Kitchen Tantra - tease your palate

Roasted Potatoes/ Pepper Potatoes / Alu Pepper Roast

2010-08-13T10:08:00.003-02:00

Pepper Potatoes:Ingredients:PotatoesSaltTurmeric 1 pinchPepperMustard seeds 1/4 spoonCilantro leaves fewOlive oil few spoons.Method:Boil potatoes with skin-on. Cube them and set aside.In a wide wok, heat oil. Add the tempering spices and potatoes, wait till oil coats on all sides.Sprinkle salt, turmeric and pepper powder...roast them over low-medium heat for a long time, maybe till the potatoes

Ande Kebab / Mutta Kebab / Egg Kebab

2010-08-13T09:32:00.009-02:00

Ande Kebab:Ingredients:Eggs - boiledChana dal - well soaked 1 cupPearl onions finely choppedCurry leavesCilantroGreen chilies 3 finely choppedGinger-garlicFennel seeds 1 spoonOil fore pan frying.Method:Wet-grind the lentil to smooth paste.Heat oil in a wok, add all the ingredients(except eggs and lentils), keep frying.Now-stir-in the griound lentils to it, continue frying. Once its kind of done..

Green Beans Casserole - Southern Style

2010-08-13T09:23:00.006-02:00

Green Beans Casserole:IngredientsBeans 1 bunchMilk 1 cupSaltPepperFried onions Mushrooms slicedMushroom soup 1 cup.Method:Wash and clean the beans, do not trim their ends.Now bake them briefly with pinch of salt and a cup of milk.Add mushroom cream soup to the same and top[ them with sliced mushrooms, sprinkle the fried onions too. Now bake them for atleast 20 minutes over 350 F. Once the

Curried Macaroni / Spicy Macaroni

2010-08-13T09:16:00.008-02:00

Curried Macaroni:Cook mac' as per the box directions, and get creative. I just added, some mint leaves, garlic powders and lots of crushed tomatoes. Garnished with parmesean cheese, dinner ready:)

Palak Cutlet / Spinach Cutlet / Pala Keerai Cutlet

2010-08-13T09:05:00.011-02:00

Spinach Cutlet:Spinach 1 cupPotatoes cookedGinger-garlic paste 1 teaspoonOnion 1 chopped Chilies 2 mincedCilantro Bread crumbsOlive oil.MethodCook spinach briefly. Mash the potatoes, mix all the ingredients together and shape them in desired way.Pan fry the cutlets in hot oil.

Murg Noorjehani / Chicken and Eggs in Rich Yogurts Sauce - Mughalai Special

2010-08-13T08:46:00.013-02:00

Ingredients:Chicken thighs - skinless 2Eggs boiled 2-4SaltTurmeric pinchGinger-garlic paste 1 spoonOnion 1 gratedTomatoe 1 crushedGreen chilies 3 gratedYogurts 1 cupAlmon paste 2-4 spoonsBay leaves 2Cardamom 3 crushedSliced almonds and raisins to garnish.Method:In a wide wok, heat oil and add the bay leaves plus cardamoms.Now add chiles, ginger-garlic, onion and tomato pastes. Fry real good, till

Avocado Smoothie - Simply Refreshing

2010-08-12T11:48:00.007-02:00

Avocado SmoothieIngredientsAvocado 1Sugar to tasteWhole milk 2-4 cupsMint leaves fewMethodBlend all the ingredients together and chill the same.Serve chilled.

Pootharekulu / Sugar Coated Wafers - Traditional Andhra Sweet

2010-08-10T07:34:00.005-02:00

Pootharekulu:(Andhra Special) When I was studying at Hyderabad, I got introduced to this sweet' by my best friend, Kranthi. Well, when she presented this sweet', all I thought was...it looks like tissue paper and was so skeptical to take a bite!!! Anyhow, once she explained...how it was prepared' I was all thrilled:) But somehow, I totally forgot to memorize the sweet's name! So, like

Award & MeMe

2010-08-03T10:45:00.011-02:00

Chaitrali Pathak, Chetana, Roshu and Veena have shared this wonderful award with me, thank you so much buddies.To accept the award thank the person who awarded it to you, share 7 things about yourself and list 15 friends you like to pass this lovely award.7 Things About Me:1. I am an avid book reader, and I hate TV. I am the only one' among my friends circle who doesn't own a decent TV! No flat

