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Italian Orange Creme Soda
2007-10-26 01:54:00
Summers are known for the vast amount of tropical fruits that flood the markets and give soothing refuge from the sweltering heat. But some of these fruits are never out of season, or especially their juices, and one such versatile fruit is the Orange . A citrus fruit rich in Vitamin-C and anti-oxidants, oranges can be consumed in any season, any weather, and can be used for making salad dressings, adding flavors to baked goods and also for giving a tangy zest to some savoury dishes. One such simple yet refreshing concoction is the Orange Creme Soda . With as little as 3 ingredients, and in less than 5 mins, you can make this beautiful yet delicious cooler that is not only tasty, but replenishes the body with healthy nutrients too!The traditional soda just has orange syrup, cream and soda, but I modify it here to give it a twist with the addition of strawberries, and for my husband's craving of whip cream:)Ingredients1 glass carbonated water (sparkling soda)2 tbsp orange syrup (fresh...
More About: Drinks , Italian

Nutri-weight Food Scale - An answer to all your Food and Nutrition queries!
2007-10-25 19:38:00
Gadgets and innovations have always fascinated me, as you might have guessed by the Tech Blog that I write. But as a chef who loves to cook, and yet likes to live a healthy life with a balanced diet so I don't put on all that extra weight, I keep looking for ways in which I could keep a tab on what I eat so that I never go overboard. One such cool and neat kitchen gadget that I came across on the web was this ultra-sleek, retro Nutrition Food -Scale . Yes, just like a regular weighing scale, except that it looks like a laptop, this one is for the foods you eat, and it tells you clearly what's the nutrition content of your meal so you don't need to go by the rough estimates that you get from calorie and nutrition counters on the web!!A look at this super-functional Nutriscale and you'll know I'm not kidding. It analyses the nutritional content of your food by portion size, calculates the calories, protein, carbohydrates, total sugars, total fat, fiber, sodium, cholesterol, net car...
More About: Weight , Answer

Sour Cream Raspberry Brownies
2007-10-24 19:26:00
The first time I sank my teeth into a delicious brownie, I knew this was a bond for life!! I still remember how mych we used to bake brownies back in grad school days. It was our favourite, quick, easy and affordable dessert, and we'd top it with whip cream or strawberry syrup or plain vanilla ice cream and forget the worries and tensions of school!:) To date I cannot resist a warm fudge brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and nuts...what a beauty, and so irrestible!! So I am surprised how I hadn't blogged about my favourite desser until now!! Well, better late than never, so here I share with you my recipe of Raspberry Brownie s , and the secret ingredient is Sour Cream . The latter imparts a moist and rich texture to the brownies and the raspberries give it the luscious taste in every bite that makes these beauties almost irrestible!Ingredients1/2 cup wheat flour1/2 cup all-purpose flour1 1/2 tablespoons sunflower oil1/2 cup thick reduced fat sour cream1 tspn soda -bicarb2 eggs l...
More About: Desserts

Gulkand and Khoya Burfi
2007-10-23 19:44:00
"Diwali", the most famous Indian festival is around the corner, and it's time to make some nice sweets and snacks at home. Actually, navratri season is still on as "Dassehra" just got over 2 days ago, and people are eagerly waiting for Diwali, which is rightly known as the festival of lights, food and prosperity. It's a known legend that "Lakshmi", the goddess of wealth and "Ganpati", the god of health and prosperity, can be wooed to bless your home and family by offering them with luscious sweets, so how was I going to stay behind?? After all, we all need God's blessings, right? So here's something that you can make too to sweeten your festive season, a Gulkand and Mava Burfi which is simple to make and tastes awesome! "Gulkand" is basically rose syrup that has a unique flavor, and an ever more scintillating aroma, thanks to the rose extract. In Ayurveda, is is considered highly cooling for the body and has several other medicinal properties. It will not only make your dessert ...
More About: Indian Sweets

