Spicy Dhaba Style Chicken Curry – Father’s day Recipe

June 7, 2014 Eateastindian Leave a comment

This father’s Day surprise dad with this simple, spicy Dhaba style Chicken Curry which is easy to prepare and tastes delicious. Serve it with rice or naan.

Want to keep things Simple? Wake up dad with this easy but healthy Breakfast wrap.

Ingredients and Method:

1 Kg Chicken- Bone in (just adds in more flavour to the dish)
I prefer to use skinless meat but you can use it with skin if you want

2-3 tbsp oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 large chopped onion
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 dried red chillies
(skip if you can’t handle spice or adjust to your taste)
1 tsp Curry Powder
1 tbsp Tomato Paste
1-2 cups of water and Cilantro for garnish

Method:

Heat Oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. Let them sizzle for 30 secs and add onions. Mix well (let them get coated with oil) and add ginger garlic paste. Add salt and turmeric. Next crush in dried red chillies and throw them int he mixture. Let onions fry for 3-4 mins and when no longer raw, add chicken pieces. Seal the chicke (2-3 mins), add curry powder and tomato paste.

Mix thoroughly and then add water. Cover and let simmer for 15 -20 mins (depending on the cut of the chicken and quantity you are preparing or until it’s done)
Serve with fresh rotis, naan or over rice.

How to make Tandoori Chicken?

June 4, 2014 Eateastindian Leave a comment

Sharing with you my recipe for Tandoori Chicken ( a shortcut way and from scratch)

Ingredients and Method:

If using a shortcut, simply prepare the marinade by mixing yogurt along with tandoori masala ( usually 1/2 tbsp in 3-4 tbsp yogurt for 1/2 kg chicken)

From scratch
750 gms of chicken ( We used bone in meat for extra flavour. mostly drumsticks are used for tandoori chicken recipes)
4-6 tbsp yogurt
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp garam masala ( you can substitute this for cumin and coriander powder as well)
Salt per taste ( 1/2 tsp to a tsp)
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp Paprika ( I find paprika mild compared to red chilli powder and use it primarily for its color. It gives that nice red tone to the chicken)
if using kashmiri chilli pwd or red chilli pwd, be mindful of how much you add. )

Simply have fun with spices and make it your own version of Tandoori chicken, You can add more spices or adjust them to your liking.

Begin my adding all these spices along with yogurt and ginger garlic paste onto chicken. Rub thoroughly and let chicken marinate for 4-6 hours. Overnight is even better. Then bbq, grill or bake until done. We BBq at 440 F for 10-15 mins ( 5-6 mins on each side). Once nice charcoal marks appear on the chicken and it is no longer pink inside, consider it done. Add a generous squeeze of lemon and enjoy on its own or serve with rice dish of your choice or with a simple salad.

How to make Gulgulle – Indian Doughnuts Recipe

June 3, 2014 Eateastindian Leave a comment

Happy Doughnuts Day guys. Who doesn’t love doughnuts? I too love Indian style doughnuts called Gulgulle – They are one of my favourite kind of doughnuts since so many of my fond childhood memories are associated with them. Gulgulle’s are specially prepared in India during festivals and Punjabi weddings. Did i mention that they go well with Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)

These Indian style doughnuts are easy to make and taste delicious as they are flavoured with Fennel seeds (Saunf). So, this Doughnuts Day – June 8th, I share my fav Doughnuts recipe with you.

Ingredients/Method:

All you need to make gulgulle is Flour (all purpose or whole wheat), sugar (traditionally they are made with Jaggery – Gur), Oil for frying and fennel seeds.

Begin by preparing batter with flour, sugar, fennel and water. Batter should be a little bit thicker than pancake batter. Drop it in oil and fry until golden brown. I like sprinkling a bit of dry coconut flakes on mine. Serve them warm or cold. Enjoy!

Sansa Stark’s favourite Lemon Cakes

June 3, 2014 Eateastindian Leave a comment

Inspired from my favourite TV Show ‘Game of Thrones’ I decided to share with you recipe for Lady Stark and Sansa Stark’s favourite Lemon Cakes. These delicious cakes are perfect for any tea party or social gathering. High born ladies in King’s landing, winter fell and even in Vail love these little treats and am sure you will enjoy them too.

Ingredients-Method
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar (or golden baking sugar)
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 well beaten eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1.5 cup flour
1/2 cup milk

Optional- Glaze/syrup
1/2 cup icing sugar and 1/3 cup lemon juice

Here’s what you will do:

Preheat oven to 325 F. Cream butter and sugar together. Add lemon juice, baking pwd, eggs, flour and milk. Mix well and then pour in a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Cook for 50-60 mins or until done. Once it has cooled down a bit, you can add on the glaze (poke some holes on top so that syrup can seep in). Slice it up and serve.

