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Saag Chicken (Sag Chiken) Recipe

Ingredients
  • Skinned chicken pieces - 3 lbs
  • Garlic pods(mined) - 5 nos
  • Onions(large & minced0 - 2 nos
  • Tomatoes(large & crushed) - 2 nos
  • Ginger(minced) - 1" piece
  • Milk - 4 tbsp
  • Spinach(Paalak/Cheera)
  • (chopped) - 4 bunches
  • Butter - 2 tbsp
  • Cayenne powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Cardamom(Elakka) - 2 nos
  • Cloves(Grambu) -2 nos
  • Oil - 7 tbsp
  • Garam masala - 1 tsp
  • Salt - 1/2 tsp

Method
  1. Fry the chicken lightly in 4 tbsp of oil for 3-4 minutes until light brown and set aside.
  2. Put the spinach in a deep pan along with 1/4 cup water and bring to boil and remove from heat.
  3. When cool, grind in blender and set aside.
  4. Heat the remaining oil and add ginger, garlic and onions until lightly brown.
  5. Add tomatoes, salt, cayenne, coriander powder, turmeric, cloves and cardamom.
  6. Sprinkle 1 tbsp of water. Cook for 10 minutes on low heat.
  7. Add chicken and milk.
  8. Simmer until the chicken is tender.
  9. Add spinach and garam masala. Cook until spinach starts sticking to pan. Remove from heat.
  10. Add butter and cover until ready to serve.
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Marinated Grilled Cherry Tomatoes Skewers


The Grilled Recipes Kitchen invites you to try Marinated Grilled Cherry Tomatoes Skewers recipe. Fire up the grill and enjoy grilling.

Cook Time: 10 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped and made into garlic paste
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
24 cherry tomatoes
8 to 10 wooden (6-inch) skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

Directions

Whisk together the oil, vinegar, garlic paste and thyme in a medium bowl, add the tomatoes and toss to coat. Let tomatoes sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to marinate.

Heat the grill to high.

Remove the tomatoes from the marinade and skewer 4 per skewer, depending on the size of the tomatoes). Season on both sides with salt and pepper and grill until golden brown and slightly charred on both sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer the skewers to a platter and garnish with chives.

From Food Network

Grilled Potato Salad Recipe - Grilled Corn in Husks Recipe - Balsamic Grilled Vegetables Recipe

Save and share Marinated Grilled Cherry Tomatoes Skewers Recipe

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Grilled Salmon Steaks with Chipotle-Ponzu Sauce and Grilled Green Beans


The Grilled Recipes kitchen invites you to try delicious and easy barbecue recipes... Fire up your grill for this quick and healthy Grilled Salmon Steaks with Chipotle-Ponzu Sauce and Grilled Green Beans recipe.

Cook Time: 10 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Cooking spray
6 (5-ounce) salmon steaks
Salt and ground black pepper
2 cups fresh green beans
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon chopped shallot
2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons minced chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1 clove garlic
Cellophane noodles, as an accompaniment

Directions

Coat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan with cooking spray and preheat to medium-high.

Season both sides of salmon with salt and black pepper. Grill salmon steaks 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Arrange green beans on grill alongside salmon. Grill 10 minutes, until crisp-tender, turning frequently.

Meanwhile, in a blender, combine remaining ingredients and puree until smooth. Serve 4 of the salmon steaks with green beans on the side and ponzu sauce drizzled over top. Reserve remaining salmon steaks for another recipe. Serve with cellophane noodles.

From Food Network

Grilled Salmon with Cilantro Sauce - Grilled salmon with chilli & lime butter - Grilled Marinated Salmon with Spinach Sauce Recipe

Save and share Grilled Salmon Steaks with Chipotle-Ponzu Sauce and Grilled Green Beans
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Grocery Shopping Tips::"Good" Prices

edit: A lovely spreadsheet screen shot has been formatted for your shopping convenience. 
Check it out!!

I've been getting an increasing number of questions on "How Do I Do It?"
How do I shop so frugally? 
Eat so (health)fully? 
Plan meals that inspire and entice? 

I am one of the "lucky ones" I guess you could say. 
These budget conscious ways of me actually come naturally.
"Wait, what's that you say?"
Yes, saving money, bargain hunting, price comparing, unit pricing...
all of those tactics have become such an integral part of my life that I don't even realize it's "abnormal."

I give me parents [almost] all the credit for this. 
They trained me.

They taught me.
They were an example to me.

