DINNER TONIGHT - PART I

Monday blues set in as early as a bright and sunny Sunday morning. So the Sunday Dinner needs to be Quick, Simple, Appealing and Healthy. 

After all, an entire week rests on how you feel on a Monday morning, isn't it ? ;-)

Philosophy (gyaan) apart, today's dinner was all those things - especially quick since it was made out of "available" ingredients at home.

Today's post is split into 2 separate posts, Part I and Part II - Dinner followed by Dessert of course.

Mackerel (Bangda) with Crackling Spinach (big name for fried spinach leaves) and Salad

Ingredients already in stock at home:

1. Mackerel (bangda) gutted, cleaned and washed

2. Spinach Leaves

3. Bocconcini Cheese (I guess Paneer / Cottage Cheese or similar will do - but this ingredient is optional)

4. Broccoli

So this is the way Dinner was made:

1. For the Fish: Marinate it in your favourite marinade :-) OR

Mix together:

Red Chili Powder

Pepper Powder

Coriander Powder (optional)

Salt and 

Lemon (i used a drop of vinegar when lemon is not available)

Use a drop or two of water to make a smooth paste and apply all over the fish and keep aside at least for 1/2 hour.

You can now proceed to the salad and spinach leaves (prep give below) while the fish marinates. After 1/2 hour, fry the fish as it is in some oil on a hot griddle (tawa) else coat the fish with semolina (rawa) / rice flour and fry the same. Today i coated the fish in semolina and used Garlic and Butter for frying. And it tasted good. But it tastes equally good without the garlic-butter add on.

So fish done.

2. For the Salad:

Bocconcini Cheese (optional) sliced into roundels

Tomato chopped into circles

Boiled Potato cut into bites

Broccoli florets - boiled a bit in water (blanched)

Add or delete whatever other veggies/ non-veg bites you might prefer in the salad e.g. green beans, sprouts, boiled chicken shreds, etc.

Dressing: 

Today's salad dressing was made from Honey, Dijon Mustard paste, salt, pepper and some vinegar (you can use lemon juice instead). Add any herbs if you like to - i added some dried oregano. Also added some virgin coconut oil (or you can add olive oil) to get an emulsified dressing. 

Keep both the dressing and mixed salad ingredients separately in the fridge until serving time. Just before serving, add a spoon or two of dressing over the salad and mix well. Check for seasoning, if needed.

3. For the Crackling Spinach:

Wash spinach leaves and dry them on a tea towel. 

Then simply sprinkle some cornflour / rice flour (used rice flour today) over the spinach leaves. Dust and fry them in oil - take care since the spinach will crackle in the oil due to some water particles.

That's it. Meal Ready. Yes, this does look like it's missing out on the rice and roti staple - but then its quite a filling wholesome meal. Enjoyy.....and check out the next post for dessert :-)