The Hyderabadi Ramadan Food Festival 2011~Season III-Roundup

Posted on September 8th, 2011 by Mona ©copyrighted in Blog Events/Entries/Polls | 13 Comments » 10,586 views

This year Ramadan came and flew by so swiftly, I didn’t even come to know, like it does every year. This year alhamdulillah I had a reason, the birth of my first baby. My bundle of joy is keeping me extremely busy. Both me and my babyjaan are doing good alhamdulillah. Thanks a lot for all for your wishes.

And as promised, here I present to you all the round-up of the Season III of the ‘The Hyderabadi Ramadan Food Festival 2011′.

I thank all participants for their enthusiasm. Here is the list of entries:

***

Blogger Entries: (all entries are in order of how I received them)

Click on the recipe title to go through the recipe.

Aisha, author of Kitchen Sojourn, has shared with us all a classic Hyderabadi delicacy that will definitely seduce your senses ~ Luqmi. These are parcels of flour and yogurt stuffed with spicy minced meat.

Aisha says:

“Luqmis are great appetizers and savory snacks made for weddings or for Iftaars during the holy month of Ramadan”.”

Zareena, author of My Experiments with Food has shared with us all some delicious Mixed Vegetable Cutlets.

Zareena says:

“We can make this with chicken/mutton also. These cutlets are very healthy and nutritious as most of the veggies are used. My mom makes this usually, so I thought of making this, as this will be like a starter before a big meal.”.

Marri, author of Hephzi’s Kitchen has shared with us all ~ Haleem, a mixture of meat, wheat, spices and ghee, a Ramadan delight from Hyderabad.

Marri says:

“Hyderabad my home town, is popular for various things…. Pearls, Zardozi, Ram pyari paan,  Biryani and of course, my favourite dish Haleem. This food is served especially during Id. During this special month, Hyderabad city is crowded with mini stalls , turning the city into a fair ground with many Haleem selling stalls. The cooking continues through out the day, the fire is hot 24/ 7, pot is always cooking emitting wonderful smells and aroma in the kitchens. “

Zareena, author of My Experiments with Food, has shared with us all Vegetable Kathi Rolls ~ Vegetable Kathi Rolls.

Zareena says:

These are also known as wraps or frankies. This is a perfect nutritious snack item for kids. There are different varieties of stuffing we can fill in these wraps like paneer or chicken stuffing. Adding paneer is an easy way to make a dish more festive. There are different variations in making this kathi roll in different parts of India.”

Akheela, author of Torview has shared with us all the very famous Hyderabadi stew ~ Nihari, also known in India as the breakfast curry.

Vaishali Sabnani, author of Ribbon’s to Pasta’s has shared with us all some delicious Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani.

Vaishali says:

“When we talk of Hyderabad the first dish that comes to the mind is The Hyderabadi Briyani.The most famous meat and rice dish!!The vegetable biryani was adapted later for the vegetarians.This is relished by all family members,I could say it’s Our House Favorite. I have given the substitutes to make it vegan.The original recipe is Sanjeev Kapoor’s but I have made my own changes.”

Vaishali Sabnani, author of Ribbon’s to Pasta’s, has shared with us all the famous Hyderabadi dessert ~ Double Ka Maetha.

Vaishali says:

“The Nizami kitchen of Hyderabad had some delicious rich desserts.Among these Double Ka Meetha is the king of desserts.One could say a version of Shahi Tukde,which is Awadi.The name Double comes from the bread dough which rises to the double…and roti is a variety of Indian bread…so double roti..and meetha of course is sweet ..so ..double ka meetha.”

Zareena, author of My Experiments with Food has shared with us Haleem, the traditional muslim dish prepared especially during the month of Ramadan and enjoyed a lot by Hyderabadis.

Zareena says:

“I have lived almost all my life in various parts of Andhra and naturally I have a special affection towards Andhra cuisine. When it comes to Andhra cuisine and Ramzan time, the first thing that probably anyone would think of is the mouth watering, yummylicious Haleem. Haleem as many of you might know is originally an Arabian delicacy and is said to have been bought to India by the Mughals and is quite special when it comes to Hyderabadi cuisine.”.

Non-Blogger Entries: (all entries are in order of how I received them)

Fouzia SobiaChicken Oats PorridgeBelow is the recipe my Ammi makes usually at Iftar or any other time.

