Can't live without...

Shoyu Tamago….aka Soy Sauce Eggs

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Can't live without....

Motherhood brings an enormous change in perspective, and lifestyle. It certainly did for me. Saying that life after kids was, hmm…is not simple, is a gross understatement! In pre-kids days I did not have to think about what is stocked in the fridge, or not. There were times when our fridge was milk-less or when a carton of milk, waaay past the use-by date, sat unnoticed because we never bothered to look at it! But now we have 3 different kinds of milk in the fridge and plenty of back up to avoid running to grocery store at night. Likewise, I never bothered to celebrate anniversaries (birthdays are an exception) or Indian festivals or US holidays before kids. But that changed too. With all the hype around Halloween, Christmas or Easter in US, it is hard not to get caught up. Especially, when kids enjoy them so much. Also my 4 year old is at an age where she can grasp the concept of different cultures. It’s a great time to introduce her to our Indian background. I want her to know what we did as kids and appreciate mom’s and dad’s roots. So I ventured into pumpkin carving during Halloween, lighting up Diyas for Diwali and decorating the Christmas tree. Now the latest on our hands is coloring eggs for Easter.

My selfish reason to love Easter is for the eggs. I can eat an egg in any form as long as it is not raw. Somewhere on the top of that list sits a hardboiled egg. Quartered hardboiled eggs with just salt and pepper are perfect for a snack. But here, I upped the ante with Shoyu Tamago, literally Soy Sauce Eggs. These are so fancy looking that it is hard to believe that they are incredibly easy to make. If you think deviled eggs are easy, these are even easier. And, they are equally fancy and unique for presentation. You don’t even have to scoop out the yolks as in deviled eggs! I topped some with a pinch of Chaat Masala and Cilantro and some with Curry Powder and Cilantro. But you can add whatever you like, and these won’t judge you. They will most gracefully comply with your wish! So here it goes…perfect as an appetizer for your Easter party or just for you to eat up the colored eggs!

What you need:

6 hardboiled eggs

2 tbsp of Light Soy sauce

1 tsp of Dark Soy sauce* (optional)

1 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar (optional)

1/2 tsp Sugar (optional)

1 tsp Chat Masala or Curry powder

Cilantro for garnish.

*I used Dark Soy sauce to get a deeper color. Taste does not change much. Eggs develop deeper color as they sit longer.

Adding Rice Wine Vinegar and Sugar adds a multi-dimensional flavor. Many times, I only use Soy sauce.

How to make it:

Heat a small non-stick sauce pan on medium. Add the Soy sauce(s), Rice Wine Vinegar and Sugar, if using.
Once sugar is dissolved add the boiled eggs. Toss and swirl the eggs until well coated. Keep tossing until the liquid evaporates and the coating is even (about 2-3 minutes)
Remove eggs and cut into halves. Sprinkle with Chaat Masala or Curry powder.
Garnish with Cilantro and serve at room temperature or lightly chilled.

Posted in Appetizers, Recipes, Snack | 2 Comments

Qabuli Rice

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Can't live without....

Do you have childhood memories of food, something you have tasted or smelled as a child that are so vividly etched in your memory that you can feel the smell or taste anywhere? I have quite a few. My dad used to bring these Chocolate Pastries when I was maybe 7 or 8 years old from a bakery in Hyderabad, which has long been closed. They were dense and almost fudge like balls and topped with Chocolate ganache, I think. I clearly remember the texture and taste, but for the life of me, could not recreate it even after several attempts. They remain a mystery.

Another such memory, but not a mystery, is Qabuli rice. It is one of the rice dishes that originated in or around Afghanistan. The recipe for Qabuli rice was printed in a Sunday magazine probably 20 years ago. My mom made it upon my request. We all liked it, but somehow it was relegated to the back burner for a long time until it was totally forgotten. But it distinctly remained in my memory.

