TAWA PULAO

Ingredients:
Cooked rice – 2 cups
Boiled potato – 1, medium
Onion – 1, big sliced
Green bell pepper – ½, sliced
Green peas – ¼ cup
Cauliflower florets – 2-3
Tomato – 1, medium chopped
Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
Hing a pinch
Red chili powder – ¼ tsp
Pav bhaji masala – 1 tbsp
To garnish:
Butter
Sliced onion
Chopped cilantro
Lemon wedge

Cooking procedure:
Place the cauliflower florets and green peas in a microwave safe bowl and fill it with water till it fully covers the veggies. Microwave covered on high. After about 8-10mins drain all the water and keep aside. Now chop the cauliflower into small pieces, as shown in picture.

In a medium pan, heat 2-3 tbsp of oil. Add the onion and sauté till translucent. Now add the green bell pepper and fry for a minute. Then add the potato, cauliflower, green peas, tomato and sauté for minute. Do not cook the vegetables too much, they should remain crunchy. Then add the turmeric powder, hing and pav bhaji masala. Mix everything very well and add salt. Now add the boiled rice and mix everything very well. Cover the pan and let steam for 1-2 mins on medium heat. Serve hot with a teaspoon of butter, sliced onions, chopped cilantro and lemon juice.

GRILLED VEGETABLE PANINI

Ingredients:
Bread* – 4-6, slices
Zucchini – 1, cut into strips
Onion – 2, medium, sliced
Tomato – 2, medium, sliced
Canned roasted red bell pepper – 2, cut into strips
Dried basil – ½ tsp
Dried oregano – ¼ tsp
Black pepper powder – ¼ tsp
Extra virgin olive oil – 2 tbsp
Fresh mozzarella cheese – 6-7 slices
Red chili flakes – 1 tsp
Salt

Cooking Procedure:
Place all the vegetables in a big bowl. Add dried basil, oregano, black pepper powder, salt and olive oil. Then grill all the vegetables.

To build the panini, brush all the bread slices with olive oil on one side. On the other side place the zucchini, top it with onion, then with roasted bell pepper and tomato. Then top all the vegetables with mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle black pepper powder, salt and red chili flakes. Top with other slice, with olive oil side on top and place it in Panini press. Grill it till golden brown.

* I used Sour dough bread but you can use any bread of your choice. Sometimes I use Focaccia or Ciabatta, they form a nice crispy crust.

DAL MAKHAANI

Ingredients:
Udad dal * – 1 cup
Kidney beans – ¼ cup
Onion – 1 big, chopped
Garlic – 4-5
Ginger – 1”
Tomato – 2, medium
Bay leaf – 2
Red chili paste – 1 tsp
Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
Hing – a pinch
Garam masala – ½ tsp
Salt
Heavy whipping cream – ¼ cup

Cooking Procedure:
Wash the udad dal till the water runs clear and soak in water for 5-6 hours. Also soak the kidney beans. After that pressure cook both rajma and udad dal till tender.

Blanch the tomato and puree them. Make ginger garlic paste. Heat 2-3 tbsp of oil in a pan and add the bay leaves. Then add onions and sauté the onion till they become golden brown.

Now add the ginger garlic paste and Sauté for a minute. Now add the tomato puree, red chili paste and sauté till oil separates.

Then add turmeric powder, hing, mix well then add the cooked dal and kidney beans. Bring it to a boil. Adjust the water as per the required consistency. Finally add the garam masala and cream. Serve hot with roti/ Naan/ rice.

* I used split black urad with skin, you can use whole urad.