Festive Greetings with Chicken Parcel Recipe and Choco Chip Cookies

 We are facing a very challenging pandemic year so far and each of us have their versions of challenges. However, festivals bring hope and happiness and we start anticipating nice things in progress, forgetting about the obstacles and challenges of a pandemic year.

Hope this Christmas lightens up your day with joy and laughter. Merry Christmas!!

I have made these Chicken parcels and dear daughter has made Choco chip cookies on Christmas eve yesterday, so likewise it has featured in the blog. These chicken parcels are easy to assemble with ready-made short crust pastry dough. These parcels reminded me of Cornish pasties, although not entirely similar but has uncanny resemblance, perhaps a little shape is lacking here and there. The crescent shape Pasty was replaced with a rectangular chicken parcel. I have avoided doing egg wash for each parcel. But next time will do that for a nice even shinny and crusty layer.

Now to the recipe

Chicken Parcel

Recipe requirements

• Short crust pastry block- 500gms
• 400-500 gms of chicken thigh portions
• 1 medium size potato
• 1 medium size onion
• 1 cup of green peas
• 100 Gms of baby chestnut mushrooms
• 1 medium size tomato
• 3-4 heaped tbs of chicken gravy granules
• 1 tsp of black pepper powder
• 3-4 tbs of cooking oil
• 1 tsp of salt

Method

• Clean and cut chicken thigh portions into bit size portions. Chop potato, tomato and onion. Cut potato into small bite size portions.
• Now put a fry pan on medium heat. Add cooking oil, add in onions, baby chestnut mushrooms, green peas and cut tomatoes. Add in potato and chicken pieces as well.
• Add in chicken gravy granules and salt. Add in black pepper powder. Add in a cup of water. Cover and cook for about 15-20 mints or till chicken turn out soft and the content starts collecting well somewhat more like semi-dry.

Now to the pastry

• Take out pastry dough from the packet and divide it into 4 portions. Roll into a long rectangular slab. Please follow package direction for thawing and rolling the dough.
• Divide the cooked chicken and potato mixture into 4 portions.
• Place the mixture at one side and roll over from other side. Press with fork and seal the ends. (At this time, you can even do an egg wash for each parcel)
• Preheat an oven at 180 deg C.
• Put the parcels over baking tray and bake 25-30 mints depending on the make of oven. Take out once the sides of parcel start to brown out. The sides of the parcel should nicely toast and center should remain little bit soft but cooked well.
• Serve warm and enjoy. Vegetarians can make it with soya chunks or Paneer pieces.

These Choco Chip Cookies were made by dear daughter and these turned out very delicious.

Choco Chip Cookies

Recipe requirements

Recipe adapted from (Here)

• 125 gms of softened butter
• 100 gms granulated sugar
• 100 gms light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 and ¾ cup of self-rising flour
• 1 tsp of vanilla essence
• ½ tsp of salt
• 100 gms of chocolate chips

Method

• Cream softened butter and granulated sugar, light brown sugar in a big mixing bowl.
• Now add egg and vanilla essence and mix well.
• Sift in self raising flour and salt. Keep mixing this flour mixture with creamed butter and sugar till all the dough starts to collect well. Dust off more flour if it gets sticky.
• Put the dough to rest in fridge for about 2-3 hrs. Take out when you are ready to make Choco chip cookies.
• Preheat an oven at 180 deg C. Line up a baking tray with grease proof paper or baking paper sheet.
• Now make walnut size small balls out of the dough and roll them nicely rounded. Put them apart on baking tray. Sprinkle some chocolate chips over and gently press to secure them on cookies dough.
• Bake in the oven for about 10-15 mints or the make of your oven.
• Take out once sides are just starting to go light brown in color. Delicious Choco chip cookies are ready. Enjoy. This dough can be put in deep fridge and it will stay fresh for about a month, Use it accordingly.

May this Christmas bring you loads of happiness and laughter. 

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year everyone.

Cod Fish Fry with Harissa

I wrote my first blog post in 2006 and it never occurred to me that I am inviting myself for a whole new experience. I thought it was more of a fluke for me at that time and other recipe posts written thereafter. For me, it was like a toy given to pacify a child. I was super excited that there is something called ‘Blogspot' and where I can write my ramblings and share recipes. This also happened in a spur of moment, never planned it and still it remains the same, even after fourteen years. God! its fourteen years in food blogging world. In between all these years, food blogging procedure has changed and so is the norm now. It has shifted its base readers to Instagram and other social platforms, but I being a stubborn, continued food blogging here.

Initial years, it was exciting to know about number of people subscribing to this blog. But now the initial euphoria has subsided, almost like gone with a wind. I have let go of the urge of updating the blog routinely and strictly also. When I feel like I need to write a post, then only I update. I know many of you who are regulars here may feel disappointed. There lies a virtual world and a real world and many go on to balance it well and few can’t. I will add another name in the last ‘few’. Well who else? The author herself!!