Recently when we were having some friends over, I was planning for a vegetarian one-pot rice. I did not want to make my usual rice items. I wanted it to be unique and something different from everyday fare. Qabuli rice perfectly filled the bill. I scrambled up the recipe from my memory, because even my mom did not exactly remember it! The end result was splendid and left the guests raving and wanting seconds and thirds. I loved it so much that I decided this will be the recipe for Qabuli rice for me. You should too.

What you need (Serves 4 as side, or 3 as main):

1 1/2 cup of Basmati rice, washed

1 cup of Chana Dal* (also known as Bengal Gram)

2 tbsp of Ginger-Garlic paste

1 large Onion, thinly sliced

1 tsp red Chilli Powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp Turmeric powder

2 Chillies, slit lengthwise

1 tbsp Garam Masala

2 cups of Yogurt, beaten

1/2 cup Mint, finely chopped

1/2 cup Corriander, finely chopped

1/2 lemon

1/4 cup oil

2 tbsp of Ghee (clarified butter), optional

* Chana Dal or Bengal Gram is nothing but dried, skin-less, split Chickpeas. It is commonly available in Indian grocery store or International sections of a regular grocery store. If you don’t find this, you can substitute Brown Lentils (Puy Letils) or Green Lentils that are more commonly available. Cooking times may vary. Just make sure that they are cooked al-dente and do not get too soft. The color of these lentils will contrast with the rice and turmeric giving a jewel studded look to the rice.

How to make it:

In a wide pan, add 2 tbsps of oil and once hot add the sliced onion and green chillies. Sauté for 5 minutes on medium, until the onions are golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, red chilli powder, Garam Masala and salt. Sauté for another 2 minutes.
In the meantime, in a deep pot bring 3 cups of water to boil. Add a big pinch of salt and lentils. Cook until the lentils are cooked al-dente (takes about 7-8 minutes on high). They should be just cooked and still have a bite in the center. Strain out the lentils and set them aside. The same pot and water can be used to cook rice.
Add yogurt and lemon juice to the cooked lentils. Mix well to incorporate everything. Set aside. This can be made up to 3 days in advance.
Bring the water back to boil and add cleaned Basmati rice to it. If needed add another cup of water and a bit more salt. There should be enough water for the rice to swirl freely. This will help the grain to elongate the most and avoid clumping. Cook rice in boiling water for 8 minutes. Rice will be about 3/4th cooked. Drain in a colander and set aside.
In the same deep pot, after wiping off any moisture, add 2 tbsps of oil, to coat the bottom. Add 1/2 of the rice and spread to cover the bottom. Add 1/2 the lentil mix and spread over the rice. Add the remaining rice and lentils to create layers. If your pot is wide, then you may end up with just one layer of rice and one layer of lentils, which is perfectly fine. Dot the top with Ghee, if using.
Sprinkle the top with mint and cilantro and put a tight lid to trap the steam (or most of it). You can tie a clean kitchen towel on the lid to prevent steam from escaping. Cook on low for 20 minutes. Check a grain of rice. If it needs more cooking, sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of water and replace the lid and cook on low for another 5-6 minutes.
Turn off the heat and lightly mix the layers. Do NOT over mix, the appeal is in the carelessly tumbled look.
Tumble it into a wide serving dish. Scrape the bottom if any rice is stuck. The crunchy bits are the best parts.
Garnish with roughly torn Mint and Cilantro and serve hot with Cucumber Raita.

Posted in International, Recipes, Vegetarian | Tagged Main course, Rice, Side Dish | 7 Comments

Ginger-Garlic Rice

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Can't live without....

I did not realize while growing up, but my mom was a magician in the kitchen. Every single day before sending me and my sister off to school by 8 AM and our Dad to work around the same time, she would have made breakfast and lunch to pack. And breakfast did not mean cereal or something out of a box. It was food made the old fashioned way. Made fresh from scratch with absolutely no processed ingredients. It was not a conscious effort to avoid processed foods, but that was how our lifestyle was back then. My mom would make a 3 course meal (lunch) that we would sometimes eat in the place of a breakfast and grab breakfast in our lunch boxes, as it was more manageable to eat on the go. Unknowingly, we followed heavy breakfast, light lunch rule!

