pakistani home cooking: Namak Pare

pakistani home cooking: Namak Pare:                             Namak Pare I love namak pare from the time when I was a little kid   I remember usually namak pare ser...

Namak Pare

                            Namak Pare

I love namak pare from the time when I was a little kid  I remember usually namak pare serve in  tea party and I loved those tea parties . they buy them from out side. Pakistan namak pare is sell in bakeries and also in the street .these heavenly salty crispy finger food is ideal for tea parties.

When I come to us I kind miss these yummy munch on appetizers  so I try  this recipe  from my food and nutrition college practical copy the  ghee to oil and the addition  of rice flour but if you have no problem but butter or ghee you can use any of them.

And this is one thing that when I make my husband and 2 princesses are so happy and in the end I have to make more no left over. It’s great for kids since they need good fat too for their body and mind development.

So enjoy this Pakistani  appetizer with cup of black tea.

Ingredients.

1 cup all purpose flour

2 tbsp rice flour

2 tsp cumin seeds

3 tbsp canola oil

Salt according to taste

1/3-cup cold water

Oil for frying

Method:

    in this one i add some whole wheat flour too.

In large mixing bowl mix together rice flour and all-purpose flour with oil salt, cumin seeds

Rub it with your hands; add little water at a time till the dough forms.

Roll the dough in to round 12 inch circle and cut the dough in to 1 inch long cut the rest and fry them in oil until light golden, serve.

Note. if you want to store them, after they get cold store them in air tight container.

URAD DAL CURRY.

 

Since we don’t eat dal everyday I try to make them once in while but with lots of love and care.

This elegant ,classic Pakistani dal dish Urad dal is one of my family favorite dal and I make only when my father-in-law is visiting because he really like it. And like any other recipes here are two option one with a lots of spices and fry onion on the top or beautiful tomato sauce which will make this dal to next level. Just make sure the dal fully cooked but still hold it shape .

 

 

 

URAD DAL CURRY.

Ingredients

1-cup urad dal

1 onion chopped

2 tomato chopped 

1 green chili

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp turmeric powder

2 dry plum

1/4 tsp onion seeds

6whole black pepper corns

1 tbsp cilantro chopped

1/4-cup canola oil

4 cloves garlic crushed

Method:

Wash and soak dal for 30 minutes.

In a pot add dal and 2 cup of water and cook it on low,  after first add dry plum and salt then  cover and cook for 25 minutes on low. After 20 to 25 minutes remove the cover, lid, and let it cook to evaporates the water. 

Make baghaar, heat oil in frying pan add onion and fry for 1 minute add garlic green chili and all the spices and stir add tomato, stir and mash the tomato, pour everything on dal 

and cover on low for 5 minutes serves with roti and yogurt. 

Shurba Gosht curry with everyday naan.

                     Shurba Gosht  with everyday naan.

This curry with everyday naan always remain me back home .were my mom the best cook in the whole wide world cook simple curry on cold winter day and after reach home from the school  I will enjoy this yummy curry warm like a mother love.

So today I am feeling little blue and having cold day I make this and it work for me .I feel much batter .

Simple yummy soup like this curry will  make you feel good too. just add little love for your family which is the secret ingredient in this recipe.

Ingredients:

1-cup goat meat or chicken

4 curry leaves

4 tbsp oil

1 large size onion   chopped

2 tomatoes puree or   chopped

1 tsp garam masala

1tsp curry powder

2 cups water

1 tsp garlic crushed

1 tsp ginger crushed

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp cumin deeds roasted

Salt and pepper

1 green whole chili.

Method:

Heat oil in a heavy based saucepan and fry the onion till golden. add curry leaves  and cumin seeds and stir. Add meat and rest of the spices one by one and stir. Add ginger and garlic, and stir-fry the meat for1 minute and then add water so the spices don't burn.

Cover it after stirring it and let it cook for 15 minutes on low flame.  

Add finely chopped tomatoes and cover until tomatoes become soft.

Serve this dish with boiled rice or bread and garnish with cilantro and extra black pepper. 

Preparation  time:15 minutes plus 3 hours in winter 2 in summer.

Cooking time:15 minutes

Serves .7 to8 people

Every day Naan 

We Pashtuns eat a lots of naan there for when you eat something everyday you are looking for cut back those extra calories and fat.  And in this recipe I did this but it doesn’t mean  to cut down the flavor.

