Spicy Andhra Mutton Curry

Now that my mom is more confident about my cooking skills (Yay!), I was "volunteered" to cook mutton last night. For some reason, against my natural inclination, I found myself craving for some spicy curry...and so was my dad. The result was some Andhra Mutton Curry, which was inspired by Sanjeev Kapoor's recipe but altered a little to make it a little more spicier. And though the curry was really good, I think it lacked the punch of chillies that is so typical of Andhra food. However, those who are not very comfortable with chillies and are yet feeling a little brave, this dish would serve them beautifully. Here is how it goes:

Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Servings: 4

Preparation Time: 20-30 minutes

1.    Mutton,1/2 cm cubes      - 500 gram

2.    Salt - to taste

3.    Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon

4.    Poppy seeds (khuskhus/posto) - 1 teaspoon

5.    Fennel seeds (saunf) - 1/2 teaspoon

6.    Peppercorns - 6

7.    Coriander seeds - 1 teaspoon

8.    Cumin seeds  - 1 teaspoon

9.    Cinnamon - 1 inch piece

10.    Clove  -    5

11.    Green cardamom - 3

12.    Vegetable oil - 4 tablespoon

13.    Curry leaves  -10

14.    Onion ,chopped  - 3 medium

15.    Ginger-garlic paste – 1 and 1/2 teaspoon

16.    Red chilli powder - 1/2 teaspoon

17.    Black pepper powder  - 2 teaspoon

18.    Tomato,chopped  - 1 large

19.    Fresh coriander leaves, chopped  - 1/2 tablespoon (for garnish)

Method

I had pre-marinated the mutton in vinegar the previous night to cut down the cooking time. Pressure cook mutton pieces with two cups of water, salt and turmeric powder for 1 whistle and let it simmer for 5 more minutes. (If your mutton is not pre-marinated, Sanjeev suggests that you cook it for 6 whistles.) Open the lid when the pressure reduces, drain and reserve the cooking liquor. Dry roast poppy seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cinnamon, cloves and green cardamoms. Cool and grind to a fine powder. Heat oil in kadai (wok). Add curry leaves and onions. Sauté till the onions are brown. Add ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder and half the black pepper powder and sauté for a minute. Add tomato and mutton pieces, cook on high heat till the tomato is soft. Add salt and the spice powder and simmer for five minutes. Add the reserved cooking liquor and bring to a boil. Simmer till all the mutton pieces get well coated with thick gravy. Add the remaining black pepper powder and stir well. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Kerala and Beef

I was in a small town of Kerala last month---Thrissur. While that place has nothing much to offer, a forced visit there for my sister’s wedding meant that I had to bear the entire trip and focus on the wedding. And then I remembered that one thing that Kerala does offer that I am yet to experience in other cities in India ---some of the best beef preparations ever.

My general rule when I visit any small town is to stick to the local cuisine. However, finding myself in Lulu Convention Center (I hate that godawful name) one afternoon, I felt a little brave and ordered a well-done beef steak with pepper sauce. The others at the table ordered a seafood platter and roasted chicken. The roasted chicken was made fairly well but nothing that was memorable. The seafood was a whole lot better except for the tad overcooked squid. The best dish, however, I am happy to say was the beef steak. The pepper sauce was not hot but had a nice depth to it. The food does cater to the mix (usually NRI) crowd and it does cater well. 

Finishing off lunch with some amazing coffee that they have, is highly recommended.

PS: I liked that though it took them 15 minutes to bring our lunch to the table, they brought all plates together; thus, saving any one of us the “waiting-for-others-while-watching-the-food-grow-cold” moment.

Kadhai Paneer

Last night I came home from office after a 2-hour drive through the horrible traffic jams. The journey would have ideally been somewhere between 45 minutes to a little over an hour. And I came home to find that my mom was not only busier than I was, but also that she too was stuck in a traffic jam. Since it was close to dinner time and no dinner in sight, I volunteered to prepare the entire meal. The rice, dal and my very simple spicy pepper squid (another post) turned out well, I hunted for simple paneer recipes and came across Tarla Dalal’s Kadhai Paneer recipe on http://www.tarladalal.com.  

