LOTS TO DO

Hi, sorry no recipe today, just a small post to say that my in-laws are here so no post today. Very busy settling them in. Maybe tomorrow. I dont think that i need to explain why i'm giving an excuse of my in-laws. But believe me that it is not an excuse. Those who have in-laws coming and staying with them will understand me. And will also know thaty it is not an excuse.

JAM FILLED DOUGHNUTS

This recipe is from the bakery of one of the best hotels in delhi where i worked during my training to be a chef. Searched for this in my notes and finally found it. So here it is.

Ingredients-

1 cup milk, boiling hot
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp yeast
3 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1/2 cup strawberry jam or any other jam
Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Method-

* Pour milk over butter and both sugar.
* Stir until melted and cool to lukewarm.
* Add yeast, stirring until dissolved.
* Mix flour and salt.
* Gradually add half the flour to milk and mix well.
* Add egg and beat well.
* Add remaining flour and make a firm dough.
* Cover the dough with a wet cloth and leave in a warm place for 1 hour.
* Knead gently or what is called knock-back, roll to quarter inch thickness and cut into circle.
* Allow to rise for 30 mins to 1 hour.
* Fry in hot oil and drain on kitchen paper.
* In a pan add the jam and 1/2 cup water on a slow flame.
* Mix well and let it become a smooth puree. Fill in piping bag.
* Make a small hole on the side of the doughnut and fill with jam. Do with all the rest of the doughnuts.
* Dust with confectioners' sugar.

STEAMED CARAMEL AND NUT CAKE

Ingredients-

4 tbsp sugar + 1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp butter + for greasing
2 eggs
1 cup milk
3/4 cup refined flour
1 1/2 tsp baking pwd
1 cup assorted chopped nuts
1 tsp vanilla essence
4 slices bread
3 tbsp bread crumbs

Method-

* In a bowl add 4 tbsp sugar and 2 tbsp butter, and cream well.
* Add the eggs and mix well.
* Make caramel with the remaining sugar.
* Add the flour and milk to the egg mixture
*Dip the bread slices in water, squeeze out all the water and add to the egg batter.
* Add the bread crumbs, caramel, vanilla essence and the baking pwd to the batter and mix well.
* Mix 1 tbsp of refined flour with the nuts and add the nuts to the batter.
* Grease a cake tin with butter and line with foil.
* Grease the foil and pour the batter in the tin.
* Cover the cake tin with foil and seal the edges well.
* Now steam in a steamer for 30-35 mins or till done.
* Take it out of the steamer and let it cool completely.
* Then cut into desired size and serve with creme angkaise or ice cream or whipped cream.

LOVE FOR EGGPLANT OR AUBERGINE

My love for aubergine is so great that i have added it here to maggi. Yes u heard it right, maggi. But i cant just eat any aubergne. I cannot eat the small baby ones or the long ones. I can only eat the round huge ones.
Ingredients-

1 packet maggi instant noodles(i used chicken flavoured. you can use the masala, will taste much better)
1/2 aubergine, cut into dices
1 egg
Oil to fry
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp coriander, chopped

Method-

* In a bowl mix salt and pepper with the aubergine.
* Deep fry till just golden on outside.
* Remove and drain on kitchen paper.
* In a pan make maggi as per instructions.
* When it is 50% cooked add the aubergine and mix well.
* Cook the maggi. Just before tsking it off the fire, reduce the heat and add the egg and mix well.
* Serve hot garnished with some coriander.

SESAME POTATOES

Ingredients-

3 large potatoes, boiled and cubed
3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp green chilli, chopped
Salt to taste
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp coriander, chopped

Method-

* In a pan, heat the oil.
* Add the cumin seeds and let them plutter.
* Add the green chilli and saute for a min.
* Add the potatoes and coat well.
* Then add the salt and sesame seeds and mix well.
* Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot.

