Showing posts with label Food and Beverages. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food and Beverages. Show all posts

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Savory Fenugreek Cookies & The Thirsty Crow

How many times have you heard or for that matter even narrated the story of the ‘thirsty crow’? I have lost count of it …….. Being the most talkative one in our entire dynasty I loved narrating stories as much as I did listening to them. Sometimes I would twist the old conventional stories and fill it with my own imaginative colors to make it a little more interesting. But I never fiddled with the moral of the story. It always ended with the same note ‘Hard work pays off’. 
  
But I was in no mood for hard work this morning. I am still in the inertia of vacation. The jingle of my lil sister’s wedding bells has faded away, the cacophony of friends and relatives has also melted,  a shopaholic like me shudders at the very name of shopping (although it is just a temporary phenomenon) ……. All I want now is simply stretch my legs and stay cuddled in bed, even when the clock shows 8.30 am on a weekday. The icing on the cake - getting undivided attention of my parents, now that the younger one is gone for good ….. (evil  grin) and being pampered till the extent of getting spoilt. I ignored the ticking clock. The sun rays came piercing on my face as the cool morning breeze swayed the window curtains.  I buried my face into the pillow trying to ignore the sun as well as the constant chatter of Jayanti …… the next most important and indispensable person for Maaafter her family.  She is our domestic help.  If uninterrupted Jayanti can go on for hours complaining about her drunkard and unemployed husband and her nagging mother in law. How much we women love ‘talking’ about our husband and in-laws, no matter to what strata of society we belong to. It was one of those days when she was in the mood of lashing out. Her voice was only getting louder as she scrubbed the utensils vigorously. She was perhaps venting out all her anger and frustration on the lifeless plates and saucers. After all she was the single bread earner for a family of five.  At last I gave up and dragged myself out of the bed.
I rubbed my eyes and walked sluggishly towards the lawn signaling mom for a cup of tea. I picked the newspaper and smelled it. I sniff my newspaper before reading it.  I love the smell of a fresh newspaper and new books. I started with the last page of the newspaper reading my zodiac. There was nothing interesting, so I moved on to browsing local ads to check various deals and sale. I quickly flipped through the pages and read the main news in bits and pieces ……. As always it was about some corrupt Neta or the sky rocketing fuel prices. Jayanti was there with my cup of tea …….. 


As I sipped I noticed a crow sitting on the roof of the house across the street. Water was overflowing from the overhead water tank of that building. This smart crow perched over the pipe and was drinking the water from the overflowing tank. It was cawing …….. as if trying to signal the crow clan about an easy and smart source of water. After some time some more crows joined in. So has the moral of the story of the crow drinking water changed with time? Perhaps!


Preparation Time – 60 minutes

Makes – 30 small cookies

Ingredients

All Purpose Flour / Maida – 1 Cup
Gram Flour/ Besan – ½ cup

Semolina/ Suji – 2 tsp

Unsalted Butter at room temperature – 2/3 cup

Dry Fenugreek leaves – 2 tsp

Cumin – 1 tsp

Salt – 2 tsp (per taste)

Sugar- 1 tsp

Black Pepper – ½ tsp

Baking Powder – ½ tsp


Method of Preparation
Mix All Purpose Flour, Gram Flour and Baking Powder. Sieve to remove any   lumps. Now add the semolina, salt, sugar, cumin, fenugreek leaves and black pepper to it. Again mix all the  ingredients uniformly.
Take the butter at room temperature. Add small amount of the above mixture and mix with the help of a spatula. Repeat till all the dry mixture is added to the butter.  Now with your hands knead the dough till uniform and soft. Keep the dough covered for about 30    minutes. 
Pinch out small balls from the dough and put them on a baking sheet.
Preheat oven to 250 F.
Bake for about 10 – 15 minutes or till the cookies look slightly brown.
Remove on a cooling rack. Cool and store in an airtight container. 

Serving Tips

It’s a savory cookie. Serve with tea/ coffee.




Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sweet Almond Rice & Life in a Metro !



Life in a Metro ……………. Well it is not about the fast forward life I lead, I am not complaining, period!

