RestaurantStyleFood – The Secret Ingredient

Dinner

Restaurant Style Rajma Masala | Red Kidney Beans in Thick Gravy

By anshu October 27, 2017

Being a Punjabi, I have a strong bond with food. We punjabis live, fight and die for food in all sense. There are special dishes which have a deep connection with us, like Kaddhi Chawal, Butter Chicken, Dal Makhni, Langar wali daal, Rajma Chawal and the list goes on and on. In some households its a ritual to make Rajma or Red Kidney beans every sunday. This rajma chawal is a very home style dish which I am yet to post on my blog .. I hope the lazy me posts it soon. However, in restaurants they serve Rajma Masala which is Rajma in thick gravy. It is best eaten with Laccha Parantha or Naan. It has an incredible taste which is a bit different than our regular style Rajma.

Since I have made this my husband has started demanding me to make this way more often. He loves its gravy and distinct texture and taste. If you are fond of restaurant style food then you must try this out. You will fall in love with this instantly. I have used Munshiyari Rajma for this but you can use any Rajma which boils rather quickly.

Directions:
1. In a bowl add Rajma or red kidney beans and also add Channa Dal also known as Split Bengal Gram.

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2. Wash them thoroughly and soak them in water for 6-8 hours or overnight is best.

3. After soaking the beans and lentils add them to a pressure pan along with 3 cups water and salt. Close the pan with a lid and turn the flame on. Cook on high flame till the pressure has reached optimum or first whistle and then turn the flame on low and continue to cook for 20-25 minutes. Let it sit in its own pressure till steam releases. Then open the lid.

4. Check with finger, the beans should have a mashable consistency on smashing. Take 1/4 cup of Beans and lentils and mash it and set aside. Reserve the liquid from the boiled rajma to be used later.

5. Place a wok on the stovetop and turn the flame on. Add oil or ghee and then add bay leaf, black cardamom and cloves. Let the the oil get infused with spices.

6. Add ginger garlic paste and saute on medium flame till the raw smell of garlic disappears. Then add chopped green chillies and onions. Saute the onions till they are soft and translucent.

7. Add tomato puree and cook for 2 minutes.

8. At this stage add, salt, turmeric powder and cumin powder.

9. Also add coriander powder and kashmiri red chili powder and mix everything well. Keep cooking and stirring till the masala leaves the oil.

10. Add Rajma and mashed rajma to the masala and mix everything well. Add reserved water from rajma and combine. Let the rajma come to a simmer. Cook it for 2-3 minutes till right consistency is reached. It should become slightly thickened gravy.

11. Add garam masala and garnish with coriander leaves.

12. Transfer it to a serving bowl and serve hot with Kulcha, Puri or Parantha.

If you are Rajma or Kidney Beans you can try Mexican Soup of Rajma or as they say it Sopa de Frijol in Spanish.

You can try other Restaurant Style Dishes: Restaurant Style Mughlai Shahi Paneer, Restaurant Style Malai Kofta in Air Fryer, Crispy Honey Chili Potatoes with Sesame Seeds, Kadhai Mushroom, Butter Chicken, Mushroom Do Pyaaza, Shahi Paneer, Dal Makhni.

[whohit]Rajmamasala[/whohit]

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Dinner

Restaurant Style Mughlai Shahi Paneer | Cottage Cheese Cubes in White Aromatic Gravy

By anshu July 19, 2017

So a couple of days back my blog’s following on FB touched a 12k milestone! It may be nothing to many but I know how this journey has been.. a lot of effort, bit of struggle, bucket full of patience but at the end I have received Heaps of Love from all of you and Immense Satisfaction. I want to thank each one of you for your support and motivation. I think this success is not just mine but also yours.

To celebrate this I prepared Mughlai Shahi Paneer for my family. I have been making Shahi Paneer earlier also and that is one of the most tried recipes from my blog. But this is a Mughlai avatar of the Shahi Paneer. Delicate paneer cubes are cooked in white gravy with aromatic mughlai spices. Oh the occasion turned totally Shahi after this!

Directions:
1. In a blender add chunks of onion and green chilli. Make a smooth paste and set aside. Soak some cashews in 2 tablespoon milk for half an hour. Grind them along with 1/4 cup grated paneer and set aside. Also cut the paneer in cubes to be used later.

2. Heat ghee in a kadai or deep sauce pan on medium flame for 2-3 minutes.

3. Now, add Bay leaf along with Onion Chili Paste and Ginger garlic paste in the ghee and let it become light brown in color. .It may take upto 5 minutes. The raw smell of ginger garlic will fade away.

