Sep 17

Focaccia

I have been postponing making Focaccia for a while, don’t know why I used to overthink the process and my nerves always got the best of me.


When I finally made it for the first time it was so good that the kids demanded it again. I didn’t take pics the first time, second time I took it in the night and wasn’t too happy with them.

Finally made it for lunch today along with some creamy mushroom soup and got some pictures that shows how delicious and filling this lovely bread can be.

Thank you Sumod Sarr for your fallback recipes and Himanshu for guiding me the first time I made focaccia

INGREDIENTS

All purpose flour – 3 cups

Lukewarm water – 1 1/8 cups

Sugar – 2 Table spoon

Olive oil – 2 Table spoon

Salt – 1 teaspoon

Yeast – 2 Teaspoon

TOPPINGS

6-7 cherry tomatoes

7-8 basil leaves

1/2 pkt sliced mushrooms

Sliced Green olives

1 caramelized sliced onions

Parmesan cheese

Olive oil

Salt

METHOD

1. In a bowl take 1 1/8 cup lukewarm water, add 1 tsp sugar and 2 tsp dry yeast. Mix well and set aside to rise.

2. In a large mixing bowl, take All purpose flour add olive oil, sugar and salt.

3. Mix all the above using a scrape to make smooth soft dough, transfer to a lightly floured work table and knead gently at least 10 Minutes. Make a ball shaped dough.

4. Transfer it back to lightly greased mixing bowl, gently grease with olive oil and cover with a wet cloth and set aside to rise for 1 ½ to 2 Hours or till it doubles in size

5. When it has doubled in size , knock down the dough, knead it a litte.

6. Take a well greased tray (11″ X 9″) Pat down the dough and spread it to all sides of the tray.

7. Place the toppings spread out on the dough. Remember to put the cherry tomatoes cut side upward. Don’t put the basil now.

8. Makes some indentation all over the dough.

9. Leave it to rest covered for 30 mins or till it rises slightly puffy.

10. Make more indentation and Drizzle olive oil with a spoon over the top, sprinkle some sea salt. Poke the crust with a skewer which will help it release steam while baking.

11. Put it to bake in a preheated oven at 180-200 degrees for 16-18 minutes. The crust gets golden fast so keep an eye.

12. Allow the bread to rise and get a golden crust.

13. 5 minutes before it’s baked, remove and top with Basil leaves and shaved parmesan cheese. Pop it back in to bake for 5 mins.

14. When baked, remove and Let it cool for 5-7 minutes then demould. Slice and serve warm

Recipe courtesy – sumodtomzcuisine

Sep 17

Pan Fried Basa and the works

When u plan an elaborate Sunday Lunch for your family, there is no holding back.

PAN FRIED BASA

INGREDIENTS

4 Basa Fillets

1/4 cup maida

1 tsp chilli powder

salt

Olive oil

1. Pat dry the basa fillets well to absorb all extra moisture.

3. Mix the maida salt and chilli flakes.

2. Either leave the fillet whole or cut into 3″ pieces.

4. Coat the basa in this mix and dust of the extra flour.

5. Pan fry on either side for few minutes till it’s cooked through. Start with 30 seconds on high heat on both sides to get it golden brown then Couple of minutes on slow.

6. At serving time dress the fish with the salsa.



CHILLI CORIANDER SALSA
INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup finely chopped coriander

3 minced green chillies

3-4 minced garlic cloves

1/2 lime juice

1/2 tbsp vinegar

Olive oil

Salt

1. Mix a the ingredients together and adjust seasoning. Add more lime juice if required

GARLIC SMASHED POTATOES
INGREDIENTS

1/2 kg baby potatoes

3 tbsp butter

Olive oil

7 minced garlic

1 tbsp mixed herbs

1 tsp chilli flakes

Salt

1. Wash the baby potatoes well, do not remove skin. Pierce all around with a fork.

2. Put it in a cooker with salt and water and give it one whistle and shut the gas.

3. When the whistle has dropped, take out the potatoes and with a flat bowl press the potatoes down gently to smash it lightly.

4. Take a baking tray and place the potatoes spread out.

5. Brush with butter and drizzle olive oil.

6. Sprinkle the garlic, herbs, chilli flakes and salt.

7. Put it in a preheated oven at 180 and let it grill for 15-20 mins till the skin crisps and looks golden brown.


MUSHROOM HERB RICE
INGREDIENTS

1 cup cooked rice

1 packet mushrooms sliced

8 minced garlic

3 tbsp butter

1 tbsp mixed herbs

1 tsp chilli flakes

Salt

1. In a pan heat butter and fry the garlic till it’s light brown.

2. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook on highflame.

