Tag: Easy Recipe

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Skillet Mushroom and Zucchini Stir Fry- Fresh and Healthy

Sometimes, the best way to enjoy fresh veggies is a simple sauté. I love doing this with zucchini, especially because it cooks up quickly. Skillet sautéed mushroom and zucchini is fresh, healthy and absolutely delicious side dish. This is sautéed to crispy tenderness with garlic, scallions, butter, olive oil and mild spices. It is quick, easy and wholesome. Even kids will love it as a side.

Pair these veggies with scrambled eggs, omelette or roasted chicken. For vegetarians and vegans you can add Indian cottage cheese or tofu to it for protein. It could be your perfect light meal in summers. I paired it with omelette and a toast for breakfast. 

Tips for sautéing Zucchini to prevent it from getting Soggy

  1. Since zucchini contain a large amount of water content, it is best to sauté it at on a high flame. It allows the moisture to evaporate at a quicker rate, allowing the zucchini to brown. It also shortens the cooking time. 
  2. Be mindful when cutting the zucchini. Smaller and uneven pieces can burn more easily at high temperature. 
  3. Don’t overcrowd the zucchini in the pan. This will cause the zucchini to steam and not get browning effect.

Recipe: serves 3

Ingredients 

  • Zucchini: 2 cups, cut into roundels of roughly 1/2 cm thickness
  • Mushroom: 250 grams, chopped length wise
  • Garlic: 3-4 large cloves, cut thinly
  • Scallions: 2, chopped with greens
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Italian Seasoning: 1/2 tsp
  • Red Chilli flakes: 1/2 tsp or less
  • Butter: 20 grams
  • Olive Oil: 1 tbsp
  • Lemon juice: 1 tsp

Instructions 

  • Bring cast iron skillet to medium heat. Add half of butter and olive oil.
  • Increase the flame and add zucchini. Sauté at high flame for 3-4 minutes. Remove it from the skillet and set aside. 
  • Now add remaining half of the butter and oil and sauté garlic till it becomes lightish brown. 
  • Then add mushrooms and cook for a minute. 
  • Season mushrooms with some salt and pepper and then add scallions and scallions greens. Cook everything for 4-5 minutes or till mushrooms soften and become brown.
  • Return zucchini to the skillet. Add Italian seasoning and red chilli flakes if using. Mix well and cook for another minute on high flame. 
  • Taste for salt and other seasoning. Add more if required. 
  • Remove skillet from flame and finish it with lemon juice. 

Enjoy the goodness! 🙂

I hope you enjoyed reading this recipe. Do give this recipe a shot. I am sure this recipe will bring you a lot of joy. If you try this recipe, do give us a shout out. Just click a picture and tag us on @masala.monk or use the hashtag #MasalaMonkRecipe and share on Instagram and Facebook. We would love to hear from you. Happy Cooking!

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Creamy Vegetarian Corn Chowder Recipe

Hearty creamy corn chowder is a classic dish that has been loved for centuries. Corn Chowder is a type of chowder that originated in the Midwestern and Southern United States in 1800s, where corn was a staple crop. A bowl of chowder is as satisfying in the summer heat as it is in the winter when you want a bowl of cozy warmth. It is cream based soup which is loaded with sweet corn and potatoes and flavour packed corn broth. It is an absolute treat when fresh corn is in abundant. Fresh corn offers the best flavour but if you can’t find fresh corn, you can totally substitute it with frozen sweet corn kernels. Most chowder recipes call for either bacon or seafood. But fear not, this corn chowder is completely vegetarian-friendly!

What to serve Chowder with?

I like chowder with a homemade crusty garlic bread. It is like a match made in heaven. They are so meant to be together. But honestly, it is great just as it is also. I have also added boiled pasta in chowder which makes it a complete meal in a bowl.

Leftover and Storage

Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge and reheated in a saucepan. I wouldn’t recommend keeping longer than 3-4 days due to cream in the recipe.

I do not recommend freezing it because of cream. Creamy dishes tend to get an unpleasant texture when frozen and can separate when reheated.

Recipe: serves 2

Ingredients:

  • Sweet Corn Kernels: 1 cup
  • Fresh Cream: 1.5 cups (I used cream with 25% fat)
  • Olive Oil: 2 tbsps 
  • Garlic: 6 cloves, chopped 
  • Onion: 1 small size, chopped 
  • Carrots: Handful, chopped finely 
  • Capsicum: Handful, chopped finely 
  • Mushrooms: Handful, chopped (retain the stems)
  • Black olives: 4 to 5
  • Potato: 1, medium, chopped finely
  • Pasta: 12 to 15 elbow pasta (you can use whichever you like)
  • Thyme: 1 tsp
  • All Purpose Flour: 1/2 tsp 
  • Salt to taste 
  • Peppercorns: 7 to 8, freshly ground
  • Chilli flakes: 1/2 tsp or more as per taste
  • Pasta stock/Vegetarian Stock: 1.5 cups
  • Lemon juice: just a few drops

Method 

  1. Boil pasta as per instructions and retain the stock.
  2. In a preheated olive oil, add garlic and sauté till sticky. Now add onion and sauté till translucent.
  3. Add the veggies except corn kernels. Season it with salt and thyme.
  4. Sauté till they start releasing all the juices and potatoes soften. 
  5. Sprinkle flour on the veggies and sauté for ten seconds.
  6. Now add cream and bring it to simmer. Lower the flame and stir occasionally so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
  7. Add corn kernels, olives, all the seasoning and pasta stock.
  8. Cook till you achieve the desired consistency. Check for seasoning.
  9. Add cooked pasta and give a nice mix.
  10. Switch off the flame. 
  11. Finish it with lemon juice. Cover it for 5 mins then add cilantro leaves for garnishing.
  12. Serve hot with garlic bread. 

Tips:

  • You can add veggies as per choice. Broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers go very well.
  • I personally don’t prefer a thick consistency in soups hence I added less of flour.
  • Preferably use a non-stick pan.
  • Add cooked pasta at the time of serving or pasta will become soggy.

I hope you enjoyed reading this recipe. Do give this recipe a shot. I am sure this recipe will bring you a lot of joy. If you try this recipe, do give us a shout out. Just click a picture and tag us on @masala.monk or use the hashtag #MasalaMonkRecipe and share on Instagram and Facebook. We would love to hear from you. 

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Kuzhi Vegetable Paniyarams Recipe

Vegetable Paniyaram or Appe/Appam as it is commonly known is a South Indian breakfast recipe made from idli/dosa batter and known as kuzhi Paniyaram in Tamil, Paddu in Kannada, and Gunta Ponugulu in Telugu. It’s the best way to use idli dosa batter if the batter has turned sour after a couple of days. It is perfect for kids too as it is extremely healthy, has a good dose of vegetables and looks colourful and attractive. My kid loves it and often asks for it especially in his school tiffin. He would take extra to school as requested by his friends. 🙂

Some years back my uncle gifted this cast iron Paniyaram pan (appe pan) to me and it has been my most treasured kitchen possessions. Since then my obsession with appe pan started and I make not only paniyarams in it but also fritters, little pancake balls, patties, bread rolls, falafel, kofte and dahi bhallas. Basically, anything that you need to shallow or deep fry can be made in appe pan with much less oil. 

I like the instant version of Vegetable Paniyaram – it is quick to make with leftover idli/dosabatter. The last few cups of idli batter might not always yield soft idlis or make soggy dosas. I add mixed sautéed veggies with some spices into the leftover idli batter and it turns into flavourful paniyarams which I often serve with Coconut Chutney or Kara Chutney.  They are really crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Check out this recipe below. If you have leftover Idli batter you can use that. In the recipe below I’ll share with you the recipe of fresh batter

Recipe: makes 20-25 paniyarams 

Ingredients 

For the Batter

  1. White Split Urad Dal: 1/2 cup
  2. Bengal Gram/Channa Dal: 1/8th cup
  3. Fenugreek Seeds: 1 tsp
  4. Rice: 1 cup
  5. Flattened Rice/Poha: 1/4th cup
  6. Water as required for the batter
  7. Rock Salt: 1 tsp

For Paniyarams 

  1. Mixed Chopped or Grated Vegetables: 1 cup (I used onion, capsicum, carrot)
  2. Minced Ginger: 1 tsp
  3. Asafoetida/Hing: a pinch
  4. Mustard Seeds: 1 tsp
  5. Curry Leaves: Handful
  6. Oil/Ghee for Cooking
  7. Salt to taste
  8. Green chilies: 2 (optional)

Instructions 

  • Wash and soak urad dal, channa dal and 1 tsp of fenugreek seeds for 3-4 hours. 
  • Wash and soak rice and poha for 3-4 hours.
  • First grind the dals using water. Add water gradually to make a smooth thick but flowing consistency batter. 
  • Now grind rice and poha, again by adding little water at a time to make thick but flowing consistency batter.
  • Mix both the batters in a steel or a glass bowl. Add rock salt. Mix well. Leave it for fermentation for atleast 8 hours or more at a warm place. The batter will rise and will become airy with tiny bubbles. If it hasn’t then leave for some more time. 
  • In a pan, add a tbsp of oil. Add some mustard seeds & hing. Let mustard seeds splutter. Now add some finely chopped green chilies if using, curry leaves and minced ginger. Cook for few seconds then add finely chopped vegetables of your choice.
  • Season it with some salt. Cook for 2 minutes on medium flame or till they soften a bit. Allow it to cool. Then add the sauteed vegetables to the fermented batter and mix gently.
  • Now your batter is ready. The consistency of the batter is similar to idli batter. If it’s thick, add a bit of water. Check for salt. Heat Paniyaram pan to medium heat. Brush it with ghee or oil in each cavity and fill it with batter. Leave some space for paniyarams to rise.
  • Cover with a lid and cook on medium to low flame for 3 minutes or when the top has set, and edges have browned.
  • Then with a help of a skewer or a knife flip the paniyarams and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes. 
  • Serve immediately with chutney of your choice. 

