Cooking is my Passion

Kung Pao Shrimp

2015-05-11T15:10:00.000+05:30

What an absolute delight of a recipe. Fresh and simple.
Most ingredients are easy to find at home

Found the recipe online which surfing. Recommend to try.
For recipe please go here - recipe credits to Rasa Malaysia

I served this on fried rice

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

2015-05-07T11:07:00.001+05:30

A very light lovely cake - made with fresh strawberries

For the Cake

1-1/2 cups cake flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup milk
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3 large eggs at room temperature
1-1/4 cups sugar
fresh strawberries, halved, mixed with powdered sugar

For the Filling
2 cups cold heavy cream
½ cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 180 C

Lightly grease an 8 inch springform cake pan

In a mixing bowl, sift cake flour, baking powder and salt until combined.

In a small saucepan heat milk and butter; bring to a boil.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and lemon juice.

In your mixer's bowl, combine eggs and sugar; beat until pale yellow, fluffy, and doubled in size.

With the mixer on, slowly pour in the milk mixture; mix until well incorporated.

Turn off mixer and gently fold in the flour mixture.

Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean.

Remove from oven and set pan on a cooling rack.

Remove Cake from tin and cool completely

In the meantime, prepare the frosting.

In a mixing bowl, combine the whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla.

Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

When chilled, beat the mixture until stiff peaks form.

When cake is completely cooled, cut into 3 layers.

Spread half of the whipped frosting over 1 of the cake layers.

Sprinkle some of the strawberries on top.

Repeat with second layer

Top with the last cake layer.

Spread the rest of the whipped frosting over the cake.

Top with fresh strawberries. Brush with some melted strawberry jam

Chill cake for 1 hour.

Serve.

Velvet Chocolate Cheesecake

2015-05-06T16:13:00.000+05:30

This is a time consuming cake / cheesecake so start well in advance.

You need to make the cheesecake base, ganache, cheesecake filling and a separate cake. Then assemble it all -

Crust Ingredients:

2 packets Oreo cookies, processed into crumbs including cream

5 tbsp butter, melted and cooled

Filling Ingredients:

1 box cream cheese, at room temperature

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour

1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 large egg

Ganache Ingredients:

150 gms heavy cream

300 gms chocolate, finely chopped

Make the cake:

follow the recipe given here

Make the cheesecake base:

To make the crust, preheat the oven to 180˚C.

Butter a 8-inch springform pan and place it on a baking sheet.

Combine the chocolate cookie crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl. Mix well to moisten all of the crumbs. Press into a thin layer covering the bottom and sides of the springform pan (at least 3 inches up the sides).

Make the ganache:

Bring the cream to a simmer in a medium saucepan.

Pour the cream over the chopped chocolate mix until a smooth ganache has formed.

Pour 1/2 of the ganache over the bottom of the crust.

Freeze the base until the ganache layer is firm.

Keep balance ganache in reserve

Make the cheesecake filling:

Using an electric mixer beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium-high speed until well blended.

Add in the vanilla and beat until well incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Beat in the egg.

Fold in the flour.

Pour the filling over the cold ganache in the crust.

Bake until the top is lightly browned, puffed and cracked at the edges, and the center moves only very slightly when the pan is lightly shaken, about 1 hour.

Transfer to a wire cooling rack.

Cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and then chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours

Assembling the cheesecake:

Remove the cheesecake from the tin and transfer to a serving platter.

From the remaining ganache, smear a thin layer on top of the cheesecake to help the cake adhere well

Place your cake layer on top of cheesecake

Decorate top of cake with balance ganache and some white chocolate

Almond Chocolate Cake

2015-04-13T11:02:00.000+05:30

A special cake, perfect for those who are have gluten allergies. This cake uses ground almonds instead of flour.

Ingredients

115 gm dark chocolate, broken into pieces

115 gm ground almonds

125 gm caster sugar

150 g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing

3 eggs, beaten

2 tbsp dark rum - optional

Chocolate Ganache

75 gms cream

125 g dark chocolate broken into pieces

2 tbsp rum

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Butter the sides of the cake tin and line the base with a disc of baking parchment.

