A Recipe for Minced Meat Curry-Indian Style

Hello all you beautiful people out there.

How are you all?? It's been a long time since I posted anything! Sorry for that! :(

Well, I thought of sharing a recipe with you today. It's a recipe for Minced Meat Curry-Indian Style 

Minced Meat Curry (Indian Style)

Ingredients:

1. Minced Meat - 1.5 Pounds (I used Goat meat and my meat was hand chopped. I don't know why but my mom prefers Hand Chopped Mince
   
2. Sliced Onions - 3 Medium Sized
3. Red Chili Powder - 1.5 Teaspoons (You could also use 4 Dried Red Chilis-I prefer Dried Chili to Chili Power)
   
4. Garam Masala Powder - 3 Teaspoons (You could use the ready made versions that are available in the market or you could refer to this link for the recipe http://aliascreativelife.blogspot.in/2011/06/recipe-for-perfect-indian-garam-masala.html)
5. Turmeric Powder - 0.5 Teaspoon
6. Yogurt - Half a Cup ( I know, I use weird measures, Sorry!)
7. Coriander Seed Powder - 1 Teaspoon, Dry Roasted
8. Ginger Paste - 2 Teaspoons
9. Garlic Paste - 2 Teaspoons
10. Tomato Ketchup - 3 Teaspoons
11. Salt - To taste
12. Cooking Oil - 5 Tablespoons
13. Frozen Peas - Half a Cup, Blanched in Hot water for 5 Minutes
14. Meat Tenderizer - Optional

Method:

1. The first step is to Caramelize the Onions. Heat the oil in a Deep Dish/Wok. I used a Traditional Indian Cooking pot made of Hindalium. Here's a sneak peek.
   
2. Fry the Sliced Onions. When they turn Golden Brown, drain them and put them on a cool plate. Turn off the stove. Let the oil stay in the pot. We'll use this to cook our Minced meat. Let the caramelized onions cool down for 10 minutes. (I don't know why the onion doesn't look golden enough in this picture. Bad lighting I guess!)
   
3. Grind together the following ingredients to make a fine paste-
   Caramelized Onions
   Yogurt
   Turmeric Powder
   Red Chili Powder/Dried Chili
   Garam Masala Powder (2 Teaspoons)
   Coriander Powder
   Ginger Paste (1.5 Teaspoons)
   Garlic Paste (1.5 Teaspoons)
   Add some water to make a fine paste
4. Heat the oil again (The same oil that was used to fry the onions). Add this paste and saute well for about 5-7 Minutes. Keep stirring. Soon you'll see the oil separating from the Paste.
5. By this time the paste is almost cooked. Add the Minced meat and the Peas.
   
6. Add some salt. Do not add any water at this stage as the meat will shed some of its own. Stir well and cover.
7. You could use some Meat Tenderizer if required. One of the best Meat Tenderizers is Raw Papaya (Both the skin and pulp). It is so good, people swear by it and of course it's natural and healthy. I did not use any tenderizer in this recipe but you could use one. The meat takes lesser time to cook and becomes softer.
8. So now basically at this point of time you just need to let the meat cook. Cook it covered. Stir it occasionally. As I said earlier, the meat will shed some of its own liquid. Keep stirring from time to time and let it cook while covered.
   
9. When the meat is almost cooked, sprinkle 1 Teaspoon of Garam Masala, Half a Teaspoon of Ginger paste, Half a Teaspoon of Garlic Paste, add 3 Teaspoons of Tomato Ketchup and stir well. If the meat is dry, add some water, stir and let it cook. If there is too much liquid in the meat, let it cook without the lid, it will dry off.
10. When the minced meat is cooked, turn off the stove and serve hot. Garnish with Caramelized Onions and/or Chopped Coriander Leaves and/or Curry Leaves.
    

Well, I hope you guys try this recipe out and like it.

See you, Love you all!

Alia

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Cute Book Labels for Kids

Hi Everybody,

How are you all today??

With Ramadan on, I'm so very busy these days, but I do have something for you guys! Guess what?? Book Labels for Kids!! I made them in a hurry, but they are not that bad.

You can find them here.

Hope you like them!

I'll post a recipe soon.

Love you all!