TEA FLAVOURED FRIED CHICKEN

Ingredients-

500 gms chicken leg and thighs, boneless, leave whole
250 ml double storng black tea
1 lemon cut into wedges
Juice of 1 lemon
4 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp salt
2 cups bread crumbs
1 tbsp chilli flakes
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp black pepper pwd
2 tbs really fine chopped garlic
2 tbsp salt
1 tbsp mustard pwd
2 eggs
1 cup refined flour
Oil for frying

Method-

* Pour the tea n a bowl and mix the salt, sugar, lemon juice and lemon wedges.
* Add the chicken into the tea mixture and let it soak in fridge for 24 hrs.
* Next day drain the chicken into a colander and remove all liquid. Pat dry.
* In a bowl combine the bread crumbs, chili flakes, oregano, pepper, garlic, salt and mustard.
* In another bowl place the refined flour.
* In another bowl beat the eggs.
* Arrange the bowls in the order of flour, egg and bread crumb mix.
* Dip the chicken in the flour, then the egg, and then the bread crumb mix, applying pressure to ensure that the bread crumbs are coating evenly.
* Heat oil in a pan and fry the chicken until golden in colour or till done.
* Cut into small cubes and serve as snacks or serve whole with veggies and mashed potatoes as dinner.

MUDDLED SPICY LEMON FIZZ

Ingredients-

3 lemon
1/2 green chilli(use 1 if you want it more spicy)
2 tbsp confectioner's sugar
6 mint sprigs
1 pinch salt
1/4 tsp black salt
Ice cubes
1/4 cup cold water
500 ml soda or 7 up

Method-

* Cut 2 lemon into wedges and remove seeds.
* Take out juice of the other lemon.
* In a cocktail shaker, place the lemon wedges, lemon juice, chilli, salt, black salt, and 4 mint sprigs.
* Use a muddler and muddle all the ingredients.
* Add 5-6 ice cubes, sugar, cold water and close the shaker and shake vigourously.
* In a tall glass, add the remaining mint sprigs and fill with crushed ice.
* Strain the drink into the glass.
* Top it with soda or 7 up.
SIP AWAY THE HEAT.

DIFFERENT FRENCH TOAST

This is a very diferent recipe for french toast as this uses flour and also is not sweet but savoury. It also has onion and herbs. Hope you find this interesting.

Ingredients-

6 slices of whole wheat bread
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp coriander, chopped finely
1 medium onion, very finely chopped
3-4 tbsp refined flour
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
oil for greasing

Method-

* In a bowl, break the eggs.
* Add milk, salt, pepper, onion, coriander, and flour.
* Whisk well to make a smooth and thin batter.
* Cut the sides of the bread slices.
* Dip a slice in the egg batter and cover both sides.
* Heat a non-stick pan or tawa.
* Sprinkle some oil and place the batter dipped bread on it.
* Let it turn a golden brown on one side and then flip over to the other side.
* When golden brown, remove and serve hot.
* If you are serving these for breakfast , then serve them whole or cut diagonally.
* If you are serving them as snacks, then cut the bread into small desired shapes, like triangles or you can even use different cookie cutters, and then dip in the batter and shallow fry.
* If you cut the bread into different shapes with a cookie cutter, then they also make interesting snacks for kids.

NO BAKE APPLE CRUNCH

Ingredients-

for the apple filling-
2 granny smith or cooking or green apples
3 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp butter
1/2 vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 tsp cinnamon pwd
1 tbsp flour
1 pinch salt

for the crunch-
1/4 cup cooking oats
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp butter
4 tbsp chopped nuts(cashew, almonds or walnuts)

Method-

* Peel and slice the apples into thin slices or cut into small dices.
* In a pan heat the butter and add the apples.
* When the apples are coated with the butter, add the sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and salt.
* Mix well and let the apple become soft.
* Now sprinkle the flour on this mixture on slow flame.
* Mix well till all the moisture is absorbed.
* Portion into 4-6 bowls equally.
* For the crunch - In a non-stick pan heat the butter.
* Add the oats, chopped nuts, sugar and cinnamon until the mixture turns golden brown.
* Top the apple filling with the oats mixture equally.
* Let it sit for 5 min.
* Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

VEGGIE CHEESE TOAST

Ingredients-

2 tbsp thick bechamel or white sauce
3 tbsp cheddar cheese, grated
4 slices bread
1 cup veggies, chopped or brunoise( carrots, peas, brocolli, beans, capsicum, bellpeppers)
Salt to taste
pepper to taste

Method-

* Blanch all the veggies except the bellpeppers and capsicum.
* In a bowl mix the blanched veggies, capsicum, bellpeppers, white sauce, cheese, salt and pepper.
* Make into a thick paste.
* Toast the bread on one side.
* Spread the veggie mixture equally on the 4 slices on the untoasted side.
* Gratinate under a salamander until the top is golden.
* Cut into desired shape and serve hot with or without a dip.

