Mustard Tilapia (Tori Macha)!!

Last few weeks has been extremely busy at work. Now that things have slowed down a little, I thought to treat Friday with my favorite dish, Mustard Fish. It's been years since I haven't cooked Mustard Fish even though I love it. The fact that I was not able to find fish that is required for this recipe always stopped me from making it. And yes I never thought about being creative because I wanted Mustard Fish to be just like back home. However, I sadly had to come out of my comfort zone for Mustard Fish. I chose Tilapia fish and the end result surprisingly was delicious. I still miss the kind of fish back home but I have found and realized that Tilapia can be the best substitute :) So, if you like fish but do not like bones bothering you, try this recipe of Fish Mustard.

Good Luck (*)

Prep time: 15min(s) Cook time: 20min(s) Total time: 35min(s)  

Things you will need:

• Tilapia fish (or any other kind) (2 lbs)
• Oil (5 table spoons)
• Turmeric (1 tea spoon)
• Red Chili Powder (1 table spoon)
• Meat Masala (1 table spoon)
• Cumin-Coriander Powder (2 table spoon)
• Fresh Mustard Powder (2 table spoons)
• Lime Juice (3 table spoons)
• Cinnamon Leaves (2)
• Schezwan Powder (1/2 table spoon)
• Tomatoes (3 medium sized; finely chopped)
• Onion (1 medium sized, thinly sized)
• Salt (according to taste)
• Fenugreek seeds (1 tea spoon)
• Dill seeds (1 tea spoons)
• Cumin seeds (1 tea spoons)
• Ginger-Garlic paste (1 table spoon)
• Cloves (3-5)

Directions:

1. Cut fish according to the size you want and add 2 pinches of salt, 1 table spoon of meat masala and a table spoon of lime juice. Mix everything well and keep it aside for 10 minutes.
2. Once Fish is marinaded, heat 2 table spoons of oil and pan fry the fish.
3. Heat oil and add cinnamon leaves, fenugreek, cumin, and dill seeds. Then add onions and fry until golden brown.
4. Add tomatoes and all of the remaining ingredients, except fried fish.
5. Cook the mixture for 2 minutes and add 2 cups of water. Once water becomes gravy in consistency add fish.
6. Stir once (make sure to be delicate with your hands so that fish do not break apart). Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
7. Serve with bread or rice. Enjoy :)>- 

Bitter Melon-Okra in Sesame Sauce (Bhindi-Karela Curry)!!

It had been ages since I hadn't eaten Bitter Melon. When I saw them in Indian store the other day, I could not resist myself from purchasing. I was never fond of Bitter Melon until I tasted this particular recipe and I never use to understand how people can become fond of the bitterness it has. But, I was proven wrong by my mother every time when she used to make Bitter Melon that was not bitter whatsoever :) This used to amaze me until I found out her tricks behind it. So, if you do not like bitter melon, try this way of making it and change your perspective towards Bitter Melon :x

Fantastic :)

Prep time: 15min(s) Cook time: 20min(s) Total time: 35min(s)   

Things you will need:

1. Bitter Melon (Karela) (4 medium size, washed and sliced)
2. Okra (Bhindi) (1.5 lbs, washed and sliced)
3. Onion (1 medium, thinly sliced)
4. Green Chilies (3, thinly sliced)
5. Tomatoes (2, thinly chopped)
6. Turmeric powder (1 tea spoon)
7. Salt (according to taste)
8. Red Chili powder (1/2 table spoon)
9. Cumin-Coriander Powder (1 table spoon)
10. Schezwan Pepper (timur) (1/2 table spoon)
11. Fenugreek Seeds (1/2 tea spoon)
12. Sesame Powder (3/4 cup)

Directions:

• Sprinkle 2 table spoons salt on raw Bitter Melon (washed and sliced). Mixed it thoroughly and keep it aside for 10 mins. After 10 mins wash it well. This is the trick that milds down the bitterness.
• Heat oil and fry fenugreek seeds until darker brown.
•  Fry onion until it is golden brown.
• Add bitter melon and fry until golden brown.  
• Now add all of the above mentioned ingredients and cook it on a small to medium heat. Make sure to cover and stir it occasionally. 
• Once the consistency becomes like curry add 3 cups of water and cook it until the liquid becomes thick.
• DONE! Enjoy with rice or bread :)

Nepali Style Chicken Curry Version 2: Authentic Nepali Juwano (Ajwain) Chicken Curry Recipe!!

