Egg Masala

Eggs are versatile and can be used to enhance a dish such as fried rice, biryani etc or it can be the main ingredient in a dish. I love eggs and egg masala is one of my favorites! Best with chapathi's or paratha's but can also be eaten with basmati rice.

Ingredients:

• Eggs - 3 or 4
• Onions - 4 large sliced
• Tomatoes - 2 chopped
• Red chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1/4 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Pepper powder -  1/4 tsp
• Salt - To taste
• Oil -5-6 tbsp
• Parsley or Coriander - To decorate & garnish

Method:

1. Place eggs in a pan full of water and once the water boils, lower heat and let it cook for 10 minutes.
2. Take pan of eggs off the fire and plunge eggs into cold water.
3. When the eggs cool, peel and keep aside.
4. In a non-stick pan put oil and fry the onions till light brown colour.
5. Then add the masala powders in the order given above.
6. Fry for a couple of minutes and then add tomatoes.
7. Once tomatoes are cooked add the boiled eggs.
8. Mix well and pile the onions on top of the eggs. Fry for a few more minutes.
9. Decorate and garnish with parsley or coriander.
10. Egg masala is ready to be served.

Chilly Hing Potato

When my sister and I left home after college to work in a different city, my mum took the trouble to write a book full of easy to follow recipes for us so that we would not starve. This recipe is one of them and always brings back fond memories.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes - 3 large
• Hing or Asafoetida - 1/4  tsp
• Red chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - 4-5 tbsp
• Coriander or Parsley - To garnish

Method:

1. Put the potatoes in a pressure cooker with water. Initially let the flame be high, once the cooker whistles, lower the flame and pressure cook the potatoes for 10 minutes on low flame.
2. Peal and cube potatoes.
3. Place non-stick pan on fire and add oil. Don't let it get too hot.
4. Mix the powders- red chilly powder, turmeric powder, hing and salt in a small bowl and keep it ready.
5. Add the mixed powders to the oil and immediately add the boiled potato cubes.
6. Fry till the crumbs become crispy.
7. Add coriander or parsley to garnish.
8. Serve with chapathi's or rice.

Pizza Buns

This makes a really nice snack and can be made quickly. You can vary the toppings based on what you have at home and what you enjoy eating. I use packaged tomato puree bought from a supermarket, though you can make home-made puree though then it would take much longer to make. I use chorizo slices for meat topping but you can also use ham, salami, sausage, grilled chicken pieces or avoid it altogether. The meat should be fully cooked before using it as a topping as grilling in the oven is only for a few minutes. The chorizo we get to buy from supermarkets is ready to eat, so it is easy to use. Mushrooms, corn, red and yellow bell peppers can also be used for vegetarian topping. If using mushrooms, I would suggest you saute it in a little olive oil or butter and cook it before using it as a topping. Regarding cheese, I prefer cheddar, but you can also use any other type of cheese or even chopped up cheese slices.

Ingredients

• Plain buns - 2
• Tomato puree - 4 heaped tbsp
• Capsicum - 1/2 chopped 
• Chorizo slices - 2 chopped
• Oregano - 1/2 tsp 
• Cheddar cheese - to taste
• Salt - to taste

Method

1. Cut the buns and spread tomato puree on inner side of the buns.
2. Garnish with cut capsicum pieces, chorizo pieces & cheese.
3. Sprinkle salt and oregano.
4. Grill in the oven for 4-6 mins at 180 degs C or until the cheese has melted.