Chicken Liver fry ... An easy naadan spicy recipe !  

Ingredients

Liver : 500 gms

For grinding

1. Green chilli : 6 2. Garlic : 6 cloves 3. Ginger : a small piece 4. Pepper Powder: 1tsp plus 1/4 tsp 5. Chili Powder: 1tsp 6. Coriander Powder: 1/4 tsp 7. Turmeric Powder: 1/4 tsp 8. Garam masala: 1/2 tsp plus 1/4 tsp 9. Fennel seeds : 1/4 tsp 10.Salt 11. Water - little 12. Curry leaves: 4

For the gravy

1.Curry leaves: plenty 2. Oil: 4 tbsp 3. Water-1/2 glass 4. Onion : 1

Method

1. Wash the liver thoroughly, cut into small pieces and keep aside . 2. Grind all the ingredients under the grinding section to fine paste. 3. Add the ground masala, liver ,coconut oil and onion in a kadai and mix well.
4. Close the pan and cook until done by stirring occasionally. ( About 10 Mins) 5. When done add coconut oil and curry leaves and keep roasting well. 6. Then add pepper and garam masala powder 1/4 tsp each and mix well.. 7. Finally add more curry leaves and mix for tasty and spicy liver fry. It goes very well both as a side dish and as an appetizer.

Happy Cooking!
Shabana

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Bread Pockets

A fun to make snack which fits in any occasion, be it a kids party, iftaar, tea time or even your kids lunch box. This dish can be altered in many ways by changing the filling inside the pockets. The filling that I have used this time is a chicken filling which resembles the taste of a pizza. But you can always change the filling according to your choice. Check the step by step pictures added.

Ingredients 

For the filling

• Chicken : 2 to 3 pieces
• Pepper: 1 to 2 Tsp
• Capsicum: 1 small ( diced finely)
• Onion: 1 small ( diced finely)
• Pizza sauce : 2 to 3 Tbspn
• Salt
• Oregano / Basil or any Italian Seasoning: 1 Tsp

For the pockets

• Sandwich Bread: 8 slices ( makes 4 Pockets)
• Egg: 1 ( well beaten with a fork)
• Bread Crumbs: Use the sides of the 8 slices
• Oil to deep fry

Method

To Make the Filling

1. Cook the chicken pieces with 1 tsp pepper powder and salt until tender
2. Remove the meat from bones and shred it with a fork
3. Add this to a bowl along with all the other ingredients for the filling and mix well and keep ready while we make the pockets.

To Make the Pockets

1. Take two slices of bread and arrange it together like a sandwich and cut a circle by keeping the breads together as shown in the picture
2. Once cut do not separate the breads. Keep it intact and dip it in the egg mix and roll it over the bread crumbs and deep fry it in hot oil by quickly flipping over a couple of time util the bread pocket is golden brown.
3. Allow it to cool down and cut it into two equal semi circles 
4. Now you can see that the inside looks like a pocket. Sides will remain sealed and middle will be open. 
5. Fill this gap with the prepared filling and yummy pizza pockets are ready.

Arrange two breads and cut out a circle shape 

Two breads stacked and cut 

8 slices cut into 4 pairs of circle

Beat the egg and powder the left over bread sides in a mixer and keep the crumbs ready

Dip in the egg mix and coat it well with the crumbs

Deep fry the bread 

Fry and keep all the bread ready to be filled

Cut the circle from the middle so that it forms a pocket

Fill it 

Notes: While filling the bread make sure you do not over fill and split the edges of the bread
Coat the bread well with the egg and crumbs well before frying
do not fry for long time as the bread will absorb oil

Fun Cooking!
Shabana

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Momo

Momos are basically dough wrapped around stuffed vegetables or meat. These can be cooked in various ways- but are most commonly steamed. It is said to have originated in Tibet and around Himalayan regions. They are healthy and tasty and available in street shops as well as in 5 star menus. Now they come in different colors, sizes ; fried or steamed; variety of fillings; they put it in soup.   