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, stirring occasionally, then remove from the heat and set aside.

Cream the ground almonds, sugar and butter in a food processor until well mixed. Add the eggs, rum and melted chocolate and mix until blended.

Bake in a lined, greased tin for 40 mins

Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for 20 minutes, then loosen the sides using a small, sharp knife and carefully remove the cake from the tin before transferring to a wire rack to cool down fully.

While the cake is cooling, make the glaze. Pour the cream into a saucepan and bring to the boil, then take off the heat and add the chocolate, stirring to melt, and mix in the rum.

Transfer the cooled cake to a serving plate and pour over the chocolate glaze (reheating if necessary)

Peach Cheesecake

2015-04-12T20:22:00.000+05:30

Ingredients

Base

1 1/2 cup digestive biscuits

1 cup almonds, toasted

1/3 cup butter, melted

Combine ingredients. Press mixture evenly over bottom and up sides of 8 or 9-inch springform pan. Put in the refrigerator to chill.

Filling:

200 gms cream cheese

300 gms cream

200 ml pureed peaches

2 tbsp rum [optional]

1/2 cup sugar, powdered

1 tin peaches

5 tsp gelatin

Sprinkle gelatin over the peach juice from the tin and set aside to bloom for at least 15 min.

In a large bowl beat cream cheese and sugar. Add in the pureed peaches

Place the gelatin pineapple mix over low heat, stirring until gelatin dissolves.

Gradually beat hot gelatin mixture into cheese mix

In medium bowl, beat cream until fluffy.

Fold into cheese mixture, until well blended.

Cut up 2 slices of peaches into small bits, and fold into the mix.

Pour over the crust and Refrigerate at least 6 hours.

Serve with Sliced peaches on top

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cake

2015-04-12T20:20:00.001+05:30

Talk of being lazy. I have not updated my baking on the blog for ages. For one reason or the other the pics have been saved on my phone but not uploaded. So here I am writing these out ---- before I get lazy again

This is a great recipe if you are like me and buy strawberries in bulk. Because the strawberries make this moist you will need to refrigerate it. It tastes equally good cold. You could make this with any fruit

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
3 tbsp butter, softned
3 tbsp yogurt
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
chocolate chips - as much or little as you want.
Strawberries, washed and halved

Method

Line a 9" loose bottom or springform tin with butter paper, Grease the sides and dust with flour
Preheat the oven to 180C
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt
Beat the sugar and butter in a separate bowl till light and fluffy
Add in the yogurt beating till fully mixed
Add in the egg and vanilla and beat again.
Mix in the milk.
Fold in the flour, carefully making sure not to overmix
Fold in half the choco chips keeping some for the top
Pour into prepared cake tin and arrange the strawberries on top.
Sprinkle balance choco chips between the strawberries.
Bake the cake for 45 mins or till done.
Remove from oven and let cool in the cake tin.
Remove from tin once cooled.

Lemon Tarts

2015-04-12T08:00:00.000+05:30

Ingredients

Your favourite pie crust
2 lemons
150 gms sugar
55 gms unsalted butter, room temperature
2 extra-large eggs
1/2 cup lemon juice (3 to 4 lemons)
pinch of salt

Directions

Grate the lemons carefully to get the zest. Put the zest in a food processor alongwith the sugar and grind.

Cream the butter with the sugar and lemon mixture. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and then add the lemon juice and salt. Mix until combined.

Pour the mixture into a saucepan and cook over low heat until thickened (about 10 minutes), stirring constantly.

Remove from the heat and cool or refrigerate.

Roll out the pie crust and bake blind at 180 C till done.

Fill with the cooled lemon curd.

Tea Party

2015-04-10T16:21:00.000+05:30

This tea party happened in Jan this year so you can see how late I am with posting.

PEANUT BUTTER BANANA MUFFINS -
Adapted from Rachel Allens recipe available here

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
For recipe go here

Lemon Tarts

Linzer Cookies
For recipe go here

Red Velvet Cupcake
For recipe go here

CUCUMBER CHEESE SANDWICHES

Basic Waffles

2015-04-10T15:13:00.000+05:30

Waffles - when I think of them I think of Belgium. Spent a couple of days in Brussels during the Beer Festival, some years ago. More than the Beer what excited me were the waffles. Topped with strawberries, bananas, cream and then chocolate syrup. Impossible to eat a full waffle and heartbreaking to have to share it.

