Chicken Xacuti#AlphabetChallenge

Chicken Xacuti is actually pronounced as shakuti. The pronunciation "Shakuti" is derived from the word "Chacuti" which is Portuguese. The Xacuti masala that I have used is made by my sister in law's family and it consists of poppy seeds, Goa chillies and other spices. This is a tried and tested recipe. This masala is easily available in super markets and cold storages in Mumbai. This is another yummy traditional Goan recipe. 

Ingredients
700 Grams Chicken - cut into 10 pieces
For Marination
1 Teaspoon Ginger - Garlic paste
2 Tablespoons Curds
¼ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
½ Teaspoon Salt
For the Masala - Grind To Paste
2 Green Chilles
1/2 Teaspoon Ginger - grated
5 Cloves Garlic
2 Tablespoons Coriander leaves
1 Onion - finely chopped
To be dry roasted then ground to paste
1/3 Cup Grated Coconut
1 Teaspoon Rice - washed and drained
Other Ingredients
1/3 Cup Oil
1 Onion - finely sliced
1 Tomato - finely sliced
½ Teaspoon Salt
2 Tablespoons Xacuti Masala
Method

Marinate the chicken with curds, ginger-garlic paste, salt and turmeric and keep aside at least for 2 hours.
Dry roast the coconut and rice till light golden in color and then grind to fine paste with a little water.
Grind the ingredients for the masala to fine paste and keep aside.

In a kadai heat oil add the onions and fry till light golden in color then add the tomatoes fry till mushy and oil leaves the sides. Add the ground masala paste, coconut paste and fry again till oil leaves the sides, add the xacuti masala and little water, continue to fry again till oil leaves the sides. Add the marinate chicken and fry till the masala coats the chicken well. Add water, salt and a cup water, give it a quick stir. Cover and cook till chicken is done. Adjust consistency of the gravy by adding water as required. This gravy is on a thicker side so do not add more water. 

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot a rice or rotis. Enjoy!!

Labels: Alphabet Challenge, Chicken, Goan, Goa, Indian, Main course

Let's take a look at the recipes being shared today with Alphabet "X"
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Brothless Ramen with XO Sauce 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Chicken Xacuti 
• Mayuri’s JikoniMushroom Xacuti 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: X’s & O’s (Hugs & Kisses) Brown Sugar Cookies
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Xavier Soup 
• Blogghetti: Xiaodianxin Recipe 
• Food Lust People Love: Xmas Eggnog Fudge 
• Culinary Cam: Xoconostle Tartlets 
• Magical Ingredients: Xoconostle Xnipec Paratha 
• A Messy Kitchen: Xoi - Vietnamese Sticky Rice 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Xylocarp Cocktail 

Veggies Mixed Dal Khichdi#Alphabet Challenge

It's in most people minds that khichdi as a meal for the sick people or it is served to kids its bland and tasteless. But now a days, dal khichdi has become very famous and it has got a place in the restaurant menus as well. A simple and healthy dish ideally served for lunch and dinner, super delicious and satisfying meal.

Serves 7
Measurement 1 cup = 150 ml
Ingredients
1 Cup Rice
1 Cup Mixed Dal ( yellow moong, masoor, tur & chana dal)
8 Cups Water
½ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
½ Teaspoon Red Chilly powder
1 Teaspoon Meat Masala
¼ Teaspoon Red Chilly Flakes
Salt to taste
1 Tablespoons Desi Ghee
10 French Beans - chopped
1 Small Potato - diced
1 Carrot - diced
½ Cup Green Peas
8 Florets Cauliflower
1 Medium Onion - chopped
1 Medium Tomato - chopped
1 Teaspoon Ginger Garlic paste
½ Teaspoon Cumin seeds
For The Tadka
2 Tablespoons Desi Ghee
1 Teaspoon Mustard seeds
2 - 3 Button Red Chillies
¼ Teaspoon Asafoetida
¼ Teaspoon Red Chilly powder
Method
Wash & soak dal for around 30 minutes to an hour. After the soaking time add it to large pressure cooker along with washed rice. Add 5 cups water and salt to taste. Cook it for 2 whistles on high flame. Let the cooker cool.

In a large kadai /pot heat desi ghee, add cumin seeds when they splutter add the chopped onions sauté till it turns translucent. 

