Beauty - A Tasty Recipe

In DESI

SARSON KA SAAG

November 25, 2022 No Comments

This post will teach you how to make authentic Punjabi-style Sarson Ka Saag (Mustard Greens & Spinach Curry) at home. This recipe includes Instant Pot and stovetop cooking instructions, plus substitutions if you can’t find mustard greens. Ready in under 1-hour, it’s a terrific vegetarian curry. Tested to perfection!

Imagine having to stop yourself from eating 1.5 pounds of greens. That’s Saag. You’d think it’d be bitter or even an acquired taste. But really, all you need is a bite and it just hits differently. Scoop it up with Makai ki Roti (cornmeal flatbread) on a chilly evening and you’ll know why it’s Punjab’s iconic meal

WHAT IS SAAG, PARTICULARLY SARSON KA SAAG?

The word Saag simply means vegetable greens. In context, Saag is used to describe stewed or puréed greens. Any type of greens can be used in Saag, but mustard greens (called Sarson) are the most common in Pakistan and India.

In Punjabi cuisine, Sarson Ka Saag (or Sarson Da Saag) is often paired with flaky cornmeal flatbread (makai ki roti).

I learned how to make saag from my mother-in-law. She was visiting when I saw mustard greens at a farmer’s market, and I knew my collection of Punjabi recipes was to get a welcome addition.Also try our EASY AND SPICY SHAMI KABAB

NOTES ON THE INGREDIENTS OF SARSON KA SAAG

This Saag recipe requires just 11 ingredients, 12 if you must count salt

Mustard Greens – The star ingredient here. You can use fresh bunches, pre-packaged, or even frozen. Scroll below to learn more about mustard greens, where you can find them, and what other greens you can use in place of them.
Spinach – Spinach is almost always used in Sarson Ka Saag and helps offset the bitterness of mustard greens.
Green Chili Peppers – Because Saag is made without many spices, a good amount of green chili peppers are used to give heat and flavor. You can use Serrano or Thai chili peppers.
Garlic – My mom-in-law doesn’t include garlic, but I found most traditional recipes use it. Plus, I tested & preferred it with the garlic.
Turmeric Powder – The only spice you’ll need. Like Baingan Bharta, Saag doesn’t need many spices, and gets its complexity from the method of preparation and a good dose of tadka (tempering).
Yellow corn flour – Used to thicken the saag. Corn flour is finer than cornmeal, but you can also use cornmeal if it’s finely ground. I found coarse, stone ground cornmeal to be gritty in Saag. Chickpea/gram flour (besan) is a perfectly good substitute, and I’ve even used masa harina with good results.
Dried Fenugreek Leaves (Methi) – I use dried methi but fresh would be a great, albeit hard to find, substitute. (Use leftover methi in Mixed Vegetable Curry or Butter Chicken!)
Oil & Ghee/Butter – I love blending oil and ghee or butter for the tadka but you can easily make it vegan by omitting it.
Ginger – A good dose of ginger adds a beautiful flavor without overpowering the Saag. Instead of crushing the ginger, finely chop or mince it so it doesn’t clump up in the tadka.

SARSON KA SAAG

Here’s a quick & easy Sarson Ka Saag (Mustard Greens & Spinach Curry) recipe made in the authentic Punjabi style. This recipe includes Instant Pot and Stovetop instructions plus substitutions if you can’t find mustard greens. Naturally vegetarian and vegan optional. Tested to perfection!

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Course lunch

Cuisine Punjabi

Servings 4 People

Calories 237 kcal

Equipment

1 wooden spoon

Ingredients

¼ cup (2 cups for Stovetop) water for Instant Pot
2 bunches (~1 lb after stemming or 454g/16 oz packaged ) mustard greens*, washed, hard stems removed, and roughly chopped
1 bunch (~1/2 lb after stemming) spinach , washed, hard stems removed, and roughly chopped
4 small (~4-5 g) green chili peppers, stemmed and roughly chopped
5 garlic cloves, leave whole – will be crushed later
¼ tsp turmeric powder
11/2 tsp heaped kosher salt
¼ cup yellow corn flour or fine ground cornmeal, or sub chickpea flour (besan) or masa harina
11/2 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves (methi)

Tadka (Tempering)

