Week 2 - Day 3 Six Week challenge

Felt like I ate a lot today :) .

Breakfast: Man chow soup

Lunch: Whole wheat spaghetti with chicken tikka (left over from day before) mixed in with green chili sauce and red chili sauce.

Dinner: So proud of this one! Ezekiel crusted chicken with a side of broccoli.  This needs some prep - in an oven 350F put some slices of Ezekiel bread for 30 mins until dry and crunchy. Make a crumbs of these in a blender and keep aside.  Take chicken breast (6oz) and pound it very thin. sprinkle salt and pepper and set aside. Next take two plates. In one, add 1 egg white and in another add the Ezekiel powder. Now add some garlic powder , onion powder , Italian seasoning , salt , pepper and paprika powder to both the plates. Pat dry the chicken. Dip it first in egg white mixture and then in Ezekiel crumbs.

Heat 1 tbl spoon avocado oil in a pan . Add the chicken and cook on both sides on low flame.
Its a very good use of Ezekiel bread.

Week 2 - Day 1

Hello All,

Did not cook much on the weekend this time. Starting the week off with healthy food again but the most interesting today were lunch and dinner.

Lunch: Man chow soup

Followed the recipe
https://www.sanjeevkapoor.com/Recipe/Vegetable-Manchow-Soup-KhaanaKhazana.html

For Dinner make Chicken Tikka kebabs with Tomato chutney.

Recipe: Take 1 lb of chicken breast cut into bigger cubes (wash and dab dry). To this add 3/4 tsp Red chilli powder , 3/4 tsp salt , 1 tsp Ginger garlic paste , 1/2 tsp tumeric , 1 tbl spoon kasoori methi powder , 1/2 tsp saunf powder , 1/4 tsp black pepper powder , lemon juice 2 tblspoon , 3/4 tsp Garam masala powder, non fat greek yogurt (no water) 2 tblspoons. Add 1-2 tbl spoons of Avocado oil.

Cut cubes of onions, bell pepper (green, red, yellow, orange) and add in the mixture. Now string them on skewers with veggies in the middle . Marinate for atleast 2 hours. Lay them flat on a baking pan lined with Aluminum foil

Start the oven on High broil. cook until you see brown edges on chicken and then turn the skewers to cook other side. Serve hot.

What I ate today (Week 1- Day 4)


Breakfast:


Potato and peas cutlets with chicken mince and fresh tomato salsa. A side of strawberries.


Recipe:


Boil 1 large size potato until soft. Mash it completely and add paste of 1-2 green chillies , coriander leaves 1tblspn and mint leaves 1 tblspn. Also add 1/4 tsp black pepper , 1/2 tsp salt , 1/2 tsp coriander powder , 1/4 tsp garammasala  powder and some lemon juice. mix well .This should be a thick paste.
If its not thick then put it back on stove and cook till all dry.  To this add pre cooked chicken mince and peas. When ready to make it I add 1 egg white into the cooled mixture and then make patties and shallow fry in 2 tbl spn of Avocado oil.


For salsa , 1 fresh tomato , 1 green chilli, lemon juice , salt , pepper and coriander leaves. I pulse it together very coarsely.

Lunch : Whole wheat pasta with grape tomatoes with a side of non fat greek yogurt.


Recipe:(I ate half of the below)
Add 1 tblspoon of oil to a pot. Add 1/4 cup of chopped onions. When translucent add 1/4 tsp turmeric powder , 3/4 tsp salt ,1/2 tsp red chilli powder and 1/2 tsp Ginger garlic paste. Add 1 tsp of tomato paste. Now add 2 cups of water and 1 cup of dry pasta to this. Add some sprigs of coriander leaves , lemon juice and 1/2 tsp garam masala powder. Cook until pasta is tender.

Dinner: Baked cod with veggies.

This did not turn out very good so will not add the recipe.


over and out.

What I ate today:

Breakfast: Chicken Haleem with oats (savory oats chicken porridge) and strawberries

   Recipe:

   Coming soon

Lunch:

Beef mince with potatoes and tomatoes with brown rice and cucumbers

   Recipe:
   Coming soon.

Dinner:
  Shrimp Kebobs with Broccoli


  Recipe: Coming Soon.
 
  For Broccoli , I boiled broccoli in hot water for 2 mins. Then with one tbl spoon avocado oil in a pan I added broccoli , sauté for 1-2 mins and then sprinkle salt , black pepper and garlic powder.

Hello,
Everyone knows I love food , that's why I have this blog right? but just eating yummy food and not doing any exercise impacts your body and you start gaining weight and fat. I have gained too and have decided to take up a 6 week challenge to loose 6% of my body fat percentage.


