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Classic & Contemporary Dal Recipes

Whether you prefer traditional dal dishes like Dal Makhani and Dal Fry or you like something fresh and creative like Masoor Dal or Dal Dhokli, you will find its recipe here. These lentil recipes will offer a wholesome and filling dose of protein, fiber, and vital vitamins along with the rich and fragrant tastes of Indian cooking. If you are an Indian resident of the USA, then you will surely love the 5 best dal recipes that require the use of fresh ingredients, lots of quality masala, and your dedication. 

Dal Makhani

The most popular recipe, Dal Makhani, is quite simple to prepare with perfection at home. 

• Cook the yellow lentils (toor dal) till they get soft.
• In another pan, heat oil & then add cumin seeds, onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, & green chilies.
• Sauté until the color of the onions becomes golden brown.
• Combine the mixture and cooked lentils. Then, simmer it.
• Before serving, garnish the dal with cilantro.

Punjabi Dal Fry

It is another top Indian lentil recipe, which is loved by Indians all around the world.

• Cook the yellow lentils (toor dal) till it gets soft.
• In another pan, heat oil & then add cumin seeds, onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, & green chilies.
• Sauté until the color of onions becomes golden brown.
• Combine the mixture and cooked lentils. Then, simmer it.
• Before serving, garnish the dal with cilantro.

Masoor Dal

A creamy and spiced dish, masoor lentil is a common staple in all Indian kitchens.

• Cook the red lentils (masoor dal) till it gets soft.
• In another pan, heat oil & then add cumin seeds, onions, tomatoes, garlic, & ginger. Add some quantity of green chilies.
• Sauté until the tomatoes break down.
• Combine the mixture and cooked lentils.
• Simmer till the texture becomes consistent.

Dal Dhokli

This dal recipe is a common Rajasthani and Gujarati cuisine.

• With wheat flour, water, salt & oil, make a dough.
• Roll out the dough & cut pieces in the shape of a diamond (dhoklis).
• Cook the yellow lentils (toor dal) till they get soft.
• In another pan, heat oil & then add cumin seeds, onions, tomatoes, mustard seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves, garlic, & ginger. Add some quantity of green chilies.
• Add water & boil it. Then, add the prepared dhoklis.
• Cook until the dhoklis are soft & the dal thickens.

Green Moong Dal

Green Moong Dal is a wholesome lentil, which is a favorite of many. It is very easy to prepare in a pressure cooker.

• Soak green moong dal overnight.
• Strain the water and add fresh water. Pressure cook the soaked dal until it gets soft.
• In another pan, heat oil & then add cumin seeds, onions, tomatoes, mustard seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves, garlic, & ginger. Add some quantity of green chilies.
• Add chopped tomatoes, and cook until soft.
• Combine cooked dal, spices, and water if needed.
• Simmer until flavors blend.
• Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or chapati.

Epilogue

In conclusion, there is a rich tapestry of dal recipes that are sure to tantalize the taste buds. These are very easy to cook with all the ingredients available easily in the USA. With the 5 best dal recipes mentioned here, you will get the best aroma and taste.

The post 5 Best Indian Dal Recipes for Indians Living Abroad in the USA appeared first on Gharsaa.

Introduction

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” This timeless quote by Lao Tzu is famous with all those people who want to embark on a new culinary adventure. In the USA, there are many such people who are open to experimenting with new tastes and cuisines. They are not just the Indian-Americans in the USA but also locals, who have shown a keen interest in various Indian dishes. Among the menu, many recipes can be prepared at home. In this article, we’ll look into some easy-to-cook Indian dishes which are ideal for beginners. By cooking these dishes, people will ensure a flavorful adventure into the heart of Indian cooking.

List of 5 Simple Indian Recipes for Beginners:

Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice):

This Indian dish comprises basmati rice and cumin seeds. It is an everyday rice dish that is popular among the North Indians. It is very easy to prepare by using rice, cumin seeds, onions, coriander leaves, and vegetable oil.

Khichdi or Khichri:

It is a porridge of rice and lentils. A satisfying and nourishing Indian dish, it has a delectable taste because of the presence of tempered spices and garlic in it. Kitchari is also a preferred staple in case of an illness. For Indians residing in the USA, it is a medically verified dish that can be made even by those who are cooking for the first time.

Dal Chawal

Dal or lentil recipes are very simple to prepare and hence it should be tried by the novice. The standard preparation procedures start with boiling the soaking the dal in water, using this clean dal with some turmeric. Fried garnish and salt should be added as per the taste. Tomatoes, onions, and various masalas are used while cooking the dal to get a sweet-sour flavor.