¼ cup neutral oil
3 tbsp ghee or butter, or sub more oil
1 small (~150-190 g) onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp ginger, minced
2 tbsp cilantro leaves, chopped (optional)
butter, optional, for serving

Instructions

Add water to Instant Pot, followed by the mustard greens, spinach, green chili peppers, garlic, turmeric, and salt. No need to mix. Secure the lid, seal the vent, and pressure-cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes. Allow pressure to naturally release for at least 5 minutes, and then manually release remaining pressure. Press Cancel to turn off the Instant Pot.
Open the lid and stir the saag, crushing garlic cloves as you mix. Use an immersion blender or food processor to blend into a rough purée. If you see any tough stems, remove them.
Select Sauté and set the temperature to High. Add corn flour and cook for 3-5 minutes to remove the floury taste. Add the dried fenugreek leaves (methi) and stir to mix.
Add ½ cup water and stir until the water absorbs in the Saag. Taste and add salt, if needed. If it thickens too much, add another ¼ cup of water to thin it out. Select Cancel to turn off the Instant Pot.**
Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil, ghee, and onion. Sauté until the onions are deep golden (~6-8 min). Add ginger and sauté for another minute. Stir this tadka into the saag and mix to combine. Garnish with cilantro and give it a stir. Serve with makai (corn) or regular roti, corn tortilla, naan, or other bread. Top with a pat of butter, if desired.

Stovetop

Heat a (preferably nonstick) 5 qt Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the mustard greens, spinach, green chili peppers, garlic, turmeric, and salt along with 2 cups of water. No need to mix. Cover and allow to simmer for 1 hour.
Turn off the heat. Uncover and stir the saag, crushing garlic cloves as you mix. Use an immersion blender or food processor to blend into a rough purée. If you see any tough stems, remove them.
Turn the heat back on to medium-high. Add corn flour and cook for 3-5 minutes to remove the floury taste. Add the dried fenugreek leaves (methi) and stir to mix. Taste and add salt, if needed.
Reduce the heat to low-medium, add ½ cup water, and proceed to tadka. Stir occasionally. If needed, add another ¼ cup of water to thin it out.
Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil, ghee, and onion. Sauté until the onions are deep golden (~6-8 min). Add ginger and sauté for another minute. Stir this tadka into the saag and mix to combine. Garnish with cilantro and give it a stir. Serve with makai (corn) or regular roti, corn tortilla, naan, or other bread. Top with a pat of butter, if desired.

Video

Notes

*See post for mustard greens substitutions.
**If you’d like, you can turn the Instant Pot on Saute – Less while the onions are browning so the saag stays hot. Any bits on the bottom of the Instant Pot will be deglazed when the tadka is added.

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In BAKERY ITEM

TANDOORI CHICKEN PIZZA

November 24, 2022 No Comments

There aren’t many joys that can match up to taking a sizzling, bubbly https://www.teaforturmeric.com/tandoori-chicken-pizza/ out of a blazing hot oven. I’ve taken this particular TANDOORI CHICKEN PIZZA out of my oven on many occasions, mostly for guests, because such pleasures (and the results of such efforts) must be shared.

Pizza naturally induces happiness, and this homemade TANDOORI CHICKEN PIZZA is next-level blissful .and also try our recipe ACHARI CHICKEN

So make it your own. You can use leftover bone-in chicken if you have some. Just shred it and add a bit of tandoori masala. Give it an extra broil at the end if you’d like. Throw in whatever herbs or spices you have on hand for the sauce. For toppings, I usually stick to the trio of red & green bell peppers and red onions. But jalapeños would be nice, maybe pineapple or whatever neglected veggie you find lurking in your fridge. You can also vary the cheese according to your taste. This article shows how to use various cheeses for different results if you’re like me and take your TANDOORI CHICKEN PIZZA really seriously.

Making pizza from scratch may seem daunting, but there are only a few steps to each component, and the result is more than worth it. That said, I’m all for shortcuts. And this recipe is good enough to withstand changes while still maintaining it’s spicy, savory, smoky goodness.

TANDOORI CHICKEN PIZZA

There aren’t many joys that can match up to taking a sizzling, bubbly pizza out of a blazing hot oven. I’ve taken this particular pizza out of my oven on many occasions, mostly for guests, because such pleasures (and the results of such efforts) must be shared.

