Mushroom in Tomato

Mushrooms are one of my favorites.

I’m a die-hard fan.

The first time I had mushrooms was when I was 10 I guess.

We were in a small town then and was never aware of a “veg” called Mushroom.

It was this “Chinese Restaurant” in Koti(Hyderabad) – Sidartha Chinese Restaurant.

That was the first time I’ve ever stepped in a Chinese Restro  and had everything first time there.  Fried Noodles , Mushrooms . Wow! I can never ever forget that “feeling/experience”. Even now; after almost 2 decaded – whenever I pass by – I miss my heartbeat. As if – it was my first crush. I could never ever get the same taste of those noodles.

Coming to Mushrooms – my husband detests them – and I love them.

And; that does not stop me from preparing these highly nutritious things.

Ingredients:

1.       Mushroom – 200 gms

2.       Green Chillies – Slit : 4-5

3.       Onions – Medium Sized –Sliced – 2

4.       Tomato – Medium Sized – Cut into cubes – 2

5.       Mustard Seed – 1 Tsp

6.       Zeera – 1 Tsp

7.       Curry Leafs – 10

8.       Coriander

9.       Garlic – Finely Chopped – 5

10.   Ginger-Garlic Paste – 1Tsp

11.   Coriander Powder – ½ Tsp

12.   Garam Masala Powder – ¼ Tsp

13.   Oil –  2 Tb Sp

14.   Salt – according to taste

15.   Red Chilly Powder – 2 Tsp

16.   Turmeric Powder – ½ Tsp

Preparation Method:

• Wash mushrooms with salt added in it.
• Salt is said to be a good cleanser.
• Cut mushrooms into cubes.
• Take a skillet – add oil to it.
• When oil is hot enough – add mustard,Jeera, garlic.
• Once they splutter – add green chillies, sliced onions.
• Let the onions turn slightly brown.
• Add  turmeric, Ginger-Garlic paste,  finely chopped Curry Leaf and Coriander.
• Adding chopped curry leaf at this juncture would retain all its iron and goodness instead of burning it off in the oil. I’m somehow got hooked up with curry leaf – and I’m using it at plenty. You may as well skip it and with it all the goodness too .
• After 3-4 minutes – add mushroom and mix well.
• Let it sit for 5 mins – now add tomatoes, salt and chilly powder.
• Cover it with lid.
• After 5 mins – if required pour some water .
• It might take 10 minutes for the mushrooms to get cooked.
• Before you take off add garam masala powder, coriander powder and freshly chopped coriander.
• Mix well and take off after 2 minutes.

I served this with moong dal and hot rice.

I savored it like crazy. My husband too – a very nice chap – had it without any complaints of disliking mushrooms. I’m sure he relished it – but would not say it.

I remember during my brief stay at Chicago – my bhabhi is an awesome cook – she made this mushroom curry. Simple but was so delicious – I had it as if I’m starved for a month and gorged on it for 2  days.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I have a little story behind preparing this.

One evening my  husband was mentioning about this "Continental" outlet near his office.

He was in absolute awe of the "Steamed Chicken with Mashed Potatoes"

I was like what is the price - and it was some Rs.300-/- odd.

WTH!!! Too expensive for speck of bland , white boiled chicken and potatoes.

It was then i decided to prove my husband - what a waste expenditure it was.

I did'nt know how it tasted - i did'nt know how it looks - but i took the resolution to cook.

I did ask him - how it tasted.

A bit salty, creamy and smooth.

I did search Google.

When i've gone through the recipe - i was like WTF!!!

Damn too easy and cheap and that smart restaurant fellow sold for 300???

Anyways - here we go.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes - 3 (Medium Sized)
• Milk - 3/4 Cup
• Butter - 1 Cube
• Salt - As per taste
• Pepper - As per taste
• Garlic - 7 Cloves(Finely Chopped)

Method:

• Cut the potatoes in cubes
• Take a pressure cooker - put the cut potatoes - pour enough water - let it boil for 3-4 whistles.
• Count of whistles depends on your cooker .
• Boil them so that they should be easily pierced by a fork.
• When they boil - mash them to a paste.
• Meanwhile take a pan - add a speck of butter and saute the minced garlic.
• Take out the garlic from the pan - onto a plate
• Pour in milk and add butter to the same pan.
• Heat it so that you melt the butter - but do not boil
• Now add salt, pepper and sauteed garlic.
• Add these mashed potatoes and mix well.
• Serve hot - Garnish with coriander .

I did make it - and did taste my first mashed potatoes.

It was great!!!

My husband liked it a looot too.

Simplest recipe - rich in carbs and is healthy fro breakfast.

Fresh n Spicy Carrot Salad

Carrot salad is my favorite. For the rich saffron color and the taste. I don’t like to much on carrot as such – but the grated carrot with addendums to it – makes it yummy. I found these beautiful spring onions in my refrigerator – thought I’ll experiment. I like the stalks of the spring onion. They emanate such a wonderful fragrance . Wow! The mere sight and thought is mouth watering!!! Spring Onion bulb(I mean the white onion) – its very spicy and I somehow like its texture J I love to eat this salad for other reasons like its rich in several vitamins/wot eva you call it – its good for eyes and skin. Makes me feel fresh. And I believe in simple /effortless cooking. So I made it one of our breakfasts. Here we go:

Ingredients:

• Carrots – 2
• Green Chilly – 1
• Lemon - ½
• Salt – ¼ Tsp
• Coriander
• Spring Onion – 1

Method:

• Grate Carrot
• Finely chop /mince green chilly, coriander and spring onion.
• Chop the spring onion stalk too.
• Take a bowl – mix all the above – either with a spoon or hand.
• Add lemon juice and salt mix well.
• Now add the grated carrot – not whole of it.
• Carrot is very heavy and would not be easy to mix in everything.
• Take grated carrot portion by portion – mix well with the “wet spices”
• This way we can ensure – the whole salad has even taste and fragrance.

Garnish with chopped coriander :-)