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Delightful Treats for Ramzan

The month of fasting is nearly over and Muslims across the world are gearing up to celebrate Ramzan [also called Ramadan or Id-Ul-Fitr].  And there is no hiding that Food and Ramzan has a strong connection. Think succulent kebabs, delicious Biryani, rich curries and molten malpuas served at the best restaurants across the country and you have your excuse to dig in. Here is a heads-up on the Top 3 places across the country to visit,
kurbani ka meetha 
Khoobani Ka Meetha
[Image courtesy Fullmeals.com]

If you have plans of visiting Mumbai, then this is the right time to go, for you are in for not only a visual treat but a gastronomic one as well. Mohammad Ali Road with its street side stalls and small hotels are overflowing with people eager to try some of the Ramzan specialities.  The kebabs [Beef and Chicken] are the show stoppers and the best ones are found at Haji Tikka, Khara Tank Road in Bhendi Bazaar.  However, if you are not the adventurous kind, then you should visit Khiri where you will find various rich meat dishes, especially beef. Another area in Mumbai that serves up quite a storm is Khau Galli in Central Mumbai, which comes alive post 9pm with streets brimming with people vying for a plate of Biryani or kebabs or the sweet dishes.

haleem 
Haleem
[Image Courtesy - Zaika.net]

On the other hand, Lucknow has its pride in Tunday Kababi, a century old family-run restaurant  that dishes out plates of  Galouti kebab like nowhere else. Akbari Gate on the other hand is where you get the most divine glass of Kashmiri tea that is perfect before starting your food trail. Make sure to visit Haji Sahib's shop for a slice of the traditional nihari and kulchha. Wait, its not over yet, you should sample the makhan malai, Lucknow’s own version of saffron-spiked ice cream before you can call it a day.

hyderabadi-biryani-300x225 
Biryani
Image Courtesy: Flickr

Ramzan is synonymous with Haleem and the best Haleem is available in Hyderabad only. Tasty and delicious Haleem here is a plate of minced meat cooked with ground wheat and oodles of butter. Pista House, near Charminar at the old City offers the 2nd best Haleem in town. Biryani is another dish that is a must have during Ramdan season. Called Nawabi or Dum Biryani, No Eid is complete without this Biryani.  Take your pick from Lamb, Chicken or other meat, either way you are in for a treat like never before. Also order a side of mutton korma, mutton do pyaza or murgh musallam, and zafrani murgh to add to te beauty of the meal. Finish off in style with a plate of Kulfi, sheer khurma or sevayyian (which is vermicelli that has been cooked in milk topped with nuts),  khoobani ka meetha (apricots pureed cooked with sugar and topped with fresh cream) and the traditional phirni.

mango kulfi 
Kulfi
Image Courtesy: Recipes ebest

Let the celebrations begin!! Enjoy the treats no matter where you are...!!
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Adobo Steaks




We don't eat a lot of steak.  I think Hubs would eat more if HE planned the menu though.  He does rave when I make steak.  Well, I just marinate it, HE actually gets to grill it! 

This marinade was awesome! Spicy and garlicky! 

I take my whole can of chipotles with adobo sauce and puree the whole thing. I just use a few tablespoons for this marinade.  Then the rest can stay in the refrigerator for something else. 

Adobo Steaks Marinade Recipe

1 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons finely chopped canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers to taste
4 (8 ounce) beef sirloin steaks
Salt and pepper to taste


1.In a small bowl, mix the lime juice, garlic, oregano, and cumin. Stir in chipotle peppers, and season to taste with adobo sauce. (I puree my chipotles and adobo together and just use a few tablespoons)
2.Pierce the meat on both sides with a sharp knife, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place in a glass dish. Pour lime and chipotle sauce over meat, and turn to coat. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
3.Preheat grill for high heat.
4.Lightly brush grill grate with oil. Place steaks on the grill, and discard marinade. Grill steaks for 6 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.
One Year Ago...








Chicken Tagine in the Slow Cooker

This is linked with:

No Whine Wednesday at Food on the Table
Let's Do Brunch at My Sweet and Savory
Works for me Wednesday at We are THAT Family
Real Food Wednesdays at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
What's on your Plate? at Good Cheap Eats
What's on the Menu at Dining with Debbie
Made it on Monday at Lark's Country Heart
My Best Recipes at This Chick Cooks
The Mommy Club at Crystal and Co.
Weekend Wrapup Party at Tatertots and Jello





Calories calculated from calorieking.com. Some numbers are approximate and rounded.
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Baked BBQ Onion Rings











I pretty much ate this whole plate of onion rings.  Well, I could have at least. I was nice and shared a few with the family.  I'm quite sure that I had the most though. 









The original recipe calls for Panko breadcrumbs and these might have crisped up more than the regular breadcrumbs.  They weren't quite as crispy as I would have liked, but hey, for a baked onion ring they were pretty awesome. 





The barbecue flavoring was incredible.









Baked BBQ Onion Rings Recipe

Adapted from Very Culinary



1 cup barbecue sauce of your choice

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup flour

2 cups bread crumbs (I used 1/2 regular and 1/2 whole grain)

2 - 3 medium to large onions, sliced into 1/2 in. rings



Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place two baking sheets in the oven and let those preheat too.



In a medium bowl, mix together barbeque sauce, eggs and flour.  Place bread crumbs in a separate bowl.



Dip onion slices in the bbq mixture, shake excess off and then dunk on all sides into the bread crumbs.  I use one hand for the bbq dipping and then the other hand for throwing the crumbs on the onion, this seems to be the neatest way.  Lay flat on a plate or a cool surface while waiting for the hot trays. 



Remove hot baking sheets from the oven and spray lightly with cooking spray.  Move coated onions to hot baking sheets and spray the coated onions lightly with cooking spray. 



Bake for about 8 minutes, then use tongs or a fork to turn each onion ring and bake for an additional 4 - 6 minutes, watch closely so they don't burn!





One Year Ago...

















Ice Cream in a Baggie



This is linked with:Calories calculated from calorieking.com. Some numbers are approximate and rounded.



$5 Dinner Challenge at $5 Dinners

My Meatless Monday at My Sweet and Savory

Mouthwatering Mondays at A Southern Fairytale

Your Recipe, My Kitchen at Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker

Just another Meatless Monday at What's for Dinner, Mom?

Midnight Maniac Meatless Monday at Midnight Maniac

Made By You Mondays at Skip to my Lou

Mangia Mondays at Delightfully Dowling

Tuesday at the Table at All The Small Stuff

Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Hearth & Soul at Mom's Sunday Cafe

Tasty Tidbits at Permanent Posies

The Mommy Club at Crystal & Co.

My Best Recipes at This Chick Cooks


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Twist of Taste with Vineet Bhatia

I have seen a gazillion trailers for this show and finally managed to catch a few episodes of it and find it quite interesting..... Not only is it about food, but also a travelogue of sorts....

Michelin Star Chef Vineet Bhatia from Australia travels to 13 Indians cities, samples the local delights and then works on creating a twist to the dishes to create something new ...  This is being telecast on the ‘Twist of Taste with Vineet Bhatia’ show on Sunday's at 9pm on FOX History & Traveller

Last night watched the Twist of Taste with Vineet Bhatia in chennai and LOVED it... 

  Vineet & Rashima Bhatia

While in Chennai, he visited ---
Murugan Idli Shop for some yummy Dosa and South Indian fares.... 
Grand Sweets and Snacks in Spur Tank Road where they tried Mysore Pak, Coconut laddoo, and Payasam
and finally, Rashima devoured a glass of Hot South Indian Filter Kaapi in Sangeetha Apoorva Restaurant...

Vineet then went on to add a bit of twist to the taste by creating Indian Uttapam, serving it as a Lasagne- layered with potato curry, topped with a coconut chutney served alongwith a martini glass - a scoop of Curry leaf ice cream topped with Hot sambar,
He also recreated Curd rice, serving it with Baby potatos+ Okra curry and Pineapple in coconut milk around it... 
Finally, for dessert, Vineet served Payasam ice cream, & a frozen dessert that had South indian coffee+ almonds in an ice cream...