Pizza naturally induces happiness, and this homemade Tandoori Chicken Pizza is next-level blissful.

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Prep Time 2

Cook Time 20

Total Time 2 20

Course Main Course

Cuisine Pakistani

Servings 8 People

Calories 359 kcal

Ingredients

For the Tandoori Chicken Topping

1 (~300 g) chicken breast, cut into thin, small bite-sized pieces
¼ cup (61 g) plain, whole milk yogurt
½ tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ tbsp crushed garlic or paste
½ tbsp crushed ginger or paste
1 tbsp neutral oil such as canola or grapeseed
2 tsp neutral oil such as canola or grapeseed
2 tsp sea salt, depending on tandoori masala powder
1 tbsp paprika powder
1 tsp Tandoori masala powder, use less if yours is spicy

For the Crust

½ cups bread flour, or unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 cup warm water
2 tsp standard packet active dry yeast

For the Sauce

794 G can Italian Whole Peeled San Marzano Tomatoes, (or sub equal amount fresh tomatoes)
1 small onion
1 small green chili pepper, I use Serrano
2 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves
1 medium bay leaf
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning or basil
1 tsp tandoori masala powder
¼ tsp each cumin powder, coriander powder, black pepper powder, red chili flakes, and, increase to taste

For the Pizza

2 prepared crusts
prepared sauce
prepared tandoori chicken
2 cups quality mozzarella cheese or a blend of mozzarella and preferred cheese, or more if desired
Additional toppings such as red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and red onion, sliced

Instructions

Tandoori Chicken Topping

Marinate the chicken in all of the ingredients for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
Preheat your oven broiler to high (mine goes to 550ºF/288ºC) and set the oven rack to the top. Line an oven-safe sheet pan with aluminum foil. If you have skewers, run the chicken pieces through them and place on top of the sheet pan. Otherwise, place the chicken pieces in an even layer.
Broil for 5 minutes, then flip the chicken pieces over and broil for another 4 minutes. You're going for a tandoor-like (but not burnt) finish. Cover and set aside.

Pizza Crust

Combine the warm water, yeast and sugar in a small bowl. Stir once and set aside for about 5-10 minutes or until foamy. It must be foamy! If not, something went wrong (i.e. water temperature, old yeast, etc.).
Tightly cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draft-free place to rise for an hour or so or until dough doubles in size.
Once it has risen, punch it down, knead it a little and then place it on a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll it out to two 8 to 10-inch pizzas. Push the dough at the ends so that it’s slightly thicker on the rim. Use a knife to make small slits on the base to help it bake evenly. Cover the crust with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap while you prepare the toppings.

pizza sauce

Blend the tomatoes, onion, and green chili in a food processor until smooth.
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté it for about 20-30 seconds, until the raw smell subsides and it begins to brown. Add the tomato mixture and stir to combine. Lower the heat and add the rest of the ingredients. Cover and allow to simmer on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until well cooked (~25-30 min). If using fresh tomatoes, you may need to add water to make sure it’s well cooked and to make it the desired consistency. Remove bay leaf.

Steps and assembly

Prepare Chicken. Cover and Set aside. Prepare the Pizza Sauce.
Prepare the pizza dough and set it aside to rise. If using pre-made dough, thaw and roll out.
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) or temperature indicated on Pre-made Pizza Dough. When the dough has risen, follow the instructions to roll it out. Cover it and chop up the vegetable toppings.
Place the pizza bases on 2 sheet pans lined with aluminum foil. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza. Top with cheese, chicken, and toppings.
Bake for 15 minutes per pizza (See Note), until the crust has baked and the cheese has melted. I like to broil it again for a couple of minutes to further amp up the “tandoor” factor. Serve hot. To maintain the texture of the crust, this pizza is best reheated in an oven instead of a microwave.

Video

Notes

To bake them at the same time, place one rack on the very top and one on the lower rack. Put the two baking sheets on both the baking racks. Bake for 15 minutes, but switch the baking sheets halfway through baking so that both pizzas bake evenly. Broil separately on the top rack.

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In MAIN COURSE

ACHARI CHICKEN

November 24, 2022 No Comments

No toasting or grinding spices, no stuffing chili peppers, and no hard to find ingredients. This easy, fuss-free Pakistani & North Indian-style Achari Chicken recipe requires one pot and takes less than 50 minutes to make.