Me, being immune to behind-the-scenes chaos, and being a picky (ahem, discerning) eater, would fuss that I did not like anything she made on that day to be boxed for lunch. Sometimes it was truly true. There were some vegetables I hated, some breakfasts I did not like. Sometimes I would just down it without fussing and sometimes I would not. My Mom would insist that I should eat them, and sometimes would not. When she would not, she either had extra few minutes or was sorry to see my fuss. She would whip up this simple rice with Ginger, Garlic and Cumin seeds, which I would eat for breakfast and happily also pack the same for lunch. It is so flavorful that it did not need any sides or embellishments. I could eat that alone f.o.r.e.v.e.r. I would even be looking forward to eat any leftovers as after school snack…..and also for dinner if Mom allowed!

If you already have cooked rice, this can be whipped up in 5 minutes. Mark my words!!

What you need (serves 3-4, or 1 if you are eating like me):

4 cups cooked rice*

1/4 Onion, thinly sliced

2 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste (or pound 3 cloves of Garlic and about 1 inch piece of Ginger into coarse paste)

1 tsp Shah Jeera** (or Cumin seeds)

2 Green Chillies, slit lengthwise

1/2 tsp Salt, or to taste

2 tbsp Oil

Handful of Cilantro for garnish

* Any type of cooked rice (white or brown) will do. If you want to make it fancier, use cooked Basmati rice.

** Shah Jeera (literally means ‘King of Cumin’) is finer, darker and daintier looking than regular Cumin. It also has a subtler taste than regular Cumin.

How to make it:

Heat a wide bottom pan with oil on medium-high heat and add Shah Jeera (or Cumin) and let them splutter, about few seconds.
Add Onions and Green Chillies and sauté until translucent, about 2 minutes
Add Ginger Garlic paste and sauté for a minute, until fragrant
Add cooked rice, sprinkle salt and mix well to combine and break any clumps
Garnish with Cilantro and serve. There, under 5 minutes!

Posted in Recipes, Vegetarian | Tagged Quick, Simple, Vegan, Vegetarian | 4 Comments

Chicken Korma

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Can't live without....

One of the classics of Mughlai Cuisine, which my home town Hyderabad is famous for, is Korma. It was brought to India by the Mughal rulers from Persia in mid 16th century. Once it reached India, it amalgamated with local influences and developed a style and taste of its own. Korma is also spelled as Khurma, Qurma, Qorma depending on the region or cultural background of the person you are talking to. It is made with Chicken or Goat or Lamb or Beef or just all vegetarian. Even a sweet variant exists, called Sheer Korma! All this variety speaks volumes about its versatility. So naturally, there is no one single recipe for Korma. Rather, it is a technique of using some of the classic but common ingredients and spices.

Korma requires marinating the meat overnight in spices, and browning it before simmering in a rich and flavorful yogurt based sauce. The usual suspects of Indian cuisine, such as Cloves, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger and Garlic are present. To add a depth of richness, a combination of nut pastes (Cashew, Almonds and Chironji) is used. Poppy seeds are also used, and are essential to impart the unique flavor and texture typical of Korma.

Korma recipe varies from region to region as does any age old recipe. Here I have the ‘standard’ recipe using Chicken. You can simply substitute any meat you prefer. If you don’t want any meat, use Paneer (Indian cheese) instead, and follow the same process. One unique ingredient which may be hard to find is Chironji nuts. They look like puffed up hulled watermelon seeds, and taste like nothing else I can compare it with! It is perfectly alright to omit them, instead of buying a bag to just use a spoonful. Having said that, I do not recommend substituting Garam Masala for other spices here, because Garam Masala does not have enough Cardamom and has a wider variety of spices which are not required in Korma. But if you must, I won’t stop you! Just add a few Cardamom pods to it. The goal is to create a flavorful gravy to pair with Naan or Rotis or mildly flavored rice.

