/4 cup 
• Lemon zest : 1 tsp

For the crumble topping :

• All purpose flour : 1/2 cup
• Sugar : 1/4 cup
• Chilled butter : 3 tbsps
• Lemon zest : 1/2 tsp

Method :

• First preheat the oven at 180°C. Line the muffin tray with liners or simply grease them with some oil or butter.
• Sieve the dry ingredients together atleast 3 times and keep aside, this give more aeration to the flour and helps in making the cake light.
• Coat the berries with a couple of tbsps of flour, this will prevent them from sinking to the bottom.
• In other bowl mix sugar + yogurt and whisk, you will get a very nice texture. To this add oil and lemon zest, mix well. 
• After they are well combined add the dry ingredients in two batches and fold in gently. Don't overmix, just make sure all the ingredients are well combined. Also add the blueberries and fold in gently.
• Pop the batter in molds.
• Prepare the crumble topping - mix together flour, sugar and zest. Then with the help of a fork mix in the chilled butter and form a breadcrumbs textured mixture. Sprinkle it a tbsp on each of the muffin (As shown in the video).
• Bake it on the middle rack for 20-25 mins or unless a tooth pick inserted comes out clean. Mine took exactly 25 minutes. But keep checking after 18-20 minutes as every oven vary as per the power.
• When done, take it out and give a rest of 5 minutes in the tin, then demold and cool on a cooling rack.

Enjoy !!!!!!

Note :

If using eggs, then replace 1/4 cup of yogurt with one egg, also omit baking soda.

Please do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :) 

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cookwithpriyanka

Thanks & Happy Baking

Priyanka :)

Vermicelli upma/Vegetable Semiya

I am an egg lover and try to have them daily in my breakfast menu but we eat total veg on Mondays & Tuesdays, hence try to prepare some special breakfast for these days, so that it can compensate those missing eggs. Vermicelli upma or Namkeen semaiya is always a yes in my home. It is a very traditional South Indian breakfast too and made with lots many varieties.  It requires very little effort and tastes delicious. And best of all, my family loves it. I love its texture and have it with lots of veggies and lime juice. Sometimes with coconut or tomato chutney. I still remember those lazy weekends at my mom's place, when everyone used to sit together and had this in breakfast. So lets see the ingredients following the method.

Ingredients :

• Vermicelli/Semiya : 2 cups (I used Bombino)
• Onions : 1 large (finely sliced)
• Green Chillies : 1-2 slit (or as per the taste)
• Carrots : 1/2 cup (finely chopped)
• Peas : 1/2 cup (Frozen/fresh)
• Potato : 1 medium (Finely chopped)
• Tomatoes : 2 medium (optional)
• Chili powder : 1 tsp (optional)
• Mustard seeds : 1 tsp
• A Sprig of curry leaves
• Peanuts : 1/4 cup
• Oil : 2 tbsps
• Salt : As per the taste 
• Lime juice : 2 tbsps (or as per the taste)

Method :

• Dry roast the vermicelli in a pan on low flame. Stir continuously till you get the aroma and a very light golden color. If you are using already roasted ones, then you can skip this step. 
• If adding peanuts, roast them and keep aside. I usually dry roast my peanuts in microwave for 4-5 minutes (depends on the quantity). You can also fry them in oil.
• Heat 8 cups of water in a big pan, add some salt. As soon as the boil comes add roasted vermicelli to it and switch off the gas. Keep an eye, as soon they are done (you can check by braking them with fingers) strain them in a sieve.
• Simultaneously, heat oil and add mustard seeds, let them splatter, then add curry leaves and green chillies.
  Now add onions and saute a bit, then add carrots & potato, saute, cover it with a lid and let it cook. If you are using fresh peas add with carrots only as frozen ones can be added later with tomatoes.
• Add finely chopped tomatoes, chili powder, salt and cook. Once tomatoes are little soften, add strained vermicelli and mix. Add lime juice, peanuts and serve hot.

Notes:

• Try to boil the vermicelli and fry the veggies simultaneously, as after boiling and keeping the vermicelli for long makes them a bit sticky. If there is a situation where you need to keep them for long, then spread them on a tray and apply some oil gently. 
• Adding tomatoes and red chili powder is optional, but I like the taste hence add them.
• You can add as many veggies you like and also adjust their quantities as per you likings.

Please do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :) 

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cookwithpriyanka

Thanks & Happy cooking
Priyanka :)

Indian Chicken curry

Hello Everyone, today I have got a recipe for a very delicious and lip smacking chicken curry. Made up with the regular spices it has the most authentic taste. Its the way I am preparing it since many years and always liked by everyone. Its a very good option for a get together as well. I always keep this in my menu when Guests are arriving home. Its an easy and simple way to impress others :)))

There is no marination required hence saves time, also prepared in less oil :). Lets quickly dig into the ingredients following the method.

