Chocolat(e) Chaud

Happy New Year

Chocolat Chaud – Hot Chocolate is pure comfort in a cup. It's the perfect way to retire for the day. This has been in my diary for a very long time. I have always thought that Cocoa Powder/Drinking Chocolte would be good enough for Hot Chocolate.

This is heavenly. The richness from the melted chocolate is...... Divine.

Ingredients:
Semi-sweet or Milk Chocolate, chopped – ½ cup
Orange Zest – 1 tsp (optional)
Cinnamon Powder – ½ tsp
Milk – 2 cups
Sugar – to taste

Garnish:
Grated Chocolate
Whipped Cream (optional)
Orange Zest

Method:

Boil milk over a slow flame. When warm, mix in the chopped chocolate, stirring all the while.
Stir in the orange zest, cinnamon, and mix until the chocolate mixture is smooth.
You can also use a hand blender for a smooth and frothy hot chocolate.
Pour the spiced hot chocolate into cups and add sugar if needed.
Garnish each cup with a spoonful of whipped cream (if using), grated chocolate and orange zest.

Sending to delight kids at Valli's event!

Coconut Halwa

I came across this simple sweet in The Hindu, and memories just washed over.


Here is the traditional and easy sweet dish to usher in the new year with.


Happy 2011


Ingredients:
Coconut – 1, grated
Fine Raw Rice powder – 3 Tbsp
Cardamom – 5
Jaggery – 150 grams
Ghee – 3 Tbsp
Cashew nuts – ¼ cup
Water


Method:
Grind coconut along with cardamom and rice and very little water.
Melt jaggery with little water over a high flame. Strain.
Add the ground coconut mix to it stir cook, adding spoonfuls of ghee.
Cook till the ghee leaves the sides of the pan. Add in fried cashew nuts and serve.

Rustic Tomato Soup

Inspired by Tarla Dalal and modified to our taste, this soup is an all time favourite. I load it it vegetables and pasta and other goodies to make it a one-meal dish.


Ingredients:
For the Base Stock -
Onion - 2
Tomato - 3
Potato - 1/4
Water - 3 cups

Method:
Chop the vegetables.
Pressure Cook with water. Allow pressure to subside and blend in a blender.
Sieve the puree and keep aside.

Fot the Soup:
Oil/Butter - 2 Tbsp
Capsicum - 1/4 cup
Cabbage - 1/4 cup
*Sambhar Powder - 1/2 tsp
Baked Beans - 1/4 cup
Macaroni - 1/2 cup, cooked

Method:
Heat Oil/Butter and saute the vegetables. Add the sambhar powder and saute. Immediately, pour in the Soup puree.
Add cooked macaroni and baked beans.
Bring it to a boil over a medium flame.
Boil for 2 minutes.
Serve with a sprinkling of grated Cheese.

*Sambhar Powder - Use Curry Powder/Chilli Powder

Off to Culinary Creations

Clear Soup

My favourite kind of Soup.
Simple and nourishing. I have been hunting for the perfect recipe for ages. Finally something that has come close to what i have tasted at my favourite restaurant.

The utter simplicity of this soup recipe confounds me.

Ingredients:
Vegetables - 1 cup (Carrots, Beans, Cauliflower)
Green Chilli - 1, slit
Water - 5 cups
Cornflour - 2 Tbsp
Salt & Pepper to taste

Method:

Make a paste of 1/2 cup water and the cornflour.

Thinly slice all the vegetables (use a potato slicer).

Bring the remaining water to a boil, with the lit green chilli. When it is boiling rapidly add cornflour paste, stirring all the while.

Cook until it becomes clear. Add salt and crushed pepper. Then add the vegetables and remove from fire after a minute.

Serve at once.

Off to Culinary Creations

Paneer Kheer

Delicious!!! A dish that everyone in my 'Paneer Delights' cooking class (ages ago) enjoyed. I chanced upon the recipe while I was searching for a dessert recipe with Paneer. It tastes like basundhi and is very simple to make. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as we did.

Paneer Kheer


Ingredients:
Milk 1 litre
Corn flour 4 tsp
Water ¼ cup
Sugar 100 grams
Water ½ cup
Paneer 60 grams
Kewara Water 1 tsp

Garnish:Varq & Mixed nuts

Method:

Reduce milk until thick.

Dissolve corn flour in ¼ cup water. Add to thickened milk and stir cook for 3 minutes.

Remove from fire and keep aside.

Mix sugar and water. Cook till syrup thickens. Add grated paneer to it. Stir cook for 2 minutes.