3. Once done add the cooked rice, herbs, chilli flakes and salt and mix well.

4. If u find the rice dry add a little more butter and mix. Be careful not to break the rice.

5. Serve hot.

CORN CREAM CHEESE

250 gms boiled sweet corn

3 tbsp maida

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup milk

3-4 tbsp cheese spread

1 tsp mixed herbs

Salt

1. Heat oil and sautee the maida.

2. Lower flame or switch it off, add the milk and mix well to make a thick smooth paste.

3. Switch on flame, add the cream cheese, herbs and salt and mix well.

4. Add the corn, adjust seasoning and cook till the sauce gets a bit thicker. Shut gas

Sep 09

Soya Matar Masala


Tuesdays are the days my husband fasts and we try and eat vegetarian food that day. Soya is one ingredient I don’t enjoy except maybe in a galouti kebab and he absolutely loves soya.

Today I wasn’t in the mood to eat dinner so decided to make soya matar masala for him. Made the basic gravy I use for diff vegetarian masala curries and prepared this soya matar masala

I had no intention of putting it on the blog but when I received positive comments for the picture by my foodie friends thought why not. So here it is.

INGREDIENTS

1.5 cup soya chunks

1 cup boiled green peas

1+1 chopped onions

2 chopped tomatoes

6 chopped garlic

1″ chopped ginger

7-8 cashews

2 chopped green chillies

1/2 pkt tomato puree

3 tbsp curd

1 tsp Jeera

1 bay leaf

1″ cinnamon stick

1 tsp red chilli powder

1 tbsp coriander powder

1/2 tsp haldi

Salt

Oil

1 tbsp crushed kasoori methi

1/2 tsp kitchen king masala

Water

Chopped coriander leaves

1. Put the soya chunks in a cooker with little salt and water. Give it 3 whistles and keep it on slow flame for 3 minutes. Let the whistle drop and then strain the soya and squeeze it dry when cooled.

2. Heat oil in a pan, add 1 onion, ginger, garlic and chilli and sauté till brown.

3. Add the tomatoes and cashews and mix it well.

4. Add little water and cover cook till tomatoes are soft.

5. Blitz in the mixer to a puree

6. Heat another pan, add jeera, cinnamon and bay leaf.

7. Add onion and sautee till golden brown.

8. When fried well, add the onion-tomato paste and mix it.

9. Add the packet tomato puree, coriander powder, chilli powder and haldi. Fry off for a few minutes.

10. Add water, curd and salt and mix well. Adjust consistency and seasoning.

11. Add the kasuri methi and kitchen king masala, mix

12. Add the soya and matar and cover cook for 10 minutes.

13. Garnish with chopped coriander.




Aug 27

Southern Italian Vegetable Soup

It’s been a while since I made some soup, have been waiting to try this one but I just seemed to be missing some or the other ingredients.

Today finally made this hearty wholesome soup. Perfect for someone on a diet or wanting to stick to a healthy diet. It’s a meal by itself and pairing it with some warm bread will have your dinner sorted.

INGREDIENTS
4 tomatoes
1 onion
8 garlic
1 potato
1/4 cup cabbage
1/2 carrot
1/4 cup macaroni
2 tbsp celery (optional)
2 tsp fresh basil (optional)
Salt
4 cups water
1 tbsp mixed Italian herbs
Juice of half a lime
Olive oil

  1. Boil tomatoes till the skin splits. Peel the skin and puree the tomatoes.
  2. Finely dice the onion, garlic, potato, cabbage, celery and carrot.
  3. Saute the onion and garlic in some olive oil till pink.
  4. Add the carrots and potatoes and sautee for a few minutes.
  5. Add the cabbage and celery and sautee for a few minutes.
  6. Add the tomato paste, water and macaroni and bring it to a boil.
  7. Add salt, seasoning and pepper (optional) and cook covered on a sim.
  8. Once the macaroni and veggies are cooked but still have a bite to them squeeze some lime and adjust seasoning.
  9. Serve it with some bread on the side.

Serves 4

Aug 24

Semai Da Paysa

This year, we did not keep Ganpati due to certain personal reasons and I was missing the festivities big time. Every year mom makes the chana dal sabudana payasam but this year since I was doing all the cooking, decided to try the vermicelli one which we call Semai Da payasa.

I have never liked kheer much and usually refuse when offered but in the past couple of years have started loving the one made by my friend Alifya. I specifically made this version because of that. Enjoyed it to the core 

INGREDIENTS

1.5 cup fine vermicelli
1.5 cup full fat milk (boiled and cooled)
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup ghee
Handful slivered almonds
Handful chopped pistachios
1 tsp cardamom powder
Pinch of saffron soaked in few tsps of warm milk

  1. Roast the vermicelli in ghee till it gets a nice golden colour. Ensure its even so use a big vessel ot roast in batches.
  2. Add the almonds and pistachios towards the end of the roasting session and fry them off well. U can add other nuts or died fruit too.
  3. Warm the milk and add the sugar and elaichi allowing it to dissolve. Adjust the sugar as per taste. U can add little at a time to adjust the sweetness as per your preference.
  4. Add this sweet milk to the vermicelli and mix gently. Allow to cook till you see the ghee float on top.
  5. Add the saffron and give it a mix. Adjust consistency by adding more milk if too thick.
  6. Shut the gas and serve hot.