Punjabi Kadhi with Pakodas
2007-10-22 18:56:00
Gujarati kadhi has always been a speciality, but when I was exposed to the Punjabi Kadhi, I was amazed at how tasty it was, and also how it put a brilliant twist on a traditional kadhi recipe to make a thick, delicious curry that can be savoured with rice or parathas! I first had this in a Gurudwara, and I was totally taken over by the taste and concept. It was a welcome surprise to try this recipe, and I was very happy with how it came out. Punjabi Kadhi is essentially same as a gravy with yoghurt and chickpea flour, with the addition of pakodas, which gives the nice crispy feeling when you pour it over your rice. It's healthy, savoury, and does not take much time to prepare. So enjoy this delicious recipe with your family, just as I did!IngredientsFor Pakora:1 cup Besan (gram flour)Pinch of cumin seeds2 tspn onions - chopped finely1 green chillies - chopped1/2th tspn grated gingerpinch of turmeric powder1/4th tspn garam masalared chillie powder (to taste)1/2 tspn ajwain (optional...
More About: Curries

Lights, Camera, Click!! - Fun Decoration Ideas with Eggs
2007-10-19 20:36:00
If you've been seeing a lot of egg pics floating around the blogosphere, it's because of the fun event called "Click" started by the dynamic duo Bee and Jai of Jugalbandi, with the theme for October being "Eggs ". We've all made several recipes with eggs, but this event involves looking at the simple raw egg with a different perspective. I wanted to do something unique with my eggs, see it in a new light. So here's what my experiments with the "infamous egg" looked like!!Clicked with - Sony Cybershot DSC-T9 DigicamProps and Effects - The first one used an egg, and I balanced 3 bangles around it and placed it to look like a giant oval planet with the spiral ring around it. Then I used a black background, took a shot from a distance, to capture space, and joined it with another solar system pic, gave it a rocky and edgy effect to make it look "planet-like", changed the color of the white egg and my bangles to give it the fiery-look, and here's what the end product looked like.The ...
More About: Ideas , Entertainment , Camera , Decoration

Healthy and Low-Fat Blueberry Muffins
2007-10-18 19:50:00
People who do not have to do anything special to maintain their healthy weight and slim figure are eternally BLESSED!!! But not all of us are so lucky, and the moment you eat those few extra calories, they start showing themselves on our body! Does this mean you are not supposed to indulge in culinary delights?? Absolutely not! There was a time when dieticians and nutritionists were the only ones who could tell you what should be a part of your healthy diet, but now, thanks to the power of the web and numerous online weight-loss tutorials, having a healthy weight and a figure or physique that you could be proud of is no longer a dream! Here's one such diet-food dessert or snack recipe that I tried when I was on my weight-loss plan - Blueberry Muffin s - adapted from one of Denise Austin's recipes, they are not only tasty and filling, but you wouldn't have to think twice about your weight while relishing these!!Nutrition Info: These muffins are high in fiber because of the oats, an...
More About: Healthy , Heal , Fins

Hot and Spicy Dalvadas
2007-10-17 19:45:00
Bhajiyas and Pakodas are favourite finger-foods for Indians, and one such variation that involves using different types of lentils instead of vegetables is called the "Dal vada". It is a flavorful and healthy combination of several dals, and what makes it more interesting is the fact that they can be easily stored for a few days. The coriander, chillies and coconut and peanuts contribute to the spice and crunch in this dish. It is extremely easy to make and can serve to be a wonderful breakfast or brunch item!!Ingredients1/2 cup grated coconut 3 tbsp onions - chopped (optional)1/2 cup peanuts1 cup moong dal1/4th cup udad dal (optional) (You can substitute it with chana dal too)1/2 cup uncooked rice1 1/2 cups besan (chick-pea flour)3 tbsp coriander - chopped1 tbsp ginger-green chilli paste2 tsp turmeric powder2 tsp red chilli powder2 tsp garam masala2 tsp sugarlemon juice - to tastefew sesame seeds (till)salt - to tasteMethodSoak the peanuts in one bowl and the udad dal, rice and mun...
More About: Snacks , Spicy

Fluffy Khaman or Sev Khamani !!
2007-10-16 19:46:00
Gujaratis are known for their love of food, and I'm proud to say that a lot of tasty recipes have been born in the hearts of the state of Gujarat. One such popular dish is Khaman, or Khaman Dhokla, as some people call it, though Khaman and Dhokla are really two separate entities. But hey, what's in a name, as long as your tongue is happy and your stomach is full, we don't care much about the name:) I'm sure many of you must have tried your hand at Khaman, but besides sharing my recipe, I also wanted to draw your attention to another variation of this dish that few of you might have heard of, and it is called the Sev Khamani. It is basically khaman, broken down into powder rather than the chunks you are used to seeing, topped with sev (thin indian noodles made of chick-pea flour), pomegrenate, and spices.Ingredients1 cup Besan (Chickpea flour)2 tbsp Rava (Sooji)1/2 tsp Citric acid crystals (Indian store carries it) or use Eno Fruit salt1 tbsp Ginger and green chilli pasteSalt - t...
More About: Snacks , Fluffy