Let me write a thank you note starting from my sabziwali to dudhwala to machiwala, who made their contributions in their own way. After all what is a food blog, if I don’t mention them for providing me with their supply of choicest of fresh vegetables, fish and poultry. All that which looks good in pictures in this blog, should taste good as well, otherwise there is no point being a food blogger, well at least for me. I should also thank my readers who find some sort of familiarity when they visit here and try out recipes,or many can relate to the ramblings written over recipe posts. The intention is to have rough estimations and precise procedure for that particular recipe.

Thank you readers for being part of this fourteen years journey with me!!

Food has been integral part of many cultures, actually whole gamut of cultural revolution happened due to food – either its shortage or its availability. Spice routes were created to discover hidden treasure islands, from Columbus to Vasco Da Gama who explored sea routes to mysterious countries where spices can be found in abundant. And to discovery of Balti cuisine in a country known for eating mashed potatoes, Sunday roast and fish fry. Who would have thought our very own ‘Topse Mach Bhaja’ can be competing with deep fried Cod dressed in flour beer batter. Well dressing really makes the difference, isn’t? A Bengali Bhadra Lok Dhoti Clad and an English gentleman, both can devour their versions of fish fry in seconds. Last part is a bit exaggeration. But guess what, fish fry remained staple for both of them. Here comes a new version for this staple fish fry recipe.

Cod fish pairing up with North African spice blend ‘Harissa’ wrapped in flour beer batter.….err. I mean to say Cod fish fry with Harissa in Besan batter. When East meet West and they together meet South. The concoction formulates a perfect formula for a delicious fish fry. There you go now, north African can also join in to our cultural revolution. Presenting Cod fish fry with Harissa.

I have used store brought Harissa spice blend as its easily available in many super stores over here. World is a global village now, think Harissa spice blend is readily available in India as well.

Now to the recipe 

 

Cod Fish Fry with Harissa spice

Recipe requirements (serves 2-3)

• Cod fish Fillets 200-250 gms (approx.)
• 3 heaped tsp of Harissa powder
• ½ tsp of salt
• ½ cup of Besan/ Bengal gram flour
• 1 tsp of harissa powder
• ½ tsp of garlic powder
• ½ tsp of salt
• 2-3 tbs of cooking oil

Method

• Clean Cod fish fillets. Pat them dry with kitchen towels. Marinate them with harissa spice powder and salt.Keep aside for about an hour.
• In a separate flat plate – mix besan, garlic powder, salt and more harissa powder. Clean hands with soap and water. You can make a wet batter as well with water. Then you will need water and more oil to deep fry them. This recipe relies mainly on coating the cod fish fillet with Besan, enough to hold the dry spices.
• Now coat the Cod fish fillet with this besan+ harissa powder mixture. Leave aside for about half an hour.
• Again, coat well the fish fillet with besan mixture by pressing gently with hands. This double coating seals the moisture on Cod fish fillets.
• Put a sauté pan ( non-stick ) on heat. Add in cooking oil.
• Add in marinating and well-coated Cod fish fillets, frying for 3-4 mints each side at medium flame.
• Take out and serve.Tip- Other firm fish- like Haddock and Sea Bass fish fillet can also be used with Harissa.

Happy Cooking Friends!

Garlic and Coriander Prawns

We are facing unprecedented time with a pandemic. Covid-19 pandemic is teaching us all to be more understanding, accommodating and kind to each other. These days, while we all are in lockdown/homebound in some or other way or may be self-isolating, I would like to assume that staying in home can be daunting, if not easy for you all. It becomes tiring amidst juggling office and kid’s school work from home, care giving to children and elders and top of that cooking, cleaning and doing all home chores. But let me remind you the blessings; we have home, food on table and this accounts for being humble and thankful to almighty.

The amount of social media interactions that am seeing these days is enormous. Meanwhile, I do understand that you all are trying to keep up with each other through various social media accounts or video calling etc., but sometimes this itself may lead to stress and anxiety with so many varied points of views, information and social media posts.

If you don’t feel comfortable regarding reliability of some information, you don’t need to share it or forward it to others. If you don’t feel like interacting with many friends or well-wishers, then you don’t have to and it’s not compulsory. Interactions should be a pleasure rather than a chore.

It’s absolutely fine if you find solace in painting or reading a book or going for a walk or going for a Jog or exercising or meditating, but still you don’t feel like updating every damn details of your personal life on social media accounts. You don’t need validations from outside. The stimulus should reside within you. It should start within you. Anyhow, do things which suits your pace and interests and enjoy as it is. On a hopeful note, things will improve and you all will have varied stories to tell or recall later on.

I have been listening to these two Indian bands and have liked their work. The Local Train and Desert Rock and found they have those 80’s rock vibes. Another artist that caught my attention during this time is Yiruma -his Piano work leaves me spellbound.

Now to my cooking, I have cooked many dishes, but just didn’t feel like updating it here. I have made these garlic prawns many moons ago and it turned out great.

