Mandi

Marhaba !!!

In the past, I used to make mandi using Shan Mandi Spice Mix, but Shan has discontinued its Mandi Mix for quite some time now, and the lockdown in town meant we couldn’t go eat mandi at our favorite restaurant. The only option left was calling up my cousin who makes amazing mandi. She guided me over the phone on how to make the spice mix at home and her procedure for making it. If you are planning to make Mandi, then this recipe is all that you need. Thanks SB for the recipe, as the whole family thoroughly enjoyed it till the last bite.

Here’s the recipe for you all;Ingredients to make mandi spice:
1/4 cup coriander seeds
1/4 cup peppercorns
1/4 cup cumin seeds
1/4 cup bay leaves
1tbsp clove
1/4 cup cardamom
1/4 cup cinnamon sticks
Good amount of Salt
Dry roast all of the above ingredients and grind it into fine powder.

Other ingredients:
1-2 kg mutton, large chunks
3 cup rice, washed and drained
3 dried lemon
2 tablet chicken cube
2 medium sized onion, diced
3 tbsp oil
Fried onion
Mandi spice powder

Method:
1. Marinate meat with good amount of mandi spice powder.
2. In a large pot heat oil. Add onions and fry till translucent. Add in meat and cook till color changes. Add water in the pot( water should cover 2/3 of the pot). Bring it to a boil. Cover and cook for an hour. Check if the meat has become tender, if not cook for another 30-45 mins.
3. Remove the meat from the water. To the meat add olive oil and some red chili flakes. Roast it in the oven till all the water dries up.
4. Add the washed rice to the water. Add some oil. Bring it to a boil. And cook till it is 80% done. Drain the water.
5. Transfer it to the same pot, sprinkle some fried onions. Add the meat from the oven. Cover it with a foil and close the lid. Let the steam pass through the rice for 10-15 mins.
6. Serve with side of mandi sauce.
To make the sauce; In a chopper add 3 tomatoes, 1 small onion, sugar and salt to taste , 1 green chili, and a dash of hot sauce. Chop till everything is well combined

You could use the same recipe to make chicken mandi. The cooking time will be comparatively less.

Ma’Salama !!!

Kebab Burger

Marhaba !!

 Shami kebab are tender beef patties filled with yellow split peas (chana dal), onion, ground spices, and herbs. These kebabs are juicy, flavorsome and spicy. As these kebabs have cooked meat you can freeze them for longer period. Quick, easy and time saving. Here’s another recipe to try for your iftar;

Ingredients:
1 packet Shami kebab mix
900 grams boneless meat
1 cup chana dal/split yellow lentil
3 medium sized onion, finely diced
2 tbsp garlic paste
1 tbsp ginger paste
2 eggs, whisked
12 burger buns
Green chutney for spread
Blend together handful of mint leaves, coriander leaves, green chilies, pepper, red chili powder, chicken cube, tandoori masala powder, garam masala powder, cumin powder and cream to smooth paste.
Cucumber, sliced
Sliced cheese

Method:
1. In a pressure cooker; add meat, dal, onion, ginger paste, garlic paste and 2 cups water. Cover the lid and cook on medium-high heat till 3-4 whistles. Remove the lid, if there’s still too much water, cook the mixture on high heat stirring continuously till most of the water dries up.
2. Beat the mixture with the help of a electric beater until the mixture is smooth and the meat has shredded well.
3. Let the mixture cool. Add in the eggs and mix it all together. Make patties and shallow fry the prepared kebab.
4. Lightly toast the burger buns on each side. Spread spoonful of chutney on both the sides of bun. Place the sliced cucumber, then kebab, and then top it with sliced cheese. Place the top of the bun and serve.

Ma’Salama !!!

Meat Lasagna

Marhaba!!

Craving for Italian food and can’t go in for takeout, todays recipe will surely satisfy your Italian food craving!!!! This isn’t authentic lasagna recipe; I have made a few variations to make it with ingredients that is easily available at the local markets. Here’s the recipe;

Ingredients to make meat sauce:
800grams lean beef
Salt and pepper to taste
1tsp chili powder/paprika
If u want a little hot, u can add 1tbsp
1tsp cumin powder
2 medium onions, finely chopped
1 cup tomatoes, finely chopped
3/4 cup tomato paste
7-8 cloves garlic, minced
1tsp oil

Ingredients to make white sauce:
4tbsp butter
4tbsp all purpose flour
5-6 cloves garlic, minced
Salt to taste
2-1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Other ingredients:
1 pack lasagna sheets, 80% cooked
Cheese
Oregano
Chili flakes
Butter

Method:
1. To make meat sauce: In a big pot heat oil. Sauté garlic till fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook until lightly browned on all sides. Season with salt and pepper. Add onions and cook till translucent. Season with cumin powder. Add in the tomatoes and cook for 5 mins. Add in the tomato paste. Simmer on low heat for 45 mins and turn off the flame.
2. To make white sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté garlic till fragrant. Add flour and stir until flour and butter are well combined. Pour milk stirring constantly as it thickens. Season with salt. Add in the grated cheddar cheese and stir till the cheese has melted and turn off the flame.
3. To assemble: Grease your casserole dish with some butter. Evenly place a layer of lasagna sheets at the bottom of your dish, spread white sauce over the sheets and then top with some meat sauce all over. Sprinkle some cheese and repeat the layers, topping the last layer of sheets with meat sauce and cheese. Season with chili flakes and oregano.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes at 180 C. Then bale uncovered for another 20minutes at 150 C. And serve right away.

Ma’Salama !!

Chicken Fried Rice

Marhaba !!

Everyone has their own take on fried rice. The method maybe same but flavors might be different. Today, I am sharing my recipe of fried rice that I have been making for years. It’s simple, flavorful and a meal of it’s own. Here’s the recipe;

To make the chicken:
200grams chicken breast
1/2tbsp tandoori masala powder
1tsp ginger garlic paste
Salt to taste
1/2tsp pepper

Marinate chicken with above ingredients. Grill, shred and keep aside.

Other ingredients:
2 cups rice, cooked 90%
A day old rice works perfectly too
3 large eggs, scrambled with salt and pepper
2 carrots diced
3/4 cups beans, sliced
1 large onion, diced
6-7 cloves garlic, chopped
1 green chili , slit
Pepper to taste
Soy sauce to taste
Oyster sauce to taste
Green chili sauce to taste
Salt to taste
1 cube chicken stock

Method:
1. Heat some oil in a wok. Add garlic and green chili. Cook till fragrant.
2. Add beans, onion and carrots, fry till a little tender. Add in chicken and scrambled egg. Season it with salt pepper, chicken cube and give it a quick stir. Pour soy sauce, oyster sauce and green chili sauce. Add rice, cook stirring until heated through. Add chopped green onions if desired. Serve warm.

Ma’Salama !!!