Semolina Pudding / Sooji Kheer / Rawa Payasam

2010-08-03T09:39:00.011-02:00

Semolina Kheer:Sometimes, its very easy for me to be a terrible cook...no, its not a joke. I make blunders, okay some huge blunders, simply irrevocable mistakes while fixing even good old simple recipes. The each time, I tried to whip this sooji kheer, I was managing to bring some kind of gooey halwa. But nothing seemed to bother me, despite the result...was trying n trying in vain with various

Feiry Hot Vindaloo with Omnivore and Vegetarian Options - Goan Style

2010-08-01T14:57:00.013-02:00

Chicken Vindaloo:The term 'Vindaloo' derives from the Portuguese dish 'Carne de Vinha d' Alhos', a meat dish, usually pork shoulders, with lots of fat-on, simmered with red wine vinegar and garlic. In Portuguese Vin d' Alho can be split into 'Vin, Wine' (from Latin word Vinum) , de (from Latin word de) and Alho, means 'Garlic' (from Latin word alium). The expression “vinha d’alhos”. The meaning

Mixed Vegetables Stir Fry - Chinese Style

2010-07-30T16:41:00.007-02:00

Mixed Veggie Stir-Fry:Generally, I don't pay much attention to the stuff that has been left in the freezer. But on busy days,...frozen bag of vegetables saves me lot of time. Just thaw/microwave and steam cook or stir-fry for couple of minutes, dinner is ready:)Isn't it kool, I don't have to worry about' what to fix and besides I can easily get passed on that idea of stopping at the fast food

Mung Sprouts in Herbs Based Curry - Mulai Payiru Nilgiri Kuruma

2010-07-28T17:36:00.008-02:00

Sprouted Green Gram Korma:Sprouted Green Lentils Curry, Mulai Payiru Kuzhambu. Ingredients:Green gram/mung dhal/ green lentils 1 cupCurry leaves 2 twigsCloves 5Cinnamon sticks 2Green cardamom 6-7 pods crushedBay leaves fresh 2-3 leavesStar anise 1 Fennel seeds 2 spoonsGreen chilies 6-8 gratedOnion 1 large gratedGinger 2" minced/pasteGarlic 4-6 cloves minced/pasteTomato 1 large chopped/

Crab Biriyani / Nandu Biriyani - Wild Seafood Feast:)

2010-07-28T17:22:00.013-02:00

Crab Biriyani:For Biriyani:Crab 1 large - if you like, cut them into heavy chunksCloves 3Cinnamon 2Cardamon pods 3Bay leaves 2Maratti mokku 2Star anise 1Basmati rice 2 cupsGreen chilies 6 slittedOnion 1 slicedTomato 1 large choppedGarlic 2 cloves made into pasteGinger 2" size peeled and made into pasteMint leaves 1 fistfulCoriander leaves alone fewLemon juice from 1 fruitCurd 1 cupSaltChili

Methi Kofta Kadhi/ Vendhaya Keerai Kola-Urundai Mor Kuzhambu

2010-07-28T11:38:00.018-02:00

Methi Kofta Kadhi:Vendhya Keerai Kola Urundai Mor-Kuzhambu....so nothing much to rant today, please...don't ask me, how did I arrive at this dish! Kind of hectic week, with million commitments(that need to be attended in split second), lots of chores at home and above all' topped with severe yard work! This summer is pretty rough here, imagine...poor me toiling around:( Hmmm, in one way its good

Cranberry Beans Kurma / Borlotti Beans Curry/ Pink Beans Korma

2010-07-27T09:25:00.011-02:00

Pink Beans Korma:When I saw this pink beans for the first time(5 years ago)in the local farmer's market, I was so thrilled. So, what do they call it?...Cranberry Beans. But, my cooking experience wasn't that pleasant, you know! Due to lack of culinary skills back then(it doesn't mean that I am good now), the food whipped was a total flop. After that Y---y experience, I distanced myself from

Murg Makhani / Chicken Makhani - Chicken in Rich Almond based Sauce

2010-07-26T10:13:00.013-02:00

Dum Ka Murg:Ingredients:For Marination:Chicken thighs - preferably thighs cut into chunksOnion bulb onion gratedGreen chili 1 mincedGinger-garlic paste 1/2 spoonYogurtsLemon juice few spoonsVinegar few spoonsSaltTurmeric powder 1/4 spoonChili powder 1 spoonKashmiri chili powder 1 spoonPepper powder 1/2 spoonCoriander powder 1/2 spoonCumin powder 1/2 spoonGaram masala powder 1/2 spoon.Onion