Boneless Chicken 1/4 kg
Garlic Pods-4-5
Salt
Green chillies -3
Oats- 2-3 tbsp
Whole Black pepper-4-5
Water as required
Coriander leaves(Finely chopped)

Pressure cook the chicken along with garlic pods, salt, whole black pepper with some water.
Once it is done and it is cool,shred the chicken.
In the same cooker, add the shredded chicken,Green chillies ,water and let it boil.
Later add oats, (water if needed) and on low to medium flame cook it 5-10 minutes.
At last put chopped coriander leaves.
Adjust salt and black pepper powder can also be added in the last.

The consistency should not be as thick as Haleem or as thin as a soup.
This serves around 3 persons.

~Fouzia Sobia

Fouzia SobiaButter Chicken MasalaBelow is a recipe I got from my Best friend Humera (she got this from her Bhabhi, who used to go to cooking classes in Basheerbagh, Babukhan Estates).

Step-1
Chicken-500gms
Ginger Garlic paste-2tsp
Dhaniya powder-1tsp
Garam masala-1tsp
Lemon juice-1tsp
Yoghurt-1 cup
Mustard powder-1/4 tsp
Black pepper powder-1/4tsp
Green chilli paste-1/2tsp
Red chilli powder- 1 tsp (little more than 1 tsp)
Tomato puree-250gms
Oil-3tbsp
Unsalted Butter-4-5 tbsp
Salt to taste
Orange/Red colour- a pinch

Step-2
Poppy seeds-1/2tbsp
Almond powder-1tsp
Cashew powder-1/2tsp
Coconut powder-1/4 cup(big cup)

All the contents in Step 2 must be roasted and should be ground into paste.

Marinate the Chicken with Salt,1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste,Lemon juice for an hour.
Then add dhaniya powder, garam masala, yoghurt and food colour and let it marinate for an hour again.

Then roast the chicken on both the sides in the oven for 15 minutes. Keep aside

For Gravy:
Heat oil, add 1 tsp of ginger-garlic paste, mustard powder, black pepper powder,
green chilli paste, red chilli powder and all the roasted and ground masala. And stir it,till the raw smell of the spices goes.

Then add the roasted chicken pieces in the gravy,Later add tomato puree and cook till tender.
Lastly add 4-5tbsp of unsalted butter and cook for 10 minutes.
Garnish with Coriander leaves.

~Fouzia Sobia

FirdausGosht Ki BiryaniRamadan Mubarak!
I made it as an Iftar dinner during one of these days. Hope you like it!

INGREDIENTS:
Basmati Rice – 2 lbs (Approx. 5 cups)
Lamb – 2 lbs
Ginger Garlic Paste – 5 tbs
Yogurt – 2 cups
Salt – as per taste
Oil – 1 cup
Whole Garam Masala (Cloves, Cinnamon, Bay leaves, Star Anise etc) – 10gms of each
Medium Sized Onions – 3 (thinly sliced)
Fried Onions – ¼ cup
Mint – 1 bunch
Green Chilies – 8-10 depending on your spice level
Limes – 2 juiced
Ghee – 4 tbs
Water – approx. 15 cups for cooking rice

METHOD:
Trim the fat off the meat and run it under water for 3-4 times and pat it dry.
Add yogurt, ginger garlic paste, salt and marinate. Let it sit overnight or for 1-2hrs, if you are in a rush.
Soak the rice in water for an hour.
Thinly slice the onions and slit the green chilies.
In a cooking vessel, heat the oil and add the whole garam masala. Once the garam masala starts to splutter, add the onions and chilies and sauté until the onions turn golden in color. Now add the marinated meat and a little water and mix well. Check and add salt if necessary. Close the lid and let it cook on med flame. This process should take at least an hour or so. Note: You can also use a Pressure Cooker to cook the curry, but I prefer cooking in a broad cooking vessel. If you happen to cook in a cooker, make sure you don’t overcook the meat.
Add mint leaves to the curry and close the lid.
Meanwhile, take a vessel and pour in water along with enough salt and bring it to a boil. Now add the soaked rice (sans the water) to the boiling water. Cook the rice until it is semi cooked and drain the water using a colander. After the rice is drained, fluff with a spatula and keep it aside.
Once your lamb curry is all nice and done with oil floating around, switch off the flame and add lime juice to it.
Now start layering. Start with a layer of rice and then a layer of curry with ghee and fried onions. Continue the process until you run out of rice and curry. Close with a heavy lid and let it cook on a slow flame. This should take at least 20-25 mins. Once it is done, let it rest for 10mins and mix gently.
You are almost done. Take the biryani in a serving dish and garnish it with fried cashews, lime or lemon wedges and sliced eggs with a sprig of mint on top.
Serve this yummy hot lamb biryani with cool onion and cucumber raita.

Enjoyyy!!!!!!