Its hard for a food lover to stick to a repetitive diet plan so I have decided to be creative with it.

I also don't see many Indian recipes out there for dieting and wanted to open up my options for when I decide to stick to this diet long term.

Hope you follow along... I will also be eventually adding the recipes for these on my you tube Chanel or here.
Disclaimer:
This kind of diet is for my challenge and will not apply to everyone. The Diet chart is suppose to be specific for this challenge and for my weight category.. Moreover I am not blogging everything that I ate in a day but just important meals. I am not even claiming that these meals work but I am blogging my journey as I progress in the challenge. Apart from this Diet I exercise for 3 days for 45 minutes sessions.

What I ate on the first day of the challenge:
Breakfast: Egg white and spinach omelets (with 0% Greek yogurt and fruit):


Recipe:
Whisk together 3 egg whites , spinach (I cut and washed it (1 cup) and tossed it around in a pan (no oil)), some salt.

Add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a pan and add the egg mixture. Turn when done on one side.

Lunch:

Cholay (1/2 cup chick peas cooked with 1/2 cup frozen veggies and tomatoes with 6 oz chicken breast mince)

   Recipe:
   http://humairasfoodpassion.blogspot.com/2009/08/chole-bhature.html


I added extra frozen veggies to it and Chicken mince after I fry onions and add spices.

Dinner:
1. Tandoori chicken

Recipe:
Chicken Breast : 1.5 lb ( I ate only 6oz of it)

Cut chicken breast into thin fillets. Take them in a bowl and add 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder , 3/4 tsp red chilli powder, 1 tsp ginger garlic paste , 1/2 tsp cumin powder, 1/4 tsp coriander powder, Kasuri methi crushed1 tsp, 1/2 tsp Garam masala powder, Tandoori chicken masala 1 tsp, 3 tblspoons of non fat Greek yogurt and1 tblspoon Avocado oil. Add some orange food color if you like. Marinate this atleast for 3 hours.

Heat oven to 400F. Place chicken on a baking tray and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes. Serve immediately .

2. Asparagus
  
Recipe:


Break asparagus from the root where it breaks naturally. wash and add in zip lock. To it  add   1tsp of  olive oil , pinch of salt and 1/4 tsp garlic powder. mix well in the bag.

Place them on a heated grill (I use grill pan on stove) and toss for 30-45 sec.

A Very filling and satisfying day!

Nizami Chicken Kebab

This is my comeback recipe hopefully. Now a days with a newborn at home and  a hyper three year old I am always looking for recipes that are quick and easy. This kebab is the simplest and the quickest kebabs you can make. They taste delicious and look delectable.
The chicken slices are marinated in a flavorful marinade and shallow fried. Serve with roomali roti and chutney for a heavenly combination. Enjoy you guys.

Ingredients :

Chicken Breast : 1 and 1/2 cut into think slices (around 10 slices)
Salt : 1 and 1/2 tsp
Black pepper powder or crushed : 1/2 tsp
Ginger  garlic paste : 1 tsp
Lemon juice : 2 tsp
Coriander : small 1/2 bunch
Green chilies : 3-4
Peeled Garlic : 3 pieces

Method:

Season the chicken with salt , black pepper and Ginger garlic paste. Make a paste of coriander, green chilies and garlic and add to the chicken. Also add 2 tblspn oil and let it marinate for 2 hours.

Right before serving time shallow fry the chicken pieces until nice and golden brown. sprinkle a little more lemon juice and serve hot.
Hope you enjoy!

Murg Malai kebabs

Heavenly Chicken Kebabs/kabobs - Murgh Malai kebabs
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Firstly I need to apologize to be MIA as I been really busy with work and all the allergies and flu.
I was looking for a quick treat. I felt like eating juicy , moist kebabs and that is exactly what I found on Nabeela's blog. She has an amazing list of treats that I am definitely going to try soon. I have not made much of changes to her recipe. I just prefer the broil method for making my kebabs. If you like to roast them then you can follow her recipe as is.Hats off to Nabeela for this amazing dish.