So, next time you watch game of thrones, just make sure you enjoy this delicious treat along with it too.

How to make Best Ever Vegan Burgers? Lentils Burger Recipe

May 23, 2014May 23, 2014 Eateastindian Leave a comment

Did you Know that this year, May 28th is being celebrated as International Hamburger Day? Hamburgers are enjoyed all over the world and here I present to you delicious Vegan Hamburgers made with Lentils, Wild rice, Carrots and Butter Beans. Top them up with lettuce, slice of fresh tomato and sauteed onions and red peppers and you have a meal thats a real winner.

Ingredients and Method:

1/2 cup Brown Lentils
1/2 cup butter Beans
1/2 cup Wild Rice
1/2 cup Carrots ( Once carrot will suffice)
Salt per taste
1 tsp curry pwd (or other seasoning of your choice)
2 tbsp chickpea flour
1 tsp paprika (or red chilli pwd for some kick)
1/2 tsp black pepper pwd
1/2 to 1 tsp garlic pwd
2-3 tbsp oil

Toppings include:
Red Pepper
Onions
lettuce and tomato

You can also use vegan mayo, avacado or soya cheese for added taste.

Pressure cook lentils,rice,beans and carrots with 4 cups of water,salt and curry pwd (about 20 mins.) Once the cooker has cool down,open the lid and mash the ingredients together. Season with your favourite spices, add chickpea flour and form small round patties. Fry these on a pan in 2 tbsp oil for 3-4 mins each side. once they are done, place them on toasted buns along with your favourite toppings and vegan mayo (or Avocado-Soya Cheese) Enjoy!

How to make Naan at home?

May 14, 2014 Eateastindian Leave a comment

There are several ways to make Naan and at home you can cook it in three distinct ways. Once you’ve prepared the naan dough (recipe below), you can make it :

– In the oven ( I love to turn the oven on at the highest temp i.e. 550 C during winters or I prefer this method when I am making Naan for a large group) Remember if you are using thismethod, your baking sheet needs to be hot when you put flattened out dough onto it. Each side of dough needs 2-3 mins. Once naan is ready, pat some butter on top and serve right away.

– Cook it on a tawa/griddle/skillet on a stove top (my favourite way since Naan’s always come out soft and fluffy) . I like to make a big batch of dough this way and then our whole family enjoys the naan with curry foir several days. When you want to reheat the naan (just sprinkle few drops of water on top and microwave it) It is also good to be used as a base for a pizza.

– There is always an option to take out your good ol’ George Foreman grill especially if you are a student living in a dorm or out camping or travelling and crave this delicious Indian flatbread.

Here’s how you can prepare the dough for Naan Bread

3 cups all purpose flour (feel free to use whole wheat flour or half of each kind for healthier version)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar (and pinch more to add in yeast)

2 tbsp oil ( few drops more to pat on top of the dough)

1 tsp yeast ( to be dissolved in 1/4 cup lukewarm water and with pinch of sugar) Let this mixture stand for 10 mins and become frothy. It works like magic but smells really bad.

1 egg

1/2 cup milk and to knead the dough you will also require 1/2 to 3/4 cup room temp water

1/2 tsp baking powder

In a bowl, combine flour with baking powder, sugar and salt. Add in egg and oil. Let yeast mixture get ready and then add it in the flour. Gradually add milk and water to form a soft pliable dough. Let dough stand for at least 4 hours. After about 2 hours, knead it once more. Dough will double in volume. Remember to cover the dough with a wet kitchen cloth or clean wet towel. Keep the dough in a warm place (like on top of the fridge or inside the oven) Once it’s done, you can refrigerate the dough (covered in an airtight container to make flatbread at a later date) Stays good for 3-5 days then starts to dry out. Now enjoy delicious homemade flatbread whenever you want.

Indian Cooking Classes in Vancouver

May 9, 2014July 23, 2019 Eateastindian Leave a comment

I’ve been sharing my love for cooking Indian food and preparing flavourful Indian inspired and fusion dishes with my online community for several years now through our website, blog and online youtube channel Eat East Indian and ifood TV and it made sense to share this passion in person with people in Vancouver and our local neighbouring communities. So, here I am inviting you to come and join me in my kitchen to savour Indian food, its sight and fragrance in a two hour hands on cooking class and then enjoy this delicious three-four course meal.

