Roasted Vegetable Soup

I generally cook on Sundays as thats when am free and up in the morning last Sunday I had made Soup. All those who know me will tell you Sunday and no chicken...SURPRISE...!!! Well thats a funny little story.

Fudgy Chocolate Brownie

I decided to make something sweet, a sweet way to say sorry to my blog - BUON APPETITO.

Bruleed Lauki Halwa

Cooking can be great fun when we get to enhance our knowledge. Last few weeks thats what I did, I experimented with a lot of ingredients and cusines. I even recreated a few famous dishes from all around the world.Surprisingly the experiments were no failure and I had loads of fun creating all those new dishes.

Black Chicken

Today, I am not sharing anything I tried in Shillong but its a dish I saw in a cookery show called Poh's Kitchen. Well in the show they used some ingredients that I didn't get here and they used beef which I don't eat....so why did I still try out the dish. The answer is in what attracted me....well I was attracted with the name Nasi Kandar aka Black Beef, I mean a black looking dish and appealing...hmmmm.... didn't seem to be very possible at the first shot and I just had to give it a try.

Creamy Egg and Potato Curry

As it has been planned for me, again I am alone with the same routine life and the only real fun time is when I am blogging. As I was alone and not in a very good mood, so I didn't feel like shopping or cooking anything special. So last Sunday was perfect for a easy , simple curry and the Creamy Egg and Potato Curry was part of the menu.

Celebration with Fish in Spinach and Mustard Gravy

The news of my leave being approved is something worth celebrating and today I partied with Fish in Spinach and Mustard Gravy. I consider it to be a very festive dish as its part of my families party food and is created during very special occasions. The last time I had it was when I went to my ancestral home for my aunt's wedding and that was some 10 years back approximately.

Paneer and Pepper Quiche

We all read about food and try to learn new dish for any place avaliable, some recipes sound so interesting that it just gets us thinking....the same happened with me when I read about quiche some years back. My love for eggs is no secret and this dish has eggs as the main ingredient so exciting right . But I didn't know of any place in Bangalore where I could get them and I didn't have oven at that time so I didn't try making it.

Murgh Musallam with Padina Pulav

Since the last 2 weeks the feeling is so intense that I just wanna eat only dishes that remind me of home.. :) . Last weekend I made Bhapa Dim again and this weekend Murgh Musallam. I know that's not a typical Bengali dish but as I have told my mom is a great cook and she makes several types of dishes and this dish is also from her list of creations.

Creamy Broccoli Soup

My liking for broccoli is very recent, in most of the movies they show that no one likes them ; this had an affect on me, I never bought them fearing that I wont like it and it would be a waste.

Florentine Mac and Cheese

My love for pasta is no secret but off late I have been trying out the lighter versions without cheese so today I was up for some indulgence. I baked the dish as I love those crunchy bites of cheese, then it looked very pale and I wanted some color in my plate thats when Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach came into picture.

Orange Cake with Orange Icing

Mangoes mark the start of Summer and Oranges mark the onset of Winter. Shillong has abandace of Oranges, every house has at least 2 orange trees. And in the chill weather, having oranges after lunch is a different feeling all together.

1st BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION WITH 'SALAD RICE WITH SWEET AND SPICY CHICKEN'

It’s been more than a month that I wrote anything. Did I lose the excitement......No way; rather I was caught in the hands of faith. I met with an accident and was in bed-rest all this time. Sadly I missed a lot of important and fun occasions in the process --- I missed to celebrate my blog's birthday, SORRY BUON APPETITO :( , I missed the new year celebration and I even spent my birthday lying in bed. Well no use crying over spilt milk, today I started cooking and I decided to making something that celebrates my cooking experiments and it’s my way of saying sorry to my blog for missing out on her birthday :)

DHANIA CHICKEN / CHICKEN IN CILANTRO SAUCE

Every dish that we make always have a story associated. Some kindles those childhood memories that gets hidden over years and others are those we picked up over the life from some books or resturants or even television... :) . Restaurants and television are the major places from where I collect my inspirations. The recipe I am sharing today has several stories to it as well.

GAJAR HALWA KA PATISHAPTA / SWEET EGGLESS CREPES STUFFED WITH CARROT PUDDING

Diwali is very special for me - I get to be a kid for a day . It’s been 7-8 years that I celebrate Diwali away from my family and with my friends. Although I miss my family but I always enjoy this festival. I start planning from morning, there is shopping for lights to be done and the last minute cracker to purchase. I love decorating my house with diyas and lighting and this is something I do every year, these small diyas always bring a lot of smile.

NUTTY MUTTON AND CRISPY FRIED GREEN TOMATOES WITH RICE

Anyways let get back to the dish , for my final course I decided to make a lamb dish. Every family has some tradition going on for ever and so do we. Since my childhood I have heard that on the Dashmi day , we should not have chicken and we have to make meat(lamb/mutton) only. Although my dad cannot eat meat(lamb/mutton) due to his health condition this tradition is still followed , and so I thought of sticking to it.

