Kadai Mushroom

This is a very simple and quick dish, prepared in tangy tomato gravy with button mushrooms and capsicum. The process of cooking mushrooms in fresh tomatoe puree brings a pleasent savory taste to the dish. No wonder, if you get reminded of this dish whenever you see a pack of clean n fresh white button mushrooms in the supermarket. This sabji gives a long lasting aftertaste and can be relished with roti or paratha, though tastes best with butter naan.

kadai mushroom

I dint add any cream to the sabji to keep it low calorie, but if you are preparing it for the guests/party, you must add fresh cream to finish the sabji to impart a rich and thick texture to the gravy. 

kadai mushroom

Serves : 4

Ingredients : 

Onion (cut into 1" cubes) - 2

Capsicum (cut into 1" cubes) - 2

Tomatoes (cut into 1" cubes) - 2

Fresh tomato puree of 2 medium-size tomatoes

Button Mushrooms (quartered) - 100 gm

Dabur Hommade Tomato Puree - 1 tbsp

Green Chili (finely chopped) - 1

Water - 1/2 cup

Salt - to taste

Corriander Powder (dhania powder) - 1/2 tsp

Shahi Paneer Masala - 1/2 tsp

Sugar - 1/2 tsp

Chat Masala - 1/2 tsp

Fresh Cream - 2 tbsp (optional)

Kasoori Methi - 1/2 tsp

Oil - 1 tbsp

Procedure :

1. Heat oil in a wok and saute onions till they turn transluscent pink.

2. Add fresh tomato puree, chopped green chili, salt, corriander powder, shahi paneer masala, chat masala. Cook till the mixture becomes dry and leaves oil on the sides of the wok.

cooked masala mixture

3. Add water. Let it boil, then add capsicum and mushrooms.

add capsicums and mushrooms to the boiling water

4. Add sugar, dabur hommade tomato puree. mix. cook till the capsicums get tender and the desired consistency of the gravy has been attained, meanwhile mushrooms will also absorb the flavors of the gravy.

5.In the last, just after turning off the flame, add chopped tomatoes and kasoori methi and cover the wok with a lid for 2 min and your kadai mushroom is ready to serve!

Tip : If you want to add fresh cream, add 2 tbsp of fresh cream(malai) after step 4, cook for 2 min on medium flame, then add kasoori methi and chopped tomatoes i.e. step 5.

SPINACH RICE

spinach rice

Spinach is one of the healthiest green you can find. It is a rich source of vitamin A, iron, anti-oxidants and very high dietary fiber. It has many hair loss preventing and cancer reducing nutrients too. Don't be surprised if someone tells you her secret of gorgeous hair and skin is 'SPINACH'. I've mentioned these facts to encourage you to involve more of this  green leafy vegetable into your daily diet (at least when it is in season) and be innovative to cook something tasty.

spinach rice

Serves : 4

Ingredients : 

Long grain Basmati rice(soaked in water for 1 hour) - 1 1/2 cups
Spinach Puree - 2 cups
Water - 1 1/2 cups
Ghee - 1 tbsp
Cumin Seeds (Jeera) - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Chat Masala - 1/2 tsp
Onion (sliced) - 2
Green Chilies (finely chopped) - 1

Procedure :

1. Heat ghee in a deep pan and crackle the cumin seeds.
2. On medium flame, saute onion till brown-pink in color.
3. Add water, salt, chat masala and green chilies.
4. When water starts boiling add spinach puree and rice. Stir lightly.
5. Cover and cook on high flame for 2 min, then simmer the flame and cook till the rice is done and all the water is absorbed.
6. Serve hot.

Garnish : I cut out two flowers from papaya using a cookie cutter :)
                 It is completely optional.

Tip : To prepare spinach puree - In a pot of boiling water, put the washed and cleaned spinach leaves, cook for 2 min, drain and run under the cold water. Blend the blanched leaves into puree using some fresh water. Usually, 1 bunch of spinach (450 gm) yields 1 cup of spinach puree.

SALAD DECORATION

I saw the tutorials for flowers made out of carrots and strawberries on pinterest and was very excited to try these newly learnt carvings. Last weekend when my parents came home, I tried these flowers and arranged the salad as shown in the picture. No wonder, the salad won so many compliments :)

To find the procedure to make carrot flowers, please click here
And for strawberry roses, please click here