Pepper chicken (Kali Mirch Murgh)

Enjoying a sumptous meal on Sunday afternoon is an ultimate pleasure. Residing in a multi-storey building with so many families together has it own plethora of initiatives. The clock ticks 12"0 clock and you can sense different smells emanating from each home. Every woman busy in the kitchen, toiling hard to give the best food of the week to their family. Its the festive mood lingering in everyones mind that ticks their ribs to cook a mouth watering platter. What a wonderful way to begin a week!! 
Three cheers to my family, my mom who always had an edge over her generation to cook even the simplest two ingredient dish to a sumptous affair. My dad, the masterchef at our home always made me and my siblings to wait for Sunday for the exemplary food he cooked. Mutton Biryani, Liver and kidney curry, Mutton korma, Mutton fry, Raita, Rotis and Salad were laid on our table for the Sunday fests. 
Well, tried my best to reach atleast 10% of what my Mom and Dad used to do for me. Wish, i each time get inspired by my childhood memories and the neighbours around me to excel in what i cook for my husband. Love my best critic!! My Husband!!

Ingredients
500 grams of Chicken pieces
½ tsp. Turmeric Powder 
1 tsp. Ginger Paste
1 tsp. Garlic Paste
100 grams of Green Chilli Paste
Salt (to taste)
1 Lemon Juice 
2 tbsp Cooking Oil
1 ½ tsp. Cumin Seeds
4 Curry Leaves
2 medium Onions
1 ½ tbsp. Coriander Powder 
2 tsp. Crushed Pepper
A bunch of Fresh Coriander/Cilantro Leaves (Hara Dhania)


Directions
Marinate the chicken pieces with turmeric, ginger paste, garlic paste, green chilli paste, salt and lemon juice. Chop the onions and keep them aside.
In a kadai or heavy based pot, heat the oil and add the cumin seeds. When the cumin seeds crackle, add in the chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
Now add the curry leaves, coriander powder and crushed pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes and add in the marinated chicken.
Sear on high flame, then reduce heat and cook for another 15 minutes - stirring occasionally.
Sprinkle in the chopped coriander leaves and cook for 2 minutes. Before serving garnish with more crushed pepper and coriander leaves. Serve it hot with Pulav or Roti, Naan and Paranthas.

Aloo Methi Matar (Potato, Fenugreek and Peas) Curry

Potatoes, the common domestic ingredient in anyones larder, always comes as rescue when the kitchen is short of vegetables. Potato aka Aloo can be combined with almost all of the vegetables to create an extraordinary dish. Frozen peas, Potato and Fenugreek leaves,  together they are one hell of a combination. As our dinner generally comprises of Paranthas and curry. This one came as a delight to both me and my husband. The lip smacking gravy paste (coconut and cashewnut) adds creamy richness to it. Try it out girls and do let me know how it fares in your kitchen. Happy cooking!!

Ingredients
1/2 cup fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves (cleaned, washed and finely chopped)
1-2 medium peeled and cut into small pieces aloo (potatoes)
1/2 cup frozen peas/boiled fresh peas
1 medium Onion
2 green chillies
4 tbsp Coconut and cashewnut paste
1 tsp of Ginger garlic paste
Salt To Taste
1/4th tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Red chili powder
1/2 tsp Garam Masala powder
1 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
2-3 tbsp vegetable oil


Directions
Heat oil in a medium size pan on medium heat. Toss in the potato cubes and let it partially cook. Take it in a bowl and keep it aside.
Add cumin seeds and cloves to the remaining oil and allow them to sizzle for 10-15 secs. Add in onions and let it turn golden brown. Now add ginger garlic paste and let it cook for few minutes till the raw smell evaporates. Add salt, turmeric powder, red chilly powder, coriander powder, green chillies. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Grind coconut and cashewnut paste. Add it to the above mixture and let it cook for 2 minutes.
Add green peas, potato cubes and chopped fenugreek leaves. Mix well, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Be sure to stir in between to prevent sticking. Add Garam masala. Cover it with a lid and cook until Peas, potato and Fenugreek Leaves are cooked. Serve hot with Chapati, Naan or Rice.