SPICY COCONUT HUMMUS

Ingredients-

Fresh coconut, grated-1 no
Chickpeas, soaked-200 gms
Tahina paste-2 tbsp
Lemon juice-2 tbsp
Fresh red chilli-2 nos
Olive oil-3 tbsp
Salt
Pepper

Method-

* Place all in a food processor and blend.
* Check for seasoning.

GREEN PEA HUMMUS

Ingredients-

Green peas, fresh-300 gms
Chickpeas, soaked-100 gms
Tahina paste-2 tbsp
Lemon juice-1 tbsp
Olive oil-3 tbsp
Salt
Pepper

Method-

* Mix all and blend in a food processor.
* Check for seasoning.
* If the hummus is too thick, reserve chickpea liquid and use it to thin down hummus.

BACON MASHED POTATOES

Ingredients-

Potatoes-3 large
Bacon rashers-3
Spring onions-3 stalks
Cream -2 tsp
Salt
Pepper

Method-

* Peel and roughly cut the potatoes.
* Boil and strain.
* Chop the spring onions.
* Grill the bacon rashers in a pan.
* Remove and chop the bacon and reserve the fat.
* In the same pan add the potatoes, bacon, spring onions.
* Mix well.
* Add cream and check for seasoning.
* Serve hot.

YOGHURT ROAST CHICKEN

Ingredients-

Chicken
Yoghurt
Honey
Salt
Pepper
Oregano
Olive oil

Method-

* Mix all the ingredients except the chicken.
* Mix the chicken well.
* Let it to marinate overnight or for atleast 1 hour.
* Roast in a pre-heated oven.
* Serve hot with mashed potatoes.

SESSAME PEANUT DRESSING OR DIP

Ingredients-

4 tbsp peanut butter
1 tsp garlic, chopped
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
2 tbsp sesame, toasted

Method-

* Mix all together.
* It will be a very thick dressing. So can be used as a dip.
* Thin it down by adding olive oil and it can be used as a dressing.

JAPANESE DRESSING

Ingredients-

4 tbsp mirin
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tsp wasabi
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sesame oil
1/4 tsp fresh red chillies, chopped

Method-

* Mix all the ingredients together.
* Use in a sald with avocado. It is a good combo. But you can also try ur own stuff.

PEANUT BUTTER AND OLIVE SANDWICHES

Try out this weird sounding combo.It is surely tasty.

Ingredients-

Peanut butter
Olives, black and green, chopped
Bread slices

Method-

* Apply peanut butter on the bread.
* Spread the chopped olives evenly.
* Cover with another slice.
* Trim the sides, cut into small pieces and serve.

REFRIGERATOR MUESLI

Ingredients-

2 cup rolled oats
1 cup milk
2 tbsp honey
1 cup yoghurt
1 apple, peeled and grated
1 banana, diced
1/4 cup chopped nuts

Method-

* Mix the oats, milk and honey in a container and leave it over-night to soak.
* Next morning, add the rest of the ingredients.
You can make variations of different fruits and nuts everyday.

SMOKING

All smoke contains carboxyl acid, which gives the food its smoky flavour and dark colour. Aiding in the preservation of smoked items is—

· PHENOLS – are anti-oxidants which inhibit the availability of oxygen to the bacteria.
· KETONS AND ALDEHYDES – kill yeast, mould and bacteria or deter it from forming.

TYPES OF SMOKING —

· COLD – 70 F to 100 F. not fully cooked, only attain flavour and dark colour.
· MEDIUM – 100 F to 160 F. not fully cooked.
· HOT – 160 F to 220 F. fully cooked.
· SMOKE ROASTING – takes less time.

PORK RIBS

1. SPARE RIBS – side or under belly of the pig. Very flavourful but least meat.


2. BACK RIBS – from loin section or back. Meatier then spare ribs and not as fatty.


3. COUNTRY STYLE RIBS – meatiest of all, much less bones. Cut from the loin section of pigs.

SWEET PINEAPPLE CHUTNEY OR RELISH

Ingredients-

1 pineapple, diced finely
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 tbsp oil
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp raisins
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp ginger, chopped

Method-

* Heat the oil and add the mustard and splutter.
* Add the pineapple and cook for about 3-4 min.
* Then add the sugar, salt and 1 cup water.
* Mix in the ginger and the raisins.
* Let it boil and cook till it is thick.
* Cool and serve.