Heart-Healthy Cranberry and Pistachio Biscottis
2007-10-16 01:04:00
As humans start to grow old, many of our organs can't seem to keep up with the stress of age, but unfortunately, our taste buds never get old. They are always craving for something tasty, be it sweet, spicy or savoury, and often it becomes a challenge to cook food that is healthy and tasty. That is one of the reasons I love the HotM Blog, a perfect place to share healthy recipes. Their latest endeavour is "Baking for a healthy Heart ", and I think my Cranberry -Pistachio Biscottis are a perfect way to enjoy some sweet with your tea or coffee, without putting more pressure on your heart!Ingredients1 roll of parchment paper (or butter paper)2 egg whites only(not the yolk as that is what contains all the fat)1/2 cup sugar (or sweeteners if you are diabetic)1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup wheat flour2 tsp baking powder1 tbsp olive oil4 tbsp milk1/3 cup shelled pistachios - sliceda fistful of dried cranberries1/2 tspn vanilla essenceNote: This is a healthy version of the recipe, so you m...
More About: Desserts , Healthy , Heal

Mini Pineapple Upside-down Cake
2007-10-15 19:01:00
Using fruits in cakes has been traditional and tasty, but I had never tried an upside-down cake until now. The concept had always fascinated me, as I'm not very good with cake decorations using a cone, so it works for me when I can use the natural beauty of the fruits itself to act as the decoration!! As I'm always looking for party-food ideas, I was attracted to try the Mini Upside -down cakes as they are easy to make and result into individual servings which is perfect for entertaining guests. I went with the widely-used pineapple and cherries combination on this first attempt, but you are free to use the fruits that you like. No matter what you choose, these mini desserts are bound be classic!!Ingredients20-ounce can of pineapple slices (rings are preferred as they result into a better presentation)1/3 cup butter - melted2/3 cup brown sugar (you can use regular sugar as an alternative)12 maraschino cherries (canned ones are fine)12 cup large-muffin tray or mini cupcake mouldsFor...
More About: Pineapple , Desserts , Cake

Spanish Tortilla Omelette
2007-10-13 23:16:00
Its one of those lazy saturdays, and you decide to have eggs for breakfast. But you are tired of the same way you eat eggs everytime and are craving for something new. If this sounds like you, then I have a perfect solution to your dilemma. How about an omelette cake?? Ok, before you think I'm nuts, let me introduce you to the Spanish Tortilla Omelette. In Spain, a "tortilla" means a flat omelette cooked with potatoes or "Tortilla De Patatas" which is basically a fluffy, layered and filling omelette which is thick like a cake. In fact, it is so good and satisfying that lots of chefs have said it should be nominated for the Good Food-Hall of Fame (hah! as if such a thing even exists!!)But seriously, try it for yourself. Just make a large tortilla, slice it into wedges and share it with your friends and family!Ingredients2 large potatoes - boiled2 tbsp olive oil1 medium onion - chopped1/2 cup button mushrooms - sliced (optional)1 capsicum - chopped1 hard tomato - diced6 large eggs1/2...
More About: Snacks , Nish , Mele

Contact Us
2007-10-13 01:26:00
We are always interested in knowing more from you. Please use the form below for feedback, inquiries or advertising-related queries. We value your correspondence, and will try to respond as soon as we can.function Download_form_CF(){ var errormessage = new String();var vF = document.forms["Download_form"];if(Downlo ad_form_WithoutContent(vF["name"].value)) {errormessage += " Please fill in the "name" edit field";}if(Download_form_NotAlphanumeric( vF["name"].value)){errormessage += " "name" can only contain alphanumeric characters";}if(Download_form_WithoutCont ent(vF["email"].value)){errormessage += " Please fill in the "email" edit field";}if(Download_form_NotEmail(vF["ema il"].value)){errormessage += " The entry for "email" does not appear to be a valid email address";}if (errormessage.length > 2){ alert("There are errors or ommissions in the form" + errormessage + " "); return false; }return true;} // end of Download_form_CF()function Download_form_Witho...
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Crispy Mexican Tacos
2007-10-12 19:56:00
Mexican food is famous for its crunchy taste, beans, gaucamole, sour cream and spice! So as we continue to get scattered showers here in CA, hot and crunchy Tacos are something that one enjoys eating. And though you'd find a Taco Bell at almost every nook and corner of the universe, making these tacos at home is not only easy, but the vegetarians can be sure there's no meat sauce in them as you make them in the safety of your own home. Kids would love this delicious food, and with beans, lettuce and avocado, it is also healthy upto a certian extent! And they are not at all time consuming as one stop at the supermarket can get you most of the ingredients. Its pretty much the assembling that you do at home, so you can serve dinner in a jiffy!Ingredients8-12 Taco shells (for the more adventurous, I have the shell recipe below)2 cans of refried beans (same as kidney beans, and they don't have any beef in it)1 small packet of sour cream1/2 cup gaucamole sauce6-7 large tomatoes - boile...
More About: Snacks , Mexican , Cris

