Wednesday 26 February 2014

Achari Paneer Masala


Soft Paneer cubes simmered in spicy and tangy gravy…. Perfect for weekend menu.


Ingredients:

200 gm cottage cheese (paneer), chopped in cubes
1/2 red capsicum, chopped
1/2 green capsicum, chopped
1/2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp onion seeds
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
2 dry red chillies
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp oil
3 large tomatoes, pureed
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp red chilli powder or to taste
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp garam masala powder
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves, finely chopped

Method:

  • Heat oil; add chillies and bay leaves. Add mustard, onion and fennel seeds.
  • When seeds start crackle, add ginger-garlic paste and saute well.
  • Add chopped onions, when they turn pink; add chopped capsicums.
  • Cook on low flame till capsicums turn soft and tender.
  • Add tomato puree and dry masalas. Stir and cook for 4-5 min or till oil separates.
  • Add 1/2 cup hot water and salt and cook until gravy looks thick.
  • Mix in the paneer cubes and cook covered for few minutes.
  • Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with naan or rice.


Tuesday 18 February 2014

Mini Black Grape Pie


Tempting and pleasing pie filled with tangy-sweet grapes…. is a joy to make and serve.



Ingredients:

1 recipe pastry dough for 2 mini double crust pies
¾  cups black grapes
2 tbsp melted butter
1 ½  tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp castor sugar

Method: 

  • Preheat oven to 200 deg C.
  • For pie base, roll out dough to ¼ inch thick for bottom and bake pie bottoms for 10 min and keep aside.
  • In microwave safe bowl, cook grapes at 100 % power for 3-4 min or until grapes turn soft. Stir in between.
  • Sieve extra water from the grapes and add the flour and sugar to cooked grapes. (Preserve the water, it tastes great). Stir in the melted butter.
  • Pour mixture into half baked pie shells. For top crust, roll dough to 1/8 inch.
  • Cover pie with top crust and seal edges using little water. (You can design top crust with small cutters or make lattice pattern)
  • Brush little milk on top crust of pie. Bake at 220 deg C for about 15-20 min. or till top crust turn golden.
  • Sprinkle icing sugar and serve.

Thursday 13 February 2014

Red Velvet Creamy Pops


This Valentine's day surprise your loved ones with these cookie pops filled with cream cheese frosting….



Ingredients:


120 gm all purpose flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder
50 gm castor sugar or powdered sugar
60 gm butter
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
Few drops red color (adjust according to the color brand, I used Wilton color)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

2.5 oz. cream cheese
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
3/4 cup icing sugar + extra for sprinkling
Lollipop sticks

Method: 

  • Shift flour, cocoa powder and baking powder together and keep aside.
  • In a bowl, cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy mixture.
  • Add vanilla essence and beat again. Add all the dry ingredients.
  • Mix color and milk together and add to the flour mixture. Combine all the ingredients gently to form a dough.
  • Preheat oven to 180 deg C.
  • Roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thickness and cut into heart shape with cookie cutter.
  • Place cookies on baking sheet and bake for about 7-8 min or till done.
  • Cookies should be soft at this stage, not crisp. Cool them completely.
  • Using an electric mixer beat the cream cheese and vanilla together.
  • Slowly add the powdered sugar until smooth and thick.
  • Turn bottom of the cookies over and spoon a little frosting in centre.
  • Press a lollipop stick into the frosting, and then gently press another cookie on top.
  • Keep cookies aside to dry a bit to hold sticks and while serving sprinkle some icing sugar.

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Banana and Dates Muffins


Banana and Dates Muffins are tender, moist and a perfect treat for anytime of the day.


Ingredients:


2 ripe bananas
3/4 cup flour    
2 tbsp corn flour
1/4 cup dates, chopped           
1/2 cup powdered sugar          
1/4 cup sunflower oil
4 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp baking powder 
1/2 tsp baking soda     

For topping: (optional)

1 tsp brown sugar
Few banana slices
2-3 dates, finely chopped


Method:

  • Preheat oven to 180 deg C.
  • Shift together flour, baking powder and baking soda. Mix in corn flour and sugar.
  • In a small bowl, mash bananas well with fork or grind into a paste.
  • Add oil, milk to banana mixture and mix well.
  • Fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture. Add in chopped dates.
  • Mix well, making sure all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
  • Line the muffin cups and spoon the batter to 3/4 th of it.
  • Mix ingredients for the topping and sprinkle on each muffin cup.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes and a toothpick inserted in centre comes clean.
  • Invert on wire rack and cool completely.


Wednesday 5 February 2014

Veggies with Spring onion Crumble


Delectable and healthy baked dish full of veggies with spring onion crumble….Bon Appétit  !!!


Ingredients:

1 ½ cups Mix veggies, chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp red chilli sauce
1 tsp dried herbs
1 tsp olive oil
Salt to taste
1/4 cup grated cheese

For the crumble:

4-5 spring onion stalks, chopped
1 bread slice
1 clove garlic
1 green chilli
Salt to taste
1/2 tbsp oil

Method:

  • Wash and chop all the vegetables. Blanch few veggies like potatoes, carrots and cauliflower.
  • In a bowl mix together mayo, chilli sauce, dried herbs, oil and salt.
  • Add veggies to the bowl and mix till well coated with mayo dip.
  • Grind all the ingredients together for the crumble.
  • In a baking dish, spread layer of veggies at the bottom.
  • Cover with spring onion crumble and add grated cheese over the top.
  • Bake in preheated oven at 180 deg C for 15-20 min or till cheese melts.
  • Serve hot.



Sunday 2 February 2014

Baked Potato Soup


Yummy and filling soup prepared from baked potatoes, a must try in the season ...


Ingredients:

4 medium potatoes, chopped 
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp chilli flakes
Salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup milk
1 cup vegetable stock
1 bay leaf
2 tsp butter

Method:

  • Preheat oven at 220 deg C. Grease a baking tray.
  • Mix in salt, ½ tsp chilli flakes and 1tsp oil with chopped potatoes and keep aside for 5-7 min.
  • Spread potatoes evenly on baking tray and bake for 20-25 min.
  • Flip potatoes to other side after 10 min to get evenly baked. Keep aside when done.
  • Heat oil+butter in a pan. Add bay leaf, onions and ginger-garlic paste, cook for a min.
  • Add in tomatoes, salt, pepper and chilli flakes; cook covered for 2 min.
  • Now add baked potatoes and vegetable stock. Cook for 5-7 min.
  • Cool and grind to a smooth mixture. Transfer to the pan.
  • Mix in enough milk and cook for 1-2 boil. Turn off flame.
  • Serve hot with croutons.