Its love in the air

Its exhilarating to know a love story, isn't it?

 This one is straight out of kitchen.

Nancy, a complete foodie at heart, and a wonderful cook herself   always dreamt of marrying a chef. She shares with us her mom's words - "A man who cooks well owns a beautiful heart..." So her decision was made!

Rahul, a dreamer, with hotel management degree from Oxford University and a great career as a chef in London, met Nancy in the Gurudwara. Yes, this love story was arranged!

The planned 10 minute short encounter extended to two hours, theirs eyes met, their hearts clicked. It was a match made in heaven, and Rahul and Nancy tied the knot and took their vows...he vowed to cook for her all life and she vowed to fuel his dreams and support him with love and understanding!

With passing years, the bond has only strengthened and they are now proud parents of a sweet 5-year-old. As Nancy shares, "the click between us was very strong and marination of our life in our courtship still tastes very well, and we add a new spice each day ".

As they say, "Love doesn't mean gazing at each other but looking together in the same direction"! Both Nancy and Rahul have pursued their dreams and are a power couple. Nancy has pursued story telling and is a budding story teller in Delhi NCR with great experience with kids in her kitty. Rahul is a chef in and out, and heads the brand @Streetfoodsbypunjabgrill. 

Nancy shares how having a chef husband like Rahul, makes each day a celebration. As they both love cooking, they love creating magic in the kitchen together and celebrate the smallest of occasions. He is a hard-core chef, generous at heart and pocket; and she is a conservative banker by mind, and a wonderful cook at heart. They compliment each other completely. It makes them proud to see their junior growing with the best of both traits..

Their favorite dish that they love making together is butter chicken, its their USP and very famous with their family and friends. The irony? Nancy is a vegetarian, so they save a bowl of gravy for Nancy before adding chicken! Cool it is, win win! If you want to have it, you must plan a visit to @Streetfoodsbypunjabgrill.

We wish Nancy and Rahul eternity of togetherness and happiness, tw...keep cooking and eating!

They shared their special Dum biryani recipe with us. This is direct from the Chef's kitchen and a must try!

Ingredients:

1. Desi ghee: 150 g

2. Refined oil: 150 mL

3. Cinammon stick: 20 g

4. Tej patta: 20 g

5. Star Anise

6. Javitri: 15g

7. Clove: 10 g

8. Black cardamom: 15 g

9. Green cardamom: 15 g

10. Onion (cut into rings): 400 g

11. Green chilies: 40 g

12: Ginger garlic paste: 100 g

13. Turmeric powder: 1 Tbsp

14. Kashmiri chilly powder: 2 tbsp

15. Tomato pure: 300 mL

16. salt: 5 tsp

17. Elaichi powder: 2 tsp

18. Coriander powder: 2 tsp

19. Biryani masala: 2 tsp

20. Kasoori methi: 1 tbsp

21. Chicken: 1 kg

22. Curd: 500 g

23. Coriander leaves: 50 g

24. Mint leaves: 50 g

25. Brown onion: 50 g

26. Hot water: 4 L

27. Shahi jeera: 2 tsp

28. Mint and coriander leaves: 50 g

29. Kadha masala: 30 g

30. Oil: 150 g

31. Lemon juice: 2 tsp

32: Rice: 2 Kg (soak in water for 40 min)

33: Rose petals: 1 tsp
34. Saffron water: 4 tbsp
35. Rose water: 2 tbsp

36. Handi

Method:

1)      Take ghee & oil in a pan and put on slow fire.

2)      Add cinnamon stick, bay leaves, shahi jeera, star fool, javitri, black cardamom; green cardamom.

3)      Sauté for 3 minutes till light brown.

4)      Add onion, green chili and sauté for 5-7 minutes till onion gets brown in color.

5)      Add ginger garlic paste & mix well.

6)      Add turmeric powder, kashmiri mirch; stir well.

7)      Add tomato puree and sauté for 3-5 minutes on medium flame.

8)      Add salt, coriander powder, coriander leaves & mint leaves.

9)      Add elaichi powder, biryani masala, kasoori methi.

10)  Add chicken & mix well.

11)  Add curd. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes. Keep stirring.

12)  Add brown onion & mint leaves. Biryani masala is ready

13)  Take water in a separate pan and bring to boil.

14)  Add Shahi jeera, black cardamom, rose Patti, coriander & mint leaves. Boil for 15 minutes.

15)  Add oil and salt.

16)  Add rice to water on high flame.

17)  Add lemon juice while 20% rice is cooked.

18)  Cook rice for 10 minutes.

19)  Strain the rice & add over Biryani Masala which was prepared in a separate pan.

20)  Add brown onion & mint leaves.

21)  Pour ghee and rose water on top.
22) To prepare saffron water , put some petals in normal temperature water and keep aside for 15 minutes.

22)  Pour saffron water and cover the Handi with help of dough placed on the corners of Handi to avoid steam loss.

23)  Keep the pan over a Tawa on slow fire.

24)  Cook for 15 minutes and Chicken Dum Biryani is ready.

Can you feel the aroma, I sure can!!!