Ingredients

For the Momos dough

• All purpose flour: 1.5 cups
• water to knead
• salt to taste

For the filling

• Chicken mince: 200 gm
• Butter: 2 tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Onion chopped: 1 large
• Carrot chopped: 1 grated
• Cabbage shredded: 1/4 cup
• Ginger & garlic chopped: 1 tbsp
• Pepper powder: 1 tsp
• Soya sauce: 1 tsp
• Coriander chopped: 1 tbsp
• Garam masala: 1 tsp
• Egg: 1
• Vinegar: 1 tsp

Method

1. Take a bowl add all purpose flour, salt, water, mix it and knead it to medium stiff dough and rest it for 10 minutes
2. Take another bowl and add all the ingredients for the filling and mix it well with hands
3. Take dough and divide them in to equal portions shape them into balls and roll out thinly, put a teaspoon of the filling in the middle and bring all edges together into any fancy fold.
4. Steam in a steamer of about 15 minutes.
5. Serve this hot with a tangy sauce.

Happy cooking,
Shabana

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Chicken Lollipop

Chicken Lollipop is a famous restaurant starter.

It is essentially a frenched chicken winglet, wherein the meat is cut loose from the bone end and pushed down creating a lollipop appearance.

Ingredients

1. Chicken wings : 5 nos ( That makes 10 lollipops)
2. Ginger garlic paste: 1 tbsp
3. Salt to taste
4. Black pepper powder : 1 tsp
5. Red chili powder: 1 tsp
6. Soya sauce : 1 tbsp
7. Maida: 4 tbsp
8. Corn flour: 2 tbsp
9. Egg: 1
10. Oil to deep fry

Method

Steps to prepare the lollilop from chicken wings: 

1. Slice a full-size chicken wing into three parts along the joints. Discard the wing-tip (or you can save them for making a chicken stock).
2. For the drummet (the upper, meaty, one-bone part of the wing), cut along the circumference of the thin end so that the bone and the meat are no longer connected. Then push down the meat so the drummet becomes a lollipop.
3. For the winglet (the middle, two-bone part of the wing), separate where the two bones join, and also cut along the circumferences of both ends, so the bone and the meat are no longer connected. Take out the thinner bone, and push down the meat into one end of the thinner bone

Steps to deep fry the lollipops: 

1. Add chicken wings to a bowl and marinate it with ingredients 2 to 6 on the list above and rest it for 30 minutes
2. After 30 minutes add the egg , maida and corn flour and mix well.
3. Heat oil in a kadai and deep fry the lollipops immediately after mixing it with the flour and egg.
4. Delicious lollipops are ready to be served as an appetizer.

Happy Frying!

Shabana

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Tandoori Prawns / Grilled Prawns

A great sea food appetizer. Yummy !

Ingredients 

• Prawns : 10-15 ( Cleaned, deveined and tail on)
• Thick yogurt : 1 Tbsp
• Cumin Powder : 1 Tsp
• Pepper powder : 1.5 Tsp
• Kashmiri chilli powder : 1 Tsp
• Garam Masala : 2 tsp
• Ginger garlic paste or crushed : 2 tsp
• Honey : 1 Tbsp
• Lime juice: 1/2 lime
• Salt

Method

1. Add all the ingredients except the prawns to a wide bowl and mix well to form a thick paste.
2. Add the prawns to the marinade and coat well and allow to sit for an hour and then skew it and grill in a pre heated oven at 180 degree for 6 mins on each side.
3. Enjoy delicious tandoori prawns after 12 minutes of grilling. Do not over cook the prawns. 

For the Yogurt mint dip/ chutney:

Mix together 2 tbsp of thick yogurt ,few chopped mint leaves, a chilli, salt and drops of squeezed lime and enjoy the prawns with the spicy tangy dip.

Happy cooking!!