CILANTRO RICE WITH TANGY GRAVY AND SPICY FRIED FISH

People say Bengali cuisine is generally related to fish and sweet---actually they are not wrong :D . Being from a Bengali Family, we ate fish everyday. Infact my Baba(daddy) cannot enjoy his food without it even if there are 5-6 courses still he would need a fish dish :) .

MULLIGATAWNY SOUP WITH TOASTED BREAD AND PEA PESTO

OCTOBER.....this is the most festive month of the year. There are endless number for festival from all around the world and I have decided to celebrate them all-----HOW??? With food for sure. :) .

VANILLA SOAKED FRENCH TOAST WITH POACHED PLUMS

All my life the one meal I have skipped is Breakfast....I know it the most important meal of the day and all, but somehow I rarely feel like eating in the morning. One glass of milk is more than enough for me. I have been advised against this by so many people but somehow I just could not .

SPAGHETTI IN SOYABALL SAUCE

Pasta is an ingredient which is always available in my kitchen. Although I have quite recently (4 years now) started making pasta , I immensely enjoy it. A little effort that can bring total satisfaction :) .

CHEESY CAKE

Has it ever happened to you that even after a good dinner your sleep is disturbed late night due to the huge craving for something sweet.....hehehe.....this happened to me last Sunday..... :D

Monday, April 25, 2011

CABBAGE IN A BLANKET


With the change in office timing and upcoming exams next month, my cooking is totally on halt, most of the times I go for resturant hunts :) . This time am not very sad as I am hopeful that I might be able to fulfill one of my parents' desire. Actually my parents always wanted me to complete my Masters and there is a flickering hope that I might be able to do so.........FINGERS CROSSED... :) 

Now back to business. Today's recipe is about Cabbage and its not one my fav vegetables :D . I always buy Cabbages when I am tired of eating other vegetables...it something that I have as a Change of Taste :D .Have read about the healthy benefits of Cabbage so wanted to share with all.

HEALTH BENEFITS:        
1. Cabbage is anti – inflammatory vegetable
2. Cabbage contains lactic acid that acts to disinfect colon
3. Cabbage can also be used to reduce headache pain
4. Another benefit of cabbage is in it's anti –cancer properties and is also said to be able in treating other skin conditions
5. Drinking cabbage juice from the stem is a good remedy for ulcers.  

I have name this dish as "Cabbage in a Blanket"....and you guessed it right it is inspired by the famous "Pigs in a Blanket". Generally I prepare roti with any Cabbage dish however this variation tasted wonderful.... :)


Print Page

Pizza Dough 500 grams
Cabbage 250 grams
Tomatoes 3 medium sized
Onions chopped
1 cup
Ginger-Garlic Paste 1 tablepoon
Turmeric Powder 1 teapoon
Red Chilli Powder 2 teaspoon
Oil
1 tablespoon
Salt
As per taste
Black pepper powder
1 tablespoon
Lemon juice
10-12 drops


                     
    TOMATO BASE: 
  1. Cut the tomatoes into small cubes
  2. Heat oil in a pan, add the onions and ginger-garlic paste and cook till the onion turns light brown.
  3. To the pan add the chopped tomatoes and salt. Cover and cook over low flame such that the tomatoes turns semi-liquid.
  4. Add the red chilli powder to cooked tomatoes and keep cook till the water evaporates.
  5. The tomato base is done.                
      CABBAGE STUFFING:     
  1. Boil the shredded cabbage in water with a pinch of salt. Drain the cabbage when it turns soft.
  2. Heat oil in a pan, add turmeric powder, salt and the boiled cabbage. Cook over medium flame. This would take some time.
  3. Add black pepper powder and lemon juice to the cooked cabbage just before removing from heat
      ASSEMBLING:     
  1. Sprinkle some flour on the large wooden surface. Place the Pizza Dough on the floured surface. Roll it into 4-5 squares.
  2. Cover a oven rack with a baking paper. Drizzle some oil on the baking sheet and coat it with oil properly.
  3. Remove the excess flour and place the squared doughs in the baking sheet. Add a layer of tomato base on it and top it with the cabbage stuffing.
  4. Place the corners of the dough  over the stuffing such that the stuffing is covered properly.
  5. Repeat the process with all the squares.
  6. Cook the dish in the oven at 220 degree for 10 min.
  7. Then add a bit of garlic oil on top of all the squares and cook for 10 min more.
            
The Cabbage is the Blanket is ready. And whats best with it......a cup of Ginger Tea :) 

Priyanka


Thursday, April 14, 2011

SOYABEAN KADHI with SPICY COCONUT RICE


Finally...... I could get my net connection today. Over this last 2 weeks I have realised that I am so dependent on net ,imagine one whole day without visiting your facebook or chatting with friends or posting to the blog......and multiply with 15....so now you know how i have felt............OH!!!! MY GOD......it was UNBEARABLE  :( . Anyways m back now and hope you all missed me :D . 

Today I have a very simple and yet a deicious recipe to share.....its mainly 'Kadhi' and its an all time favourite among the North-Indians I have met so far. I am a Bengali and we are not very familiar with this dish so how I came to know or like the dish is a wonderful story.

When I was in Junior College (Class XI) I had a Gujarati friend, one fine day she invited me and a few other friends for dinner to her place. Aunty had prepared 'Kadhi-Chawal', now we bengalis' are big foodies....we can never eat just rice and one item, we always need at least 3 items to feel full :D , so I was lost.......however when i started having.....UUUHHHLALA!!!! it was yummy. Unfortunately at that time I was not into cooking so I didnt ask how it was prepared although I would often ask my mom to find out and prepare it.

Time passed and I started working, at that time I had a sweet friend called Ichha....She had invited me to dinner ones and to my utter surprise and pleasure she had prepared 'Kadhi-Chawal'.....and it was YUMMY.....all my childhood memories just came back. And I didnt miss this oppurtunity.....she explained me how to make the dish. 
Since then every other day I would make Kadhi and have tried out a lot of variations. Surprising now my North-Indian friends love the Kadhi that I prepare, the best part was when I made it for my mom....she said so finally u found it and learnt it....she totally loved it  :) 

Anyways my storytelling is over so lets get into business...today's variation is called ---- Soyabean Kadhi with Spicy Coconut Rice.  


Print Page
FOR SOYABEAN KADHI
Buttermilk
1 number(500 gms)
Gram flour
2 cups
Turmeric Powder
1 teaspoon
Red Chilli Powder
2 teaspoon
Cumin Powder 
Half teaspoon
Soyabean Nuggets
3 cups
Lime Juice
Half of a lime
Black Mustard Seed
Half tablespoon
Dried Red Chilly
3 pieces
Vegetable Oil
2 tablespoon
Salt
As per taste


FOR SPICY COCONUT RICE
Basmati Rice 2 cup
Onion julienne 1 cup
Green chilly finely chopped 2numbers
Garam masala Half tablespoon
Red Chili Powder
2 tablespoon
Turmeric Powder
Half tablespoon
Coconut milk
2 cup
Coconut water
Half cup
Vegetable Oil
2 tablespoon
Salt
As per taste


    SOYABEAN KADHI:-
  1. Soak the soyabean nuggets in luke warm water till the nuggets get soften. Then squeeze the water out.
  2. Heat one tablespoon oil to a pan, to the pan add salt, turmeric powder and red chilli powder.
  3. Add the soft soyabean nuggets to the pan and cook till nuggets are properly fried. Then remove it to a bowl and pat with tissue to remove any excess oil.
  4. In a bowl , whisk together buttermilk and gram flour till the mixture turn smooth without any lumps. I was experimenting with buttermilk but you can use yogurt too.
  5. Add turmeric powder,red chilli powder,cumin powder and salt to the buttermilk mixture and whisk them again till it turn smooth.
  6. Add lime juice to the mixture and whisk it thoroughly.
  7. Heat one tablespoon oil to a pan, add the black mustard seeds and let it sputter. Then add the dried red chilly and fry.
  8. Add the buttermilk mixture to the pan and bring it to a boil and simmer on a slow fire for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  9. Add the fried soyabean nuggets and again simmer the  kadhi for about 5 minutes.
SPICY COCONUT RICE:-
  1. Soak the Basmati rice in water for 10-15 min. Then remove it from water and spread it out on a paper so that the water is soaked up.
  2. Heat oil in a cooker, add onion and green chilly ; fry till the onions turn translucent.
  3. Add the soaked and dried basmati rice to the cooker and cook for 5 min. Stir occasionally and very softly or the rice would break.
  4. Take about half cup water and add the tumeric powder and red chilli powder  and mix till smooth,
  5. Add the spice mixture to the rice and stir softly.
  6. Then add the coconut milk and let it simmer in medium flame.
  7. When the rice gets a little soften add the coconut water and let it cook. Water may be needed if the rice is not cook, I needed about 1 cup. 

The North meets South dish is ready for tasting.......it would be wonder after a days work in office :)  .

Priyanka


Sunday, April 3, 2011

IT'S RAINING AWARDS...............!!!!!!!!





Its been almost 2 weeks since I could post anything on my blog......sad...??? totally. Firstly my laptop was spoilt beyond repair and so I had to get a new one and you know buying an electronic needs a lot of research so it took me so long to get one :) .Secondly during the last 2 weeks were the awesome matches of Cricket World Cup..........UHHU...!!! and finally I was busy with my house hunt. Today I have moved to a new house although its not as beautiful as my old house its cozy and comfortable and perfect for me. So when I am all set the first thing i thought of doing was check my blog and to my utter surprise my blogmates have not forgotton me at all....rather it has been raining awards for me. 

When I opened my blog I saw a message "I Have An Award Waiting For U In My Blog..Do Collect It :)" it felt so awesome , I had a smile running from one cheek to another :) .  When I visited her blog I realized its not one but she has showered me with several awards. Thanks a lot Prathima....you made me feel so honored.... :D




                                                                              
                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               


The beauty of these blogging awards is that its about receiving and sharing......so I need to share it 15 blogger and this is the toughest job. I have seen so many amazing blogger having collection of wonderful and breath-taking recipes, so I really cannot judge who is best among the best....however let me try to name a few wonderful bloggers.....






Priyanka


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