Cook Without Book

Prep Time:  30 minutes Cook Time:  5 hours Yield:  Serves: 8 (serving size: 1 thigh, 1/2 cup cooked vegetables, about 1/4 cup sauce)                  Ingredients 6  medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch chunks 8 ounces   sliced baby bella mushrooms 2  dried bay leaves 1/4 cup   all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon   dried thyme 8  bone-in chicken thighs (about 3 lb. total), skin removed Salt and pepper 1 tablespoon   plus 1 tsp. olive oil 3 tablespoons   tomato paste 2 cups   dry red wine 8 ounces   peeled pearl onions (about 1 3/4 cups) 4 cups   baby arugula, for serving, optional Preparation 1. In a slow cooker, combine carrots, mushroom slices and bay leaves. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour and thyme. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to bowl with flour mixture and toss until evenly coated. In a large skillet, warm 2 tsp. oil over me...

Yield:  8 servings                    Ingredients 2 1/2 cups   water 1 cup   dried lentils 2  bay leaves 1 teaspoon   olive oil 1 cup   finely chopped onion 1/2 cup   finely chopped carrot 1 cup   (4 ounces) shredded smoked cheddar cheese 1/2 cup   dry breadcrumbs 2 teaspoons   chopped fresh thyme 1 1/4 teaspoons   salt 3/4 teaspoon   garlic powder 3/4 teaspoon   paprika 1/2 teaspoon   freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon   ground red pepper 3  large egg whites, lightly beaten Cooking spray 8 teaspoons   stone-ground mustard 8  (2-ounce) whole wheat sandwich buns, toasted 8  (1/4-inch-thick) slices tomato 2 cups   trimmed arugula Preparation Place first 3 ingredients in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes or until tender; drain. Discard bay leaves. Place lenti...

Broken Wheat Bean Sprouts Pulao Wholesome and nutritious, this pulao is tasty too. Cooking Time:  20-25 minutes Servings:  4   Preparation Time:  20-25 minutes   Category:  Veg -  Ingredients • Broken wheat (dalia/lapsi),soaked 1 1/2 cups • Bean sprouts 1 cup • Oil 2 tablespoons • Bay leaves 2 • Cinnamon 2 inch sticks • Cloves 4 • Black peppercorns 10-12 • Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon • Onions,thinly sliced 2 medium • Red chilli powder 1 teaspoon • Turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon • Shelled green peas 1/2 cup • Fresh mint leaves 8-10 • Ghee 2 tablespoons • Fresh coriander leaves,chopped 1 tablespoon Method Heat oil in a non stick kadai, add bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves, black peppercorns and cumin seeds and sauté till fragrant. Add onions and sauté till translucent. Drain and add dalia, with red chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt and mix well. Add green peas, mint leaves...

Sweet Rice Try this simple version of the popular meetha chawal. You do not need to prepare any syrup for this version of sweet rice, as the rice and sugar are cooked together. With the addition of saffron, cinnamon, cloves and bayleaves, a sweet, spicy aroma fills the whole house kindling everybody’s appetite! Preparation Time:  5 mins Cooking Time:  6 mins Makes 6 servings Ingredients 7 cups   cooked rice (chawal) 1 1/2 cups   sugar 4 tbsp   ghee 50   cinnamon (dalchini) 2   cloves (laung / lavang) 2   bayleaves (tejpatta) 2  pinches of  saffron (kesar) strands  dissolved in 2 tbsp warm  milk a few drops of  saffron colour For The Garnish 1 tsp   almond (badam) sli vers    1 tsp   pistachio slivers Method Combine the rice and sugar in a bowl, mix well and keep aside. Heat the ghee in a broad non-stick pan, add the cinnamon, cloves and bayleaves and sauté on a mediu...

Vegetable Biryani Vegetable biryani is a traditional mughlai main course item loaded with chopped vegetables, spices, saffron and dry fruits. On normal days, you can make it as a one-pot meal. Even as ingredients like capsicum and coriander spread their aroma, whiffs of saffron and other spices rise above all and pamper your senses. Preparation Time:  15 mins Cooking Time:  40 mins Makes 4 servings Ingredients For The Rice 1 1/2 cups   long grained rice (basmati)  , soaked and drained 1   bayleaf (tejpatta) 25 mm  (1”) piece  cinnamon (dalchini) 1   clove (laung / lavang) 1   cardamom (elaichi) salt  to taste For The Vegetable Gravy 1 1/2 cups   chopped and boiled mixed vegetables  (carrots , peas , cauliflower , french beans and potatoes) 2 tbsp   oil 1/2 tsp   cumin seeds (jeera) 3/4 cup  finely  chopped onions 2 tsp   ginger-green chilli paste 1/4 tsp   turmeric powder (haldi) 2 tsp...