Ingredients:
Boneless chicken cut into medium size pieces - 2 lb
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup yogurt
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tbsp fresh minced cilantro
2 tbsp fresh ginger-garlic paste
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp red chili powder
2 tbsp vegetable oil





Procedure:

Make the marinade by combining salt, yogurt, sour cream, cilantro, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala and red chilli powder in a medium bowl. Mix well. Rub chicken pieces all over with lime juice. Add them to the marinate and coat well. Let it marinate overnight in the refrigerator. Soak 10-12 wooden skewers in water(soaking them overnight truly ensures no burning and flare ups in the oven). If you're using metal skewers, skip this step. The next day, when you're ready to serve, take out chicken 30 minutes before roasting. Preheat the oven on broil mode to High. Thread chicken pieces onto the skewers keeping 5 piece to each. Lay them on an oiled roasting rack on an Aluminium foil lined pan. Broil for about 5-7 minutes, turning it a few times in between. Check on the chicken often to ensure it's not overcooked or undercooked. Enjoy!!

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken : ( Amazingly tasty!)
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I would think that the best tandoori chicken is made in restaurants but this recipe proved me wrong.You can have a hearty , amazingly tasty tandoori chicken at home. Try it to believe it.I made this dish for a iftaar party at my mami's(aunts) place and it raked in many compliments :-)



Ingredients:

Chicken Quarters : 6 (I further had each quarter cut into 2 but you can use whole quarters or drumsticks)
Oil : 2 tbsp

Marinade1:

Red chili powder : 1 table spoon
Salt : 1 tsp
Lemon : 1/2 lemon juice

Marinade2:

Curd : 6 tbsp (one for each quarter)
Ginger Garlic Paste : 1tbsp
Kasoori Methi powder - 1tsp
Black pepper powder - 3/4 tsp
Salt : 1tsp
turmeric : 1/4 tsp
Cumin powder : 1/4 tsp
Coriander powder : 1 tsp
Garam masala powder : 1tsp
Red colour : 1/2 tsp or like desired

Method:

Prepare marinade1. Wash the chiken pieces well and pat them dry. Now add a few slits to the meatiest parts. This will let the taste to penetrate deeper.
Not rub the marinade1 on each chicken quarter making sure to apply between slits and keep aside for 15 minutes.

Prepare marinade2. Now add the above chicken to this.Add 2 tbsp oil. mix very well.I left this overnight for added flavor but you can cook right away.


You can grill these pieces if you like.I love my Broil mode in the oven for such tandoor type preparations. You can use the bake mode if you like (400F , bake for 30 minutes).
If using broil mode, turn the broil mode to Hi, Arrange chicken quarters in a baking pan and place them in the oven , not too close to the fire.
These will be done real quick like in 7-10 minutes. Turn over and cook for another 5 minutes.
Serve with grilled onions and lemon wedges. Delicious!!

Chicken Fry (mmm smells amazing!!)

Chicken Fry (Indian ishtyle)
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When I just have a smiple currly like dal or tomato cut or tomato chutney already made, I go for chicken fry. It tastes soo good with them and also can be made in very little time.It comes in handy when you have a bunch of guest suddenly drop in.It also makes it a good candidate for ramadan as you get more time for other chores. Mashallah this Ramzan has been very good. Its a different kind of joy of fasting..and at the end of the day when the whole family comes together to break there fast and share there stories you stop for a second an think about the oneness and love it brings along. I will also be participating in the Ramdan event hosted by Lubna of Kitchen flavours and Yasmeen of Healthnut. They are amazing and they have put in an amazing effort for this event. I will definately be posting more recipies for this event.

Cheers to easy cooking!!


Ingredients:
Chicken - 1 cut into medium size pieces(about 14-16 pieces)
Red chili powder - 2 tsp (you can reduce the amount if you don't want it to be spicy)
Salt : 1-1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder : 1/2 tsp
Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp
Onion - 1 sliced

Garam masala powder - 1-1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - hand ful
Green chillies - 3 (slit vertical)


Method:
Mix everything except Garammasala,curry leaves and green chillies in a pan.
Add 2 cups of water and cover. let it cook until all water evaporates.
Now in a separate kadhai (pan) heat 3 tbsp of oil. Add green chillies and saute
until the ends become light brown. Add curry leaves and saute a little more.
Now add the chicken mixture.Also add the garam masala powder.
fry for 10 minutes.

The aroma should fill the room now. Garnish with coriander leaves.
Tada...Dish is ready!!

Hara Chicken

Exquisite Hara Chicken : Inspired by Anjum's Recipe.
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Hello All, Today I have a very tasty chicken for you all. Its mostly the recipe from Anjum's blog. Its perfect as it is but I have made some minute modifications to suit my taste. Believe me! It tastes like the chicken we serve in hyderabadi weddings. Hats off to her for this delicious recipe.