Add the ginger garlic pate and sauté for a minute. Add all the veggies and tomato fry on high flame for a minute.

Then add all the dry spices and salt to taste for the veggies. Fry for a minute or two. Now add 2 cups water and bring this to a boil. Then reduce the flame, cover and cook till the veggies are nearly done. 

Now add the cooked rice dal and and a another cup of hot water, give it a good mix. Taste for salt add if necessary, cover and cook for 2 - 3 minutes stirring in between or else it will burn at the bottom. Switch off the flame.
For The Tadka

Heat ghee in a tadka pan, add mustard seeds when they splutter add the button red chillies and give it a stir, add asafoetida and switch off the flame. Then add the red chilly powder and pour this over the khichdi . Cover it let is rest for 2 - 3 minutes.

Stir and serve garnished with coriander leaves. Enjoy with this raita and papad. 

Labels: Alphabet Challenge, Khichdi, Lentils, Rice, Mixed Veggies, Healthy, Main course, Indian, Gluten Free Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Vanilla Mug Cake 

Culinary Cam: Teriyaki Sauce-Swabbed Venison Burgers on Seeded Sourdough Buns  

Sneha’s Recipe: Veggies Mixed Dal Khichdi 

Karen’s Kitchen Stories: No Churn Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream 

Blogghetti: Homemade Vanilla Latte 

 Mayuri’s Jikoni: Vegetable Cutlets

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Vietnamese Chicken Stirfry

A Messy Kitchen: Tropical Vols Au Vents 

 Food Lust People Love: Spicy Vinegar Braised Chicken

Magical Ingredients: Val Dal Veggie Paratha

Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Sweet & Spicy Balsamic Vinegar Deviled Eggs

Belizean Rice and Beans#EaTTheWorld

Rice and Beans is one of the most popular foods in Belize and the national dish of the country. The rice is cooked with coconut milk to give the dish a rich, tropical flavor but it’s made even more tasty by the addition of red kidney beans! . Serve this as a side with any protein for a yummy meal! The  beans add some protein and fiber to the dish, making it more filling and healthy to eat.
The best part of this recipe that it is vegan and gluten free. For this recipe I have used dried kidney beans, you can use a can of cooked beans to reduce the time and make a quick meal.

Serves 3
Ingredients
To Cook The Beans
1/3 Cup Dried Red Kidney Beans
1½ Cup Water
Salt to taste
To Make The Rice & Beans 
1 Cup Long Grain Rice
Cooked Red Kidney Beans
1 Small Onion - chopped
1 Clove Garlic - chopped
½ Teaspoon Dried Thyme

1 Cup Coconut milk
2 Cups Water - I used 2nd & 3rd extract of the coconut milk 
Salt, to taste
2 Tablespoons Oil or Desi Ghee

Method

Rinse the beans in water and soak them for at least 4 hours. Then place them in pressure cooker with water, and cook on high for one whistle then reduce the flame and cook it for 10 minutes on medium look flame. When cooker cools open and check if the beans are cooked but firm. Drain the beans and keep aside.

In a large heat oil add the onions and garlic sauté till the onions are translucent. Then add the rice and sauté for a minute or two. Add salt, thyme, cooked beans, thin & thick coconut milk. Lightly give it good mix. Bring this to a rolling boil and place the lid, on the pot, reduce the flame to medium low, let it cook for 10 - 15 minutes. After 12 - 15 minutes remove the lid and check if the rice is cooked and all the moisture is absorbed by the rice. Fluff the rice with a fork. Serve hot with potato salad or any protein of your choice. Enjoy this Belizean Rice & Beans!

Labels: Belize, International Cuisine, Rice, Red Kidney beans, Coconut milk, Vegan, Gluten Free, Main Course, Eat The World 

Belize Final HTML

• Belizian Panty Ripper by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Belizean Rice and Beans by Sneha's Recipe
• Pan de Muerto by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Two French Sweets that Landed in Belize: Rum Cakes and Coconut Sugar Cakes by Culinary Cam

Keto Tacos With Meatballs#SundayFunday

Build you own Keto Meatballs tacos they are seriously good in tacos– they fill them up nicely and make delicious mouthfuls of juicy flavor. Add mayonnaise, crisp and crunchy veggies and see the expression on their faces when they are enjoying these tacos.. so yummy!
Made 10 Meatballs
Ingredients 

