Exploring Easy-to-Cook Native American Recipes with Dhaba Flavors

Native American cuisine is rich and diverse, offering a wide range of dishes that reflect the region's abundant natural resources. While some of these recipes may seem daunting at first, they can be adapted and simplified to suit everyday cooking, making them accessible to everyone. In this article, we'll explore two delicious and easy-to-cook Native American recipes: Egg Pulav and Kheema Mattar, which bring a vibrant dhaba-style flavor to your kitchen.

Egg Pulav: A Dhaba-Style Staple

Imagine a vibrant and aromatic dish that's both comforting and easy to prepare - that's Egg Pulav! A staple in many Indian households, this dish is a comforting blend of flavors and textures. Dhaba style cooking often involves a liberal use of spices, and Egg Pulav is no exception.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp mustard seeds 1 tbsp cumin seeds 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste 4 green chillies 1 tbsp kasuri methi 3 tbsp cashew pieces 2 big onions, sliced 2 tomatoes, sliced 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 1 tbsp red chilli powder 1 tbsp coriander powder 1/2 tsp cumin seeds powder 1 cup oil 1/2 tsp mustard seeds 3 - 4 whole Kashmiri red chillies Curry leaves Salt to taste Coriander leaves, for garnish 1/2 cup water 4 boiled eggs

Method:

Heat 3 tbsp oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds, followed by sliced onions. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the onions turn light brown. Add turmeric powder and sliced tomatoes, cooking for 3-4 more minutes. Include the ginger garlic paste and green chillies along with kasuri methi and cashew pieces, cooking for 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and let it cook for 2-3 minutes. Add red chilli powder, coriander powder, and cumin seeds powder. Cook for 3-4 more minutes. Grind the mixture into a smooth paste. Heat 1 cup oil and add 1/2 tsp mustard seeds and 3-4 whole Kashmiri red chillies. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the boiled eggs and fry till they turn light golden brown. Now, add the prepared paste, salt to taste, and 1/2 cup of water. Cook until the gravy thickens slightly. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with rotis, rice, or naan.

Kheema Mattar: A Fill-Faring Delight

Kheema Mattar, a ground meat dish with peas, is a familiar sight in Indian restaurants and homes. This versatile dish is not only satisfying but also perfect for making samosas. Traditionally, it is made with ground lamb or goat, but ground beef can be used as an alternative. The key ingredients, such as ground coriander, garam masala, and cumin, are widely available, making this recipe accessible to everyone.

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 med. onion, peeled and finely chopped 6-7 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 1 pound ground lamb or ground goat or ground beef 1-inch cube of fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated 1-2 fresh hot green chilies, minced 1 tsp ground coriander seed 1 tsp ground cumin seed To 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) 3/4 cup water twice 1 cup shelled peas (fresh or frozen) 1/4 - 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro 2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp garam masala 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice Garam masala (for extracting) - 3 tbsp coriander powder, 2 tbsp cumin powder, 2 tbsp cardamom powder, 2 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 tsp cloves, 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

Method:

Heat the oil in a medium pan over medium-high flame. Add onions and fry, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Add garlic and stir for another minute. Add the ground meat, ginger, green chilies, coriander, cumin, and cayenne (if using). Stir and fry the meat for 5 minutes, breaking up any lumps as you do so. Add water and bring to a boil. Cover, lower the heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the peas, fresh coriander, cilantro, salt, garam masala, and fresh lemon juice. Mix well and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on low heat for another 10 minutes or until the peas are tender. Taste the dish for seasoning and adjust as needed. The dish should be wet but not soupy. Add a little more water if it's too dry. Serve with rice, rotis, or whole wheat flour tortillas.

Keywords: Native American recipes, dhaba-style cooking, easy-to-cook meals

Meta Description: Explore easy-to-cook Native American recipes with a dhaba twist. Discover simple yet flavorful dishes like Egg Pulav and Kheema Mattar, perfect for home cooks.