Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Aval/Beaten Rice Savory Snack

Woohoo! What a day, what a day! India won the cricket match and what a match it was! Very proud to be an Indian!
It is definitely a good day for more than one reason. I am back to blogging! My back aches are gone, and I am feeling well. I thank you all for sending me your get well soon notes. It was very nice and I feel quite loved.

Beaten Rice/Aval Snack,Savory
I can’t seem to keep my trail of thought today. It must be all the excitement from the “India winning cricket match.” My mind is so much on it that I fear I might keep going on unless someone gags me. Please allow me to say just one more thing around the topic of cricket. Thank you facebook buddies for keeping me company in cheering the Indian team! I had a terrific time! It almost felt like you guys were sitting next to me on the sofa, laughing and punching the air every time India scored or got a wicket. Thank you ;)

Strainer

Again, where was I on the cooking scene!? Yes, I am back to blogging and I have Aval/poha recipe for you.  It is another favorite snack. I still remember the first time I had it.  Yes, I am big on everything first time, like how today was my first time watching cricket with virtual friends.  I warned you I cannot keep cricket out.  Focusing!  I was saying, my friend brought this poha snack on a family outing and since then I have been hooked.  And thankfully it is easy to make and I make them a lot now.  Believe me when I say it’s good!

Beaten Rice/Aval Snack,Savory
Is there a phrase or idiom to explain having a good time close on the heels of another?  I can’t think of any but that is how I feel right now.  At the risk of being repetitive India won, I am back to blogging and spring is tangible.  The trees and plants are all bursting out their verdant glory.  Can it get any better!?  As for you, try this recipe that will be the icing on the cake for an otherwise perfect day you are having.  Love! J   


Ingredients:

Aval/Beaten rice- 3 cups
Peanuts- 1/4 cup
Dalia/ chana dal- 2 tbsp
Curry leaves- 1 sprig
Red chili powder- 1 tsp/to your taste
Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
Asafoetida- a pinch

A strainer similar to the one in the picture
Oil for frying

Method:

1.Heat oil in a thick bottom deep pan.
2.Place the beaten rice 1/2 cup at a time on the strainer and dip it in the hot oil. It will be done in a couple of seconds.
3.Take out the fried beaten rice and spread on a paper towel.Repeat the same with the rest of the beaten rice.
4.In a similar way fry the peanuts and the channa dal.
5.Switch off the heat and keep the hot oil in a safe place.
6.Heat a tablespoon of oil in a wide pan,on low heat.
7.Throw in the curry leaves (or you could fry them in the same oil you fried the aval and nuts after switching off the heat, but if you are scared about them spluttering then you could do like this) and saute. Add in the chili powder,turmeic powder and asafoetida.Saute for a minute.
8.Throw in the fried aval,channa dal and peanuts and mix everything well.Switch off the heat and let it cool before you store in an airtight container.

Notes:

1.I used the brown aval and that explains the color :-)
2.If you don't have a strainer,don't try this method. Because by the time you take all of it from the oil, it will be over-done.

Contributor: Namitha

Monday, March 28, 2011

Asparagus and Sweet Pepper Roasted

Who said vegetarian has to be boring? Maybe nobody did, but sometimes I sure feel like it is. For example, this morning , my brain just couldn’t process any new ideas for a vegetarian meal. Therefore, I decided to have coke and chips for lunch. (Terrible, I know!!) Having settled on that, I proceeded to photograph raw vegetables and fruit, which is my latest interest. Everything was going well until my stomach decided to groan its displeasure. I kept going on with my business and ignored my stomach completely. Finally, when photography started frustrating me and my stomach was not letting up, my brain processed an idea. I grabbed all the asparagus I was photographing and snapped off its end. It was going into the oven.

Asparagus and Sweet Pepper

As I bent over to replace half of the asparagus, which is for another recipe, I spotted the sweet peppers. Grabbed some, washed, and added it to the asparagus. And then, sprinkled sea salt, a generous amount of pepper and olive oil over the vegetables and picked up the cookie sheet. Lined it with foil and dropped the oil bathed vegetables on it. Feeling a little whimsical, I threw in a couple slices of lime. Cranked up the oven to 425 D F, waited for about 10 minutes to let it heat up, and then slid the cookie tray laden with veggies in. Baked for 10 minutes and I picked out the asparagus and placed on a platter. Turned the oven setting to broil and charred both sides of the pepper, takes only a few minutes on both sides.


Asparagus and sweet Peppers

As they all came out of the oven and was placed on a platter, I topped it with a handful of cheddar cheese and let it melt. Grabbed my glass of water melon juice and have to say enjoyed a fantastic lunch. No more groaning stomach but a blissful siesta invites me.

Asparagus and Sweet Peppers broiled

All is well in this part of the world, hope yours is too.

Broiled Asparagus and Sweet Pepper

Ingredients:

Asparagus – 20
Sweet Pepper – 8
Pepper – to taste
Sea Salt – to taste
Olive Oil – 1 Tbspn
Cheddar Cheese – to taste

Method:
1. Snap the ends of the asparagus and place it on a cookie sheet lined with foil
2. Add the sweet peppers
3. Sprinkle pepper, salt and drizzle the olive oil over.
4. Bake at 425 D F for about 10- 12 minutes. Remove the asparagus into a plate.
5. Change the oven setting to broil and blacken both sides of the pepper about a minute or two on both sides.
6. Place the peppers in the serving plate and sprinkle cheddar cheese over and let it melt

This is not an original idea, of course you know that. I am just saying I just decided to eat this as lunch which is new for me.

Contributor: Sunitha

Friday, March 25, 2011

Mixed Lentil Soup

Here is a hearty winter soup just before the start of spring. Mixed lentils can be bought at any food store.  It is both pretty and healthy at once and you don't want to miss that combination.  Lentils, beans and barley! As much as it is good to look at, they make a tasty protein rich fare. The benefits continue. They freeze well and also keeps in the refrigerator for at least three or four days. If you are planning to make a big batch, like I have done, then make sure you separate the soup into smaller containers, cool and then refrigerate or freeze.

Mixed Lentil Soup

I like this soup because of all the above reasons and also because they are not too cumbersome to prepare. I agree that the the cooking time can be a little much, but preparation (chopping, peeling etc) and the time you need to stand by the stove is considerably less. I hope you will enjoy this soup as much I did.

Lentils

Dunk in some toasted French bread for more fun. You deserve some carbohydrates when you are good enough to eat only a lentil soup. Right?

Mixed Lentil Soup

Ingredients: (Serves 8)

Mixed Lentils - 1 1/2 cups (Soak overnight)
Onions           - 1 big chopped
Garlic            -  4 - 5 cloves
Chili Powder - 1 tspn
Cajun Seasonings - 1 tspn
Oregano       - 1 tspn
Basil             - a dash
Bell Pepper  - 1 chopped
Tomato in garlic and onion - 14 oz (blend to make small chunks)
Parsley - to garnish
Yogurt - to garnish
Lime or Lemon Wedges - to garnish
French Bread or garlic bread to go with the soup

Method:

1. Pressure cook the soaked lentils with 1/2 tspn of salt and 4 cups of water.  Wait for one whistle and shut off the fire/heat.  Set aside until all pressure has been released.
2. In a large pot saute onions followed with garlic until the onions are translucent.
3. Add all the spices. Chili powder, Cajun seasoning and oregano and saute for a minute.  Add the chopped bell pepper and saute for 2 minutes
4. Add the crushed tomatoes, stir and cook for 2 minutes.  .
5. Add about 6 cups of water and bring to a boil.
6. Add the pressure cooked lentils in and cook for about 45 minutes.
7. Soups are always better when it cooks a while on the stove.  Therefore, simmer for as long as possible.  If you need the soup to be thin after it has cooked through add boiling water and bring the soup to a boil again.
8. Serve into soup bowls and top with a small scoop of plain yogurt and finely chopped parsley.  You may also use lime wedges instead of the yogurt.

Contributor: Sunitha

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Kolache/Kolacki/Kolacky

Kolache (also spelled kolace, kolach, or kolacky, from the Czech and Slovak plural koláče) is a traditional Czech bread stuffed with dried fruits or cheese compote. I preferred a dried fruit filling for this recipe. This was made a while back and is from my drafts. It is an apt time to use recipes from my drafts, because I am not keeping well. No, there is no serious illness, but some aches and pains that need resting.

Kolacki

picnikfile_cbznmo

This recipe is from the book ‘Bread Bible’ by Beth Hensperger. I read a lot of good reviews about her book; the only criticisms perhaps is that the book does not feature whole wheat breads. It encouraged me to pick up the book and when I flipped through its pages, I was sure hooked. The pages took me down memory lane- good times in Germany to be precise. If you are from Germany or have been there, you will know how wonderful the rolls from the bakeries are. I was thrilled to find this book which reminded me of some of those rolls. The recipes definitely hold their own when compared to the authentic recipes I am sure. Now I am no expert in Czech nor German cooking but I am just saying I could follow the recipes from Bread Bible quite well and they give good results.

Kolacki

Also the impression when I read the recipe was ‘daunting,’ but soon my fears were laid to rest because once you start getting practical it works like a charm. It really does! Hope you are encouraged enough to try them yourselves.

Kolacki

Ingredients: (Makes12 rolls)

For the Rolls:
Active Dry yeast- 2 tsp
Sugar- 1 1/2 Tbsp
Warm water- 1/4 cup
Warm Milk- 3/4 cup
Grated zest of one Lemon
Egg- 1
Salt- 3/4 tsp
All purpose flour- 3 to 3 1/4 cup
Unsalted Butter- 4 Tbsp, at room temp, cut into pieces

For Dried fruit filling:

Dried fruit of your choice (Peaches,sour cherries,apricots,prunes etc)- 4 oz
Fruit Brandy- 2 Tbsp (optional)
Sugar- 1/4 cup
Grated zest and juice of half a lemon
Unsalted butter- 1 Tbsp


Method:

1. Mix the yeast, warm water and bit of sugar, from the 1.5 Tbspn mentioned under rolls, in a small bowl. Stir to mix well and let it stand till it's frothy.
2. In a large bowl mix the rest of the sugar, warm milk, lemon zest, egg, salt and 1 cup of flour. You could either mix using an electric mixer or whisk by hand.
3. Beat well for one minute. Add the yeast mixture and ½ cup more of the flour. Beat for another minute.
4. Now add the butter pieces and beat until incorporated. Add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time and after 3 cups a tablespoon at a time, until a soft dough that just clears the sides of the bowl is formed.
5. If you are using hands, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 2 minutes. If kneading by machine, change to the dough hook and knead for 2 minutes. Do not add too much flour, or you may end up with dry dough.
6. Place the dough in a greased deep container. Grease the top of the dough as well. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 1 1/2 hours or until the dough has doubled.
7. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Combine the dry fruit, fruit bandy and enough water to cover the fruits. Boil, reduce the heat and cook for about 20 minutes or until the fruit is tender.
8. Drain if there is a lot of liquid, reserving 2 tablespoons. Mix the warm fruit, lemon zest and juice, butter and reserved liquid in a food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside or cover and refrigerate until needed.
9. Deflate the dough by punching down and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
10. Divide the dough into 2 equal parts and divide each part into 6, making 12 rolls.
11. Cover and let rise for abut 30 minutes.
12. Preheat the oven at least 20 minutes before you start baking at 350 degree F.
13. When the rolls have risen well, make an indentation with your thumb or back of a wooden spoon.
14. Fill with the prepared dry fruit filling and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until the rolls have turned slight brown.
15. Cool on a wire rack.

Kolacki

Sending this to Yeastspotting

Notes:

1.These mildly sweet rolls are light and delicious.
2.You could also use a cheese filling for this. Unfortunately I don't have a recipe to share right now.
3.These are also called Bohemian Sweet rolls
Recipe from: The Bread Bible by Beth Hensperger
Contributor: Namitha

Monday, March 21, 2011

Lauki aur Chana Dal/ Bottle Gourd and Split Chick Peas Curry

Curry has to be lip-smacking good. When I first tried bottle gourd though, I did not get that impression. The decision was instant to never try it again. Then something wonderful happened, and I had some exquisitely- made lauki aur chana dal. Well, not exquisite because it was too salty, but the potential with this vegetable was clear. I did not lose any time. I bought some bottle gourd and made some myself. Yum! Light, delectable, easy dish, I should say. I read some recipes online and checked with friends who have cooked them before and I knew what I had to do. The curry is so good, that if you are not careful, you will never get to eat it with rotis or rice because you would already have had it as soup. Mmm…!

Lauki aur Chana Dal

I am kind of enjoying the vegetarian dishes I am trying these days. Next in line is something to do with spinach and hopefully it will turn out well. Other than food, I am still waiting for spring, and in the mean time, I am tinkering with craft projects like making gunny bags, as you can see in the second picture. I have totally lost it! Over the weekend, I moseyed around some culinary stores like Crate and Barrel , and got an eyeful of designs, textures and possibilities for photography. How far I will succeed in transitioning this idea from my mind to my computer has yet to be seen. While I try and grasp my fingers around these trivial things, you make some curry and enjoy it with warm rice or hot rotis.

Lauki aur Chana Dal

Lauki aur Chana Dal

Ingredients:
Bottle Gourd – 1 small (about 3 cups when chopped)
Chana Dal - ½ cup (soaked for 2 hours)
Oil – 1 Tbspn
Asafoetida (Hing) – a pinch
Cumin Seeds – ½ tspn
Turmeric Powder – ¼ tspn
Onions - 1 medium chopped fine
Green Chilies - 4 chopped
Tomato - 1 or 2 chopped (depending on the kind of tomato. If it’s Roma then use 2 and plum tomato on the vine use just 1)
Coriander Powder – 2 tspn
Chili Powder - 1 tspn
Coriander Leaves – a small bunch
Garam Masala – ½ tspn
Lemon Juice of ½ a lemon
Method:
1. Clean and cook chopped bottle gourd and chana dal in a pressure cooker for 1 whistle. Pressure cookers differ, so make sure you cook the dal so that it retains it’s shape .
2. Heat oil in a pot which can hold all the curry. Start by adding asafetida and then splutter the cumin seeds. Follow these with onions and green chilies.
3. Once the onions are translucent, add turmeric, coriander powder and chili powder. Fry until you get the cooked aroma of the powder, about a minute of frying should do.
4. Add tomatoes and sauté. Once it’s cooked, about 2 or 3 minutes, add cooked dal and bottle gourd. If you like the texture of this curry to be thick gently mash part of the vegetables and leave the rest to retain its shape.
5. Add water depending on desired consistency.
6. Tip in a ½ tspn of garam masala, mix and garnish with coriander leaves
7. Serve hot with rice or rotis.

Contributor: Sunitha

Friday, March 18, 2011

Bok Choy and Portabella Mushrooms

I read some methods of cooking bok choy, and then decided to mix it up with some portabella mushrooms. I have to say I was not disappointed. I am skeptical about buying new vegetables and trying them at home. Alternatively, if it’s from a restaurant, I am more receptive. Since Chinese cuisine is one of my favorites, I decided to go out and pick up some Chinese cabbage, fancy mushrooms, and sprouts. So the first one to make the list was bok choy, and I am glad about this decision.

2011_03_081

Sautéing was the first option, but then I added some vegetable stock to make it wet. I like this since I can eat it even with plain rice. It will also be a great accompaniment with a meat dinner.

Bok Choy and Mushrooms

When trying new vegetables or meats, I try to stick with familiar flavors to begin with. Even though pairing every vegetable or meat with the same flavor may not be the right approach, when it’s Chinese cuisine I hope you will agree ginger and garlic won’t be too wrong. Also, ginger and garlic is a personal favorite so I decided to go all out and try.

Bok choy and Mushrooms

Bok choy and mushrooms flavored with soyabean sauce, chilies, ginger and garlic. I hope you will enjoy this simple dish. A simple dish, but the earthy mushrooms and bok choy will make you forget how simple, and every mouthful will be a delight. I have used portabella mushrooms, which according to me, is far superior in taste from the regular white ones.
This dish is spicy hot!

Ingredients:
Baby Bok Choy - 5, split in two
Baby Portabella Mushrooms - 20, split in two or four
White vinegar - 2 Tbspn
Water - 2 Tbspn
Dry Red Chilies - 6
Garlic - 3 – 4 cloves
Ginger - ½ inch piece
Shallots - 2
Soya Bean Sauce - 2 Tbspn (you may add more if you want to make the taste prominent)
Vegetable Stock - ¼ cup
Oil - 1 Tbspn
Salt - to taste
Sesame Seeds - 1 tspn or if you like more you may toast and add 2 tspn full.

Method:

1. Mix white vinegar and water in a small bowl
2. Soak chilies, ginger and garlic in this mixture for at least an hour
3. Drain and grind this to a coarse paste with a pestle and mortar
4. Heat 1 Tbspn of oil in a wok or pan wide enough to stir the bok choy and mushrooms
5. Add the ground mixture and stir for a minute or two or until the chilies and garlic release their cooked aroma. Add bok choy and mushrooms and sauté
6. When edges of the bok choy turn light brown, add soyabean sauce and stir for a minute
7. Add vegetable stock, close and cook till bok choy is tender. This will not take long since we have already sautéed the vegetables.
8. Toast sesame seeds and sprinkle before serving.

Contributor: sunitha

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Rainbow Cupcakes for St.Patrick's Day

St Patrick’s Day is new to even my Christian friends from India. Then again, I have not checked with any Catholic friends of mine to see if they celebrated it while growing up. Sunitha says - she had no clue until she landed in the U.S.

Rainbow Cupcakes

When you have children, everything colorful and vibrant catches your eyes. It could be the grocery store, department store, out in nature, everywhere. And if you have young ones going to school, they will definitely regale about every colorful experience they have in school! Well, at least until they are teenagers, I hope. Therefore, it must have either been the bakery which first made me curious about the colorful cupcakes, or my daughter’s animated description of some fantastic cupcake her friend shared with her. Whichever way, my interest was piqued and I participated in St Patrick ’s Day in my own way.

Rainbow Cupcakes


Historically, this is a festival in honor of the patron Saint of Ireland and celebrated on March 17th. The festivities started with the Catholics in Ireland, but have now taken a secular swing, spreading far and wide. I can confirm this is secular and gone beyond the boundaries of Ireland because even a mother from a small town in Kerala now fully participates by baking rainbow cupcakes on this special day.

Rainbow Cupcakes

For some people, St Patrick’s day is about coloring lakes green, wearing green attires or getting pinched for not wearing green, drinking a lot of green drinks, and even spotting funky hats. Others may call this an eyesore and decide not to participate. But as for me, it is another reason to celebrate in the middle of March! The beautiful color green signifies the arrival of spring. You know I will take spring for anything. In short, ‘have a great time’ is written all over this festival and I have decided not to shy away.

Baking fancy cupcakes is one of the ways I celebrate. For this one, the process was painstaking, with half a tablespoon different color batter being poured alternatively into each cupcake mold. But when baked, and my little boy exclaimed ‘rainbow’ with his hands clutching his wide-open-mouth it was priceless. Color your day green!

Rainbow Cupcakes

I have to tell you this - the first time I got excited about rainbow cupcakes is when Sangeetha shared it on her blog Kothiyavunu. Thank you Sangee for inspiring.


Ingredients:

Flour: 1 cup
Baking powder- 1 to 1 1/2 tsp
Vegetable oil- 1/2 cup
Sugar- 1/2 cup (plus 2 Tbsp if you are not using a frosting)
Eggs- 2
Pure Vanilla Extract- 1 1/2 tsp
Milk/Buttermilk- 1/2 cup
Food colors-Yellow,Red,Blue,Green

To Make more Colors:

Violet - 9 red + 6 blue drops
Orange - 12 yellow + 4 red drops.


Method:

1.Line a muffin pan to make 10 cupcakes. Beat together sugar and oil, follow up by add eggs one at a time.
2.Now mix in the vanilla extract.
3.Whisk together flour and baking powder in a separate bowl.
4.Gradually add flour into the wet mixture alternating with milk or buttermilk to make the batter.
5. Take 6 bowls and pour equal quantity of the batter into each of them. (It will be about 1/3 cup in each bowl) Preheat oven at 350 degree F.
6. Color the batter in each bowl with the food colors mentioned above. Stir well without any streaks making a uniform color. It will take about 10-12 drops of color. I know it's a lot of color but you will need to make vibrant cupcakes.
7. Now is the time consuming part. Carefully pour about 1/2 Tbsp of each color into all the prepared cups.(Be accurate, if you add more than 1/2 Tbsp, you will run out of batter !)
11.Starting with either blue or red finish all the rainbow colors. Each time make sure that you cover the bottom layer color with the one you are pouring on top. Do not spread the batter. Keep pouring each spoon of batter in the center every time and batter will spread itself.
12.Bake for about 15 minutes or until the tester comes out clean.
16.Cool on a wire rack and then the cakes are ready for frosting.

Notes:

1.This recipe yields the most moist and delicious Vanilla cupcakes I've ever tasted!
2.Using the same recipe you may choose to use just 4 or 5 colors. This will make each colored portion broader.
3.You don't have to worry about taking time to pour in each color, the cupcakes will come out perfect.
4.If you add only 1/2 cup sugar, the cake is not too sweet. This will give you enough incentive to frost without feeling guilty. I used whipped cream to frost some of the cup cakes.

Adapted from: Baking bites and Kothiyavunu

Monday, March 14, 2011

Chicken Cutlet

I cannot ignore what is happening in Japan as I write. It’s devastating, and my prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.

I had company last week. It was great to have someone home, to talk and share lunch with. It was even better to cook for more than two people. And it’s a darn miracle to myself, how such simple things in life have started becoming a treasure to me. Maybe the overdue maturing is finally happening! You will agree, being far away from one's homeland visits from family and friends become more meaningful. You miss them as soon as they are gone. The house is silent, and suddenly there is a huge void to fill.

Chicken Cutlets

Anyways, cutlets are a great snack when you have company or otherwise. Growing up, I could polish off a good number of them at a sitting. A snack every child will love! Talking about children, it was Namitha who initially decided to make cutlets last week. I took her cue, and made some with my friend M who was visiting and she and I photographed them. Thanks to Namitha for inspiring me to cook some myself last week and M for lending me you hand, literally for the photos. Sorry for jumping the gun on this one Nami :) Namitha's recipe will soon follow.

Chicken Cutlets

Back again to the topic of cutlets; good company and good food go together; good company and cutlets, now, that rocks! This snack will have your guests asking for more and you children, well they will not ask they will finish them all. A winner with young and old alike, I hope you enjoy it too.

Chicken Cutlets
Ingredients:
Chicken Breast - 3 (About 1 Lbs)
Cinnamon Stick - 1 inch piece
Cardamom - 2
Cloves - 4
Potato - ½ lbs
Onions - 2 big (chopped fine)
Ginger - 2 inch piece (chopped fine)
Garlic - 4 pods (chopped fine)
Curry Leaves - 1 sprig
Green Chilies - 8 (chopped fine) (reduce if it’s too hot for your taste)
Eggs - 2
Bread crumbs - ½ cup
Flour - ½ cup
Salt - to taste
Vegetable Oil - 1 Tbspn + enough for deep frying

Method:
1. Cut the chicken breast into big chunks. In a deep pan, cook the chicken with ¼ cup of water, ½ tspn salt, 2 green chilies cut, 1 garlic pod, about 1 tbspn of the chopped onions, whole cinnamon stick, cloves and cardamom. Cook till all the water is completely drained and chicken is cooked through. Set this aside to cool. Once cool, pick out the whole garam masala and grind the remaining in your food processor until it resembles a coarse nut meal.
2. Simultaneously, pressure cooker potatoes with enough water to just cover them. Wait for two whistles and switch off the stove. Once all the steam has escaped open the cooker, drain water and let the potato cool.
3. Heat oil in a pan and sauté finely chopped onions till translucent. Add finely chopped ginger, garlic, green chilies and curry leaves and sauté till the garlic and ginger gives off the cooked aroma.
4. Once the potato cools, powder it using a fork. Mix all the cooked, boiled and sauteed ingredients together. Check for salt and adjust according to taste. Form small balls of equal size, press it on a spoon to form oval shapes.
5. Take flour and bread crumbs in two separate plates. Beat 2 eggs in a bowl big enough to dip each of the cutlets. Grab another dinner plate to keep the prepared cutlets, and make yourself comfortable on a chair. I prefer sitting at the dining table with all these things in front of me before I start dusting, moistening and rolling the cutlets to make them ready for deep frying.
6. Take each shaped cutlet, roll in flour, dip in egg, roll again in bread crumbs and place them on a plate.
7. Once all the cutlets have been prepared as stated above, deep fry till both sides are golden brown.
8. Make sure heat is at medium low and since all ingredients are cooked you do not have to over do the frying.
Enjoy with ketchup as a snack or have them as a side dish with rice or rotis.

Contributor: Sunitha

Friday, March 11, 2011

Spinach Dal

Dal curry awakens fond memories from my early days of marriage. Yes, I know that I have talked about this on our site before. When I write about dal curry, it’s difficult not to mention my Telugu friend and colleague from Hyderabad who made a mean dal curry - so to speak. Though a little too spicy, it was delicious!. Being unable to eat as much as I would like with the heat, I asked her once how many chilies she put in the curry and she said “a handful.” Wow! No wonder, I would exclaim. It was a joke between us how much I would still eat in spite of the heat in the curry. I have learned a lot from her, and when I started cooking this curry myself she would caution me - you better go easy on the chilies having a kid at home!

Spinach Dal

Dal, in most Indian cuisines, is a side dish that goes both with rice and roti. As most dishes, it is cooked differently from state to state. However, it is a must have in a ‘Thali.’ My mouth waters whenever I think of a good lunch thali from my favorite vegetarian restaurant. I have tried to recreate some of that magic with this dish myself and hope you will enjoy it too.
Spinach Dal


Spinach Dal


Ingredients:

Tur Dal/Tuvar/Toor daal- ~1 cup
Tomato- 1 chopped finely
Turmeric Powder- 1/4 tsp
Salt- to your taste
Spinach- one bunch,chopped
Tamarind pulp- from a lime sized ball or to your taste

Tempering:

Oil- 1 Tbsp
Mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp
Chana dal- 1 tsp
Red chilies, broken into halves- 3
Garlic grated- 1 1/2 tsp
Red chili powder- 1/2 tsp

Method:

1. Pressure-cook all the ingredients listed, except for tempering and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan, add the mustard seeds and let it splutter. Follow it with chana dal and when it changes color to a light brown, add the grated garlic and red chilies. Saute` until the raw smell leaves.
3. Switch off the heat and add chili powder. Keep stirring until the chili powder is heated through. Be careful not to burn the chili powder. Pour the tempering over the cooked dal and mix.
4. Serve with rice.

Notes:
1. You can add green chilies when you cook the dal, and skip adding the red chili powder in the tempering.
2. For the amount of dal given in this recipe, 3-4 green chilies would make the dish medium hot (spicy).
3. Sometimes, I cook the dal with salt and turmeric and add the remaining ingredients along with the tempering - sautéing after each addition until they are all cooked and mix into the dal.

Sending this to My Legume Love affair at Ammalu's Kitchen,barinchild of Susan from The well seasoned cook
Contributor: Namitha

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Paczki (Pounchki/Punchki)

The Lenten Season starts today on Ash Wednesday. Yesterday was Fat Tuesday-the day when all rich and fatty foods in the house is to be finished. This concept falls under the European culture. I am drawing a blank as to what Christians in India traditionally would make on Fat Tuesday. Back home my family did not make a big deal of it but we all stuffed ourselves with meat and fish before lent starts.  Yes, for lent we give up only meat and fish, not sweets nor rich food.

Punchki

As such, I decided to go with the European tradition on Fat Tuesday this year.  With a little snooping around on the web found a recipe for paczki. Simply put, packzki is a polish doughnut.  Deep fried with stuffing and dusted with sugar- it's decadent. It is also very filling, but then again that’s the whole point of having this on Shrove Tuesday/Fat Tuesday. The recipe is from here. All I have done is halve the quantity and skip the step of layering and filling before frying.

Punchki

Punchki

Ingredients:
Eggs – 3 Whole or 6 egg yolks
Salt – ½ tspn
Dry Yeast – 1/8 ounce (half of a sachet is what I used)
Water – 2 Tbspn
Butter – 1/3 C at room temperature
Sugar – ¼ C
Bread Flour – 2 ¼ C
Brandy or Rum – 8 tspn (I eye-balled about half of 1/3 C)
Whipping Cream – ½ C scalded
Preserve – to fill (I used Smuckers, apricot preserve)
Oil – for deep frying

Method:
1. Beat eggs for about 5 minutes or until frothy. If you are using only egg yolks(which is recommended) beat till it is thick and soft, and set aside
2. Dissolve yeast in luke warm water 110 D C
3. In a separate bowl Cream butter and add sugar gradually and beat until fluffy
4. Using the lowest speed on your egg beater beat in the yeast
5. Add about 1/8th cup of flour into the above mixture
6. Follow up with your choice of rum or brandy and half the cream
7. Beat in ¼ cup of flour
8. Beat in the remaining cream
9. Add ½ of the remaining flour and the egg and beat for 2 minutes
10. By now I changed the blade on my hand mixer to the hook which is used to knead dough
11. Gradually beat in the remaining flour until it comes together as a ball
12. Cover and let it rise.  It will take about an hour.
13. When doubled, takes about an hour punch it down, cover and let it rise again
14. After another hour or so, punch down again, and on a floured surface (you will need some flour since the dough is sloppy) use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to about 2 inch thickness
15. Cut using a cookie cutter or glass
16. Deep fry on low medium until both sides are golden brown.
17. Break a punchki and make sure the insides are cooked.  This will help to gauge if you have the heat on the right setting. 
18. Serve with cream or fruit preserve filling.

Submitted to Yeast Spotting

Contributor: Sunitha

Monday, March 7, 2011

Lemon Buttermilk Pound Cake

Spring is around the corner, its official! Though Coloradans expect a few more snow showers, it's almost pleasant in some parts of the country.  The winter was quite dry this year in Colorado, which is unusual.    The wiles of nature seem to have confused the plants and trees so much, that some of them flowered before time!  You can see proof of these strange happenings in the exhibit below-of the yellow darlings.  These beauties were in my back yard looking perky and pretty until a little busy body in my family decided to change things around a wee bit.

Lemon Pound Cake

As soon as I spotted these flowers, it reminded me how the weather is unpredictable, and it may start snowing the next day.  Which meant the doom of these flowers was pretty close!  I didn’t know how soon.  Before I could engage in such thoughts of the future of these flower, my lil imp had decided their fate.  He had followed me while I photographed them, and when I finished taking the picture, plucked them, and gave it to me.   What a sweet thing to do right? I know! It is one of those moments when you are not sure if your child should be punished or appreciated.  Anyways, I decided to make the most of the situation.  I took pictures of this wonderful pound cake and made the hand-picked flowers a prop.  That is the story of the cruel end of the flowers.  As for the lemon pound cake, their fate ended inside four big tummies. 

Lemon Pound Cake

I loved the texture and mild lemon flavor in this cake

Lemon Pound Cake

Ingredients:

For a 9 by 5 inch loaf:

All purpose flour- 1 1/2 cup
Baking soda- 1/4 tsp
Baking powder- 1/2 tsp
Salt- 1/4 tsp
Butter- 1/2 cup
Vegetable Shortening- 1/4 cup
Granulated white sugar- 1 cup
Eggs- 2
Buttermilk- 1/2 cup
Pure Vanilla Extract- 1 tsp
Zest and juice from one Lemon

For Glaze:

Confectioner's sugar- 1/2 cup
Lemon juice

Method:

1.Preheat the oven at 350 degree F. Grease a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan.
2.Cream the butter and shortening together.
3.Add sugar,a little at a time and beat well till its creamy.
4.Add the eggs one at a time and beat well.
5.Now add the vanilla extract and lemon juice and lemon zest and mix well.
6.Whisk together the dry ingredients in another bowl.
7.Add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Starting and ending with the flour and mixing everything well.
8.Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a tester inserted comes out clean.
9.Cool on wire rack.
10. Make the glazing by mixing together the lemon juice into the sugar, until you get the required consistency.
11.Pour over the cooled cake and wait for some time till it sets.


Lemon Pound Cake

Sending this and Almond cookies to Vaishali's event Spring


Notes:

1.You could make a bundt cake if you double the recipe.
2.If you cut down the butter or shortening your cake will be dry.
3.Deeba has made her cake in a 8 inch round pan, so could you if you want a round cake. :-)

Contributor: Namitha
Recipe Adapted from : Deebas blog ,Food network and All recipes

Friday, March 4, 2011

Breaded Chicken

I love breaded chicken! Of course, the deep fried version is my favorite but the skillet fried version is a close second. Then again, skillet fried being healthier maybe we should bump it up to numero uno. What do you say?

Breaded Chicken

This recipe is inspired by 'barefoot contessa.' Recently, I saw her on TV featuring zesty lemon breaded chicken. It looked terrific, and seeing that it was skillet fried I decided to give it a whirl myself. Not disappointed at all, and will definitely keep making it with or without lemon zest.

Breaded Chicken

Having not used any lemon zest, I made a lemon vinaigrette with juice of one lemon and double the quantity of extra virgin olive oil. Spice up the vinaigrette with freshly ground black pepper, and a shallot or two, and you have a fantastic dinner.

Breaded Chicken

Ingredients:

Chicken Breast - 3
All-purpose flour - 1/2 cup
Bread crumbs - 1/2 cup
Parmesan Cheese - 1/4 cup
Salt - 1/2 tspn
Pepper - generous amount
Egg - 1
Cajun Spice - 1/2 tspn
Butter - for skillet frying
Olive oil - for frying

Method:

1. Take each chicken breast in a zip lock bag and without closing it pound the chicken with a mallet or rolling pin
2. Mix flour, Cajun spice, salt and pepper and keep it in a dinner plate
3. In another plate take bread flour and parmesan cheese
4. Beat one egg in a bowl in which you can dip the chicken breast
5. Coat each chicken breast in the flour mixture followed by the egg and lastly coat it with the bread crumbs.
6. Heat the butter and olive oil in a skillet and fry the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes on each side

Contributor: Sunitha
Inspired by Barefoot Contessa's recipe

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Chicken Tacos

Do you like Mexican cuisine? How about a delicious meal that can be put together in less than an hour? Now, I am sure I have your full attention. Who after all can say no to less time in the kitchen, and yet tasty food on the table! Thriving fast food joints everywhere are a sure proof to this fact.

I am no different! Once I found out that tacos put together at home can hold it’s own to tacos from my favorite joint, there was no stopping me. With fresh ingredients, and chicken that is cooked at home this recipe is healthier. More over, children love this stuff and indulge and for once you don’t have to curtail them from having an extra bite or two.

And now, with cricket being my latest distraction, I am thinking it won’t be a bad idea to have some tacos while enjoying the game too. Please agree with me!

Chicken Tacos

Chicken Tacos


Chicken Tacos



Ingredients:

Taco shells- 12

Chicken breast- 1 lbs, cut into bite size pieces
Pepper- 1 tsp
Salt
Olive oil- 1 tbsp
Lemon juice- 1 tsp
Garlic powder- 2 tsp
Jalapenos finely chopped- 1/2/to your taste
Chicken stock- 1 cup

Bell pepper julienne- 1/4 cup
Lettuce finely chopped- 1/4 cup
Guacamole- from 2 avocados(find the recipe here)
Mexican cheese- 1/2 cup (A Mixture of Monterey Jack, Mild Cheddar, Queso Quesadilla and Asadero cheese)
Sour cream- 1/4cup (optional)
Salsa/chopped tomatoes- 1/4 cup

Method:

1.Marinate the chicken with pepper, oil,salt,lemon juice and garlic powder and keep aside for at least 15 minutes.
2.Boil the stock and add the marinated chicken into it.
3.After 3-4 minutes add the jalapeno slices and continue cooking till chicken is almost done.
4.Increase the heat and cook till all the water is absorbed.
5.Switch off when there is still a little water left, just enough to moisten the chicken.
6.Prepare the shells according to package instructions.
7.Fill them with cooked chicken,sour cream,salsa and veggies sprinkle the cheese over.
8.Place them on a baking sheet/microwave safe plate and warm in an oven at 400 degree F/on high in a microwave for 30-45 seconds, till the cheese is melted.
9.Serve with guacamole and some Mexican cumin rice or as it is.


Chicken Tacos


Linking this to Anyone can cook

Notes:

1.The fillings are completely versatile, as many of you know.
2.This is how my family likes it.You could make it vegetarian by using tofu and vegetable stock.And maybe add some bean chili for filling


Contributor: Namitha

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Breadfruit/Kadachakka Thoran

   Collaborative curry was on a roll last weekend.  We were featured in the prestigious Hindu Newspaper. Huh! Can you imagine the thrill.  We are mighty pleased and want to thank you all for supporting and being there to cheer us on.If you haven't got a chance to take a peek, here is a link  A special thanks to Rachel of Tangerine's Kitchen, the lovely lady who brought the published feature to our attention.

Kadachakka thoran

  Mostly, the news paper highlighted our Kerala Cuisine and we are proud of it.  I decided there is no better way to concur with this sentiment than to give you one more of our favorite recipe from Kottayam.  This recipe is Namitha's, but since I got access to frozen breadfruit before her, I cooked it.  It is quite different from the regular thoran but very good by its own right.    

Bread fruit Thoran

Ingredients:

Bread Fruit              - 1   Lb
Shallots                   -  2   nos
Coriander Powder   -  2   tspn or to taste
Chili Powder           -  1   tspn or to taste
Turmeric Powder    - 1/2 tspn
Coconut                  -  1/3 rd Cup

For tempering:
Mustard                  - 1/2 tspn
Shallots,finely chopped- 2
Curry Leaves          - 1    sprig
Dry red chilies         - 3   broken

Method:

1. Cook the breadfruit with water at par with the vegetables in the pot.
2. The cooking time for the breadfruit varies.  Check frequently to make sure it does not overcook.
3. Once the vegetable is almost cooked add coriander powder, chili powder, turmeric powder and cover the vessel
4. Give the coconut and shallots a whirl in your mixer to lightly crush
5. Add this mixture and salt and stir
6. Temper in coconut oil or oil of preference.  (Heat oil, add mustard and wait till it splutter, follow up with shallots, curry leaves and dry red chilies and when they are fried and aromatic pour over the vegetable)
7. Serve it with rice and curry

Note:
1. Bread fruit like I mentioned earlier have varied cooking time and some time you might have to pressure cook it.

Contributor: Sunitha