250 grams Ground Pork -or whichever meat your prefer
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper powder
½ Teaspoon Pink Himalayan Salt
¼ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
¼ Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
1 - 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil/Bacon Fat for frying
Low Carb Tortillas / Flatbread- as required 
Cheese Spread
Shredded Carrot, Cucumber
Thinly Sliced Onion, Tomato & Avocado
Mayonnaise
Sriracha Sauce
Method

In a large mixing bowl add all the dry spices mix along with the ground pork, salt and give everything a good mix. Take a small ball of the mix and make meat balls.

Heat the cooking fat in a cast iron skillet or frying pan and then pan fry the meatballs for about 3-4 minutes on each side till fully cooked.

Take a low carb taco size flatbread ( see recipes on my blog), apply cheese spread to the base, then add the avocado, meat balls, then the shredded cucumber, carrot, onions, a drizzle of mayonnaise & Sriracha sauce on top.
Fold & Enjoy!!

Labels: Mexican, Sunday Funday, Tacos, Pork, Meatball, Appetizer, Main course, Keto, Low Carb, International Cuisine

See the other Taco recipes
• Carnitas Taco Salad by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Chicken Tinga Tacos by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Creamy Chicken Taco Soup by Food Lust People Love
• Crispy Baked Chicken Taquitos by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Crispy Grilled Shrimp Tacos by Culinary Cam 
• Easy Spicy Jackfruit Tacos by Cook with Renu 
• Keto Tacos with Meatballs by Sneha's Recipe 
• Veggie Taquitos by Mayuri's Jikoni 

Red Pepper Mushroom#SundayFunday

Red Pepper Mushroom is a simple, dish made with mushrooms & peppers. This is a spicy, tasty and full of flavor sabzi recipe.

Ingredients

4 - 5 Kashmiri Red Chillies - soak in warm water for an hour
1/2 Cumin Seeds
8 Flakes Garlic
1 Inch piece Ginger
1 Large onion - Sliced
1 Large Tomato - Sliced
1 Large Capsicum - Chopped
1 Packed of Mushroom - sliced
1/4 Cup Oil
3/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Sugar
1 Teaspoon Kasuri Methi 

Method 
Grind to fine paste the chillies, cumin ginger and garlic.

In a pan heat oil add the sliced onions and sauté till light brown then add the ground paste and the little water, sauté till oil leaves. Then add the tomatoes, sauté till mixed, cover and cook till the tomatoes are mushy and oil floats on top. Then add the kasuri methi, capsicum and mushroom sauté for a minute, add salt, cover and cook on low flame till done and oil leaves the side. Add the sugar and give a quick stir. Bring down from flame and serve hot with chapattis or rotis. 

Labels: Mushroom, Sunday Funday, Spicy, Indian, Main course

Sue of PalatablePastime served up Chicken and Mushrooms in Wine Sauce
Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm made Mushroom Paprikash with Homemade Spaetzle
Mayuri of Mayuri's Jikoni created Mushroom Spinach Hand Pies
Amy of Amy's Cooking Adventures shares Sauteed Mushrooms, Onions, & Peppers
Stacy of Food Lust People Love made Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms
Renu of Cook with Renu served up an Easy Vegan Mushroom Pulau (Instant Pot Lunchbox Recipe)
Sneha of Sneha's Recipe shares Red Pepper Mushroom  

Quick Potato Instant Sambar - Without Dal#AlphabetChallenge

Sambar is one of the staple dish in a South Indian house. of all time. It pairs well with dosa, idly and even rice. I have posted few recipes on my blog. You can check all of them below. This Quick Potato Instant Sambar made without Dal is an easy recipe to try when you don't have that much time on hand or other vegetables.

