From baking and scrambling to poaching, there are infinite ways to transform eggs into delicious meals. They are an important and versatile ingredient for cooking. Eggs are a very good source of inexpensive, high quality protein. More than half the protein of an egg is found in egg white along with vitamin B2. Our first recipe is the ultimate protein recipe using eggs and the technique of baking.

Our second recipe is a pilaf dish, in which rice is cooked in seasoned broth. In some cases, the rice may also attain its brown color by being stirred with pieces of cooked onion, as well as a mix of spices. Depending on local tastes, it may also contain meat, fish, vegetables, pasta and dry fruits. It is also known as pilav, pilau, pilafi, pulao, etc. Pilaf and similar dishes are common in Middle Eastern homes. It is a staple food and a national dish in Afghanistan, Turkey and many other countries. Delicious, light and nutritious rice pilaf is the perfect meal to add to any menu.

Shrimps are one of the most loved seafood world over, and they are gradually gaining popularity in the Middle East as well. They can be grilled, sautéed, baked or pan fried. Some of their health benefits include improved bone and brain health, weight management, and a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease. Shrimps are a high-benefit option for increasing your overall health in a truly delicious way. A simple and a quick shrimp recipe is given below. Remember, never overcook shrimps!

RECIPE 1

BAKED EGGS VEGETABLE LOAF

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 15 to 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 zucchini

Few cauliflower florets

1 small red onion

Handful of chopped spring onions

2 baby tomatoes

Handful of cilantro leaves

A teaspoon of finely chopped ginger

A teaspoon of oregano leaves

A teaspoon of salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoon of milk

3 eggs

METHOD:

1) Beat eggs in a deep bowl.

2) Add milk, salt and pepper to it and beat well.

3) Chop all the above veggies and keep aside.

4) Grease a small rectangular dish and pour chopped veggies in it.

5) Sprinkle chopped ginger and oregano over the veggies.

6) Now pour the beaten egg over it.

7) Place the vegetable loaf dish in a preheated oven.

8) Bake it at 175 C for 15 to 20 minutes.

9) Keep a check and unmold it in a dish.

10) Cut into equal slices and relish it with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

RECIPE 2

MUTTON PILAF

Serves: 4

Time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS:

1 mutton/lamb chops, pricked

2 cups rice, washed and soaked

4 black cardamoms

1 teaspoon peppercorns

6 green chillies

1 teaspoon garam masala powder

6 cloves

1 inch piece of cinnamon, broken roughly

4 tablespoons of oil

One and a half cup onions, sliced uniformly

2 teaspoon salt (as required)

1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste

1 cup beaten yogurt

2 cups hot water — for the rice

Pinch of food color

A cup of fried onions for garnishing

METHOD:

1) Heat the ghee in a pan and add the cardamom, peppercorns, red chillies and cloves.

2) When they darken a bit, add the onions and cook till transparent.

3) Add ginger-garlic paste and 1 teaspoon of garam masala powder.

4) Add the meat, salt, chillies and yogurt and mix well.

5) Stir fry till meat is opaque and then add two cups of water.

6) Bring to a boil and lower the heat and cook covered till meat is tender.

7) Add rice to it and mix liquid, meat and rice together.

8) Bring to a boil, lower the heat and cook covered for ten minutes.

9) Sprinkle the color dissolved in one teaspoon of kewra water and continue to cook for a few more minutes.

10) Garnish it with fried onions and serve hot with mint sauce.

RECIPE 3

LEMON SHRIMP SIZZLER

Preparation and Cooking time: 10 to 12 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 kg peeled and deveined shrimps

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 teaspoon of garlic paste

Juice of one lemon

Salt (as required)

1 tablespoon of oyster soya sauce

1 teaspoon of crushed red chillies

A teaspoon of dry basil leaves

Cilantro leaves for garnishing

METHOD:

1)Sauté 1 teaspoon of garlic paste in olive oil.

2)Add 1 kg deveined and cleaned shrimps, sauté it.

3)Add juice of 1 lemon and soya sauce.

4)Add salt and red chillies flakes.

5)Sauté it on high flame till all its water dries up. Dish it out

(do not overcook).

6)Sprinkle basil leaves over it.

7)Dish it out in a hot sizzler.

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