Sunday Menu

1. Vegeterian Dish

Palak Paneer

Ingredients:

Palak(Spinach) 1/2 kg
Paneer(Cottage Cheese) 100 grams
Onion 1
Butter 3 tbsp.
Bay leaves 2-3
Cumin seeds 1 tsp.
Salt to taste
Black pepper powder 1/4 tsp.
Ginger-garlic paste 3/4 tsp.
Green chilli paste 1/2 tsp.
Garam Masala Powder 1 tsp.
Vegetable oil as required

Method:

1. Mix ginger-garlic paste, green chilli paste and some water with spinach. Pressure cook it for about 7-8 minutes (just before the first whistle).
2. Cut paneer into small cubes. Keep 3 cubes separately for decoration.
3. Heat oil in a pan. Fry the paneer pieces on 'medium' heat till they turn slightly brown. Set the paneer pieces aside.
4. Heat 2 tbsp. of butter. Fry bay leaves and cumin seeds. Add chopped onion. Fry until the onions become pink.
5. Add salt, black pepper powder, garam masala. Stir well.
6. Add paneer and cooked spinach (grinded). Mix well.
7. Put palak paneer in a baking tray .
8. Add rest of the butter. Bake for 1/2 hour at 180 deg C.

Grate the paneer kept aside for decoration. Decorate. Palak paneer is ready to serve

2. Chicken Dish

Chilli Chicken

Ingredients:

Chicken whole (cleaned and cut into pieces) 1 Kg
Green chilli 10
Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp
White pepper powder 1/4 tsp
Black pepper powder 1/4 tsp
Yogurt (curd) 1/2 cup
Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp.
Soya sauce 2 tbsp.
Corn flour 2 tbsp
Ginger 1/2 inch
Garlic 4 cloves
Onion 1
Tomato 1
Salt to taste
Vegetable oil as required
Green chilli and green coriander leaves for decoration

Method:

1. Cut onion, tomato into small pieces. Add ginger, garlic and make paste.
2. Cut thin slices of green chilli.

3. Mix red chilli powder, salt, turmeric powder, yogurt, 1 tbsp. soya sauce, 1 tbsp corn flour and 2 tbsp oil. Marinate the chicken with this mixture for half an hour.
4. Then apply onion-tomato paste to the chicken and again marinate for half an hour.
5. Heat oil in a pan. Add green chillis, white pepper powder and black pepper powder and fry for 30 secs.
6. Add chicken marinade and fry until half cooked. Stir occasionally.
7. Mix rest of the corn flour and soya sauce in water and add to the chicken. Add little water (about 2-3 cups) to make thick gravy and bring it to boil.
8. Cover and cook for 8-10 mins on low flame. Keep a constant watch.

Garnish with green chilli on the sides and sprinkle chopped green coriander all over the chicken. Serve hot.

Special Tea

Ingredients:

Water 1-1/4 cup
Milk 1/2 cup
Sugar to taste
Tea leaves 2 tsp.
Cardamom powder 1/4 tsp.

Method:

1. Heat water in a pan.
2. Add cardamom powder and bring it to boil. Reduce the heat.
3. Add sugar and tea leaves and leave it for 3-4 minutes on low heat.
4. When it starts boiling, add milk. Bring 2-3 boils and switch off the gas.
5. Strain into the cups.

Cooking Tips:
Removing fat from soups- Fat can be easily removed from hot soup by floating a large lettuce leaf on the surface
Easy garlic skin removal- Garlic skin comes off easily if the garlic flakes are warmed a little before peeling.