Recipe> Alu Tehri

Image: Alu Tehri

I found this recipe incredibly simple to make. Alu Tehri comes to the rescue on days when you don't feel like cooking or the arrival of sudden guests for lunch or dinner. All the ingredients are readily available at home, making it one of the most simple yet lavish vegetarian pulaos to make.

Ingredients

• 500 gms Basmati Rice
• 500 gms Potatoes
• 1tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 inch piece ginger
• 5 large garlic flakes
• 2 big onions
• Refined Oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped

Method

1. Wash the rice and soak for 20 mins. Peel and cut the potatoes into cubes and slice the onions finely.
2. Crush the ginger and garlic and soak it in a little water.
3. Heat oil and fry the onions till golden brown. Remove and keep aside.
4. Fry the potatoes till golden brown and remove.
5. In the same oil, add coriander, chilli and turmeric powder and fry gently.
6. Sprinkle the ginger and garlic juice and add the remains in the oil.
7. Stir and cook for a few minutes and then add the soaked rice after removing the water.
8. Add the fried potatoes, and cook for a while while mixing it well.
9. Add water to the rice one inch above the rice level and reduce the heat to low. You can also add double portion of water (1:2 ratio). If cooking in a pressure cooker, wait till the water starts to boil and then cover the lid. Give one whistle on high flame and another on low and shut the gas. If cooking the rice in an open vessel, then cook the rice till done for at least half an hour.
10. Garnish the rice with fried onions and fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with accompaniments like daal, pickle or raita.

Recipe> Stir Fry Broccoli with Mushrooms and Paneer

Image: Stir fry broccoli with mushrooms & paneer

This vegetarian dish is simply fantastic. Serve it hot along with fried brown rice and you'll keep wanting for more.

1

Ingredients

• 450gms paneer (you can also opt for tofu if you like)
• 1 and half cup broccoli florets
• 3 tsp sesame oil/ olive oil/ refined oil
• 5-6 nos. spring onions thinly sliced
• 5-6 tbsp of finely chopped garlic
• 2 and ½ tsp soya sauce
• 3-4 tbsp toasted almond sliced
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Cut the paneer into small cubes.
2. Steam broccoli for 5 mins till crisp.
3. Heat 2tsp oil in a wok. Add paneer and cook while stirring constantly for 5 mins till it browns and transfer to a bowl.
4. Add the remaining 1 tsp oil to wok. Add the spring onions, garlic, pepper and broccoli. Stir fry for 2 mins on medium heat.
5. Stir in soya sauce, almonds and paneer and mix gently.
6. Serve hot with the fried brown rice.

Recipe> Fried Brown Rice

Image: Fried brown rice served with stir fry vegetables

This is a simple recipe that I came across in a health magazine. The best part being, after having brown rice for dinner, it does not make you feel as heavy when you have the usual white rice.

1

Ingredients

• 1 and ½ cup brown rice
• 25 gms sliced onions
• 1 cup red, green and yellow capsicum (thinly sliced)
• 4-5 tsp finely chopped garlic
• 2-3 tsp olive oil/ refined oil
• 1-2 tsp fresh ground pepper
• Salt to taste

Method

1. Boil the brown rice for 15 mins, drain and keep aside.
2. Heat the oil in a work and fry onions and garlic till light brown.
3. Add brown rice and stir fry for five mins.
4. Add the coloured capsicums and stir fry for another minute and sprinkle salt and pepper.
5. Serve hot with stir fry broccoli and paneer.