Shabana

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Chicken Cheese Sticks

Chicken cheese sticks is a very crisp and tasty snack that is made from cooked chicken mince and cream cheese. This is one of my favourite appetizers to cook as it requires very less preparation time and quite a few ingredients. I happened to have this snack from my aunts home, from where I collected the recipe and since then I have tried this many times especially during Ramadan. Do try this family favourite of mine and let me know how you loved it.

Ingredients for 20 nos.

• Boneless Chicken: 300-400 gms
• Cheese cubes / triangles: 5-6 cubes
• Pepper and salt as per taste
• Onion: 1 large finely chopped
• Egg: 1 beaten with 2 tbsp milk
• Bread crumbs: to coat the cheese sticks

Method

1. Cut the chicken to small cubes and add 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp salt and little water and cook until soft. When cooled shred this with a fork or mince in a blender.

Minced chicken

  2. Add the chopped onion to this shredded chicken. Also add the cheese cubes and a teaspoon of pepper powder and mix well. You can adjust the level of pepper as per taste.

Chicken mince and onion

Cheese triangles

Chicken, cheese, onion and pepper - mixed

3. Shape the chicken mix as shown below.

Shaped and ready to be coated

4. Dip these sticks in the egg mix and roll them over the bread crumbs and keep ready for frying. If not frying immediately, then store in freezer until ready to fry.

5. Deep fry the chicken sticks in moderately hot oil until golden brown.

Happy snack time!!!

Shabana





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Tom Yum Soup

Tom yum soup is a Thai soup which is popular in the south Asian belt . It is a sea food hot and sour soup made with shrimps. 

Ingredients

• Veg stock: 4 cup (Can use Stock Cubes)
• Prawns: 10 pcs
• Lemon grass: 1 stalk( smash slightly)
• Ginger: 6-7 thin slices
• Lime leaves: 4-5
• Red chillies :2 Or thai red chilli /curry paste/:2 tsp
• Fish sauce :1 tsp
• Soy sauce: 1 tsp
• Lime Juice : 1 small cup
• Sugar : As per taste

For Thai red chilly paste:

• Dry red chilly: 6(soak in water).
• White pepper: 2 tsp
• Cumin powder: 1/2 tsp
• Shallot: 5
• Lemon grass:1 stalk ( smash and cut into small)
• Lemon zest: 1 lemon
• Ginger:1 tbsp
• Coriander powder:1/2 tsp
• Salt
• Garlic: 6 pcs

Method

1. Grind all the above ingredient for the thai paste into a smooth paste and keep aside
2. Take a pan and pour 4 cup veg stalk and once it comes to a boil add the prawns and further boil for 2 minutes.
3. Then add lemon grass followed by ginger and lime leaves.
4. Cook until prawns is done and then add the fish sauce and soy sauce and salt
5. Add the thai paste that was ground and finally add the lime juice
6. Add a bit of sugar to balance flavors

Note: The chilli paste is very spicy so add according to taste after grinding.

Lemon grass and lime leaves are optional

Prawns can be substituted with chicken too

Happy Slurping!!

Shabana

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Cheesy Chicken Kebab

Cheesy Chicken Kebab... A recipe apt for this Season. Lets add a cheesy twist to this Grill and I assure you the spices and flavours melting in your taste buds to total bliss.Simple ingredients and a quick recipe, you gotta try this one ! 

 

Ingredients

1 cup = 250 Gms

• Chicken Mince (Uncooked) : 300 Gms
• Processed cheese ( grated) : 3/4 cup
• Ginger Garlic paste: 1 Tbsp
• Garam masala: 1/2 tsp
• Green Chillies: 2 Finely chopped
• Egg: 1
• Cashew nut powder: 2 tbsp.
• Chopped coriander : 1-2 tbsp.
• Salt to taste
• Oil for greasing

Method

1. To prepare chicken mince simply add small pieces of boneless chicken to a blender and give a quick mix. DO NOT over beat. If ready-made mince is available then use that.
2. Add all the ingredients except the oil to a large mixing bowl and mix well with hands.
3. Shape the mix into kebab shape using skewers. If you find the mix to be very sticky or too soft to shape it, then grease your hands with oil or butter and keep rolling the kebab.

