RAKHI SPECIAL

After nearly four years, my brother and I were together for rakhi. he came here to the US, in march for his studies. We could meet, cause he is in Los Angeles, and I am in San Diego. both of these are just two hours apart.
So, it was really special. Had a good lunch of dal makhani and mutter paneer. went out to the beach later in the evening and caught up a movie. it was nice.
I thought it would be a good idea to send in these recipes to the Festive Food Event, Rakhi – Thread of Love, hosted by preeti and purva



for DAL MAKHANI



You need

• black dal- 1/2 cup
• rajhma (kidney beans)- 1/2 cup
• garlic pods- 3
• ginger and chilly paste- 1 tsp
• onions finely chopped- 1 big
• tomato chopped- 1 big
• tomato puree- 1/4th cup
• garam masala- 1 tsp
• red chilly powder- 1/2 tsp
• rajhma masala (optional)- 1 tsp
• salt- to taste
• jeera dhania powder- 1/2 tsp
• ghee or butter- 2 tbsp.
• cream-1/2 cup

You will have to

1. Soak the black dal and the rajhma together for at least 5-6 hours or overnight.
2. rinse the dals, and pressure cook it with the garlic pods for 2 whistles.
3. in a kadai, heat ghee or butter.
4. add the ginger chilly paste, along with the onions. saute till onions turn brown.
5. add the shopped tomato and the puree. saute again.
6. now add all the spices and cook everything till the oil begins to separate out.
7. add the pressure cooked dal to this along with some water.
8. cover and cook till the dal begins to thicken.
9. add the cream and let it simmer for a few minutes. check for salt.
10. serve garnished with chopped coriander leaves.

For the MUTTER PANEER

You will need

• frozen or fresh peas- 2 cups
• paneer- 1 lb cut into squares
• tomato chopped- 1
• onion chopped- 1
• tomato sauce- 1 tbsp
• ginger chilly paste- 1 tsp
• salt- to taste
• oil-1 tbsp
• turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
• red chilly powder- 1/2 tsp
• garam masala- 1 tsp

You will have to

1. in a pan heat oil.
2. saute the ginger chilly paste and then the chopped onions. brown the onions.
3. add the chopped tomatoes. saute
4. add the peas along with all the spices and the tomato sauce. let all this cook till the oil begins to separate.
5. add all the paneer pieces with little water. cover and cook till peas soften.
6. serve hot with with tandoori roti.

I am also sending this to srivalli's curry mela.

will be continuing my series on indian cooking tomorrow
till then
enjoy and happy eating