~Firdaus

I once again thank all participants. I hope you have all enjoyed the roundup. If in case I have missed anyone’s entries, please let me know. I will inshallah update it immediately.

I am on a blogging break, to enjoy my babyjaan and my new role as a mommy. Inshallah I will be back soon.

Luv,
Mona

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

It’s a Girl!

Posted on August 22nd, 2011 by Mona ©copyrighted in General | 74 Comments » 7,923 views

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

١٤ ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ

14. Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators.

I have a good news to share with you all. I have been blessed with a baby girl early this Ramadan and she is taking up all my time. So I have decided to take a few weeks off from blogging to dedicate all my time to my tiny baby and enjoy the new adventures of motherhood alhamdulillah.

I will however be publishing the round up of ‘The Hyderabadi Ramadan Food Festival 2011‘ that I am currently hosting by the end of Ramadan inshallah. I look forward to your entries.

Until then, please visit the Recipe Index and cook and enjoy my recipes. Please remember me and my baby in duas in this auspicious month inshallah. I will be back very soon.

Luv,
Mona

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Ramadan Mubarak and Peach Raspberry Jam

Posted on July 31st, 2011 by Mona ©copyrighted in Lemon/Nimbu, Peaches, Raspberries, Raspberries, Sugar/Shakkar | 13 Comments » 6,374 views

Masjid-al-Haram, the holy mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

The crescent moon of the month of Ramadan has been sighted and starting tomorrow is the most blessed month in Islam~Ramadan. On this occasion I send my greetings to Muslims all over the world.

Ramadan Kareem to all. May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) grant us closeness to Him, forgiveness from sin and reverence for His Word in this month of Fard. May Allah(سبحانه وتعالى)  accept our Siam (Fasting) and our Qiam (Traweeh prayers). Ameen.

Raspberries in my Garden

Almost three years back I had bought three little raspberry canes from the local garden center and planted them in a little patch in the backyard of my home.

Raspberries in my Garden

Little did I think that after just a few years these plants would multiply and grow into thick bushes as tall as I am and I would have an abundant supply of raspberry come summer every year mashallah.

Raspberries from my Garden

I love berries of all sorts, unlike my hubby who says that berries have a tart flavor. But I love to enjoy fruit of the season, tart or not, and they are so beautiful to look at. Who can resist them.

Fresh Ontario Peaches

So the other day, after harvesting my plants, I had quite a lot of raspberries. And after a visit to the local farmers market, I also had almost a ton of fresh Ontario peaches.

Fresh Ontario Peaches

Fragrant, juicy, sweet and blush-red colored, they are my absolutely favorite stone fruits. So, what better way to use them up than to make an easy yet quick jam with beautiful flavors that screams summer.

Peach Raspberry Jam

Ingredients:

Ripe Fresh Peaches – 6, washed
Raspberries – 1 cup, washed
Granulated Sugar – 3/4 cup sugar
Juice of 1 lemon

Peach Raspberry Jam

Method:

1. Slice peaches and discard pits. (Optional: You can also peel the peaches if you want)
2. Add the sliced peaches and raspberries to a blender container and blend until smoothly pureed. (Optional: You can strain this puree if you want a clear jam)
3. In a saucepan, add the puree and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium and add sugar and lemon juice. Mix well. Keep stirring occasionally and simmer gently for another 20-30 minutes. To test if the jam is ready, drop a heaping teaspoonful onto a plate and slightly tilt the plate. The jam should not run off, but cling and slowly glide down. If the jam isn’t ready, put it back on the heat for a while. Once done, spoon the jam into sterilized jars and refrigerate to store.

Sending this to Meeta’s Monthly Mingle:Stone Fruit event hosted this month by Sukaina of Sips and Spoonful.

And not to forget, do remember to send your entries to ‘The Hyderabadi Ramadan Food Festival Event – Season III‘ that I am hosting this Ramadan on my blog. Click here to go through the details of the event.

Luv,
Mona

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Announcing ‘Hyderabadi Ramadan Food Festival 2011′ (Season III)

Posted on July 16th, 2011 by Mona ©copyrighted in Blog Events/Entries/Polls, Eid/Ramadhan/Iftaar | 3 Comments » 6,939 views

With just about 15 days to go for the blessed month of Ramadan to commence, its time yet again for me to announce the Season III of ‘The Hyderabadi Ramadan Food Festival 2011′ on my blog. May Allah SWT shower mercy upon us, bless and forgive us all, and bring us all closer to Him and to each other inshallah, Ameen.

The logo for the event is as follows:

The rules of the event are listed below:

1. From now until Eid-ul-Fitr 2011, prepare traditional Hyderabadi recipes that are savored during Ramadan at both Iftaar and Suhur, and also at the day of Eid-ul-Fitr (snacks, curries, one-dish meals etc) and post about it on your blog.
2. There is no limit to the number of entries per person. You can even update old posts on your blog with a link to this announcement page in order to send me your entries. Please provide a link to this announcement page in your post and feel free to use the logo.
3. Send me your entries at zaiqaDOTmonaATgmailDOTcom with the following details:

  • Your name
  • Your blog name/title
  • Name of the entry
  • URL of your post
  • A photo of the recipe (300 pixels wide)

4. If you do not have a blog, you can still participate by emailing me the recipe, along with the other details mentioned above.
5. The last day to send me your entries is Eid-ul-Fitr 2011 which falls on August 31 2011 (depends on moon sighting)

Let us all celebrate Ramadan and share the traditional Hyderabadi delicacies especially prepared during this holy month with the world. I look forward to you entries and will post a round up in the first week of September 2011 right after the Eid-ul-Fitr inshallah.

To go through previous seasons of this event, please visit this page.

Luv,
Mona

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Pudina aur Khopra ki Chutney

Posted on July 13th, 2011 by Mona ©copyrighted in Black Gram/Urad Dal, Canola Oil, Cumin seeds/Zeera, Dried Red Chillies, Dry Desiccated Coconut, Garlic/Lahsun, Ginger/Adrak, Green Chillies, Hyderabadi special, Mint/Pudina, Mint/Pudina (fresh), Mustard seeds/Rai, Salt/Namak, Tamarind/Imli | 7 Comments » 5,246 views

I simply adore mint leaves. Its clean citrusy taste, refreshing aroma and artistic curly rich green colored leaves, all make me fall in love with it over and over again. I wait for spring/summer time every year so as to plant mint outdoors in pots. It grows easily and vigorously once established and provides me with fresh leaves all summer.

Mint from my garden

The Arabic name for mint is ‘nanaa’. The mint from the holy city of Madinah is famous for its strong and wonderful aroma. During visits to Madinah one can see people selling fresh mint leaves at every corner. The mint is kept fersh covered under wet hessian cloths. Mint that doesnt get sold is dried under the hot sun and sold. People of Madinah enjoy mint as a mouth refreshner, or in teas or in their food.

Clockwise from top: Mint leaves, Dessicated Coconut, Phulay Chane

The below verison is a mild chutney with use of phulay chane and coconut in it. I enjoy this chutney along with idli, dosa, evening snacks, or as a dipping sauce for sandwiches.

Pudina aur Khopra ki Chutney – Mint and Coconut Chutney

Phulay Chane – 1/8 cup
Dessicated Coconut/Khopra – 1/4 cup
Roasted Cumin seed/Zeera powder – 1/4 tsp
Small Green Chillies/Hari mirch – 4-5, chopped
Tamarind – walnut sized seedless ball (or) Lemon/Lime juice – 2 tbsp
Fresh Mint leaves/Pudina – 1 cup
Salt – to taste
Ginger – 1/4 inch piece
Garlic – 2 pods
Tempering/Baghaar:
Canola oil – 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds/Rai – 1/2 tsp
Dried red chillies/Baghaar ki mirch – 2, each broken into small pieces
Curry leaves – 4-5, chopped

Method:

1. In a blender, add the first nine ingredients. Pour in a little bit of water to aid in the grinding process and grind until smoothly pureed. Pour the prepared chutney into a serving bowl.
2. Prepare baghaar/tempering: In a pan at medium high heat, pour oil and as soon as it warms up add the mustard seeds, broken dried red chillies and chopped curry leaves. Immediately remove from heat and pour this baghaar hot and hissing into the chutney and mix well. Serve along with your favorite snacks. Store the left over if any in the refrigerator for upto a week.

On a different note, Megha from the ‘Food Food Maha Challenge Muqabla’ show that will be telecast on Food food channel had contacted me as they are looking for participants. She says:

“The show is about the competition between male and female cooks and Madhuri Dixit willl be representing the female cook and Sanjeev Kapoor will represent the male cook.The judge of the show is Mr. Sanjeev Kapoor . If any one is interested you can call on 02242769017 between 11 am to 6 pm.
The auditions dates are:
8th July Mumbai
10th July Nagpur
14th July Delhi
17th July Kolkata
20th july Hyderabad
You can also drop a mail at foodfood.mahachallengemuqabla@gmail.com”

This is a great opportunity to participate in a cooking show. If any one is interested, do contact her.

Luv,
Mona

AddThis Social Bookmark Button