Shaped Kebabs

    4.  Grease a plate with oil and keep the shaped kebabs on the greased plate until ready to be grilled (If not grilling immediately then refrigerate until ready to grill )


On the grill

 

    5.  Grease the griller with oil and fry the kebabs until it changes colour. Keep turning he skewers so that the kebabs are evenly cooked on all sides.
 

  
7.  Serve hot with dip of choice.

 

Happy Cooking!!

Shabana 

 

 

 

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Corn Cheese Balls

Corn Cheese Balls is a simple home recipe which takes only a few minutes to make on those lazy afternoons and moreover its tasty and healthy especially for the kids !

Ingredients

• Canned Corn: 1 cup ( drained )
• Mozzarella cheese: 1/2 Cup
• Green Chilly: 1 finely chopped
• Very little salt
• Garam masala or Chaat masala : 1/2 tsp ( optional)
• All purpose flour: 2 Tsp
• Bread Crumbs to roll the corn balls
• Egg : 1 or 1/4 Cup milk
• Oil to deep fry 

Method

• Add the corn to the blender and pulse to a coarse paste

• Add all the other ingredients except bread crumbs, oil and egg and mix well until well incorporated

• Make lime sized balls and keep in freezer for 10 minutes

• Take the balls out and dip in milk or egg and roll it over the bread crumbs 

• Deep fry until golden brown.
• Serve hot with mayonnaise or ketchup. 

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Happy frying!!
Shabana

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Mac N Cheese Muffins

A very fancy dish with a cheesy flavour. Traditional Mac n cheese in a different presentation. Try this lovely cheesy pasta dish and let me know how you and your family enjoyed it.

Makes around 6-8 muffins

Ingredients

(1 cup = 220 Gms)

• 1½ cups of milk
• 1½ cups of grated cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp of flour
• 2 cups of pasta noodles 
• 2 tbsp of sausage bits ( optional)
• ½ tsp of garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ cup of bread crumbs
• 2 tbsp of oregano

Mac n Cheese Muffins

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celcius
2. Combine the milk and flour in a bowl and mix until they are well combined.
3. Pour this mixture into a pan and bring it to a boil, stirring constantly, over medium high heat until it thickens up.
4. Add in the cheese, sausage bits, garlic powder,salt , pepper, and stir until the cheese melts.
5. Add in the pasta and toss until well coated.
6. Coat a muffin tray with baking spray or melted butter
7. Put about 3 tbsp of the mixture into each muffin container. Sprinkle some bread crumbs and grated cheese over the top.
8. Place them in the oven for 30 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
9. Garnish with oregano serve, and enjoy your mac and cheese muffins

Happy cooking!
Shabana

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Coxinha

Coxinha, a Brazilian street food which are fried dumplings  made with cheesy chicken filling wrapped in chicken flavoured dough and then coated with bread crumbs and deep fried. It is a version of the Chinese Fried momos.

Ingredients

For the dough

• All purpose flour: 3/4 cup
• Chicken stock cube: 1
• Water to knead the dough

For the filling

• Chicken breast: 1 full
• Pepper powder: 1 tsp and little more for cooking the chicken
• Onion: 1/2  finely chopped
• Garlic: 2 cloves
• Cream cheese: 100 gms
• Salt
• Oil: 2 tbsp for sauteing and for deep frying
• Coriander leaves optional

Other Ingredients

• Bread crumbs: To roll the coxinha
• Egg: 1 beaten

Method

Preparing the filling

1. Cook the chicken with about 1/2 tsp of pepper powder and salt. Once cooked and cooled shred the chicken with a fork
2. To a pan add the oil and saute the onions and garlic until translucent. Add the shredded chicken and flavour it with salt and pepper and switch off flame
3. Add the cream cheese and mix well and add coriander leaves at this stage if desired.