4. Add Chopped Tomatoes and continue to sauté till the ghee separates the masala. Be patient, this can take upto 15-18 minutes and not to mention… keep stirring on regular intervals.

5. Add Coriander powder, Roasted Cumin Powder and Turmeric Powder.

6. Also add Red Chili Powder, Garam Masala and Salt to the masala. Mix everything thoroughly with the masala taste and continue to cook for a minute more.

7. Now turn the flame off and add curd and keep whisking it with masala otherwise the curd will curdle. Also add 1/3 cup water to the masala and mix.

8. Now turn the flame on but it will continue to remain on simmer. Add kasuri methi, fresh cream and combine with a ladle.

9. Add cubed Paneer to the gravy and mix well .

10. Also add Cashew Milk Paste and bring the gravy to the boil on low flame. It will take 3-4 minutes.

11. Add green cardamom powder. Finish the dish with fresh coriander leaves.

12. Serve it hot with roti, naan or paranthas.

Other Paneer dishes you can try are: Shahi Paneer, Achari Paneer, Vrat Wale Dahi-Paneer Kebabs , Paneer Ki Kheer, Baked Paneer Corn Kababs , Stuffed Buns with Spicy Paneer , Palak Paneer

[whohit]MughlaiShahiPaneer[/whohit]

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Dinner

Baby Corn Mushroom Masala | Baby Corn & Mushroom in Rich Cashew Gravy

By anshu November 16, 2016

We all are aware about the current financial crisis in India as a result of demonetization. I am sure this is a rough patch for all of us and I pray that soon it shall pass. In the meanwhile sit tight and control your expenses. Try to eat at home most of the time and do not panic. That’s the most prudent way we can survive through these tough times.

The other day we were yearning for some restaurant style food and we never wanted to go out. So I told my husband to give me half an hour and I’ll put an end to his cravings. I tried this baby corn and Mushroom masala and it did its trick. This was rich, creamy, delicious and not to mention easy on our pocket.

We ate this with Tawa Naan and some Mint Chutney to go along. What a fabulous meal it was and that too at the comfort of our home. If you decide to put a little effort expenses can be curtailed and at the same time you are not missing much 🙂

Directions:

1.Select soft and tender baby corns and wash them under running water. Cut them into small pieces on an angle about 1 inch long. If you have baby corns which aren’t tender you can blanch them or steam them for ten minutes to make them a little soft.

2. Chop Onions and Tomatoes and set aside.

3. Soak some cashews for an hour and set aside.

4. In a wok add some ghee and add baby corns and saute them till they get a slight golden colour.

5. Also add mushrooms and keep sauteing them till they have released water and become dark in colour. Remove them on a plate till we use them further.

6. In the same add more ghee or clarified butter and add cumin seeds. Let them crackle for a few seconds.

7. Add chopped onions along with ginger garlic paste.

8. When the onions have browned and raw smell of ginger garlic has faded, add tomatoes.

9. Add salt, red chilli powder and turmeric powder.

10. Cook till the tomatoes have turned soft and gooey. Turn the flame off and let the mixture cool down a little bit. Add it to a grinder and make a smooth paste.

11. Now again for the third and last time put ghee in the wok and add a bay leaf along with two green cardamoms. Toss them in ghee for a few seconds to make the ghee fragrant.

12. Add the pureed masala to the wok and also add some water. I added water to the grinding jar first to take out every hidden puree from the jar. Don’t wanna waste anything. Bring everything to a boil.

13. Make a puree with the cashews we had soaked earlier and add it to the masala. Also add coriander powder. Let the gravy become thick, so keep simmering for a couple of minutes.

14. Add the sauteed mushrooms and baby corns to the gravy. Let it simmer. Add cream to the gravy and make it rich and yummy 🙂

15. Add garam masala and coriander leaves.

16. Finish off with Kasuri methi for the restaurant style flavour.

17. Serve hot with Roti or Kulcha or Tawa Naan and enjoy the rich restaurant style gravy.

Other Mushroom recipes you can try here: Mushroom Lasagna, Italian Frittata with Mushrooms and Spinach, Indo Chinese style Chili Mushrooms. Kadahi Mushroom, Mushroom Biryani, Mushroom Matar, Palak Mushroom and Mushroom Dou Pyaaza.

Other Restaurant style food you can try: Restaurant Style Malai Kofta in Air Fryer, Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, Shahi Paneer, Palak Paneer.