These garlic and coriander prawns are great as sides. They can be part of an appetizer menu as well. A well-balanced blend of spices and delectable prawns are ready. Now to the recipe

Garlic and Coriander Prawns 

Recipe requirements (serves 2-3)

Prawns- 200 gms

½ tsp of turmeric powder

1 tsp of red pepper powder

1 tsp of garlic powder

1 tsp of dried coriander leaves or ½ cup of freshly chopped leaves

½ tsp of salt

2-3 tbs of cooking oil

Method

Clean and devein prawns. Marinate them with turmeric powder and salt.

In a small bowl, mix in red pepper powder+garlic powder+dried coriander leaves with 1 -2 tsp of water.

Put a sauté pan on heat. Add in cooking oil.

Add in marinating prawns and the masala paste frying for 1-2 mints at med-low.

Cover and let it cook for 6-7 mints at medium flame. Take out and serve.

Happy Cooking Friends and have a relaxing weekend.Take precautions while going out and stay safe everyone.

Baked Puff Pastry with Cranberry Sauce

We are into last few days of December and today being Christmas gives me a reason to update the blog.

I have tried some recipes with puff pastry sheets, store bought though in past and they had been a hit with my family. Dear daughter even asks for a repeat of the recipe like this one, every festive season.

These puff pastry with cranberry sauce and topped with cream frosting was again well received at our dinner table. And this version is inspired by Brie and Cranberry puff pastry. I haven’t included brie cheese for this recipe though but still it’s very flavorful.

These looks pretty and with white cream frosting a very delicious combination. Now to the detailed recipe

Baked Puff pastry with Cranberry sauce

Recipe requirements

1 pack puff pastry sheet

½ cup of cranberry sauce

½ tsp of cinnamon powder

Some flour to roll the sheets

Method

Take out the puff pastry sheets and let it thaw for a while.

Then dust off with some flour and roll into a rectangular sheet. Just to even out the surface of the puff pastry sheet.

Cut the sheet into half. Now put cranberry sauce on both the sheets.

Sprinkle cinnamon powder.

Now from one end start rolling towards middle stopping at middle. From the other side start rolling and let it come in touch with the other rolled sides. The puff pastry sheet will look like a log at this stage.

Secure the two sides well with each other. Now cut these rolled puff pastry log sheets into ½ inch thick pieces. From each log at least 5-6 pieces will come out. The shape will be more of a mini palmier.

Now preheat an oven at 160 Deg C. Put them on a floured baking tray for about 15-20 mints or till they come out nice golden in color.

Take out and let it cool off.

Prepare cream frosting

½ cup of double cream

1/4  cup of icing sugar

2 tbs of milk

Method

Mix cream, icing sugar and milk and whip it to make small soft peaks.

Gently put this cream frosting over the cooled puff pastry pieces.

You can refrigerate for 1-2 hrs., before you start consuming them or you can enjoy straight away.

These are delicious as snacks as well.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the festive spirit linger on and creates cherished memories for you and yours. Enjoy and celebrate.

Quinoa with Broccoli and Spring Onions

If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour.

-          Victoria Erickson

Autumn season is in its full vigor these days in our neck of the woods. The parks and roadside trees have acquired lovely fall colors all across. The walks into parks have become even more interesting and refreshing.

I happen to take these pictures yesterday, thought of sharing it here.

I have been thinking of including Quinoa in our daily meal plans. I picked this tricolor Quinoa from our local grocers couple of days ago. These are available very readily over here. I was more looking for a warm bowl of Quinoa cooked with some veggies. This Quinoa with broccoli, spring onion and potato stir/fry is a very satisfying meal when it comes to variations. Quinoa can easily be replaced with rice and pastas and are high in fiber and protein contents. So, when I no longer crave for rice, I can always skip it and replace it with Quinoa. Broccoli and spring onions are stir/fried with turmeric and red pepper powder which adds up to the flavor of this dish. This recipe is Diabetic friendly as well as Quinoa is whole grains (actually it’s a seed) in itself. You can replace Potatoes with orange sweet potatoes for a diabetic friendly recipe.

Now to the recipe

 Quinoa with Broccoli and Spring onions

Recipe requirements (serves 2)

• ½ cup of Quinoa
• 2 cups of broccoli florets
• 1 medium size potato/or 1 medium size orange sweet potato
• 1 bundle of spring onions
• ½ tsp of turmeric powder
• ½ tsp of red pepper powder
• 2 dry red pepper
• 1 tsp of salt+ ¼ tsp of salt for Quinoa
• 2 tsp of cooking oil

Method

• Chop potato into small bite size pieces. Cut spring onion and separate broccoli florets.
• Wash them well in water.
• Put a fry pan over cooking flame. Add in cooking oil. Now add dry red pepper, potatoes, stir/fry them for 1-2 mints.
• Add in broccoli and chopped spring onion. Keep on stir/fry for about 2-3 mints.
• Add in turmeric powder, red pepper powder and salt.
• Cover the lid and cook vegetables for about 7-10 mints or till the potatoes are soft enough.
• Meanwhile the vegetables are cooking. Put a pot with ample water to cook Quinoa. For every quarter cup of Quinoa, add in 1 cup of water. Ratio should be 3:1. Add in salt as well.
• Let the quinoa slowly cook in water for about 15-17 mints. Once cooked, drain the excess water.
• Now place the cooked Quinoa over serving plate. Now assemble the stir/fried broccoli, potatoes and spring onions over it. Serve and enjoy.

