Air Fryer Whole Pomfret Fish In Cafreal Masala#Improv

I love baking/grilling the fish in the air fryer, for two reasons, one that the house does not smell of fish and the next you need not give attention to it. Place it in the air fryer basket and set the timer.. that's it. The fish got so nicely golden and was still juicy and delicious. Do try this adjust the spice level according to your taste. I love this spicy, the cafreal masala is so delicious, if you have this with steamed rice it will not be spicy, so do try this.

Ingredients
For One Medium Pomfret
4 Green Chillies
1 Bunch Coriander leaves
2" Piece Ginger
6 Cloves Garlic
½ Teaspoon Poppy Seeds
6 Whole Black Peppercorns
1 Small Piece Cinnamon
½ Teaspoon Heaped Cumin Seeds
¼ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
5 Cloves
2 Cardamons
1 Tablespoon Heaped Tamarind juice or Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
Salt to Taste

Method 

Grind all the ingredients to a fine paste. Add salt, taste for sourness add tamarind paste according and give it a pulse.  

Next, apply 2 tablespoons of the ground masala to the fish. Rub it in well. Leave to marinate 10 - 15 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer , 180°C, for 5 minutes. Brush the basket with oil and place the fish, set the timer for 5 minutes. 

Flip the fish and again set the timer for 5 minutes. It's ready!!

For the Sauce Coating

Heat oil in a frying pan add the remaining ground paste and wash the blender jar with ½ cup water, add that water too and fry till oil starts to leave the sides, add the fish gently to this masala and coat it well. 

The gravy should be nice and thick and coating the fish, but you can adjust to your preference. 

Serve it our a bed of steamed rice , cauliflower or enjoy it chapatti.
Enjoyed this with cauliflower rice, I added ¼ cup water to pan and a little of the cafreal paste saute the cauliflower rice and enjoyed with the fish. This was super delicious.

My Notes

I have not calculated the carb count for this. If you are very particular then check the carb count and accordingly enjoy this recipe. The carb count is only on the spices.

Labels: Keto, Low Carb, Fish, Improv Cooking Challenge, Air Fryer, Goan

Air Fryer Radishes from A Day in the Life on the Farm 

Beef Mince / Kheema With Vindaloo Masala#Improv

This has a fiery hot color and it tastes awesome. Mouthwatering and delicious, a recipe you must try. This is my mother's recipe, an East Indian dish.

Ingredients
¼ kg Beef Mince
2 Medium Onions - finely chopped
1 Large Tomato - blanched and skinned
1 Large Potato - cubed - optional
Finely Chopped Coriander Leaves for garnishing
3 Tablespoons Oil
Grind To Paste With Vinegar
3 Kashmir Chilies
3 Bedki Chillies
8 Cloves Garlic
1"Piece Ginger
½ Teaspoon Cumin seeds
¼ Teaspoon Turmeric powder

Method

Boil the kashmiri and bedki chillies in sufficient water with a tablespoon of vinegar, till they softened. Cool. Fish out the chillies and then grind with a rest of the ingredients with a tablespoon of vinegar to a fine paste. Add more water from the boiled chillies if necessary and grind to a thick paste. When this is finely ground add the tomato and grind this too along with masala. Keep this aside.

Heat oil in a vessel / pot and add chopped onions. Fry well add the tomato puree fry well add the masala paste and fry for a few minutes more.
Add mince and salt to taste, fry for 2 minutes then add the cubed potatoes with a cup of water and bring this to a boil. Cover and let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes or till done. If there is excess gravy then cook it without the lid till it is saucy. This is thick gravy dish. 

Garnish with chopped fresh coriander. enjoy this with Brun Pav or chapatis takes super yum !! 
Labels: Beef, Mince, Improv Cooking Challenge, East Indian, Main course, Vindaloo Masala

For May 2023 in Improv Cooking Challenge the theme is - Meat & Potatoes

Beef Mince / Kheema With Vindaloo Masala from Sneha's Recipe
Smoked Sausage and Potato Skillet from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Potatoes Stroganoff from Palatable Pastime

Keto Strawberry Microwave Muffin#Improv

This Keto Strawberry Muffin fits perfectly into that sweet spot for a sweet craving. It makes a perfect muffin for quick breakfast or dessert.
This muffin is moist, top it with whipped cream and you have a delicious dessert.
It’s no dissimilar to a mug cake (it is, in fact, a mug cake) and you can make this in your oven or microwave.

Serves 1
Ingredients
30 grams Almond Flour
½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
1 Egg
15 Grams Butter - melted
2 Teaspoons Keto Sweetener
½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
¼ Teaspoon Cinnamon powder
20 Grams Strawberries -1 Big chopped

Method

In a bowl, add in the melted butter (or microwave for 15 seconds to melt it), add the Keto sweetener, vanilla extract, and the egg and give it all a good mix till well combined.