Ingredients :

Chicken - 1 cut into small pieces
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbl spoon
Turmeric(haldi) - 1/4 tsp
Oil 7-8 tbl sp
Salt - 1-1/2 tsp
Vinegar - 2 tsp
Green chilli sauce - 2 tsp
curd - 2 cups
Lemon juice - 1/2 lemon

Garam masala :

dalchini(patta)
Cloves(loung) 4-5
Peppercorns(kalimirchi) - 12
Cardamoms(elaichi) - 8
Cumin Powder(zeera) - 1/2tsp
Coriander Powder - 2 tsp

Hara Masala:
Green chilles 8 big ones
Coriander 1 bunch
Mint Leaves 10 leaves
Fried onions - 21/2 tbl spoons
Cashews - 1/2 cup



Method:

Make a fine paste of the garam masala ingredients listed above. Also make a seperate paste of the hara masala ingredients listed above. Mix haramasala paste with gingergarlic paste and curd and chicken pieces. Marinate for 30 mints.

Heat oil in a pan. Add this chicken mixture,turmeric and salt and cook till curd starts thickening and you see oil oozing out.



Add 1 cup of water,vinegar and cook till chicken becomes tender, Finally add the Garam masala powder, lemon juice & Green chilli sauce .Cook on low flame for some time and garnish with coriander leaves. Delightful!!!!

Family rating : 8.5 /10

Frankies (yeaaahhh)

Frankie (fast Chicken rolls)
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I will be posting a few things I made in the past couple of days. These are inspired by vahchef.
He is an amazing chef and I love making his dishes. First in line is Frankie.
We used to eat frankie in hyderabad at eatstreet. Its more of a snack .....street food which is very filling.
It turned out very good, My bro-inlaw suggested that I can now shift this dish in regular menu :) , he must like it a lot.

It is pretty much similar to chefs recipe with a few differences...

Ingredients:

For dough:

Maida - 3 cups
Wheat flour - 3/4 cup
Salt - 1tsp
oil - 2 tblspn

While making rotis
2 beaten eggs

For gravy:

Chicken - 1 pound
Red chilli powder - 1 tsp (1.1/2 tsp if you eat it spicy)
turmeric (haldi) - 1/4 tsp
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
onion chopped - 1 big
Coriander powder (dhania) - 1 tsp
Cumin powder (zeera powder) - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp
lemon - 1
oil - 3 tblspn
Tomatoes - 2
Bell peppers - 1 chopped
Coriander leaves - handful

Method:

Prepare the dough by mixing maida,wheat flour,salt, oil and water. The should be the same consistency as used to roll out rotis.Let it sit for 10-15 mins.

Take a pan add oil, cumin seeds, ginger and garlic paste and chopped onions and cook till onions are light brown. Now add turmeric, chopped tomatoes,bell pepper chopped, Red chill powder,coriander powder
,cumin powder. Add chicken and a little water. cover and let cook till chicken is well cooked. Now add chaat masala (optional) , lemon juice and coriander leaves,

Now take the dough and make a thin roti and apply oil and spread all over, then sprinkle maida fold it and make it round and press in center and let it rest for 10min,

After 10min role it again into a roti. Now cook on both sides like normal roti in a pan and then apply beaten egg as much as required on one side and flip over. let cook for few seconds.

To assemble the frankie....add the chicken gravy. Garnish with onions and bell peppers. fold and serve hot. Delicious!

Chicken Korma

Chicken Korma ( Chicken curry - Hyderabadi style)
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This is the most simplest recipe for chicken and also the tastiest at the same time. It reminds me of my mom. I still cannot make this korma like her. She makes the most amazing Chicken korma ever. I love you Mom!.

So here is the recipe. Enjoy!.

Ingredients:

1 Chicken cut into medium pieces ( mine were 16 pieces)
Red Chili Powder - 2 tsp
Ginger Garlic paste - 2 tblsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 2tsp
Curd (yogurt) - 1 kg
green chillies - if required
kothmir (Coriander leaves) - 1 cup
pudina (Mint leaves ) - handful
Lemon - 1
Garam masala powder - 1tsp
Fried onions - 1 cup
oil - 1cup (requires more oil for added taste)


Method:



Wash and clean the chicken pieces. Now add Redchilli powder, Turmeric powder , Ginger garlic paste, salt ,curd and fried onions to it.

Mix well. Heat oil in a pan. add the above mixture. mix well till the curd is thick and starts oozing oil. Now add 2 cups water and cover. Let the chicken cook till it softens(this will be very Quick - like 10 minutes). Now add juice of 1 lemon and corriander leaves and mint leaves. Now is the time to taste it and check for salt and add green chillies if required. Add the garam masala powder. Cover again and cook on low flame for 10 minutes. The mouth watering chicken korma is ready!!