Serves 5

Aug 24

Dhaba Style Bhindi Masala

I normally make bhindi just 2-3 ways – Stuffed with masala, simple sautee masala with potatoes or a South Indian curry style. I like my bhindi cooked well, no soft mushy ones for me.

My daughter was after my life to make geeli bhindi as her friend used to get to school. I would just roll my eyes at her request till I finally gave in. I remembered a video shared in our foodie group and hunted it down, it was from a channel called Shane E Delhi and decided to make an adaptation.


I wanted to pair it was a nice roti or naan and made this soft naan under the guidance of Ameya. Quite a good combination and approved by the geeli bhindi lovers. Yes I ate it without rolling my eyes and that says a lot.

INGREDIENTS

500 gms Bhindi cut into 1″ pcs
Oil
2 onions chopped
1 tsp jeera
1/4 tsp hing
2 pinches ajwain
1″ ginger julienned
8 garlic chopped
2 chillies chopped
1 tsp red chilli powder
2 tomatoes pureed
1/4 tsp haldi
1 tsp kitchen king Masala
1 tbsp coriander powder
3 tbsp curd + 3 tsp cream
Chopped coriander

  1. Heat oil in a pan, fry the onions till golden brown.
  2. Add the bhindi and sautee till it’s semi cooked and soft. Remove and keep aside
  3. Heat oil again, add jeera, hing, ajwain fry till it starts to sizzle.
  4. Add ginger, garlic and chillies, let it get slightly golden brown.
  5. Add the tomato puree, red chilli powder, haldi, salt, kitchen king masala, coriander powder and little water and fry it off well. It should begin to leave oil.
  6. Add the mix of beaten dahi and cream and bhuno it well. Fry till it leaves oil. Keep on low flame.
  7. When the masala is well cooked, add the onion and bhindi and mix well.
  8. Cover and cook for 7-8 mins or till bhindi is cooked completely
  9. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves

Tandoori roti

1 cup maida
1 cup atta
1 tbsp dry yeast mixed in 1/4 cup luekwarm water and 1 tsp sugar
Salt
1/4 cup curd appx.1/4 cup oil appx
Minced garlic
Chopped coriander
Black Til

  1. Add the frothed yeast mix to the flours, mix it.
  2. Add salt, half thr oil and half the curd. Mix well
  3. Keep adding oil and curd till u get a soft dough. Don’t add any water
  4. Cover and rest for 1 hr. When doubled in size, punch the dough and make balls and keep. Should make about 7-8 rotis. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
  5. Dust flour on the counter and roll slightly thicker Chapati.  Or u can pat by hand into a slightly oval shape.
  6. Apply water on one side and keep that side on the tawa. Press the sides of the roti onto the tawa so that it sticks to it with a grip.
  7. Add the chopped garlic, dhania and til mix and press it onto the roti gently.
  8. Cook the top side first by inverting the tawa and moving the tawa for even browning.
  9. Turn over the tawa and place on gas to cook the bottom side
  10.  Let it cook.
  11. Once u see the roti leaving edges it means its done..
  12. Immediately apply butter and keep covered under a cloth or casserole but with cloth inside covering the rotis.
  13. Ensure your tawa is cooled down before making each roti. 

Serves 5

Aug 15

Paneer Lasooni

I love hoarding crockery and when I finally got some new ones after a long time, I was waiting for an occasion to showcase them.

We are vegetarian for 13 days as my Dad passed away recently and I keep trying to keep the food interesting for the kids. Searched for a new Paneer recipe and found and interesting video by Chef Sanjyot Keer.

The final dish Paneer Lasooni was lapped away happily by all at home. Definite add on in my menu.

INGREDIENTS
PASTE
Oil
1 tsp Jeera
2 Choti elaichi
3 cubed onions
5 cubed tomatoes
12 garlic flakes
1.5″ ginger
10 cashews
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp chilli powder
5 dried Kashmiri chilli
500 ml water
Salt

  1.  Heat oil, Sautee all the ingredients for a few minutes by adding them one by one.
  2. Once mixed well add the water and cover and cook for 15 mins or till the tomatoes are soft and water is slightly absorbed.
  3. Cool and make a fine paste in the mixer.