Now add your dry ingredients to the bowl - the almond flour, baking powder and cinnamon powder and mix well.

Add in the chopped strawberries and gently fold through the mixture.  

Grease an microwave proof ramekin with butter and pour in the batter. Top with a couple of strawberries.  Microwave on high for 90 seconds. If a toothpick poked through the center comes out clean, your muffin is done.

Serve warm or chilled, depending on your preference. 

Nutrition Info (Per serving)
Net Carbs: 3g
Carbs: 6g
Fat: 32g
Protein: 13g
Fiber: 3g
Labels: Single Serving, Keto, Low Carb, Microwave, Muffins, Strawberry, Healthy, Sugar Free, Diabetic Friendly, Almond Flour, Improv Cooking Challenge

Improv March 2023 No Sugar Sweets
• Citrus and Mint Salad with Honey Dressing by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Keto Strawberry Microwave Muffin by Sneha's Recipes  

Grilled Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich#Improv

This is peanut butter and jelly with a twist. The kids and adults will love it!
Serves 2
Ingredients
2 Tablespoon Butter
4 Slices White Bread
2 Tablespoons Any flavor fruit jelly - used Strawberry
2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter - I used Sugar Free

Method 
Heat a griddle or skillet.

Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Spread jelly on the unbuttered side of one slice of bread; spread peanut butter on the other unbuttered side. Place bread slices together, so peanut butter and jelly are in the middle. 

Grill on the preheated griddle until golden brown and heated through, about 3 - 4 minutes per side.

Serve hot enjoy with a cup of tea or hot cocoa!
Labels: Peanut Butter, Jelly, Sandwiches, Breakfast, Grilled, Improv Cooking Challenge, Serves Two

February Improv Cooking Challenge 

 Peanut Butter & Jelly

• Sneha’s Recipe Grilled Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich  
• Faith, Hope, Luck & Love Despite a Whiskered Accomplice Raspberry & Peanut Butter Glazed Crescent Rolls  
• Magical Ingredients Vegan Protein PBJ Baked Oats 

Winter Bahar#Improv

This is a perfect winter drink (home remedy) to warm up the chest and throat. Give ¼ cup of this warm drink to kids having cough, cold and this will give them great relief. We love to have this instead of our evening tea in winters. Make this fresh for health benefits. 

Ingredients
1 Tablespoon Cumin seeds
1 Inch Piece Ginger - lightly crushed
2 Cups Water
Few Pieces Of Lemon Grass Leaves
3 Tablespoons Honey
½ Teaspoon Lemon Juice

Method  

Heat a saucepan add cumin seeds and dry roast till it releases an aroma, then add ginger , this also roast, take off flame then add water 2 cups and let it sit for 4 minutes then so that cumin flavor is infused in the water. Then boil it at fresh lemon grass and let ti boil then remove the leaves and strain add Honey mix well add lemon juice. 

Serve warm!! This is perfect to drink when having cold, cough and will give relief.
Labels: Juices, Lemongrass, Homemade, Honey, Ginger, Improv Cooking Challenge 
January Improv Cooking Challenge 

Honey & Ginger 

Honey Ginger Chicken Stir Fry by A Day in the Life on the Farm 

Sesame Ginger Honeynut Squash by Maigcal Ingredients

Winter Bahar by Sneha’s Recipe  

Colorful Peppers Pulao#Improv

Colorful Peppers Pulao is an easy, quick and delicious one-pot meal rice made with 3 different bell peppers/capsicum, aromatics and herbs. The best thing about this recipe is that you can use leftover rice too. Perfect for lunch box or kid's tiffin.

Ingredients
½ Each of Red, Yellow, Orange & Green Bell Peppers
½ medium sized Red/ purple Onion
3 Green Chilies - thinly sliced
1 Teaspoon Urad Dal
1 Tablespoon Homemade Curry Powder
1½ Cups  Rice 
2-3 Tablespoons Oil 
2½ Cups Water

Method  

Dice into little cubes all the colored bell peppers
Heat a frying pan with a tablespoon of oil and sauté the peppers, sliced green chillies and with a pinch salt, and a teaspoon of curry powder. Remove and keep aside.

In the same pressure cooker heat 2 tablespoons of oil, add the urad dal, when it starts to brown add in the rice and sauté it for a minute lightly stirring it or else the rice will break. Then add in the curry powder and sauté again for a minute, add salt to taste and give a good mix. Add in the water and bring this to a rolling boil. Close the cooker and take 2 whistles on high flame. After 2 whistles switch off the flame. 

Let the pressure release on it's own. Open the cooker and stir in the sautéed bell peppers and green chillies lightly fluff the rice with a fork so that the bell pepper as incorporated and the rice is loosen nicely. Serve warm, garnished with chopped coriander leaves.

Enjoy this simple yet completely healthy and wholesome one pot meal! 
Labels: Colored Bell Peppers, Capsicum, Pulao, Pressure Cooker, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free, Improv Cooking Challenge, Main course, Curry powder, Homemade

December Improv Cooking Challenge

Red & Green Foods
• • Red and Green Quinoa and Steak Bowl by Pandemonium Noshery
  • Strawberry Spinach Salad by Palatable Pastime
  • Colorful Peppers Pulao by Sneha’s Recipe
  • Tuscan Tortellini Soup by A Day in the Life on the Farm
  • Grinch Green Pancakes by Cookaholic Wife 

Chicken Dilruba#Improv

Chicken Dilruba is really a heart catching dish and a unique in its preparation too. The addition of saffron and almonds makes it different. It's a delicious blend of all the flavorful ingredients that turns the chicken into awesome main course dish, which is perfect to serve with roti, naan or paratha.

Ingredients
1 Kg Chicken in bone - cut into pieces
1 Teaspoon Green Chilies paste
2 Large Onions - grind to paste
¾ Cup Oil
10 Whole Almonds 10
10 Whole Cashew nuts 10
1½ Teaspoons Melon seeds
2 Teaspoons Red chili powder
½ Cup Milk
½ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
½ Teaspoon Saffron strands
1 Cup Yogurt - whisked
2 Teaspoons Ginger Garlic paste
1 Teaspoon Garam Masala powder
1 Teaspoon Heaped Roasted Cumin powder
1 Teaspoon Salt or to taste

Method

Grind almonds, cashew nuts and melon seeds to a fine paste with half of the milk.
In remaining milk add the saffron and keep it aside
In a large pan/kadai heat oil. Fry the onion paste until it start to change color. Then add ginger garlic paste and fry it nicely till the raw aroma goes. Add the chicken with and fry till it turns pink to white. Add the whisked yogurt and cook until oil separates. 

Then add the ground nuts paste with red chilly , turmeric, saffron, cumin powder, salt and ½ cup water.
Mix very well, cover with a lid and cook on low flame until chicken tender and oil surfaces, stirring after every 2 minutes. Now add the saffron milk and give it a good mix. Cover and let it simmer for another 3 - 4 minutes stirring in between. Switch off the flame . Serve hot with naan or paratha.

Enjoy this very delicious yummy tempting mouthwatering recipe which is easy to make and is tempting and mouthwatering like served at a restaurant.
Labels: Chicken, Improv Cooking Challenge, Main course

This month in Improv Cooking Challenge the theme is Chicken and Nuts.

Palatable Pastime - Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad
A Day in the Life on the Farm - Pecan Chicken with Maple Pecan Sauce
Sneha's Recipes - Chicken Dilruba  

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 & Cheese Open Sandwiches#Improv

Like to have something good and delicious with breakfast or for an evening snack, then these quick and easy sandwiches are easy to make.

Ingredients
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Tablespoon All Purpose Flour
1 Cup Milk
2 Cubes Processed Cheese - grated
1 Cup Grilled Chicken - I used rotisserie
Salt & Black Pepper to taste taste
1 Spring Onion/Scallion - finely chopped
1 Green Capsicum - chopped
½ Teaspoon Red Chilly Flakes
1 Teaspoon Butter
Bread Slices - as required

Method

Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour, sauté for a minute then add milk a little at a time, make sure to stir well so that no lumps form. Bring the mixture to the boil, stirring constantly, so that the mixture thickens and becomes glossy. Add grated cheese, mix well , switch off the flame.

In a another pan add the butter when melted just toss the chopped capsicum, spring onion, shredded chicken and chilly flakes for a minute. Switch off the flame. Mix this with cheese sauce.

Apply this mixture to the bread slices and grill it in a sandwich toaster or apply this to a toasted slices of bread and Enjoy!!
I have make these both ways they both taste awesome.
They were so..ooo good.

Labels: Improv Cooking Challenge, Open Sandwiches, Chicken, Cheese, Kids delight, Breakfast, Snack 

 Improv Cooking Challenge

Cheese & Onions

• Beef Tenderloin Sandwiches by Palatable Pastime
• Cheese Toasts by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Chicken & Cheese Open Sandwiches by Sneha's Recipes
• Paneer Burji Potstickers by Magical Ingredients
• Welsh Onion Cake by Pandemonium Noshery