KASHMIRI PULAO

Rice can be an extremly versatile grain.. pulao or pilaf is equally versatile ... same rice grain can taste really different with addition of different ingredients and spices.
This kashmiri pulao uses some very basic ingredients yet is very yummy. the best part is the chopped fruits and nuts which add crunch to the pulao.

You Need
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2-3 cloves
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
• 2-3 green cardamom
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 green chilli, sliced thinly
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• few tbsp of ghee
• 1 cup of mixed nuts ( almonds,cashews, walnuts and raisin)
• 1 cup milk + few strands of saffron
• 1 cup water
• chopped fruits (grapes and apples )

How to Make
In a pan roast dry fruits using little ghee. Set aside
In another pan add ghee . Add all the spices ( nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, bay leaf and cumin)
Add ginger garlic paste and chillies.
Add washed rice and saute rice till aromatic.
Add milk and water. Cover and cook.
Add nuts just before rice is fully done.
Serve hot garnished with fruits

Home Made Brown Bread

We were planning to bake bread at a friend's house.. her mom in law said" why work so much when you can easily get a bread for 15 bucks at the bakery." quite famously I told her " coz we are wonder women.. baking, working, nappy changing, house keeping all at one go..;).."
On a more serious note i feel baking bread at home has more to do with satisfaction than taste.. since we don't generally have enough muscle power to knead the atta well.. resulting in a heavier bread than commercial bakery breads. so if you can build bread muscles bread baking is for you..:)
This one is a good recipe that I have adapted from http://www.chefinyou.com/

You need
2-1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/ tsp salt
2 tbsp brown sugar( can use normal sugar color wud be lighter though)
1 tsp active dry yeast
4 tbsp butter
7/8 cup lukewarm water ( almost a cup of water)
How to Proceed
Mix salt in the flour and Rub in the butter with your fingertips making it grainy mix.
In about 1/4 cup water out of the total , mix sugar and yeast. Be careful about water not being more than 26 deg Celsius. Let the mixture stand until it becomes frothy.
Add the yeast mixture to the flour and make a soft dough using rest of the water.
The dough has to be soft and not sticky..knead using all the muscle u can develop :)
Put the smooth dough in a oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap or towel.
Let it rise until doubled in a warm air draft free space.
Once doubled punch down the dough and knead again.
Make it into a smooth cylinder shape and place it in a loaf pan and again cover and let it rise again in the pan until almost double in height.
Bake in a preheated oven at about 200 C or 425 F for 25 to 30 minutes or until the crust is golden. Make sure not to over bake or the bread will be hard and brittle.