Now, granted, I could have thrown their advice in the garbage can.
But I didn't. 
I took it. 
and I ran with it.
And I'm still running. 
Hey! I guess I'm a marathoner after all! 

But seriously, I can't imagine NOT getting the lowest price. 
It just goes against everything everything I am.

This is why I never thought to give pointers.
But I'm so glad some of you thought to ask.
I would love to share. 

To get my ideas down on "paper."
I plan to do periodic posts on my shopping trips.


What I bought.
How much I paid for it.
What "good prices" are.
What meals I planned around those items. 

The third item in that list is, I believe, one of the hardest to learn. 
And yet, even when you have a good grasp of it, it's a constant process of updating prices. 
Thanks to economics, prices go up.
prices go down. 
So you've got to stay on top of your game. 

I would say it took me close to a year to have a full range of price comparisons in my head or on paper. 
(Yes, there were spreadsheets.)
I called my mom on almost every shopping trip. 
Because you can't know you're getting a good deal unless you know what a good deal is. 
You can't assume that because it's from Sam's Club or a Meijer sale or even Aldi that the price you're paying is a bargain. 

I hate to break it to you. :)


So I think I will begin here. 
"What are 'good' prices?"
(This list will be edited and updated as needed.) 


  • Milk (gallon)   
    • $1.99 
    • (or less! I prefer $1.75)
  • Eggs (dozen)   
    • $0.99 
    • (or less than $0.85. I stock up if they're $0.75 or less)
  • Yogurt
    • $0.05/ounce*
    • (typically, buying a 32oz container is cheaper than individual cups, but not always.)
    • Use small tupperware (or other brand) containers to take individual sizes in a packed lunch.
  • Margarine 
    • $0.50/pound (4 sticks)
  • Butter 
    • $1.99/pound (4 sticks)
    • I stock up if it's cheaper than $1.89 per pound. Just stick the boxes in the freezer! hey'll keep for months!
  • Cereal 
    • ~$1.99 (or less) per pound (16oz.)
  • Cheese 
    • $1.99 or less per pound 
    • I often buy my cheese in large bricks then slice into manageable/usable portions. Wrap individually in plastic wrap, store in a zippered storage bag and freeze for months. Just remove the cheese to the fridge to defrost for at least 6 hours. 
  • Apples
    • $0.99 or less per pound 
    • Our local farm market sells 5lb bags for $2.99 meaning just $0.60/lb
    • Store apples in the "crisper" drawer of your fridge and they should keep for weeks.
  • Bananas
    • $0.33 or less per pound 
    • Store bananas on the countertop, separating them to slow down the ripening process.
    • When bananas get brown either use them in banana bread OR peel and slice into small pieces, cover in plastic wrap, store in a zippered bag and freeze. Use these frozen bananas in smoothies or defrost to use in banana bread another time! 
    • Oftentimes, Meijer will sell over-ripe bananas for $0.29 or even $0.19/pound. Stock up! and use the freezing method!
  • Bread 
    • $1.00 or less per loaf
    • Look for sales on whole wheat or whole grain loaves! They do get this low! 
    • Then go ahead and stock up, place loaf in a plastic bag, tie shut and freeze for a few months. 
    • Just last week, I found whole wheat loaves (regularly $1.89) for $0.25 per loaf!--that's a big rarity, but keep your eyes open. 
    • OR make your own bread! I have plenty of delicious (manageable) recipes here!
  • Canned goods 
    • $0.49/15oz can (Aldi has THE lowest priced canned goods I've ever found.) 
  • Vegetable or canola oil 
    • $1.99 (or less) per 48oz bottle  

*To figure out price per ounce divide the total cost by the total ounces
In my yogurt example, I divided $1.59 by 32oz. 
Follow RecipesDream

Grocery Shopping Tips::"Good" Prices

edit: A lovely spreadsheet screen shot has been formatted for your shopping convenience. 
Check it out!!

I've been getting an increasing number of questions on "How Do I Do It?"
How do I shop so frugally? 
Eat so (health)fully? 
Plan meals that inspire and entice? 

I am one of the "lucky ones" I guess you could say. 
These budget conscious ways of me actually come naturally.
"Wait, what's that you say?"
Yes, saving money, bargain hunting, price comparing, unit pricing...
all of those tactics have become such an integral part of my life that I don't even realize it's "abnormal."

I give me parents [almost] all the credit for this. 
They trained me.

They taught me.
They were an example to me.

Now, granted, I could have thrown their advice in the garbage can.
But I didn't. 
I took it. 
and I ran with it.
And I'm still running. 
Hey! I guess I'm a marathoner after all! 