Stuffed Ravioli in Saffron and Cream Sauce
2007-10-11 19:25:00
My favourite cuisine after Indian is definitely Italian. I love the use of cheese, herbs and spices that their dishes contain. And raviolis are my personal favourites on any italian menu. As a cook, I always try to combine flavors that I think go well with each other, irrespective of their origin, and that's how most of the fusion dishes are created. So when my husband asked me to make Ravioli for dinner, I tried to combine the traditional Italian ingredients with a touch of Indianism to the sauce, creating this Ravioli stuffed with Pesto sauce and ricotta cheese topped with a sauce made from saffron, cream and tomatoes!Ingredients1 packet of ravioli sheets1/2 cup ricotta cheese1/4th cup Pesto sauce (or see recipe below)1/2 cup blanched spinach - chopped (you cna use mushrooms or any other veggies for stuffing)1/2 cup tomatoes - cut2 tbsp butter1 tbsp egg wash or cornflour mixed with water - to seal the raviolis2 tsp saffron4 tbsp parmesan cheese1 cup whipping cream1/4 cup plain wh...
More About: Snacks , Saffron , Sauce , Cream

SuperFoods for the Vegetarians!
2007-10-10 19:15:00
A lot of people have asked me "How can you live without eating meat? how do you get your proteins and other nutrients? Isn't it tough being a vegetarian?" And I've always answered "Frankly, it's not at all tough, and there are a hundred things you can eat to maintain a healthy balanced veggie diet!" I'm not against any of those who eat meat:) it's part of the Food Chain, and helps maintain the balance. But here is a list of just 10 foods, or rather Superfoods, which will help you live a healthy life without meat, eggs or poultry. So compare your diet to this healthy-food checklist and see if you need to add something to your daily diet!!CARROT - They may make your salad more crunchy and tasty, but the powerful beta carotene that they contain, aids in reducing your risk of stroke. It also helps improve your vision, upto a certain extent, and when fed right from childhood.SPINACH/BROCCOLI/CABBAGE - These green leafy veggies are high in potent anti-cancer compounds like sulforapha...
More About: Vegetarians

The Blue Hawaiian
2007-10-09 19:54:00
Though I never take alcohol, I love the vibrant colors that these drinks have, and I'm always fascinated to know what gives them these beautiful hues. So here's what I found when I set to find what goes into a "Blue Drink". Its an ingredient called the "Blue Curacao", a sweet blue liqueur, distilled and flavored from the dried peel of bitter oranges. It can also contain distillates of lemons and curacao fruit, sugar and wine. This is used to induce color to several drinks, and one of the favourites for most people is the Blue Hawaiian ! And if you can't find it, just add some blue food color; the drink is totally worth it even without the curacao!!Ingredients1/4 cup cream of coconut (thick sweetened coconut milk)5 tbsp pineapple juice2 tbsp Blue curacao (this gives the blue color to the drink)1/6 cup light rum (optional)orange or pineapple slices - to garnishMethodBlend light rum, blue curacao, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut with one cup ice in an electric blender at high s...
More About: Drinks