Mix it into thickened milk, at once. Cool. Add kewara essence/kewara water.

Transfer into a serving dish. Garnish with Silver varq and mixed nuts.

Serve chilled.

Burger

A healthy vegetarian version of the all-time favourite.

Vegetarian Burger

Ingredients:

Burger Buns 2

Butter 2 tsp

Tomato ketchup 2 tsp

Cheese Slice 2 (optional)

Lettuce 2

Tomato slices 2

Cucumber slices 2

Patties:

Potato 2, boil and mash

Mixed Vegetables 1 cup, chop fine

Paneer/Cottage Cheese 1 cup, grate

Ginger ½ tsp

Green chili 3, minced

Corn flour 2 Tbsp

Bread crumbs 3 Tbsp

Green Coriander 2Tbsp, chop finely

Lemon juice ½ tsp

Salt to taste

Method:

Boil and mash the potatoes.

Stir fry the vegetables in 2 tsp oil with ginger, chili, and salt. Take off heat.

Mix in the paneer, bread crumbs, corn flour, coriander and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Mix well and shape into patties.

NOTE: The patties may be stored in the fridge for 3 days. Line a container with butter paper and arrange patties in it. Cover with another butter paper. Use as and when you want to make patties/burgers.

Deep fry 2 patties. [Shallow fry in a pan. (OR) Bake until done - 25 minutes, brushing the tops with oil.)]

Slice the buns, butter both sides and warm them.

Spread tomato ketchup on the cut sides.

Arrange cheese slice, lettuce, sliced cucumber and tomato on top of the patties. Cover with the other half of the bun. Use a toothpick to help hold them together.

Spinach and Feta Roti

Quesadillas are very similar to our Roti's. So I used this combination in Roti's (instead of Tortillas) to make the Quesadillas. The filling is Greek style - spinach and feta cheese with fresh mint. There are quite a few recipes that I have tried from Closet Cooking. They are simple, easy to prepare and Yumm...

This came in the "Good Morning Chennai" Show. It won me appreciation from every quarter.

Spinach And Feta stuffed Rotis

Ingredients:
Roti - 4
Butter/Olive oil - 2 tsp
Spinach - 2 cups, blanch, drain well and chop
Mint - 2 Tbsp
Feta Cheese - 4 Tbsp
Salt and Pepper to taste
Grated Cheese - 4 Tbsp


Method:
Mix the spinach, mint, crumbled feta, salt and pepper in a bowl.

Heat a tava, and warm the rotis with some butter/olive oil.

Sprinkle some cheese on the Roti, followed by the filling and then more cheese and cover with the 2nd Roti.

Cook on a hot tava, until golden brown on both sides and the cheese is melted.

Serve Hot.

The 5 Min Chocolate Cake

I was off to work, having cooked Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch and Snacks for my darling son. And, what does he do during his study holidays - in spite of so much to eat at home? He googles for a quick cake recipe, sees a video, tries it (with whatever he could lay his hands on!) AND --- Surprise - he did leave the kitchen clean. I guess he did not want me to be upset. Sweet of him.

I actually wanted to surprise him with an instant cake. He beat me to it.

I would run short of one ingredient or the other; and some reason or the other not to make it.

After dinner, I made the cake, combining a couple of recipes. Finally!!!

Yes!!!!! Book marked for ages and one fine day, it got done. Here is how ...


Ingredients:

Butter - 3 Tbsp
Chocolate - 50 g
Flour - 4 Tbsp
Baking Powder - 1/4 tsp
Sugar - 3 Tbsp
Vanilla Essence - 1/4 tsp
Egg - 1
Milk - 3 Tbsp
Nuts/Chocolate Chips - 3 Tbsp (optional)

Method:

Melt the butter and chocolate in the microwave for 1 minute. Set aside to cool.
Add flour and sugar to a small mixing bowl, and mix well.
Beat the egg and milk thoroughly. Mix in the melted chocolate and vanilla essence.
Mix this into the flour mixture.
Pour the mixture into a large coffee mug (300 ml).
Top with nuts or chocolate chips
Microwave for 2.5 minutes at high power (1000 watts).
Keep aside for 3 minutes before plunging in.

Sweet Coconut Sandwich

YUM, isn't it!!!

I have fond memories of my uncle buying us "Sweet Coconut Bun" from the bakery. I used to wait for my holidays to relish this simple and delightful snack.

When I got to know the filling recipe from my friend, I had to make this. I used ready made Pizza base (easiest option).