MY MOTHER'S BANANA MALPUA

This is what my mother used 2 make when there were a few over-ripe bananas at home n no one wud eat them. I kind of remember d recipe. These can be had by itself or with rabri.

Ingredients-

Very ripe bananas
Maida
Milk
Sugar
Salt
Fennel seeds
Baking pwd
Ghee

Method-

* Make a pulp of the bananas.
* Make a smooth batter with maida, pinch of baking pwd, salt, banana pulp, milk, yoghurt and water.
* Make sure there are no lumps. Cover and leave aside for an hour or more for a bit of fermentation.
* Prepare sugar syrup seasoned with cardamom.
* Sprinkle a little rosewater, saffron or essence, if you want. Keep the syrup warm, to facilitate easy ingress into the malpua and to keep it soft and succulent.
* Whisk the batter, adding water if required, to get a smooth batter of pouring consistency.
* Deep-fry the pancake in pure ghee till nice and brown, soft and cooked, not too crisp.
* Take out the fried pancakes, drain excess ghee, and dip them in the hot sugar syrup.
ENJOY!!

NOPAL

Nopales are a vegetable made from the young stem segments of prickly pear, carefully peeled to remove the spines. They are particularly common in their native Mexico. Farmed nopales are most often of the species Opuntia ficus-indica, although the pads of almost all Opuntia species are edible.Nopales are generally sold fresh or canned, less often dried to prepare nopalitos. They have a light, slightly tart flavor, and a crisp, mucilaginous texture.

OATMEAL PANCAKES

Ingredients-

Milk-1/2 cup
Oats-1/4 cup
Maida-1/2 cup
Atta-1/2 cup
Vanilla essence-1 tsp
Baking pwd-1/2 tsp
Buttermilk-1/2 cup

Method-

* Mix everything together with a whisk and form a smooth batter.
* Heat a non-stick pan and make pancakes in it.
* Serve with honey or maple syrup. Or can even be served with fresh fruits.
The fresh fruits can also be mixed in the batter.

CARAMEL CHICKEN SALAD

Ingredients-

Chicken thigh, diced
Sugar
Salt
Butter, hard, diced
Lettuce
Olive oil
Pepper, crushed

Method-

* Make caramel using the sugar and add a good pinch of salt.
* Then add the cubes of butter and swirl well.
* Then add the chicken pieces and mix well.
* Take off the fire as the caramel will keep cooking the chicken.
* Dress the lettuce with salt, pepper and olive oil.
* Place the chicken pieces on the lettuce and serve.

RAW PAPAYA RELISH

Ingredients-

Raw papaya
Onion seeds
Turmeric pwd
Salt
Sugar
Red chili, whole, dried
Olive oil
Vinegar

Method-

* Peel the papaya and slice thinly.
* Put the oil in a pan and add the onion seeds.
* Let them splutter.
* Then add the chili and the turmeric.
* Then add the papaya and saute well. Season with salt.
* Add the vinegar and let it cook till it boils.
* Then let it reduce till almost dry.
* Then add the sugar and let it melt.
* Let it reduce to a syrupy consisttency.
* Cool and its ready to serve.

POMEGRANATE CHUTNEY OR RELISH

Ingredients-

Pomegranate juice-500 ml
Ginger juice-1 tbsp
Orange juice-150 ml
Tomato, diced-1/2 cup
Lemon juice-1 tsp
Salt- to taste
Sugar-to taste
Cinnamon pwd-1/2 tsp
Chilli flakes-1/2 tsp

Method-

* Mix all the ingredients except the salt and sugar.
* Put in a pan and reduce till syrupy.
* Season with salt and pepper.
* Cool and serve.

APPLE CHUTNEY OR RELISH

Ingredients-

500 gms chopped,peeled,cored,tart apples
100 gms raisins
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped, red bellpepper
1 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp mustard seed
1/2 tbsp ginger
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp salt
1 fresh red chillies, chopped fine
1 clove garlic, chopped
250 ml vinegar

Method-

* Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan.
* Simmer until thick, about 45 minutes.
* As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking.
* Chutney is ready. Cool and serve.