To have a look at some of our menu options, visit: Indian Cooking Classes Vancouver

About Me: My name is Aditi and this is my humble attempt to share my passion for cooking Indian food with you. I grew up eating Indian food and some of my favourite childhood memories include watching my mom create magical dishes with basic Indian spices, cooking with my dad on the weekends, visiting grandma, uncles and aunts during holidays and enjoying aromatic fresh and authentic Indian food. I’ve spent countless hours with my mom, cousins, friends and family poring over magazines and cookbooks and trying out new recipes, as well as creating and recreating Indian food classics.

I’ve also been very fortunate to travel with my family to different parts of India and experience cuisine from different regions of this lovely subcontinent. So whether you are craving Korma or Vindaloo, want some healthy Indian vegetables or just a simple curry, you’ll find it all here. My kitchen is all about mouthwatering appetizers, decadent desserts, delicious entrees, some traditional and some new age recipes. Basically this is your gateway to exciting flavors. Most dishes I prepare during my live cooking sessions and demonstrations are quick and easy, and all of them make use of natural wholesome food that is high in fibre, low in fat and free of additives and preservatives.

So, book your class today and let your senses indulge and take in every bit of this amazing culinary experience, right here in Vancouver. I offer these classes in my home kitchen simply because of availability of all the ingredients, planning and tools required but if you are interested in an interactive session in learning how to cook fresh, elegant, simple and flavourful Indian food in your own kitchen, then please contact me and I will be happy to customize a class for you, based on your interests and diet at a location of your convenience. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the secrets of one of the best South Asian cuisine.

Still, wondering if you should pop into our kitchen? Absolutely, you should because our interactive cooking sessions are not only fun but also a great way to learn about Indian food and to feel confident and empowered to recreate those authentic Indian flavours in your own kitchen. Join us in our kitchen and awaken your inner chef.

Some ideas to how to best utilize this Indian Cooking Class or Why should you book a cooking session with us:

– Ultimate date night idea : Not that their is lack of fun activities to do in Vancouver, we strongly believe that couples that cook together, stay together. Do you both have interest in cooking? Well, why not sign up for our cooking class, spend some productive and quality time together and learn a few new tricks and tips about Indian cooking. Work together to prepare a meal and figure out if you can work together to create a memorable life.

– Fun Family Afternoon idea : Everyone in the family is an Indian food lover. Well, join us with the whole crew and make it a fun family weekend event.

– Girls’ Night Out idea: Bored with going out for movies, dinner and drinking and want something else. This cooking session very well could be your inner calling. Connect with your girlfriends over a bowl of curry and some fresh rotis. Did we mention that our Chai Tea is a great relaxer.

– Co-worker, Cousin’s or your Best friend’s Birthday Party: Have you always talked about visiting India with friends? Well, we can’t take you their but you can surely get its glimpse through our cooking. Treat yourself and your friends to this delicious session and then when they’ll prepare a tasty Indian meal again, you’ll surely be invited to get its taste. Win Win for everyone.

– Great Anniversary Present, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day or I appreciate you Day Idea: Running out of ideas on what to do or what to get that foodie in your life? Simply get them to our class and we’ll take care of the rest.

What all is included in a cooking session

Two hours of quality, fun filled and easy instructions
Relaxing learning environment
Dozens of cooking tips and techniques that can be easily used in a home kitchen
A mouth-watering, multi-course meal
Inspiration to cook delicious, healthy food at home
All the classes begin with an overview of the spices used in this aromatic and exotic cuisine. Ingredients that are necessary for a wholesome Indian meal are outlined and tips are given on sensible and effective shopping in the marketplace.
All the ingredients and cooking equipment is included (unless session is being held at your place)

Here, are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

1. Who can take the class?

Any one with love for Indian food or enthusiastic about trying a new cuisine is welcome to attend our cooking session. We welcome people of all ages and skill levels. Whether you are planning a fun afternoon with your parents or children, night out with your best friend or looking for a fun interactive experience with your partner, this class is for everyone.

2. What is the cost of the class?

This amazing culinary experience will cost you only $60/person (including tax) as well as all the supplies. Want more, well after creating a wonderful meal, you get to enjoy it as well.

3. How do I pay for the class?

You can pay for the class via credit card, pay pal, electronic money transfer (EMT), cash or cheque.

4. How do I book the class?

You can book the class by emailing us your preferred date and time at aditi@eateastindian.com or call us at 403-519-2683. We require 20 % of the class fee as a deposit upfront and rest at the time of your cooking session.

4. When are your classes held and How many students are in each class?

We are not your typical culinary school. We want to make this cooking session an enjoyable experience for you so we tend to keep our class sizes small usually 2-4 people. Classes are generally held in the evenings or on the weekends.

5. What if I have certain allergies or dietary restrictions?

We work with variety of different menu options and are happy to do a strictly vegetarian, vegan, gluten free or dairy free class. Please let us know about your allergies at the time of booking.

6. What can I expect from this class?

Imagine you are invited to a lunch/dinner at your friend’s place and you get to cook together and create some wonderful dishes. No need to be intimidated by Indian cuisine or plethora of its spices. We make it all simple for you. You get to interact, ask questions, learn about Indian cuisine in a warm, friendly atmosphere while working on a pre-decided menu and then enjoy a wonderful meal. Our focus is always on using fresh, local and sustainable ingredients. As your host and cooking guide, I make this whole process fun and enjoyable for you.

7. Can I buy this class as a gift for someone?

Absolutely. We offer gift certificates in various denominations. You can pay for the entire class or buy it in denomination of your choice like $20, $30, $40 which the recipient of the gift can then use towards buying the class.

How to make Cumin Flavoured Salty cookies? Edible Gift Ideas

May 6, 2014May 6, 2014 Eateastindian Leave a comment

Savoury Cookies

Wishing all you awesome moms out there a very happy Mother’s day 2014. Here’s is a wonderful recipe idea for edible gift that you can make for mom which she can enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. Indian style Jeera cookies- cumin flavoured cookies. I used whole wheat flour but you can use all purpose flour too. I remember growing up we use to have one set of sweet and one set of salty cookies and often salty cookies part was done by these cumin cookies which we kids use to call Namkeen biscuit.

Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Cumin Seeds
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Sugar
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup milk + 2 tbsp
1 tbsp ghee/ butter

Method:
Mix baking powder, cumin seeds, salt, sugar and oil with the flour and make a crumbly dough. Add Milk gradually to form smooth dough and then smother it with ghee and let stand for 10-15 mins. Preheat oven to 350 F and bake cookies for 20-25 mins until golden brown. These cookies are perfect to enjoy with a cup of chai tea. once they have cool down, pack them in a box and send them to mom as a lovely Mother’s day gift.
Wishing all you wonderful moms out there a very happy Mother’s day 2014.

Cinco De Mayo Special- How to make Fish Tacos at home – my way

April 27, 2014April 27, 2014 Eateastindian Leave a comment

Hi guys, in celebration of upcoming 2014 Cinco De Mayo I thought of sharing this easy and super tasty recipe of how to make fish tacos at home with you.

Ingredients/ method

2 Fish Fillets- I used Basa
2 tsp all purpose flour
1/2 tsp Parsley
1/2 tsp Oregano
1/2 tsp to 1 tsp (depending on your preference for heat) Red chilli pwd or Paprika (for milder spice level)
1/2 tsp Black Pepper Pwd
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp Oil for cooking fish
For dressing: Lime, Sour cream, Mayo, Jalapeno and Fresh Cilantro
For crunch: Coleslaw (no dressing) with cabbage-carrots
Corn Tortillas

Method: Prepare the spice mixture by combining all the spices and flour and roll the fish pieces in it. Once thoroughly coated, fry until both sides are done (few mins on each side) on medium high flame. Cut in small pieces and place on a warm corn tortilla. Add coleslaw , dressing and few more drops of lime. Enjoy!

How to make Tandoori Gobhi? Baked Cauliflower Recipe

April 27, 2014 Eateastindian 1 Comment

Tandoori Gobhi is a very flavourful and healthy Cauliflower snack/ appetizer. It can very well be served as a side dish too. Here’s how you can prepare it at home.

Ingredients/ Method

Head of Cauliflower
2 tbsp besan/chickpea flour
3/4 cup yogurt
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp roasted cumin pwd
1/2 tsp to 1 tsp (depending on your liking for spice) Red chilli pwd
1 tsp Amchur/ Dry Mango Pwd
1/2 tsp Garam Masala
1/2 tsp dried fenugreek leaves

Method:
Cut cauliflower into small bite size florets. Make a marinade with other ingredients and coat all cauliflower pieces with this mixture. Let stand for 15-20 mins atleast and then preheat oven to 400 F and bake for 2-25 mins until cauliflower is done ( turns slightly brown)
Serve and Enjoy!

Like Cauliflower? Also try one of these fantastic Cauliflower recipes: Aloo Gobhi, Gobhi Paratha, Spicy Gobhi Fry or Cauliflower Manchurian