Taj Mahal Restaurant, Jamaica, NY

If your are getting in or out of JFK International Airport, NY , the Taj Mahal Restaurant in Jamaica is a good place to eat.

Its a small place with simple decor but is clean, cozy and inexpensive. The staff is friendly and the food is delicious. We went there recently on our way back home from the airport.

We ordered some Malai Kababs, Chicken Samosas, Vegetable Samosas, Butter Chicken, Mixed Vegetable Curry (I think it was Jalfrezi) Roti, Naan, Mango Lassi and Lamb Biryani.

The Biryani , Vegetable Samosas and Vegetable Curry were not bad , they were OK. But the Lassi, Chicken Samosas, Butter Chicken were awesome. Their Rotis are excellent, fresh from the griddle hot and the kababs sizzle :) The salad they serve complimentary is also very light n fresh , without any dressing.

The Chai, we did not like much, may be because by the time we had it in the car it had become cold.

They also had freshly made Paans (for those who eat) but we dint get a chance to try them.

All in all we left the place with content bellies.

Who:  Taj Mahal Restaurant and Party Hall

Where: 14801 Hillside Ave

             Jamaica, NY 11435
             718- 297 - 2201

When:  Mon - Sun
            10 a.m - 11 p.m

What: Mango Lassi
           Roti/ Paratha
           Butter Chicken
           Chicken Samosa
           Malai Kabab

Website:  http://www.tajmahalny.com

Desi Chicken Pot Pie

 

 

Ingredients:

• 2 sheets puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten
• 4 chicken breast halves, or 2 cups leftover cooked chicken
• 2 tbsps cooking oil
• 1/3 cup butter
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 quart heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp. minced garlic
• 1/2 small yellow onion, minced
• 1 cup frozen green peas, 
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• Pinch fresh grated nutmeg, optional
• 1 tbsp. Garam Masala Powder
• salt and pepper to taste.
• 
  Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Season chicken with seasoned salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute until cooked through. Remove from heat and cut into chunks. Or  use precooked chicken.

In a large saucepan, melt butter and then slowly add flour, keep stirring , do not let it brown. Slowly add cream and keep stirring. Add chicken stock, garlic, carrots and onion and stir until thickened. Add peas, nutmeg, if using, and cut up chicken. Add garam masala . Remove from heat.

Roll out the puff pastry  sheet. Brush the outside edges of the bowl with the egg wash, then place the dough on top. Trim the circle to 1/2-inch larger than the top of the bowl. Crimp the dough to fold over the side, pressing it to make it stick. Brush the dough with egg wash and make 3 slits in the top. Sprinkle with sea salt and more garam masala powder. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Decrease the heat to 400 degrees F and bake until the crust is puffed and golden brown and the filling is bubbly, another 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes before serving. 

Time Saving Tip:

I make the chicken base and cook the pot pie in two batches. Use half of the base and one sheet of pastry for one day, freeze the rest and reuse it some other day. Tastes equally good.

No Bake Eggelss Choco Peanut Butter and Oats Cookies

A quick, easy to make and fun recipe for after school or playdate snack. Its a eggless recipe which requires no baking at all. If you think you dont like no-bake cookies, these will change your mind for sure. Its also a perfect recipe to get kids involved in the kitchen. My 3 yr old son enjoyed stirring and spooning the cookies.

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
4 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
3 cups oatmeal

Directions

In a heavy saucepan bring to a boil, the sugar, cocoa, butter and milk. Let boil for 1 minute then add peanut butter, vanilla and oatmeal. Stir so the oatmeal is coated with the chocolate mixture. On a sheet of waxed paper, drop mixture by the teaspoonfuls, let it cool completely and harden.



I am sending this to Srivallis Kids Delight Event hosted by Priya and to Ayesha's Anyone can Cook event
Enjoy !