Other Post on Quinoa- Quinoa with Scrambled eggs

Happy Cooking Friends

Orange Avocado and Mint Salad

Now that Ma Durga has gone back to Shiva’s abode with her children, leaving behind us with heavy hearts, the routine life for most of us has started whether you are living in New York, London or Kolkata or for that matter, any part of the world. Each and every year, we so look forward to spent these 4-5 days with loads of enthusiasm and zeal. But once those days are spent, the longing to spend, few more days keeps on coming back. I haven’t yet wished Vijayadashami to my readers. Let me wish everyone a Shobha Bijoya and Happy Dussehra.

I have been receiving few messages for Bijoya and Dussehra greetings. Couple of them got my attention, so thought its worth mentioning here. Dussehra festival is celebrated in India and abroad by Hindu people and it’s a very inclusive festival, where everyone is encouraged to participate and celebrate irrespective of their choice of religions. The community food distribution during these days is open to all sects of the society, where ever you can go and join in. The ethos implies in ‘Vasudhev Kutumba-kum’ in Sanskrit meaning -"Entire cosmos is our family". 

In today’s context Dussehra implies in these few lines.

“The demon is always within.

The Goddess is always within.

The battle too, is always within.

And so is the triumph of one, over the other.

Which one, over which one?

That choice is also, somehow always within.”

Everyone is capable of making good choices for themselves, no matter how much adverse circumstances can be. As The headmaster of a wizard world ‘Hogwarts’- Albus Dumbledore once said to Harry Potter in the famous Book- Chamber of Secrets.

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” The choices made by us defines our personalities as well.

Now to the recipe for this post- Orange Avocado and mint salad. We have been getting fresh oranges over here and since autumn and oranges go hand in hand, thought let me share a very simple salad recipe. After eating out all sorts of rich and festive food items, now its time to detox a bit. This salad is healthy and very diabetic friendly recipe. It is also good for people who wants to keep a watch on their blood pressure levels.

Now to the recipe

Orange Avocado and Mint salad

Recipe requirements

• 2-3 oranges
• 1 avocado
• 1 large carrot
• 1cup of mint leaves
• ½ cup of grated paneer
• For dressing
• 1-2 tsp of olive oil
• Salt as per taste
•  ¼ tsp of Crushed black pepper

Method

• Peel oranges and separate pieces. Cut and chop avocado, carrot into bite size pieces. Separate mint leaves from its twigs.
• In a big salad bowl, put all the above – oranges, avocado, carrot and mint leaves.
• Now grate a big block of paneer to get about a quarter cup.Add to the salad bowl.
• Now add in olive oil and seasonings- salt and freshly crushed black pepper.
• You can add red chilly flakes for an extra kick in the salad.
• Tip- to make it even more filling, can add cooked black beans or rajma as well.

Happy Cooking Friends 

Chunky Feta Cheese Mint and Padron pepper Salad

We have been using feta cheese quite often these days and this salad is just one of those ways of preparing it. I have also included Padron peppers which are mild peppers, but imparts a nice crunchy texture and a greenish color to the salad. 

Padron peppers are very much part of Tapas bars in Spanish cuisine, specially the blistered Padron peppers that comes with potatoes etc. Padron pepper originates from a region in Spain known as Galicia. The combination of feta cheese and Padron peppers in this salad was very appetizing and was well received by my folks.

Now to the very simple recipe for this salad 

Chunky Feta cheese Mint and Padron pepper salad

Recipe requirements ( serves 2 )

•  About a cup of chunky Feta cheese pieces
•  1 small Onion
•  Half a Cucumber
•  10-12 Cherry tomato
•  6-7 Padron peppers
• half cup of chopped mint leaves

Method

• Chop onion, cucumber, tomato into half and Padron peppers.
• Separate green and healthy leaves of mint and chop them roughly.
• Cut feta cheese into pieces.
• Mix all in a salad bowl. Chill for about 1-2 hrs. and serve.
• You may use some salad dressing as well or drizzle very little olive oil with some black pepper and salt.

Happy Cooking Friends and have a relaxing weekend everyone.

Easy Vegetarian Fusilli Pasta with Spinach

Spring season brings new and fresh green leaves on trees and with that a new phase of life starts on mother earth. This also marks our Bengali new year in April. Although, bit late but anyways, it’s good to be late than never. Let me wish everyone a ‘Shobho Naba Borsho’. May you all have a great year ahead filled with delicious food, good health and happiness.

We are having school holidays over here with Good Friday and Easter approaching soon. Let me also wish everyone have a ‘Good Friday’ and a very ‘Happy Easter’ in advance also.

This fusilli pasta recipe with baby spinach is a quick way of fixing dinner, in case you are running out of time. I have liked fusilli pasta because of its shape, bit of twist to a normal pasta and the flavours are bursting and more prominent.

