Aloo Kheema Matar

When it comes to sunday menu, I preferably cook something which goes both with rice for lunch & with rotis for dinner.  Aloo kheema matar is most delicious curry prepared with minced meat & spicy masalas.      Even capsicum can be added instead of matar (Green peas).  Most exotic curry can be used as a stuffings for the sandwich too.

Ingredients :

1. Minced meat (mutton or beef)  -  500 gms
2. Oil - 1 tbsp
3. Cinnamon stick - 1 no
4. Cardamom - 1 no
5. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
6. Onion - 1 no
7. Green chilly - 1 no
8. Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
9. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
10. Green peas (Fresh / frozen) - 1/4 cup
11. Potato - 1 medium sized
12. Tomatoes - 1 no
13. Chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
14. Yoghurt - 1/2 cup
15. Salt to taste
16. Garam masala - 1/4 tsp
17. Black pepper powder - 1/4 tsp
18. Corriander leaves for garnishing

Method :

1.   Heat oil in the pan, add cinnamon stick, cumin seeds & cardamom.  Add finely chopped onion, ginger garlic paste & green chillies.  Saute till tender.

2.   Add turmeric powder, chilly powder, tomato, minced meat, yoghurt & salt to taste.

3.   Add chopped potatoes & green peas.  Cover & cook till done.

4.   Finally, add garam masala powder & black pepper powder.  Cook for 2 more mins.

5.   Garnish it with finely chopped corriander leaves.

Serve with rotis or rice.

Delicate German Apple Cake

Most popular  german apple cake taste delicious with tea.  Perfect for kids & healthy too.  Instead of apple even plums, apricot, cherries can be used.  Cake looks shiny & fluffy once baked.  By spreading apricot glaze adds more flavour to the cake.  Last week I was invited to my friends house for lunch & I baked this cake just for them.  It was delicious :)

Ingredients :

For the toppings :

1. Butter - 4 tbsp
2. Apples - 2 nos

For the sponge :

1. Softened butter - 125 gms
2. Sugar - 1 cup
3. Vanilla essence - 1 tsp
4. A pinch of salt
5. Lemon extract - few drops
6. Eggs (medium) - 3 nos
7. All purpose flour - 2 cups
8. Baking powder - 2 tsp
9. Milk -2 tbsp

For the apricot glaze :

1. Apricot jam - 2 tbsp
2. Water - 1 tbsp

Method :

1.   Grease the baking pan & preheat the oven at 180 C.

For the toppings :

2.   Melt the butter in a small pan.  Peel the apples, cut into quarters, remove the cores & cut lengthwise.

For the sponge :

3.   Sieve the flour & baking powder.

4.   Whisk the butter until soft & add vanilla essence, salt & lemon extract.  

5.   Whisk in the eggs one at a time.  Mix in the flour mixture alternating with the milk.  Transfer the mixture to the greased pan & smooth to make it even.

6.   Arrange the apple quarters on the sponge mixture & pour the melted butter over the apples.  Bake for about 45 mins or until done.

7.   Rub the apricot jam through a sieve.  Add little water to it & bring it the boil.  Pour on the cake immediately after taking it out of the oven.   Allow the cake to cool.

Serve with tea.

Vegetable sandwich with mint flavour

Vegetable sandwich is my most comfort & healthy breakfast menu.  I prefer atleast once a week with little variation.  Especially, with the left over mint chutney & some cooked vegetables in hand makes my breakfast very delicious.  I like to add some cheese slices if served immediately.  Rich, healthy & heavy dish would be perfect for kids snack box too.

Ingredients :

1. Bread slices ( I used Italian sandwich bread ) 
2. Mint chutney for spreading
3. Tomato ketchup
4. Onion -  thinly sliced
5. Tomatoes - thinly sliced
6. Boiled potatoes - sliced
7. Semi- cooked capsicum - sliced
8. Cucumber - sliced
9. Cheese sliced (optional)

Method :

1.   Cut the bread slices & spread the mint chutney in one slice and tomato ketchup in the another bread slice.

2.   Now arrange the cooked vegetables & cheese slice between.  Serve.

Enjoy :)

NOTE :

1.   For preparing mint chutney :  

                Heat 1 tsp of oil in the pan, add 1 tsp of urad dal, 1 inch ginger piece, 2 red chillies, 1 cup mint leaves & 1/2 bunch corriander leaves.  Grind them to fine paste adding salt to taste.

2.   If serving immediately, I prefer not to toast the bread slices, otherwise the bread slices needs to be toasted.