This is the recipe for a regular waffle.

Top it with the above and you are set.

Top it with Bacon and maple syrup for a slice of heaven.

Top it with just powdered sugar

Top it with butter

Top it with anything - its an experience of its own

Ingredients

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp castor sugar
2 cups milk
2 eggs, separated
1 tbsp melted butter + additional butter for the iron
1 tsp vanilla essence
Toppings of your choice

Method

Separate the eggs and beat the egg whites to stiff peaks
Sift the flour, baking powder and sugar in a bowl
Mix the egg yolks with the milk, butter and vanilla essence.
Mix the wet ingredients into the dry, taking care not to overmix. Lumps are fine.
Fold in the beaten egg whites into the mix.
Bake in a preheated iron till golden brown.
Serve topped with toppings of your choice.

Burger Cheese Melt

2014-12-09T12:39:00.001+05:30

You just have to try this - for all those who love Burgers

Ingredients

Burger Patty - recipe given below

8 slices bread of choice

16 slices cheese of choice

2 onions sliced and sauteed.

Barbeque Sauce

Butter

First make the burger patty.

500 gms mince meat
1 small onion chopped
1 bunch of corriander leaves chopped
1 small green chilly chopped finely
1 tbsp worchestershire sauce
1 tsp corriander powder
1 tsp red chilly
salt to taste

Mix all above and keep aside for 1/2 hour for the flavours to meld together.

Heat 2 tbsp oil in a frying pan.

Make patty with wet hands and cook on high flame to seal the meat.

Turn only when done on one side, co.ooking the second side on medium flame

Cook till done

Place a slice of bread on a butter grill pan, top with a slice of cheese.

Then layer with the onions and top with a burger patty

Spread some barbeque sauce over the patty and top with another slice of cheese.

Finally top with a slice of bread, buttered on the outside.

Cook in the grill pan - if you don't have a press down grill, place something heavy on the top slice of bread to keep it down.

Serve with fries and a salad

Spicy Crinkle Chocolate Cupcakes

2014-12-03T13:59:00.000+05:30

Christmas is round the corner. The mood was for baking something with spice. So here is my version of Crinkle cookies in a cupcake

Ingredients

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 cup castor sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 /2 tsp cinnamon powder

1/2 tsp nutmeg powder

pinch of salt

Confectioner Sugar

Mix the cocoa powder, castor sugar and oil till it all comes together in one lump. This can be done with a spoon.

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, alongwith the vanilla extract

Sift in the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg powders and mix just to bring together. Do not beat

Keep in a cool place for 4-6 hours.

Preheat oven to 180 C. Take some of the chilled dough and roll it in your hands.

Roll in the confectioner Sugar till fully coated.

Bake in a muffin tray - I used a mini size - for 10-12 min.

Apple Pie Cheesecake

2014-12-01T15:50:00.001+05:30

What happens when you cross an Apple Pie with a Cheesecake ?? You get a slice of heaven. My two favourite desserts in one go.

Crust:
1 1/2 cups digestive cookie crumbs
3 tablespoons castor sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, melted

Apple Layer
4 apples (peeled, cored, sliced very thin)
5 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cheesecake Layer
8 oz. cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 180 Degrees C

In a bowl, combine the biscuit crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter. Mix well and press into a 10-inch pie plate and up the sides. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until golden in color. Remove pie shell from oven and cool completely. Refrigerate pie shell while making apple filling.

In a saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter and add brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Stir with a wooden spoon. Add apples and stir. Cook over medium to medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes until apples are softened and tender. Let cool for 10 minutes and pour into pie shell.

In a clean bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar for about 1 minute until smooth. Add egg, lemon juice and vanilla and beat for 1 minute or until fully blended. Pour over apple filling in pie shell.

Bake for 30 minutes until an inserted knife comes out clean. Remove pie from oven and let cool. Refrigerate for 4 hours. Let stand outside the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE

2014-11-12T13:27:00.003+05:30

After trying out various recipes I found online, I finally settled on this one as the best. With most of the other recipes a cooking thermometer is needed to keep track of the temperature of the sugar and they seemed extremely cubersome.