Now to the recipe

Easy Vegetarian Fusilli pasta with spinach 

Recipe requirements

• 400 Gms of fusilli pasta
• Baby spinach leaves
• 1 Onion
• 1 Tomato
•  2-3 tbs of pasta sauce
• ¼ cup of mascarpone cheese
• Salt as per taste
• Black pepper as per taste
• 3-4 tbs of cooking oil
• some paneer cubes

Method

• Take a large pot with ample water. Add in salt and 1tbs of cooking oil to it. Let it come to one boil. Add in dried fusilli and cook al dente (cooked but still firm).This may take about 7-10 mints of time depending on the cooking flame.
• In a separate fry pan, big enough to hold all the pasta and with vegetables. Add in rest of cooking oil and then add baby spinach, chopped onions and tomato. Add in pasta sauce.
• Stir/fry all for about 4-5 mints. Add in cooked fusilli with the cooking water. Add in mascarpone cheese .Mix all the ingredients very well and coat well with sauce. Adjust salt and seasonings- black pepper etc.
• Sprinkle some chilli flakes and enjoy. I have added some paneer cubes as well.

Happy Cooking Friends

Kiwi Salsa Recipe

I had a batch of kiwis lying in my fruit basket and I wanted to utilize in a different way. Some would suggest a kiwi smoothie, which I find somewhat mundane. I needed to pair things up with kiwi as their tangy and juicy taste goes well in an appetizer like a salsa. This Kiwi salsa is the outcome of that quest. I would say it is a keeper recipe. You can have it with loads of tortilla chips  if you are a fan of having less cheesy version of Mexican food or as side with main course meal. 

I had served it with grilled salmon and asparagus. The recipe was well received by my folks.

I have stopped using my DSLR camera and now rely only on mobile camera for blog pictures. The pictures I believe has come out nice as well, at least it serves the purpose.

Now to the tangy recipe of Kiwi salsa

Kiwi Salsa Recipe

Recipe requirements

• 4 kiwis
• 1 medium size white onion
• Half cucumber approx 1 cup 
• Half large red bell pepper approx 1/2 cup 
•  ½ cup of chopped coriander leaves

 Seasoning

• Salt as per taste
• ½ tsp of red chilli pepper powder
• 1 tsp of cumin powder
•  ½ tsp of freshly grounded black pepper powder
•  2-3 tsp of olive oil

Method

• Cut and chop all – Kiwi, onions, cucumber, coriander leaves and red bell pepper into small pieces.
• In a big salad bowl mix in all the chopped kiwi, onion, cucumber and red bell pepper with seasonings – cumin powder, red chilli powder and freshly grounded black pepper powder.
• Refrigerate for about 2-3 hrs before serving.
• Just when you are about to serve, add in salt as per taste and olive oil , toss well.. Enjoy tangy Kiwi salsa.

Happy Cooking Friends

A simple Prawn Stir-fry recipe

We have been witnessing spring blossoms in every corner of our neighbourhood. The trees are now laden with new green leaves and colourful blossoms. Spring is a very jovial season where everything gets a new décor and a new life. We have been blessed with sunshine past couple of days as well and that makes outdoor activities even more interesting, unlike today which is very British weather, rainy and grey. I am now confined to home and thought let me utilize my time making a quick recipe post.

I have been wanting to make prawn for a long time and this simple yet such a flavourful recipe comes in handy. You have to be little patient with cleaning and de-vein prawns, but once you are done with it, you can make flavourful stir/fry recipe in jiffy.

Any way if you like bit of planning your meals for a week or are running out of time, you can pre clean and marinate the prawns and keep it in freezer in batches and use them as you have need for that.

Now to the recipe

Prawn stir/fry recipe

Recipe requirements

• 8-10 prawns
• 1 and ½ tsp of red pepper powder
• ½ tsp of turmeric powder
• ½ tsp of cumin powder
• 1 tsp of mustard seeds
•  1-2  dry red pepper
• 1 tsp of salt or as per taste
• 3-4 tbs of mustard oil/cooking oil
• Coriander leaves for garnishing

Method

• Clean, devein and deshell prawns.
• Marinate them in turmeric powder, cumin powder, salt and red pepper powder. Leave it aside for half an hour.
• Heat up a fry pan, add in mustard oil. Add in mustard seeds and dry red pepper. Let it splutter a bit.
• Add in marinated prawns and stir/fry them for about 7-8 mints at medium high flame.
• Take them out and serve with warm cooked rice. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Happy Cooking Friends

Melon Colada Mocktail Recipe

Our vegetable and fruit market is being flooded with fully ripened melons and cantaloupes these days. I often buy them fresh and we relish juicy melons a lot. Since Malaysia is a tropical country, these fruits are readily available. 

This mocktail recipe was made and relished very much. Mocktails are well, mock, that is minus alcohol. This is such a refreshing mocktail drink for a hot summer evening. Although, you can add alcohol of your choice to spike it and call it cocktail. 

You can use shaker with ice to make this mocktail. I have blended all in a mixer, which is what I have.

As a thumb rule in Pina colada, white rum is added but you can choose any other liquor as well. I have included papaya as well to make it healthy and filling. This is a kid-friendly recipe.

Melon Colada Mocktail Drink Recipe

Recipe requirements (serves-1)

• 2-3 slices of fully ripened Sunlady melon or cantaloupes
• 1 thin slice of fresh papaya
• 12 tsp of fresh coconut milk
•  3 oz. of sprite
•  ½ tsp of honey as sweetener
• Ice cubes and mint leaves for garnishing

Method

• Pick fully ripened and fresh melon and papaya for better flavour. Use freshly made coconut milk for best flavour, otherwise you can use canned one or coconut cream in place of coconut milk.
• Cut and chop melon and papaya into slices. Pick 2-3 slices or wedges from melon and 1 wedge from papaya. Make a mixture with honey and coconut milk in a blender. Now cool it in fridge. At the time of serving take out and mix it with sprite again in mixer. Sprite itself is sugary, so less honey is added. More over the fully ripened melon and papaya gives a nice sweet flavour. Serve chilled with mint leaves.
• Easy and delicious papaya melon colada is ready. You can spike it with alcohol of your choice (rum/vodka/tequila) if you want a nice cocktail.

Happy Cooking Friends and have a relaxing weekend.

French Toast with Strawberry Compote

I have been away from food blogging world for a while now, but that doesn’t mean I was not cooking food or feeding hungry souls in my home. I have tried many local recipes and ingredients during these past days and I have to keep some records for that as well. I may update next couple of blogposts with those ingredients and recipes. But today, I will restrict myself with a delicious breakfast recipe. French toast with strawberry compote. I can’t imagine myself making this on weekdays, as morning is a hurried experience for us. Dear daughter catches her school bus early in the morning and dear husband is also almost rushing through. This scrumptious breakfast needs a relaxing Sunday morning, where one can sit, talk and enjoy the breakfast. Last Sunday made this as our breakfast, thought will share the recipe over here.

I remember a scene in Bollywood film ‘Queen’, where the main lead actress makes French toast for her roommates while holidaying in Amsterdam. And one of them being French himself tells her, well, what she has made has nothing French in it. I know where that was coming from as, French never make their French toast savoury compared to us Indian. French toast for an Indian is mostly savoury served with dollops of tomato ketchup!!  This made me all curious to know the origin of French toast and how it got its name. After many google searches, I came to know that in France it’s known as ‘’ Pain perdu’’ or ‘’Lost bread’’ which is eaten as desserts. This can be accompanied with afternoon tea or an English term for that is ‘High Tea’ snack, but is never made as breakfast. We are grateful to Roman Empire for Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish steps and Latin language. And to countless inspiration for many Chariot races in Hollywood films ‘ Ben Hur’ for entertainment purposes. I may also like to add French toast to that list as well, as Romans had gigantic appetite for food, three course meal is very Roman. They used to make something very similar dessert with a day old bread or left-over high quality white bread. The first mention about French toast was in a 4^th century Roman cook book written in Latin by Apicius.

From those days to its present form French toast has travelled far across, crossed Atlantic Ocean as well. French Immigrants brought their French toast recipes to America and American coined its name ‘French toast’ and from there no looking back.

Now to the sweet recipe for French toast

French Toast with Strawberry compote

Recipe requirements

For French toast

4-5 whole meal bread slices

1 cup of milk

1 egg

1 tsp of cinnamon powder

2-3 tbs of sugar

Cooking oil to pan –fry toast

Method

Mix in egg, milk, cinnamon powder and sugar in a mixing bowl. Put the bread slices in the mixture and let it sit for 5-10 mints.

Put an iron skillet on flame, add about 2-3 tsp of cooking oil over hot iron skillet. Put bread slices and fry them each side for 3-4 mints at medium flame.

Take out and drain over kitchen towels.

For Strawberry compote

300 Gms of fresh strawberry

3-4 tbs of sugar

½ tsp of lemon juice

2 tsp of olive oil spread

Method

Peel the outer skin of strawberries to get rid of small seeds. Chop strawberry roughly into small pieces.

Now put strawberry and sugar in a pot and keep on cooking. After about 7-8 mints at medium flame, strawberry will start to cook .Take off from the flame when sugar dissolves properly.

Add in lemon juice and olive oil spread and mix well. Let it cool.

Assemble French toast with strawberry compote and ice cream on sides. This is heavenly delicious.

and since its Poila Baishak this weekend ....let me wish all my readers ' Shobho Poila Baishaak'

শুভ পয়লা বৈশাখ। .অনেক শুভেচ্ছা সবাইকে। ...

Shrimp and Pea Sprouts stir-fry recipe

A simple stir fry recipe with shrimps and pea sprouts on a busy weekday night comes handy. All you need is to cut some colourful vegetables of your choice. Pea sprouts are the star ingredients of this stir-fry recipe. If you don’t get pea sprouts, then you can use baby bok-choy wholes or some chopped Ung Choi as well. Anaheim chili gives a milder flavour.

Shrimp and Pea sprouts stir/fry

Recipe requirements ( serves 2-3 ) 

• 10-12 large shrimps
•  1 and half cups of pea sprouts
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 large carrot
• 1 large tomato
• 2-3 Anaheim red chilly
• 1 tsp of freshly crushed black pepper
•  2 tsp of fish sauce
• Salt as per taste
• 4 tbs of cooking oil/soybean oil
• Soya sauce (optional)

Method

• Clean, de-shell and devein Shrimps. Sprinkle crushed black pepper and salt over shrimps. Keep aside for about half an hour.
• Cut chop all the vegetables- red bell pepper, tomato, carrots and Anaheim red chilly into long and bit of thick juliennes.
• Heat up a fry pan, add cooking oil, add in shrimps and stir/fry them for about 5-7 mints or till they are lightly browned. Take out in a bowl. Keep aside.
• Now add in left-over oil.
• Add in cut vegetables. Next add fish sauce and salt.Be careful with salt as fish sauce itself is salty. Sprinkle red pepper powder if you need more hotness. Keep on stir/fry for about 4-5 mints, retain the crunchiness of the vegetables. At this stage you may add soya sauce for some sweetness otherwise you can skip it as well.
• Now add in fried shrimps, mix well. Take out on a serving plate. Enjoy with some cooked noodles or warm cooked rice. This is absolutely delicious.

Happy Cooking Friends

Spicy Shrimp with Avocado and Alfalfa Sprouts Salad

I haven’t updated this space for a while, so thought of posting this spicy shrimp avocado salad. There are many ways shrimps can be prepared and relished. This salad is one healthy way of introducing nourishing foods to our menu. This comes as refreshing change to a mundane summer salad. Avocado and alfalfa sprouts add up to the flavour and health benefits. Now without further ado here is simple recipe for this salad.

Spicy Shrimp with Avocado and Alfalfa sprouts salad

Recipe requirements

 10 large shrimps

¼ tsp of turmeric powder

 1 tsp of Red pepper powder

½ tsp of coriander powder

Salt as per taste

 2-3 tbs of cooking oil

1 ripened avocado

½ cup of alfalfa sprouts

¼ cup of chives and garlic sprouts

10-15 cherry tomatoes

2 cups of lettuce

2 tsp of olive oil

Salt as per taste

Method

Clean, de-shell and devein Shrimps. Rub in shrimps with red pepper powder,coriander powder , turmeric powder and salt. Keep aside for about half an hour.

Heat up a fry pan, add 2 tbs of cooking oil, add in shrimps and stir/fry them for about 5-7 mints or till they are lightly browned. Take out in a bowl. Keep aside.

Now assemble the salad

Cut and destone avocado in to bite size pieces.

In a big mixing bowl, add in lettuce leaves, alfalfa sprouts, avocado and cherry tomatoes.

Sprinkle salt and add in olive oil. Toss well.You may sprinkle black pepper powder as well.

Now serve with stir/fried shrimps.

You can squeeze in fresh lemon juice to get a tangy flavour over shrimps as well.

There are other variations as well – you may add chopped cucumber or include any nuts as well.

Let me also wish you all a very happy and healthy Ramadan Kareem.

Ramadan Mubarak To all .....

Instant Rava Onion Uttapam

‘’ What day is it?’’ asked Pooh.

‘’It’s today! ’’ Squealed Piglet.

‘’My favourite day’’ said Pooh…………..

Sometimes life’s greatest truth is revealed in children’s animation films. I have watched ‘Winnie- the Pooh’ several times with my dear daughter, while she still was a toddler. Although she has out grown those cartoon stories now, but some of the contextual scenes are still stuck in my mind. So simple and so profoundly told by Pooh and Piglet. Life’s greatest lesson comes from these innocent cartoons. That’s why I always believe in to nurture the innocent child in all of us. Live for the present day and create your own beautiful moments because you only are responsible for your own happiness.

Breakfast are important part of daily meal plans. And we generally on weekends tend to have more varieties for breakfast than the mundane bread and butter. So some days its rice poha, some days Upma or pancakes, some days various fruit filled crepes etc. And then occasionally these tomato onion Uttapams.I tend to cut out the long process of soaking and fermenting ingredients for uttapams. And these instant Uttapams turn out nice and delicious – no need to soak rice etc and then wait for fermenting process.

This is how we make our instant Uttapams

Instant Rava Uttapam

Recipe requirements (makes 4-5,  5’’ inch Uttapam rounds )

•  2 heaped cups of Rava/sooji/semolina
• ½ cup of plain flour
• 1 tsp of baking soda
•  1 and half cup of yogurt
•  1 tsp of salt or to taste
•  About a cup of water

For the toppings

•  1 large onion
•  1 medium size tomato
•  5-6 green chillies
•  About a cup of chopped coriander leaves
•  Salt as per taste and bit of red pepper powder/black pepper powder
•  Cooking oil to make Uttapams.

