Holy Guacamole

The first time I had Guacamole was in this restaurant in Islamabad and just like most of the food in Islamabad is tasteless, that Guacamole was also pathetic. Had a chance to eat it in Lahore but was a bit reluctant , all thanks to the prior experience. Then I tried it in a couple of authentic Mexican restaurants in USA and I loved it.

This recipe is specially for the vegans because OH  MY GOD they complain so much about me not catering to their recipe requests. Not only for vegans but normal people (LOL) can also use it in burgers instead of mayo or as a dip for nachos or chips.

It is an expensive one because Avocados are like 1000 Rs. per kilogram but if it is used properly then one batch last more than a week or probably two.

INGREDIENTS:

4 avocados

4-6 green onions (the white part mostly will be used)

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tomato (1/2 if it is a big one)

2 jalapeno (people in Pakistan can use pickle jalapenos)

half a bunch of coriander leaves, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

1 teaspoon salt

juice of one lime

There is no rocket science in making Guacamole. Just a lot of cutting, chopping and mashing.

Make sure the avocado is ripe because then it will be quite hard to mash it. Cut it from the middle and remove the seed. Take out the avocado flesh with a spoon carefully in a big bowl.

Finely chop the garlic. Add the garlic to the avocado flesh and add juice of one lemon or lime as well.

Mash the avocado and garlic with a fork to the point where no big chunks are visible.

Chop tomatoes, jalapeno, green onions and coriander leaves separately.

Add all of the above chopped vegetables in the mashed avocado mixture with cumin powder and salt.

Mix it properly. that is it and that is all. Guacamole is that easy to make.

Eat it with tortilla chips, nachos or any type of chips and my friend you are going to have a good time.

Cheesy Taco Pasta

Have you ever thought of infusing the taco filling with a pasta? NO? I also did not but I came around a recipe on facebook which is known as Cheesy Taco Pasta and this recipe will satisfy your need for pasta, beef and cheese.

INGREDIENTS:

500 grams minced beef

400 grams canned chopped tomatoes

3 pickled jalapenos

350 grams pasta

1/2 onion finely chopped

salt per taste

2/3rd cup cheddar cheese or more

2/3rd cup mozzarella cheese or more

1/2 cup reserved boiled pasta water

2 tablespoons taco seasoning (ingredients for taco seasoning mention below)

handful of coriander finely chopped for garnishing

INGREDIENTS FOR TACO SEASONING:

1 tablespoon red chhili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ginger powder

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

Boil the pasta according to the packet's instructions and reserves 1/4 cup of boiled pasta water.

Chop the onions and the jalapenos finely.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in pan on medium heat and add chopped onions. Season them well with salt and cook them until they are transparent and tender for about 5 minutes.

Add the chopped jalapenos and cook for another 2 minutes.

Add minced beef and cook until it is not pink any more around 8-10 minutes.

Meanwhile in a grinder mix up the taco seasoning together.

Add the taco seasoning and drain any excessive fat present in the pan.

Mix the seasoning well with the minced beef.

Add the canned tomato and pasta water.

Start adding the shredded cheese as well and keep stirring it for a while until the liquid is about to dry.

Add the cooked pasta now and mix it well. Cheesy Taco Pasta is ready to go into our stomachs.

Sprinkle some finely chopped coriander over the pasta placed nicely in a bowl. Add sliced pickled jalapenos on the side as well and you are good to go for one pasta that you will never forget.

Tandoori Spiced Chicken

HEALTHY CHICKEN RECIPE - EPISODE FIVE

TANDOORI SPICED CHICKEN

How to lose weight?

This question can only be answered if you can get up and exercise. Trust me with this one. If you eat a little right and be consistent on your routine you can end up looking like the hottest person alive while burning all you haters.

All you need is get up and go. To all the people who don't have time to do that I understand because I have been in that position where I could not even take an hour out but HEY! eat healthy. Skip heavier stuff like soft drinks, fried food and even if you eat those don't binge or eat late night.

