Chettinad Mushroom Curry | Indian Curry Recipes

Chettinad cuisine belongs to the Chettinad region of state of Tamilnadu in India. It is known for its aromatic dishes cooked with the freshest spices and ingredients. Mainly known for its spicy non-vegetarian dishes, it is also known for its vegetarian delicacies like variety of paniyarams and rice sweets. This recipe combines the spicy masala with mushroom to make a tasty side dish. Just

Soya Chunks Kurma

I thought of preparing vegetable kurma, but my hunger didn't allow me to get into the mood of preparing this dish as its preparation is a bit lengthy process. So I thought about preparing a easy and quick kurma dish made out of Soya Chunks. Soya Chunks or Soy Meat are high in protein and prepared using soy flour. You can find this in nearby grocery shops. It helps me a lot whenever I run short of vegetables or when I am in no mood to prepare time consuming dishes.

Ingredients:



Soya Chunks - 1/2 cup

Onion - 1 small size or 1/3 cup chopped

Tomato - 1 medium size or 1/2 cup chopped

Green chilli - 1 no

Ginger - 1 inch length piece

Garlic - 2 cloves

Mustard seeds and urid dal - 1/2 teaspoon

Curry leaves - 1 string

Coriander leaves - for garnishing

Cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon

Coconut cloves - 1/4 cup

Red chilli powder - 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder - 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder - a pinch

Salt - to taste



Method:



1) Microwave the Soya chunks for 2 minutes or soak them in hot water for 15 minutes.

2) Meanwhile in a Mixer, grind ginger, garlic and green chilli to a paste and set aside.

3) Grind chopped tomatoes with red chilli powder and set aside.

4) Next, grind coconut with cumin seeds and set it aside.

5) Take a pan and heat oil in medium flame.

6) When oil is hot, add mustard seeds and urid dal. Allow them to pop up.

7) Add curry leaves followed by chopped onions.

8) Saute onion till they turn translucent.

9) Add ginger garlic green chilli paste (As said in step 2) and keep stirring continuously.

10) After few seconds, add Tomato red chilli paste (As said in step 3) and stir fry till the raw smell of tomatoes goes off.

11) Now, drain the water from soya chunks and squeeze them well to remove the absorbed water.

12) Add the drained soya chunks to the pan.

13) Add coriander powder, turmeric powder and salt.

14) Add little water as it suits and allow it to boil.

15) Add coconut paste (As said in step 4) and bring it to boil and remove it from heat when u smell the nice masala aroma.

16) Soya chunks kurma is ready to serve with chapathi.

Italian Veggie Bacon Arborio Cheese Rice

I made this recipe just for some fun in the kitchen, as Shoj was not coming for lunch and I didn't feel like cooking for just the two of us. So I wanted to try something new. I saw this Italian Arborio rice, it's a  Italian short-grain rice. Cooked, the rounded grains are firm, creamy, and chewy, due to the higher amylopectin starch content of this rice variety. This rice is best for making rice pudding, because of it's starch

I also used bacon, those who love bacon and don't want to eat lot of the bacon fat, the best way is to use Turkey Bacon which is lot more flavorful and healthier version.

Ingredients:

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1 cup Arborio Rice

5-6 strips of Turkey Bacon chopped

1 Red skin Potato sliced to 1/2 inch thick

1-2 Carrot peeled and sliced to 1/2 inch thick

1 small Onion sliced

2-3 Garlic cloves chopped

1/4 cup of Flat Leaf Parsley chopped

1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 tsp Olive oil

1 tbsp Butter

2-3 cups of Water or as needed

Method:

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1. In a heavy bottom pan, when it's medium hot add the bacon and saute it until it turns crispy, leaving out the oil from it for about 5-6 mins.

2. Remove the bacon on to a paper towel, leaving the rest of the oil from the bacon in the pan.

3. Add more 1 tsp olive oil,  or if you think there is enough oil, you can leave adding more and add butter to it.

4. Now add garlic clove sand onions and saute it until translucent.

5. Now add the potatoes and carrots, add salt and pepper. Make sure you check on the salt because bacon oil has salt already in it.

6. Now add the rice and toast it for about 3-4 mins in medium high flame with the vegetables.

7. Now add 1/2 cup of water and keep stirring, as the Arborio rice tends to stick to the bottom because of it's starch content.

8. Cover and cook in the meantime. When the water is reduced,  keep adding 1/2 cup at a time and stirring occasionally. You might need 2-3 cups of water, the rice once cooked will be starchy and sticky.

9. Once the rice and vegetables are cooked cover and let the steam be in there for about 5 mins.

10. Then transfer the rice and  vegetables on to a serving bowl or plate and sprinkle the bacon, cheese and parsley over the top and serve immediately when it's warm.