Baked Hashbrowns

Okay, I am a sucker for hashbrowns at Waffle House. The only downside being that there is no Waffle house close to where I stay:( . So I set about trying to satisfy my palate for some crunchy , tasty potatoes :)

Preparation Time: 15-20 mins

Cook Time : 15 mins

Ingredients:

1. Potatoes - 1 (large)

2. Onions - 1/4 onion diced (optional)

3. Olive oil - 1 tbsp

4. Salt

5. Pepper

Method:

1. Slice the potatoes , as thin as you can. Remeber you are not making french fries. If you have a grater, just grate your potatoes.

2. In a vessel take the oil, salt, pepper, onions and mix well.

3. Add potatoes to this and make sure the potatoes are coated well enough with the oil mixture

4. Take a baking pan and line it with a baking paper. Place the potatoes on the baking paper as seperately as you can. Make sure they dont stick.

5. Bake for 10-15 mins at a temp of 350 F.

6. Serve Hot.

Desi Chicken Patties / Chicken Tikki

Its been a while since my last post. I have been trying to eat healthy for a while. I will share with you one recipe that is easy, healthy and super tasty ! 

Preparation Time : 5 mins

Cook Time: 15- 20 mins

Ingredients: 
 1. Ground chicken - 1/4 lb

 2. Green Chillies / Jalapeno - 1 (minced)

 3. Salt

 4. Cilantro leaves

 5. Coriander powder

 6. Indian Masala (optional)

 7. Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp

 8. Red Pepper Powder - optional

 9. Lemon - half

 Method: 

 1. Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

 2. Take a little piece of the blended meat and make a small ball and start pressing it on wooden board till its the size of burger patty. Make sure its not too thick or too thin.

 3. If you have a grill, use the grill till the patties are cooked.

 4. Else, use an oven. Turn it to the broil mode and cook the patties for about 15-20 mins. Turn them over after 10-12 mins so they are evenly cooked.

 5. Serve with veggies of your choice.

 6. Yogurt, Mint Chutney etc can be used as a dip

 NOTE : if you are using an aluminum foil as a base while you cook in the oven, coat the foil with a little oil so the patties dont stick .

Stir Fry (Indian Style)

If you are looking for something quick to make after a long day's work, this is the perfect choice.

 Cooking Time: 5 mins + Cooking Rice (15 mins)
 Preparation Time : 5 mins

  Ingredients:
 1. Mixed veggies - 1 cup

 2. Cooked Rice - 1.5 cups

 3. Oil - 1 tbsp

 4. Cumin Seeds

  Method:

 1. Microwave you mixed veggies for about 2-3 mins.

 2. In a wok, add the tbsp of oil and heat it.

 3. Add cumin seeds, once they splutter add the mixed veggies and sir fry for mins on medium flame.

 4. Now , add rice to the veggies and mix well.

 5. Add salt and pepper for taste.

Oven Roasted Vegetables

I have always liked the smell and taste of roasted meat or vegetables . Only when I made it at home I realized that the heavenly smell that filled my kitchen was because of the rosemary :)

Preparation Time: 10 mins

Cooking Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

1. Potato

2. Carrots

3. Tomato

4. Peppers (Green, red, yellow)

5. Onions (Use Yellow / White)

6. Rosemary

7. Olive Oil - 1 tbsp

NOTE: Squash, Sweet Potato (if you have them use them)

Method:

1. Cut potaoes into medium sized pieces. And slice carrots if you are using long carrots .

2. In an aluminium dish(that can be used for roasting) add the olive oil and rosemary and mix well. Then add the potatoes and carrots and mix well.

3. Heat the oven to 450 degree Farenheit and roast the potatoes and carrots for about 6-10 mins.

4. Meanwhile dice the remainder of the vegetables.

5. After 10 mins take out the aluminium dish and add the rest of the vegetable pieces and toss well. make sure tomatoes are on the very top.

6. Put the dish back on the oven for another 20 mins.

Strawberry- Banana Shake/ Smoothie

Easy to make and a glass can fill you up.

Ingredients:

1. Strawberries ( a box)

2. Bananas

3. Milk- 1 cup

Method:

1. Cut strawberries and bananas into small pieces (Please wash them first and peel the banana :))

2. Add milk into the blender along with the cut fruits.

3. Blend till desired consistency is reached.

4. Refrigerate and serve chilled.

NOTE : Keep the consistency a little coarse and not too thin

Options :
  a) You can add sugar to the above recipe ( I prefer natural taste of fruits)
  b) You can add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for sweetness and creamy texture of the shake.

Caramel Custard

I have a sweet tooth. So I try to find out easy recipes to satisfy my sweet cravings . Caramel custard is one of them. Easy to make, you cant go wrong with it.

Ingredients

Sugar - 1 cup

Milk - 2 cups
Eggs - 3
Vanilla Essence

Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time : 30-45 mins

Prepare Caramel :

Take half a cup of  sugar with 1 spoon water and heat it on a pan till it melts. Make sure to keep stirring else sugar will burn.

1. Once caramel is prepared, pour the caramel in to the vessel you will use for baking the custard.

2. Take a bowl, pour milk, remaining sugar, eggs and 1-2 drops of vanilla essence and beat well.

3. Now pour this mixture into the vessel in which the caramel is at the base. Make sure only 3/4 of the vessel is full.

4. Bake it in an oven preheated to 350 F for about 30 - 45 mins. Keep checking in between.

5. Once you take it out. Allow it cool and refrigerate it.

6. To serve, take the vessel and place a plate over it and turn the vessel gently (This is the tricky part, if you dont do it right, you will have a broken custard , but it will taste equally good :)  )

Serve with strawberries .