Tandoori Masala (spice mixture)

This is an extremely fragrant mixture of spices that Chhaya created, putting her own spin on Tandoori spicing. This will keep for a long time, and can be used for a myriad of recipes. Including Chicken Tikka.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 2 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes

Green cardamom and black cardamom with cloves and peppercorns

Ingredients:

2 T. coriander seeds
2 T. cumin seeds
1 T. fenugreek seeds
1 T. cloves
1 T. black peppercorns
4 green cardamom pods, seeded (discard pods)
4 black cardamom pods, seeded (discard pods)
1 T. ground cinnamon
2 T. ground ginger
1/4 c. paprika
1 t. cayenne

1. Roast all the spices except the ground ones for 2-3 minutes on medium heat in a non-stick pan. Stir constantly. Note: make sure to removed the seeds from the cardamom pods, discarding the pods, and only roasting the seeds.

2. Let cool down for 5-10 minutes.

3. Grind all  the spices together (whole and powdered) in a grinder.
4. Store in a cool, dry place in an air-tight container for up to 8 months to a year.

Chicken Tikka

Please note that this is not Chicken Tikka Masala which has the rich creamy gravy. This is closer to Tandoori chicken, and is marinated overnight.

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes




Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 (heaping) t. tandoori masala

1/2 t. chile powder (optional to your taste for heat)
1/2 t. turmeric
1 1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 t. fresh ginger, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 c. yogurt
pinch of saffron (optional for color and flavor)
1 lemon, juiced
2 T. olive oil
1 onion, cut thinly lengthwise


1. Heat up olive oil for a couple of minutes (don't let it smoke) over medium heat. Mix with the dry powdered spices (masala, chili powder).
2. Mix the rest of the ingredients (except the onion) together.
3. Marinate overnight.
4. Pre-heat oven to 400º.
5. Put chicken mixture in a pyrex pan (8"x13").
6. Cook for 20-25 minutes. Add the onions on top. Put on broil for 2-3 minutes.

Daal

Daal is one of the main staples of any Indian meal, and is a serious comfort food. On a cold winter's day, just a bowl of daal with some basmati rice will warm you from the inside out. It is a simple dish that is easy to make. Chhaya's daal is definitely some of the tastiest you will find!

Ingredients:

1/2 c. tur daal with 1 c. water
2 T. oil
1 T. mustard seeds
1/4 t. asafoetida powder
1/2 t. turmeric
1/2 t. ginger, finely chopped
1 serrano chili, seeded and chopped
2-3 curry leaves (if you can find fresh at Indian grocer) or you can omit
1 c. water
1 c. chopped tomatoes
1 t. ground coriander
chopped cilantro
lemon juice
salt to taste


1. Cook daal with water in pressure cooker for 10 minutes. If you don't have a pressure cooker, you can put the daal into a covered metal bowl within a covered pot with 2 inches of water for 25 minutes.

2. Make the tadaka or phodani (in Marahti), which is the spicing: cover sauce pan with oil, put mustard seeds and cook until they finish popping. Add asafetida powder, turmeric, ginger, serrano pepper and curry leaves.

3. Add the daal, and another cup of water. Add tomatoes and coriander. Cook for 10 minutes. Add salt to taste.

4. Garnish with chopped cilantro and the juice of half a lemon.

Halwa (Carrot dessert)

Ingredients:
8-10 medium carrots, shredded
1/4 c. unsalted butter
3/4 c. sugar
pinch saffron
1/4 t. ground cardamom
3/4 c. whole milk
3/4 c. half and half
garnish: ground almonds and pistachios (about 1/8 c.)


1. Melt the butter in a stainless steel saucepan. Add carrots and cover on low heat for 7-8 minutes. Stir occasionally.

2. Add sugar and spices and cook for 2 minutes. Incorporate the milk and half and half slowly. Simmer on low until it thickens (about 10 minutes).

3. Sprinkle with the nuts.

Okra - Bhindi

Ok, so okra might not be everyone's favorite vegetable...but after you make this, it might be. Seriously, don't pass go, don't collect $200, just head into your kitchen and whip this up. It's simply delicious!

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lbs. okra, ends chopped, sliced on the diagonal 1/4" thick
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced lengthwise
1 serrano chili, chopped (omit seeds if you want less spicy)
1 T. ginger, grated
1/2 t. turmeric
1 T. ground coriander
1/2 t. ground cumin
1/4 t. garam masala
t. black mustard seeds
salt to taste
pinch of sugar
2 T. oil

1. Heat oil on medium heat, add mustard seeds and cook until they stop popping, then add turmeric and onions. Cook onions until translucent, 2-3 minutes.