This recipe does'nt call for anything special nor is it time consuming. The fudge set really well and tastes good.

1/2 cup cream
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups mini marshmallows
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Line a brownie dish with parchment paper and brush with butter

Combine sugar, salt, butter, cream, and marshmallows in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan.

Cook over medium heat, stirring, until butter and marshmallows are melted

Bring mixture to a boil stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. The mixture will start coming away from the sides of the pan.

Add chopped chocolate and vanilla to saucepan. Use chocolate chips [I did'nt so did not get a glossy look on the fudge]

Stir until chips are melted and combined.

Pour this fudge mix into the pan.

Cool fudge in the pan, before cutting into squares.

Besan Ladoo

2014-11-05T16:15:00.001+05:30

I love Besan Ladoos. This is my favouritest Indian sweet. Normally avoid making it as I tend to eat lots of them.

Easy to make

1 cup besan

3/4 cup ghee

3/4 - 1 cup powdered sugar [depends on how sweet you like it]

4 pcs small cardamom

1/2 cup chopped almonds or peanuts

some strands of Saffron

Heat the ghee in a karahi.
Add the besan, on medium flame, and cook till fragrant and changes colour slightly. Be careful as this burns very suddenly.
Turn of the heat and allow the mixture to cool
Powder the cardamom along with the sugar.
Soak the saffron in a teaspoon of water
Once mix is slightly cool, add in the sugar, nuts and kesar.
Mix thoroughly and check on the sweetness.
Shape into small round balls and enjoy

Mini Pies

2014-11-05T16:05:00.001+05:30

I'm an extremely lazy blogger.
So i probably do one post a month :(

This one is just a version of the Mini Caramel Apple pie done earlier, but with different fillings.

Recipe can be found here

So we have Apple Caramel, Chocolate Marshmallow Fluff, Strawberry Coulis

Mint Ice Cream Pie

2014-08-06T11:59:00.000+05:30

Not really a Pie nor a cheesecake but just deliciousness on a crust.

The base is crushed mint cookies, topped with mint ice cream and chocolate chips.

How delicious is that. A quick note - since this is an ice cream pie it needs to be kept frozen for at least 5 hours before serving. Leftovers, if any, also need to be kept frozen.

Ingredients & Method

Oreo originals, 1 packet

1/4 cup sugar

3 tbsp melted butter

1/2 litre vanilla ice cream, softened

1/2 cup mint syrup

1 tsp peppermint essence

few drops green food colour

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Lightly spray a 9-inch springform pan with a little butter.
In a food processor pulse the entire package of cookies until fine crumbs. Use the centre cream. Mix in the butter and sugar.
Press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan.
Bake in a preheated 180 C oven for 10 min
Stir the ice cream to break up lumps. Do not let it melt
Add in the mint syrup [I used Monin's Mojito], essence and food coloring. Do as much food coloring as you want until you reach the desired color you want your pie to be.
Fold in the chocolate chips
Freeze overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Serve directly from the freezer and return to the freezer as soon as you are finished serving. It is ice cream and will melt easily and quickly!

Pizza Bread

2014-07-21T11:22:00.003+05:30

In continuation with the yeast experiments, the next in line was Pizza Bread. The original recipe is from The Ivory Hut.

This is an absolutely tasty bread, full of lots of flavour. Lots of cheese and italian spices ties it all together.

The topping combinations are endless. As you can see I started of with Garlic and Bell Pepper, then added on jalapeno, pineapple, basil leaves

The actual bread recipe is very simple and basic. So do play with the additions.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon yeast
3/4 cups warm water
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoons sugar
1 cup favorite toppings, diced - minced garlic, chopped bell pepper, pineapple, jalapeno
1 tbsp dried pizza topping - oregano, basil, chilli flakes.
½ cup Cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1 tablespoon olive oil

Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a large bowl. Add in sugar and mix to dissolve. Let it sit till foamy - around 2 minutes. Add in flour, pizza seasoning and salt. Mix using a spoon just until it comes together.

