Carrot and Cucumber Raita(salad)

 Health benefits of yogurt is so impressive that many people has  made it a habit to consume it daily and so is  the dairy aisle of all grocery stores.Yogurt is easier to digest than milk and is also rich in calcium, mineral that contributes to decrease the risks of colon cancer.This is a valuable health food for both infants and elderly.For children it provides good source of protein,fats and carbohydrates.

Carrots is an orange, crunchy power food which provides beautiful skin,prevents cancer,and helps in anti aging. Raita is served in all Indian restaurants and in any festive occasions such weddings,receptions or just during Diwali etc.This tasty and refreshing salad can be eaten for lunch or for dinner.
Ingredients
1  cup low fat yogurt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chilli powder
salt to taste
1/4  of a cucumber grated
                                          1 small grated carrot
Preparation
In a bowl take yogurt and add in  cucumber and carrot and mix it.Then add in all other ingredients and mix it all together.Serve with paratha or naan. My daughter likes to eat this with rice and dhaal.It is really delicious  and refreshing.

chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken tikka  masala is a dish where chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices and cooked in tomato and cream sauce.This dish  is served in all Indian restaurant and is a very popular dish among the people of all origin and around the world. Some people believe that this is a British dish but it is cooked in all Indian house and restaurants. Chicken tikka masala is creamy , rich and is very tasty and is packed with flavor.This is my version of tikka masala.


Recipe
Marinate
1chicken breast cut in bite size pieces.
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon tumeric
1/2 teaspoon coriander(ground)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 tablespoon garlic paste
1 tablespoon ginger paste
juice of 1/2 of lime

2 tablespoon yogurt
 salt to taste
1 teaspoon canola oil
Place chicken in a bowl and add all the ingredients  ,mix and marinate it  for
30 minutes'.Grill the chicken or broil it or just cook the chicken in a pan for couple of minutes.Chicken will be fully cooked in the sauce.

 Sauce
2 tomatoes cut in chunks
1/2 onion cut in chunks
2 Serrano peppers
1 teaspoon tumeric
1  teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
1/ teaspoon garam masala
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon ginger paste
1 tablespoon garlic paste
1 teaspoon peanut powder
 salt to taste
black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon oil
2 tablespoon cream
Method
1.Roast tomato ,onion and Serrano pepper at 350 for about 10 minutes or until the juices comes out.
2.Blend tomato onion and Serrano pepper and peanut until smooth.Heat  oil in a skillet ,add cumin ,ginger and garlic let it cook for a minute.
3.Add turmeric coriander chilli powder ,cayenne pepper and mix it well.Then stir in tomato mixture, toss everything together.Add in salt to taste and black pepper and mix it,Cook it for about 10 minutes, then add in your chicken , cover and let cook until chicken is cook through.Finally pour in cream and cook for another 10 minutes or until the sauce thicken. Serve over rice

There are 48 different ways of cooking chicken tikka. and this is one of it.Try it out but don't forget to leave a comment.Enjoy.
Note Pataks tikka paste can be used for quicker results and is available in all Indian stores.

chicken wings

Chicken is a staple food in any island cuisine.Island Indian people love to cook chicken mostly for dinner or when they have company over during a major soccer tournament  same as here people enjoy football.Every one will be listening to the radio if they are at work or watch television at home.In October this tournament is played in Fiji over the independence long weekend.Women mostly cook finger food such as bhajia,chicken wings,samosa etc.Chicken is rich in protein which children really like to eat such as my daughter,wing is one of her favorite food. 

Recipe

 1.5 lb chicken wings

1 tablespoon paprika

1 tablespoon chilli powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

   1 teaspoon garlic powder

                                                                 1 teaspoon ginger paste

                                                                     1 tablespoon black pepper

                                                                        1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

                                             salt to taste

                                                                1 tablespoon canola oil

Preparation
1.Place the wings in a bowl and add in all the other ingredients.Mix it well. Marinate it for an hour.
2.Preheat the oven at 350 F. Place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet  and arrange the chicken wings on the rack and stick it in the  oven.

Served with cool sorucream with siracha

3. Bake it for 40 minutes turning it after 20 minutes.

4. Take it out of the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes.

I serve this chicken wings with sour cream and mayonnaise  or it can also be served  with any chutney.This chicken wing is very flavorful and tasty and crunchy.

Chicken Pakora

Chicken pakora can be served as a snack or an appetizer .In Fiji people make this when it is raining and they like to eat and get cozy in front of the television. In simple pakora is just any vegetable or meat dipped in a batter and then fried and then served with any chutney or sauce.My friends really like chicken pakora so today served this for snack to my family.


Recipe

1 cup besan ( buy it from any Indian store)

1 tablespoon rice flour

1/4 teaspoon carom seeds (ajwian)

1 teaspoon chilli powder

1 teaspoon garlic paste

1 teaspoon black pepper

salt to taste

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 chicken breast cut in bit size pieces

water to make the batter

oil for frying

Preparation
1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and also add in garlic and give it a good toss.
2. In a bowl add in besan , rice flour ,ajwian ,chilli powder,baking powder,salt .Mix everything together.Then add water to make a batter.
3. Add in chicken and toss it well.
4.Heat oil  in a pan  and then drop the chicken pieces in the heated oil .Fry the chicken until golden brown .
5. Serve pakora with chutney or any sauce of your choice.

 

Watermelon Gazpacho

 Gazpacho is a cold soup which can be made by blending any fruits or vegetables. During this hot summer months  I normally make this cold soup because it is very fast and is ready in  minutes.  Gazpacho is good for the people who like to lose weight because it is  very low calorie and high in fiber.This soup can be serve either for lunch or dinner or it can be eaten as a healthy snack.


Recipe
1 cup chopped watermelon
1/2 cup seeded and diced tomatoes
1 inch ginger
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup red or green bell peppers
1/4 cup diced cucumber
1 Serrano pepper
salt to taste
water

Preparation
1.Place everything in a blender to make it smooth.
2. Chill it for 30 minutes and then serve.

I have used one Serrano pepper because I like spicy food but you can always adjust it to your taste.