This recipe is a must have for me in the winter days like this time around. Although, I make this dish in summer as well, I prepare this more often in cold seasons. In Nepal, this dish is specially made for women in their Maternity period. Loaded with spices like Ajwain, Mustard, Fenugreek, Dill and others, they say it provides strength and helps women to recover sooner. When I first tasted this dish, I was in love with it. My mum used to make it all the time and when asked about it being only for women in their maternity period, she used to say this dish is good for everyone. And I must mention, I swear by this recipe when it comes to curing cold. When you feel weak and energyless try this recipe and feel the instant results. Enjoy :) Also, click here for Nepali Style Chicken Curry recipe.

Yummiest thing in the world >:D<

Prep time: 10min(s) Cook time: 30min(s) Total time: 40min(s)  

Things you will need:

• Chicken (2 lbs, cut in any size you want)
• Ajwain Seeds (1 table spoon)
• Mustard Seeds (2 tea spoons)
• Fenugreek Seeds (1 tea spoon)
• Cinnamon Leaves (2)
• Cumin Seeds (2 tea spoons)
• Dill seeds (2 tea spoons)
• Cloves (1 tea spoon)
• Ginger-Garlic Paste (2 table spoons)
• Ginger (medium sized, thinly sliced)
• Garlic (5-6 , thinly sliced)
• Salt (according to taste)
• Turmeric (1 tea spoon)
• Meat Masala (1 table spoon)
• Cumin-Coriander (1 table spoon)
• Red Chili Powder ( 1/2 table spoon)
• Black Pepper (1/2 table spoon)
• Schewan Pepper Powder  (1/2 table spoon)
• Ghee (5 table spoons)

Directions:

1. On a pressure cooker or any kind of deep dish add ghee and Ajwain, Mustard, Fenugreek, Cinnamon, Cumin, Black Pepper, Dill, Cloves, half of the sliced ginger-garlic and half of the paste ginger-garlic. Cook these spices until they become brownish black in color.
2. Add chicken, salt and turmeric. Fry chicken until it becomes red and crispy.
3. Add all of the remaining ingredients (Meat masala, Schewan pepper, Cumin-Coriander powder, red chili powder, remaining sliced ginger-garlic and paste) and fry the chicken for 7-10 mins. 
4. Add 4-5 cups of water. If you are using pressure cooker then cook until the cooker whistles thrice on a medium heat. And if you are cooking in a deep dish then simply cook the chicken on a medium heat until the water becomes slightly thicker in consistency. 
5. Done!! Enjoy :x

Maghe Sakranti Edition: Chaku Recipe!!

This recipe is another part of my previous blog post. Click here for Kichadi Recipe and enjoy the chaku recipe below :) Once again Happy Maghe Sakranti Everyone!

Final Results: Yumtastic :D

Prep time: 5min(s) Cook time: 12 hrs (s) Total time: 12hr (s)  5min(s)  

Things you will need:

1. Jaggery (1.5 lbs, small cube sized)
2. Peanuts (2 table spoons, roasted)
3. Ghee (3 table spoons)
4. Coconut Powder (1 table spoon)
5. Oil (4-5 table spoons to spread on the pan before pouring the jiggery mixture)

Directions:

• On a deep dish add Jaggery, Ghee and 1/2 cup water. Cook it until the consistency becomes really sticky, almost like a super glue. I tested in between my fingers (be extremely cautious though).
• Once the consistency standard is met, spread oil on a plate or any kind of flat utensil and pour the liquid . 
• Sprinkle coconut powder and peanuts.
• Refrigerate overnight! Done, simple as that :)

Maghe Sakranti Edition: Khichadi Recipe!!

Happy Maghe Sankranti Everyone! I just realized that writing blog post has helped me to recover from being home sick. Anything festive comes up, I end up in the kitchen trying to resemble foods back home :) Cooking really helps! Anyways, as we all know and for those who are not familiar with what in the world Maghe Sankranti is, here is a brief history of this festival. Maghe Sankranti is the first Holy day of Nepali Calendar and on this day, people in Nepal as well as Hindu around the world worship Sun and welcome Holy Seasons. Its like celebrating New Year to greet upcoming festivals throughout the year.
Now on to Food, there is no festival in Nepal that is not associated with food. Similarly, for Maghe Sankranti people in Nepal eat different kinds of roots vegetables (Yam, Sweet Potato, Ginger, Cassava), Khichadi (made with black lentil and rice) and Chaku (made from Jaggery). Root vegetables are simply boiled and served whereas Chaku and Kichadi are made in different ways. In this post, I am going to show a step by step process to prepare Khichadi and in the other post I will show you how to make Chaku. Have Fun :x

Yumm! :D

Prep time: 5min(s) Cook time: 25min(s) Total time: 30min(s)   

Things you will need:

1. Black Lentil (1 and half cup, washed)
2. Rice (1 cup, washed)
3. Ghee (4 table spoons)
4. Turmeric Powder (1 tea spoon)
5. Salt (according to taste)
6. Ginger Paste (1 table spoon)
7. Oil (1 tea spoon)