I relished this wonderful sandwich that transported me back in time.

Ingredients:

Pizza Base - 2

Butter - 3 Tbsp

Grated Coconut - 1/2 cup

Sugar - 1/4 cup

Cashew - 1/4 cup

Raisins - 1/4 cup

Tutty Fruity - 1/4 cup

Method:

Heat 2 Tbsp butter in a non-stick pan. Add grated coconut and saute for 3 minutes.

Add sugar and take off heat at once.

Warm cashews in the same pan for half a minute.

Mix Cashews along with Raisins and Tutty Fruity into the coconut mixture.

Quarter the Pizza Base. Slit carefully into two.

Heat a tava and warm the buttered Pizza Base on both sides.

Stuff with coconut filling. Return to tava once again to warm the sandwich.

Serve at once.

Grilling Method:

Stuff the pizza quarters with coconut filling. Brush tops with butter and place in a hot grill.

Grill for 3 minutes.

Serve Warm.

Pineapple Relish

A book marked recipe. Done finally!!!
It looks so different from the original - as chalk from cheese. Maybe, I should not have chopped the pineapple so finely. I was so dissappointed. It was like a spicy jam.



Ingredients

1 tbsp oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 small fresh red chillies, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup sugar
1 pineapple, chopped

Method

Heat oil in pan, add onion and chillies, cook, stirring for a few minutes.

Add ginger, nutmeg, sugar and pineapple. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes.

Cool, place into a jar, cover, refrigerate.

It's best served cold directly from the fridge.

Pomegranate Ice Tea

The word Pomegranate in Sanskrit, means 'replete with seeds' and symbolises fertility and prosperity. It has a lot of medicinal properties. It is good for stomach ailments.



We offer only the best to the Lord. I remember my mother-in-law asking me to string the arils and offer the garland to Lord Muruga during Sashti festival - a 7 day long festival that occurs immediately after Deepavali; when i was pregnant with my son.


The Ruby Red arils of the Pomegranate are a great snack and are also used as a garnish in curd based food items like Curd Bath and Raitha. Pomegranate juice has been a popular drink in India. The lighter coloured arils are blended with milk - into a milk shake, at most corner juice shops in Chennai. As you drink the juice you feel cool, and has a soothing effect.

Iced Tea - an all time favourite thirst quencher. It gets better now with the addition of fruit juice. When I read about Pom Wonderful Ice Tea's, I had to try the combination. Here is what I did -

Ingredients:

Pomegranate Juice - 1/4 cup

Water - 3/4 Cup

Tea - 1/4 tsp

Sugar - 1 Tbsp

Lemon Juice - 1 -2 tsp

Ice Cubes

Method:

Bring the water to a boil. Take off heat.

Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Add the tea in, and keep covered for 3 minutes (to infuse).

Strain the tea and cool. Mix in the lemon juice and pomegranate juice.

Take ice cubes in a tall glass. Pour in the fruity iced tea.

Savour the cold Iced Tea.

Note: The ratio of tea and juice is our choice.

This is off to participate in the Food Palette Red event at Torview.

Green Peas Sandwich

Another Favourite!!!

Simple, tasty and something different. Adapted from Mrs Tarla Dalal.

Ingredients:

Bread Slices - 2

Mayonnaise - 1 Tbsp

Tomato Ketchup - 1 tsp

Mustard (readymade) - 1/4 tsp

Tobasco sauce - 3 drops

Capsicum - 1 Tbsp, chopped fine

Tomato - 1 small, sliced

Green Peas - 3 Tbsp

Method:

Boil peas (or microwave on high power for 1 - 2 minutes). Crush with a spoon.

Mix mayonnaise with tomato ketchup, mustard, tobasco sauce, capsicum.

Add salt and lemon juice to taste.

Mix in the peas. Spread on toasted bread.

Top with tomato slices. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste.

Cover with the other toasted bread. Press down gently.

Cut into 2 and serve.

Chettinad Vazhakkai Kara Poriyal

Raw Banana is a versatile vegetable. There are various ways to make poriyal – dry vegetable side-dish. This is a spicy Chettinad version.

Kara Poriyal

Ingredients:

Raw Banana - 1

Turmerric Powder - 1 pinch

Salt to taste

Tamarind - 1 Tbsp

Oil - 1 Tbsp

Mustard - 1/4 tsp

Urad Dal - 1/4 tsp

Red Chillies - 3, broken

Curry Leaves - 1 sprig

Coconut - 2 Tbsp, grated

Method:

Soak tamarind in 1/2 cup water and extract pulp.

Boil raw banana with salt, turmerric powder and tamarind extract. Add extra water if necessary.

It will cook in minutes. Drain and keep aside. Cool.

Heat oil and add mustard, urad dal, curry leaves and red chillies.

Add cooked raw banana and mix well. Cook for 3 minutes.

Add grated coconut (optional) and take off heat.

Choco Chip Pancake

The ever popular chocolate pancake, fortified with oats to make it fibre rich. Makes a lovely breakfast and a quick snack. Make small (3" pancakes) and serve with a scoop of ice cream for dessert.

Ingredients:

Flour (Wholewheat) - 1 cup

Oats - 1/4 cup

Sugar - 2 Tbsp

Baking Powder - 1.5 tsp

Soda - 3/4 tsp

Salt - a big pinch*

Oil - 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp

Buttermilk - 1 cup

Vanilla essence - 1 tsp

Toppings:

Chocolate Chips - 1/3 cup

Toasted Nuts - 1/4 cup

Honey - 1/4 cup (to serve)

Method:

Mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Mix the wet ingredients separately.

Make a well in the flour mixture and pour in the wet ingredients.

Mix quickly. Rest for 5 minutes. Mix in the chocolate chips.

Heat a tava. Smear some butter on the hot pan.

Make pancakes - 4" in size. Top with some toasted nuts.

Once the underside sets, flip over and cook on the other side as well.

Drizzle honey over the pancakes and serve warm.

* A big pinch of salt - Take a pinch with 3 fingers.

Idli (PAV) Bhaji

Our Dinner -

Rains and the cold weather made me want to have something spicy for dinner. Straight off the Tava. Idli Uppma is quite a common feature at home. It is one dish where all of us can sit together and enjoy. For a change, I added some green peas and Pav Bhaji Masala.
A Spicy and Hot Treat.



Ingredients:

Idli's - 6
Butter - 2 tsp
Oil - 2 Tbsp
Onion - 1, minced
Tomato - 1, chopped
Ginger - 1/4 tsp
Turmerric Pd - 1/4 tsp
Green Peas - 1/2 cup
Pav Bhaji Masala - 2 tsp
Salt To taste
Lemon Juice - 1 tsp
Coriander Leaves - 1 Tbsp


Method:

Cut Idli into fingers and toast with little ghee or butter in a tava. Keep aside.

Heat oil in a kadai and add onions. Saute well.
Add peas, ginger, turmerric powder and salt. Cook for a minute.
Add tomatoes and pav bhaji masala. Cook till oil separates.
Lower flame and add Lemon Juice. Mix well.
Gently mix in the fried Idli fingers and top with chopped coriander.
Serve Hot.

Tikki Sandwich

Yes!!! Aloo Tikki is the filling for this delicious sandwich. And....... it is neither deep fried nor shallow fried!

Aloo Tikki is made protein rich with the addition of home-made low fat paneer; and the addition of corn/peas makes it colourful and nutritious. Combine the tikki with multi grain bread, tomato sauce and green chutney. Yummmmmm!!!!!

Aloo Tikki Sandwich

Ingredients:-

For Tikki:

1 Potato

1/4 cup Green Peas (OR) Sweet Corn

2 Tbsp Paneer*

1 tsp Oil

1/4 tsp Jeera

1 Gr. Chili, minced

1 Tbsp Mint leaves, minced

1/2 tsp Lemon Juice

Salt to taste

For Sandwich:

4 Multi grain Bread slices

2 tsp Butter

2 tsp Tomato Sauce

2 tsp Green Chutney

4 Tbsp finely grated Carrots

Method:-

For Tikki:

Boil and mash the potatoes when hot.

Boil the green Peas or Corn.

Heat oil in a Kadai and splutter Jeera. Then, add the chillies and corn. Saute. Mix in all the other ingredients, mash lightly and saute for 2 minutes. Cool and shape into 2 Tikkis.

To assemble the Sandwich:

Cut the bread slices into rounds (optional). Butter lightly.

Spread Green chutney on 2 slices and Tomato sauce on the other 2 slices.

Place a tikki on the chutney, top with half the grated carrots and cover with the other (tomato sauce on the inside) slice. Press down lightly. Serve.

Paneer* - Bring 1 cup of milk to a boil. Simmer and add lemon juice in drops. Stop adding the lemon juice once it starts curdling. Boil for 1 minute. Strain into a muslin cloth. Use after the whey has drained out fully.