Mushroom Peas Subji

I walked into Heritage (a local supermarket) and saw fresh mushrooms :) I picked up a packet and loads of other things too. As you might've already guessed, its Mushroom and peas subji with Phulka's tonight :)

Here is what you will need :

• 1 cup fresh or frozen green peas
• 500 gms button mushrooms, cleaned and cut into quarters
• 1 large onion chopped finely
• 2 cloves garlic chopped finely
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 2 tbsps oil
• 2 tbspsTomato puree
• 2 tbsps Curd
• Chopped fresh coriander to garnish

How to make it :

• Heat the cooking oil in a deep pan, on a medium flame. When hot, add the cumin seeds and fry till spluttering stops.
• Add the garlic and fry till pale golden. Now add the onions and fry till soft.
• Add the peas and mushrooms and the powdered spices. Add salt to taste and cook till the mushrooms begin to give off their juices. Stir occasionally.
• Add tomato puree and mix well. Cook for a couple of minutes until he raw smell disappears.
• Add curd and mix. Cook for about 10 - 15 seconds and switch off before it starts beginning to bubble, else the curd will split.Turn off fire.
• Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot ! :)

Tomato Bath/ Tomato Khichidi

I don't feel like cooking today ... only because its not fun cooking for just one person.. So, I decided to cook something fast and yummy and something that would make me want to eat :) For those who hate the normal Upma, this is a good variation and is a hit with the kids as well.

What you will need :

• Sooji ½ cup
• Chopped tomatoes 2
• Chopped onion 1 small
• Green peas ¼ cup (optional)
• Grated carrot ¼ cup (optional)
• Curry leaves 6 to 8
• Finely chopped coriander 1 tbsp
• Bay leaf 1
• Cinnamon 1 inch
• Cardamom 3
• Cloves 2
• Ginger garlic paste
• Water one and a half cups
• Oil 1 to 2 tsp
• A pinch of turmeric
• Salt to taste

How to make it :

• Dry roast the sooji till a nice aroma comes out.
• Heat oil in a kadai and add bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamoms, and cloves.
• Add chopped onion and curry leaves. Fry till onions turn translucent.
• Add chopped tomatoes. and cook till tomatoes are done.
• Add turmeric powder, ginger garlic paste, green peas, and grated carrot. Fry for a minute or two.
• Add water and salt to taste, and bring to a boil.
• Add sooji slowly stirring continually to avoid formation of lumps. Cover and cook on a slow fire stirring occasionally till done.
• Serve hot garnished with chopped coriander and a dash of ghee.

It goes well with curd/ potato chips/ coconut chutney or eat it as it is :)

Poha upma

This is one of those evening when I don't feel like cooking but yet want to make something tasty and nutritious. I think of sabudana khichdi and then realize I have not soaked it and don't have the time to let it soak.. the next best option - Poha :) It is a favourite Maharashtrian dish, and eaten very frequently for breakfast and snacks.

What you will need :

• 1 1/2 cups poha
• 1/2 cup broken raw peanuts
• 1/2 cup green peas ( I prefer using Saffal Peas which is readily available in supermarkets)
• 2 green chilies sliced long ways
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• About 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
• Curry leaves - 4 - 5 nos

How to make it :

• Gently wash the poha and then drain all the water, else it will become one big clumpy mass.
• Roast the peanuts on medium heat in a little oil until they are lightly brown. Keep aside.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to the oil; if the seed crackles right away then oil is ready.
• Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds after seeds crack add green chilies, curry leaves and stir for a few seconds.
• Next add the green peas and stir fry until peas are tender.
• Add turmeric, and salt and stir fry on medium heat continuously.
• Add the poha and for another 3-5 minutes.
• Remove from flame and fold in lime juice, cilantro and sugar.
• Serve hot and enjoy as it is or with tomato sauce / Coconut chutney/ Peanut chutney/ curd :)

Peas Pulav

Ingredients:

Basmathi rice- 2 cups
Cloves- 3
Elachi-3
Pattai- 1" piece
Bay leaf- 1
Rose mokku- 1
Sombu / saunf- 1/2 tsp
Peas- 1 1/2 cups
Onion- 1/2 (sliced)
Ginger garlic paste- 1 tsp
Green chillies- 2 (chopped)
Salt
Water- 4 cups

Procedure:Heat equal parts of oil and ghee. Fry all the spices. Then add onions,ginger garlic paste and green chillies. When the onions gets cooked but does not change color add washed rice and fry for a few minutes. Then add peas, required water and salt. Close cooker and wait until vapor comes out of the cooker nozzle. Put vent on top,keep gas in medium and cook for 8 to 10 mins. Switch off gas. wait till done. open cooker, mix well and add chopped coriander leaves. Finally fry some cashews and add to rice. (I did not do it today , but adding cashews will make your rice look rich and definitely taste good).