Add in the toppings and Cheese and mix to combine well. The dough will be slightly wet. Dust with a bit more flour if it feels too wet. Let rise for about 1 hour, then put in the refrigerator to continue rising for another hour.

Take the dough out of the refrigerator. Flour your counter top, then pat out the dough into a rough rectangle. Sprinkle mozzarella in the centre and fold the dough to encase the cheese. Let your loaf rest while you preheat oven to 200 degrees C

Bake the bread, for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden brown. About 3 minutes before taking it out, lightly brush the top with olive oil and let it finish baking. Let rest on a wire rack to cool slightly before slicing.

Focaccia

2014-07-18T12:29:00.001+05:30

So continues my adventure with yeast. I found fresh yeast, in one of the supermarts, and have been using that. Its been a boon.

Focaccia is a really simple bread. Easy to throw together and make.

Make this for a quick dinner with soup or chicken.

Torn and dunked in olive oil and balsamic, absolutely yumm

Ingredients - for the dough

2 cups – Flour
1 ¼ tsp dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup buttermilk [this was a recommendation from a friend]
¼ cup warm water
2 Tbsp olive oil

Ingredients for Topping

salt
jalapeno
basil leaves
oregano & basil, dried

In a large bowl, put the yeast, sugar and dissolve in warm water.
Let this be for 15 min in a warm place till it doubles and is frothy - Please ensure the water is just the right temperature- not too hot because that will kill the yeast and not too cool because the yeast won’t prove. Approximately 40 C is good. Proper proving of the yeast is vital to good bread making
Once the yeast has bloomed, add 1/2 cup of flour and mix well.
Add in the balance flour & salt.
Add in the buttermilk. The mixture will be sticky.
Normally Focaccia dough is really wet so you might prefer to make it with a mixer.
Mix in the Olive oil and knead for another 10 minutes till you have a soft and manageable dough now.
Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel and rest till double.
Remove from the bowl once the dough is doubled and gently knock out the air.
I used an heavy bottom oven tray and just hand fitted the dough into it.
Cover with a damp kitchen towel and leave to rise again.
Using your fingertips make little dimples on the surface of the bread.
Drizzle with Olive oil and sprinkle some salt, oregano and dried basil on top.
I also added some jalepeno.
Bake in a preheated 200 C oven, for 20 minute
Serve with Olive oil and balsamic vinegar, fresh out of the oven.

Toppings can be varied to suit yourself

Chocolate Mousse

2014-06-06T15:29:00.000+05:30

I don't seem to have posted my chocolate mousse recipe. Wonder why ?

225 gms dark chocolate

1 tsp coffee dissolved in 1/4 cup water

1 tbsp butter

3 eggs separated

Separate the egg white and yolks.

Beat egg whites till stiff

Using a double boiler melt the chocolate.

Add in the butter and coffee and mix well

Remove from heat and mix in the egg yolks.

Once incorporated fold in the egg whites, taking care not to deflate them.

Pour into individual servings and keep to chill and set

Chocolate Fudge Sauce

2014-06-04T13:09:00.000+05:30

This one for my daughter. For all the late night cravings of hot chocolate fudge - sadly we found out just yesterday, late at night, that Nirulas has closed all its branches in Gurgaon. So no complaints now ..... there's lots of fudge sauce and ice cream in the fridge, go ahead and make your own Sundae.

Recipe follows....

115 gms butter

180 gms chocolate

1 tin condensed milk

Melt the butter on medium heat.

Add in the chopped chocolate or chips and mix till smooth.

Mix in the condensed milk and combine well.

Once cooled stored in the refrigerator.

Cherry Mojito

2014-05-26T16:07:00.000+05:30

Summer and its beautiful fruit bounty. Great cherries, mangoes, watermelon, melons of all types, peaches........ all fresh

I am a great Mojito fan in summer - it combines my favourite elements of lime and mint. Experiment with fresh fruits and Mojito and you have a winner on your hand.

6 lemon wedges
2 springs mint leaves
1 tbsp sugar
15 ml lemon juice
15 ml MOJITO mint flavour
30 ml white rum
Top with sprite n mint sprig

Muddle the lemon wedges, mint leaves, sugar and some cherries to release juices n flavours.
Add the mint flavour and white rum
Top with lots of crushed ice and serve topped with a cherry and a few mint leaves.