WHOLE WHEAT AND COCONUT LADDOO

Ingredients-

150 gms ghee
350 gms whole wheat flour or atta
100 gms dessicated coconut
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp almonds or cashew nuts, chopped
1 tbsp raisins, chopped

Method-

* In a pan mealt the ghee.
* Add the wheat flour and cook it till it smells nutty and is roasted and has changed colour.
* Now add the sugar and let it melt competely.
* Then turn off the fire and add the coconut, raisin and nuts.
* Mix well and let it cool till you can touch it with your hand.
* Make small balls or laddoos in desired sizes.

YOGHURT N TEQUILA DIP

Ingredients-

2 tbsp tequila
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup hung curd
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp chilli pwd or paprika
2 tbsp coriander, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Method-

* Place all the ingredients in a bowl.
* Mix well with a whisk.
* Chill for atleast 1 hr before serving.

SPICY ALMONDS

Ingredients-

2 cups almonds, blanched and peeled
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp chilli pwd
1-3 tbsp olive oil

Method-

* Preheat the oven at 120 C.
* Mix the salt and chilli pwd.
* Toast the almonds for 10 min.
* Transfer to a bowl while hot.
* Mix with the spice mixture and oil, as much as required, to just coat the almonds.
* Serve at room temperature.

GOLDEN CASHEW NUGGETS

These nuggets or morsels of cashew are made with jaggery and muri or puffed rice. Muri is to rice as popcorn is to corn. Very nutritious snacks for children and also for those sweet cravings.

Ingredients-

200 gms jaggery
250 ml water
2 cups muri
1/2 cup roasted cashewnuts, coarsely crushed
1/4 tsp cardamom pwd

Method-

* In a pan bring water and jaggery to a boil.
* Reduce heat and add the mori and mix well.
* Not add the cashew and the cardamom.
* Mix well. Take it off fire.
* Let it cool till you can handle the mixture with fingers.
* Oil your palms and fingers well.
* Take small portions of the mixture and shape into desired shape.
* You have to this fast as the mixture will solodify fast as soon as it starts cooling.
* Store in an air-tight container. And ENJOY !!!!!!!

SPICED ROAST CHICKEN IN RICE-COOKER

Ingredients-

1 whole chicken, about 800 gms
3 carrots, peeled and diced
3 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 onions, peeled and diced
2 tomatoes, peeled and diced
100 gms french beans, destringed
1 head broccoli or cauliflower, cut into flowerets
1 tbsp garlic, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp oregano
2 tbsp chilli flakes
1 tbsp salt or to taste
2 tbsp pepper or to taste
2 tbsp tomato ketchup

Method

* Make the marinade by mixing all the ingredients except the chicken and the veggies.
* Marinate the chicken in the marinade and keep aside for about 1 hour.
* Remove the chicken from the marinade and keep aside.
* Marinate all the veggies in the leftover marinade.
* Place the veggies in the bottom of the rice-cooker.
* Place the chicken on top of the veggies and 1/2 cup of water.
* Turn on the cooker and let it cook till it turns off on its own.
* The chicken and the veggies are done to perfection.
* Serve along with rice or bread and Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPICED PEANUT SANDWICH

Ingredients-

1/4 fresh coconut, grated
3 tbsp coriander, chopped
1 tbsp cumin pwd
1 tbsp coriander pwd
1 cup peanuts, boiled
1 cup cubed potato, boiled
1 tbsp oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 tsp turmeric pwd
1 tsp lemon juice
Salt to taste
6 slices bread
1 tbsp butter

Method-

* Make a smooth paste of coconut, coriander, cumin pwd and coriander pwd using little water.
* In a pan, heat oil and saute the onions.
* Add 2 tbsp of the coconut paste and saute till it starts leaving oil.
* Add 1/2 tsp turmeric pwd and mix well.
* Add the peanut and potato and mix well.
* Season with salt and lemon juice.
* Divide the mixture into 3 parts and spread on 3 slices of bread.
* Cover the remaining 3 slices.
* Put very little butter on both sides and grill or toast in a sandwich maker.
* For snacks, toast the bread on one side.
* Spread the peanut mixture evenly on the non-toasted side.
* Sprinkle with little grated cheddar cheese and gratinate.
* Cut into desired shapes and serve.

