Welcome to My Kitchen

I started cooking 20 years ago, and every day has been a new experience. You might not believe it but i was a person who could not fry an egg...but 20 years on..i feel i can take on any challenge.

I'm constantly trying out new recipes and looking for innovative ways to improvise my dishes and make it more easier. The easier the cooking gets and the less time it takes the more time for me to relax with my loved one.
But easy and quick does not mean compromise on taste or the way a dish is presented. I take great pride in decorating my dishes as i am a firm believer of ' The first impression counts'.

I decided to start this blog to help others like me discover that cooking a feast does not require slogging for hours in the kitchen all it requires is the right ingredients, tools and a creative mind and voila! you will have your family and guests begging for second helpings....

My inspiration for cooking has always been my husband...he loves his food..and like the saying goes 'A way to a man's heart is through his stomach'..i can confidently say it's true and it works wonders for a happy relationship...but he is also my best critic and competition.

I've got two little girls both who love to eat, and my eldest always enjoys helping me in the kitchen. I will try to post more kid friendly recipes that can be fun to eat and make together.

Hope you enjoy this blog and find it useful...please do feel free to leave any feedback or comments...remember there's always room for improvement!!!

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Bhindi Gosht (Okra & Meat curry)

This has always been one of our favourite takeaway dish so I tried to recreate it at home



Ingredients:

2 tbsp oil
1 kg lamb (cut into medium pieces)
10-12 okra, chopped
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp lemon juice
2-3 medium onions, thinly sliced
1-2 tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp whole cumin
1 cinnamon stick
2 cardamom pods
5-6 peppercorns
2-3 cloves
1-2 chopped green chillies
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 inch chopped ginger
3-4 cloves garlic , chopped
freshly chopped coriander


Method:

1. Marinate lamb with ginger, garlic, salt, ground pepper and lemon juice. Leave aside for atleast an hour.

2. In a deep saucepan, heat oil. Add cumin seeds, once it starts to splutter add the whole spices, chillies and onions. Sauté until golden brown.

3. Add meat and cook until lightly brown. Add the chopped tomatoes and season accordingly.

4. Mix well and add the turmeric, coriander and cumin powder. If you need a bit of gravy add little water.

5. Cover an cook on slow flame for atleast 20 minutes. Stir and then add in the okra. Mix and cover and cook for further 30 minutes until meat is very tender.

6. Check for seasoning and garnish with freshly chopped coriander.