Innovative Ways to Cook Common Dishes and Save Time

Are you tired of the same old recipes? Looking for ways to save time and still enjoy a delicious meal? Look no further! In this article, I will share some innovative and time-saving techniques to cook common dishes. Not only will you save valuable time, but you can also enjoy a variety of meals with minimal effort. Let's dive in!

Repurposing Curry: Chole Curry and Chana (Chickpea) Biryani

Who said you have to cook a new curry every day? By using what you already have, you can make meal planning a breeze. Here’s how you can turn your leftover Chole Curry into a delicious and quick Chana Biryani.

Step 1: If you want to prepare a Chole Curry in advance:

Cook a simple Chole Curry on the first day. It couldn't be easier; just throw everything together and let it simmer. Store the leftover curry in the fridge.

Step 2: Use the leftover curry to make Chana Biryani

Cook your leftover Chole Curry with additional spices such as cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, and turmeric to enhance the flavor. Fry onions and tomatoes in a mixie to make a paste. Boil the chickpeas (chana) in fresh water with salt, lemon, and the fried onion paste until they are tender. If you have pre-soaked chana, you can skip this step and just add the cooled chana directly into the curry. Once the rice is cooked, spread the chickpeas on top and cover it for 5 minutes. Then, sprinkle the fried onions and eggs (if using) on top.

This Chana Biryani is a perfect mix of flavors and textures, and it can be served with rotis or any other bread of your choice.

More Creative Options: Lobia, Rajma, and Brinjal Masalas

Using the same technique, you can transform any leftover masala into a variety of dishes. Here are some more creative ideas:

Lobia Masala: Boil the lentils with water and spices, then add them to the leftover masala curry to create a cozy, hearty dish. Serve it with a side of steamed rice. Rajma Masala: Combine the leftover rajma masala with boiled rajma and add additional spices as needed. You can also serve this with some basmati rice and a green salad. Brinjal Masala: Dice the brinjals and cook them in the leftover masala curry. Serve this alongside a side of rice and cucumber raita.

Simplify with Leftover Biryani

Don’t stop at biryanis; you can also use leftover masala curry to make quick and healthy biryanis. Here’s how:

Cook your basmati rice according to the instructions, mixing in some lemon and coriander paste to add freshness. Parboil or poach the eggs for your protein source. In a separate pan, heat the leftover masala curry until it has warmed through. If it’s too thick, you can add a little water to thin it out. Spread the warm rice on a large plate, spoon the masala curry over the top, and cover with the parboiled eggs and fried onions (if using).

Voila! A quick, healthy, and flavorful meal in just 20 minutes. You can use this method with any leftover curry, making meal planning a breeze.

By following these tips, you can extend the shelf life of your ingredients and invent new flavors while saving time. Now, who’s ready for a quick and delicious dinner?