Method

•  In a mixing bowl, mix in plain flour and sooji/semolina. Add in baking soda and salt.
• Now add in yogurt and mix with the above, it will form a dough like consistency.
• Now add in a cup of water to make a smooth and lump free batter just like dosa /pancake batter and may be even more water if it is required.
• Now let it rest for about half an hour.
• Meanwhile chop onion, tomato, green chillies and coriander leaves very finely. Add in salt and pepper powder – if using to enhance the hotness level.
• Heat up an iron tava/skillet/griddle. Now drop about 2-3 tsp of cooking oil. Rub this oil very well over the griddle.
• Now give a final mix for the uttapam batter .Drop a ladle full of this batter to the hot griddle.
• Flatten out a bit, but not much, just like a small round similar to pancake- approx. 5’’ inch rounds. The trick is to have a little thick rounds rather than big and thin rounds, so that they puff out well and turn soft also.
• Now immediately put finely chopped onion, tomato, green chillies and coriander leaves over the top of the uttapam. Press it gently with the spatula.Let it cook for about 4-5 mints.
• Flip the side very carefully and now again drop some cooking oil by the sides of uttapams.Cover the uttapamas and cook further for about 6-7 mints at med-low flame. Do not hurry otherwise the middle portions will turn out uncooked.
• Uncover the uttapam and flip the side and cook for 2-3 mints. Shift into the serving plate.
• You can have it with tomato ketchup or more traditionally with coconut chutney. These are absolutely divine straight from the hot tava/griddle. Enjoy your breakfast.

Happy Cooking Friends

Mint Alfalfa sprouts Cherry tomato and Roasted Chicken Salad

A healthy snack can be a salad as well. This mint, alfalfa sprouts and roasted chicken salad fits in to this category perfectly. If you have some-left over chicken you can use up in this salad as well. Alfalfa sprouts are considered rich in minerals and have multiple health benefits. Mint leaves gives a nice aromatic flavour to this salad. This salad can be paired up with Mexican Burritos as sides or you can make them as main dish as well, just increase roasted chicken pieces to add lean proteins in to this salad.

Here is how you can assemble the salad

Mint Alfalfa sprouts Cherry tomato and Roasted Chicken salad

Serves- 2-3

Recipe requirements

• 5-6 mint twigs
• About half cup of alfalfa sprouts
• About quarter cup of garlic sprouts
• 1 cup of cherry tomato or 12-15 cherry tomatoes cut into half
• 1 cup of roasted chicken small bite-size pieces

Method

• Take out fresh leaves from mint twigs. Clean mint leaves, alfalfa and garlic sprouts well in water.
• Chop mint leaves finely. Chop roasted chicken in to bite size pieces (I have used chicken breast portions from  this  roasted chicken recipe).
• In a big mixing bowl, add in mint leaves, alfalfa and garlic sprouts.
• Add in cherry tomatoes cut in to half to the above.
• Add in roasted chicken and mix well all.
• Adjust seasoning with salt.
• Add in 1 tsp of olive oil and toss well.
• Serve and enjoy with some burritos or quesadillas as sides.

Happy Cooking Friends 

Fettuccini with Tofu and Vegetables

It’s December and this means an entire year is wrapping up soon. In 2016, we re-located to Malaysia and which meant whole lot of adjustments. New school and friends for dear daughter and us trying to get a grip of new place. Leaving behind the familiarity of everything in UK and starting all over fresh again, is never an easy task. But so far so good, and yes, it has been a great learning for us. We have slowly started enjoying our weekend outings and this brings us to understand the cultural differences we have over here. In spite of being in the centre of constant changes, we have managed to make few friends over here.

All I can say, a year has made me realize that nothing in this world is permanent, people will come to our lives, impacting us, teaching us valuable things about life and then leave, leaving behind their memories. Life itself is a collage of all great memories- Experience it and treasure it.

I had fettuccini pasta, and thought of using it up with tofu and other vegetables. We like to add lots of veggies to our pasta dishes which gives nice colours and texture.  This can also be made ahead and can be served as cold salad.

Now to the recipe

 Fettuccini with tofu and vegetables 

Recipe requirements

400 gms of Fettuccini pasta

 400 gms of extra firm tofu

Vegetables of your choice

Carrots

Onions

Tomato

 2-3 tbs of pasta sauce

4 tbs of butter

¼ cup of sour cream

 ¼ cup of parmesan cheese

Salt as per taste

Black pepper as per taste

Method

Take a large pot with ample water. Add in salt to it. Let it come to one boil. Add in dried fettuccini and cook al dente (cooked but still firm).

In a separate fry pan, big enough to hold all the pasta and with vegetables. Add in butter, let it melt and then add chopped vegetables- like onion, carrots and tomato. Add in tofu pieces. Add in pasta sauce.

Stir/fry all for about 4-5 mints. Add in cooked fettuccini with the cooking water. Add in parmesan cheese and sour cream. Mix all the ingredients very well and coat well with sauce. Adjust salt and seasonings- black pepper etc.

Sprinkle some chilli flakes and enjoy.

Happy Cooking Friends and have lovely weekend