BANGALI MUSTARD RELISH OR KASUNDI

I've been dying to taste this for a long time now. So i finally got a bottle from cr park. But realised that going there every time for a bottle is just not feasible. so by trial and error and mothers help, came up with this version of my recipe and it tastes just the same. Or even better.

Ingredients-

1 small raw mango
2 tbsp mustard seeds
5 green chillies
5 cloves of garlic
1 tsp salt

Method-
* Just blend them together with about 3 tbsp of water.
* Store in a jar and let it rest.
* Best results if used after 5-6 hrs, as the flavour and colour intensify.
* Enjoy dipping anything in it. Best with fried dishes.

POACHED EGGS ON MUSHROOM N SALAMI ON TOAST

This breakfast is as light and as healthy as it can get. And there's no use of any oil or butter. So make this and enjoy your healthy start to a great day. But really sorry that i forgot to take a photograph as i was really hungry.

Ingredients-

2 eggs
2 slices brown or whole wheat bread
6-8 button mushrooms, diced
2 slices salami, diced
1 small onion, diced
1 tbsp vinegar
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Method-

* In a non-stick pan put the mushrooms and the onions and sprinkle a few drops of water and cook till the water evaporates.
* Add the salami and saute for 2 min. Season with salt and pepper.
* Toast the slices of bread.
* Divide the mushroom mixture equally and put on the bread.
* In a deep pan boil some water with the vinegar.
* Poach the eggs in the water.
* Remove and drain excess water and place the poached eggs on the mushroom mixture.
* Sprinkle salt and pepper on top. ENJOY guilt free breakfast.

CHOCOLATE BANANA MILK SHAKE

I made this for my 11 months daughter. And she just loved it and finished it all.

Ingredients-

1 ripe banana
1 glass full cream milk
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp cocoa pwd

Method-

* Put all in the blender and blend till smooth and frothy.
* And put it in the sipper and feel satisfaction by watching it disappear.

TOFU AND BANANA CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Ingredients-

1 banana
1 pack soft silken tofu
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
5 tbsp cocoa powder
3 tbsp soy milk
1 pinch cinnamon pwd

Method-

* Place the banana, tofu, sugar, cocoa powder, soy milk, and cinnamon into a blender.
* Cover and puree until smooth.
* Pour into individual serving bowls and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

KAJU KATLI OR CASHEW BARFI

Ingredients-

100 gms cashew nuts
100 gms sugar
1/4 tsp cardamom pwd

Method-

* Soak the cashew in water for about 1-2 hrs.
* Drain the wateand make a paste.
* Put it in a non-stick pan and add the sugar.
* Keep stirring and cooking till the mixture forms into one lump.
* Keep cooking till it leves the sides of the pan.
* Spread on a greased surface and let it cool.
* Cut into desired shape. ENJOY !!!!!!!!!!

FISH IN A BAG OR RICE-COOKER FISH

This is what you would actually call a papillote or fish en papilotte. But i didnt have parchment paper so i made it in foil. I used snapper fillets. And i cooked it in a rice cooker.



Ingredients-

4 fish fillets
2 carrots
8-10 baby corns
6 mushrooms
8-10 french beans
2 tbsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp coriander, chopped
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
2 tbsp butter

Method-

* Wash and pat dry the fish with kitchen paper.
* Make the marinade by mixing mustard, olive oil, salt, pepper and coriander.
* Marinate the fish in the marinade and leave for 10 min.
* In the meanwhile, cut the veggies into desired shapes or cuts.
* If you want you can par-boil them. I left them as it is and they turned out a little crunchy, just the way i like them.
* In a pan, put the butter and just toss all the veggies till they turn bright in colour.
* Tear 2 large peice of foil, large enough to hold half the veggies and 2 fillets of fish.
* Divide the veggies in half and put on both the foils.
* Place the marinated fish on top of the veggies.
* Now fold the foil so as not to leave any openings.
* Now place them in the rice cooker and pour 1 cup of water in the rice cooker.
* Turn on the cooker and leave it for 20 min.
* The fish is cooked and so are the veggies.

