A tasty meal for 2 with just a few ingredients

Hubby and I had dinner last night and as we enjoyed the simple and tasty fare I realised all I needed to create the same flavours at home were just a few ingredients and of course the passion to cook. So here is a simple meal for two that is easy to make and yet can be a mini feast by adding just an delicious dessert and yummy starter.

MENU: Roti, Mixed Vegetable, Pulao, Raita

To add the extra jazz you can add any dessert of your choice.. it could be a store bought ice cream or home made kheer/payasam.

And the starter could be a kebab or cutlet, french fries or mini toasts or even a warm soup. When you have a small get together, add a cocktail or fruit mocktail or just plain fresh fruit juice and you are all set.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR A SIMPLE MEAL FOR TWO:

1-2 medium sized carrots, 10 beans, 2 onions, 1 cup shelled peas, 2 medium sized tomatoes, 1 cucumber, 1 cup curds, 2 cups wheat flour, 1 cup rice, a few spices (cloves, cardamom, turmeric powder, chilli powder, bay leaf, pepper corns, cinnamon, garam masala, coriander powder, cumin seeds), oil and of course salt

METHOD:

Cut the carrots into small cubes. Cut half the beans into 1/2 inch pieces and the remaining finely chop. Chop the onions finely and puree the tomatoes in a blender. Finely chop or grate the cucumber. Knead the wheat flour into a dough. Cook the rice with a little less water so that the grains are separate.

MIXED VEGETABLE:

Par boil the 1/2 inch beans pieces, half the carrots and half the peas. Drain and keep aside.

In a little oil, add cumin seeds (jeera). Add half of the chopped onions and fry till translucent. Add the tomato puree. Put in 1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi), 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp coriander powder (dhaniya) and salt to taste. Cover and cook for 5 mins.

Add the par boiled vegetables. Spirnkle some garam masala on top, cover and cook till done.

PULAO:

Boil the peas and keep aside.

In a little oil add 1-2 cloves (lavang), a small pieces of cinnamon, 1 dried bay leaf (tej patta), 2-3 pepper corns and 1 cardamom (elaichi). Once the aroma starts coming, add the onions and fry till translucent.

Add the carrots and beans and cook till half done.

Add the peas and cooked rice. Add salt to taste and mix. Be carfeful to not break the rice. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Note: If you feel the rice is too dry, sprinkle some water, cover and cook.

ROTI:

Divide the dough into 2-4 portions. Roll each portion into a 1/2 cm thick round and cook in the tava/griddle on both sides till brown spots appear. You can apply ghee/clarified butter on top and serve

RAITA:

Peel and grate or finely chop the cucumber. Mix with the curds. Chill and serve.