[whohit]BabyCornMushroomMasala[/whohit]

[yumprint-recipe id=’260′]

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Dinner

Mutton Rogan Josh | Kashmiri Lamb Curry | Kashmiri Goat Curry

By anshu September 25, 2015

This is that post of the month where I cook and present according to the theme in Spatula Force’s Monthly Challenge. It’s a group of talented bloggers who have come together to try new cuisines, new dishes out of the ordinary. This month’s theme was hosted by me and it was an opportunity to explore Kashmiri Cuisine. I had never cooked lamb before so when it was time to make something Kashmiri I knew I had to debut cooking Mutton or Lamb or Goat and the signature Dish from Kashmiri Cuisine was none other than Rogan Josh.

Rogan Josh is an aromatic Lamb dish of Persian Origin. Rogan Josh the name has many interpretations. Rogan or Roughan means ‘Clarified butter’ or fat and Josh means the ‘passion, the intensity, the heat’. Rogan Josh thus means cooked in oil in intense heat. The colour of gravy is crimson red due to Kashmiri Red Chilies which gives more colour than the heat to the dish. Apart from this Ratan Jot or Alkanet a dried herb from the region is used to give its amazing red colour. I have used Ratan Jot infused in oil for the colour.

Another interesting fact about this dish is that there are two distinct way of cooking it. The Hindu way and the Muslim way. Muslims use Praan, local shallots tasting like garlic whereas the Kashmiri Brahmins avoid onion and garlic and use Yogurt to bring down the spice in their curry. Also it is noteworthy that in India instead of Mutton Goat is unvaryingly used since genuine lamb is less widely available than goat meat.

I have made the dish without any fresh vegetables. It made me think loud as to how treacherous can the cold be in the Kashmir Valley where not a blade of grass grows in thick winters and the valley is covered in a blanket of snow. It is where the human being learns to adapt with whatever is available, preserved, and dried.

I totally enjoyed cooking this specially reading about the Kashmiri Cuisine. Special mention goes to Farrukh Shabad for her incredible lip smacking recipe of Rogan Josh from her blog Cubes n Juliennes. What can be more appropriate than adding this recipe on Bakra Eid. I wish my readers Eid Mubarak!

Directions:

1. In a bowl marinate chopped mutton pieces with Cinnamon Powder and Fennel or Saunf Powder.

2. Also red Kashmiri Chili Powder, Black pepper Powder and Cardamom Powder or Crushed Cardamom.

3. Rub the lamb pieces rigorously with the spices and let it sit for an hour or so.

4. After an hour or marination add mustard oil in a pressure pan. You can use open pot also for slow cooking. Let the oil smoke out. As you spot the smoke turn the flame off.

5. Add Bay leaf, Black Cardamom and Green Cardamom.

6. Also add Cinnamon Sticks, Cloves and Black Pepper Corns. Roast the spices in oil on low flame till aroma starts coming.

7. In a small bowl whisk some thick creamy yogurt, make sure its without lumps. Add Red Chilli Powder and Fennel Powder to it. Set aside.

8. When your whole spices have roasted add the marinated mutton pieces to the pressure pan and fry in oil for 6-8 minutes stirring occasionally. At this stage the colour of mutton will change from red to brown.

9. At this stage add Asafoetida and Dry Ginger Powder to the pan and combine with the mutton.

10. Add a cup of water and simmer for good 10 minutes.

11. Turn the flame on low and then add Yogurt mix to the mutton and combine till whole of mutton is combined in yogurt.

12. Add salt.

13. In a bowl add ratanjot or alkanet with little oil and microwave it for a minute. This will infuse the colour in oil. It is important to mention that ratan job only infuses in alcohol and oil and not in water.

14. Add this ratanjot infused oil to the curry and combine.

15. Close the lid and bring in 3 whistles and then turn the flame on sim. Let it cook for another 20 minutes undisturbed. If you are cooking in a crock pot cook it covered. It can take upto 1 and 1/2 hours to 2 hours. Do not forget to stir at regular intervals. Serve hot with Rice or simple Roti or Tawa Naan.

Other Popular dishes from Indian Cuisine you can try Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, Shahi Paneer, Palak Paneer, Mushroom Do Pyaaza.

[whohit]RoganJosh[/whohit]

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Dinner

Kadhai Mushroom | Mushrooms in Dry Spicy Gravy

By anshu August 24, 2015

Mushroom!! I am a self proclaimed biggest mushroom fan. This fact is not unknown. My blog is an evidence of this as it is full of mushroom and bread recipes. Not to mention there are so many more in the pipeline ;). My love for mushroom has grown leaps and bounds over years. This recipe of Kadhai Mushroom literally translating to Mushroom in a wok in a classic Indian recipe which is made with freshly ground spices which makes all the difference.