2. Add ginger and chilis, then add the okra. Cook for 10 minutes on medium low, stirring occasionally.

3. Add remaining spices and finally add the salt. If you add the salt before, it will get too watery.

Saag Paneer

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes + 20 minutes

Ingredients:
16 oz. baby spinach
2 T. ginger
4 cloves garlic
1 red onion, chopped
1/2 c. water
2 T. vegetable oil
2 T. ghee or butter
4-6 green cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
fenugreek leaves (if you can find fresh) or 6 fenugreek seeds ground

fenugreek leaves

Ginger, cut into match sticks (a thumb's worth)
1 T. ground coriander
1 t. garam masala
1/4 c. greek yogurt
salt to taste
paneer (can be found at Indian grocery stores, or made fresh), cut into 1-inch cubes 
Tadaka (seasoning):
2 T. butter or ghee
4 dried red chilis
1/4 t. cayenne pepper or paprika (if you don't like the heat)

1. Put spinach, ginger, garlic cloves, onion and water and let wilt in a covered fry pan on low heat for 30 minutes. Purée in a blender or food processor.

2. Put oil and ghee in a fry pan on medium heat. Add cardamom, cinnamon stick, fenugreek leaves or ground fenugreek seeds, ginger matchsticks, coriander, garam masala. Then add the puréed spinach and gradually incorporate the yogurt to avoid curdling. Sauté for 5 to 10 minutes.

3. In a separate pan, sauté and brown both sides of the paneer cubes.

4. For the tadaka (or seasoning), melt butter in a small sauce pan. Add the dried chilis and cayenne pepper or paprika. Add less chilis and add paprika instead of cayenne if you want a milder flavored saag.

5. Put puréed spinach in a serving dish, place paneer on top, then add the tadaka and mix everything together. Garnish with some chopped cilantro, eat with some naan or chapati...yum!!

Chicken Biryani with Vegetables and Raita

Chicken Biryani is a popular rice dish, and served with raita, which is a yogurt dish used to cool the palate.
*** Note: Because this dish has many components, it takes a lot of time. But well worth the effort!

Prep time: 1/2 hour
Cook time: 1 hour + 40 minutes
Total time (with marinade): 5 hours

Ingredients:
1 lb. chicken breast chopped
5 medium potatoes
3 carrots
½ red bell pepper
Marinade:
1 c. greek yogurt
4 cloves garlic
2 chili peppers (Serrano)
8 quarter-sized slices of ginger
2-3 T. lime juice
1 onion
¼ t. turmeric
½ t. cayenne pepper
Rice:
3-4 black cardamom pods
3-4 green cardamom pods
2 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 bay leaves
2 t. cumin powder
1 t. garam masala
1 ½ c. basmati rice
4 c. water
salt to taste
butter or ghee (clarified butter)
Saffron:
½ t. saffron
¼ c. milk
Garnish: 

Fried onions (optional)
Slivered almonds
Cashews
Chopped cilantro and mint
Raita:
1/2 cucumber, chopped, seeded
1/2 c. greek yogurt
Serrano chile, chopped (optional)
1/2 t. cumin seeds, roasted
Cilantro, Mint, chopped
Pinch of sugar
Salt

For making the chicken:

Put ½ of an onion, 2 cloves garlic, yogurt, serrano chilis, ¼ t. turmeric, cayenne pepper and salt into a food processor.  Set aside ¼ cup of the marinade for the vegetables. With the remaining marinade, mix it with the chicken, and marinade for several hours (3-4), even overnight.  Sauté chicken over high heat for a couple minutes then simmer for 10 minutes on low heat.


For the vegetables:

Fry the potatoes and carrots in ¼- inch of oil for a couple of minutes until crispy, for 2-3 minutes, then mix with red peppers and the remaining marinade. Sauté vegetables for 10 minutes on medium heat, then add cilantro and mint. Also add some of the crispy onions and some lime juice.

For the rice:
Put 1 teaspoon of butter, cinnamon stick, black and green cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, rice and water. Bring to a boil. Don’t cover the rice.

Saffron: 

Put saffron in a 1/4 c. of milk in a small bowl. Let sit until ready to assemble dish.

Assembly:

Place one third of rice in a well-greased dutch oven. Put a layer of vegetables and chicken. Add cashews and almonds, and drizzle some of saffron mixture. Sprinkle a little water for moisture. Add another layer of rice, repeat with chicken and vegetables, nuts and saffron. Add one more layer of rice, then drizzle the remaining saffron and sprinkle with nuts and more water. Cover dutch oven with tin foil and then the lid to completely seal.
Put in oven at 300° for 40 minutes.

For Raita:
Peel and seed cucumber, finely dice. Add salt and let sit for 10 minutes. Squeeze excess water with cheese cloth or strainer. Add some chopped chiles (optional). Pinch of sugar, salt. Add greek yogurt, cilantro, mint and cumin seeds.