Tips:

  • Cook appe on low-medium heat or else you will end up with raw batter in the middle.
  • You may use any combination of veggies minced broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, or greens like methi or drumstick leaves works too.
  • Use a paniyaram pan that has been seasoned well and used in the past. If not the paniyarams will stick to the pan.

Do give this recipe a shot. I am sure this will be your child’s and your family’s new favourite. If you try this recipe, do give us a shout out. Just click a picture and tag us on @masala.monk or use the hashtag #MasalaMonkRecipe and share on Instagram and Facebook. We would love to hear from you. 🙂

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Crispy Cluster Beans (Gawar Phali ) Recipe

If you are from Rajasthan you definitely know this vegetable but do you know that India is a largest producer of gawar phali (cluster beans) ? Gawar Phali, the superfood from Rajasthan truly deserves its name as a magical vegetable as it can provide an array of health benefits that most other vegetables cannot offer. Gawar phali is an excellent source of dietary fibre, protein, and minerals, and the best part it is also low in calories. So let’s quickly see how to make crispy cluster beans as side dish.

Ingredients:

250 grams cluster beans
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust according to your spice preference)
2 tablespoons cornflour
1/2 teaspoon amchoor (dried mango powder)
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

Instructions:

Start by washing the cluster beans thoroughly under running water and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.

Trim the ends of the cluster beans and slit them lengthwise from the center.

In a large plate add the washed and dried cluster beans to the spice mixture combine turmeric powder, coriander powder, roasted cumin powder, red chili powder, cornflour, amchoor, and salt. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.

Gently coat the beans with the spice mixture, making sure each bean is well coated. Allow the beans to marinate in the spice mixture for about 10 minutes. This will help the flavors to infuse into the beans.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a deep pan or kadhai over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the marinated cluster beans into the pan. Fry the cluster beans until they turn golden brown and become crisp. Stir occasionally to ensure even frying.

Remove the crispy cluster beans from the hot oil and place them on a kitchen paper towel. This will help absorb any excess oil. Repeat the frying process for the remaining batches of cluster beans until all are cooked to perfection. Once done, transfer the crispy cluster beans to a serving dish and serve immediately as a side dish or snack.

Enjoy your homemade crispy cluster beans as a delightful and crunchy accompaniment to your meals! Hope you liked the recipe. I would love to see your creations. If you tried this recipe , just click a pictures and tag us on @masala.monk or use the hashtag #MasalaMonkRecipe and share on Instagram and Facebook. Happy Cooking!

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Authentic Grilled Bombay Sandwich Recipe

Bombay is a heaven for food lovers, with street foods that are rich in flavour. From spicy pav bhaji to crispy vada pav, the city’s street food is a delightful exploration of taste and culture. Bombay grilled sandwich is popular Maharashtrian street food and if you are a sandwich lover, then you definitely need to try this recipe. This sandwich can be quick prepared without much hassle. This Bombay sandwich is a sweet, salty, spicy and savory recipe filled with a flavor that will leave you wanting for more and more. The best part is that this veggies – loaded sandwich can be given in kids lunch boxes or taken to your office too. Just use the below given ingredients and make the easy tasty sandwich for you and your family.

Ingredients:

  • Bread slices
  • Boiled potatoes, sliced
  • Cucumber, thinly sliced
  • Capsicum, thinly sliced
  • Onion, thinly sliced
  • Chat masala
  • Salt, to taste
  • Green coriander chutney
  • Butter
  • Tomato slices (optional)
  • Besan bhujiya

Method:

Begin by spreading a thin layer of butter on one side of each bread slice. On the unbuttered side of one bread slice, spread a generous layer of green coriander chutney. Adjust the amount based on your taste preference. Place the sliced boiled potatoes evenly on top of the chutney.

Layer cucumber, capsicum, onion, and tomato (if using) slices on top of the potatoes. Sprinkle a pinch of chat masala and a bit of salt over the vegetables for added flavor. If desired, you can spread a bit more green chutney on the unbuttered side of another bread slice before placing it on top of the assembled vegetables.

Heat a tawa and Spread a small amount of butter on tawa. Carefully place the assembled sandwich on the tawa. Allow it to cook for a few minutes on one side until it turns golden brown and crispy. Cook the other side until it becomes crispy and golden brown as well. Once both sides are nicely grilled remove the sandwich from the tawa.

Place the sandwich on a cutting board and cut it into halves or quarters as desired. Spread a final layer of green coriander chutney on top of the grilled sandwich. Sprinkle a generous amount of besan bhujiya over the chutney layer. This adds a delightful crunch and flavor to the sandwich.

Your mouthwatering Bombay sandwich is now ready to be served! This Bombay grilled sandwich is just of the many delectable treats that Bombay street food has to offer. Easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying, this veggie-loaded sandwich is a fantastic option for a quick meal at home.

Explore More Delicious Sandwich Recipes
If you enjoyed this sandwich, be sure to check out our other sandwich recipes for more tasty ideas!

I would love to see your creations. If you tried this recipe , just click a pictures and tag us on @masala.monk or use the hashtag #MasalaMonkRecipe and share on Instagram and Facebook. Happy cooking!