Video link :

Ingredients :

• Chicken on bone : 500 gms
• Onions : 2 medium sized (finely chopped)
• Tomatoes : 2 medium sized (pureed)
• Ginger : 1 tbsp (minced)
• Garlic : 1 tbsp (minced)
• Bay leaves : 2 nos
• Cloves : 4-5 nos
• Cinnamon stick : 1.5" long
• Red chili powder : 1 tsp
• Kashmiri red chili powder : 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder : 1/2 tsp
• Coriander powder : 1 & 1/2 tsp
• Garam Masala powder : 1 tsp 
• Dried fenugreek leaves/kasuri methi : 1 tbsp
• Yogurt : 2 tbsps
• Oil : 2-3 tbsps 
• Fresh coriander (handful)
• Salt as per the taste

Method :

• In a hot pan (try to take deep bottom pan) add oil, then add the whole spices - cinnamon, bay leaves and clove. Let them release their flavor in oil then add onions and saute till you get a nice golden brown colour. 
• Add the washed chicken pieces and fry till the chicken changes its colour. 
• Then add all the dry spices - red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, kashmiri red chili powder (for reddish colour) and 1/2 tsp of garam masala (rest of it we will add at the end). Give it a mix and add the salt as well.
• Add pureed tomatoes and saute until oil oozes out.
• Then add yogurt and mix well. Add water, cover and let it simmer unless the chicken cooks.
• Once cooked well, add rest of the garam masala, dried fenugreek leaves and mix well. 
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Enjoy with hot phulkas, rumali rotis or steamed rice :)

For the Rumali roti recipe please click here

 

Note : 

• You can add ginger/garlic paste instead of minced.
• The authentic way to prepare it is with Mustard oil, but here I don't get it of a good taste hence I used olive oil.
• Chicken's cooking time varies from place to place, it took only 10-15 minutes for my chicken.

Please do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :) 

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cookwithpriyanka

Thanks & Happy cooking 

Priyanka

Veg Pulav/Pilaf with Soyabean Chunks

Hello Everyone, today I got a vegetarian Pulav recipe for you all. Its perfect alternative for biryanis, very delicious and my all time favourite. Its my mother's recipe and she used to prepare it with just whole spices (Garam Masala), which are all mostly dark colored with rice so while we were kids we used to call it "black & white pulav". She used to add soyabean chunks which were like cherry on the cake. Some times she also added jack fruit to it but only during its season. Its a super easy recipe and always a hit in my house. Sushant loves to eat it with just plain curd and homemade aam ka achar. So without wasting much of the time here you go with the ingredients following the method.

Ingredients :

• Basmati rice/Any long grain rice : 1 cup
• Soya chunks : 3/4 cup
• Onions : 1 cup thinly sliced
• Cumin Seeds : 1 tsp
• Bay leaves : 2 nos
• Cloves : 4-5
• Cinnamon stick : 1 large size
• Black Cardamom : 2 big or 3 small sized
• Green Cardamom : 4 nos
• Mace : 1 small sized
• Star Anise : 1 nos (optional)
• Black Peppercorns : 1 tbsp (Coarsely crushed)
• Whole red chillies : 2-3  
  
• Oil : 2-3tbsps
• Salt : As per the taste
• Water : 2 cups (appx)

Method :

• Soak rice in water for 10 minutes. Drain the water completely and keep it aside.
• Soak soya chunks in salted boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Once soaked properly, squeeze them and keep aside.
• Now, in a pressure cooker heat oil, when its medium hot add cumin seeds, let it crackle, add cinnamon stick, bay leaves, both cardamoms, cloves, star anise, mace, whole red chillies. Let them saute for few seconds, let them release their flavours. Then add thinly sliced onions and fry till they are golden brown. 
• Once done add crushed peppercorns and soya chunks, mix well and saute for a minute. 
• Add drained rice and salt (I used 2 tsp), give it a gentle mix and finally add water (I added 1+3/4 cups), it varies as per the variety of rice, usually it takes double the amount of rice. Let it come to a boil, close the lid with weight, let the flame be on high. 
• As soon as you get the first whistle lower the flame to low and cook for another 4-5 minutes. 
• Switch of the flame and let the pressure completely subside. 
• Open the cooker, let it sit for couple of minutes, then gently mix with a fork and serve.

Enjoy it with plain yogurt, pickled onions or mango pickle.

Please do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :) 

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/cookwithpriyanka

Thanks & Happy Cooking
Priyanka