It was easy and tasted really, really good. Here's how you make it:

Preparation Time: 30 min.

Cooking Time: 20 min.
Serves 6.

Ingredients

500 gms (1 1/8 lb.) paneer (cottage cheese)
100 gms capsicum
2 tsp coriander (dhania) seeds
5 whole red chillies
3/4 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
2 green chillies, chopped
2 tsp chopped ginger
4 tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp chopped coriander (dhania)
3 tbsp ghee (I don’t like oily food so I did cut down on the ghee and added vegetable oil to nearly half the quantity mentioned here)
salt to taste

For the paste
6 cloves garlic (lehsun) mixed with a little water

Method

1. Slice the paneer and capsicum into thin long strips.
2. Pound the coriander seeds and red chillies together.
3. Heat the ghee, add the garlic paste and cook on a slow flame for a few seconds.
4. Add the capsicum and pounded spices and cook on a slow flame for 30 seconds.
5. Add the green chillies and ginger and fry again for a few seconds.
6. Add the tomatoes and cook until the ghee comes on top. (note: I’ll be using tomato paste next time. Also I ended up adding about 2 Tbsp tomato ketchup to make it a little “saucier”)
7. Add the kasoori methi and salt and fry again for a few seconds.
8. Finally, add the sliced paneer and cook for a few minutes.
9. Sprinkle coriander on top and serve hot.

Tangy okra (bhindi)

Yes, this is a recipe. Yes, I cook...occasionally and often reluctantly. In the more recent months, however, I have re-discovered the joys of cooking. Well, to be honest, it's the joy of trying out new recipes. I'm happy to report that my family is now less jittery when I enter the kitchen to cook. And now that my cook has left us, I'm happy to work cook (and clean the kitchen simultaneously) while my mom gets her break from usual cooking.

Last night, certain circumstances forced me to cook dinner yet again and I used that opportunity to try out a simple recipe that I found on www.khanakhazana.com. It turned out so yummy that I would have paid good bucks to have it in a restaurant. No, I'm not boasting about my cooking skills here since my culinary skills are quite rudimentary to be honest but the fact that a person with limited cooking skills like myself was able to follow the recipe and present something that tasted as good as this did deserves praise, don't you think?

Also, I decided that I just had to start collecting my successful kitchen experiments. After all, if I can cook, you can too!  

(PS: I wish I had taken a better photo :P )

Here's how to create a bowl of amazing tangy okra:

Ingredients

• 1/2 kg lady's finger (okra/bhindi)
• 1 big Onion
• 4-5 red chillies
• 1 clove Garlic
• 1 Lemon
• 2 tsp Jeera
• 1 Tomato
• 1/2 tsp Haldi powder
• 1 tsp Dhania powder
• salt according to taste
• cooking oil

Directions

1. Wash and cut Okra (Bhindi) in 4-5 pieces each. Don't wash it after cutting, it will make the preparation very gooey.
2. Heat oil in a pan add jeera on it till brown, now add chopped onion and fry till lite brown
3. Add diced Okra and fry for some time
4. then add lemon on it. Don't put water
5. then add haldi powder, dhania powder.
6. Cover and simmer it for 15 min
7. make a chutney of red chillies, garlic, tomatoes and salt
8. Now add chutney on it and mix well
9. Cook anther 10 min on low flame and cover on it
10. its ready to serve

Lodhi - The Garden Restaurant

Having moved to Lodhi Estate recently, it was but natural that we decided to go into the famed Lodhi - The Garden Restaurant when we had a good reason to celebrate. It serves European and Mediterranean cuisines, for those who may not already know.

So we stop our car right in front of the restaurant, submit the key for valet parking and take a token---an unnecessary exercise, really, because when we came out after the dinner, the car was right where we had left it---at the curb of the main road right outside the restaurant gate. Valet parking, my foot!