Gajar Matar Ki Sabzi

Curry, also known as Sabzi, is a South Asian meal that consists of vegetables with a spiced sauce. This steamed and sauteed dry dish is prepared by using carrots, green peas, and small amounts of spices. While there are other ways to prepare carrot and pea dry curry, this recipe just requires a few simple ingredients and can be prepared quickly. On weeknights, this recipe is a simple lunch or supper option. Savor for a hearty and satisfying lunch with roti or paratha.

Mutter Paneer (Peas and Cheese)

This tomato-based curry dish takes 40 minutes to prepare. Fresh, farmer’s cheeses, peas, turmeric, and various masala combos are used to give it an intense flavor. Generally, it is served with basmati rice or bread.

Epilogue

In conclusion, it is not a daunting task for beginners to cook and savor famous Indian dishes. The easy-to-cook Indian cuisines mentioned here require basic ingredients and can be prepared in a quick time. Else, you can also order online or visit an Indian restaurant anywhere in the USA for a bite of these tasty dishes.

The post Indian Cuisine for Beginners: 5 Simple Recipes to Try in the USA appeared first on Gharsaa.

Traditional winter spices cloves and cinnamon make it delicious and spicy to taste. You can make it fresh and serve it immediately or if you prefer make it in advance and put it on real low heat during a party or whenever you want to serve it.

Mulled Wine Recipe :

Ingredients:

• Orange medium size: 2
• Fresh orange juice 1/4 cup
• Lemon peel: from 1 lemon
• Sugar: 60g
• Cloves: 2
• Star anise: 1
• Cinnamon stick: 1
• A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• Red wine: 1 bottle
• Ginger juice: 50 ml

Method:

Take a thick saucepan, place it onto the stove pour fresh orange juice, and add in sugar. Now add lemon peel, cinnamon, star anise, and cloves too. Stir it gently and add in ½ cup of wine. Now heat the mixture on a slow heat till sugar just about dissolves.

Slice one orange and add it to the saucepan keeping the heat on slowest. Now bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 4-5 minutes on medium heat till it has a thin syrup-like consistency.

After it attains a syrup-like consistency reduce the heat to the lowest, and start to add the rest of the red wine from the bottle into the saucepan.
Finally add in the ginger juice, gently heat the wine and spices to simmer it for a few minutes, and switch off the heat. Mulled wine is ready to serve now.

Serving:

To serve cut the thin slices of another orange, place 1-2 orange slices each in a heavy glass { sturdy dimpled half-pint glasses look good and have handles for better hold} and pour wine over the orange slice and serve it warm.

Tip:

However beautiful it may look do not go overboard on start anise because it is very strong flavoured so always less is more.

Even if you don’t use expensive red wine, that will be fine. A cheap red wine bottle works as fine as an expensive one as far as mulled wine is concerned.

The post How to Master Mulled Wine: Recipe, Preparation, and Pro Tips appeared first on Gharsaa.

Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe :

Statistics:

• Preparation time: 10 minutes
• Cooking time: 25 minutes
• Medium of Cooking: Stovetop
• Level of Difficulty: Medium
• Calorie count: 500
• Category: Mains
• Servings: 2-3

Ingredients:

• Boneless chicken breast halves: 2 skinless,
• All-purpose flour: 1/4 cup
• Unsalted butter: divided 2 tablespoons
• White wine: ( optional ) ¼ cup
• Chicken stock: ½ cup
• Lemon juice: ⅓ cup
• Capers: 1 tablespoons
• Flat-leaf parsley chopped
• Salt to taste
• Crushed black pepper

Image Source: EatingWell

Method:

Cut both chicken breasts into 2 halves from the middle to make the 4 cutlet pieces in total.

Now place these cutlets on a wooden board and flatten the pieces slightly with the help of a meat mallet.

Sprinkle salt and crushed black pepper over chicken pieces and spread the all-purpose flour onto a plate.
One by one dip all 8 chicken pieces in dry flour and dust off extra if there is any.

Cooking:

Heat a thick cast iron skillet or nonstick pan and add 2 tbsp of oil, add two pieces of chicken at a time. Cook them for 2 minutes from each side and then one extra minute on each side. Likewise, cook the rest of the chicken pieces too.

Now add the white wine to the pan and bring it to a light simmer, scrape off brown bits of chicken from the pan to deglaze it.

Add chicken stock and cook the sauce till it is reduced to almost 1/4th. Stir in lemon juice and mix it well with sauce. Switch off the heat and your lemon chicken piccata is ready to serve.

