
The kids turned 6 and 2 couple of month ago(I know I am late to post this!!). We had a combined party for both of them. We decided to have it at our home this time. Last year when we moved into this house, it was one of my dreams to have some large parties. So how could I not have a birthday party for them? It was a bit challenging for me to plan everything this time, since I had a new full time job and I hardly had any free time. But we are so glad we had it at home. We hired a balloon guy, who is one of the most creative balloon guys we have seen so far. Kids had so much fun with balloons and then they played in the backyard for almost an hour. I initially thought of ordering pizzas from outside. But thanks to V’s cousin who helped us in everything, I could manage to cook the entire meal for the party.

We had 14 families attending the party. I made spicy paneer stuffed puffs, sev bhaji , papdi chaat , matar pulav , a simple dal to go with pulav, curd rice . Along with these, we had chips and salsa, fruits and soft drinks. We got pizzas for kids too (on demand by kids!).

Mushrooms was one of the favorite things to eat when I was growing up. I haven’t been using them much lately. Last week I saw a pack of beautiful pack of mushrooms and I impulsively bought it. I wanted to make something different. I prepared this spicy Mushroom – capsicum gravy. It was so good, V sent a message to my family whatsapp group saying “the best bhaji with chapati in the history of the universe” lol. I thought that deserves a post on the blog!.

Pictorial: Clean and cut mushrooms and coriander stems. Fry the ingredients for he gravy paste. Grind the mixture with coriander stems to a smooth paste.

Heat oil and fry mushrooms for few minutes. Fry onions and then add capsicum, mushrooms, followed by ground paste. Add enough water and cook till done.

Mushroom - Capsicum Gravy
Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped mushrooms
- 1 cup capsicum green bellpepper
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup onion cut into big pieces this will be ground in paste
- 1 cup chopped tomato
- 2 red chillies
- 1/2 cup chopped coriander stems I use the thick stems that usually go waste
- 1 tea spn goda masala or garam masala
- 1 tea spn coriander seeds
- 1 tea spn chopped ginger
- 1 tea spn chopped garlic
- A pinch turmeric
- 1 tbl spn desiccated or dry coconut
- Oil
- Salt
Instructions
- Wash and chop mushrooms into big pieces.
- Chop capsicum into big pieces.
- Heat oil and add coriander seeds.
- Then add onions, ginger garlic.
- Fry till they are translucent and then add goda masala or garam masala, turmeric.
- Now add coconut, fry for few minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, cook till they are mushy.
- Grind the mixture along with coriander stems to a smooth paste.
- Heat oil and fry mushrooms for few minutes (I think this step enhances the flavor).
- Take them out and fry capsicum for few minutes.
- Take them out, in the same pan, heat oil and fry onions.
- Then add mushrooms, capsicum and ground paste, salt.
- Add water depending on how thick/thin gravy you need.
- Cover and cook till done.
- Serve hot with rotis/chapatis.