WHAT IS ACHARI CHICKEN?

Achari Chicken is a chicken curry made with ingredients used to make achaar, or South Asian pickle. So while the chicken itself isn’t pickled, it’s livened up with a zesty, tangy, ‘pickled’ flavor.

Ingredients that make Achari Chicken curry different from a regular chicken curry are:

Seeds or whole spices used to make achar.
Whole green chili peppers, sometimes stuffed with achari spices.
Yogurt, which gives it a richer, tangy base.

Method of Pakistani Achari Chicken

In terms of method, it cooks like PAKISTANI CHICKEN KARAHI in that the curry is cooked down with an extra dose of tomatoes.

NOTES ON THE INGREDIENTS FOR ACHARI CHICKEN

In addition to foundational curry ingredients, Achari Chicken requires a few extra ingredients. Here are some notes on them:

Fenugreek Seeds (Methi Dana) – Fenugreek seeds are an essential ingredient for Achari Chicken. Though they give a punchy flavor, they can be quite bitter, so feel free to reduce the amount if you find it too strong.
Nigella Seeds (Kalonji) – Nigella Sativa, not to be confused with onion seeds, are another essential ingredient.
I’ve kept them minimal because they can taste quite strong. If you want them more visible throughout the curry, feel free to increase these by another 1/4 teaspoon. (More recipes that use Nigella Seeds: Haleem and Gluten-free Naan.)
Fennel Seeds (Saunf) – The mild, sweeter flavor of fennel seeds helps offset some of the bitter flavors of the fenugreek and nigella.
Chicken pieces: Like Karahi, Achari Chicken is made with a whole chicken that’s cut up into small to medium pieces, also called karahi cut (~18 pieces). I prefer it with bone-in chicken, but I’ve shared how to make this curry using boneless chicken below.
Green Chili Peppers: Large, mild green chili peppers are sometimes stuffed with achari masala (or a blend of achari spices + lemon) and added to Achari Chicken.
To keep things simple, I’ve added a few unstuffed whole chili peppers (such as Serrano or Thai chilis) toward the end of cooking.
Yogurt – Use plain, whole milk (full-fat) yogurt. Yogurt substitutes: I haven’t tried these myself, but coconut milk/cream, dairy-free yogurt, or cashew paste would all work here.
Oil – You can use any neutral oil, and even a bit of mustard oil if you’d like.
- Mustard Oil – Mustard oil, a pungent oil made from mustard seeds, is often used to make Achari Chicken. My father-in-law once told me that when he was a child, his mom used mustard oil to make curries. Here in the U.S., it’s banned for consumption due to high levels of erucic acid (Source). Though I haven’t tried it myself yet, if you’re comfortable using it, a small amount would be perfect here.

ACHARI CHICKEN

No toasting or grinding spices, no stuffing chili peppers, and no hard to find ingredients. This easy, fuss-free Pakistani & North Indian-style Achari Chicken recipe requires one pot and takes less than 50 minutes to make.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Total Time 50

Course lunch

Cuisine Pakistani

Servings 6 People

Calories 329 kcal

Equipment

1 Karahi

Ingredients

⅓ cup neutral oil
2 tsp fenugreek seeds, methi dana
2 tsp fennel seeds, saunf
1 tsp nigella seeds, kalonji
1 tsp cumin seeds, zeera
1 medium to large (~250-270 g) onion, finely chopped
8 garlic cloves, crushed
1 inch ginger, crushed
2 lb bone-in cut up, skinless chicken pieces , (preferably cut small – See Note 1)
2 tsp kosher salt, divided
3 small (~270-290 g) tomatoes (I use Roma), finely chopped
2 green chili peppers , such as Serrano or Thai chili, chopped or sliced
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp red chili powder, or to taste
¾ tsp turmeric powder
¼ cup plain, whole milk yogurt (See Note 2), whisked
4 whole green chili peppers, such as Serrano or Thai chili

Garnish

2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, or to taste
2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
½ tbsp julienned ginger, optional, for garnish