Italian Tomato-Herb Bread with Parmesan Cheese
2007-10-08 21:12:00
We usually try eating the whole-wheat bread everyday at breakfast, but from the time we've tried the Orowheat Buttermilk bread, it has really left an indelible impression on our taste buds!! The soft and creamy texture combined with the subtle buttermilk flavor has found a place in our eharts. So it was a matter of days before I started scouting the web for a similar recipe. Also, I'm a big fan of italian herbs like rosemary and thyme, and they taste great in a loaf of bread. So I couldn't have been luckier to have found a perfect recipe for Buttermilk-Herb bread (original recipe here). I modified it to add some whole-wheat flour, parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes! Yup, and I'm glad I used these additons for they added a beautiful flavor to the bread. It tasted so good you could eat it just like that!!Ingredients2 envelopes active dry yeast1/2 cup warm water1 1/2 cups warm buttermilk1 egg (optional)2 tablespoons vegetable oil1/2 cup parmesan cheese1/2 cup rosemary leaves/fl...
More About: Snacks , Italian , Cheese , Bread , Tomato

King of a Culinary Empire - Emeril Lagasse
2007-10-08 03:06:00
The first chef to find his way to Food Network, and make it big on national television is none other than our dear Mr. Emeril Lagasse. The king of the Emeril Empire , he is no longer a chef, but is in fact a definition of celebrity chef and has made a significant contribution to how the world sees gourmet food, restaurants and culinary professionals. He is among the few who make watching cooking shows everybody's worth, not just for the food, but for the lively environment that he creates by involving his audience in his shows. So let's take a peek into the life of this famous food celebrity- both on-screen and off-screen!!Snapshot:Birth Date: October 15th, 1956Homebase: New OrleansFamily: Wife AldenFamous Restaurants: Delmonico Steakhouse and Emeril's New Orleans FishhouseFamous Shows: Emeril Live, Essence of EmerilBorn in the small town of Fall River, Massachusetts, Emeril boasts of a fusion of Portuguese and French Canadian heritage. He worked in a local portuguese bakery as a ...
More About: King , Culinary , Emeril Lagasse

Announcing AFAM-October (A Fruit a Month) - Peach/Nectarine
2007-10-07 18:08:00
Fruits have and will always be a cherished food ingredient, with the wide array of opportunities they provide to make sweet or savoury entrees, desserts, juices or cocktails! So I was more than eager to read about AFAM (A Fruit a Month ) Event, which celebrates one fruit every month, and invites readers and fellow bloggers to share their secret recipes with the rest of the world. But believe me, the plethora of new recipes and ideas that you'll get on the day of the round-up is even more exciting!! Pioneered by Maheshwari of Beyond the Usual, I loved this concept right fom when I heard about it. So I'm very excited that she gave me a chance to host one of these!!So guys and gals, readers and bloggers, chefs and home-cooks, get ready to be a part of this month's festival celebrating "Peach es or Nectarines"!! This was what I had in mind initially, but I wanted to request a poll just to make sure others voted for this fruit too...I think this is the right season for Peaches, so get o...
More About: Fruit , October , Anno

Sev Usal (Usal Paav) - A Chaat Dish
2007-10-05 20:09:00
"Chaats", the spicy, tasty, crunchy snacks that are served in most Indian restaurants are available in several forms and flavors, and the one word that I can use to describe them is "mouth-watering"!!! One such variation is the Sev Usal, which is traditionally a Maharashtrian dish, but famous is most of the western part of India. It consists of a "Ragda" or gravy made of dried green peas, topped with Sev (kind of like hard noodles made of chick-pea flour), several sauces to bring in the spicy, tangy, sweet and garlicky flavor, and garnished with onions and coriander!! It can be relished as it is, or eaten with bread or "paav". This is a classic way of consuming pulses, and can be made quickly. It has long been a favourite road-side snack in India, and is equally delicious when you make it in your kitchen!Ingredients4 cups dried green peas (green vatana)4 tbsp tamarind paste3 tsp cumin seeds3 tsp mustard seeds2 green chillies - chopped2 tsp turmeric powdersalt - to taste3 tbsp sugar ...
More About: Snacks , Dish

Coconut Laddoos (or Burfi) - A quick and tasty treat!
2007-10-04 18:47:00
The season of festivals is in all its glory for Indians, with one celebration after another all lined up till November! So its traditional to make sweets at home, but what about people who just have a sudden urge to cater to their sweet tooth, celebration or not??!! Well, I have a perfect solution! I have enjoyed eating Koprapaak (Coconut Burfi) since I was a child, and now I've found a really simple recipe that works great when you need to make this treat in a jiffy. So here's something to satiate your craving for a dessert, or a perfect "prasad" for all those festival times....Ingredients1 can condensed milk2 cups dessicated coconut2 tsp cardamom powder2 tbsp sugar1/4 cup nuts - chopped (pistachios, almonds, cashews)A few strands of saffron - to decorateMethodKeep a little coconut and a few pistachios aside for garnishing. Mix the condensed milk and the remaining coconut in a bowl. Add the sugar and elaichi powder and stir on a low flame for about 4-5 mins. The milk is already t...
More About: Indian Sweets , Quick , Treat

