Aloo Jeera

Submitted by Jayashree T. Rao
Serves 4

Aloo JeeraAsafoetida may look like a typo, but it’s a dried latex derived from roots used in middle eastern cuisine.  It’s supposed to taste similar to leeks when cooked.

4.5 from 2 reviews
Aloo Jeera
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Side Dish
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • ½ kg. potatoes
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
  • ¼ tsp asafoetida
  • ½ tsp mustard
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • Salt to Taste
Instructions
  1. Take a microwave safe bowl, add oil with cumin, asafoetida and turmeric powder.
  2. Microwave for thirty seconds. Put the potato pieces into it.
  3. Microwave on 600 Watt power for five minutes. Stir in between.
  4. Add salt and mix well. Continue to microwave for another ten minutes.
  5. It gives a nice crisp look. Add chili powder and give a toss.
  6. You can again microwave for 30 seconds if you wish.

 

Kerala Style Beef Stew

Once you’ve added the coconut milk, be sure not to boil it too long or else the milk may curdle. You can substitute yogurt or plain milk for the coconut milk for health reasons.  Thank you to Chacko’s Kitchen for submitting this recipe.

Kerala Style Beef Stew
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Soups
Cuisine: Indian
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
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Ingredients
  • 2 lbs beef
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 potato
  • 4 tomatoes
  • 1-1/2 c. shallots
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 c. coconut milk
  • 4-5 curry leaves
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2-1/2 tbsp cooking oil
  • 2-4 green chilies
  • 4 cloves
  • 1-1/2" cinnamon stick
  • 6 green cardamom
  • 1 star anise
  • salt to taste
Instructions
  1. Clean & cut the beef into 1″ cubes. Drain.
  2. Peel & finely slice the shallots.
  3. Finely slice the tomatoes & store separately.
  4. Peel, wash, & cut the potato & carrot into 1″ cubes.
  5. Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil in a non-stick pan. Add the Garam Masala ingredients (cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, & star anise) & saute for 1 minute.
  6. Add shallots (reserving about 1 tbsp) & saute until translucent, taking about 5 minutes.
  7. Add the drained, cubed beef, potato, & carrot along with the turmeric, salt, & pepper. Saute until all sides are seared & lightly caramelized and browned.
  8. Add the tomatoes, green chilies, & ½ the coconut milk. Transfer to a pressure cooker & cook on high heat until 1 whistle, reducing to a medium flame. Continue to cook for 20 minutes & then 10 more minutes on low flame.
  9. In a separate non-stick pan, heat the remaining oil & saute the reserved shallots & curry leaves. Add the remainder of the coconut milk & bring to a boil on medium heat. Remove from heat.

 

Gary’s Favorite Clam Chowder

Chowdah by Kim Jones on FlickrGary Says: A great recipe for classic, New England style clam chowder on a cold day!

Gary’s Favorite Clam Chowder
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Soups
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 13 oz. clams, minced (2 cans; reserve juice)
  • 1 c. yellow onions, chopped
  • 1 c. celery, diced
  • 2-1/2 c. potatoes, diced
  • ¾ c. all-purpose flour
  • ¾ c. butter
  • 1 qt. half & half
  • ½ tsp granulated sugar
  • 1-1/2 tsp salt
  • Dash black pepper
Instructions
  1. In a medium to large saucepan combine onions, celery & potatoes. Pour clam juice over vegetables. Add enough water to barely cover vegetables. Bring to boil then reduce heat to medium & simmer until potatoes are tender (approximately 20 minutes).
  2. Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan, melt butter. When melted, add flour, blend & cook for 2 minutes. Add half & half & cook, stirring until smooth & creamy. Drain vegetables, reserving liquid. Return vegetables to saucepan. Add clams & sauce mixture. Heat thoroughly (add reserved cooking liquid to make consistency to your taste.

Photo Courtesy of Kim Jones on Flickr

Funeral Potatoes

Stephanie Says: Frozen potatoes are a necessity for the baking times to be right.  I actually use dry onion flakes reconstituted instead of fresh onion.  You can also substitute the corn flakes for crushed Ritz crackers or potato chips.  This recipe can be doubled for a larger party, but remember to adjust the baking times to suit the larger volume.

Funeral Potatoes
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Side Dish
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
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Ingredients
  • 16 oz. hash brown potatoes, frozen
  • 16 oz. diced potatoes, frozen
  • 10¾ oz. Cream of Chicken soup
  • 1½ oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ c. butter, melted
  • ½ c. onions, chopped
  • ½ tsp garlic salt
  • ½ tsp seasoned salt
  • 2 c. corn flakes, crushed
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
  1. Grease 9"x13" baking dish. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a large bowl combine soups, sour cream, cheese, onions, garlic salt, seasoned salt, & the ½ cup melted butter or margarine. Gently fold in hash browns, then gently fold in diced potatoes.
  3. Pour mixture into pan. Combine crushed corn flakes & the 2 tbsp melted butter or margarine. Sprinkle on top of potato mixture in baking dish.
  4. Bake for 30-45 minutes.

 

Photo Courtesy of Andy Melton on Flickr

Shepherd’s Pie

Monica Says: You can also use leftover chicken or any meat, really.  If using larger chunks, like chicken, cube the meat.

Shepherd's Pie
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Entree
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 5 potatoes
  • 4 oz. sliced mushrooms, canned
  • 2 c. fresh or frozen vegetables, your choice
  • 1 can Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • 1 can Condensed Cream of Celery Soup
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9"x13" baking dish with cooking spray. Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Peel & quarter the potatoes, then mash with a little of the cooking liquid. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, cook the meat over medium-high heat. Drain fat from pan. If using leftover meat, heat & add to the skillet. Stir in mushrooms, vegetables, mushroom & celery soups, salt, & pepper; heat through. Pour into prepared baking dish; cover with mashed potatoes & dot with butter.
  3. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until potatoes are golden & meat & vegetable mixture is hot & bubbly.

Photo Courtesy of Sodanie Chea on Flickr