Pesto Pasta / Green Herbs Enriched Pasta - Pasta with Snow Peas

2010-07-23T10:31:00.010-02:00

Pesto Pasta:Ingredients:For Pasta:Extra virgin olive oilSaltPasta - your fav' shell.For Sauce:Basil leaves 1 bunchParsley 1/2 a bunchPine nuts toasted 1 table spoonExtra virgin olive oilSalt...Wet grind them to thick paste.For Toppings:I used snow peasParmesan cheese to garnishMethod:Cook pasta as per the directions.In a wide wok, heat oil...add snow peas and stir-fry for couple of minutes. Add

Tamarind Prawns / Iral Varuval / Fried Tamarind Shrimps

2010-07-22T10:55:00.005-02:00

Eral Varuval:Chemmeen Varuval. Iral Porichadhu. Shrimps Fry with Indian touch of spices.Ingredients:Shrimps 1/4 kiloSaltTurmeric 1/4 spoonChili powder 1 spoonTamarind paste 1/2 spoonOil for shallow frying.Method:Mix all the ingredients together, except oil. Marinate them for couple of hours.Fry them till crisp, in hot oil. Serve warm to go with your meals, enjoy:)

Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry - Chinese Style

2010-07-21T10:19:00.008-02:00

Baby Bok Choy:(Chinese Style)Bok Choy, the Chinese cabbage, became my favorite greens...ever since my brother introduced it' to me. When it comes to fixing a meal, I can't help myself a new veggie that quickly! As long as it is cooked by others or at restaurants, am fine. I am a big native food lover, its not that am very reluctant to try anything novel! If its not genetically modified,

Chocolate Mousse & Memoirs of School Days Fun:)

2010-07-19T19:24:00.015-02:00

Chocolate Mousse:When I was in high school, I loved recess. Come on who didn't? Its a chance to get away from the regular boring classes. The usual obedient show' we put up on, will be broken in split second upon hearing the bell sound! We were allowed to run around like a maniac and act like a complete idiot for 45 minutes:):) Every day, there were so many kind of fun options...goals' that need

Pathra / Pathrode / Alu Wadi / Yam Leaves Pinwheel Fritters / Maharastrian Wadi

2010-07-18T11:07:00.021-02:00

Pathra:(Maharashtra Style)I knew, I was going to try this recipe sooner or later. The recipes for Authentic Alu Wadi / Pathra have been floating around the blogosphere for a while. And I couldn't wait to try them myself. As soon as I saw these Fresh Yam Greens in the International market, I convinced myself that the recipe shared by many of my beloved bloggers, would never let me down. I bagged

Asparagus Korma - Asparagus in Rich Coconut Sauce

2010-07-16T11:47:00.005-02:00

Asparagus Kurma:Ingredients:Asparagus 1 bunch - choppedPotatoes 1 - boiled n cubed(optional)Green chilies 2 - minced/slicedOnion 1 gratedGinger-garlic pate 1 spoonTomatoes 1 large choppedSaltTurmeric 1 pinchChili powder 1/2 spoonCoconut milk 1 cupFennel seeds 1 spoonOil few spoons.Method:In a wide wok, heat oil. Add the whole spices and wait till they crackle.Add chilies, ginger-garlic paste and

Spaghetti with Vegan Meat Balls/ Spaghetti with Soya Chunks

2010-07-13T16:30:00.000-02:00

Spaghetti with Soya Chunks:Listen up ladies, I know this recipe isn't gonna win any sort of culinary awards for innovation or anything. But for a routine traditional cook, it was pretty darn easy. I fixed this spaghetti for dinner, last week' altered the regular meat balls with some soya chunks! Now, was that cooking or what? It turned out to be a best meal, with minimal effort:)

Papaya Smoothie - Simply Refreshing!

2010-07-13T09:39:00.004-02:00

Papaali Milk Shake:Ingredients:Papaya - cubed 2 cupsMilk 2-4 cupsSugar to tasteChaat masala powder to garnish.Method:Puree the fruit and mix with sugar and milk. Beat them vigorously till its foamy.Serve chilled in a tall glass. Enjoy.