TOMATO DRESSING

Ingredients-

Chopped garlic
Chopped coriander
Chopped parsley
Chopped tomato
Lemon juice
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Tabasco
Olive oil

* Blend all together and whisk in the olive oil. Serve with a salad made of melon, avocado and some chopped onions. Can be made spicy by adding some jalapeno.

CARRIBIEAN MEAT MARINADE

Ingredients-

Black olives, chopped
Chilli flakes
Lemon zest
Lemon juice
Salt
Oregano
Chopped garlic
Black pepper
Olive oil

** Mix all together and use for chicken or lamb. Can be made and kept in the frig for a week.
But best when made fresh and used.

WALNUT CHUTNEY OR RELISH

Ingredients-

Walnuts, blanched
Onion
Mint leaves
Lemon juice
Salt

Method-

* Blend all together.
* Check for seasoning.

STIR-FRIED COCONUT AND BEANSPROUTS

Ingredients-

Onion, sliced
Beansprouts
Spring onions, sliced(white and green)
Fresh coconut, sliced thinly
Salt
Pepper
Fish sauce

Method-

* Saute all the above in sesame oil.
* Season well.
* Can be served as it is with fish or can also be filled into crepes and served.

FRESH FRUIT BIRCHER MUESLI

Ingredients-

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup milk
juice of 1 lemon

1. Combine all ingredients and leave over night

1 cup grated apple
1/2 cup grated coconut
1 chopped banana
¼ cup mixed berries
2 tbsp chopped walnuts
5 dried apricots
3 tbsp honey
½ cup yoghurt
6 mint leaves, chopped

2. Add all ingredients to muesli, drizzling with yoghurt and honey at the end.

HOT APPLE PIE SHOTS

In a bowl pour 3/4 cup of apple cider.
Heat in the microwave till nice and steamy hot.
Stir in 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract, one pinch of cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of rum.
Pour into a shot class 3/4 of the way full.
Top with sweetened whipped cream and dust with cinnamon.
Serve immediately.
Makes 5-6 shots.

CREME BRULEE COCKTAIL

Ingredients-

1 cup heavy cream
1 vanilla bean
1 tbsp castor sugar, plus more for garnish
1 part vanilla vodka
1 part Frangelico

Method-

* To create the burnt sugar rim, lightly wet the rim of a glass, and dip it in a plate of sugar. Then, using a kitchen torch, carefully blast the sugar until it browns. If you don’t have a torch, you can try the broiler. Either way, make sure that you are using glass that can stand the heat… and allow the glass to cool at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before touching it! If you choose to forgo the burnt sugar, the drink itself is plenty tasty without it… just increase the sugar stirred into the cream a bit.
* To make the drink, heat the cream, vanilla bean and sugar over medium high heat until it just begins to boil, stirring continuously.
* Remove from heat and add the vodka and Frangelico. Allow to cool slightly.
* Shake with ice and strain into your caramelized glass. Also great served warm in a mug!

MARSHMALLOW

Ingredients-

2 tbsp gelatin
1 1/4 cup water
2 cup sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Method-

* Soften gelatin in 3/4 cup of water and set aside.
* Place remaining 1/2 cup water and granulated sugar in a saucepan.
* Cook until small amount dropped in cold water forms soft ball.
* Remove syrup from heat, add softened gelatin and stir until almost cold.
* Add salt and vanilla essence.
* Beat until syrup is white and thick (8 minutes with an electric beater).
* Pour to 1 inch thickness in two 8 inch square pans that have been greased and dusted with powdered sugar.
* Let set in cool place about an hour -- do not place in refrigerator.
* Turn out on board that has been well dusted with powdered sugar. Cut into 1 inch cubes.