What you need (Serves 6-8 comfortably):

2 lbs bone-in or boneless Chicken (I prefer boneless mix of breast and thighs)

1 large Onion, quartered

8 Cashews

8 Almonds, skinless

1 Tbsp Chironji nuts (omit if not available)

1 Tbsp Poppy seeds roasted

6 Cardamom pods

3 Cloves

1/2 inch piece of Cinnamon

3 Green Chillies, slit lengthwise

2 tsp Salt (or to taste)

1 cup Yogurt, beaten (low fat Greek is great)

1/2 cup Sour Cream*, beaten (low fat or fat free)

1/2 cup water (or more)

1 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste (approximately 2 cloves Garlic and 1/2 inch piece of ginger)

1 tsp Red Chilli Powder (or to taste)

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder

1/2 Lemon, juiced

Handful Mint leaves, finely chopped

Handful Cilantro finely chopped

3-4 tbsp Oil

* Traditionally only yogurt (homemade) is used. I find that homemade yogurt has a slight tang, which store bought yogurts lack. So I use a bit of Sour Cream which imparts a perfect sour note and consistency, and also prevents yogurt from ‘breaking’ if left on high heat.

How to make it:

Marinate Chicken with Turmeric, Salt, Red chilli powder, Ginger-Garlic paste and Lemon juice mixture for an hour. Or even better overnight.
Heat a wide non-stick pan on medium and add 2 tablespoons of oil. When hot, add Chicken and brown the pieces. Remove and set aside. Chicken need not cook completely at this stage.
In the same pan, add a teaspoon of oil and roast the onions. Once onions are lightly browned, add Cloves, Cinnamon, Cashews, Almonds, Chironji and Poppy Seeds, Ginger-Garlic paste. Roast them all for another 2-3 minutes. Cool and make a fine paste adding 1-2 tbsp of water as necessary.
In the same pan, add remaining oil and once hot add slit Green chillies and Onion-Nut paste and cook on medium until oil separates, about 8-10 minutes.
Add the browned chicken pieces and about 1/2 cup water and cook on medium for 15 minutes.
Drop the heat to low and add beaten Yogurt and Sour Cream. Mix well and simmer for 5 minutes.
Check and adjust salt. Add more red Chilli Powder if needed. Add more water if thinner gravy is desired.
Remove from heat and garnish with Mint and Cilantro. Serve hot with Naan or Rice.

Posted in Recipes | Tagged Chicken, Classic, Main course | 4 Comments

Onion-Tomato Salad

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Can't live without....

I thought twice when I decided to post Onion-Tomato salad, because there is no ‘recipe’ involved. It is nothing fanciful. And may not be ‘socially acceptable’…with all that onion, yikes! But it makes a frequent appearance on my table despite all the flaws. It would only be injustice if I don’t share it with you. I am not exaggerating when I say that you would find practically no street food stall in India without this. Onions in this are not as vengeful. Lemon juice tames them. They just have enough pungency that I find very appealing with spicy food. If so much onion sounds overwhelming, it can be substituted fully or partially with sliced Cucumber.

I prefer Red Onions for the color, but any onions will do. Cilantro and Mint are optional. I can’t live without them.

What you need:

1 small Red Onion, halved and thinly sliced

2 medium Tomatoes deseeded, halved and thinly sliced

1/2 Lemon/Lime

1 pinch of Salt

1 pinch of coarsely ground Black pepper (optional)

Cliantro, few sprigs, roughly torn

Mint, few sprigs, roughly torn

How to make it:

Toss the Onions and Tomatoes in a big bowl with squeeze of Lemon or Lime.
Sprinkle Salt and coarsely ground Black Pepper and toss again.
Sprinkle Cilantro and Mint.

Can be eaten right away as a side or topping, or can sit for some time. If left out for too long, it becomes soggy as Onions release water in the presence of salt.

Posted in Recipes | 4 Comments

Paneer Butter Masala

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Can't live without....

