Tahira's pilau rice

Pilau rice is a South Asian rice dish; it gets its delicious flavouring from the fried onions and light spices.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSmAUlRlvtc

½ onion (thinly sliced)
2 cups of raw basmati rice
2 cups water
5 tbsp olive oil
1 ½ tsp garam masala
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chilli powder

1. Preheat the oven to 250°F/120°C.

2. Put the sliced onions into a large ovenproof pot. Add the oil and fry until the onions are really dark and almost black.
(5 minutes)

3. Add in 1 cup of water and boil.
(1 minute)

4. Add salt, garam masala and chilli powder to the pot and mix.
(2 minutes)

5. Wash the raw rice thoroughly and add it into the pot, add 1 cup of water, should be at least ½ cm above the rice. Mix well.

6. Leave the rice on a high heat until the water dries up very slightly. There should still be enough water bubbling above the surface.
(5 minutes)

7. Place the whole pot with the lid in a preheated oven. After exactly 25 minutes check and mix gently.
(25 minutes)

(Approximate cooking time 40 minutes)

Tahira's chicken karai

A tasty chicken curry marinated in spices, tomatoes and sauteed onions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehc-BaUBrao

½ to 1 kg chicken boneless (cubed)
Marinade
3 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp garlic paste
2 tsp fresh coriander (finely chopped)
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp salt
½ tsp chilli powder
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp cumin


Vegetables
1 large onion (quartered)
1 cup crushed tomatos
3 fresh green chillies (sliced in half down the middle)
5 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp tomato paste
½ cup of water

Marinate the raw chicken with the lemon juice, garam masala, chilli powder, garlic paste, turmeric, cumin, coriander and salt then leave to marinate.
(5 minutes)

Heat some oil in a deep pan. Add in the green chillies first, and then the onions and fry till slightly cooked.
(5 minutes)

Remove the green chillies and disregard if required. Take the cooked onions out of the pan and set aside.

In the same heated pan put in the marinated chicken and stir-fry until chicken is cooked through.
(2 minutes)

Add the crushed tomato and tomato paste with the cooked chicken and mix.
(5 minutes)

Add the cooked onions and leave on a low heat until the tomatoes are soft and break apart.
(10 minutes)

(Approximate cooking time 30 Minutes)

Tahira's Beef Korma

A tasty dish which is mild yet flavourful, once you try it, you will love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA2fHGhf_4k&feature=channel_page

Ingredients

½ to 1 kg beef
1 onion (finely chopped)
2 large tomatoes (blanched)
1 cup of water
5 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp yogurt
1 green chilli (finely chopped)
2 tsp tomato paste
2 tsp garlic (crushed/chopped)
2 tsp fresh coriander (finely chopped)
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp salt (to taste)
½ tsp chilli powder
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp turmeric

Cut the beef into small 1 inch pieces and set aside.

Heat 5 tbsp olive oil in the wok and add the chopped garlic and finely chopped onions, cook until they becomes translucent and slightly golden in colour.
(5 minutes)

Add the beef and mix well until they begin to change colour and all sides are sealed.
(5 minutes)

Into the onions you need to add 4 tbsp plain yogurt, 2 tsp fresh corinader, 1 finely chopped green chilli, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp garam masala, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp chilli powder, ¼ tsp turmeric.
(2 minutes)

Stir until the mixture reaches a deep brown colour.
(2 minutes)

Blanch the tomatoes by placing them into a pan of boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes, piercing the skin with a sharp knife. Peel the skin off and chop the tomatoes into smail pieces and add them to the wok.
(2 minutes)

Now add the tomato paste and water then mix well. Cover with a lid and put on a low heat to simmer until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened.
(25 to 35 minutes)

Tahira's red lentil curry

Red lentils or daal are cooked in nearly every south Asian household. This recipe has been adapted from the traditional red lentil dish and is so flavourful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1lQH8C6g1E&feature=channel_page

Ingredients
2 cups of red lentils
1 1/2 cups water
1 onion (finely chopped)
1 cup crushed tomatoes
5 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp ginger/garlic (chopped or paste)
1 tsp tomato paste

Spices
2 tsp paprika powder
2 tsp fresh coriander (finely chopped)
1 ½ tsp salt
1 tsp garam masala
1 green chilli (finely chopped)
¾ tsp chilli powder
½ tsp turmeric powder

First add the lentils into a deep pan and wash. When lentils are thoroughly washed leave them to soak in a pan of water until needed.