Alia


P.S:
To check out the Parties I always link to, click here.

Recipe for the Perfect 'Indian Garam Masala' or Curry Powder

Hi ya all!


How are you all doing today?


Today I want to tell you guys how to make the Perfect Indian Garam Masala or Curry Powder. Its basically very simple and quick to prepare and you can store it for months together!


Here's what you need:


Ingredients-


Green Cardamoms - 36 nos.
Cloves - 12
Cumin seeds - 3 Teaspoons
Cinnamon Sticks - 1" x 6 pcs
Black Pepper - 24
Aniseeds/Fennel Seeds - 3 Teaspoons
Caraway Seeds - 2 Teaspoons


Method:


Grind all the spice together and store in an air tight container.


This is the correct proportion of spices used in a Garam Masala. The above recipe will yield about 9-10 Tablespoons of Garam Masala Powder. 


That's it for now!


Love you all!


Alia

Transforming your House

Hi!


How are u all today? Enjoying the summer, eh?


Today lets discuss a new topic. Everybody likes a li'l bit of changes around the house now and then. I was just browsing on the internet for quick and cool transformations around the house and here's what I came up with.


1) Real Simple has a really good article called No-Money Home Makeover Ideas. Did I read 'No Money'?? It cannot get better than this, can it?

You can check out the article here.


2) Homemakers has an article on 12 Pretty Patio Decor items. Now not only can you transform your house, but you can also spruce up your yard and garden. Isn't that great?

Check it out here.

There's another article that tells you How to grow an herb Garden. I'm sure you'll like it.

Check it out here.

3) BHG, in one of its articles, gives very good Re-modelling Tips and Advice. Find it here.

4) Shelli, from A La Mode, is a reader of Somewhat Simple and has recently put together a beautiful home tour that was too amazing not to feature! She did all the the design herself, on a budget and I love her style- its fresh and clean, but patterned and fun. Best of all, EVERY SINGLE ONE of  her sources are listed at the bottom of each post, so if you see something  in a room that you love, you can learn exactly where to find it! Take a look at some of the rooms you will see on her home tour. You will find it here on Somewhat Simple .

5) Take a look at Cube Mug. Its stackable, it saves space and its super cute, isn't it? You can find out more about it here.

I hope you liked my post and I hope you find it useful. 

Have a nice day.

Love u all!

Alia

Boneless Masala Fried Chicken - Indian Style

Hi guys!


How are ya all doing?? Enjoying the lazy summer breeze?


I'm in Saudi Arabia right now and the climate here is so unpredictable! One second its warm, the other second there's this really cool breeze coming by and then again a second later its sunny all over again!


I'm really enjoying my vacation with my Mom, Dad and Bro while my husband's on a business trip to Belgium (I bet he's having a whale of a time!) and next week he'll be off to France (Ok, now I'm really jealous).


Oh, this reminds me Belgium is famous for Diamonds and France for Couture! I should inform my husband about that :p A few gifts didn't hurt anybody, eh?


Well, anyways, I made this really delicious Masala Fried Chicken today...Pure Indian Style and I want to share the recipe with you all! My bro loved it and trust me, my brother could be one mean food critic and if he loved it, I'm sure you guys will too! So here we go:


Boneless Masala Fried Chicken - Indian Style:


Ingredients-


Chicken-750 gms (Boneless and Cut into Medium Sized Pieces)
Ginger Paste-1 Tbsp
Garlic Paste-1 Tbsp
Turmeric Powder- 1/8 th Tsp
Red Chilli Powder- 1 Tsp
Coriander Seeds (Powdered)- 1 Tbsp
Garam Masala Powder- 1.5 Tbsp
Lemon Juice- 2 Tbsp OR Vinegar- 1 Tbsp
Salt- To taste
Cornflour or Rice Flour- As Required


Method:


1) First of all, wash the chicken thoroughly.
2) Mix the Ginger Paste, Garlic Paste, Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Coriander Seed Powder, Garam Masala Powder, Lemon Juice / Vinegar and Salt in a big bowl.
3) Add the Chicken to it and mix well. Let the Chicken marinate in it for at least 4-5 hours (In the fridge). You can also leave it overnight in the refrigerator.
4) Heat oil in a wok or a deep pan.
5) Dip the Chicken Pieces in Cornflour or Rice Flour and fry them till they turn brown.
6) Serve Hot.

