Cooking at Moms: Rajma, Navratan Korma, Jeera Ajwain Pulao, Channa Chaat

While cooking, my cousin says to me "I don't smell curry" ... Even I get overwhelmed sometimes trying to explain this misconception to people. Thankfully, I made him read the "about" page over at Beyond Curries. "Where's the curry powder" ... Damn it, there is no curry powder! And if there was, you'd be sorry I used it! And be happy it doesn't smell like the local Indian restaurant, cuz their food isn't that great anyway! I get such skeptical looks from people trying to explain this. Ok, on to what I made...

Jeera Ajwain Pulao (Simple, just some Cumin and Ajwain seeds fried up in some oil and then cooked with some Basmati rice.)

Naan (Yeah, I used frozen... I was lazy, it was good :)

Rajma (Made using Rajma, Butter Beans & Black Eyed Peas)

Navratan Korma

Samosa's (Frozen again!)

Tamarind Chutney

Sooji Halwa

Channa Chaat (My newest recipe created after combining and changing a few other recipes) ... And check out the health benefits of consuming Chickpeas!

• 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and boiled, then chopped
• 1 green chilli, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons chaat masala
• 1 teaspoon dried mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon cilantro chutney
• 1/2 cup tamarind chutney
• 3 tablespoons pani puri concentrate
• salt, to taste
• cilantro & sev to garnish

In a large bowl combine chickpeas, potatoes, green chili, onion, lemon juice, garam masala, cayenne, chaat masala and dried mint. Add cilantro chutney, tamarind chutney, pani puri concentrate and salt. Garnish with cilantro and sev and serve :)

One thing I found that helped a lot was to have most of the prep work done before heading to my moms. Everything was pre-measured. The rajma was already pressure cooked. The rice was completely done. I had the vegetables for the korma washed and cut up. I had everything that had to be ground already done and all the spices pre-measured. This made it much easier when I got to my moms to simply cook everything without any prep work or measuring. There was very little mess to clean up and I had more time to relax.


~ " Peter knows how far he can go before I knock him to Kingdom come, and that's just my husband Mrs. Shah" - Annie, East Is East ~
~ "... They may be half-bred but at least they're not friggin' inbred like them two monstrosities... Who the frig do you think you are, coming in here telling me my house isn't good enough for your daughters... Well your daughters aren't good enough for my sons, or my house and if I hear another word against my family I will stick that fanny over your bastard head!" - Ella, East Is East ~