Chef at Large

Today’s dinner was quite interesting - with a multitude of dishes, all cooked by Zainab. There was chicken korma, kebabs, dal, rice, okra, but the star of the evening was a crunchy and nutritious prawn salad, that could quite honestly be described as truly divine.
In Zainab’s words: “Simply toss pre-cooked prawns rocket, spinach, and watercress [...]

Hello All - After much travelling, switches and toil I’ve reached the land of crumpets, scones and double cream. On the flight, I found I was tagged as a ‘Hindu’ and consequently, I was on the receiving end of ’special’ meals. Translate that as stuff with no eggs or meat. Mostly cabbage and potatoes with [...]

We picked up some fresh prawns from INA market and for some reason, I wanted to cook them in a coconut gravy - so much that I could actually taste and smell them the way I wanted it.We usually pick up fresh, unpeeled prawns from the market, then Cherie and I sit down to the [...]

We met up here for lunch with brother and wives [Indu, Navnita]. Located in the India Habitat Centre on Lodhi road, The All American Diner is a good choice for the odd meal.
The very first point in the experience is the people at the gate of IHC. Very polite and helpful, it is a good [...]

Anchor is a restaurant cum bar located in the heart of Sector 18, NOIDA. A huge anchor at the entrance loudly proclaims its nautical nature. Once you’re inside, it takes a while to adjust to the dim lighting and you start seeing the sea-faring aspects of its décor. Ship and compass shaped tables, naval relics [...]

Ok, so I’m stuck on prawns… but this *is* a nice curry. You’ll need:

2 heaped cups Fried prawns
20 dried chilies
4 small onions
4 tsp gingelly oil
2 tsp cumin seed
10 pods garlic
20ml vinegar
curry leaves
salt
turmeric powder

Method:

Clean and wash fresh prawns, de-vein.
Rub well with turmeric, a little vinagar and salt.
Fry till a crisp golden brown.
Grind to a paste [...]

Third in the prawn series. You’ll need:

500gm peeled prawns
1 medium cauliflour
2 large onions
6 green chilies
1 tsp ginger paste
 2 tsp cumin seed
6 pepper corns
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp chili powder
2 tbsp oil
salt to taste

Method:

 Wash prawns thoroughly
Cut cauliflower into florets.
Grind the onions, green chillies, cumin seed, pepper corns and red chillies into a paste
Heat oil and fry onion [...]

Next in the prawn series, you’ll need:

1 cup peeled prawns
2 cups rice
5 tomatoes
6 green chilies
3 tbsp oil
1 inch ginger
1 whole garlic
2 onions
1 bunch coriander leaves
2 pieces patta
2 cloves
1 inch cinnamon
2 cardamoms
salt to taste

Method:

Heat oil and fry cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and chopped onions.
Add ground ginger and garlic. Fry some more.
Add ground green chilies and chopped coriander [...]

Ok! This week is hereby declared ‘Prawn Week’. Here’s the first recipe. You’ll need:

1 Onion
2 cup peeled medium prawns
1/2 tsp Turmeric [haldi]
1.5 tsp Coriander powder [dhania]
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp jeera
1/4 tsp fenugreek
1/2 grated coconut
4 large tomatoes
1 tsp tamarind extract

Method:

Roast jeera and fenugreek powder
Finely grind the coconut.
Fry chopped onions and prawns well in three tablespoons [...]

This curry will go well with south Indian style paranthas or plain boiled rice. You’ll need:

400gms Shelled prawns
400gms Onions
3 Tomatoes
1 tbsp jeera
2 tbsp ghee
6 red chillies
2 green chillies
1 inch ginger
6 pods of garlic
1 tsp sugar
1 small bunch coriander leaves

Method:

Grind chillies, ginger, garlic and jeera with one teaspoon of vinegar.
Heat ghee and fry sliced onions till [...]