It is not even about how I have build cubicles around myself and that I don’t even know my next door neighbors. Sure it’s not my business to ‘know’ them. I don’t like being labeled as a person who pokes her nose ……. Of course it’s none of anyone’s business to know what Mr Iyer does for his living, although I have shared the same apartment corridor with him for more than two years. But I do know what car he drives! It’s not criminal if I don’t know his family. I know my etiquette's; sure I do smile at my neighbors whenever we come face to face on the corridor. Even I did care to return a post of Mr Iyer which had once made its way into my mailbox. I managed to get their phone number from the apartment security. I did check with them over phone before knocking on their door to pass the letter. And Mrs Iyer is a fine woman too. She did let me in and we exchanged few words over her perfectly brewed filter coffee while my eyes browsed through her well furnished home. It’s not like I didn’t know her at all ……… She is a religious and god fearing woman. How?? The chants of the shlokas and the aroma of the agarbattis that flow with the morning breeze tell it all. And yes did I tell you she looks gorgeous in her kanjeevarams and jasmines. 


Having lived in an air force base I have seen people relocating often. When the Sharma’s came with their truck load of things on a sunny afternoon, I was at my study table next to the bedroom window. The window did let in fresh air and fresh thoughts to break the monotony of the unsolved Mathematics questions that I often struggled with. I saw many faces peeping out of their respective homes ………… and within minutes a group of people had assembled on the road. They were off loading stuff from the truck. I too sneaked out of the house and became a quite spectator of the entire ‘shifting’ episode. 


People were there to offer all kind of advice and help, like where the sofa should be placed according to Vaastu, what school the kids should be sent, Mrs Misra also promised to send Mala her domestic help to help them with the initial cleaning. Neighbors’ volunteered for lunch and dinner till their kitchen became functional ……. One of the neighbors’ bought a jug full of ‘Nimbu Pani’. I wondered if these people knew each other already! There seemed to be some kind of celebration and connection between these people on the street. I was back at my study intermittently monitoring all that was going on. In a couple of hours the house of the Sharma’s was set and they were heading over to their next door neighbor for evening tea and snacks.

It seemed like the new kid on the block was no longer ‘new’. 

I felt a jerk, the announcement on the Noida City Centre bound Metro Rail interrupted my thoughts. I realized that the train was approaching the next station. I looked around myself to only see lifeless, tired and indifferent faces. Some were busy texting and checking their mobile phones while some spoke atop their voice ignoring others ……….. few browsed through magazines and books. Sigh there was not much difference between the ‘Bangalore’ or the ‘Delhi’ Metro or the 'New York' Subway either.

My stop was approaching fast. I de-boarded the train carefully watching the gap. The thoughts of Iyer’s and the Sharma’s afresh and haunting me.

Note : This is not a true story, only a replica of my perception of the modern society we are living in.


Preparation Time – 20 minutes
Serves – 2
Ingredients

Long grain basmati rice – 1 cup
Milk – 1 cup
Water – 1 cup
Cinnamon – 2 inches
Cardamom – 4
Fennel Seeds – 1/3 tsp
Bay leaf – 1
Dry red chili - 1
Sugar – ½ Cup
Almonds – handful
Clarified Butter/ Ghee – 2 tsp
Salt – 1 pinch
Turmeric – 1 pinch 
Coriander leaf - for garnishing

Method of Preparation
Wash and drain the rice in a colander till dry. Sprinkle the turmeric on the rice grains for color.
Put a pressure cooker on medium heat and add the clarified butter to melt. Add all the whole spices ( Cinnamon,Cardamom,Fennel Seeds, Bay Leaf and Red Chili ). One you smell the aroma of the spices add almonds and saute for 2 minutes.
Add the drained rice and fry on low heat for about 10 minutes. Stir continuously else the rice will stick to the bottom.
Add the sugar and salt and stir in till the sugar dissolves.
Add milk and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Add water and pressure cook till one whistle.

Remove pressure and let the rice cool. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves

Serving Tips
Serve warm with spicy curry.





Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Chicken Kohlapuri




What were my last year's resolution ....... Oh you must be kidding me !! Didn't I mention earlier that I suffer from ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). So this year I decided not to waste time penning my resolution ... It's so cool to kick your heels and relax. No obligations what so ever ! For once it feels great not having any ambitious new year plans. Totally relaxing .....  I must confess.

The husband is also so much at ease ....... well once in a while he too deserves a life. I am sure many of you would be nodding your head in affirmation. For a change he didn't have to go through my mood swings and pangs about not arranging a "happening" new year eve. 
This year strangely there were no emotions brewing. I didn't wish to be amongst those thousand crazy souls who hooted, hugged and kissed as the historic crystal ball dropped at Times Square in New York or even at Brigade Road in Bangalore.I am probably still having the hangover of last years new year eve and thus decided to have a more sober one .How sober I leave it completely to your imagination. 
So unlike the past there were no tables booked and no lavish spread in those fancy restaurants. And I suck when it comes to handling crowded places ....... and of course the pressure of looking good and dressing up for the occasion simply adds a lot of pressure. Yes you have a hundred eyes staring at you to death as you struggle with the silver cutlery.
So I decided to stretch my legs and curl up on the sofa, be my own DJ ,sip my drink ..... courtesy my very own bartender J, lick my fingers and smack my plates clean. Simply being my self, not allowing anyone to be judgmental of me ! And can it get any better for a new beginning.

Hope you all had a wonderful and rocking year ...... So here's a recipe that's sure to spice it up :)


Preparation Time - 90 mnts
Serves - 6 
Ingredients
2 lbs chicken, skin removed and cut into medium pieces
1/4 cup oil
For marinating: 
2 tablespoons yogurt
1 tablespoon turmeric
2 tablespoon red chili powder (more or less) 
2-3  tablespoons Spice Mix 
Salt
For the main Sauce: 
3 large onions finely sliced
3-4 cloves of garlic, sliced or minced
2″ fresh ginger, grated or thinly sliced
1/3 can coconut milk
3/4 cup oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Salt
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh or dried coconut
3/4 cup tomato paste 
Spice Mix 
Light fry in oil: 
1/2 tablespoon white poppy seeds
1 teaspoon cumin/jeera
3 tablespoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek/methi seeds
1 teaspoon peppercorn
4 dry red chilli pepper (more or less as per taste)
4 cloves
4 small  green cardamom
2″ cinnamon stick
A pinch of hing/asafoetida
Dry Roast: 
2 tablespoons dried coconut
1 teaspoon sesame seed

Preparation
Spice Mix
1. Heat very little oil in a pan and very lightly fry the ingredients mentioned in the “Light Fry”at low heat for a couple of minutes. Switch off the heat when they get fragrant.
2. Dry roast the coconut and sesame seeds for a couple of minutes, till the coconut is very light brown.
Blend all the ingredients of the “light fry” and “dry roast” in a powder.
Marinating Chicken
Marinate chicken with yogurt, turmeric, salt, chili powder and spice mix for at least an hour (I left mine overnight).
For the curry
Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and brown them in the heated oil on both sides. they should be light brown; does not need to be evenly brown. Save the marinade.
Remove the chicken pieces and save the leftover oil.
For Gravy
1.Heat 3/4 cup oil  and fry the onions, ginger, garlic, sugar and salt till the onions are brown and starts to caramelize. Switch off the heat and transfer half of the onion mix from the pan to a blender or food processor along with the fresh cilantro, coconut, tomato paste, water and the left over marinade and blend till smooth.
2. In the remaining half of the fried onions in the pan, add the chicken and toss them and cook them for about 10 minutes at medium to high heat. If the spices stick at the bottom of the pan just sprinkle some water and scrape it off .
3. Add half of the mix from the blender to the chicken and the leftover oil from frying the chicken if you have any) in the pan and stir everything gently. Cook/simmer for about 10 – 15 minutes at medium to high heat. When you see the sauce reducing pour out the rest of the blended ingredients in to the pan. Gently stir everything together for them to combine. Cover and cook at low to medium heat till the chicken pieces are tender.
Remove cover and increase the heat. Add the coconut milk. Cook till the oil separates  for about 10 - 15  minutes. 