Serving:

In a serving dish place chicken pieces, pour sauce over them and finally top it with capers and flat leaves of parsley. Serve it hot.

Tip

For extra flavor lightly char the lemon slices in a pan, and place over chicken pieces over the dish.

The post How to Make Delicious Homemade Lemon Chicken Piccata: Easy Recipe Guide appeared first on Gharsaa.

Sparkling Raspberry Limeade Cooler Recipe:

Preparation:

• Time: 7 minutes
• Cooking time: 0 minutes
• Medium of Cooking: No cook
• Level of Difficulty: Easy
• Calorie count:
• Category: Drink
• Servings: 2-3

Ingredients:

• Fresh lime juice: 2/3 cup
• Sugar: 1/2 cup
• Raspberries fresh or frozen: 1 1/2 cups
• Club soda: 3 cups
• Ice cubes

Image Source: Foodal

Method:

Take one cup of raspberries ( preferably fresh, if fresh is not available you can use frozen raspberries which are easily available)

Puree the raspberries with a cup of water and sieve the puree through a mesh by pressing it hard with the back of the spoon. Apply enough pressure to sieve the pulp so that only skins remain on the sieve.

Now discard the seeds and keep the puree in a bowl.

To Serve:

Take a pitcher and add the pureed raspberries to the pitcher. Add the sugar and 3-4 tbsp of water, and stir it so that sugar is dissolved in it.

Now add lime juice, remaining raspberries, and soda water to the pitcher and it’s ready to serve.

Finally, place some ice cubes in the glasses pour this raspberry limeade over the ice cubes, and serve immediately.

The post Refreshing Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade Cooler Summer Recipe in Simple Steps appeared first on Gharsaa.

Introduction

All the desi foodies in the USA are welcomed here for the top 5 famous South Indian breakfast dishes. The South Indian cuisines are sure to make your tastebuds dance to a happy tune. In the United States of America, the cuisines are loved not just by the Indian community but also by the locals. The variety, taste, and innovations of the South Indian dishes were especially loved during the breakfast. Also, several Indian and multi-cuisine restaurants in the USA serve traditional as well as modern mix of authentic South Indian taste as a part of their morning menu. There are various vegetarian & non-vegetarian South Indian items that make a full platelet of breakfast. Let us have a look at these items:

List of top 5 Easy Homemade South Indian Breakfast Dish Recipes:

IDLY

This is the most common and famous South Indian breakfast dish. The idly is basically steamed rice & lentil patty which is consumed with sambar, and chutneys. It is a soft, fluffy, and completely satisfying dish that can be relished any time of the day. Also known as steamed cakes, the idly is light on the stomach but heavy on taste. Sambar and coconut chutney are the most common pairing options, making your morning meal nothing short of royalty. Masala Idly, Rasam Idly, ulavacharu Idly, and many other options are possible here.

DOSA

The mighty dosa – another popular South Indian breakfast dish is very easy to make. It is a crispy, golden delight which is prepared using fermented rice and lentil batter. There are various varieties of dosa that form the breakfast platter in the USA. Plain dosa, masala dosa, spring onion dosa, and many other options are preferred for their lip-smacking taste.

UPMA

If your mood is to relish something wholesome and hearty, then look no further than upma. A porridge-like dish, it is made from semolina (rava) and cooked with various spices, onions, & tomatoes. Hence, having upma as a breakfast meal will not only fill your stomach but it will burst with flavors. You can have this dish either plain or loaded with veggies.

VADA

A magical dish – it is soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. This beloved South Indian dish is perfect for kickstarting your day. Donut-shaped fritters, the vada is made using ground urad dal and spices. These are compulsorily consumed with sambar and coconut chutney which gives it an extra burst of flavor that’ll leave you asking for more.

UTTAPAM

This South Indian delicacy is popular across the USA for its exclusive blend of flavors & textures. It’s a pancake-like dish that offers a delightful medley of tastes, from tangy to spicy. Hence, it is a must-have breakfast food item, especially for those who adore South Indian dishes and cuisines.

Epilogue

These top 5 famous South Indian breakfast dishes will definitely make your stomach happier and your morning brighter. Whether you need a plain dosa, masala idly, mixed veg uttapam, or some other south Indian dish, you can get it from a nearby Indian restaurant. Also, you can prepare these items at home and have a delightful breakfast.

The post Top 5 Easy Homemade South Indian Breakfast Dish Recipes appeared first on Gharsaa.

Image Source: Create with Nestle

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipes:

Preparation:

• Time: 15 minutes
• Baking time: 25 minutes
• Medium of Cooking: Oven
• Level of Difficulty: Medium
• Category: Dessert
• Servings: 8 Wedges

Ingredients

• White flour: 250g
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
• Butter unsalted: 100g
• Cocoa powder: 4 Tablespoon
• Sugar: 250g
• Eggs: 2
• Vanilla extract: 5ml
• Buttermilk: 200ml
• Milk: 50 ml
• Red food coloring: 2 tbsp
• Baking soda: 1 teaspoon
• Beetroot cooked and pureed: 100g
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• Cream cheese: 250 g
• Butter: 50 g
• Whipped cream: 150g
• Confectioner sugar: 150g

Method

For making a red velvet cake start with making a sponge base. Start by lining 2 baking round tins of 20 cm diameter with a parchment paper.

Take a mixing bowl whisk eggs, milk, and buttermilk, beetroot puree, vanilla extract one by one till it makes a smooth and uniform mixture. Beetroot will give the batter a beautiful dark pink hue which makes it look very pretty.

Take another bowl, melt butter, and add white flour, sugar, cocoa, and baking soda, and stir everything together to mix it well. Finally, stir in the colouring which will give it a nice red color. Now mix the contents of both the bowls.

To Bake

Divide the mixture equally between two lined baking tins and bake at 180 C for 22-25 minutes depending on your oven.

You can bake both together if you have a big size oven, otherwise, bake one by one. Let the cakes cool on a rack before taking them out of the cake tin and then take out both the cakes from the cake tins. These are ready to assemble and serve now.

To Serve

For making frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, icing sugar and vanilla. Slowly fold in whipped cream with light movements to make a fluffy and creamy frosting.

Take 1/4th of the frosting and spread it gently over one sponge cake that you have baked earlier. Now cover it with another sponge cake. Spread the rest of the frosting over the sandwiched cake. Your red velvet cake is ready to be enjoyed. Want to go a step further bake it with your loved one and you will be surprised how even the smallest act of cooking together can bring more closer than ever

Tip

If you love decorating it you can pipe some of the frostings in swirls or simply decorate it with red colored sprinkles and serve it.

Note: Place the cake somewhere in a cool place but avoid the refrigerator.

The post Delicious Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe at Home appeared first on Gharsaa.

Introduction

In many households, leftover rice is common, which leaves us pondering over the different ways of reusing it. Whether it’s from the excess batch of cooking or last night’s dinner, wasting food is a practice that is best avoided. In the USA households, this practice is common and everyone strives to reuse the leftover cooked rice. It is especially true for the Indians residing in the United States of America. The implementation of ingenuity can transform the leftover rice into assorted delectable dishes that can be either snacks, sweets, or even main courses. 

In this curated collection of leftover rice recipes, you will find a plethora of options to tantalize your taste buds. With these recipes, not only the food wastage will be minimized but also an element of convenience will be added to meal planning.

Here are the Top 5 Best Leftover Rice Recipes You Can Try:

IDLI

Soak leftover lice (2 cups) and urad dal (1 cup) overnight. Make a smooth batter by grinding the dal. Then, add rice to it and grind again. Mix well, and add salt to taste. Allow the batter to ferment for 8-12 hours in a warm place. Then, grease the idli molds, pour batter, & steam for 10-12 minutes. Now, unmold the idlis and serve hot with chutney or sambar.

RICE PAKORA

Mash leftover rice in a bowl. Add chopped onion, spices, gram flour, green chilies, and salt to the mashed rice. Slowly add some water to create a thick batter. Then heat oil and drop spoonfuls of batter. Fry it until the color becomes golden brown. Serve this crispy rice pakora with ketchup or chutney.

RICE CUTLET

Mash leftover rice in a bowl. Add mashed potatoes, veggies, and spices to the mashed rice. Make the shape of patties. Then use cornflour mixture or egg for dipping the patties. Next, coat these with breadcrumbs. Fry these until they become crisp (golden color). Serve these crispy rice cutlets with sauce or chutney.

LEMON RICE

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, peanuts, dal, chilies, and curry leaves. Then, saute this mixture. Thereafter, sprinkle turmeric and add this to the leftover rice. Then, squeeze lemon, add salt & mix. Add toppings of cilantro and enjoy tangy lemon rice.

FRIED RICE

Heat oil in a pan and add onions, ginger, and garlic. Then, saute this mixture. Thereafter, stir it with diced vegetables and cook until it becomes tender. You may or may not add scrambled eggs to the mixture. Now, add rice to this mixture along with soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Keep stirring and heating until all the ingredients get mixed properly. 

Epilogue

The compilation of leftover rice recipes reduces food waste and inspires culinary creativity. You can prepare a quick snack or a hearty meal using the extra rice from last night’s dinner. So, choose your favorite recipe and make the best use of the leftover rice.

The post Leftover Rice Recipes: 5 Creative Ideas to Transform Cooked Rice appeared first on Gharsaa.

Image Source: bakespace

Homemade Russian Black Bread Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide

Russian Black Bread Recipe:

• Preparation time: 20 minutes
• Baking time: 45 minutes
• Medium of Cooking: Oven
• Level of Difficulty: Medium
• Category: Bread
• Servings: 1 Loaf

Ingredients:

• Whole-wheat flour 1/4 cup
• Rye flour 1 cup
• All-purpose flour (maida ) 1 and ½ cups
• Unsweetened cocoa powder 25g
• Caraway seeds ( ajwain) 1 tablespoons
• Fennel seeds 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt 1 tablespoon
• Instant coffee powder ½ tablespoon
• Active dry yeast 12g
• Pinch of sugar
• Lukewarm water 1/4 cup
• Molasses 2 Tablespoon
• Apple cider vinegar 2 Tablespoon

Method:

In a cup or a bowl combine yeast and sugar with warm water, and let it stand for 10 minutes till it becomes frothy

Heat one cup of water, switch off the heat, and add butter, molasses, vinegar, and cocoa powder, mix well with a fork or spoon keep it aside, and cool till it becomes lukewarm.

Combine whole wheat, rye, and white flour. Now in a large bowl take 1 cup of mixed flour, add caraway seeds, fennel seeds, coffee powder, yeast, and sugar mixture plus cocoa mixture and mix to combine them well.

Add the remaining mixed flour and knead the dough on a counter until springy and smooth. Always add flour in small batches. In another bowl which is bigger in size, place this dough and brush the top with oil, and cover it with a cling film. Place the bowl it in a warm place till the dough is doubled in size. Once the dough is doubled punch it once and deflate it. Form a loaf in the shape of your liking round or rectangle as you like, and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap and once again place it for the second rising in a warm place. It will take approximately 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the weather. Sprinkle it with whole wheat flour once again and bake at 180 C or 350°F in the oven for 45 minutes. Remove it from the oven and let it cool on a cooling rack before slicing through it.

Serving:

Lather it with butter and eat just like that Or, grill it under a broiler topped with your favourite melted cheese the chew texture and hearty texture never fails to please the break lovers. Serve it with hot stew to make for a hearty dinner, the Russian black bread is a delight to enjoy in winter.

The post Easy Homemade Russian Black Bread Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on Gharsaa.

Virgin Grapefruit Mojito Recipe :

• Preparation time: 5 minutes
• Cooking time: No Cook
• Medium of Cooking: None
• Level of Difficulty: Easy
• Category: Drink
• Servings: 2-3

Mojito INGREDIENTS:

• Sugar syrup: 4 Tablespoon
• Fresh mint leaves: 1/2 cup, plus 2 sprigs for garnish
• Red grapefruit: ½ cup, segmented
• Lemon juice: 2 tbsp
• Lemons: ⅔ slices
• Ginger juice: 1 tsp
• Club Soda: 500ml

Image Source: HGTV

Simple Steps for Virgin Grapefruit Mojito:

• Combine sugar syrup, mint leaves, lemon juice, and ginger juice in a bowl or glass. Take a muddler and muddle the mint leaves with a muddler or if you don’t have a muddler with the back of the tablespoon release the refreshing flavors of mint leaves.
• Divide this mix into two tall glasses and proceed to the final step of serving them.

Garnish & Serve: Virgin Grapefruit Mojito:

Add a few segments of red grapefruits ( seedless) in each glass, fill the glasses to ½ with crushed ice, and add 2 lemon slices in each glass. Top it up with club soda and garnish with a sprig of mint leaves. Enjoy the refreshing flavors of grapefruit Mojito.

Grapefruit Mojito Pro Tips:

To make the flavors of mojito stand out, muddling is the key element of the process. It helps to release the fresh flavors of mint in the drink and makes it more refreshing. You can adjust the quantity of sugar to your preference, though skimping too much on sugar is not recommended here.

The post Refreshing Virgin Grapefruit Mojito: A Delicious Mocktail Recipe appeared first on Gharsaa.