Ingredients 3 - 4 Baby Potato – cut into halves
1 Small Onion – cut into four parts
1 Medium Tomato – – roughly chopped
2 Green Chillies – slit and de seeded
1½ + 1½ Homemade Instant Sambar powder
1 Teaspoon Heaped Tamarind - soaked in warm water
1 Teaspoon Jaggery or Sugar
1 Teaspoon Level Salt or to taste
A Sprig Curry Leaves
1 Tablespoon Chopped Coriander leaves
1 Tablespoon Oil
For The Tadka/Tempering

2 Tablespoons Oil
1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
2 Whole Dried Red Chillies
A Pinch Asafoetida
A Sprig Curry leaves

Method 

Heat a pot with a tablespoon oil, add in potato, tomato, onions, green chillies, 1½  tablespoon Homemade Instant Sambar powder, mix well. Add 600 Ml  water and bring it to a rolling boil, cover, reduce the flame to low and let it simmer it for 20 to 30 mins till the potato is cooked. When the potato is cooked add the remaining  1½  tablespoon Homemade Instant Sambar powder, tamarind pulp, salt and jaggery and add water to adjust the sambar consistency.  Mix well and simmer for 5 minutes so that the flavors can marry. 

If at this stage you feel the sambar is watery, just mash one piece of potato, this will thicken the gravy when it slightly cools. 

For  The Tadka/Tempering

Heat oil  in a tadka pan, add in mustard and cumin seeds when they crackle add, whole red chilly , the asafoetida and mix well, add the curry leaves and take off flame.  Wait for a minute then add just ½  teaspoon Kashmiri red chilly powder , to give a nice color to the sambar. 

Pour this over the sambar and cover with a lid so that flavors can blend.  After 5 minutes, mix it lightly, add in coriander leaves. 

Serve with rice or idli or dosa.

Labels: Sambar, Instant Sambar Masala Powder, South Indian, Potato, Vegan, Gluten free, Vegetarian, Main course, Breakfast, Brunch, Idli, Dosa, Alphabet Challenge

A Day in the Life on the Farm: Asian Quinoa Salad
Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Butternut Squash Taco Ravioli with Queso Fresco
Food Lust People Love: Cointreau Glazed Orange Quick Bread
Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Loaded Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Palatable Pastime: Quebecoise Pommes Persillade
Culinary Cam: Quesabirria Tacos
Magical Ingredients: Queso Paratha
Sneha’s Recipe: Quick Potato Instant Sambar - Without Dal
A Messy Kitchen: Quinoa Crunch Bars
Mayuri’s Jikoni: Quinoa Paniyaram
Blogghetti: Sheet Pan Quesadillas
Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Whole Wheat Quinoa Bread 

Vegetable & Paneer Sizzler#SundayFunday

Sizzlers are a favorite with my friends, as they are complete meal and sizzling hot, with tikkis, rice, stir-fried vegetables, French fries, and noodles etc. Sizzlers are a complete meal and healthy too. This vegetable sizzler is one of those recipes that are really simple to make at home. Do try it this!

The rice pulao and potato tikki is made by my friend.

Ingredients
For the Marination
200 Grams Firm Paneer/Cottage Cheese - cubed
Salt to taste
2 Tablespoon Milk
½ Teaspoon Heaped Black Pepper Powder
Other Ingredients
½ Cup Corn Flour
½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
For The Sauce
1 Tablespoons Oil
½ Tablespoon Minced Garlic
1 Green Chilly - slit
2 Tablespoons Homemade Szechwan Sauce
¼ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
1 Capsicum - sliced
½Tablespoon Corn Flour mixed in ¼ cup water
Method 

Marinate paneer cubes with. milk, salt, black pepper. Thread them on wooden skewers .Keep aside for 30 minutes
In a bowl mix corn flour, a pinch of salt and baking powder, coat each paneer cube in this.
Pan fry the skewers, till golden turning the sides of the skewers.
For The Sauce

Heat oil in a pot/kadai, add minced garlic and chilies, fry for 2 minutes. Add Szechwan sauce, red pepper flakes and ½ cup water and bring it to a boil then add capsicum sauté for 1 minute. Thicken the gravy with corn flour slurry, keep stirring till it thicken. Switch off the flame Ready to be served.

For The Sautéed Veggies
Parboiled Carrot Sticks
Parboiled French Beans
Sliced Bell Peppers
Parboiled Baby Corns
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Tablespoon Oil
Black Pepper powder and salt as required

Method 

Heat oil & butter, sauté the veggies till coated, sprinkle a dash of pepper and salt. Sautéed Veggies are read, keep aside.