Saturday, December 17, 2011

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and Letter to Santa 2011


What ?? Yes I believe in Santa. Of course he lives in the North Pole with his elves. Now he is busy reading the wish list of kids ....... also people who refuse to grow up ... count me in that category !! I didn't want to be the last moment person. Last Christmas I had to FedEx it in the eleventh hour. So this year I did post my wish list to him much in advance ...... I am sure he would be reading my list now :-)

So, have you guys hung your stockings and sent Santa your wish list. NO !! Then hurry up. I know it is bad manners to read the letters of others .......... but I don't mind sharing my letter to Santa with you guys ! After all there should not be any secrets between friends, isn't it.


My Dearest Santa,

Thanks for dropping through my chimney last year. This year I promise to keep the front door open for you ....... that way it won't me much of an inconvenience to you. I know you had a very difficult time squeezing yourself through the chimneys last year and had sprained an ankle too.

I am glad you and your elves liked the milk and cookies I served last year. No, I didn't bake them ...... they were store bought. It's much cheaper and convenient to pick them up from the stores .So I kind of settled down with them. Let me know if you want to carry some back for Mrs Claus ....... I shall pack some for her.

I got to know that you were pretty bored with the cookies and milk ...... So this year I decided to make something different for you ...... "Chocolate Dipped Strawberries with some wine" I know you will love it. There will be enough for you and your elves. But you have to look for them inside the fridge ....... I can't leave them by the chimney else the chocolates will start dripping and the strawberries may go bad. Sure they are going to be home made. I will also leave the recipe for you ...... in case you want Mrs Claus to try it back home.

Now before I forget ........ here's my wish list. Unlike last year this time it's much simpler. I am not like that fussy kid next door who wants a hippopotamus for Christmas !



1. A solitaire diamond ring from Tiffany .... ( Grin )

2. A nice pair of sandal from Jimmy Choo, It's US size 36 to be specific.

3. Like you always know, I have been longing for a Louis Vuitton Clutch ..... In case you don't have time for hopping between places, pick one from Jimmy Choo. I will manage.

4. Well I would also like a nice black dress ........ well you and Mrs Claus can take a call where to buy that from. I am OK with it.
Last year my husband complained about not including his list ........ so I really can't afford to miss out his this year. Well, he has a much simpler list ...... in fact just one thing, An Omega watch.


You don't have to make all the efforts to go to the stores or send your elves either, It's much simpler these days ..... order them online.

By the way I forgot asking about Rudolph .... hope that guy is all geared up.

Looking forward to seeing you soon ...........

Hugs

Here's the recipe that I would be sharing with Mrs Claus ...... it's super duper easy !

Preparation Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
Strawberries with leaves - 1 pound (about 20)
Semi Sweet Chocolate - 6 ounces

White Chocolate - 3 ounces


Method of Preparation

1. Wash and dry the strawberries very well. Make sure there is no moisture on it.
2. Put the semi sweet and white chocolates into two heat proof medium bowl.
3. Fill 2 medium saucepans with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. (Alternatively, melt the chocolates in a microwave at half power, for 1 minute, stir and then heat for another minute or until melted.)
4. Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the heat.
5. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries
6. Dip a fork in the white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the dipped strawberries.
7. Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.







Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Plum Cobbler & Essence of two minutes

Of course this is the electronic, rather internet era. Everything is possible in a click. All we need is just move a finger. However I and my father had to visit the railway reservation counter to make a group reservation. Something that was not possible over the internet booking. After fulfilling the required formalities I stood in one of the queues waiting for my turn to reach the booking window. The queue moved in a snail pace and the only way for me to kill my time was observing the body language and dressing of people around me. Well I do it most of the time but make sure not to make the other person uncomfortable. The reservation clerk at my window probably was in his early forties …… I could tell that from his bifocal reading glasses. His hair was unkept and he had grown a stubble. After standing for about an hour I was finally at the reservation window. Even before I could put my reservation request, the clerk pulled out a board that read “CLOSED” in bold red capitals. The wall clock that hung behind the reservation counter showed 11.50 am. I requested the clerk to take up my form as I was standing in the queue for almost an hour. Officially the time for lunch break was between 12 noon and 12.30 pm. I had read it during my one hour wait.
I was getting impatient and annoyed at the reluctance of the clerk. I could not hold back but remind him about his work hours which was till noon and not 11.50 am. Well as expected this gentle man could not tolerate somebody questioning his work ……… especially when it came from a lady. As expected I was left at his mercy. I had no choice but to wait for his extended lunch break to get over so that I could get past with my reservation.