Moving to more pleasant things, as soon as you enter through the restaurant gate, one automatically relaxes and it is very easy to forget that the busy main road runs right outside. To be blunt, I thought I was entering a garden of my dreams. It might have seemed spectacular because it was nighttime, the lighting was just perfect, and there was just the right amount of chill to make one want to enjoy their meal outside. We were then informed that no alcohol would be served outside so if we were planing to order drinks, we had no option but to sit indoors. Buzz kill! We tried to salvage our moods by ordering drinks first.

A little wait later the drinks arrived --- Gooseberry Margarita, Apple Mojito, Apple Sangria, and a Whiskey (that's my dad's usual at any restaurant. Boooooring!).

(Left to right and back to front) Gooseberry Margarita, Apple Mojito, Apple Sangria, and Whiskey

Ok! So the cocktails are so-so and not memorable. The menu card was very limiting and so we ended up ordering a Mezze platter for appetizer, which will not be discussed any further since it certainly does not deserve any attention.

For dinner, our order consisted of 2 Seafood Paella, 1 Chicken Paella, and 1 New Zealand Lamb Chops.  Each dish was more than adequate for 1 person and the food was good too. It would be right to mention here that I did think that the Seafood Paella was a tad more interesting in flavors than my Chicken Paella and the Lamb Chops were succulent and mildly flavored making it quite likeable.

For desserts, we were shown an array of desserts of which we chose a Strawberry mousse and a chocolate mousse. Our server returned to our table after 5-6 minutes to tell us that the chef refused to serve the Strawberry mousse because he was not happy with the way the latest batch had turned out and so could we please order something else? The strawberry mousse was promptly replaced by my ever favorite Blueberry Cheesecake. The desserts were good but I have had better.

When the bill arrived, I did blink blankly at the receipt a few times because I could not wrap total bill figure round my head. It was ludicrous! The food was good, I admit , but I have had much, much better food at a fraction of the bill I was staring at. And I do go often to so called "expensive" places to eat so I know that the 5-figure bill was grossly disproportionate to our satisfaction of having what we just had. I was almost tempted to ask them if they would take my kidney (or two) instead of cash. I was also in a mood to slap all those who wrote in their reviews that the average cost was "Rs.2000 to 2,500 for two." Sniffing food does not count in a food review! Hmmmph.

Next time, I plan on just walking in, ordering a glass of water, and leave. The location is fabulous but I know better places to eat. :)

Avg. cost:  Rs.3000 per person
Rating: 3/5 (the "3" is SOLELY for the location and ambiance).

List of street food of Delhi

One of my readers requested for a list of places to eat in Delhi. I still think that no matter how swanky the restaurant you go to, one has not experienced the city if you have not tried the street food. Here are a list of things to try and places to try from in Delhi. (Please note: The credit for this list goes to indiamike).

I admit, I have not tried all but I'm working on crossing it off my list. If the foodie in you does take you to the places listed. And let me know how the experience was!