GUJIA OR KARANJI

Ingredients-

60 gms maida
10 gms ghee
15 ml cold water
30 gms khoya
10 gms dessicated coconut
6 rach of almon and cashew, chopped
20 gms castor sugar
Ghee - for frying

Method-

* Take maida and make a well in the centre. Add melted ghee and rub mix with fingertips till a sandy texture is formed.
* Add water and make stiff dough.
* Prepare filling by cooking khoya for 5 min. Remove and let it cool.
* Add desiccated coconut and nuts. Mix well and add sugar.
* Make six balls out of the dough and roll into small puris.
* Divide filling into six equal portions.
* Put one portion of khoya mixture into the center of each puri.
* Moisten the edges with a little water and fold into a semicircle, pressing down the edges together, like a turn-over.
* Deep fry to a golden color on a slow heat.

GANESH CHATURTHI

Hi,
Today is the first day of the festivities for GANESH CHATURTHI. And this year the festivities will last for 11 days, which is rather longer than usual. So i got up at 6am and started my preparation for the festival. And i made two fav sweets of Ganesh Ji. I made puran poli and gujia, also known as karanji in mahaeashtra. Today i'm posting only the recipe for puran poli. I'll post the recipe of gujia tomorrow.

Ingredients-
200 gms chana daal
250 gms jaggery
250 gms refined flour
3 tbsp confectioner's sugar
5 tbsp oil
5 tbsp ghee + 4 tbsp ghee.
1/2 tsp cardamom pwd
6 tbsp milk

Method-

* Wash the chana dal and cook till soft. Drain out the extra water .
* Add jaggery to the cooked dal and blend it to a smooth paste.
* Cook the mixture on low heat until the mixture becomes thick.
* Remove from heat and add cardamom pwd. and leave it to cool.
* Mix the flour and sugar. Rub the flour with oil and ghee.
* Add enough cold water and knead into a smooth dough. Keep it in the fridge for 30 min.
* Divide the dal mixture into ping pong sized balls and the dough into slightly smaller balls and roll them out a little.
* Place the gram dal ball in the centre of the rolled flour dough and close it to cover the filling completely.
* Roll out into a chapati and cook on a non-stick tawa till done on both sides, adding a little ghee around.
* Fry till golden brown on both sides.
* Then put 1 tsp of milk on it and let it soak the milk.
* Serve hot to Ganesh Ji. N then have the rest. Enjoy !!!!!!!!

SPICED POTATO SANDWICHES

Ingredients-

2 large potatoes, peeled, boiled and mashed
1/4 cup green peas, boiled
1 tbsp oil
1 onion, chopped
1 green chilli, chopped without seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
6-8 curry leaves
1/2 tsp turmeric pwd
1/2 tsp red chilli pwd
Salt to taste
8 bread slices
1 tbsp butter, for greasing

Method-

* Switch on the sandwich toaster or griller and let it heat.
* In a pan heat the oil and splutter the mustard seeds and the curry leaves.
* Add the onion and saute till translucent.
* Add the spices and green chillies and saute.
* Add the potatoes and peas and mix well.
* Season the mixture.
* Add 1/2 cup water and let all the water be absorbed by the mixture.
* Then divide the mixture equally between 4 slices of bread.
* Top them with the other 4 slices.
* Apply little butter on both the sides of the sandwich.
* Toast or grill the sandwiches till crisp and golden brown on the outside.
* Serve with any sauce of your choice.

THE OMNIVORES 100

Hi,

This is a great list of things that I think every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognise everything in the hundred.
I've eaten quite a lot of off the list as i was a chef.
This list is from the http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/ blog. You can also put it on your blog. Just- 1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions. 2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten. 3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.


1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile-Alligator?
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam Chowder
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted Cream Tea
38. Vodka Jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole Insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth $120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang Souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom Yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. 3 Michelin Star Tasting Menu
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake