Christmas Menu

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh "

Once again Christmas is here again and guess what it snowed heavily and we had lots of fun playing and throwing snow balls at each other. 2009 is coming to end in 5 days time and I was wondering what I will do to make our Christmas season special for us.the morning was filled with lots of fun and daughter outside playing with the snow.

My kids made a a cut little snowman with their dad's help. What's the next part??? That's right FOOD:Filling the tummy with food is the best part of any celebrating.Hmmm..to celebrate any happy event, we either go out for a good meal or cook one and enjoy it together at home therefore Christmas makes no difference to us at all. Instead of grilled a whole chicken and making the usual cakes and cookies was not on my menu this year.

Something more to a Southern style menu.We had planned it perfectly before hand this year. A simple lunch and go for a movie:Few day ago my hubby came up with an idea to prepare Oven Baked Chicken Briyani and it was really very good especially the chicken baked in the oven with a slightly browned tops. I have used the same recipe which differs a bit for my chicken gravy with steamed rice.As for side dish I have also prepare Scrambled Masala Eggs, Mixed Vegetables and for better digestion I have also made rasam.

After a very nice home-made lunch we went for the movie-Avatar- the 3D version of the film is phenomenal.The best part of the movie is the special effects. The creatures are exquisite and the movie is even more intricate in its details than was Titanic.We really enjoyed the movie very much.Avatar is a movie experience to be remembered, and please experience in a movie theater first.We finished off my Christmas with crispy dosa with sambar and tomato chutney.

Indian Style Mixed Vegetables

Ingredients
Serving Size:4

1/2 cup chopped cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup cut french beans
1/4 freshly shredded coconut
1 red onion chopped
1 garlic clove minced
1 green chillie chopped finely
1/2tsp mustard seeds
1/2tsp cumin seeds
1tsp channa dhal
1tsp ural dhall
1tsp pepper powder
1/2tsp turmeric powder
1/2tsp chillie powder
1/4tsp garam masala
a pinch of hing
chopped coriander leaves
chopped spring onions
few sprig curry leaves

Preparation Methods:

Heat a skillet on medium flame with 2tbsp oil and splutter curry leaves,mustard ,the dhals and cumin seeds followed by chopped onions,minced garlic and green chillie. As the onions turn slightly brown add all the vegetables, all the spice powders and salt. Saute for 2 minutes and cover the skillet with a lid until the vegetables becomes tender. Remove the lid and add the pepper power and adjust the leave of salt. Add the shredded coconut,chopped coriander leaves and spring onions. Give one really good mix and transfer to a serving bowl.

Rasam Ingredients

2 cup of tamarind water
1 small onion thinly sliced
1/2tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp black peppercorns
4-5 red chillies
2 medium tomatoes , chopped finely
3 garlic crushed coarsely
1 tsp mustard seeds
2tsp rasam powder
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 sprig fresh curry leaves
A pinch of hing

Preparation Methods:

In a blender add 1/2 of the chopped tomatoes,1/2tsp cumin seeds,1tsp rasam powder,few curry leaves,peppercorns and 1cup of tamarind water.Grind to a paste.Coat a wok with 1tbsp of oil,add the mustard seeds followed by remaining of the cumin seeds,dried chillies,curry leaves.onions and finally the tomatoes.Add the turmeric powder and salt.Saute till the onions and tomatoes comes to translucency. Now add the grind pasted and the remaining tamarind water and rasam powder. Bring to boil and adjust the level of salt. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Spicy Scramble Eggs

Ingredients

6 eggs
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/4 cup finely chopped tomatoes
2 green chillie minced
1tbsp ginger garlic paste
1/2tsp mustard seeds
1/2tsp cumin seeds
1/2tsp ural dal
1tbsp tomato ketchup
1tsp white pepper powder
1tsp chillie powder
1/4tsp gram masala
1/4tsp turmeric powder
1/2tsp black pepper powder
salt to taste
finely chopped coriander leaves
finely chopped green spring onions
finely chopped parsley
a pinch of hing powder

Preparation Methods:

Crack the eggs one by one in a large bowl. Add the white pepper powder,tomato ketchup and a pinch of salt. Whisk them well and set aside. Heat a wok and add couple 2tbsp butter. Once it's melted add the ginger garlic paste. Fry until the raw smell is removed followed by mustard seeds,cumin seeds and ural dal . As the mustard seeds starts to crack add the chopped onions,tomatoes and green chilles.Saute till the onions turns brown- then add all the spice powders. Fry til the raw smell are completed removed-then pour the whisked egg mixture.Break them into pieces as it cooks. Finally add chopped coriander leaves,spring onions and parsley. Adjust the level of salt and transfer to a serving plate

Baked Chicken Gravy
For the Paste:
2 cups chopped shallots
2tbsp ginger garlic paste
1 bunch chopped corinader leaves
1 bunch chopped mint leaves
3 green chillies
1tsp turmeric powder
1tsp poppy seeds
1tsp fennel seeds
1tsp nutmeg powder
1tsp salt

Add 2tbsp ghee to wok and roast all the ingredient til fragrant and grind to a paste once cool and keep aside.

2 tomatoes chopped
2tbsp curry masala
2tbsp chicken masala
1tsp gram masala
1tsp chillie powder
1tbsp coriander powder.

Add another 2tbsp ghee and saute the tomatoes til tender followed by all the spice powder.Fry them until the oil starts to separate- then add the grind masala, Saute til they turn to brown and set aside.Spicy masala paste is ready.

2 packet chicken drumstick
1 cup chopped onions
a sprig curry leaves
1tsp mustard seeds
1tsp cumin seeds
1 cinnamon stick
salt to taste

Preparation Methods:

Wash the drumstick and pat dry on kitchen towel. Slit the drum stick and arrange then in a baking dish. Pour the masala paste and mix and mix well.Refrigerate overnight or two days before actual cooking. This way the drumstick will soak up the masala paste well. Add 2tbsp oil to a skillet t and splutter the curry leaves,mustard seeds,cumin seeds and cinnamon sticks followed by the chopped onions.

Saute until the turn slightly brown.Remove from flame and add the the marinate chicken drumstick and bake for 45 minutes at 400 °F.Remove from oven and mix them well and bake for a another 45 minutes at 300°F.

This menu would be sent to my friend Shama's Christmas Festival Food Event:)