Often times, I am disappointed or frustrated when I go to an Indian restaurants in US. Disappointed because virtually all gravy bases taste the same (and some restaurants do use the same base for ALL–fact obtained from a friend who worked in the kitchen of an Indian Restaurant in Michigan). Frustrated because they are often served in tiny portions fit for a squirrel. My frustration only magnifies when, on rare occasions, I actually like the stuff–which only makes the serving size look appropriate for a baby squirrel.

Case in point is Paneer Butter Masala (PBM for short). This is a staple in virtually any Indian restaurant. But many restaurants in US demonstrate the perfect ways to ruin it–chewy Paneer (aka stale paneer), watered down gravy with nothing but cream and tomato paste. I could go on and on. If you have ever tasted PBM in a restaurant in India, you know exactly what I am talking about. PBM is so commonly available on Indian restaurant menus, that you would have already come across it, where ever in the world you are. And quite likely you have tasted the sub-optimal one. No worries, as here I present you an easy version which is quick on time but not short on taste.

Also, the best part is you can make the base and freeze it for at least up to 3 months. Once you thaw it, all you need to do is add Paneer and cook it for 10-15 minutes. Much better option than a take-out.

What you need (makes 6-8 servings):

1 cup Cashews dry roasted

2 cups Milk (low fat or zero fat)

250 gm Paneer, cubed

4 tbsp Butter

1 tbsp Garam masala

3 tbsp Tomato paste

1 tbsp Tomato Ketchup

1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder (or to taste)

1 tsp Salt (or to taste)

1/4 cup water, as needed

1 tsp Kasoori Methi (dried Fenugreek leaves)

Pinch of hulled Pumpkin or Watermelon seeds for garnish (optional)

How to make it:

Blend the Cashew nuts with 1 cup of milk, until smooth. Make sure that there are no Cashew pieces left. If needed you can strain the mix in a big meshed sieve or cheese cloth to catch any pieces. We need a silky smooth paste
Add Garam Masala to the blended mix and combine well
Heat a deep sauce pan on medium and add Butter. Once melted add the Tomato Paste and cook until the raw smell of tomatoes goes away, about 4-5 minutes
Add the Cashew paste to the pan and mix thoroughly
Add the remaining Milk, Salt, Red Chilli powder, and Tomato Ketchup and cook on simmer for 5-7 minutes
Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary (you don’t want to stir the gravy too much after adding Paneer). If you need thinner consistency, add a bit of water. This is the stage whee you can freeze for later use
Add Paneer cubes and mix gently to coat
Crush Kasoori Methi in your palm and add to the gravy. Gently mix to incorporate
Cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes
Garnish with Pumpkin/Watermelon seeds and serve hot with Naan or Peas Pulav

Posted in International, Recipes, Vegetarian | Tagged Indian, Paneer, Vegetarian | 2 Comments

I am an Indian and I buy Curry Powder

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Can't live without....

I am an Indian and I buy Curry Powder.

There! I said it! And it is true that most of us born and raised in India on mom’s homemade food, do keep a jar of store bought Curry Powder around. My mom never did, but I do. I fully advocate its use when you are in a pinch for time; or don’t have all the ingredients called for in a recipe; or in fusion cooking. I especially love its versatility in fusion cooking such as pasta with curry sauce, curried avocado-egg salad and so on. Curry Powder, that is the store-bought kind has a bad rap as ‘unauthentic’ and ‘flavorless as saw dust’. I kind of agree with the first and disagree with the second, although I never ate saw dust.

Firstly, yes, it may not sound authentic, especially when it is tragically substituted for any and all spices called for in ‘classic’ curries, like Chicken Tikka Masala or Dal Makhani. But yeah, sadly I have seen that happen. There is a wide spectrum of curries based on the gravy, consistency, spices used, region of origin etc. So one universal Curry Powder cannot be used with Chicken and call it, say, Chicken Tikka Masala. It is perfectly fine to call that concoction ‘Chicken Curry’, but just not Chicken Tikka Masala. Please! Doing so will naturally make Curry Powder ‘unauthentic’ and looked down upon!!