NO OVEN PIZZA OR FRIED PIZZA

Yes, u read it right. Pizza without any oven. Just the same italian taste but without the traditional wood fire pizza ovens. All u need is a non stick pan. Thats all. Heat olive oil in the pan till its hot. then put the rolled pizza dough on it. Let it brown on the bottom. Then turn it and put hot toppings on the brown side, like tomato sauce. Put the grated cheese also. Then brown the other side. And while the bottom is browning, the toppings will also melt and get cooked at the same time. But if u want to put lots of cheese then u need to cover the pan.
The result is a very crispy pizza like u've never eaten before.
Try it n let me know how it is.

BASIC PIZZA DOUGH

Ingredients-

Flour-31/2 cup
Salt-2 tsp
Warm water-1 cup
Yeast-2 tbsp
Sugar-2 tbsp
Olive oil-1/2 cup

Method-

* Pour warm water into a bowl. Test it with your hand. It should feel very warm, but comfortable.
* Add the sugar and salt. Mix until well blended.
* Add the yeast and mix. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes.
* Add 1 cup of flour and the olive oil and mix until well blended.
* Add the rest of the flour and mix well.
* The dough should turn into a ball. If the dough does not ball up because it's too dry, add water one tablespoon at a time until it does. If your mixture is more like a batter, add flour one tablespoon at a time. Adding water or flour as needed to get the right consistency will assure you always get a perfect dough.
* Once the dough is balled up, place the ball on a floured board and knead for about a minute. This builds the gluten which helps the dough to rise and become fluffy when cooked.
* Place the dough in a covered bowl and store in a warm, dry area to rise.
* After about 45 minutes the dough should have about doubled in size. Give it a good smack so it deflates.
* Let it rise for another hour to an hour and a half.
* The dough is now ready to be rolled out.

NO OVEN CREME CARAMEL

Ingredients-

2/3 cup sugar- for caramel
1/2 cup sugar
5 eggs
3 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
6 small steel bowls

Method-

* Make caramel using sugar and 1/2 cup water.
* Put it in the bowls equally.
* Warm the milk slightly and mix in the sugar.
* Beat the eggs lightly.
* Mix the eggs into the milk.
* Portion equally into the bowls.
* In a pressure cooker, place the bowls and fill with water upto 2/3 of the bowls.
* Cook on a slow flame for 15 min with the lid just placed on top, n not closed tightly.
* Check if its cooked, by putting a knife into it. If it comes out clean, its cooked.
* Chill and serve turned out on a plate.

CARAMEL CRUMBLE TOPPING

Ingredients-

4 digestive biscuits
3 tbsp castor sugar
50 gms butter

Method-

* Coarsely grind the sugar.
* In a pan melt the sugar until it begins to caramelise.
* Add the butter, shaking the pan to mix the caramel with the butter as it melts.
* Add the ground biscuit, coating them in the caramel.
* Put it on a plate and chill for 5 min.
* Brake into pieces and top on ice cream and serve.

HOME-MADE SWEET CHILLI SAUCE

Ingredients-

60g caster sugar
3 garlic cloves, peeled
3cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
2 fresh red chillies, deseeded and roughly chopped
Small handful of coriander leaves
Juice of 1 large lime
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce

Method-

* Place the sugar in a small saucepan with 3-4 tablespoons of water.
* Stir to dissolve the sugar, then bring to the boil for 5-8 minutes until reduced and thickened.
* Make a coarse paste of garlic, ginger, red chillies, coriander leaves and lime juice.
* When the sugar syrup has reached a light golden caramel colour, carefully add the spice paste.
* Stir in the fish and soy sauces.
* Return to the boil and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
* Take the pan off the heat and leave to cool completely before serving.

RED WINE CAPE GOOSEBERRY SAUCE

Ingredients-

Cape gooseberries-200 gms
Castor sugar-1/2 cup
Lemon zest of 1 lemon
Water-1 cup
Red wine-300 ml
Chicken stock-300 ml
Honey-2 tbsp
Butter, hard and cubed-30 gms
Salt
Pepper

Method-

* Put a pan of water on fire and melt the sugar in it.
* Add the lemon zest.
* Boil for a few minutes till it thickens slightly.
* Add the gooseberries and let it cook for 3-4 min.
* Take it off the fire and let the gooseberries cool in the syrup.
* Put the red wine in a pan.
* Season with salt and pepper.
* Reduce it to half.
* Add the chicken stock and reduce it to half.
* Stir in the honey.
* Monte with the butter.
* Transfer the gooseberries to the sauce.
* Add the syrup according to taste.