As I was walking back ……. I was reminded of another instance that took place couple of years ago.

We had to moved into this new town called Naugatuck ……….. a small yet beautiful valley in the State of Connecticut. It took us about two months to settle down in this country far away from my own. It was the month of November in the East Coat of the United States and if I may say it had turned into a winter wonderland. Something that I read in Fairy Tales as a kid.

Of the many things in my ‘To Do’ list ……. Applying for a library card at the Naugatuck Valley Library was one. And it had been getting postponed for longer than desired. As I took the last sip of my late evening tea I made up my mind to get past this library card. I looked at the clock and it was already 5 minutes past 7. I picked up the required documents needed for applying the card and we headed out of the house by 7.15 pm.

As we pulled out of the driveway, I was mesmerized by the glistening snow on the stark naked trees. It looked beautiful in the moon lit night. Some houses in the neighborhood had already decked their lawns and patios with Christmas lights. They looked fabulous and reminded me of the beautiful Durga Puja Pandals back home. The FM radio too played some old Christmas classics. I smelt Christmas !!

In a few minutes we were at the Library. I had seen the clock at the hallway as soon I entered the building …….. it was already 7.25 pm and the closing time for the library was in the next 5 minutes.

I saw a fragile pale looking old lady sitting with a book at the counter. As I approached her with careful steps, she looked up from her book and greeted me with a smile. Since I was aware of the time when I entered the library I asked her with a lot of hesitation if I could manage to apply for a library card. ‘Sure you can as we have two more minutes left for the clock to strike 7.30 , she replied with a smile’. She looked beautiful and radiant with even a hundred wrinkles on her face.

I was taken aback by her reply and especially the way she respected time ... two minutes to be precise !

Makes about 6 ramekins

Preparation Time 60 minutes

Ingredients

All Purpose Flour – ¾ Cup

Butter at room temperature – ½ Cup

Sugar – ½ Cup

Salt – ½ tsp

Egg – 1

Vanilla Essence – 1 tsp

Milk ( Only needed to adjust consistency)

Fresh Plum Slices – ½ Cup

Baking Powder – ½ tsp

Method of Preparation

Mix sugar and Butter in a bowl. Stir well till sugar blends well. Add egg to this mixture and stir in again to make a uniform mixture. Also add Vanilla extract/ essence.

Mix all purpose flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Sieve the mixture so that they mix well uniformly.

Add little by little of the dry ingredients to the sugar butter egg mixture. Stir to blend them well. If required add a little milk to adjust the consistency.

Preheat the Oven at 350 degrees Farhenight. Grease the ramekins with little butter. Add sliced plums and batter in layers.

Bake for about 25 – 30 minutes or till done.

Remove and let it cool.

Serving Tips

Sprinkle some dusting sugar before serving.




Tuesday, November 1, 2011

A Day around my City and a recipe for Butternut Squash Soup

I hopped into a ‘shared auto rickshaw’ en routed towards the older part of the city, now referred as ‘Old Town’

‘Market Building’ I said as the Autowala looked at me from the rear mirror. The guy sitting next to me in the rickshaw was engrossed texting on his mobile phone, a new one I suppose since the plastic sheet was still intact on the screen. He was sandwiched between me and a college going girl. I stole glances to check out this college chick. Her neatly pedicure and painted nails matched the shade of her lipstick. She wore a lot of junk accessories that pretty well went with her dress ……. But those looked heavier than the books she carried in her bag ! I recollected my yester years as a college student with my neatly oiled and parted hair, courtesy mom (which of course I hated) and practical notes and books that left me sweating.