Mixed Sprouts Rice This protein-rich rice preparation also presents a fiesta of colours, thanks to the use of a large variety of sprouts and veggies. Traditional indian spices add flavour to the rice, while the innovative use of pav bhaji masala imparts a tempting aroma to the vegetable preparation. The method adopted, of preparing the rice and veggies separately and then mixing them ensures that this mixed sprouts rice is conveniently moist and not too dry. It is as good as having a pulao and a subzi, but in a convenient one-dish format that you will love. Serve with a raita of your choice, and voila, you have a delicious and sumptuous meal. Preparation Time:  15 mins Cooking Time:  20 mins Makes 4 servings Ingredients For The Rice 1 1/4 cups   long grained rice (basmati)  , soaked for 15 minutes and drained 2 tbsp   ghee 1 tsp   cumin seeds (jeera) 2   cloves (laung / lavang) 1  stick of  cinnamon (dalchini) 1   bayleaf (t...

                             Spicy Potato A fiery combination of spices, dominated by the exclusive taste of poppy seeds, cumin seeds and dry coconut, adds a special touch to this dish. Preparation Time:  10 mins Cooking Time:  11 mins Makes 4 servings Ingredients For The Paste 2 tbsp   oil 1/2 cup   sliced onions 2 tbsp  grated  dry coconut (kopra) 1 tbsp   coriander (dhania) seeds 1/2 tbsp   cumin seeds (jeera) 1/2 tbsp   poppy seeds (khus-khus) 2   cloves (laung / lavang) 1  stick  cinnamon (dalchini) 4 to 5   peppercorns (kalimirch) 4   whole dry kashmiri red chillies 1   bayleaf (tejpatta) 4   garlic (lehsun) cloves Other Ingredients 2 cups  boiled and peeled  potatoes  , cut into halves 1 tbsp   ghee salt  to taste 1 cup  fresh  tomato pulp For The Garnish 2 tbsp  finely ...

Bhojpuri Aloo     Microwave Recipe Traditional bhojpuri aloo or stuffed potatoes in mouth-watering gravy can be easily prepared in a microwave oven. A well thought out combo of spices ranging from cinnamon to shahjeera, make this a real culinary masterpiece! Preparation Time:  5 mins Cooking Time:  5 mins Makes 2 servings Ingredients 2  cooked  potatoes  , peeled and halved 2   cloves (laung / lavang) 1   cardamom (elaichi) 1   bayleaf (tejpatta) 6 mm  ( 1/4")  cinnamon (dalchini)  piece 1/2 tsp   caraway seeds (shahjeera) 1/4 tsp   ginger-garlic (adrak-lehsun) paste 1 tbsp   onion paste 1/4 tsp   turmeric powder (haldi) 1/2 tsp   chilli powder 2 tbsp   curds (dahi) 3 tbsp   milk 2 tsp   besan (bengal gram flour) a pinch of  sugar 2 tsp   oil salt  to taste To Be Mixed Into A Stuffing 4 tbsp   cooked mashed potatoes a pinch of  turmeric powder ...

Thai Green Rice        Quick Recipe A colourful rice preparation with a refreshing flavour, the thai green rice has strong hints of lemon grass and mint. Since it does not involve boiling vegetables, it can be tossed up quite soon – you just need to spare enough time for the rice to cook, and voila a delectable meal is ready on the table! serve hot with a side dish or just some tangy sauce. Preparation Time:  15 mins Cooking Time:  15 mins Makes 4 servings   Ingredients 1 cup   rice (basmati)  , soaked for 30 minutes and drained 2 tsp   oil 1   bayleaf (tejpatta) salt  to taste 1  bunch  lemon grass 1/4 cup  finely  chopped mint leaves (phudina) leaves 1/4 cup  finely  chopped basil 1/4 cup  finely  chopped coriander (dhania) 1 tbsp  finely  chopped green chillies 1/4 cup   coconut milk Method Heat the oil in a deep pan, add the bayleaf and...

Basmati Rice Risotto Serves 4 2 cups basmati rice 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 to 4 cloves Salt to taste 2-3 bay leaves 1 large onion finely chopped One 2-inch fresh ginger, finely chopped 4 green chiles, such as serrano 5 cups of water Juice of 1 lemon Wash the rice until the water runs clear. Soak it in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes. In a heavy bottomed pot, heat oil on medium heat and add the cloves and bay leaves and cook, stirring until very fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the onions and ginger and saute, stirring continiously until the onions are transparent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain the water from the rice and add to the sauteed onion. Add the chiles, salt, and water and stir until the mixture is well combined. Add water to the mixture and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer, cover and cook until the rice is cooked and has a risotto like consistency, about ...

Irish Stew with Fresh Bay Leaves Serves 4 3 pounds leg of lamb, trimmed of fat and cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon vegetable oil Salt to taste 1 sprig rosemary 3 -4 fresh bayleaves 2 sprigs fresh thyme Freshly ground black pepper 1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth 2 cups water 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 3 medium Idaho potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices 1/4 cup packed parsley leaves, chopped Combine lamb, butter, vegetable oil, salt, rosemary, thyme, pepper, chicken broth, water, garlic, potatoes, carrots, in a 6-quart slow cooker; stir to combine. Put the lid on and cook on low until the lamb is fork-tender, about 8 hours . Stir in parsley before serving.