Looking fwd to the next episode!!

Image courtesy- Livemint
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Menu Plan Monday ~ August 29 - September 4, 2011












Monday: Beef & Bean Taco Bake with ground turkey



Tuesday: Quesadillas and Mexican Corn Dip



Wednesday: Burgers and Baked Apple Chips



Thursday:  Chicken Pasta Salad



Friday: Leftovers



Saturday: Minnesota State Fair - fried food on a stick!



Sunday:  Special Day Assembly - out to eat w/friends



This is linked with Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organized Junkie



One Year Ago...

















Taco Corn Bread Casserole


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A Little Jar of Lavender

Straight from the garden, a sweetly-scented gift from my two youngest sons.
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Saravana Bhavan, NSC Bose Road, Chennai

We waited and waited... We were tired and hungry.. We had been walking for nearly 2hours and all of us had been up at 5am!! 

And then finally, a good 25mins later the plate of Pongal & Vadai with Sambar & chutney landed on our table... I dug my spoon into the pongal, blew on it and took a mouthful to realise it was COLD... Sigh.... Now i am double sure that i Still dont like Saravana Bhavan............ 

The only thing we look forward to in the morning is HOT breakfast.... and we were the only people in the hotel- about 30 of us, some in the AC rooms and a few of us outside...

We had finished our walk around the Mint street and part of the package was breakfast at Saravana Bhavan on NSC Bose Road, adj to the High Court. 

And then, a friend ordered a plate of mini idlies dunked in sambar, which looked good, but not sure if that was ok... The Poori & potato curry did look quite appealing...

But must give it to them- The Coffee was good- Not too sweet, not too chikkaryish, but just right!!! 

The hotel did have a good feel to it, it was an age old building with the ceiling in true Madras ceiling style, with beams running the length of the ceiling and across as well. There was long stemmed fans buzzing away.... 

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Solar Panels

 image courtesy of www.techvert.com

 In early June, 18 solar panels were installed on the roof of our house (a 3 kilowatt system).

Over the past few days I have noticed with much excitement that we are generating more electricity than we are using every day, and it's still late winter.  We currently have the old-fashioned type of meter with a dial that spins backwards when we produce more than we use - a fantastic sight!

In September, ETSA (our state's electricity infrastructure provider), will (finally, after more than 3 months) install a smart meter that will mean that we are paid extra for any electricity that we return to the grid.

From now on, in spring and autumn when the days are relatively long and almost always sunny, I am pretty sure we will have no electricity bills, and may even make a profit.  The same is true for summer, although I expect that during heatwaves the air conditioner will probably use up most of the solar power produced.

In the long term, with electricity prices rising exponentially, I believe the solar panels will prove to have been a very wise investment, especially as we were able to benefit from Government rebates that reduced the cost considerably.  The benefit for the environment will be significant too, of course, in a brown-coal dependent state like South Australia.

Since having solar panels installed, I have become much more aware of which appliances use a lot of power, and am trying to restrict their use.  I am much more conscious, for example, of only using the oven when several things are cooking, and not just to heat one item.

Do you have solar panels?  How have your electricity bills been affected?


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Eggless Chocolate Cake in Microwave

I had posted this on my other blog the day i made the cake and now reposting it here!!




What you need:
1cup maida
3/4 tsp baking powder, 3/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tbsp cocoa pdr
1/2 tin milkmaid
1cup milk
Few drops of vanilla essence
1 1/2 tbsp powdered sugar
75gms Butter

How to make the cake:
Step1- In a large bowl, Mix the maida,Cocoa powder, baking powder and the baking soda.. Then use a sieve and dust it off onto a plate or another bowl. keep this aside..

Step 2- In another mixing bowl, take 75gm butter, to this add the powdered sugar and mix well till it gets fluffy( you could use a blender for this purpose or the spoon is good enough)
To this add the mentioned quantity of milk n vanilla essence
And then add in the milkmaid.. mix all nicely till it becomes smooth and creamy..

Step 3- Take the bowl (from Step 2), and to this mix in the maida mixture, and beat well till the whole things blends nicely..

