Bisi Bele Bath#Improv

Bisi Bele Bath or Bisi Bele Huliyanna is a dish meal which is flavorsome, spicy and slightly tangy complete meal made with lentils, rice, mixed vegetables and a super aromatic spice powder. This is a famous Karnataka cuisine dish. It's actually a masala khichdi with lots of veggies. The term “Bisi bele bath” translates to “Hot Lentil Rice Dish”. “Bisi” is a Kannada word meaning “Hot”, “Bele” translates to “Lentils” and “Bath” is a word that denotes a “Soupy Rice".

Bisi Bele Bath is so popular that you get it so easily in the South Indian restaurants in Bangalore.  To make this dish I have used readymade Bisi Bele Bath masala, which is readily available in any store. I am sharing the quick and delicious way to prepare this dish/ a pressure cooker version. 

Serve 5 as a complete meal
Ingredients
1 Cup Short Grain Rice(- washed)
1/3 Cup Tur Dal
1 Medium Onion - chopped
1 Teaspoon Finely Chopped Ginger
1 Large Tomato - chopped
8 - 10 Beans - cut into big bits
½ Cup Green Peas - I used frozen
½ Cup Cauliflower Florets - I used frozen
½ Cup Pumpkin - cut into medium cubes
½ Cup Carrot - cut into medium cubes
2 Small Potato - cut into medium cubes
½ Cup Diced Capsicum - I used Red , Yellow and Green - you can use any one color
½ Cup Tamarind Juice
1½ Tablespoons Level Bisi Bele Bath Powder
¼ Teaspoon + ½ Teaspoon Salt or to taste
For The Tadka
½ Cup Oil
1½ Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
¼ Teaspoon Asafoetida
2 Sprig Curry Leaves
¼ Cup Cashewnuts or Raw Peanuts - I used Cashewnuts
2 Dried Red Chillies

Method
For Cooking The Veggies

In a pressure cooker add the all the veggies, beans, pumpkin, potato , carrot ( since I used frozen cauliflower and peas I did not add to the cooker. If you are using fresh then add this to the cooker). Add ¼ teaspoon salt and ½ cup water. Take one whistle on high flame. Let the cooker cool completely. Strain the stock & veggies. Keep them aside separately.

In the same cooker add the rice and lentils, with ½ teaspoon salt. Measure the stock from the veggies. Add total 5 cups water. Keep it on medium high flame and take 5 whistles. The rice and lentils should be mushy, then you do not need to mash them.

In a big kadai/ pot heat oil, add the mustard seeds, when they splutter add the asafoetida, curry leaves , dried red chillies and cashewnuts sauté for a minute or till the cashewnuts turn golden. Remove ½ of the tadka and keep aside for garnish ( this is optional).
Now add the capsicum, peas and cauliflower, saute for a minute or two. Then add all the cooked veggies, the bisi bele bath powder and saute till it releases an aroma, say for 2 minutes on medium low flame. 

Add the tamarind water and cooked rice dal mix. Give it a good mix, add more hot water if necessary to make it a soupy dish. Let this simmer for 4-5 minutes so that the flavors infuse on very low flame, covered with a lid. Taste for salt,  add accordingly.  After 4 -5 minutes switch off the flame. 

Serve garnished with the remaining tadka this hot. As this cools the rice and dal will absorb most of the stock and will thicken. 

We enjoyed this hot with fried rice papad or falafel. pickle and raita. Bisi bele bath is a delicious complete and healthy meal. My guest enjoyed this meal. Do try this recipe, you will definitely fall in love with it.

Labels : Khichdi, Karnataka, Rice, Lentils, Mixed Veggies, Pumpkin, Complete Meal, Healthy, Vegan, Gluten free, Main course, Tur Dal, Pressure Cooker, Improv Cooking Challenge

Improv Cooking Challenge

Squash & Rice

Bisi Bele Bath by Sneha's Recipes
Butternut Squash Methi Pulao by Magical Ingredients
Butternut Squash Rice Pudding by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Butternut Squash and Wild Rice Pilaf by Palatable Pastime

Chicken Soup For The Soul#SoupSwappers

Chicken Soup for the Soul, a fantastic short story book, took inspiration from this book and made the comforting Chicken Soup For The Soul. This wonderful, warming, comforting, a delicious and super tasty soup, especially if your are feeling under the weather.
Serves Two
Ingredients
500 Grams Chicken With Bone In
1½ Teaspoon Freshly Chopped Ginger
1½ Teaspoon Freshly Chopped Garlic
1 Liter Water
1 Cup Cooked Rice Or Noodles - I used cooked brown rice
6 - 8 Sliced Mushrooms
½ Cup Sweet Corn
1 Sliced Spring Onion - white and greens chopped separately
1 Teaspoon Chicken Bullion powder
Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
1 Dried or Fresh Red Chilly - chopped
1 Teaspoon Light Soy Sauce

Method

Add chicken, ginger, garlic salt to taste and water to a pot. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, partly cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. Keep remove the scum that surfaces to get a clear stock. Strain the stock, remove the chicken and shred.

