Potato Pilaf {Aloo Waley Chawal)

Hey everyone!

I know its been a long time since I've posted anything here. We were busy moving to a different house. the last month and a half has been pretty hectic to say the least!

Between all the shifting, unpacking and organizing; I have started making cakes too. Check them out!!

So back to today's recipe.

Potato Pilaf ; or 'Alo waley Chawal' as we call it; was something that we used to have quite often when we were kids. I remember my mother making this for us and serving this with yogurt or pickles. So good!

But as we got older, this pilaf sort of went on the back burner, we stopped having it as often as we used to.

But this is an ultimate comfort food for me. 

Its really easy and so quick to make too!!

There are a lot of different ways to make it, I'm sure every Pakistani home has their own version, I'm sharing how I make it ! (a little twist to my mother's recipe)

This recipe is for 1 serving only (as I made it for myself only), you can multiply the recipe as per your requirement.

You'll need:

1/2 cup of Basmati Rice

1 Potato peeled and cut in cubes

1 small Onion, chopped

1-2 Green chilies

3-4 Curry Leaves

1/2 tsp of Red Chili Powder

Salt to taste

a pinch of Turmeric

1/4 tsp Cumin (Zeera)

1 small Tomato, chopped

Heat oil in a deep pan, Add onions, green chilies, curry leaves and cumin.
Cook till the onions are golden brown.

Add the spices with a little water to prevent burning. Stir for 10-12 seconds.

Add tomatoes and cook covered on low flame till the oil is released and the tomatoes are tender.

Add potatoes. Cook till the potatoes are half done.

now pour in water (double the amount of rice. I used 1/2 cup of rice, so I added 1 cup of water)

Check and adjust seasoning at this stage.

When the stock comes to a boil add your rice.

Cook on medium heat till almost all the water evaporates and the rice gets puffed up.

Then put on dam at very low flame for 10 minutes.

Take out and serve with Salad and Mint raita!

Vegetable Biryani

If you're fed up of eating meat everyday but still like something spicy and delicious, than this biryani is for you!

Its best is to make it when you clean out your fridge and there are 1-2 pieces of various vegetables that collect over 2-3 weeks that you can use instead of throwing them out. Almost all vegetables taste delicious is this biryani.

You'll need

1 tbsp of Ginger Garlic paste

1 tsp of Cumin

1 tsp of Garam Masala

2 tbsp of Red Chili Powder vary according to taste

2-3 Green Chilies

250-300 grams of Yogurt

2 large Onions, sliced

2 medium Tomatoes, chopped

200-250 grams of Peas

200-250 grams of Green Beans

2 medium Potatoes, cut in medium cubes

2 Carrots, sliced

1/2 bunch of Cauliflower florets

(For Rice):

900g to 1 kg of Rice

4-5 Cloves

5-6 Black Peppercorns

1 stick Cinnamon

3-4 Cardamom

1 tbsp of Salt

(Others)

3 Eggs (boiled and sliced)

few leaves of Mint

1 Onion sliced

Boil Rice with cloves, black peppercorn,cinnamon, black cardamom and cardamom till 3/4 of the way done. Drain and sprinkle with cold water to stop the cooking.

Mix Garam masala, Cumin and Ginger Garlic paste with Yogurt. Keep aside.

Fry Onion till light golden brown, add cubed Potatoes and a little water. Leave to cook for about 10-15 minutes or till the potatoes are almost done.

Add Red chili powder, salt and the yogurt mixture.

and Tomatoes and Green Chilies. Leave to cook for about 5 minutes.

Add all the Vegetables. Cook uncovered for about 5-7 minutes.

When almost done, add coriander leaves and juice of 1 lemon

Mix Thoroughly.

Layer with Rice, place boiled egg in between the layers.

Sprinkle cumin, few mint leaves and fried Onion on top. Cover and put on very low flame for about 20-25 minutes.

Take out and Serve hot with mint yogurt and salad !

Enjoy!!

Shepherd's Pie

I've never make Shepherd's pie before, this is the first time. But i'm so happy that i did try this, as its incredible. Combining two of my most favorite things together, saucy mince and mashed potatoes.

And the best part? Its really quick and easy to make.

This recipe serves 2, you can double or triple the recipe as per your requirement.