500gms paneer
Oil
1 tsp Jeera
1.5 ginger julienned
2-3 green chillies chopped
1 onion chopped
1/2 cup garlic chopped
1/2 cup curd
Salt
1 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp kasuri methi
3 tsp fresh cream
1 tbsp butter
Chopped coriander

  1. Heat oil in a pan, add the jeera.
  2. When it sizzles add the onion, garlic, ginger and chillies. Sauté till it’s golden brown.
  3. Add the masala paste and mix well. Fry for few minutes.
  4. Add the curd, salt, garam masala powder and kasuri methi. Mix well. Let it cook for a bit till it leaves oil.
  5. Check and adjust seasoning and add the paneer. Mix well but gently.
  6. Add the cream and gently mix.
  7. Add the butter and garnish with coriander leaves.

Serves 6

Aug 15

Corn Cheese Chowder

A delicious thick creamy bowl of soup on a rainy day can bring cheer to a gloomy moment. This soup was made for mom but the kids hogged it all up and poor mom barely got half a bowl.

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp butter

2 cups boiled sweet corn

1 large onion chopped

4 garlic flakes

2 tbsp cheese spread

2 tbsp cream

Chopped coriander leaves

Salt

2 tsp mixed Italian herbs

1.5 cups water


  1. Heat butter in a heavy bottom dish.
  2. Sautee onion and garlic till transluscent
  3. Keep aside a handful of corn and add the rest to the onion mix.
  4. Sautee it a bit and turn off gas.
  5. When cool, puree it to a thick paste u may add little water when grinding.
  6. Return the paste to the pot, add water and bring to a boil
  7. Add salt and herbs mix well, lower gas.
  8. Add the cheese and mix well till incorporated.
  9. Add rhe cream and adjust seasoning. Keep flame low now.
  10. Add the coriander and give it a good mix. Shut gas

Serves 3 bowls

Aug 15

Cabbage & Potato Soup

An unusual combination but a delicious soup that I have been making since a few years.

INGREDIENTS

250 GM’s chopped cabbage

1 medium size chopped potato

1 medium sized chopped onion

1 green chilly

Salt

Pepper

Chopped coriander leaves1 TSP

oil

3+1 cups water


  1. Heat 1 TSP oil in a pan, saute the onion, potato, cabbage, chilli for few minutes.
  2. Add 3 cups water and bring it to a boil. Simmer covered and let it cook.
  3. When cooked, shut the gas and let it cool.
  4. Blitz in a mixer.
  5. Heat this mix in in pot and add one more cup of water or adjust as per preferred consistency.
  6. Add salt, pepper and chopped coriander. Mix and shut gas. 

Aug 09

Medu Vadas

I love medu vadas especially the ones my mom makes. I can easily gobble down 6-8 and sometimes 10 of them (they are pretty big in size). If I stayed over at mom’s place I would ask her to make these for Breakfast the next day. Piping hot vadas and no one to disturb me while I gobble it up, Pure Bliss.

Since the lockdown, I missed my mom’s vadas. I asked her the recipe when a friend wanted it and got amazing feedback for it. Then another friend tried it and said they were too good. I was like, I think it’s about time I make it. And I did and I can’t tell u what a disaster it was. Not once but twice, total flop.

My mom was very ill for a while so I brought her to stay with me for a few months. With god’s grace, she is better now and yesterday when she told me let’s make vada I jumped with joy. She sat on a stool in the kitchen while I got to work. Every step there was a rigid quality check and she managed to guide me through these amazing beauties. I just wish I had made more as got to eat only 4 this time. Super thrilled. 

INGREDIENTS
1.5 Cup urad dal
Salt
4-5 green chillies
2″ pc ginger
1/4 cup water (appx)
Chopped coriander
Chopped karipata
Oil for frying

  1. Soak the dal overnight or minimum for 2 – 3 hours.
  2. First in the grinder (try to use the small jar) put chillies and ginger and salt.
  3. Put about 2 fist fulls of soaked urad dal grind to smooth paste without water. If needed add a tbsp of water at a time for each round. Avoid water if possible.
  4. Take it out then grind the urad dal in batches of 2 fist fulls. You need to make a smooth paste without any grains. Try to use as little water as possible else the batter wil be difficult to shape.
  5. Remove it in a vessel add chopped karipatta, coriander leaves. Adjust seasoning. Mix well and keep a side for 15 mts.
  6. Heat oil on medium flame. 
  7. Wet your palms and take a bit of the dough. Transfer from palm to palm in such a way till u get a roundish ball. Indent the center with your finger to make a hole.
  8. Drop into the hot oil and fry on medium heat. Keep the flame constant and fry till golden brown.
  9. Enjoy with chatni. Makes 14-15 vadas (size as shown in pic)