Tag: #desibreakfasts

Quick and easy desi style fried eggs
Alliyah Dawud
August 8, 2019

Eggs must be the original fast food. They cook quickly, are an affordable protein and eaten as part of a healthy diet will not cause too many problems in the fat department. Yet as a nation we notice periods of TV campaigns to get us enjoying eggs (remember the Mummmmmmm there’s nothing to eat in the Fridge adverts) and the Lion Eggs adverts. It seems we have a lot of negative press one year and good the next.

I love eggs. I enjoy them in salads, with Turkey Bacon (have you tried smoked Turkey Bacon), in crustless quiches and on and on.

But this recipe is more of a hommage to my heritage as a desi person.

These eggs are tangy, spicy and hit the spot for Breakfast, Brunch or even a late Supper. Enjoy on buttered toast or even as a Breakfast Burrito filling.

To serve one person here’s what you will need:

2 large eggs beaten
4 TBSP chopped tinned tomatoes
1 small onion diced finely
1 TSBP oil
Cooking salt-to your own requirement
1/2 TSP ground coriander powder
1/2 TSP ground cumin powder
Freshly ground black pepper (to your taste)
1 TBSP fresh coriander leaves chopped finely
1 fresh green chili finely chopped (optional if you want extra heat)

1) Heat the oil in a frying pan on a medium heat.
2) Add the onions and fry until the onions soften (not brown). Add the green chili if you are using it.
3) Add the salt and spices and fry for about 30 seconds (generally we do this to cook out the spices. Raw spices taste bitter and well harsh on the tongue).
4) Add the tomatoes and fry for one minute.
5) Add the coriander and stir well.
6) Now pour in the eggs. Do not start stirring straight away. Wait about 15 seconds and then gently stir it. The aim is to product ‘clumps’ of fluffy egg.
7) Keep an eye on the heat and stir the egg. It will soon be clumpy. Cook for 2/3 minutes.
8) And voila your eggs are ready. If you have some lemons or lime on hand (or in the fridge looking sorry for itself) give it a squeeze over the eggs. Lemon does something awesome to tomatoes which makes it taste even more amazing.

Enjoy!

Note: you could make this recipe with just egg whites too. Just in case anyone was wondering.

My Freezer essential…Parathas.
Stylemesisteradmin
March 22, 2019

As a child Parathas (Indian style flatbread containing butter-we’re Punjabi) and a fried egg signaled the beginning of the Weekend. But boy did they take time to make. I mean you kneaded the flour, allowed it to rest, rolled out the perfect Paratha then cooked it (but not be overly oily because no one likes greasy fingers right).

And of course the egg would be simply fried with a bit of salt and pepper.

Oh how times have changed. My Mother was a full time stay at home parent until I was a teenager. However I am not. My children don’t have the access to a parent that spends hours in the kitchen creating food of their childhood.

Frozen food has come a long way. A looooong way.

I have a huge well stocked freezer….and one of my favourites (and essentials) is Frozen parathas.

Yes that’s correct. FROZEN PARATHAS.

For real. Companies have upped their game since I was a kid.

Frozen Parathas can be off putting for a lot of people to use (My Mother dislikes them..) however if you follow the directions they are super easy to use.

Firstly these guys are used FROZEN.

No defrosting.

You heat a flat pan (I do own a tava) on a medium heat and place the Paratha on the pan.

You don’t need to add any extra fat guys!

You then literally leave it on the pan for 2 minutes and turn over (with a tongue-I love my wooden tongues and my trusty all rounder ones) and fry on the other side.

You fry until the bread is lightly browned.

I then place it on a piece of kitchen paper and try and remove as much extra fat as possible.

I then serve them.

My children love Paratha rolls. I almost use the Paratha like a tortilla wrap. Its a happy desi medium.

Parathas are awesome for Bihari Kebab rolls, Bombay Frankies, Pakora Wraps….these babies are awesome.

I pick up a pack of 5 plan Parathas for £1.29. You can also get Alu (Potato) Parathas, Gobi (Cauliflower), and Methi (Fenugreek) and a range of other flavours too. There’s also Lache (multi layered) Punjabi Parathas you can try.

Now these are not the healthiest item in the world. But they are awesome for weekend breakfasts.

Most important question is though: how do you take your eggs and Desi tea with your Paratha?