But seriously, I can't imagine NOT getting the lowest price. 
It just goes against everything everything I am.

This is why I never thought to give pointers.
But I'm so glad some of you thought to ask.
I would love to share. 

To get my ideas down on "paper."
I plan to do periodic posts on my shopping trips.


What I bought.
How much I paid for it.
What "good prices" are.
What meals I planned around those items. 

The third item in that list is, I believe, one of the hardest to learn. 
And yet, even when you have a good grasp of it, it's a constant process of updating prices. 
Thanks to economics, prices go up.
prices go down. 
So you've got to stay on top of your game. 

I would say it took me close to a year to have a full range of price comparisons in my head or on paper. 
(Yes, there were spreadsheets.)
I called my mom on almost every shopping trip. 
Because you can't know you're getting a good deal unless you know what a good deal is. 
You can't assume that because it's from Sam's Club or a Meijer sale or even Aldi that the price you're paying is a bargain. 

I hate to break it to you. :)


So I think I will begin here. 
"What are 'good' prices?"
(This list will be edited and updated as needed.) 


  • Milk (gallon)   
    • $1.99 
    • (or less! I prefer $1.75)
  • Eggs (dozen)   
    • $0.99 
    • (or less than $0.85. I stock up if they're $0.75 or less)
  • Yogurt
    • $0.05/ounce*
    • (typically, buying a 32oz container is cheaper than individual cups, but not always.)
    • Use small tupperware (or other brand) containers to take individual sizes in a packed lunch.
  • Margarine 
    • $0.50/pound (4 sticks)
  • Butter 
    • $1.99/pound (4 sticks)
    • I stock up if it's cheaper than $1.89 per pound. Just stick the boxes in the freezer! hey'll keep for months!
  • Cereal 
    • ~$1.99 (or less) per pound (16oz.)
  • Cheese 
    • $1.99 or less per pound 
    • I often buy my cheese in large bricks then slice into manageable/usable portions. Wrap individually in plastic wrap, store in a zippered storage bag and freeze for months. Just remove the cheese to the fridge to defrost for at least 6 hours. 
  • Apples
    • $0.99 or less per pound 
    • Our local farm market sells 5lb bags for $2.99 meaning just $0.60/lb
    • Store apples in the "crisper" drawer of your fridge and they should keep for weeks.
  • Bananas
    • $0.33 or less per pound 
    • Store bananas on the countertop, separating them to slow down the ripening process.
    • When bananas get brown either use them in banana bread OR peel and slice into small pieces, cover in plastic wrap, store in a zippered bag and freeze. Use these frozen bananas in smoothies or defrost to use in banana bread another time! 
    • Oftentimes, Meijer will sell over-ripe bananas for $0.29 or even $0.19/pound. Stock up! and use the freezing method!
  • Bread 
    • $1.00 or less per loaf
    • Look for sales on whole wheat or whole grain loaves! They do get this low! 
    • Then go ahead and stock up, place loaf in a plastic bag, tie shut and freeze for a few months. 
    • Just last week, I found whole wheat loaves (regularly $1.89) for $0.25 per loaf!--that's a big rarity, but keep your eyes open. 
    • OR make your own bread! I have plenty of delicious (manageable) recipes here!
  • Canned goods 
    • $0.49/15oz can (Aldi has THE lowest priced canned goods I've ever found.) 
  • Vegetable or canola oil 
    • $1.99 (or less) per 48oz bottle  

*To figure out price per ounce divide the total cost by the total ounces
In my yogurt example, I divided $1.59 by 32oz. 
Follow RecipesDream

Apple of my Eye Bran Muffins




Finding balance between moist and healthy in muffin-speak isn't always easy.  The combination of apples, yogurt and oat flour lend to a very moist and nutritionally dense muffin without the high level of oil or butter normally found in muffin recipes.


INGREDIENTS:

•1/2 cup Miller's Bran, coarse bran, organic, unprocessed wheat bran
•1/2 cup Unbleached White Whole Wheat Flour
•1 cup Oat Flour
•1/2 teaspoon Salt
•1 tablespoon Baking Powder
•2/3 cup Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar
•1/4 cup chopped dates
•40 gram ginger crystallized (3-4, or approximately 3 tablespoons), finely chopped
•8 ounce Apples, skin on, grated or finely diced (approx 1 med. apple)
•2/3 cup Milk, 1% or nonfat
•1 large egg, slighty beaten
•2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
•1/2 cup cultured, plain yogurt


INSTRUCTIONS:

1 - Preheat oven to 375 degrees and place rack in middle position.  Place paper liners inside of muffin pan cups. 