Preparing the dough

1. Boil about 1 cup of water and dissolve the stock cube.
2. Add this water little by little to the flour and knead to a smooth dough.
3. Take out small portion of the dough and roll it out to small circular patties.

Making the Coxinha

1. Add some filling inside the rolled dough and fold so that the chicken is completely enveloped in the dough. Shape it into a point at the top
2. Dip it in the egg and roll it over the bread crumbs until well coated.
3. Heat oil and deep fry the coxinhas until golden brown and serve hot with mayonnaise or ketchup.

This goes well as a tea time snack or a starter for parties.
Please do subscribe for more recipes.

Happy Munching!!

Shabana

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Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka grilled in electric griller

Chicken Tikka is a commonly found starter in India and Pakistan. It is basically small pieces of boneless chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and then grilled in a tandoor. This recipe uses a oven instead of the tandoor and tastes equally good. To try this out you would need the following:

  Chicken Tikka grilled in oven

Ingredients

· Boneless chicken breast cut into chunks: 500 gms

· Coriander Powder: 1 Tbspn

· Red Chilli Powder: 1 Tspn

· Garam masala: ½ Tsp

· Salt to taste

· Ginger Garlic Paste: 1 Tbspn

· Yogurt: 4 Tbspn

· Lemon juice: 1 Tsp

· Olive oil: 2 Tbspn

· Big onion cut into cubes: 1

· Capsicum: 1

· Freshly chopped coriander leaves: 2Tbsp

· Red Food colour (Optional): 1 Pinch



Method

1. Marinate the chicken with all of the above ingredients and set in fridge for 2 hours minimum.

2. Take the skewers and arrange the chicken pieces, onions and capsicum in the order preferred.

3. Grill in a pre heated oven at 180 degree C for 20 to 25 minutes or use an electric grill and select the mode according to your grill's temperature. Brush oil in between if the chicken pieces are drying out. Rotate the skewers at intervals so that all sides are evenly cooked.

4. Serve these hot starters with raita or green chutney.



Note: If using wooden skewers soak it in water for an hour before arranging the chicken as they may get burnt in the oven if used dry.

You can also use a stove top or electric griller to cook the tikka.

If you don’t have the skewers then avoid the onions and capsicum and simply grill the chicken on a baking tray.

Air fryers also can be used for the chicken tikka

The same chicken pieces can be used to make the chicken tikka masala for which the recipe can be found in the same blog.
  
Happy Grilling!!

Shabana

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Tuna cutlets

Ever wondered what more you could make with the canned tunas? I always used to make tuna in one particular way and found it boring until I found this recipe. This is a very tasty and quick snack using tuna in tins. It can be served as an appetizer or snack. A good supplement for those who don't take meat.

Makes 10-12 cutlets

Ingredients

• Onion: 1 small finely chopped
• Green chilly: 1 finely chopped
• Potato cooked and smashed: 1 big
• Ginger garlic paste: 1 tsp
• Pepper powder: according to taste
• Garam masala powder: 1/2 tsp
• Tuna in water or oil: 250 gms tin 
• Coriander leaves: few
• Oil for sautéing
• Oil for shallow frying the cutlets
• Salt
• Egg: 1 beaten
• Bread crumbs

Method

1. To a pan add the oil and saute the onions until soft. To this add the green chilli and cook. Then add the ginger garlic paste and mix well. 
2. Once its all cooked well add the pepper powder, salt and Garam masala and cook until raw flavour goes. 
3. Add smashed potatoes and mix well until all spices coat the potatoes. Add the chopped coriander leaves
4. To this add the drained tuna chunks and give a good mix. Do not over mix and break all the chunks. 
5. Once cooled to handle make patties of preferred size.
6. Beat an egg in a bowl 
7. Powder 2-3 slices of bread and make fine bread crumbs 
8. Dip the patties in the egg and the roll it over the bread crumbs until well coated
9. Shallow fry the patties on a flat tawa by occasionally flipping over until its golden brown all over.
10. Enjoy this with ketchup or as it is.

Happy munching!

Shabana

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