Return the chicken and the strained stock to the pot, add cooked rice , sweet corn, mushrooms and white part of spring onions. Bring this to a boil, reduce the flame and let is simmer till the the veggies are just cooked.

Serve with chopped spring onion greens and some freshly ground black pepper, a drizzle of light soy sauce. and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil. Serve hot. 

Enjoy this delicious and comforting soup for the soul!!
Labels: Soup, Soup Swappers, Chicken, Healthy, Complete Meal  

• Chicken Soup For The Soul by Sneha's Recipe
• Doctored, Canned Lobster Bisque by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Individual French Onion Soup in Bread Bowls  by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Healthy Butternut Squash & Chicken Soup by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Tuscan White Bean Soup by Karen's Kitchen Stories

Shrimp Pasta Salad#FishFriday

A quick and easy summer salad, shrimp pasta salad comes together quickly and makes a complete meal. For this I used mixed pasta, you can use any pasta of your choice.

Serves 2
Ingredients
1½ Cup Mixed Pasta - boiled
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Butter
2 Shallots- thinly sliced
4 Cloves Garlic - chopped
A Juice Of One Lime
4 Tablespoons Tomato Puree
1 Teaspoon Cayenne pepper
15 - 16 Shrimps - deveined & cleaned
2 Tablespoons Chopped Parsley
½ Cup Diced Colored Capsicums
Salt to taste
Method

Cook the pasta in boiling water according to package instructions; add a dash of salt olive oil. When the pasta cooks to al dante, remove from the heat drain and keep aside.

Heat the butter and olive oil in a large heavy skillet. Sauté the shallots and garlic on medium high flame for 2 minutes. Now add the tomato puree, cayenne pepper and sauté for 3 - 5 minutes or until it's cooked on medium low flame. Add the shrimp and salt to taste. Cook for just 4 - 5 minutes or until the shrimp turns pink. Stir occasionally so that the shrimp is nicely coated in the sauce. Do not over cook the shrimp. Finally, stir in the colored capsicums and lemon juice, cook on medium flame for a minute or two only. Stir in pasta and parsley give it a good mix, remove from the heat.

Serve garnish with a generous sprinkling of chopped parsley.
Enjoy a complete and delicious shrimp pasta salad as a filling meal.
Labels: Shrimp, Prawns, Pasta & Noodles, Tomato, Parsley, Seafood/Fish, Fish Friday, Salad, Main course, Complete Meal

Fish Friday August 2022

• Anthony Bourdain’s Tuna Salad Sandwiches from Palatable Pastime
• Seafood Salad Tacos from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Shrimp Pasta Salad from Sneha’s Recipe
• Tortellini Salad with Grill Roasted Shrimp, Tomato and Green Beans from A Day in the Life on the Farm

Keto Almond Biscuit Chicken Pot Pie/Soupy Pie#Soupswappers

This Keto Chicken Pot Pie Soup is rich and creamy, gluten free and with no extra carbs. With the almond biscuit this make a complete and filling meal.

Serves 2
Makes 4 Biscuits
Ingredients
For The Keto Biscuits
40 Grams Softened Butter - I used salted butter
110 Grams Almond flour
1 Teaspoon Baking powder
1 Teaspoon Dried Parsley
1 Large Egg
½ Teaspoon Stevia powder

For The Pie Filling
1 Tablespoon Heaped Butter
1/3 Cup Finely Diced Carrot
1/3 Cup Finely Diced Celery
1/3 Cup Finely Diced French Beans
¼ Cup Finely Diced Onion
¼ Cup Finely Diced Capsicum
½ Teaspoon Pink Himalayan Salt
½ Teaspoon Pesto Dried Seasoning or Black Pepper
¾ Cup Diced Grilled Chicken - I used leftover
¾ Cup Chicken Stock
½ Cup Heavy Cream
½ Teaspoon Xanthan Gum
2 Teaspoon Fresh Parsley - finely chopped

Method
To Make The Keto Biscuits

Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon mat.
Rub the butter into the almond flour till it represents crumbs
Now add the remaining ingredients and whisk until fully combined. 

                              

Divide the mixture into four using a cookie scooper or your hands and place on the lined baking sheet.

Flatten them. Bake for 22 - 24 minutes, until edges start to turn golden brown.

Allow to cool for five minutes before handling and placing on top of pie filling.

To Make The Pie Filling

Heat the butter in a large skillet/pot over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the carrots, beans celery, onion, capsicum and a little salt and pepper to the pan. Sauté until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
Add the chopped chicken, broth, heavy cream, thyme, and xanthan gum. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce heat to low and let simmer for about 5 minutes until thickened and warmed through. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.

Stir in fresh parsley, then divide filling evenly between 2 ramekins, leaving the top 1/4 unfilled. 

Place a biscuit on top of each pot pie and serve!   

It is so ridiculously delicious, comforting and everything you would want for a filling meal.
Labels: Chicken, Soup, Keto, Soup Swappers, Main course, Complete Meal, Gluten free, Biscuits & Cookies, Almond Flour

For the Pot Pie Filling- Per Serving
Calories 166 , Carbs 6 grams
For the Biscuit - Per Serving
calories 395, Carbs 3 grams   

For Soup Swapper this month our theme is "Soup Starting With Leftovers"  

• Palatable Pastime shares Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup 
• Sneha’s Recipe shares Keto Almond Biscuit With Keto Chicken Pot Pie Soup 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm shares Leftover Steak Teriyaki Soup 
• Culinary Adventures with Camilla shares Mac’N’Cheese Minestrone 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories shares Pappa al Pomodoro (Tomato and Bread Soup)

Chicken Biryani-Gujarati Style#SundayFunday

This is a Memoni Muslim style Gujarati Biryani, it's aromatic, mouth watering biryani with succulent chicken in fluffy rice and full of fragrance from the screw pine water. As you all know Biryani is a complete meal in itself, apt to suit all occasions; whether a hearty meal on a lazy Sunday or for a party, it's a scrumptious indulgence at the dining table - this is loved by one and all. 

This biryani you can assemble in advance and just an hour before you serve, keep it to cook, it's that easy to make.

Serves 3
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marination
425 Grams Chicken - made into biryani cut pieces
½ Cup Yogurt
1" Piece Ginger - grind to fine paste
5 Cloves Garlic - grind to fine paste 
½ Tablespoon Red Chilly Powder
½ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
½ Teaspoon Garam masala powder
1 Teaspoon Salt
¾ Teaspoon Roasted Coriander powder
¾ Teaspoon Roasted Cumin powder
Other Ingredients
¼ Cup Oil
¾ Cup Brown onion
¼ Teaspoon Nutmeg powder
¼ Teaspoon Mace powder
¼ Teaspoon Green cardamom powder
¼ Teaspoon Biryani color
1 Teaspoon Screw pine water
1 Large Tomato - sliced
4 Whole Green chilies
3 Tablespoons Coriander leaves
3 Tablespoons Mint leaves
3 Potatoes - boiled & halved
Ingredients for the Rice
Boil the Rice with these till full done
¼ Kg Rice
1 Tablespoon Salt
1 Bay Leaf
2 Cloves
½ Teaspoon Black Peppercorns
½ Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
½ Teaspoon Shahjeera
1 Stick Cinnamon
2 Green Cardamom
2 Brown Cardamom

Method 

Marinate chicken with yogurt, ginger, garlic, salt, red chilly, turmeric, cumin and coriander powders for 30 minutes.
Heat oil add the boiled and halved potatoes and fry on high flame till light golden, remove and keep aside. In the same pan add another tablespoon or two of oil and add the brown onion with marinated chicken, rinse the bowl with ¼ cup water and add that too, give it a good mix. Bring this to a boil on high flame, then reduce the flame to low, cover with a lid and let it cook till done and the gravy is saucy.
Mix the screw pine water and biryani color, keep aside. 

In a another thick heavy bottom pan add ¼ cup oil and water each then add half of the rice. Spread all the chicken with gravy then sprinkle whole green chilies , arrange the tomato

slices 

and the fried potatoes, then sprinkle the nutmeg, mace and cardamom powder, sprinkle half of the mint and coriander leaves then add the remaining rice sprinkle the screw pine water and color mix.

Dot it with butter and sprinkle the remaining coriander and mint leaves. Cover with a lid, keep on high flame for 5 minutes then on low flame for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes switch off the flame and let is rest covered for 5 minutes.
                             

Open give it a mix with a fork and serve with Raita of your choice.

This is delicious biryani, you will love it.

Labels: Biryani, Chicken, Gujarati, One Bowl, Sunday Funday, Complete Meal, Main course

For our event called Sunday Funday, wherein we share recipes our families will love to enjoy on a Sunday. Our host for this week's event is Stacy of Food Lust People Love. 