2 - In large bowl, mix together bran, AP flour, oat flour, salt, baking powder and sugar.  Mix well.

3 - Add chopped dates, crystallized ginger and apples, tossing well with the dry ingredients.

4 - Form a well in the dry ingredients.

5 - In seperate bowl, combine milk, egg, butter and yogurt.   Add to dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.  Be careful not to over stir. 

6 - Using measured scoop to assure uniform, same-sized muffins, fill each muffin cup 2/3 full. 

7 - Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until golden brown and the tops have turned golden brown. 

8 - Cool on rack.   Enjoy!  These muffins freeze well for on-the-go breakfasts or snacks later in the week. 



Nutritional Info per each muffin:


* Nutritional data calculated using ingredient complilation program and is deemed close but not exact.

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Mint Julep

Mint JulepDrinks of the Triple Crown
It's Derby Day at Churchill Downs and time to imbibe a few of these classic southern libations. Mint Juleps are distinctly American, originating in the Commonwealth of Virgina in the 1700s. Kentucky is where they make the best Mint Juleps, however, featuring the state's indigenous Bourbon whiskey and mint.

Recommended Equipment:
pewter or silver glass or mug

Ingredients:
3 to 4 oz. bourbon (I used Maker's Mark)
fresh mint leaves
1 oz. of simple syrup
crushed ice

Preparation:
  1. Pour 1/2 oz. of syrup into glass.
  2. Pour mint leaves into glass and mix with syrup using a wooden spoon.
  3. Rub the entire inside of the glass with the syrup-covered leaves.
  4. Pack the glass over the top with crushed ice.
  5. Pour the remaining 1/2 oz. of syrup over the ice.
  6. Pour in the bourbon.
  7. Garnish with sprig of mint.
  8. Place your bets!!
Related posts:
The Preakness - Black Eyed Susan
The Belmont Stakes - Belmont Breeze

USA Flag United States Kentucky Flag Kentucky
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The End of the Feast

Dear, amazing Daily Recipe Readers,

Alas, as I am prone to do, I jumped headlong into something before I thought through my commitments. I love to cook. I love to share food around our table every night. I love to help others cook amazing food. And someday, by God's grace, I'll write that cookbook I've dreamed of writing. All in good time.

But right now, I'm too consumed by my other responsibilities to keep this blog current. I do hope you've enjoyed the four months of recipes we've shared here, and I am sorry I can't keep up the pace. Thank you for entrusting me with your meals!

I'm discontinuing this blog today. A huge thanks to all the Friend Friday folks, to Jane Jarrell and Tim Wade who contributed to this blog. Thanks to George and Ashley Weis at Tekeme.com who designed and implemented this blog. They did an amazing job!

And thanks to my family who tastes all my concoctions and experiments. You all bless me every night we share a table.

Warmly,
Mary
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Traditional Breakfast ~ Typical South Indian Style

We woke up to an unexpected shower of rain! Last night we were so excited seeing signs of drizzling that came our way! We ran out trilled at the prospect of raining visiting us. Only to be greeted with a clear sky but a ground scantly covered with rain drops. It was hubby who with all excitement called out to me as if it was pouring! Well you can imagine the need of rains in our parts of the world. We tried taking deep breath to smell that exquisite smell you get to sense after a shower. Unfortunately we no longer live in a rustic place to experience that. It smelled more of oil and petrol reeked motors, zipping fast past us as we stood witnessing the beauty that was unfolding before us.






But then we had a surprise in the morning. Looked like it rained through the night and morning was so cool and wonderful. Hubby dear left to receive his sisters family.The train unexpectedly was delayed by an hour and by the time they came home, I was able to get the breakfast ready. 

Hubby dear was teasing Amma saying she will get upset if I usurped the show by making all the dishes myself. So he told me that I should be generous to let Amma make her signature Kesari Bath. Well I knew how much loves the way Amma makes it. Though my nieces and nephew love the way I make, I knew I can't stand a chance when competing with Amma. True to word, it tured out really awesome. Kids had a field day just eating that and nothing else!



Rest of the dishes I managed to make before our guests arrival.

Ven Pongal (What I made today was the way it is made normally in Tamil Nadu)
Groundnut Chutney ~ Andhra Special
Onion Sambar ~ Vengaya Sambar
Medu Vada
Kesari Bhath
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