Put a wok on a high heat and add the oil. Add the garlic/ginger and chopped onions and mix until they are golden brown.
(5 minutes)

Once the onions are golden brown, add in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste with half cup of water and mix.
(2 minutes)

Add in all the spices and mix until the ‘Masala’ has darkened in colour
( 2 minutes)

Drain most of the water from the washed lentils and add it into the Masala. Stir the mixture thoroughly and pour another cup of water into the lentils. Leave the pot on a medium to low heat and keep checking until the lentils are soft.
(15-20 minutes)

Tahira's chicken curry

Chicken curry is cooked with lots of delicious spices and can be made with or without potatoes or peas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C37fTQ55sQ&feature=channel_page

Ingredients

½ to 1 kg boneless chicken (cubed)
2 cups of peas or 2 potatoes (cubed)
1 ½ cups crushed tomatoes

1 onion (finely chopped)
5 tbsp olive oil
½ cup of water
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp garlic paste/chopped

1 green chilli (sliced through the middle)

Spices
2 tsp garam masala
2 tsp paprika powder
2 tsp fresh coriander (finely chopped)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chilli powder (to taste)
½ tsp turmeric powder

Put a wok on a high heat and add the olive oil.

Add the garlic and onions into the wok and mix until they are golden brown.
(5 minutes)

Add the raw chicken and cook until all chicken pieces are white inside and cooked through.
(5 minutes)

Once the chicken is cooked through, add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste.

(2 minutes)

Add in all the spices, the green chilli and water, now mix thoroughly.
(2 minutes)

Once the curry has darkened in colour add the peas or potatoes and mix. Put the heat low and cover the wok with a lid. Check every ten minutes until the peas or potatoes have softened.

(20 minutes)

Tahira's Aloo Gobi (Cauliflower & potatoe curry)

Cauliflower and potatoe curry or better known as aloo gobi is a very popular vegetarian dish found in all south asian resturants. This recipes shows you how to make it in under 30 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4Wmo6E-h5s&feature=channel_page

Ingredients
1 Cauliflower (separated in pieces)
1 medium onion (finely chopped)
1 ½ cups crushed tomatoes
2 large potatoes (cubed)
5 tbsp olive oil
½ cup of water
1 tsp tomato paste
1 tsp garlic paste

Spices
2 tsp paprika powder
2 tsp fresh coriander (finely chopped)
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chilli Powder
½ tsp turmeric powder

Chop, peel and wash the cauliflower and potatoes, put them into a deep pan filled with hot water, place on the stove on a medium to high heat, until the veggies are par boiled.
(10 minutes)

Put the wok on a high heat and add the oil. Add the 1 tsp of garlic and finely chopped one medium onion and fry them until they are golden brown.
(5 minutes)

Into the crushed tomatoes add the tomato paste, paprika, fresh coriander, garam masala, salt chilli powder and the half a cup of water and mix.
(2 Minutes)

After checking the veggies, drain out the water and add the cauliflower and potato pieces into the masala, mixing well until all of the vegetable pieces are well coated. Reduce to low heat.
(2 minutes)

Keep the wok covered and keep checking until cauliflower and potato are soft.
(10 minutes)

TASTE OF THE EAST - TOUCH OF THE WEST

South Asian cuisine has been enjoyed throughout the world for many years, however there is the wide perception that authentic South Asian food is both timely and difficult to prepare. A step by step account for each recipe is given, with mouth watering results.

Aimed at people who enjoy spicy South Asian food, but typically find cooking daunting. The recipes will also appeal to those on a low budget as many of the recipes can be cooked in bulk and frozen.