A Few Quick Desi Recipes

I love any meal that I can whip up in a few minutes without having to think too much about it. These are things we make every week in our house and after you make them a few times, you can do them in your sleep.

Rice:

1. Cut one medium onion in long thin pieces and saute until well browned but not burned.
2. Add one large spoon garma masala, one spoon salt and a spoon of cumin seeds if you have them.
3. Add one cup of frozen mixed vegetables and two cups drained basmati rice (soak the rice for 15-20 mins and rinse until water runs clear).
4. Add three cups of water that has already been brought to a boil (I use my electric kettle to speed up this process).
5. When you see the little airholes forming in the rice, reduce the heat to low and cover your pot for 18 minutes.
6. Remove the pot from the heat source and let it sit for 15 more minutes before uncovering the lid. After 15 minutes, give the rice a good fluffing and you are all set!

Spinach:

1.      Lightly fry one diced onion until golden brown.

2.      Add 1 tablespoon garlic, ½ tablespoon ginger and saute a little bit

3.      Add salt, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder and turmeric to taste (I do 1 spoon salt, ¾ spoon cumin, ¾ spoon coriander, 1 full heaped spoon red chili powder, ½ spoon turmeric)

4.      Mix well for about thirty seconds to one minute.

5.      Add two diced tomatoes and let simmer for a couple of minutes.

6.      Add one bag of frozen spinach and mix well for a minute or two.

7.      Cook without cover until most of the water has evaporated (about 15-20 mins)

8.      Cover and let simmer on a low heat (4 on our stove) for 15-20 minutes.

 

Kidney Beans and Green Peppers:

1.      Lightly fry one diced onion until golden brown.

2.      Add salt, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder and turmeric to taste (I do 1 spoon salt, ¾ spoon cumin, ¾ spoon coriander, 1 full heaped spoon red chili powder, ½ spoon turmeric)

3.      Add one bag of frozen medley peppers and two cans of kidney beans.

4.      Mix well and cook for 10-15 mins.

 

Daal:

 

1.      Bring two cups of daal to boil in six cups of water.

2.      Add salt, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder and turmeric to taste (I do 1 spoon salt, ¾ spoon cumin, ¾ spoon coriander, 1 full heaped spoon red chili powder, ½ spoon turmeric)

3.      Once the daal is at a consistency you like, in a separate pan melt two large tablespoons of ghee (or butter) with some crushed garlic. Once it is sizzling, pour it over the daal and mix.