Secondly, Curry Powder is NOT flavorless. See the ingredient label—it has all the spices normally used in Indian cooking. So you CANNOT miss the heady flavor. Curry Powder is an invention for the convenience of busy cooks or new cooks. As I said my mom never used it. It was not popularly available back then. Also, my mom had the time and patience to concoct her own Curry Powder, Rasam or Sambar powders. I do that too, and also buy Curry Powder.

I use this Curry Powder in fusion cooking to lend an Indian twist. In fact, I exclusively prefer store bought Curry Powder when I don’t like to feel the graininess of the ground spices. I tried everything from coffee grinder to heavy duty blender to food processor, but could not get my Curry Powder powdery soft. It is left with some graininess no matter what. I could sift it, but I am not willing to go with that tedious step. And some graininess or crunch is fine (actually preferred) in some specific South Indian preparations, but I definitely do not like that in fusion cuisine. I also sometimes use this in curries like Dahi Alu or Tomato curry (a la Shakshouska). With a pinch of curry powder you can instantly add a unique Indian flavor to appetizers or sides, or roasts or stews. Curried roasted root vegetables, anyone? Or how about Spinach and Heirloom tomato salad with Sweet Curry vinaigrette? Oh the possibilities, you’ve got to discover them!!

You will see that everyone’s Curry Powder is different. There is no one single formula, just as the case with Garam Masala. Curry Powder may consist of anywhere from 12 to 20 spices/ingredients. Many formulas have most of the basic ingredients, but the proportions may vary lending distinct tastes. Below you will see the primary ingredients that go into my homemade Curry Powder–they represent roughly 2/3^rd of the spices in my pantry. Yes, I have some more that I would add depending on my mood.

I have the common ingredient list below, in case you want to make your own. Some ingredients are readily available, while some are exclusively available in Indian grocery stores. Proportions for all ingredients are equal except Asafoetida (or Hing as called in Hindi). It is pungent, and for many it is an acquired taste. So use sparingly! I would start with a teaspoon of each and a really tiny pinch of Asafoetida. Or you can completely omit it.

Corriander (Cilantro) seeds
Cumin
Mustard
Fennel Seeds
Star Anise
Red Chillies
Black Pepper
Cloves
Cinnamon
Cardamom
Chana Dal (Skinless split dried chick peas)
Bay Leaves
Mace
Dry Ginger Powder
Turmeric
Asafoetida (Hing)

Dry roast all except Turmeric, Ginger powder and Asafeotida in a pan on medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Stir to roast evenly. Wafting aroma is a good indicator that the spices are sufficiently roasted (color test does not work here, due to multiple colors). Let it cool and add Turmeric, Ginger powder and Asafeotida and grind it all into a fine powder. Store in an airtight jar.

Posted in Recipes | 2 Comments

Gnocchi…with an Indian Twist

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Can't live without....

I first met pasta about 14 years ago. And it was not love at first sight. There were no explosions or angelic music. I ate it and thought it was good, but not crave-worthy. That was until I had some addictive pastas at Bucca De Beppo (yes, it is a chain Italian restaurant in the mid-west, and I LIKE it). I was glad that I got the table in the kitchen and was enthralled by the smells and sounds. And their Ziti with spiced tomato sauce and five cheeses was out of the world. I was kicking myself for not discovering the love for pasta sooner—so much valuable time lost. But then I also realized that what got me into pasta love was the spicy sauce. Of course, I like a creamy Alfredo as much as the next person, but a little zing to the sauce red or white was all I needed to kindle my pasta love. From then there is no looking back on the pasta to-do lists and the weigh scale as a result of all those ‘discovery experiments’. I know, I know moderation and all….but all my virtues get shattered, rather easily. I heard about Gnocchi among the other 600+ types of pastas, and somehow could not find it anywhere. Popular Italian restaurants in US did not regularly have this on their menu, nor could I find it in grocery stores even those that sell fresh pasta. I was left with the option of making if from scratch or mail ordering it. None were appealing either for effort or cost. And so went the want to try Gnocchi to the bottom of the pile. And then, I found Gnocchi with Basil Pesto on the menu of an Italian restaurant in Santiago, Chile of all the places I have been to!!