Instructions

Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, heat the oil and add the fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, nigella seeds, and cumin seeds. The seeds will begin to sizzle. Immediately add the onions and sauté until they are lightly golden (~10-12 min). If needed, deglaze the pan with 2 tbsp of water. Once the water dries up, add the garlic and ginger and sauté for a minute, until aromatic.
Add the chicken and 1/2 tsp salt and sauté for 5 minutes, until it changes color. Add the tomatoes, green chili pepper, coriander powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and remaining salt (1 ½ tsp). Continue to sauté until the tomatoes soften (~2-3 min). Add 1/3 cup water (the water should cover about 1/3 of the chicken) and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat to a simmer (low-medium), cover, and allow the chicken to cook for 20-25 minutes (depending on size), stirring once in between.
Uncover and raise the heat to high. Sauté for 4-5 minutes to reduce excess liquid. You will notice the chicken taking on a glossy appearance as the oil starts to separate, but it’ll still have plenty of curry.
Lower the heat to low-medium and stir in the whisked yogurt. Add the whole green chili peppers. Gently sauté for 2-3 minutes until well incorporated and you can see the oil separated from the curry. Taste and adjust salt, if needed. (I usually need another 1/8 tsp.)
Turn off the heat. Add lemon juice and stir to mix. Garnish with cilantro and julienned ginger. Serve hot with naan, roti, paratha, or other bread.

Video

Notes

Note 1: Achari Chicken is typically made with smaller, cut up chicken pieces, also called karahi cut. See post for how to use boneless chicken.

Note 2: To prevent yogurt from curdling, try to have it closer to room temperature and continue to stir while adding.

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In MAIN COURSE

KASHMIRI CHAI

November 13, 2022 No Comments

WHAT IS KASHMIRI CHAI (PINK TEA) AND WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?

Kashmiris don’t actually call their chai “Kashmiri Chai”. KASHMIRI CHAIThat’s the term used by Pakistanis and Indians to describe the Kashmiri Noon Chai (translated to Salt Tea). As the name suggests, Noon chai is a salty drink, but has gained popularity across Pakistan as a sweet concoction.

Often called Pink Tea, Kashmiri chai is a milk tea characterized by its dusty pink color and garnishing of crushed nuts. It’s brewed with green tea leaves and baking soda, and then mixed with milk to give it a distinct pink color.

Even within Pakistan, Kashmiri Chai is a bit of a delicacy because of thehttps://www.teaforturmeric.com/20-minute-kashmiri-chai-pink-tea/ long,somewhat arduous process of making it.

HOW I DEVELOPED THIS RECIPE

To be honest, I felt a bit of imposter syndrome while developing this recipe. Because 1) I’m not Kashmiri and didn’t actually grow up in Pakistan, where it’s a treat often served at winter weddings. And 2) I didn’t want to downplay the art of making an authentic cup of Kashmiri chai. Here’s a Kashmiri Tea Connoisseur’s take on this.

But, I did want to make an easy, fool-proof version that’s doable for the majority of us while honoring Kashmir’s beautiful tea culture. So what started as a quick, expectation-free experiment soon became a possibility. And I found myselfgleefully preparing it every night, timing myself and obsessing over the shade of pink To compare, we tried it at several spots around Houston and noted that this 20-minute version is more pronounced in flavor and aroma without being heavy

KASHMIRI CHAI

Instead of hours over the stove, this easy, one-pot Kashmiri Chai recipe takes less than 20 minutes to make! This is not a traditional Noon Chai recipe, but an accessible version that’s still delicious (and pink)! See notes on how to make it with regular green tea leaves if you can’t find Kashmiri tea leaves.

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Cook Time 20

Total Time 20

Course Drinks

Cuisine Kashmiri

Servings 2 People

Calories 187 kcal

Equipment

1 Sauce Pan

Ingredients

For Ice Water

1 cup room temperature water
3 large ice cubes

For Kashmiri Chai

1 cup water
2 tbsp Kashmiri chai leaves, or sub any non-bitter green tea leaves
2 star anise (badiyan)
8 green cardamom pods
2 whole cloves (loung), optional
1 cinnamon stick, optional
⅛ tsp heaped baking soda
1 cup whole milk
½ cup half and half (See Note 1)
¼ tsp kosher salt – may need less if using sea salt, or to taste
2.5 tsp sweetener of choice, I've tried cane sugar, brown sugar, and date syrup

For Serving (Optional)

1 tbsp raw almonds, crushed using mortar and pestle
½ tbsp unsalted pistachios, crushed using mortar and pestle

Instructions

Prepare ice water: Combine room temperature water with 2-3 large ice cubes and set aside.
Heat a medium saucepan over high heat. Add water, Kashmiri chai leaves, star anise, green cardamom pods, cloves and cinnamon (if using) and bring to a boil.
Once it comes to a boil, add the baking soda. It’ll fizz a little. Allow this mixture to boil over high heat for 5-6 minutes. Occasionally, use a ladle to aerate (scoop and pour back) the tea. You’ll notice the froth in the water go from pale green to a deep pink color. If not, add another 1/8 tsp of baking soda. (See Note 2) The water will be greatly reduced, almost evaporated.
Add the prepared ice water (discard any ice cubes). If you’d like, you can aerate several times to deepen the color. Add the milk, half & half, salt, and sweetener. Allow it to a come to a light boil, then immediately turn off the heat. Do not allow it to boil for too long as it'll start to lose some of its pink color. Taste and adjust salt and sweetener.
Strain the tea into cups and add crushed almonds and pistachios, as desired.

Video

Notes

Or any combination of half & half + milk. If you prefer it lighter, replace the half & half with milk. Likewise, if you prefer it richer, increase the half & half and decrease the milk. You can also sub half & half with 1 part heavy whipping cream + 1 part milk.

: If, after adding more baking soda, it’s still not turning pink, then try using different green tea leaves.

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In LUNCH

BAINGAN BHARTA

November 13, 2022 No Comments

A FEW NOTES ON THE INGREDIENTS OF BAINGAN BHARTA

Eggplants – Select small to medium globe variety eggplants that weigh around 1000 g in total. Here’s a quick guide on choosing eggplants.
Ghee and Oil – I love mixing both to get the fluidity of the oil and taste of ghee.
Spices – Too many spices can clutter the remarkable smoky flavor, so I like to keep them to a minimum. Similar to Sarson Ka Saag, Baingan Bharta doesn’t need many spices.
Green chili pepper – Adding the green chili pepper toward the end keeps its aroma and adds a little extra of heat. Both Thai green chili peppers or Serrano would work, though sometimes Serrano can be too strong and spicy to add at the end

BAINGAN BHARTA

This easy Baingan Bharta (Smoked Eggplant/Aubergine Curry) recipe uses your oven to achieve the smoky flavor of authentic Baingan Bharta. This recipe includes step-by-step pictures and a quick video tutorial. Tested to perfection!

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course lunch

Cuisine Punjabi

Servings 3 People

Calories 294 kcal

Equipment

1 strainer

Ingredients

2 small eggplants (globe variety)
3 tbsp ghee
3 tbsp neutral oil such as canola or grapeseed
3 tbsp cumin seeds
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
½ inch piece ginger, crushed
2 small tomatoes, finely chopped
½ tsp heaped salt, or more to taste
1 tsp paprika powder, regular or smoked
½ red chili powder, or more to taste
¼ tsp turmeric powder
1 small green chili pepper (such as Thai or Serrano), sliced or chopped
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
½ tsp juice of freshly squeezed lemon
¼ tsp garam masala optional

Instructions

To Roast the Eggplant in the Oven

Set your oven rack so that your eggplants will be as close as possible to the heat source. Use a fork or knife to poke holes throughout the eggplant to prevent it from bursting in the oven.
Preheat your broiler on High (550 degrees F/287 C). Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Roast the eggplants for about 30 minutes, turning midway. The skin will blacken and the eggplant may burst a little.
Once the eggplant cools down (you can place it in a bowl of water to speed this up) peel the blackened skin, remove the stem and coarsely mash its flesh. I like to do this using the "pulse" function of my food processor. Set aside.

To make the Curry

Heat ghee and oil in a skillet a little over medium heat and add the cumin seeds. They will start to sputter. Immediately add the onion and sauté for 5-8 minutes, or until slightly golden. Add the garlic and ginger and continue to sauté until the raw smell disappears, or about 20 seconds. Add the tomatoes and cook until they're soft and the oil starts to leave the sides, about 5 minutes. Add a bit of water (if needed so the spices don't get burnt) and add the salt, paprika, red chili, and turmeric.
Add the mashed eggplant and green chili peppers and cook, stirring often, until it is well cooked and becomes mushy like a purée, about 8-10 minutes. Taste and add oil, salt or paprika (for more color) as needed.
Turn off the heat. Stir in the chopped cilantro leaves. Sprinkle lemon juice and garam masala over it. Serve with naan, roti or other bread. I like to eat it with some yogurt on the side to add some coolness to the dish.

Video

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In DESI

BONE-IN CHICKEN THIGHS

November 13, 2022 No Comments

Presenting the easiest BONE-IN CHICKEN THIGHS to date on withrecipe I almost can’t take the simplicity. Are you ready for this? Here’s how it goes:

Marinate the chicken, because when is marination a bad idea? Marinate for as little as 15 minutes if you can. But if you can’t, you absolutely don’t have to marinate.
Toss all but one of the ingredients (hint – it’s ketchup!) into a pan. Cover & cook.
Add the ketchup. Sauté out excess juices.
It’s done. Even if you don’t want it to be, it’s done.https://www.teaforturmeric.com/instant-pot-kadhi/

A bit of background – we grew up calling this “Chicken Roast”.

Ovens weren’t the norm in South Asia. So to recreate tender chicken and a roast-like finish on the stovetop, you would:

Steam the chicken over the gentlest heat.
Uncover and raise the heat to evaporate the excess juices & lightly sear the meat.

COOKING BONE IN CHICKEN THIGHS ON THE STOVETOP

With access to ovens, I don’t see much need or benefit of this method. I usually partly steam chicken in the oven anyway (ex. Baked Tandoori Chicken Curry and Peri Peri Chicken).

But in this case, the pan serves to contain and reduce the vinegar. Plus, it allows us to add the ketchup toward the end, creating a layer of flavor.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED FOR BONE-IN CHICKEN THIGHS

Here are the ingredients, all of which you probably have in your pantry right now:

Chicken: As I mentioned earlier, you can use any cut of skinless, bone-in chicken such as thighs, drumsticks or cut up whole chicken pieces (the breast pieces will still remain tender!).
- I’ve used thighs in the pictures and split leg quarters (drumsticks and thighs) in the video.
- If you can, try to use small chicken thighs (typically 2-3 oz each). Smaller cuts of chicken cook faster and soak up more flavor.
Vinegar: I use distilled white vinegar but I think other types of vinegar could also work here.
Oil: Any oil, including olive oil, works in this recipe.
Cumin seeds: Plain, untoasted cumin seeds (not powder).
Black pepper and crushed red pepper (chili) flakes are the only other spices you’ll need. Feel free to adjust according to your desired heat level.
Ketchup: Though ketchup elevates the flavor, you really won’t be able to taste it in the final product.

BONE-IN CHICKEN THIGHS

Here’s the back-pocket chicken thigh recipe you didn’t know you needed! This recipe requires 30 minutes, one pan, and 5 pantry ingredients if you don’t count good old salt & pepper. Make this with chicken thighs, drumsticks, or any cut of bone-in chicken. Tested to perfection!

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Cook Time 30

Total Time 10 30

Course lunch

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 4 People

Calories

Equipment

1 Pan

Ingredients

2 ib bone-in, skinless chicken thighs, See Note 1
2 tbsp distilled white vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil, such as grapeseed oil
1 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tsp kosher salt, or 1 ¼ tsp fine sea salt or table salt
1 tsp crushed red chili flakes, plus more to taste
¾ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp ketchup

Instructions

Optional (but optimal) marination: Place the chicken in a medium bowl and toss with everything but the ketchup. Cover the bowl and let it marinate at room temperature for up to 2 hours; or in the refrigerator up to 12 hours. If skipping the marinade, start with the next step.
Heat a large, wide pan or Dutch oven with lid over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and its juices (if you didn’t marinate, add all of the ingredients except the ketchup to the pan). Mix well to combine, then and spread out the chicken pieces into a single layer.
Reduce the heat to low or low-medium to maintain a gentle simmer.
Cover the pan and cook, tossing halfway through, until the chicken is fully cooked, about 25 minutes.
Increase the heat to high. Bring the remaining liquid in the pan to a boil and cook until most of it has evaporated (~5-6 minutes). Stir in the ketchup. Sauté, stirring only as necessary to allow the chicken to lightly sear (~2 min). Once the moisture has completely evaporated, turn off the heat. Serve immediately.