Serves : 2

Cooking Time: 40-50 mins

You'll Need:

(For Mince):

300 grams of Mince meat (Beef/Mutton/Chicken. I used chicken)

1 small Onion (chopped)

1 small Carrot (chopped)

1 stick of Cinnamon

1/2 tsp of Red Chili Flakes

1/4 tsp of Cumin

Salt to taste

2 tbsp of Tomato Paste

1 small Tomato (chopped)

1/4 cup of Peas

(For Mashed Potatoes)

1 large Potato

3-4 tbsp Cream (can be skipped)

5-6 tbsp of Mink

Salt to taste

a pinch of Black Pepper

a pinch or Oregano (or any other herb)

Other Ingredients:

Garlic Butter (just mix mashed garlic with softened butter)

Green Onions

Mozzarella cheese

Heat oil, add chopped onion and carrots. Cook till the onions are translucent and the carrots are soft. Add mince tomato paste, chopped tomato, red chili flakes, salt, cumin, cinnamon and a little bit of water. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes (increase cooking time if you are using beef or mutton mince)

Throw in the peas, and leave for 5 minutes.

While that is cooking, make Mashed potatoes

Dice potatoes in 1/2 inch cubes and boil till fork tender.

Drain and mash. Put them on the stove, add black pepper, salt, cream, milk and oregano (any herb will do)

Mix on low flame till creamy and fluffy.

Grease any baking pan. I used ramekins, as I was making only 2 small portions (and because they are super cute) Any baking pan would do.

Add the mince mixture in the bottom.

Top it with mashed potatoes.

Now you can add anything on top you want.

I added only Garlic Butter on top of one. And Garlic butter and Mozzarella cheese on the other. 

Bake in a preheated oven at 180 for 20 minutes.

Sprinkle green onions of top and serve !

How incredible does that look ?

Homemade Subway Sandwich

I love Subway Sandwiches. The contrast of crunchy lettuce, meat and sauces is incredible.

I never actually thought i'd ever make these at home. They are pretty cheap as it is, but there is some inner satisfaction in knowing how to make this sandwich from scratch.

The whole obsession with the sandwich started when we bought Salami (turkey and beef)

Ready-made french bread was pretty hard on the top, so i thought i'd just make the bread.

I search around on the internet and found this recipe, its incredible. the bread is so fragrant and really soft. 

This recipe makes 2 really big sandwiches.

For The Bread:

Recipe adapted from Melissa Griffiths

1 1/2 cup of Flour

2 tsp Yeast

2 tsp of Sugar

3-4 tbsp of Milk

1 tbsp of Oil

1/4 cup of warm water

Sauces :

(Honey Mustard):

2 tbsp of Mustard

1 tsp of Honey

(Onion Sauce):

2 tbsp of Mayonnaise 

1 tsp of ketchup

a few drops of Chili sauce

1 tbsp of finely chopped Onion

pinch of Salt

pinch of Black pepper

a few drops of White Vinegar

a few leaves of Coriander

a few drops of Lemon Juice 

a few drops of Olive oil (optional)

Other Ingredients:

Meat of any kind  (grilled chicken, roast chicken/mutton/beef, Salami, sausage, hot dogs)

I used Salami (beef and turkey)

Pickled Jalapeno Peppers

Gherkin (pickled cucumber)

Capsicum

Tomato

Iceberg Lettuce (Any lettuce would do)

Olives

Other Toppings that you can use :

Cucumber

Onion

Spring Onions

Roasted garlic

Caramelized Onions

To Make The Bread:

Add yeast and sugar to warm water. (water should be not be hot, just warm), Mix and leave for 5 minutes to foam up. Than add milk, oil and salt.

Add flour, mix to make a soft dough. Add more warm water if needed.

Leave to Rise for 30 minutes.

Grease baking sheet. Divide the dough in 2 (if you want big sandwiches) or 4 (if you want smaller ones) roll into a log. Place on the sheet and leave for 20 minutes to rise again. 

Meanwhile preheat oven at 200 degree centigrade,

See these beauties?

Pop them in the oven for 20-25 minutes.

Take them out when they are golden brown on top and bottom

They would have a hard crust on top.

To make them soft, rub the top with butter and cover with a dish towel. Leave for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile prep the toppings.

Take out the Salami

Cut the vegetables

Mix the ingredients for Onion sauce. Keep aside.

Mix mustard and honey. Keep aside.

Cut the bread in half, keep it attached on one side.

Add cheese (either cheddar or mozzarella) I used shredded mozzarella.

Toast in the oven if you want.

Add the meat

Spread the Onion sauce on the upper part of the bun.

Spread vegetables on top.

Top it with sauces.

ketchup and honey sauce.

Use aluminium foil or butter paper to fold it close.

Its super juicy and so delicious.

Enjoy !!