Crepes Suzette

2014-05-23T12:39:00.001+05:30

My God, its been a really long time since I posted anything. What with being unwell most of April, and then being tied down with work, I was in no mood to either cook or blog.

My post today is on Crepes Suzette - an old fashioned dessert or breakfast - whatever you want to call it. Mine was breakfast :) The beauty of crepes is that you can have these sweet or savory. Its one of the most versatile dishes.

Traditionally Grand Marnier or Cointreau is used in the sauce but since this was breakfast I skipped this.

1 cup flour
2 tbsp castor sugar
1/4 tsp salt

Sift and keep above items.

In a separate bowl, mix the following

1.5 cups milk
1/4 cup water
2 eggs
4 tbsp melted butter
splash of vanilla essence

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry and combine to ensure there are no lumps and mixture smooth.
Keep aside for 30-45 mins

Heat a crepe pan or a small frying pan, lightly buttering it

Pour 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter into the pan.

Quickly swirl the batter to coat the entire surface.

Cook over medium heat until the crepe starts to brown at the edges.

With a spatula, loosen the edges and flip the crepe and cook the underside until it is lightly browned.

Turn the crepe out onto a plate. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and keep warm.

Continue making crepes until the batter is all used.

For the sauce you will need

150ml orange juice
zest of 1 orange
Juice and zest of a lemon
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp butter

Mix all the ingredients, except the butter and bring to a boil.

Cook till syrupy and then add in the butter.

Place the crepes in a large pan, folded in triangles and pour the sauce over it.

Warm on low heat for 2-3 minutes

Serve immediately with cream.

MEAT LOAF

2014-03-16T11:06:00.002+05:30

Memories of childhood ........ Meat Loaf

My kids don't like mince in any form except as burgers. So this was a form to feed it to them

Ingredients

500 gms Mince
2 onion chopped small, sauted
1 tsp garlic paste
1 tsp ginger paste
2 slices bread made into crumbs
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 red pepper chopped small
1 green onion chopped
1 tbsp corriander powder
1 tsp red chilli powder
1.5 tsp salt
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp barbeque sauce

Mix all the above ingredients to combine well

2 hard boiled eggs - sliced
3 slices cheese
2 tbsp barbeque sauce

Grease a loaf tin and place half the mince mix at the bottom
Place the sliced hard boiled egg on top of this.
Place the cheese slices over the egg.
Cover the egg - cheese mix with the balance mince, making sure to enclose the filling properly.
Top the bake with ketchup or barbeque sauce
Bake at 200 C for 40-50 min

Serve with a green salad

GRILLED CHICKEN

2014-03-13T13:03:00.001+05:30

The secret to this grilled chicken is beer

Take your favourite spices - I used cumin, pepper, chilli powder and mix them up.

Mix it up with some oil, chopped onions, chopped garlic and fresh coriander leaves.

Mix in the beer slowly, whisking as you go along.

Pour the marinade over the chicken and keep aside for an hour for flavours to develop and blend.

Grill the chicken legs on a barbecue or in the oven grill till juices run clear.

Serve with grilled potatoes and sour cream, steamed vegetables

WARM POTATO SALAD

2014-03-13T12:13:00.001+05:30

Beautiful flavours, goes well with grilled chicken

You will need - potatoes, bacon, onions sliced

Dressing - olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, tbsp of sugar, italian seasoning, englishmustard, bacon drippings

Topping - fresh corriander leaves

Cut up potatoes into cubes, toss with salt and pepper and some olive oil, till well coated.
Put on a greased tray, in the oven, at 200 c for 20 mins or till done
Give it 5 min in grill mode to get colour on them.

While potatoes roasting, fry the bacon in a little oil, drain and keep aside. Saute the sliced onions in the same oil, alongwith a pinch of sugar and salt.

To make dressing take 3 tbsp bacon drippings and add in all other ingredients. Whisk till thickened.

Add in the warm potatoes, chopped up bacon, onions and fresh corriander. Toss till all coated well.

Serve warm with grilled chicken.