I was looking for this recipe for a long time and then came across this recipe of Shilpi from Foods And Flavors By Shilpi. I must say it was amazing! Just like the way they serve at a good Indian restaurant. I was in a mushroom haven.

Directions:

1. Chop some fresh button mushrooms, firm capsicum and onions in big chunks. Set aside.

2. For the gravy finely chop another onion, tomatoes and green chilies. Set aside.

3. For the dry spice mix. Add whole coriander seeds, cumin seeds in a small pan.

4. Also put black peppercorns and red dry chillies. Dry roast them on medium low flame for couple of minutes till they start to crackle, Keep tossing them for you wouldn’t like to burn them 🙂

5. Place them in a dry grinder or coffee grinder on getting cool and blitz them into a coarse powder. Set aside.

6. For the gravy, in a pan add half of the ghee or clarified butter. If you are a vegan you can use any other cooking oil.

7. Add onions and chopped green chilies and saute them till the onions become soft and translucent.

8. Add tomatoes and salt and cook them till the tomatoes turn soft and gooey.

9. As it cools down place it in a grinder and make a smooth puree. Set aside.

10. In the same wok add rest of the ghee or oil and add ginger garlic paste. Saute till the raw aroma of garlic fades away.

11. Add the dry spice mix and saute for a minute or so.

12. After this add the pureed tomato onion paste. Keep cooking till the oil separates. This can take about 7-10 minutes.

13. Add chopped mushrooms to the masala and toss them together. saute them for 5 minutes.

14. At this stage add chopped capsicum and big chunks of onions. If you like you could even add bell peppers to bring in additional flavours and colour.

15. Saute them for a minute or so and add a cup of water to the masala. Let the gravy boil for 5 minutes.

16. Switch the flame off and add fresh cream to make it rich.

17. Add little kasuri methi to give it restaurant like flavour.

18. Serve hot with Roti or Laccha Parantha or even Tawa Naan.

Other Mushroom Recipes you can try here are: Mushroom Do Pyaaza, Malai Bell Pepper Mushroom, Chilli Mushroom, Mushroom Risotto, Italian Frittata with Mushrooms and Spinach, Mexican Casserole Eggs with Mushrooms and Chili Poblano, Mushroom Lasagna in Bechamel Sauce.

[whohit]KadhaiMushroom[/whohit]

[yumprint-recipe id=’161′]

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Dinner

Shahi Paneer | Melting Cottage Cheese Cubes in Cashew Based Gravy

By anshu November 22, 2013

Shahi means Royal for the richness of its gravy. Honestly, I never tried making Shahi Paneer at home. I always had an idea that it is super rich and will invite calories. But this Diwali I wanted to make something for Dinner table which was different and little special for the occasion. I found a recipe to which I made some changes and it came out finger licking. Since then we do not fear calories and make it quiet often 😛 Its so delicious that you would want to make it for every special occasion.

Its better than they serve at any given restaurant. The richness of its gravy perfectly compliments with the soft cottage cheese cubes. Its creamy texture may malt your heart. Its my most sought after recipes which never fails me. I highly recommend that you use home made fresh paneer or cottage cheese for this to get amazing results.

Directions:
1. Soak cashews in water for at least 2 hours or overnight.

2. Chop Onions and tomatoes. Keep aside.

3. In a blender add ginger,garlic and green chilies and make a smooth paste. Keep aside.

4. In a pan put some ghee and add onions to saute till they turn golden brown.

5. Add the ginger, garlic and chili paste, mix well and saute till it is brown.

6. Add the tomatoes and saute for 6 to 8 minutes.

7. Cool the sauteed onion tomatoes and blend in a mixer along with soaked cashews to make a smooth puree.

8. Transfer in a deep pan, add 1/2 cup water and bring it to a boil on a slow flame.

9. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, coriander powder and salt to the puree and mix well.

10. Add cream, mix well and cook on a slow flame,for 5 minutes or till the gravy is thick.

11. Just before serving, heat the gravy and add the paneer pieces into it.

8. To make it taste just like restaurant add dried fenugreek leaves or Kasuri Methi to it and stir. Serve hot garnish with coriander.

Other Popular dishes from Indian Cuisine you can try are: Mughlai Shahi Paneer, Dal Makhni, Butter Chicken, Rogan Josh, Palak Paneer, Mushroom Do Pyaaza, Kadhai Mushroom.

[yumprint-recipe id=’33’]

[whohit]shahi-paneer[/whohit]

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