Ingredients

1cup whole-wheat flour

1cup atta flour {stone ground wheat flour}

1-cup bread flour

11/4 cup taped water 

1 1/2 tsp   dry active yeast

Salt optional

Onion or sesame seeds optional

METHOD

Dissolve yeast in 1/4-cup water add 2 tbsp flour and Leave it for 15 minutes,

Sift dry ingredients, and mix to wet ingredients along with the yeast mixture.

Knead the dough for 15 minutes.

Cover and let it rest for 3 hours, or until double in size.

With wet or oily hands divided the dough in to 7 equal size balls.

Roll each dough to naan shape.

Preheat the oven at highest temperature bake the bread 1 at a time.

1 to 2 minutes each.

Cover in clean cloth to stay warm.

Cook the rest,

And serve with any type of carry.

Grill tikkha boti with vegetables

                  

                           Grill tikkha boti with vegetables

There are some dishes that are ideal for summer lunch or dinner, and for me grill tikkha boti is one of them easily prepared this recipe will make you proud when people ask you what is the secret ingredient .

Yummy moist chicken marinated in tangy and spicy sauce give this chicken an A+.   

Ingredients

  1/2 kg boneless skinless chicken or fish

2 medium size tomatoes

1 large onion

1 lime

1 bell pepper

3 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp garam masala

1 green chili or red chili

2 cloves of garlic

2 tbsp chopped ginger

3 tbsp plain yogurt

1 tsp cumin powder

1tsp paprika powder

1 tsp coriander powder

Salt and pepper

Oil for brushing

 Method:

 Grind together in blander from lemon juice to coriander powder into fine marinate sauce.

If you are using wooden skewers soak them in warm water for at least 12 minutes, this will prevent them from burning.

Marinate the chicken or fish cuts, for 1 hour in fridge.

Put the meat in to skewers cook over heated charcoal grill or gas grill turning all sides.

For the vegetables just add salt and pepper, and brush with oil then thread marinated meat alternate the meat with vegetables.

Serve on rice bed and salad.

Fish Curry

           Fish curry was unusual for me when I first come to America and my mother-in-law always make fish curry so when my husband wish to eat fish curry I come up with this recipe .adding yogurt to this curry make this curry extra special ,creamy ,silky and yummy. if you have curry leaves  on hand do used them in this recipe .

So here we go folks fish curry just for you.

        Fish Curry

Ingredients:

Catfish fillets 1 lb

1 large onion chopped

1 tomato chopped

1 tsp turmeric powder

1tbsp lemon juice

1/2tsp fenugreek leaves crushed

2 tsp ginger and garlic

3 tbsp oil pulse 1 tbsp for frying the fish

1-cup plain yogurt

1 tsp cumin seeds

1/2tspAjwain or Carom Seeds

1/2 tsp chili powder

Method:

In a large pot heat the oil on medium heat and fry the onion till golden brown. Stir ginger, garlic and tomatoes.

Add all the spices and cook for 1 minute, add yogurt and do continuous stirring until the sauce gets thick.

Clean the fish rub salt and pepper and some lemon juice.

Place fish in the separate  oiled saucepan and fry for 1 minute on each side on high heat. now add the fish slices to simmering curry.

 Cover and  let it cook till the fish gets fully cook and tender. sprinkle black pepper and cilantro leaves.

Serve with naan or just boiled white rice.

Red Kidney Beans Salad

Red kidney beans salad is one of our family favorites .my mom make this salad all the time and now I make this  for my family simple healthy yummy salad .wonderful in hot summer days. wonderful for picnic or lunch and the best part is its all good.

Nutritional value of red kidney beans

  calcium , iron  Kidney beans are good sources of the minerals manganese, potassium, copper and phosphorus. zinc, magnesium and  excellent source of this vitamin. thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K and much more

Red Kidney Beans Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups boiled red kidney beans

1-cup pain yogurt

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped tomatoes

1 tsp roasted cumin seeds crushed

1 green chili, finely chopped, optional

1/4 tsp red chili powder

Salt and pepper

2 tbsp mint leaves chopped

1 tbsp cilantro chopped

2 tbsp tamarind sauce

Directions:

wash and soak the dry kidney beans for 3 hours then cook in slow cooker or pressure cooker .

IN a large bowl add kidney beans, salt and pepper stir then add chopped onion and

Tomatoes green chili, red chili, cumin and mix well add yogurt and

Tamarind sauce and mix, serve in individual small serving bowl.

Garnish with tomato, mint cilantro, and serve.

Note. Red kidney beans cooks very well in slow cooker.