RECIPE FOR LOVE

Ingredients-

2 Hearts Full of Love

2 Heaping Cups of Kindness

2 Armfuls of Gentleness

2 Cups of Friendship

2 Cups of Joy

2 Big Hearts Full of Forgiveness

1 Lifetime of Togetherness

2 Minds Full of Tenderness

Method-

* Stir daily with Happiness, Humor and Patience.

* Serve with Warmth and Compassion, Respect and Loyalty

PRAWN SANDWICH SPREAD

Ingredients-

Prawns, cooked, peeled and deveined
Mayo
Spring onion greens, chopped
Spring onion bulbs, chopped
Lemon juice
Salt
Freshly crushed black pepper
Fresh red chillies, chopped without seeds

Method-

* Chop the prawns finely.
* Mix well with the rest of the ingredients.
* Chill for about an hour before use.
* Can also make a variation by using cocktail sauce instead of mayo.

BRIE AND BERRY PIZZA

Ingredients-

Criossant dough
Brie cheese
Cranberry or strawbery jam with whole fruits
Walnuts, toasted
Cashewnuts, toasted

Method-

* Roll the croissant dough onto a pizza tray.
* Bake for 5 mins or until lightly brown.
* Cut the cheese and sprinkle on the base.
* Spoon the jam on top of the cheese.
* Top with the nuts.
* Bake for an additional 5-8 min or till the cheese has melted and the crust in golden brown.
* Cool for 5 mins.
* Cut into wedges or squares and serve.

MUSHROOM MASHED POTATOES

Ingredients-

Mushrooms
Butter
Garlic
Salt
Pepper
Cream
Olive oil

Method-

* Boil the potatoes. Drain and mash.
* Heat oil and saute chopped garlic.
* Add the mushrooms and saute till liquid evaporates.
* Add potatoes and the cream.
* Beat together with a hand held blender.
* Season with salt and pepper.

PEPPER AND FETA SALAD

Ingredients-

1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
8-10 snowpeas
1 tomato
1 cucumber
50 gms feta cheese
2 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette
Fresh basil, shredded


Method-

* Julienne all the peppers.
* De-seed the tomato and julienne it.
* Peel the cucumber, de-seed and julienne.
* Put all the veggies and basil in the bowl and toss with the balsamic vinaigrette.
* Crumble the feta cheese on top.

YOGHURT AND TOMATO DIP

Ingredients-

4 tomatoes, chopped
2 cups yoghurt
2 green chillies, chopped without seeds
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp red chilli pwd
1/2 tsp turmeric pwd
1 tbsp oil
5-6 curry leaves
Salt to taste

Method-

* Heat the oil in a pan.
* Add the cumin and the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
* Then add the curry leaves and green chilli.
* Add turmeric and chilli pwd.
* Then add the tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes are soft and all the liquid has evaporated.
* Season with salt and take it off the fire.
* Let it cool to room temp.
* Lightly beat the yoghurt and add to the tomato, and mix well.
* Dont reheat this.

BANANA CHUTNEY OR RELISH

Ingredients-

8 Ripe Bananas
1 Cup Vinegar
2 Tsp Salt
¼ Tsp Cinnamon Powder
2 Cloves
2 Cardamoms
½ Tsp Red Chili Pepper
1½ Cups Sugar
4 Tsp Raisins
4 Tsp Almond

Method-

* Peel and chop bananas.
* Cook with vinegar to a pulp.
* Stir in sugar until it dissolves.
* Add the cloves and cardamom.
* Add raisins, almonds, salt, chili powder, and cinnamon.

ORIENTAL TWIST MARINADE FOR FISH

Ingredients-

4 tbsp soy sauce
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp chopped ginger
1 tbsp chopped garlic
1 tbsp fresh shredded basil
1 tbsp fresh thyme
60 ml tequila
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp chopped fresh red chillies, no seeds
Salt

Method-

* Mix all.
* Marinate the fish for atleast 1-2 hrs for better flavour.