After checking out my fellow passengers, it was time to check out the life size hoardings of new malls and shops that had mushroomed all over the city . I peeped out of the rickshaw to catch glimpses of some new retail outlets. ‘Auto wale Bhaiya stop’,Ms college girl said in a shrill voice patting on the shoulder of the rickshawwala and handed over a five rupee coin to him. The ‘Autowala Bhaiya’ abided and stopped with a jerk. He grinned at the girl showing his ‘paan’ stained teeth as we rolled away. I was busy looking out trying to catch every glimpse of this ‘Old Town’, where I grew up ……… which all of a sudden looked so new to me !! Tall multistoried malls had taken over the small shops where I usually came with my parents for shopping. The cityscape had changed beyond my imagination …… and I was not very elated seeing those ‘developments’. I was unable to fit myself to this change so quickly. The rickshaw driver turned to me and said ‘Last Stop aa gaya ……. Market Building’. I paid him and walked slowly towards this shopping arcade, the oldest in town.

I was suddenly elated to see that time stood still here. The old paint was falling off the walls of the old but faithful building, there were also some small trees and grasses which had grown over the building. Stray dogs wandered in the by lanes around the carts that sold street food. Young girls and women gathered around the paani puri/golgapa and chaat walas to satisfy their hunger pangs in between their shopping spree. I stuffed myself with some pani puri’s before walking into the glittering lanes of saree and bangle shops. I was glad that the taste of the pani puri had not changed much over these years, except that the carts looked more hygienic and that they used bottled water for the ‘paani’, which came for a price !!

I vanished into one of the oldest lanes that sold sarees ……… My eyes were dazzled by the mirror, stone and glitter work heavy sarees displayed all over the places. They sparked like a million stars under the halogen lights. I could recollect some familiar faces as I passed by these shops. Unaware and confused of what I wanted to buy I walked into one of the oldest saree shops. I know it is not a matter of pride but my knowledge of sarees is pretty limited. To add to my woes and confusion, the sales guy flooded me with an ocean of sparkling sarees, they all looked the same to me ……..And all I could understand was ‘Parvati Saree’ …….. something something then ‘Tulsi Saree’ …………. something something , ‘Balika Vadhu Saree’ ………. something something. I scratched my head and concluded that shopping for sarees all by my own was not my cup of tea. I thanked the sales guy for all his effort and felt sorry for him at the same time for his painstaking effort of convincing an ignorant customer like me.

A fat middle aged aunty sitting at the next counter insisted on a ‘Mera wala blue’ saree. I smiled at a young girl who was draping a beautiful ‘Parvati Saree’ as I walked out of the shop. Once again I vanished into the by lanes ……… lost in some old memories and the glitterati.


Serves – 5
Preparation Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

Butternut Squash – 1 medium size
Rosemary – few

Powdered Cinnamon – 1/3 tsp

Minced Garlic – 2 tsp

Minced Ginger – 1 tsp

Finely Chopped Onion – 1 cup

Butter/ Any cooking oil – 2 tbsp

Heavy Cream – 1tsp for each soup bowl

Water – 2 cups

Olive Oil for drizzling

Salt per taste

Fresh cracked Pepper per taste


Method of Preparation

1.Cut the butternut squash and put it on a baking sheet. Drizzle with some olive oil, salt, fresh cracked pepper. Add strings of rosemary. Bake at 350 degrees F for approx 15- 20 minutes or till soft and baked. Remove and let it cool. Remove the rosemary and mash the baked butternut squash.

2.In a pan, add 1 tbsp butter and let it melt. Add minced garlic and ginger and sauté it for about 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté till the onions turn soft and translucent and there is no raw flavor. Add salt per taste if needed

3.Add the mashed baked butternut squash to the onions. To that add the powdered cinnamon. Stir in all the ingredients well. Add water and keep stirring making sure that the ingredients don’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

4.Cool this mixture and puree it in a food processor

5.Add the remaining butter to the pan and add the puree and let it simmer for a minute

Serving Tips

Serve in Soup Bowls in generous portion and add some heavy cream on top. Eat with bread sticks.