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 ~

24 comments:

Deepa G Joshi said...

wow, what a fantastic menu.

Surely tempting..

www.foodlyrics.com

Rachana said...

Thats such a mouthwatering menu!!! Awesome!

Needful Things said...

that was quite a spread! looks great :D

http://someneedfulthings.blogspot.com

Sanjana said...

Love it! I'd say yes to that menu every day of the week!

Preeti Kashyap said...

That is a fabulous spread meeso. I just had my lunch and I am still drooling looking at the samosas,sooji halwa,pilaf and rajma (my fav).

And yes, there is no curry powder in Indian cuisine! In India, if you ask for curry powder, you would probably end up with curry leaf powder, which is green in color!

Uma said...

all the dishes are soo tempting Meeso! looks delicious :)

Sushma Mallya said...

wow tempting dishes,loved the channa chaat....looks wonderful..

Parita said...

Thats mouth watering treats!

Priya Suresh said...

Delicious, awesome and mouthwatering menu, am ready to have everything rite now;..yummm!!

Cham said...

Each time u cook is a feast Meeso. U re purely a foodie gal :)

Vani said...

What a spread there, Meeso!! You rock, girl!

Renuka Bedre - Rao said...

wooow! wat a feast! mouth watering!

Malar Gandhi said...

Oh man...thats a wonderful feast, I love navrathan korma...yummmilious.

Unknown said...

Bumped in here for the first time,must confess u have an awesome collection of recipes...ur menu will vanish in seconds if it is on the buffet table...

SathyaSridhar said...

Wooowwww,,, yummy , delicious and perfect menu,,,looks tempting to eat it now,,,

ARUNA said...

wat a wonderful menu yaa....that was quite a spread!

Deepthi Shankar said...

thatz an amazing spread

Mythreyi Dilip said...

As always, excellent platter dear:)

Ann said...

Phew! What an array of dishes you pulled off. But I'm recalling the East is East movie, what a brilliant movie that was!

Neha said...

Wooow what a tempting menu..

Cynthia said...

Your opening paragraph cracked me up and I totally understand what you mean.

You made quite a spread!

Laavanya said...

That is quite a spread meeso am sure ur family enjoyed the meal. I love channa chaat too and make it often during summer Esp for picnics

zlamushka said...

Hey meeso,

Funny story with the curry smell. Would love to try.

My first time here and loving it. The pictres surely speak for themselves. Nice job :-)

Di said...

Awesome spread!!!