But when I recently got my hands on some store-bought Gnocchi, I did not miss the chance to make something out of it. I paired it with a delectable cream sauce infused with White Wine and Curry Powder to mix things up. The verdict? I really loved the combo, although I would give this particular Gnocchi top ranks. It was a bit dense and gummy (aka store-bought). But the sauce alone kicked up the whole dish a few notches up. The flavor of White Wine married very well with Curry Powder. And the creamy base of the sauce coated the gnocchi well and held up the robust flavors. I can’t imagine how much better it would be with some fresh home-made Gnocchi…which is yet another excuse for me to make this again!

What you need (Serves 4-6):

1 pound Gnocchi (store bought or home-made)

1 cup Cream (or low-fat half and half)

¼ cup White Wine (any of your favorite)

8 Shallots (or 1 small onion) thinly sliced

12 Grape tomatoes, halved

1 Garlic crushed

¼ tsp Red Pepper flakes (or per taste/optional)

1 tsp Curry Powder

1 tbsp Butter (or Oilve Oil)

Salt to taste

Parmesan Cheese for garnish

Cilantro for garnish (optional)

How to make it:

Cook Gnocchi per instructions on the package, in salted water. Once al-dente, drain and drizzle some oil to prevent sticking.
In the meantime, in a wide bottom pan, add Butter (or Oilve Oil). Add crushed Garlic and Red Pepper flakes and heat on low.
Once Garlic starts turning golden, add Shallots (or Onions) and cook on medium heat till translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
Add Curry Powder and Salt. Sauté for 2 minutes.
Add Tomatoes and sauté for another for 3-4 minutes.
Add White wine and deglaze the pan. Let the liquid (mostly wine) evaporate for about 2-3 minutes.
Add Cream or Half and Half. Stir to mix the sauce evenly. Turn off heat.
Plate Gnocchi and pour the sauce on top of it.
Garnish with Parmesan Cheese and Cilantro. Pair it with your favorite White wine.

Posted in Fusion, International, Recipes, Vegetarian | Tagged Fusion, Italian, Pasta, Vegetarian | 6 Comments

Palak Pakoda (Spinach Fritters)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Can't live without....

If you want something crunchy, spicy, satisfying and healthy (?) appetizer or snack in a jiffy—this is it. Palak Pakoda, aka Spinach Fritters. I believe this is a perfect way to initiate Spinach haters into Spinach lover’s world. I know, I know, ‘healthy’ part of it is debatable. It is a fried snack after all. But it has Spinach in it. Do they outweigh each other? I like to believe they do.

If you are in the ‘fried foods are unhealthy’ camp, pause a second before you dismiss it. Although fried, Palak Pakoda does not soak up much oil. How do I know? I measured the oil level before and after in the frying pan and they are almost the same. Very scientific! Of course I don’t make these too often—more like once in a month indulgence. They are way too addictive and my self-control is out of the window when these are around. But Palak Pakoda always on the top of my list of super quick snacks. And this article bolsters my belief in fried foods.

Classic Pakodas are made with Onions. But Spinach Pakodas are as popular as Onion pakodas. They are quicker and easier to prepare because you don’t have to tear up, as you would while chopping onions. It is even simpler if you are using pre-washed Spinach. Just open the bag, rough chop and mix in the flour. I also make Cabbage Pakodas, with finely shredded Cabbage. Although I have not tried, Pakodas can be made with other greens too. That would be one tasty project!