Directions:

• On a pressure cooker, add 4 cups of water, salt, turmeric, lentil and oil. Cook lentil on a medium heat until it whistles thrice.
• Once lentil is cooked, add 2-3 cups of water and 1 cup rice. Add ginger and ghee (2 table spoons). Cover (Do not use the pressure cooker lid, simply cover with plate and cook on a small to medium heat) and cook until rice is cooked (refer to the picture above). 
• Transfer Kichadi on a bowl and top it with remaining ghee.
• Serve hot enjoy with any kind of gravy/pickle or Click here for the Scallion-Baby Potato Achar/Salad recipe for the best taste :)

Scallion-Baby Potato Salad!!

For dinner as always I wanted to make something easy. Husband was ready to prepare fried rice, so the hard part for me was taken care of :) and I was left with my mind wanting for something that would perfectly mingle with the fried rice. I could think of only one and that is my beloved Scallion-Baby Potato Salad recipe. I love this recipe because it is easy, healthy and yum. Sesame in the dish makes the texture smooth and gravy and that is why mainly prefer it with bread or fried rice (Recipe Here). Following is the step by step recipe for you all to try: 

Yumtastic :x

Prep time: 10min(s) Cook time: 10min(s) Total time: 20min(s)  

Things you will need:

• Baby Potatoes (1/2 lb; boiled, peeled and halved)

• Peas (Any kind will work; 1 cup; roasted)

• Sesame (1 cup, roasted and powdered) 

• Serrano Pepper/ Green Chilies (2; thinly chopped)

• Fenugreek Seeds (1 tea spoon)

• Scallion (7-8 strands; chopped in half inches)

• Turmeric Powder (1 tea spoon)

• Salt (according to taste)

• Red Chili powder (1/2 table spoon)

• Lime juice (4 table spoons)

• Oil (4-5 table spoons)

Note: Chilies are optional if you do not want the dish to become spicy.
Directions:

1. On a large bowl combine everything mentioned above EXCEPT lime juice, oil, and fenugreek seeds.

1. Heat oil and add fenugreek seeds. Fry it until brownish black.

1. Pour over everything on the bowl.

1. Add lime juice and give everything a good mix.

1. Woah!!! Salad is ready. Too simple right? :) 

Being Social :)

2013 has been the best year. January to December life was full of fun, exhilaration, family, friends and success. I hope the trend continues in the same manner every year. Out of all the things this year, there were two incidents that took my happiness level to the extreme. One was the day when I got my first job and another was the day when I got to meet children in an orphanage in Nepal.

Since I was a kid, I have been involved in various social service activities. Helping needy and making small changes if not big, always provided me the greatest satisfaction. Now that, I can somewhat afford some savings for well being of the needy, I decided to visit “Self Peace Orphanage” when I visited home last year (2013). This organization was first started by Maina Devi Bhandari in 2005. When I asked her about the motivation behind this great work, she replied “Mero Man” (My heart). The fact that she cannot endure seeing needy women and children, gave her enthusiasm and courage to start helping these people. She in fact, donated her own land and with the help of others, she was able to build an accommodation. Currently, this organization is home to twelve children who lost their parents at a young age and children who were found on streets or garbage cans. With kids, this organization also takes care of women who were forced to leave their homes because of the domestic violence. “Self Peace Orphanage” provides food, education, shelter, and security to meet the basic daily requirements for these children and women. The motto is to make them realize their potentials, so that, they become a responsible independent citizen in the future.

I was mesmerized by the fact that we have noble citizen like Maina Devi Bhandari. After looking at those innocent faces in the orphanage, I was constantly thinking about the ways to involve myself in activities that would help disadvantaged people in our society. And one of the ways is to inform you all about this great organization. Below is the information if you want to make a donation:
Please donate funds at: Account No. E61-11-11673 (Nepal Bank Limited); email: selfpeaceorphanage@yahoo.com; Phone: 071-561427; 9806971936.

Money can make a difference but there are other ways of helping like volunteering (if you live nearby), donating clothes and stationaries. Also, below are the pictures to give you a glimpse of this organization.

The Name Banner of the Orphanage.

 The Lady behind the Great Work =D>

Happy kids withTihar sweets.

 Mumy and I with the whole family. It was such an amazing experience.

 Mumy and I with the founder and women currently living in the orphanage. 

 With the youngest in the orphanage. 

 This little girl was found in a jungle covered and bitten by insects. She was just two days old at that time. Later they realized that she was blind and her blindness cannot be cured. So, glad that now she has a home, friends and family.

 Made some donation to the family and realized that you can actually buy Satisfaction :)

 Kids Bedroom.

The Kitchen.