Poha

Poha is one of those snacks that just fit perfectly right on a dull and rainy day not too heavy does not take much time to make and tastes great, there are a lot of variations to this dish add more potatoes then it is potato poha , or with addition to peas turn it into a peas poha and the ever famous onion poha (kanda poha) anyways it turns out great.








what u will need:
1 cups Thick Poha ( flattened rice )
1 medium sized Onion chopped fine
2 Green Chillies
a few curry leaves
green peas 1 tablespoon
Chopped Cilantro
Grated Coconut for Garnishing
1 tsp lemon juice
Salt to taste
For Seasoning:
2 tbsp Oil
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tbsp Peanuts
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder

soak the poha in lil' water, what I usually do is wash it once leaving little water to soak up in the poha in my experience the thick poha works this way better and then set aside till u get the other things ready. Fry the peanuts for garnishing and set these aside too.
heat the pan add oil till it warms up, add mustard seeds till it starts to pop, add the chopped onion , green peas, chillies and saute for few mins till cooked, add the curry leaves (optional) then add turmeric do not let it burn add the wet poha mix well .
Add salt as needed and close the pan for the poha to cook for few mins, u can even add little sugar which is also optional .
garnish with chopped cilantro, roasted peanuts ,coconut, and lemon juice enjoy this with a hot cup of tea .

Nadan Chicken Biryani

growing we were always invited over for dinner to my aunt's place who lived very close to us and for most celebrations like Christmas , Easter , anniversary or birthday she would sometimes make her version of chicken biryani which was so delicious and just right with the spices that went along perfect with the onion vinegar salad. All that time never ever thought of jotting the recipe down well better late then never :)
Recently my very good friend S happened to make dinner for us when I was recovering after my delivery, as we have been blessed with our second baby Boy in Dec 2008!!!:)
It was so nice of her to make us food as with a newborn that is the best gift ever good home cooked food ,what she bought us for dinner was chicken biryani with salad , being hungry 24/7 I could hardly resist the smell and it smelt just like the one my aunt used to make well it tasted like that too. YUMMY!!
I guess what they say is true if u desire hard enough for anything then it comes to you ,
I had to get back to her for the recipe and here is the recipe

chicken 750 grams
basmati rice 2 cups
sliced onions 2
tomato piece 1 cup
green chillies 4
garlic 1 inch
ginger 1 inch
minced coriander leaves
mint leaves about a cup each
salt to taste
Star anise 1
peppercorns 10
cloves and cardamon 8 each
cinnamon 2 pieces
yogurt half cup
turmeric 1/2 teaspoon
lemon juice 2 tsp
ghee 1/2 cup
coconut milk 1/2 cup optional

grind 2tsp each of ginger, garlic, onion, mint and coriander leaves and marinate the chicken for 30 mins.

Heat ghee (substitute with oil if you need) fry whole spices. A minute or two later add onions and the ground stuff,along with the chicken, till it is half cooked add tomatoes when onions are almost done and when they are ready . During the last 10 mins or so some coconut milk , salt,turmeric, yogurt and lemon juice. let it simmer till chicken is almost done .
boil a pot of water with salt and lemon juice (lemon juice makes the rice fluffy ) and
whole spices add the washed rice and cook till half done.
Strain the rice and let it drain ,then mix the chicken gravy and rice little at a time till even .
Mix everything if the chicken has gravy it works fine as the rice doesn't dry up while baking
and bake for 30 mins at 350 C.
Serve with yogurt salad .