Veg Tom-Kha Gai (Thai Soup)
2007-10-03 19:06:00
We generally think of soups when we want to eat something healthy, or just need a tasty appetizer. And though Tomato soup has always been my favourite, another one that comes really close is the Tom-Kha Gai - a vegetarian Thai soup based in coconut milk that has Asian herbs and spices to impart a delicate tangy and spicy flavor. I'm sure people who've been to Thai restaurants must have tried this one; we always order a large family-size bowl of Tom-Kha Gai which forms a major part of my Thai meal:) This soup is easy to make, but it does use specific herbs so I'd advise you to plan for it and visit asian grocery stores (or even the asian foods section in supermarkets) to get all the ingredients in advance. But believe me, your efforts will surely pay off when you taste this delicious soup!Ingredients1 cup coconut milk2 stalks of lemon grass (fresh or frozen)1 cup vegetable stock (or water)2 tbsp lime juice4-5 Lime leaves (available in grocery stores, asian food section)2-3 serrano...
More About: Appetizers , Soup , Soups

Veg Manchurian Dry (Ginger Flavored Gobi Manchurian)
2007-10-02 18:57:00
Alright folks, after having this on my to-do list for a long time, I finally managed to make this Indian-chinese dish called Vegetable Manchurian Dry. I have had this dish in a lot of restaurants, but the best one I've had has been at "Bombay Chinese" - a restaurant in Dallas, TX. Unlike other places, their manchurian was always soft and well-cooked from the inside, yet with the nice and crispy exterior. And what made me crave more of it was the distinct ginger and chilli flavor. Paired with plain or Fried Rice, it was pure heaven!! So dig into this tasty and spicy Manchurian recipe that is sure to scintillate your taste buds, and have you craving for more!! This one has a lot of ingredients, so it'll be best to plan around it and do some preparation in advance to save time.Ingredients4 cup Cauliflower - separated into small florets2 tsp Ginger - minced (add more if you like ginger flavor)1 tbsp Garlic - minced3 tbsp Maida (all-purpose flour)2 tsp Corn flour1 tsp Red chilli powder...
More About: Snacks

Apple and Pecan Cobbler - For TGRWT#6
2007-10-01 23:47:00
My favourite memory associated with apples is about my mom making fresh apple jam at home, and I'd be sitting on the kitchen top, watching her make that wonderful jam that would hardly suffice for 4-5 days before she'd have to make another batch! (of course, my brother consumed as much as I did!!) But in recent years, I've never really cooked anything out of apples. So as I scoured the web to find something that interests me, I found this simple apple cobbler recipe, and as I hadn't tried making a cobbler either, I knew I had found something to keep me busy this weekend. Here's my Apple and Pecan Cobbler recipe with a touch of Lavender and Nutmeg. I was skeptical about lavender at first, as cinnamon is a more widely paired spice with apples, but I was tempted to try this due to the TGRWT event, and thought I'd give this combination a try. The result, a delicate flavored cobbler which turned into an amazing dessert paired with vanilla ice cream!IngredientsFilling1/4 cup sugar (...
More About: Desserts

Pineapple Fritters (bhajiyas) with Strawberry Sauce
2007-10-01 20:16:00
It is fairly common to use vegetables to make fritters, but rarely have I come across fruits dipped in batter to make warm and fluffy bhajiyas!! So after Fried Banana, I was a bit pleasantly surprised to find a recipe for Pineapple Fritters. The name intrigued me enough to give it a shot, and I found it to be a nice variation to eating fruits by themselves. We enjoyed it with Strawberry dipping sauce, and I think you would love to try this recipe too!!(image courtesy indianfoodforever.com)IngredientsCanned pineapple rings (or chunks) - Fresh pineapples are great too!1 cup all-purpose flour2 tsp baking powder1/4 cup milkOil for fryingSauce 2 cups fresh or canned strawberriessugar - to taste (optional, only for a sweet tooth!)2 tbsp fresh creamMethodUse the medium-sized pineapple rings. You can cut into 2 pieces after frying if they are big though. Make a smooth batter using the flour, baking powder and milk. Whisk together to for a thick batter that can easily coat the pineapple rings...
More About: Desserts , Haji