For The Szechwan Noodles
1 Packets Egg Noodles
2 Tablespoons Heaped Homemade Szechwan Sauce
½ Cup Noodle Stock
½ Tablespoon Minced Garlic
Salt to taste
1 Tablespoons Oil

Method

Boil the noodles as per packet instructions.
Heat oil in a pan, add minced garlic, sauté for a minute, then add the Szechwan sauce , noodle stock, salt to taste and let the water boil add the noodles and toss till coated. Keep aside
French Fries to serve
To Assemble The Sizzler Platter

Heat up the sizzler plate on medium high for 30 to 45 minutes. Be real quick with these steps. Lower the heat. Place the cabbage leaves so as to cover the entire surface of the plate. Now place the sauted vegetables on one side then the French fries , paneer skewers , pulao rice, noodles and potato tikki. Pour the Szechwan gravy over the paneer skewers.

Sprinkle spring onions over it. Add chilled cube of butter under the cabbage leaves and the sizzling will start immediately & Enjoy!

Labels: Chinese, Asian Cuisine, Sizzler Platter, Vegetarian, Paneer, Noodles, French Fries, Complete Meal, Sunday Funday, Schezwan Sauce, Main course

For our event called Sunday Funday, wherein we share recipes our families will love to enjoy on a Sunday. The theme for this event is Complete Meal.  

Culinary Cam: Calamari à la Plancha + Patatas Bravas
Mayuri's Jikoni: Gujarati Thali & Panakam
A Day in the Life on the Farm: Mixed Grill Platter
Amy's Cooking Adventures: Steak Fajitas
Palatable Pastime: Teriyaki Shrimp Sizzler
Sneha's Recipe: Vegetable & Paneer Sizzler
Cook with Renu : Waffle, Pancake, Brownie, and Fruit sizzler

Lemon Rice/Chitranna#Alphabet Challenge

Chitranna in Kannada is also known as lemon rice. It's a rice-based dish widely prepared in South India. Lemon rice is one of the most popular South Indian rice recipes. It is a real comfort food. Quick and easy to make with all ingredients in your pantry. This can be made with leftover cooked rice, is a crunchy, flavorful, tasty and tangy dish that is easy to make and tastes so good. 

Lemon juice, fried nuts and spices combine perfectly to give this steamed rice an amazing spicy, tangy and nutty flavor. The nuts add a crunch for the perfect rice dish texture. This vegan lemon rice recipe is sure to become one of your favorite rice dishes and gets ready in just 10 minutes.

1 Cup = 200 Ml

Serves Two
Ingredients

¾ Cup Rice 
3 - 4 Tablespoon Oil
A pinch Asafoetida
1 Teaspoon Mustard seeds
2 Sprig Curry leaves
3 Whole Dried Red chillies
1 Teaspoon Level Turmeric powder
2 Tablespoons Lemon juice or to taste
3 Tablespoons Raw Peanuts
1 Teaspoon Urad dal
1 Teaspoon Chana dal
½ Teaspoon Grated Ginger - optional
Salt to taste

Method

Wash and cook the rice with salt till done, do not over cook it. Drain and let it cool completely.
Heat oil in a wok / kadai, add mustard seeds and chana dal and urad dal let it mustard seeds splutter and the dals start to brown. Immediately add asafoetida, curry leaves, ginger, red chilli and peanuts. Saute them well till the peanuts turn dark brown. Then add turmeric powder followed by rice. 

Turn around a few times so the rice is completely mixed and is warmed. Add salt and lemon juice to the rice and mix well.

Serve hot. Enjoy with Chutney, raita and papad.
Labels: Cooked Rice, Lemon juice, Peanuts, Urad dal, Chana dal, South Indian, Main Course, Vegan, Gluten free, Vegetarian, Serves Two, Alphabet Challenge

• Sneha’s Recipe: Lemon Rice/Chitranna 
• Food Lust People Love: Easy Lamb and Fresh Tomato Curry
• Culinary Cam: Lingcod Over Legumes 
• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Lemon Vinaigrette 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Melody’s Homemade Lemonade 
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Mediterranean Lentil Salad 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Barbecue Pork Lo Mein 
• Blogghetti Lemon Pepper Tilapia Sheet Pan Dinner 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Fresh Dill Deviled Eggs with a Hint of Lemon 
• Palatable Pastime: Liver and Onions 
• A Messy Kitchen: Lemon Balm Jelly