I know the pic isn't good but we were in a hurry to eat so I couldn't wait to get my camera and just clicked a pic with my cell phone...I know! Shame on me! :(


Ok, do try this out at home and let me know how it turns out!


Have a nice Summer!


Loads of love!

Success Quotes - Cute li'l Banners (and an 'Abayah' recycle coming up soon!)

Hiiiiii!!


Thank God Blogger is back to normal...God, was I freaking out! :p


Well, guess what? I'm really obsessed with making these li'l banners and tags, I mean, seriously, I don't know what's with me! Anyways, I thought I'd share some with you.

http://aliascreativelife.blogspot.com/

http://aliascreativelife.blogspot.com/

http://aliascreativelife.blogspot.com/

You are free to use and share these!

Love ya all!

Shrimps in Green Gravy - Yummilicious!

Hi ya all!


How have you been?? I tried this Shrimp Recipe today. Its amongst my mom's specialties. Now, my mom is a VERY VERY VERY Good Cook!! I mean she's AMAZING!! People who taste her food ALWAYS come back for more! So, as I was saying, I got this recipe from my mom.


Ingredients:


Onions: 2 (Big)
Garlic: 12 Cloves + 3 Cloves
Coriander leaves: About 3/4 Cup (Chopped)
Green Chillies: 3 (You can increase or decrease it according to your taste and your 'Hot' Meter)
Shrimps: 350-400 grams (Washed, De-shelled and Deveined)
Turmeric Powder: 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt: To Taste
Water
Oil
Lemon Wedges and Coriander Leaves for Garnishing
Method: 


1) Grind the Onions, 12 Garlic cloves, Coriander leaves and Green chillies to a fine paste.
2) Marinate the Shrimps in Turmeric Powder and some salt for about 10-15 Minutes.
3) In the meantime, heat some oil in a cooking pot and add Onion-Garlic-Coriander-Chilly paste. Saute it over low heat. Keep stirring so that the paste doesn't stick to the pot. Add a few drops of oil now and then if needed. Now, when you cook this paste, the chillies in the mixture lose some of their spiciness. Saute this mixture on a low flame for about 10 minutes or till the raw taste of the paste disappears. Keep stirring while you saute it.
4) Now, add the Shrimps in the cooking pot. Slice 3 Garlic Cloves and add it to the shrimps. Add 3-4 tablespoons of water and Stir well. (Add some more water if you want a thin gravy). Cover the pot and cook over a medium flame.
5) Stir from time to time so that it doesn't stick to the pot. Add some water now and then if required.
6) It usually takes 15 minutes to cook the shrimps but you can always check and if they still seema a little raw, you can cook them for some more time.
7) Garnish them with Lemon Wedges and Coriander Leaves.


I hope you try this recipe and I really hope you all like it.


P.S: I served the dish in a Traditional Indian 'Patela' (Indian Aluminium Pot)

My 1st Recipe- Masala Fried Fish

Hi!!!


Well, Long time, eh? Sorry guys. I was just getting settled in my new house as a newly wed. Well, guess what? I just discovered that Im a really good cook!! Well, I dont like to brag, but I really really mean it! Just today, I made some Masala Fried Fish. Here is the recipe for the same:


Masala Fried Fish:


Pomfret Fish (Large) 1 pc
Cumin Seeds 1.5 Tsp
Turmeric Powder 0.5 Tsp
Chilli Powder 1 Tsp
Tandoori Masala 1 Tsp
Garlic 5 Cloves
Lemon Juice 2 Tsp
Salt to taste
Oil to fry


Method:


Wash the fish and slice it. Clean it thouroughly.


Grind the cumin seeds, turmeric powder, chilli powder, tandoori masala, garlic, lemon juice and salt. Add some water to get a 'Pastey' consistency.


Marinate the fish in the mixture for an hour.


Heat oil in a shallow pan.


Now dust the fish with some flour and fry the fish till it becomes golden brown!


My family likes the fish a little spicy so if you want it to be less spicy you can reduce some of the spices.


Sorry, I dont have any pics because...ahem...we ate it up!


Love ya all!


Alia