Chocolate and Coffee Martini
2007-09-30 01:38:00
Having cocktails on special occasions has been traditional, but most of us refrain from making indulgent cocktails at home thinking it is just too much work. But there are some recipes which use simple ingredients, are easy to make and yet result into something right out of a lavish restaurant's menu card. We know that chocolates make any moment a special one, and to date it remains to be the favourite choice for special dates and events. So here's a simple recipe for a Choco late Martin i, another way to savour the chocolate and liquer, and make your moments memorable and sweet!Ingredients4 fl oz chocolate liqueur (any flavor you like by Godiva)2 tbsp crème de cacao (optional)3 fl oz vodka1 oz semisweet chocolate - grated2 tbsp cocoa powder5-6 ice cubesMethodCombine chocolate liqueur and vodka in a cocktail mixer full of ice. Chill glasses and then rim them with the cocoa powder (use egg white to make it stick to the glass edges). Shake the mixture vigorously and strain into the ma...
More About: Coffee , Drinks

Roasted Tomato and Peanut Chutney
2007-09-29 01:02:00
Tomatoes, the beautiful and highly nutritious red delights add flavor to so many of our foods. I posted about the Green Tomato chutney recently, and so the circle wouldn't have been complete without using the ripe red tomatoes too to make one! So this time, I combined tomatoes with peanuts, onions and spices to make this Roasted Tomato Chutney . We savored this with Rava Dhokla, but you can use this as a dip or sauce with any finger food, even french fries. It might look similar to Marinara sauce, but believe me, the similarity ends at the looks. The spices bring an indian touch, yet peanuts add a crunch that reminds you of the asian cuisine. So hope you enjoy this spicy fusion chutney just as much as we did!!Ingredients3-4 fresh firm tomatoes - chopped finely1/2 cup peanuts - roasted and ground2 tbsp (split pea) chana dal1/2 cup onion - chopped1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste2 tbsp oil1 tbsp red chilli powder2 tsp cumin2 tsp mustard seeds1 tsp turmeric powdersalt - to taste1 tbsp sugarMe...
More About: Peanut , Sauces , Tomato

Green Rava Dhokla with Corn (Baked Dish)
2007-09-29 00:39:00
Idlis and Dhoklas have been hot favourites for weekend breakfasts or snacks. And with Instant mixes available in the grocery stores, this is a perfect way to spend less time cooking and more with friends and family. Dhoklas originated in Gujarat, India, and the traditional dhokla flour is a combination of several different flours like cracked wheat, rice, besan and other. But as we intend to keep our recipes simple, I'm going to share with you the Rava Dhokla recipe. Inspired by the Rava Idlis that I've had at my friends' places for a lot of times, I tried making a variation of the same concept by adding some new ingredients. What's more is that it is baked, hence it's very low on fat and carbs, and with corn, coconut and coriander adding to the taste, it's crunchy, healthy and delicious!Ingredients3 cups Rava (semolina) OR Gits Instant Rava Dhokla mix12-15 cashewnuts - roasted and split in halves1 cup sour curd or buttermilk (omit this if you are using the instant mix)1 cup c...
More About: Baked , Snacks , Green , Corn , Dish

Grape and Green Tomato Chutney (Sauce)
2007-09-28 19:19:00
Its amazing how most of the times, it is the sidekick which brings more flavor to the main course, right? The dips, sauces, pickles and salads make all the difference between good food and great food on a table, so it's important to give due respect to these side dishes and accompaniments which add more value to what you cook. One such experiment I tried last week was with green tomatoes and grapes. The markets are flooded with ripe tomatoes, yet there are so many green ones too that I was tempted to try making a dip using these. Grapes are found in abundance in CA, and when I came across this grape chutney recipe over at Food Network, I couldn't resist the temptation to combine tomatoes with grapes and add some green apple to it to form a nice savoury sauce. With the seasoning and green chillies, it turned out to be a wonderfully successful experiment!Ingredients5-6 large green tomatoes - sliced1 semi-ripe green apple3 cups green seedless grapes1 tbsp salt1/3 cup chopped onions1 ...
More About: Chutney , Green , Sauces , Tomato , Sauce