You're good to go.

Today I'll tell you a grilled chicken recipe with tandoori spices. Hence, the name is Tandoori Spiced Chicken

REALLY REALLY SIMPLE TO MAKE

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups plain yogurt

2 tablespoons grated onion

1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

3 garlic cloves, minced

4 200 grams skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/2 teaspoon salt

Oil to brush on the grill pan

First of all we need to flatten this chicken breast fillet by using the flat surface of the meat hammer.

Then we need to prick the chicken breasts with a fork so the meat consumes maximum marination flavor.

Now we combine, yogurt, grated onion, grated ginger, minced garlic, red pepper, turmeric, cumin powder, oil and salt in a container.

Marinade is ready and now we will dip the chicken in it and coat the meat properly.

Cover the container, keep it in the fridge and let it marinade for 2 hours.

In the meantime you can prepare salad of your choice and boil some bran rice if you want.

I just sliced some carrots, cucumber and onions.

2 HOURS HAVE PASSED. At least you should believe that for the sake of the recipe.

Brush some oil on the grill pan and preheat it on low heat for 10 minutes.

Take out the chicken and sprinkle some more salt on both sides.

Put it on the grill pan and cook it for 7 minutes each side.

Your tandoori spiced chicken is done.

Serve it over a bed of bran rice with salad on the side.

A bit mild for Tandoori Chicken but yes light for the stomach and a nice protein punch in your daily diet. Tandoori Spiced Chicken to the health.

Lemony Chicken Kebabs Tomato Coriander Salad

HEALTHY CHICKEN RECIPE - EPISODE FOUR

LEMONY CHICKEN KEBABS TOMATO CORIANDER SALAD

Today's recipe is just as amazing as the last three entries in the "HEALTHY CHICKEN" series and it has only 6 ingredients. YES YOU HEARD IT RIGHT, not one more not one less but only 6 ingredients (or 6 major ingredients). Lemony Chicken Kebabs Tomato Coriander Salad is chicken grilled in a blend of lemon juice mixed with olive oil and seasoning. Accompanied by a salad that I thought would taste good but with the same ingredients used in marinating the chicken it taste amazing.

INGREDIENTS:

500 grams chicken boneless cut in 1.5 inch cubes

2 tablespoons of minced garlic (1.5 for chicken marination and .5 for salad)

2 tablespoons of dried oregano (1.5 for chicken marination and .5 for salad)

4 lemon's juice (3 for chicken marination and 1 for salad)

2.5 teaspoons salt (2 for chicken marination and .5 for salad)

2.5 teaspoons of crushed black pepper (2 for chicken marination and .5 for salad)

4 tablespoons of olive oil (3 for chicken marination and 1 for salad)

2 cup of coriander leaves

4 medium tomatoes chopped

Marinate the chicken cubes in salt, pepper, minced garlic, oregano, lemon juice and olive oil. 

Mix properly, with your hands and don't be afraid the chicken is dead and it doesn't bite.

Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

Meanwhile the chicken is being marinated we prepare our salad.

Chop the tomatoes and put it in a bowl.

Put the coriander leaves in the same bowl.

Now add salt, pepper, minced garlic, oregano, lemon juice and olive oil.

Mix it properly with a fork or a spoon.

There you go the salad is ready.

Time to grill the chicken.

Take out the grill pan and preheat it on low heat.

Brush some olive oil on it properly.

Put 4-5 chicken cubes on each bamboo skewer.

Turn the heat up to medium and start grilling.

4-6 minutes on each side until its all done.

To plate this kebab dish you need to make a bed of salad in a plate like this and serve the skewers on top.

500 grams of chicken will make up to 8 skewers.

I know you all love kebabs and I know you all are going to love this recipe as well. Make some noise for Lemony Chicken Kebabs Tomato Coriander Salad. Take care of your health please.