Step 4: Pour the cake mixture into a microwave proof bowl and bake for 5mins.
Once time is up, let it sit and cool for about 3minutes before you touch or test it out..

Ta da... your cake is ready...


I tried making double the quantity at home.. all that i did was double the materials used and cook it for 10mins instead of 5... tastes yummmy.. nice n soft.. :)

If you wish, you could add icing to this with Icing sugar, butter and instant coffee mix... :)

Tip to chk if cake has baked well:
Run a sharp knife straight thru the cake to see if it is cooked.. if the knife comes out clean, its done...
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Cooking is an art

When baking, follow directions.  When cooking, go by your own taste.  ~Laiko Bahrs
 How true... I am reading this quote for the 1st time, but i have been doing exactly that for as long as i can remember!! :) 


Whenever friends or family ask me for a recipe and procedure, i stumble, because i go by judgement rather than with teaspoons and tablespoons... measures beat me hands down, and must say i've not had the need for them till date...

I learnt to cook by watching mom and Gramma... i also learn from friends... but yes, there are recipes i recreate from watching TV shows, cookery books and blogs... 
I aint gloating, but i can pride myself in managing to cook up dishes- traditional and otherwise based on my own judgements and eye measures, and they have turned out YUMMY.. even if i do say so myself!!
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Raspberry Popsicles




Another happy popsicle lover this summer! He didn't mind the seeds at all!  :-)



Raspberry Popsicles
Adapted from Recipe Boy


2 (6 oz) containers fresh raspberries
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup water


1. In a food processor, puree all ingredients until smooth. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a medium bowl; strain- pressing on the solids to allow the liquid to come through into the bowl. Pour the liquid puree into a pitcher or a large measuring cup with a pouring spout (throw out the seeds that get stuck in the strainer). Pour the raspberry liquid into popsicle molds. Cover and insert the sticks.


or do what I did:


Stick raspberrys, lemon juice, sugar and water (without really measuring anything) into a food processor, taste for sweetness and adjust if necessary.  Pour into molds, freeze and eat.  Seeds and all.  Both ways work.  :-)

One Year Ago...






Peaches & Cream Amish Bread


This is linked with:
Sweets for a Saturday at Sweet as Sugar Cookies
Weekend Wrapup Party at Tatertots and Jello
Recipe of the Week: Popsicles at Family Fresh Meals

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Nectarine Blossom

The nectarine tree I planted in the back corner of the garden not long ago has just started to flower.  Such delicate, pale pink blossoms!

I chose a nectarine rather than a peach because my children prefer the smooth skins.  The variety is Goldmine, a late season, self-fertile variety with red skin and white fruit.  
Another reason I selected this variety is because the fruit is 'freestone'.  This means that when the fruit is being processed for jam or bottling, the seeds slide away easily from the flesh.  If the variety is 'clingstone' the seeds will cling to the flesh, making processing much more frustrating, in my experience.

I am now itching for the rest of my baby fruit trees to flower.  Spring, I love you so much!

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Burgundy's in Somerset


It was Saturday evening and i was looking forward to an evening out. This evening i knew was going to be different, for it was going to be spend in the new swanky Burgundy's in Ascott Somerset, MRC Nagar, Chennai.


 




 As i walked in around 7.15, the place was alive with beautiful chandeliers and people buzzing about. Vipin Sachdev after the success of Subway and Tuscana and Kryptos has now launched this all day dining restaurant. Burgundy is an all-day multi-cuisine dining place. B-Bar, he claims will have one of the longest bar counters There is also going to be a new Chinese Restaurant in the building- The Jade Wok!



The evening was filled with fun , food and music! There were people walking in, there were some trying to grab a Bakhlava or maybe a swiss roll. And then there were some scrambling to order a thin crust yummilicious Pizza....  

I dont think i have seen this amount of food in a long time. There were dazzling plates filled with little treats -both Veg & Non-veg..  Apart from food, there were quite an array of juices passed around adeptly by the waiters. As the evening wore on, the place was getting packed with people vying for a bite from one of the unique platters.  



