“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
At Rematch, we would like you, our readers, to think of our website as a one-stop location for most of your relationship needs. And while brainstorming for what would add value to Rematch users, we realised that food, required for the basic nourishment of the body, was never included in our list of blogs. So, here we set out 4 easy recipes to tide you over, if you are living alone and have never had to cook for yourself. Moreover, being able to cook simple, nourishing food is a surefire way to impress your match.
Now, rice is the ubiquitous main course in most of peninsular India. We also know that many think of cooking rice as a difficult proposition and time-consuming. Hence, we have set out a simple Pulao as our first recipe. Except for the quantity of rice and water, all the other ingredients can be reduced or eliminated. Here goes:
Vegetable Pulao (Simple One-Pot Rice)
Why it’s easy: A one-pot meal combining rice and vegetables. Quick to assemble, especially using a pressure cooker. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Key Ingredients:
1 cup Basmati Rice, rinsed.
1 tbsp Ghee or Oil.
1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds.
Few whole spices (optional but recommended): 1 small Bay Leaf, 2 Cloves, 1 small piece Cinnamon Stick, 1-2 Green Cardamom Pods.
1 small Onion, thinly sliced.
1/2 inch Ginger, grated or minced.
1-2 cloves Garlic, minced.
1 cup Mixed Vegetables (e.g., carrots, peas, beans, potatoes – chopped) available as frozen packets.
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder (optional, for colour).
1/2 tsp Garam Masala or Biryani Masala.
Salt to taste.
Approx 1.75 – 2 cups Water (check rice packet or cooker instructions).
Basic Steps (Pressure Cooker):
Heat ghee/oil in the pressure cooker base. Add cumin seeds and whole spices (if using). Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add sliced onions and sauté until golden brown. Add ginger and garlic, sauté for another 30 seconds. Add the mixed vegetables, turmeric powder (if using), garam masala/biryani masala, and salt. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the rice to the cooker. Mix gently for 1 minute. Add the required amount of water and check salt (water should taste slightly salty). Close the lid and pressure cook for 1-2 whistles (or follow cooker instructions for rice). Let the pressure release naturally for 5-10 minutes before opening. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Serve hot, maybe with some yogurt or pickle.
Dal Tadka (Tempered Lentils)
Why it’s easy: A staple food, very forgiving, nutritious, and cooks relatively quickly, especially with a pressure cooker. The ‘tadka’ (tempering) at the end adds a burst of flavour with minimal effort. Great with rice or roti.
Key Ingredients:
1/2 cup Toor Dal (split pigeon peas) or Masoor Dal (red lentils) – rinsed well.
1 small Onion, finely chopped.
1 small Tomato, finely chopped.
1/2 inch Ginger, grated or minced.
1-2 cloves Garlic, minced.
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder.
1/2 tsp Chili Powder (adjust to taste).
Salt to taste.
Water (approx 1.5 – 2 cups).
For Tadka: 1 tbsp Ghee or Oil, 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds, 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds, 1 pinch Asafoetida (Hing), 1 Dried Red Chili (optional), few Curry Leaves (optional).
Basic Steps:
Combine rinsed dal, onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, turmeric powder, chili powder, salt, and water in a pressure cooker. Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles (or follow cooker instructions for lentils, about 15-20 mins on stovetop until soft). Let the pressure release naturally. Mash the dal slightly with the back of a spoon if you prefer a smoother consistency. Check salt and add a little hot water if it’s too thick.
Prepare Tadka: Heat ghee/oil in a small pan. Add mustard seeds; when they pop, add cumin seeds, hing, and dried red chili/curry leaves (if using). Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour this hot tadka over the cooked dal and mix gently. Serve hot with rice or roti.
Simple Aloo Sabzi (Potato Stir-fry)
Why it’s easy: Potatoes are cheap and readily available. This is a dry vegetable dish that requires basic chopping and sautéing. It’s a great accompaniment to dal and rice/roti.
Key Ingredients:
2 medium Potatoes, peeled and cubed.
1 small Onion, sliced or chopped (optional).
1 tbsp Oil.
1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds (optional).
1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds.
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder.
1/2 tsp Chili Powder (adjust to taste).
1/2 tsp Coriander Powder (optional).
Salt to taste.
Fresh Coriander leaves for garnish (optional).
Basic Steps:
Heat oil in a pan or kadai over medium heat. Add mustard seeds (if using); when they pop, add cumin seeds. Sauté for a few seconds. Add onions (if using) and sauté until translucent (about 2-3 minutes). Add the cubed potatoes, turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder (if using), and salt. Mix well to coat the potatoes. Cover the pan and cook on low-medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender (check by piercing with a fork). Add a splash of water if they start sticking. Once cooked, you can increase the heat slightly for a minute or two to make them slightly crispy if desired. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves (if using) and serve.
Egg Bhurji (Indian Spiced Scrambled Eggs)
Why it’s easy: Very quick to make, high in protein, uses common ingredients. Perfect for a quick breakfast, lunch, or light dinner.
Key Ingredients:
2 Eggs.
1 small Onion, finely chopped.
1 small Tomato, finely chopped.
1 Green Chili, finely chopped (optional, adjust to taste).
1/2 inch Ginger, grated or minced (optional).
1 tbsp Oil or Butter.
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder.
1/4 tsp Chili Powder (optional, adjust to taste).
Salt to taste.
Pinch of Garam Masala (optional, for finishing).
Fresh Coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish).
Basic Steps:
Heat oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and green chili (if using). Sauté until onions are soft and translucent (about 3-4 minutes). Add ginger (if using) and sauté for another 30 seconds. Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, chili powder (if using), and salt. Cook until tomatoes soften (about 2-3 minutes). Crack the eggs directly into the pan. Scramble the eggs with a spatula, mixing them well with the onion-tomato mixture. Cook, stirring continuously, until the eggs are cooked through to your liking (usually 2-3 minutes). Turn off the heat. Stir in a pinch of garam masala (if using) and garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot with roti, bread, or pav (Indian bread rolls).
Enjoy your cooking and impress your date! These are basic templates, feel free to adjust spices and ingredients based on your taste.
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