Pepper Chicken

Pepper chicken is one of Amma's signature dishes.She has many fans who request her to make this every time they come home.

Ingredients:

1 kg chicken

3 medium onions chopped

1 cup sliced coconut(thenga kothu)- optional

1 tbsp garlic paste

1 tbsp ginger paste

2 sprigs curry leaves

2 green chillies

salt to taste

2 tbsp oil(sesame oil recommended)

Powders:

2 tbsp coriander powder
1 1/2 tbsp pepper powder
1 1/2 tbsp jeera powder

Method:

1.Heat oil in a pan.Add the coconut slices and fry till it turns golden brown.

2.Add ginger,garlic,onion,curry leaves and chilies.

3.When the onion turns light brown in colour add the powders and mix well.

4.Add the chicken and salt. Cover and cook on low flame until chicken is cooked.

5.Open the lid and simmer till all the water is evaporated. Serve hot.

Jeera Chicken

I am back after a long break. This is a simple chicken preparation which can be used as an appetizer or a main dish. Only few ingredients are needed for this recipe.Its a dry preparation which will go well with rice or chappathi.

Ingredients:

1 kg chicken
3 onions chopped
1/2 tsp jeera
2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
1/4 cup coriander leaves chopped
2 tbsp oil
salt to taste

Powders:

1/2 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp chilli powder(increase according to taste)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tbsp coriander powder
1/2 tbsp jeera powder

Method:

1.Add 1/2 tsp jeera into hot oil. Let it splutter.
2.Add the ginger garlic paste and saute.
3.Add the onion and saute till the onion turns golden brown.
4.Add the powders and saute till the raw smell is gone.
5.Add chicken pieces and salt to the pan and cook on low flame till the chicken is cooked.There is no need to add water for cooking the chicken. Some water will come out of the chicken.
6.Once the chicken is cooked and all the water has evaporated add the coriander leaves and mix well.Serve hot.

Chicken spring roll

Spring roll is everyones favourite finger food. Spring roll pastry can be found in frozen foods section in supermarkets. Any type of filling can go into the pastry. The spring rolls can then be frozen and fried just before serving.

Ingredients:

250 gram boneless chicken

1 onion chopped

1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

2 green chillies chopped

1 tbsp soya sauce

1 tsp pepper powder

1 egg white beaten

1/4 cup bread crumbs

5 spring roll pastry sheets

salt to taste

oil to fry

Method:

1.Cook the chicken with pepper powder and salt.Chop the cooked chicken to small pieces.

2.Add 1 tbsp oil to a pan and fry the onions,ginger garlic paste and green chillies.

3.Add the cooked chicken and soya sauce.

4.Mix well and switch off the flame.

5.Fill the spring roll pastry sheets with the filling.

6.Dip it in egg white and bread crumbs.Deep fry in oil till golden brown.

7.After filling the pastry with chicken mixture it can also be shallow fried with very little amount of oil.

Fish Bajji

Amma made this crunchy fish bajji this weekend. Its a very good tea time snack.It can also be served as starters during parties.

Ingredients:

250 gm King fish sliced thin

oil to fy

To Marinate:

1 tsp pepper powder

juice of one lime

salt to taste

For Batter:

1 cup besan(kadala maavu)

2 tbsp rice flour

1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste

1/4 cup chopped coriander and mint leaves

1/4 tsp ajwain(ayamodakam)

1/2 tsp chilly powder

1 pinch of baking soda

1 pinch asafoetida(kayam)

salt to taste

Method:

1.Marinate the slices of fish with the above mentioned ingredients and keep aside for 30 minutes.

2.Make a thick batter with the above mentioned ingredients and enough water.

3.Dip the fish slices in the batter and deep fry till done.

Crumbed Fish

This was another starter that amma prepared for the dinner party. This is also an easy to make appetizer and goes well with mayonnaise.

Ingredients:

6 pieces of king fish

one egg white

2 spoons all purpose flour/maida

1/2 cup bread crumbs

oil to fry

To marinate:

1 spoon mustard powder
1 spoon lime juice
1/4 spoon pepper
salt to taste

Method:

1.Marinate the fish with mustard powder,lime juice,pepper and salt.

2.Sprinkle the maida on the marinated fish.

3.Dip the fish in beaten egg white and coat with bread crumbs.

4.Fry in oil on medium flame till golden brown.

Beer Battered Fried Prawns

We had a dinner party at home recently for our collegues. Amma made this Beer battered shrimp fry as a starter. Everyone at the party loved this crispy treat.This is a very easy to make appetizer.

Ingredients:

250 grams prawns
2 spoon lime juice
2 spoon pepper powder
salt to taste
oil to fry

For Batter:

1 cup all purpose flour/maida
beer

Method:

1.Marinate the cleaned prawns with salt,pepper and lime juice and keep aside for 30 minutes.
2.Prepare thick batter with flour and beer.
3. Dip the prawns in the batter and deep fry in oil.

Chicken Cutlet

Meat cutlet is the most common appetizer you get for parties in Kerala.Cutlet patties can be prepared beforehand ,stored in fridge and fried just before serving.

Ingredients:

1 boiled and mashed potato

2 onions sliced

2 spoons ginger garlic paste

2 spoons chopped coriander leaves

chopped curry leaves

2 chopped green chillies

1/2 spoon fennel seeds(perumjeerakam)

1 spoon soya sauce

salt to taste

To cook and mince:

250 gm chicken

1/2 spoon pepper powder

Salt to taste

To fry:

Beaten egg whites(2 eggs)

1 cup bread crumbs

Oil for frying

Powders:

2 spoons coriander powder

3/4 spoon chilly powder

1/4 spoon turmeric powder

1/2 spoon chicken masala

To cook and mince:

250 gm chicken

1/2 spoon pepperpowder

Salt to taste

Method:

1. Add the pepper and salt to chicken.Cook and mince it.

2.In a pan add 2 spoons of oil.Add fennel seeds to it.

3.Add onion,ginger garlic paste,green chillies,curry leaves,coriander leaves and saute till golden brown.

4.Add the powders and saute.

5.Add soya sauce and salt.

6.Add the minced meat and mashed potatos and mix for 2 minutes.

7.Swith off the flame and let the mixture cool.

8.Make desired shapes with the mixture,dip it in beaten egg whites, roll in the bread crumbs and fry till golden brown.