Sunday Funday: " Chicken Delights".   

• Chicken and Stuffing Bake from Palatable Pastime
• Chicken Biryani-Gujarati Style from Sneha's Recipe
• Chicken and Ramen Dump Dinner from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Chicken Fajitas from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Creamy Spinach and Red Pepper Chicken from Making Miracles
• Saucy Pepperoni Roasted Chicken from Food Lust People Love
• The Best Brine for Whole Roast Chicken from Amy's Cooking Adventures

Steak Fingers With Steamed Rice#SundayFunday

A tasty Chinese style steak fingers recipe is a combination of tender steak strips, veggies and bell peppers with sauces, a super delicious dish. Just serve this with hot steamed rice and you are sorted. Make a complete and very delicious meal.

Serves 3 -4
Ingredients 
500 Grams Beef Undercut/ Sirloin - cut into thick finger strips
¼ Cup Oil
1 Green Capsicum cut into strips
1 Red Capsicum - cut into strips
1 Medium Carrot - cut into strips
3 -4 Baby Corns - sliced
1 Cup Chicken Stock
1½ Teaspoons Corn Flour
3 Tablespoons Soy sauce
¼ Teaspoon Homemade All-Purpose Seasoning
1 Teaspoon Black pepper powder
5 Big Cloves Garlic - chopped
2" Piece Ginger - chopped
1 Tablespoon Heaped Oyster sauce
1 Tablespoon Heaped Hoisin sauce
1 Tablespoon Vinegar
½ Teaspoon Red Chilly Flakes - optional
1 Cup Rice - boiled
½ Teaspoon Meat Tenderizer or Baking powder

Method

Marinate undercut strips with meat tenderizer for half an hour.
Heat oil in a pan, add the ginger garlic, sauté for a minute now add the undercut strips with vinegar, Homemade All-Purpose Seasoning , black pepper, soy sauce, oyster sauce and hoisin sauce, sauté the beef on a medium high flame for 5 minutes, add in chicken stock with both the colored capsicums, tomatoes and thicken the sauce with corn flour, cook till it thickens. 

Serve with with steamed rice.

Labels: Chinese, Beef, Stir Fry, Main course, Hoisin sauce, Oyster sauce, Asian Cuisine, Complete Meal, Sunday Funday

For our event called Sunday Funday, wherein we share recipes our families will love to enjoy on a Sunday. Our host for this week's event for the month of February 2021, is Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm. Sunday Funday Celebrates  the year of the Ox, a Chinese New Year which is on February 12th. 

Here are some of Chinese Recipe made by us.  

• Black Pepper Beef and Broccoli with Noodles by Food Lust People Love 
• Chinese New Year Skillet by Making Miracles 
• Easy Chicken Egg Rolls by A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Lion's Head Meatballs by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Lucky Duck, Gold Bars, and Longevity Noodles by Culinary Adventures with Camilla 
• Mongolian Lamb by Palatable Pastime
• Pan Fried Crispy Tofu Bowl by Cook with Renu
• Steak Fingers With Steamed Rice by Sneha's Recipe 
• Sticky Asian Baked Wings with Honey by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Stir-fried Clams in Bean Sauce by Karen's Kitchen Stories

Chicken Legs With Strawberry Balsamic Glaze & Spicy Potato Wedges#BakingBloggers

This is a platter that combines many elements which are dishes, are very simple easy to follow recipes. So here are dishes Chicken Legs With Strawberry Balsamic Glaze, Spicy Potato Wedges and Nepali Style Vegetable Pulao, which make a complete meal.

Chicken Legs With Strawberry Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients
3 Chicken Legs
½ Cup Strawberry Balsamic Sauce
1 Tablespoon Mustard Oil
For Marination
1 Tablespoon Homemade Pizza Seasoning
½ Teaspoon Salt or to taste
¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper powder
¼ Teaspoon Red Chilli Flakes
1/3 Cup Yogurt - whisked
1 Tablespoon Mustard Oil 

Method

Mix all the ingredients for the marinade and coat the chicken pieces well. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4-6 hours.

In a large frying pan, smear it with mustard oil. Place the chicken legs and sear on high flame for 2 minutes on each side or 

till the chicken legs get a browned on both sides. 

In a baking dish, add a tablespoon of mustard oil. Place the chicken thighs and smear strawberry balsamic sauce/glaze on top of the chicken legs, cover with a foil and bake at 200°C in a preheated oven for about 12 - 15 minutes. 

Then remove the foil and bake again for 6 minutes, after 3 minutes flip the sides of the chicken legs and it's done. 