Video

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In BIRTHDAYS

TURKISH COFFEE

November 13, 2022 1 Comment

MY TURKISH COFFEE STORY

My Turkish Coffee If I could, I would travel to each country in the world and sip on their signature hot drinks. Matcha in Japan, mint tea in Morocco, pink chai in Kashmir. I wouldn’t want to do this in touristy cafés, but with some locals, friends I’ve made perhaps the warmth of their hospitality included.

This reminds me of my friend, Serpil, who taught me so much about hospitality and Turkish culture. We would sip chai at my house and Twinings Earl Grey tea at hers because it reminded her of the tea she loved from back home. She never mentioned Turkish coffee though. I later found out she thought it was too strong.

I learned about Turkish coffee from a cheery Arab lady at the counter of an incense-laden Middle-Eastern grocery store. She was joyous and full of life and I can still picture her casually dancing to ‘3 daqat’, telling me how delicious this coffee is. She insisted I needed an ibrik (also called cezve), the Turkish coffee pot, to make Turkish coffee. But I didn’t want to invest in the pot only to realize I didn’t like it. TURKISH COFFEE

WHY TURKISH COFFEE

m not going to pretend I know much about coffee. I really don’t. In a typical Pakistani household, we have instant coffee granules tucked away in a cabinet for when a coffee craving strikes. That milky instant coffee we make is nothing like a specialty, craft coffee. That’s where Turkish coffee comes in.

The reason I’m drawn to Turkish coffee is that it allows me to drink exceptionally tasty coffee in a familiar way. I don’t need a coffee machine or French press, but I can drink coffee so smooth that it rivals many cafes. There’s something extra special and relaxing about Turkish coffee, and I love that I can make it as easily as I would make chai.

TURKISH COFFEE

Learn how to make Turkish coffee in 10 minutes! This recipe shares how to make it with an Ibrik (the traditional coffee pot) or using a saucepan stovetop. I’ve also included tips on how to use Turkish coffee in a good old coffee machine!

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Course Drinks

Cuisine Turkish

Servings 4 People

Calories 149 kcal

Equipment

1 Saucepan

Ingredients

11/2 serving cup filtered water
1 heaped tbsp Turkish Coffee
1 cardamom pod
milk,optional

Instructions

With an Ibrik (Traditional Turkish Coffee Pot)

Use your serving cup to measure out how much water you will need and add the water to the ibrik. If you are using the small Turkish coffee cups, add 1/2 cup extra water for each cup to account for evaporation. If you don’t have a traditional coffee cup, any small and narrow cup will work best to retain the foam.
To the ibrik, add the desired amount of coffee (1 heaped tbsp for traditional style), sugar, and cardamom (if using) to the water and stir well.
Place the ibrik on a small gas stove over medium heat. After about 4-6 minutes (depending on how much liquid you are using) before the coffee begins to simmer, you will notice a foam rising to the top. Use a teaspoon to scoop up and transfer some of the foam into each Turkish Coffee cup. Continue to do this until the coffee doesn’t have much foam left on top.
After the coffee starts to boil, remove from heat and pour slowly into your coffee cups. Try to pour so that the foam in the coffee cup remains undisturbed. Do not stir once you have poured the coffee.

With a saucepan

Use your serving cup to measure out how much water and/or milk you will add to the saucepan. Add a bit extra water to account for evaporation. If you are making traditional style coffee, you will need at least 3 Turkish coffee cups in the saucepan.
Add the water/milk, sugar, cardamom (if using), and the desired amount of coffee to the saucepan. For the traditional style, you will need at 1 heaped tbsp of coffee per Turkish cup. For my everyday version, I use 2-3 tsp of Turkish Coffee for 1 cup of milk/water. Stir well using a spoon or whisk.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and allow it to begin to simmer. This will take about 7 minutes. Remove any foam that has risen to the top and add it to your cup.
Once it comes to a boil, remove from heat and slowly add to your cup. Try to pour so that the foam in the coffee cup remains undisturbed. You may also use a milk frother to create froth.

Video

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