What an evening it was.. I am looking fwd to visiting Burgundy's once it is launched, with the B-Bar, Music-Bar and all .. I left the venue towards home as the music floated in the air and smiles spread cheer in the air.... 

Good luck to Vipin Sachdev.. he sure is revolutionizing the Food arena in Chennai!


Oh and the Restaurant/Cafe/lounge bar opens doors to Public on 1st or 2nd Sep!!
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Apple Whole Wheat Pancakes




Leave it to me to wait until the last day to post my Taste and Create recipe! 


This month I had the priviledge of finding the blog Study Food, where I found this wonderful recipe for Protein Pancakes



My kids LOVE pancakes and I'm always looking for an excuse to make them! 


What I loved is that they didn't even know they were healthy!  These are very filling and delicious!  The only change I would make is to add a bit of cinnamon or add a bit more nutmeg.



I did find the batter a bit thick, I just flattened it a bit in the pan before it cooked. I loved the texture!





Protein Pancake Recipe
Adapted from Study Food

1 cup oats (I used regular, not quick)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. nutmeg
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup cottage cheese
1 cup milk
1 grated apple, with skin (I used fuji)

Combine the dry ingredients in on bowl and the wet in another bowl.  Pour the wet into the dry and fold through.  Allow the batter to rest for at least 1/2 hour up to overnight. 

Heat a large pan and spray with cooking spray, cook large spoonfulls of batter until done on both sides. 

One Year Ago...










Honey Mustard Chicken with Pretzel Crust

This is linked with:

Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Tasty Traditions at Coupon Cookin'
Cooking Thursday at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Things I Love Thursday at The Diaper Diaries
It's a Keeper Thursday at It's a Keeper
Ultimate Recipe Swap- Life as Mom
Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum
Friday Favorites at Simply Sweet Home
Recipe Swap at The Grocery Cart Challenge
I'm Lovin' It at Tidy Mom
Fresh Food Friday at LaBella Vita
Friday Potluck at EKat's Kitchen
Foodie Friday at Not Your Ordinary Recipes
Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tater Tots and Jello


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Creamy Lime Chicken and Peppers



I love a good crockpot meal, don't you?  This one does require a saute pan briefly before it's done but it's worth it. To get that creaminess, it's totally worth it.


I would have liked to use a green pepper along with this but alas, no green peppers in the frig this day.  *sigh* 

I rather thought it looked like tortilla soup at one point. 

I shredded the chicken but you certainly could leave yours in tenders.  I tend to overcook everything so I think when I stirred it, I didn't have a choice BUT to have shredded as the meat just fell apart.  Mmmmm...  Just how I like it.


You could add cooked pasta right to your crock pot and serve it up that way if you'd like.  I liked it as a sauce.  That way I could put it over steamed broccoli and just a bit of pasta to keep the calories down. 


Creamy Lime Chicken and Peppers Slow Cooker Recipe
Adapted from Recipe Shoebox

2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
4 Tbs. lime juice, divided
3 Tbs. soy sauce
1-1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken tenders
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 red pepper, cut into long strips
1 green pepper, cut into long strips
1 yellow pepper, cut into long strips
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup flour, divided
1 cup half-and-half

Combine garlic, broth, 2 Tablespoons lime juice, soy sauce, chicken, red onion, and peppers in slow cooker.  Stir to coat chicken.  Cook on low for about 4 - 5 hours or until it's done and able to shred.
In a large skillet, melt butter over low heat.  As soon as butter is melted sprinkle in 1/4 cup of flour.  Stir with wire whisk.  Slowly add in half and half and stir with whisk.  Take a measuring cup and dip it in the slow cooker and get about 1/2 cup of the liquid.  Pour it into the skillet.  Add in the rest of the flour (another 1/4 cup) and stir.  Get more liquid from slow cooker (exact measurements not important) and add it into the creamy mixture.   Add in the remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice to the cream mixture.
Pour sauce over the contents of the slow cooker.  Stir to combine.  Shred chicken if you want and stir. Pour chicken and sauce over veggies, rice or pasta.  (I used gluten free pasta)



One Year Ago...










Freezer Cooking:Ground Turkey


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