Spicy Potato Wedges
Ingredients
3 Medium Potatoes - unpeeled, cut into wedges
1 Tablespoon Oil
1 Teaspoon Cumin Powder
1 Teaspoon Red Chilly powder
½ Teaspoon White Pepper powder
½ Teaspoon Heaped Sea Salt or to taste
½ Teaspoon Amchur Powder 

Method

Wash and scrub the potatoes clean. Then cut them into wedges.
Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and add the potato wedges. Boil for 5-6 minutes, then drain. Place the parboiled potatoes on a baking tray, drizzle with the oil, then toss to coat with all the spices ( I also added few parboiled broccoli florets).

Put the tray in the oven and roast at 200°C in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crisp.

This platter with Chicken Legs With Strawberry Balsamic Glaze, Spicy Potato Wedges and Nepali Style Vegetable Pulao, made a complete meal.. Enjoy!! 

Labels: Chicken, Baked, Strawberry, Balsamic Vinegar, Homemade Pizza Seasonings, Potato Wedges ,Baking Bloggers, Healthy, Main course, Complete Meal

Baking Bloggers January 2021

Using Jams & Preserves in Baking

• Culinary Adventures with Camilla is sharing Roasted Lamb with Bourbon-Plum Glaze
• Making Miracles is sharing Chicken Thighs in Raspberry Sauce
• Sid's Sea Palm Cooking is sharing Jelly Glazed Wings
• Cookaholic Wife is sharing Blackberry Crumble Bars
• Magical Ingredients is sharing Jam Pinwheel Cookies
• Karen's Kitchen Stories is sharing Shortbread Jam Cookies with a Streusel Topping
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice is sharing Orange Marmalade Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
• Palatable Pastime is sharing Jalapeno Lime Glazed Chicken
• Food Lust People Love is sharing Sticky Jammy Hot Wings
• Sneha's Recipe is sharing Chicken Legs With Strawberry Balsamic Glaze & Spicy Potato Wedges
• A Day in the Life on the Farm is sharing Pepper Jelly Glazed Chicken Breasts

Skillet Rosemary & White Wine Chicken Leg#Baking Bloggers

In baking bloggers, which is a group started by Sue , where in the topic for November month is baking in cast iron. I had purchase this lodge cast iron skillet many months back and had not yet used it. This theme gave me an opportunity to use it, thanks Sue for this wonderful theme.

Soft and juicy Cast Iron Skillet Chicken legs with fresh rosemary and white wine is so delicious, it's a hassle free, ready in less than 30 minutes! Just marinate the chicken and the veggies of your choice, pop the entire skillet in your oven and you will have tender, juicy chicken legs ! I have a small 23 cm skillet so one chicken leg with thigh can fit into it, added some halved red baby potatoes, a complete and power packed meal is ready. 

Ingredients
1 Chicken Leg with thigh
2 Sprigs of Fresh Rosemary
¼ Teaspoon Sumac
¼ Teaspoon Freshly Crushed Black pepper
¼ Cup White Wine
A Juice of one small Lemon
Salt to taste
4 Red Baby Potatoes
1 Teaspoon Olive Oil

Method 
Wash and pat dry the chicken with a kitchen paper towel. 

In bowl mix in the lemon juice, olive oil, rosemary, sumac, crushed pepper and salt to taste. Rub this marinade into the chicken well. Toss in the halved red baby potatoes into the remaining marinade and place them into the skillet along with the chicken leg.  

Pre-heat the oven with both elements on at 200 degrees. Before you pop the skillet into the oven pour in the white wine and bake for 30 minutes. After 15 minutes remove the skillet holding the handle with silicone gloves, turn the side of the chicken and potatoes, pop this back into the oven for another 15 minutes and its done.  

Yum yum juicy and tender Skillet Chicken legs are ready to enjoy!!

Labels : Skillet, Chicken, Baked, Baking Bloggers, Baby Potatoes, White Wine, Sumac, Rosemary, Healthy Dinners, Complete Meal  
Check the other recipe of : -
Baking Bloggers: Cast Iron Baking Baked Cheese and Sausage Ziti by Food Lust People Love
Blackberry Coffeecake Bites by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
Cast Iron Jalapeno & Honey Corn Bread by Hardly A Goddess
Dutch Oven Bread by Simply Inspired Meals
Dutch Oven Swiss Chocolate Cake by Daily Dish Recipes
Pull-Apart Garlic Rolls by Karen's Kitchen Stories
Skillet Apple Pie by Palatable Pastime
Skillet Cornbread with Bacon, Onion and Cheddar Cheese by Our Good Life
Skillet Rolls by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Skillet Rosemary & White Wine Chicken Legs by Sneha's Recipe