Episode 42: Kali Daal (Black Lentil) victorious return with Fresh Roti (Bread)

Wednesday December 19th, 2012:
What can I say.  Chef Aliya made Fresh Roti with Kali Daal.  Daal (Lentil) was DELICIOUS.  I think even better than previous couple of times. The whole house is a fan of Chef Aliya's Daal.  Looking forward to another Black Daal Dinner.

1 - Just Perfect!!

Episode 41: Torai, also known as Luffa by chef Aliya

Monday December 17, 2012:
Writing this blog is rewarding to me at many levels.  One of them is learning new things.  For this episode, my lesson was discovering exactly what Torai, a vegetable I have been eating all my childhood, is. According to wikipedia, it is called Luffa.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luffa)

Torai was very good.  Sweet, spicy and a very good leftover meal.  

2 - Close to Perfection

Episode 40: Richer Curry

Saturday December 15th, 2012:
Chef Aliya made curry today, 2nd of 3rd time in her life I think and got same amazing results as her first success. I am going to quote myself from Episode 25, 
"The Taste was rich, full of flavor, slightly spicy and the fried dumplings were loaded with onion strings".

I think the trick to a good Pakistani Curry is a great dumpling first and then a good curry sauce.  My chef is a master in both.  

1 - Just Perfect!!!

Episode 39: The Return of Kofta (Meatballs)

Friday December 7th, 2012:
Kofta dinner returns after 3 weeks.  Chef Aliya's first Kofta debuted Nov 14th (Episode 26).  

Positives: There was more onion/green chili in each meatball.  The color was the salan (Stew) was much more redder than before and nice amount of floating oil layer on top (which I love)

Negatives: The return was equally delicious although meat was less "melt in your mouth" and I definitely missed eating fresh dhaniya (coriander) with it.

All I remember, I ate 7 of them in one sitting... and more than 15 in all.  This fact might be a little inflated so don't quote me but I picture a bucket full of them, me sitting with a fork in hand eating and watching Lord of the Rings reruns back to back ;)

2 - Close to Perfection

Episode 38: Kali Daal loaded with Garlic Bhagaar (A wish comes true)

Wednesday December 5th, 2012
After a day of Apple lunch and Protein shake Chef Aliya prepared Kali Daal (Black Gram Sabut Urad Dal) on my request.  She is not a huge fan of it but this little super lentil has been a staple meal for me since childhood.  Especially now that I am slightly more health conscious, knowing that lentil provides good plant based protein I love Kali Daal even more.  Kali (Black) Daal (Lentil) by Chef Aliya was nothing I have tasted before... it was packed full of flavor mostly because she cooks it for a long time and loads it with a ton of sauteed garlic, ginger and onion.

I can fill a glass or jug and just simply drink this stuff.  YUM!!!

1 - Just Perfect!!!

Episode 37: Organized Slightly Salted Apples for Lunch

Wednesday December 5th, 2012
No cooking involved here but wanted to share/document how Chef Aliya prepares my office lunch.  In this case its apples, lightly rubbed with salt and arranged.

1 - Just Perfect!!! (on prep and presentation)

Episode 36: Okra Wow Okra (Bhindi)

Monday December 3rd, 2012:
October 17th 2012 was the last time we had Okra and it received best Okra award from Blog Editor (that's me).  Aliya's second attempt at making Okra held strong and compared exactly with October Okra (Check out Episode 16 Wow Okra Wow).  In all, it was delicious.  PS: Yes, I love writing/saying "Okra".

1 - Just Perfect!!!

Episode 35: Chinese Rice and Chicken to Start Last Month of 2012

Saturday, December 1st, 2012:

So its 1st day of last month of this wonderful 2012.  Chef Aliya prepared one of my favorite Chinese rice and chicken.  I will let the beautiful pic explain how yummy this meal was.  One note to add, Aliya did went a little easy on spices this time but I am sure to make up for this, next Chinese Rice and Chicken dish will be "knock your socks off" spicy ;)

Best Chinese chicken title holder is still Episode 22 (From Nov 4th 2012).

2 - Close to Perfection

Chef Aliya Goes Global

chefaliyaali.blogspot.com goes Global.  
Surprising to see Russia and Germany in the mix.  Yes our viewership is tiny but this is a tiny blog and to see its tiny reach is nice.  

More yummy episodes to come soon.

Episode 34: Malai Koftay Sandwiches

Saturday, December 1st, 2012
Aliya took Malai Koftay (Vegetarian Meatballs), mash them, add them to toasted bread slices and fresh parsley. YUM  I Love Malai Koftay Sandwiches.  A good example to take leftovers and recreate them into perfect meals.

1 - Just Perfect!!

Episode 33: Malai Koftay inspired by Agra Restaurant

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012
Back in early November my brother and his wife invited Aliya and I to an Agra Indian Restaurant (Link) to celebrate Aliya's birthday.  We had an excellent meal of Malai Koftay (vegetarian version of meatballs), samosa, pakora, sauces and chutneys.
Aliya had been wanting to make this dish.  As a first timer, she did a great job.  I think she was disappointed about the texture (using cottage cheese made it difficult to hold their meatball shape) but texture and taste was excellent.  I don't believe I would be able to distinguish Chef Aliya's version from Agra's.  Only thing missing at dinner were fresh naan :P  Family loved it too so we do have a winner here.  

2 - Close to Perfection (check out Episode 34 to see why Malai Koftay only receive a 2)

Episode 32: I have a Beef with Chicken Haleem

Tuesday, November 27th, 2012
Chef Aliya made Haleem (with Beef) in Episode 28 and scored a perfect 1.  She came back with her favorite Haleem (with Chicken).  
This was my first time eating Chicken Haleem so i definitely miss the beef flavor BUT Haleem itself was excellent.  Aliya prepared the add-on goodies perfectly (fried onion, parsley, green chilli peppers, ginger and lime.
This is a tough one because taste and texture of Haleem was excellent but because Beef Haleem is my favorite I would give it a 2.  Wish I could give it a 1.5 ;)  All in all, chef Aliya is a proper Haleem Expert in my dictionary.

2 - Close to Perfection

Episode 31: Malai Chicken Party in the Kicthen

Saturday, November 24, 2012
On a lovely Saturday afternoon chef Aliya prepared Malai Chicken.  Normally I don't get to witness the great chef in action but on this day I stuck around kitchen and helped setup the electric grill.  The boneless chicken pieces went into marination 3 days ago so I knew I was in for a treat.

My favorite part... We ate right off the grill.  As pieces were cooked, one by one they started to disappear.  Chicken had a melt in your mouth texture and marinating it for 3 days meant flavors went all the way through.  We took out some frozen Naan and Parathas (breads) and it was a 2 hour delicious party in the kitchen.

1 - Just Perfect!!