1. Kulfi at Dulichand, Chawri Bazaar
2. Kallu ke Nihari: Chatta Lal Miyan, Chawri Bazaar
3. Chatpati Biryani, of Mota Biryaniwala. 701 Haveli Azam Khan, Chowk Chitli Qabar, Chawri Bazaar
4. Israeli cuisine: Sam's, Paharganj
5. Maas Tenga and Thali at Jakoi, Assam Bhawan, Sardar Patel Marg
6. Khurchan and Tomato Paranthas: Parantha gully, Chadni Chowk
7. Firni: Balimaran, Chadni Chowk
8. Bortz and Kompot: Bline Russian Restaurant, Shop 15, DDA Market, opp C block, Anand Niketan. Nearest Metro AIIMS
9. Biryani: Haji Noor Mohammed Biryaniwale, Elaichi Wali Gali, near Turkman Gate. ALSO Manpasand Turkish Kebops and Doner: Anatolia K39 Central Market, Lajpat Nagar II
10. Kashmiri Wazwan cuisine: Dilli Haat
11. Pork extravaganza: Naga Stall, Dilli Haat ALSO Rosang, Safdarjung Enclave
12. Kale Baba ke Kabab: Chawri Bazaar
13. Lemon Bunta: Pandit Vedaprakash Lemon Wale, near Town Hall, Chadni Chowk
14. Rabri Falooda: Giani's Church Mission Street
15. Korean food: Dokebi Nara, Paharganj
16. Chole Bature: Sitaram Diwan Chand, Paharganj
17. Ustaad Moinuddin ke kabab: Galli Quasim Jan, corner of Lalkuan Bazaar, Chawri Bazaar
18. Kulle ki chaat: Hira lal Chaat wale / Jugal Kishore Ramji Lal, Chawri Bazaar
19. Kheer: Bade Miyan, Chawri Bazaar
20. Beef fry, meen (fish) fry: Kerala Hotel, INA Market
21. Haji Noora ki Nihari: Bara Hindu Rao, near Pool Bangash Metro
22. Cakes and such: German Bakery, Paharganj
23. Mutton Curry: Ashok and Ashok, Paharganj
24. Mutton dal, butter chicken and burra: Moti Mahal, Daryaganj
25. Chota Samosas: Scindia House lane, CP
26. Continental lunch: Metropolis, Paharganj
27. Cheesecake: Yum Yum Tree, NFC
28. Mutton Curry and Pulao: Sardar's Meat Shop,
29. Chole Kulche: Lotan ke, Nai Sarak, Barshabulla chowk, ALSO Scindia House
30. Sindhi Thali: Annapurna Bhoj, Church Mission Road
31. Mutton Curry: Moti Dhaba, near Amba cinema, Adarsh Nagar metro
32. Multani moth: Gali number six of Multani Dhanda,near Sheila Cinema, Paharganj
33. Mughlai curries: Al-Zahid Nemat Kada, Sadar Bazar
34. Jalebis: Old Famous Jalebi Wala, Dariba Kalan, Chadni Chowk
35. Kababs: Urdu Bazaar, near Jama Masjid gate 1
36. Milk froth chat: Daulat at Kinari Bazaar
37. Kashmiri kabab: Bulbuli Khana, Bazaar Sitaram
38. Poori-Aloo: Chaina Ram, Church Mission Street
39. Beef Biryani: Jama Masjid gate 1
40. Afghan meal: Krishna Market, Banphul Marg, opp Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Jangpura Metro

Dimsum Bros. - Ambience Mall, Gurgaon

If one wants to try food more evolved than the roadside Momo stands (I have nothing against them, by the way), I would certainly suggest a trip to Dimsum Bros., Ambience Mall, Gurgaon The food will not disappoint you unless, of course, your taste buds have been corrupted by years of Chindian food that is usually served in "Chinese" restaurants in India.

Once you enter the restaurants and your senses settle to the sights and sounds that is quite opposite the the loud and busy scene just outside the restaurant, you will want to stick around. So find yourself a nice Earth-brown or Ivory chair, relax, and get ready to experience the magic.

Dimsum Bros has a fairly decent collections of drinks (Rose and Cucumber Vodka, to name just two) to chose from but before you sip your favorite poison, keep in mind that dimsums are traditionally small serving of food served with green tea and Dimsum Bros. will serve you the complementary tea along with your order. So hold the vino for a little while and savour the food like it is meant to be eaten.


Take your time to chose from the list of 35+ varieties of dim sum - steamed, baked, shallow and pan-fried - and do not hesitate to be greedy. Each dimsum served here, thankfully, tastes different from the other.  If you think that the quantity does not justify the cost, remember that this is food art and it does not sell by the dozen.

So now let me recall some interesting bits from the menu. The "Play boy" or Bunny and Pear-shaped dimsums are a delight to the eyes and the Prawn Har Gow, Beijing Chicken dumpling with home made vinegar were really good.

If you are looking for something other than a dimsum, fear not, there are other things to chose from the menu like the Prawns tempura that add a light crunch to the slightly hot Wasabi Mayo and the stir fried chicken in Saki wine that melts in your mouth before your teeth get working on it---Fabulous!

This post, unfortunately, does not contain any pics; no thanks to my comp crashing a few days ago. *grumble* However, the good news is that I'll be making my third trip there soon. I have to. I have not yet tried EVERYTHING on the menu.

Avg. cost: Rs.1600 for a meal for two.
Rating: 4/5