Kitchen Tantra - tease your palate

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.

Bagara Baingan / Eggplants in Peanut Sauce - Hyderabad Special

2010-07-12T10:58:00.007-02:00

Bagara Baingan:(Re Posting)Ta da...I did it, again, my favorite good old Bagara baingan, I feel like...as though I have conquered this one dish all by myself. If I could cook a dish, over and over without any sort of boredom means,...it should be either that quintessential Chicken Biriyani or Brinjal Sheruva:) I will Never, Ever mess them up:) Yeah, bcause...I won't be trying anything stupid:) Oh

Grilled Quails - Tandoored Quails/ Kaadai Tandoori

2010-07-11T11:36:00.004-02:00

Tandoored Quails:Ingredients:Spices to be Toasted & Powdered:CinnamonClovesCardamomPeppercornsCoriander seedsTymol seedsChironjiSaffronUse only a pinch of above spice blend. Other Ingredients:Black SaltRegular SaltChili powder Kashmiri chili powder Red food color Turmeric Lemon juice Yogurts (hung)Ginger-garlic pasteOnion pasteMint paste Few cubes of butter/ghee for bastingChaat masala to

Yucca Stir-Fry / Maravalli Kizhangu Poriyal/ Tapioca Subzi

2010-07-06T12:18:00.007-02:00

Yucca Stir-Fry: I was completely taken by surprise...how this bland starchy roots, takes in all the influences from the basic ingredients and eventually turns up into a fulfilling meal! So, here is a simple recipe for the day. Ingredients: Yucca/cassava roots 1 large Salt Dry red chili 3 crushed Chana + Urad dal - 2 teaspoons Mustard seeds 1/4 spoon Cumin seeds 1/4 spoon Peppercorns 2

Shallots in Tamarind based Curry

2010-07-06T12:04:00.009-02:00

China Vengayam Kara Kuzhambu:Chinna Vengayam Puli Kuzhambu. Ulli Pulusu. Vengaya Kuzhambu.I was desperately looking out for these small shallots in and around my area, for the past 5 years! Almost for every single recipe, Mommy recommends just this and not anything fancy, you know!! So, I was all excited to spot these little ones finally - duh:) Oh man, immediately cooking mood set-in and I

Bottle Gourd & Shrimps Curry

2010-07-06T11:13:00.010-02:00

Soraikkai-eral Thokku:Okay, as I confessed to you all earlier...giving up meat and seafood is difficult for me, but including more veggies sounds like a perfect option:) Combining hint of meat or seafood to certain vegetables is like magic! The resulted dish turns completely out of this world, very delectable you know! So, here you go, one such amazing amalgamation.Ingredients:Bottle gourd

Gajjar-Mung Dal ka Subzi

2010-07-06T10:17:00.006-02:00

Carrot-Siruparuppu Poriyal:Carrots and Lentils Stir-Fry. Carrot-Mung Dal Koora. I dunno why? Sometimes...copying Mommy's style of cooking and recipes gives me immense pleasure. Hmmm, am I revisiting my childhood food?! Guess, food is just a metaphor here (of my good old days), after all I do miss it! I know its a very simple recipe to share with you all today, but apparently it means so much

Dry Pongal - Ever heard of it? Accidental Invention, hehe:):)

2010-07-03T10:58:00.009-02:00

Pongal:(Dry Version)On the other day, I was just goofing around, totally jobless(Yes, you guessed it right)...but was not in the mood for cooking! Somehow, forced myself to create an edible meal...threw few things together, and guess what? The lazy version or adult version whatever you can call it...but the Dry Pongal (which eventually turned up) that got ready in less than 10 minutes, was

Paneer Pepper Masala

2010-07-03T10:16:00.005-02:00

Paneer in Pepper Masala:Ingredients:Paneer/ cottage cheese 100grams - cubedOnion 1 gratedGinger-garlic paste 1 spoonTomatoes 2 crushedCashew nuts powder 2 spoonsPepper powder 1-2 spoonsSaltTurmeric 1/4 spoonChili powder 1/2 spoonCoriander powder 1/2 spoonCurry leaves to garnishOil few spoons.Method:Heat oil in a pan, add ginger-garlic paste and onion. Fry real good.Followed by...add tomatoes and

Baby Bok Choy Korma

2010-07-01T09:58:00.011-02:00

Bok Choy Korma:I noticed a significant difference in my attitude, ever since I started hunting for greens and vegetables. As I told you all before' I live in deep south, with no Indian stores around!!! And the local farmer's market's collection is devastatingly poor...so, I ended up managing with basic vegetables and meat! Anyhow...once in a blue moon, I take a special trip to Memphis

Chinese Chow Mein / Chao Mian - Chinese Fried Noodles

2010-06-29T19:00:00.009-02:00

Shrimps And Veggies Chow Mein:(Chinese Style)Ingredients:Spaghetti - a bunchCarrotBeansCabbageBell peppers/CapsicumEggs 2 - scrambledShrimps with shells 1 cupSesame oilChinese 5 spice powderRed chili flakesGinger 1" gratedGarlic 2 mincedThick soy sauceChili sauceGarlic-sesame soy sauceHoney 1/2 spoonGreen onions to garnish.Method:Cook the noodles alias pasta as per the direction. My way...it

Malai Mattar Masala - Green Peas in Rich Creamy Sauce

2010-06-29T10:32:00.008-02:00

Malai Mattar Masala:Malai Mattar Curry. Paalaadai-Pachai Pattani Masala. Ingredients:Green peas / fresh or frozen 1 cupOnion 1 large gratedGreen chili just 1 mincedGinger-garlic paste 1/2 spoonTomato 1 large SaltDash of coriander powderDash of cumin seeds powderDash of garam masala powderPinch of dry methi leavesMilk 2-4 cups / Fresh Cream as per tasteOil / ghee few spoonsCoriander seeds 1