What you need:

4 cups Spinach (approximately)

1 cup of Besan (Chickpea flour)

1 tsp Salt, or to taste

1 tsp Red Chilli powder

1/4 tsp Garam Masala

1-2 Green Chillis, finely chopped (optional)

2 tbsp Rice flour (optional)

2 tbsp of Water (approximate)

Oil for deep frying

How to make it:

• In a deep skillet, add oil to reach about 2 inches deep in the pan. Heat it on medium.

• In the meantime, rough chop the Spinach and put in a large mixing bowl.

• Add Chickpea flour along with Salt, Red Chilli Powder, Green chilli, if using, and Garam Masala.

• If you are using Rice Flour, add it now. It provides additional crunch.

• Sprinkle 2 tbsp of water and mix the Spinach and Besan until well coated. There should be good amount of Spinach showing through. See below picture of raw batter. If needed, add a bit more water. The mix should be of the consistency that you can pick some up with your fingers—neither runny nor fall-apart dry.

• Pick some batter with your fingers and drop it in hot oil.

• Fry the batch until batter turns into golden color, about 4-5 minutes. Spinach cooks in no time. It’s the flour that should be cooked through.

• Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.

• Serve immediately as-is or with Mint Chutney or Tamarind Chutney.

Posted in Appetizers, International, Recipes, Vegetarian | Tagged Fried, Quick, Snack, Spinach, Vegetarian | Leave a comment

Mint Chutney

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Can't live without....

I have to admit that I pride myself as detail-oriented. But I can so grossly overlook some things. Case in point is Mint Chutney. I make this chutney at least once a week in summer months when Mint is abundant. I use it as a dip for snacks like Samosas or Pakodas, Carrots, Cucumber or Zucchini cut up into sticks. I thin it out a bit and drizzle it over Chaat, another mouth-watering Indian snack. I swirl a spoonful into lentil soups to wake up the flavors. I add it to Raita for a summery twist. I once even added extra virgin olive oil to leftover chutney to work it as a dressing for cold pasta salad. It is also my go to dressing for Chickpea salad. I also use to as a spread on bread along with other sandwich stuffings to make one of a kind sandwich. With so many uses, what is not to love?

But lately when I received a few requests asking how to make it, I felt ashamed that it had not occurred to me to post it until then. Promptly I smacked myself and set out to write it down. The recipe I have here is very generous to substitutions and alterations, as long as the main ingredient is Mint. I used Almonds to give it body, but you can use same amount of Cashews or Peanuts if desired. Or maybe even Pine nuts? The recipe calls for Pomegranate seeds for a sour note, but you can substitute perfectly with a tablespoon of lemon juice. The chilies are optional if you want some heat, but do not skip Ginger and Garlic. I use Cilantro leaves to add more body as well as to make it ‘less Minty’. But feel free to use all Mint if you want a bold flavor or if you hate Cilantro. So here it goes…

What do you need (makes enough to serve 8-10 as a dip):

2 cups of loosely packed Mint leaves

1 cup loosely packed Cilantro leaves

1 tbsp Cumin seeds

1 tsp Pomegranate seeds powder (or 1 tbsp lemon juice)

2 Green chilies

1 Garlic clove

1/2 inch piece of Ginger

6 Almonds or Cashews (or 10-12 peanuts)

2 tbsp of Water

1/2 tsp Salt or to taste

How to make it:

Roast the Cumin seeds in a microwave for about 45 seconds (times may vary), until their aroma wafts around
Add all ingredients including Cumin seeds in a blender jar and blend until smooth. You may have to scrape sides a few times.
Check taste and adjust seasonings as required
Serve or freeze in a Ziploc bag. Thaw in warm water as necessary.

Posted in International, Snack, Vegetarian | 4 Comments

Can't live without…

Shoyu Tamago….aka Soy Sauce Eggs

Qabuli Rice

Ginger-Garlic Rice

Chicken Korma

Onion-Tomato Salad

Paneer Butter Masala

I am an Indian and I buy Curry Powder

Gnocchi…with an Indian Twist

Palak Pakoda (Spinach Fritters)

Mint Chutney

Follow Blog via Email

Top Posts & Pages

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories