♥ Yummy Delights !

Mango Milkshake

2013-05-02T12:23:00.001-07:00

Refreshing, tasty & chilled delight for a hot day!

Total Time......1 hr 10min (Prep - 10 min, Inactive-1 hr)
Yield...............3 to 4 servings
Level..............Easy

Ingredients

2 Mangoes
2 1/2 cups Milk
3 tbsp Sugar
6 scoops Mango Ice-cream

Directions

Keep milk to chill in the freezer for 1 hour.
Peel mangoes & slice. Blend with sugar.
Add chilled milk & 3 scoops of ice-cream. Blend till everything combine thoroughly.
Serve in a pretty glass with a scoop of ice-cream & sliced mango on top.

Salsa

2013-05-02T12:15:00.002-07:00

Salsa is the Spanish term for 'sauce'. It is mostly used in Mexican cuisines and is served with chips, tacos, burritos, enchiladas etc

Total Time.....4 hrs 10 min (Prep - 10 min, Inactive-4 hrs)
Yield...............24oz (680.4gms)
Level..............Easy

Ingredients

14.5 oz (411gms) diced tomatoes in tomato juice
3 tbsp Tomato paste
2 small Jalapeno peppers
1/2 cup chopped Onions
1 tbsp Garlic powder
3 tbsp Vinegar
1/4 cup chopped Cilantro
2 tbsp Olive oil
Salt as required

Directions:

Mix tomato paste in 1/2 cup water to obtain a tomato puree.
Take a pan, saute onions slightly to loose its raw taste.
Take a mixing bowl and add diced tomatoes, tomato puree(1). Mix well
Stir in jalapeno peppers, sauteed onion, vinegar, salt and garlic powder.
Refrigerate for 4 hours to blend flavours and use when desired.

Inspiration: Tostitos Chunky Salsa ingredients:Tomato Puree(water and tomato paste), diced tomatoes in tomato juice, Jalapeno Peppers, Onions, Vinegar, Salt, Garlic powder and Natural flavours.

Note: Stir Salsa into mashed Avocado for a quick Guacamole :)

Beef Nachos

2013-04-30T11:26:00.003-07:00

Ground Beef and refried Beans layered on Tortilla chips with spicy Jalapeno, gooey Cheese, crunchy Onion, tangy Salsa, tasty Guacamole & creamy Sour cream!

Total Time.....22 min (Prep - 10 min, Bake-12 min)
Yield...............3 to 4 servings
Level..............Easy

Ingredients

1 cup Ground Beef
3/4 cup chopped Onion
1 tsp Paprika powder
1 tsp Chilly powder
1/2 tsp Oregano
1 tbsp Cumin powder
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp Onion powder
1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
1/2 cup Spring Onion
1/4 cup pickled Jalapeno slices
1/2 cup Guacamole
1 cup Salsa(Store bought or homemade)
4 tbsp Sour Cream
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup refried Beans
Salt as required
2 tbsp Oil
Tortilla chips

Directions:

Preheat oven at 400 degrees F.
Take a pan, pour oil and saute onion. Add ground beef and cook for sometime.
Mix in paprika, chilly, oregano, cumin, garlic, onion powders, pepper flakes and salt.
Saute for sometime. Once the beef is cooked thoroughly, add 1/4 cup salsa and 1/4 cup spring onion.
Take an oven safe plate and layer the chips. Spread refried beans and cooked beef on top. Sprinkle cheese and little salsa. Repeat the process for the second layer (except salsa)
Bake for 10 to 12 min. Then top with remaining 1/2 cup salsa, jalapeno pepper, spring onion, guacamole & a dollop of sour cream.

Cinnamon Rolls

2013-04-24T15:02:00.002-07:00

Flattened dough sprinkled with sugar-cinnamon mix, then rolled, cut into individual pieces, baked and lightly glazed to form an aromatic cinnamon swirl! This sweet delight is served mainly in North America and Northern Europe.

Total Time......3 hrs 20 min (Prep - 15 min, Bake-25 min, Inactive-2 hrs 40 min)
Yield...............8 big rolls
Level..............Easy

Ingredients for the dough

2 1/2 cups All purpose flour(Maida)
2 tbsp Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup Sour cream
3 tbsp Butter (room temperature)
1/2 tbsp Active dry yeast
1/4 cup Warm water
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Egg
1/2 tsp Salt

Directions:

Mix yeast in warm water. Keep aside for 10 min.
Take a bowl & whisk egg and sugar.
Then add butter, sour cream and vanilla extract. Beat thoroughly.
Mix in flour, baking soda, salt and yeast solution.
Knead well, cover the bowl with a plastic wrap. Keep aside in a warm place for 1 hour.

Ingredients for the filling

1/2 cup Brown sugar (packed)
1 tbsp Cinnamon powder
1 tbsp Butter

Directions:

Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon powder in a separate bowl.
Flatten the dough into a 15 X 11 inch rectangular shape. Brush melted butter and sprinkle the 'sugar & cinnamon' mix.
Start rolling from the 15 inch side & cut into 1 1/2 inch thick rolls.
Grease a baking tray with butter and arrange the rolls with enough space in between.
Cover & keep aside for 30 min. Then bake for 25 to 30 min.

Ingredients for the glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp Milk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Directions:

Mix all the 3 ingredients together.
Take out the baking tray when the rolls are done & pour the liquid on top.
Allow it to cool for sometime & then serve.

Braided Bread stuffed with Chicken & Veggies

2013-04-11T09:57:00.001-07:00

Bread filled with fried Chicken, green Bell pepper, Broccoli, Tomato, Onion,
White sauce, Sriracha hot sauce and Ketchup.

Total Time......2 hrs (Prep-15 min, Cook-10 min, Bake-25 min, Inactive-1 hr 10 min)
Yield...............4 to 5 servings
Level..............Easy

(I) Ingredients for the dough

1 1/2 cup Whole wheat flour
1/2 cup All purpose flour (Maida)
1 tbsp Active dry Yeast
1 tsp Sugar
3/4 cup warm Water
3/4 tsp Salt

Directions:

Mix yeast and sugar in warm water. Keep aside for 10 min.
In a food processor, add both flours, salt & fermented yeast solution.
Prepare dough and keep in a bowl wrapped in cling wrap. Keep aside for 1 hour.
Knead with hands and make 2 equal balls.

(II) Ingredients for the white sauce

2 tbsp All purpose flour(Maida)
3/4 cup Chicken stock
1 tbsp Butter
Salt as required

Directions:

Take a sauce pan and melt butter. Mix in four and stir.
Add chicken stock and 1/4 cup water. Stir till the solution is slightly thick.
Remove from flame & keep aside.

(III) Ingredients for the filling

1 cup cooked & pulled Chicken pieces
1/2 cup chopped Onion
1/2 cup Green Bell pepper(Capsicum)
1/2 cup chopped Broccoli
1/2 cup chopped Tomato
3/4 tsp Black pepper powder
1 tbsp Sriracha hot sauce
2 tbsp Tomato ketchup
1 tsp Garlic powder
2 tbsp Olive oil
2 tbsp Egg white
Salt as required

Directions:

Take a pan and lightly fry in oil, the cooked chicken pieces with 1/4 tsp black pepper and salt.
Add onion, bell pepper, garlic powder, remaining black pepper. Saute for 5 min.
Mix in tomato and broccoli. Cook for 1 min.
Pour the prepared white sauce, sriracha sauce and ketchup. Turn off the flame and combine well.
Preheat oven at 375 degrees F.
Flatten dough & cut on both sides with a knife, leaving space in the middle for the filling (as shown in the pic below)
Place the filling in the middle of flattened dough and start braiding.
Beat egg whites & brush on the fully braided bread.
Carefully transfer onto a greased cookie pan and bake for 25 min.

Serve hot with some corn!

Orange Strawberry Lemonade

2013-04-08T14:51:00.001-07:00

A refreshing drink prepared by extracting fresh juice from strawberries, oranges & lemon to quench your thirst on a hot day!

Total Time......10 min (Prep - 5 min, Blend-5 min)
Yield...............4 to 5 glasses
Level..............Easy

Ingredients

2 cups(20) Strawberries
2 Oranges
2 lemons
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups water
Ice cubes

Directions

Take a bender. Add hulled strawberries, peeled oranges, sugar, water and blend till everything mixes thoroughly.
Strain(if needed) and squeeze out juice form the lemons. Pour back strained juice into blender with lemon juice and crushed ice cubes. Blend for few more minutes
Serve into a decorated glass & enjoy the chilled & refreshing drink!

Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza

2013-04-03T16:47:00.001-07:00

Pizza made with whole wheat flour crust and topped with pepperoni slices, smoked beef sausage, jalapenos, onions and sun-dried tomatoes.

Total Time....1 hr 32 min (Prep-10 min, Bake-17 min, Inactive-1 hr 5 min)
Yield.............1 pizza (14 inch)
Level.............Easy

Ingredients for the dough

2 cups Wheat Flour
2 tsp active dry Yeast
1 cup warm Water
1 tbsp Olive oil
1 tbsp Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt

Directions:

Mix yeast and sugar in warm water. Keep aside for 5 min.
Knead together wheat flour, oil, salt and the above yeast solution.
Cover the dough in plastic wrap and keep aside for 1 hour.
Roll out the dough in round shape and place on a slightly greased pizza pan.

Ingredients for the topping

15 to 18 Pepperoni slices
1/2 cup Chopped Sausage
1/2 cup Chopped Onion
1 Chopped Jalapeno
3 tbsp chopped Sun dried Tomatoes
1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Pizza sauce (or Tomato Ketchup)
1/2 tsp Black pepper powder
Salt as required

Directions:

Preheat the oven at 425 degrees F.
Spread pizza sauce on the rolled out dough.
Top with sausage, onion, jalapeno and sun-dried tomatoes. Sprinkle black pepper and salt.
Top it with cheese and then arrange the pepperoni slices.
Bake for 15 to 17 min. Slice and serve hot with few breadsticks and spicy chicken wings! :)

Saucy Beef Burger

2013-04-01T10:46:00.001-07:00

Burger made with grilled beef patty, pickles, onion, lettuce and tomato flavoured sauce.

Total Time....25 min (Prep-10 min, Cook-15 min)
Yield.............4 to 6 burgers
Level.............Easy

Ingredients for the sauce

1 cup Tomato sauce
1/4 cup chopped Celery
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

Directions:

Take a pan, saute pepper and pour in ketchup. Add celery and cook for 2 min.
Divide the mix into two equal halves and keep aside.

Ingredients for the beef patty

2 cups Ground beef
3/4 cup Bread crumbs
1 tsp Garlic powder
1 Egg
1/2 tsp dried Oregano
1/2 tsp dried Basil
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup chopped Onion
1 tsp Black pepper powder
Salt as required
Vegetable Oil

Directions:

Take a mixing bowl and combine beef, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, egg, oregano, basil, parmesan cheese, onion, pepper and salt.
Mix thoroughly by adding half of the prepared sauce. Make round patties.
Brush oil on both sides of patties and grill.

Other ingredients

Pickled cucumber
Lettuce
Burger Buns
Chopped Onions
Mayonnaise

Directions:

Spread mayonnaise on both insides of the burger buns.
Top with lettuce, beef patty, other half of the prepared sauce, pickled cucumber and onion.

Pineapple Curd Cupcakes

2013-03-08T15:21:00.000-08:00

Pineapple flavoured cupcakes with pineapple curd filling and cream cheese frosting!

Total Time......44 min (Prep - 20 min, Bake- 24 min)
Yield...............16 cupcakes
Level..............Easy

Ingredients for the pineapple curd

2 Egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated Sugar
1 cup Pineapple juice(**strained)
2 tbsp Butter
1 1/2 tbsp Corn starch
1 tbsp Lime juice

Directions:

Beat egg yolks, sugar and butter thoroughly.
Mix in pineapple juice, cornstarch and lime juice.
Take a shallow pan & transfer the contents. Place on a medium flame & keep stirring till you obtain a slightly thick consistency. Turn off the flame and allow it to cool.

** Grind pineapple slices with 1/4 cup of water and separate the juice using a strainer.

Ingredients for the cupcakes

2 cups All-purpose flour(Maida)
1 cup Sugar
6 tbsp Butter
1 cup Milk
2 Eggs
2 tsp Pineapple extract
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
Cupcake liners
Cupcake baking tray
Pineapple slices for decoration

Directions:

Preheat oven at 350 degrees F(176.67 degrees C).
Take a bowl and whisk eggs, butter and sugar thoroughly.
Mix in flour, baking powder and salt. Combine well by adding milk in between.
Add pineapple extract and mix everything thoroughly.
Take cupcake tray and place the liners. Pour batter in each liners till 3/4th full.
Bake for 22 to 24 min. Insert a tooth pick or a skewer. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready! Allow it to cool and then frost.

Ingredients for the cream cheese frosting

8 oz Cream cheese
4 tbsp Butter
3 to 4 cups confectioners(powdered) Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla extract

Directions

Combine cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract in an electric mixer. Add powdered sugar & beat thoroughly.
Take the cooled cupcake. Scoop out the middle portion (3/4th deep) with a pointed knife and fill with pineapple curd. Place the top of the scooped portion back, to seal it.
Start frosting the cake and decorate it with pineapple slices.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

2013-03-05T08:31:00.000-08:00

Chew this Thick Crispy Cookie baked with Oats, take a bite of Raisins in between and get the aroma of Nutmeg & Cinnamon!

Total Time.....22 min (Prep-10 min, Bake-12 min)
Yield.............15 to 20 cookies
Level.............Easy

Ingredients

1 3/4 cup Oats
1/4 cup Raisins
3/4 cup All purpose flour (Maida)
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup Butter
1 Egg
1 tsp Vanilla essence
3/4 tsp Cinnamon powder
1/4 tsp Nutmeg powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt

Directions

Preheat oven at 375 degrees F.
Take a bowl & whisk egg, butter and sugar thoroughly.
Add cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder, vanilla essence & mix well.
Add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix thoroughly and then stir in add oats & raisins.
Place parchment paper on baking tray. Using small ice-cream scoop, place cookie batter on the parchment paper with enough space leaving in between for the cookie to expand.
Bake for 11 to 12 min, allow it to cool and enjoy a chewy healthy cookie!

Sweet Potato & Beef Chili

2013-02-28T17:06:00.001-08:00

Slow cooked Chili with Beef, Beans, Veggies, Tomato juice, Spices and served with Sour cream.

Ingredients

1 cup cubed and cooked Beef
1 cup Beef stock
1/2 cup Garbanzo beans
1/2 cup Pinto beans
1/2 cup Kidney Beans
1/4 cup Black Beans
1/2 cup cubed Sweet Potato
1/2 cup sliced Onion
1/2 cup chopped Celery
1/2 cup sliced Green bell pepper(Capsicum)
15 oz(425g) diced Tomato with juice
1/4 cup chopped Cilantro (Coriander leaves)
7.5oz(212g) Tomato paste
3/4 tsp Garlic paste
1/4 tsp Cumin powder
1/2 tsp Oregano
2 tbsp Parsley
2 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Black pepper
5 tbsp Soya sauce
Salt as required

Directions

Bake cubed sweet potato marinated with salt and pepper at 400 degrees F for 25 min.
Take a shallow pan and saute onion and bell pepper in oil.
Then add garbanzo beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, black beans, cubed sweet potato. Saute well.
Mix in beef stock, diced tomato, tomato paste, garlic paste, cumin powder, oregano, parsley, paprika, black pepper, soya sauce and salt. Close an cook for sometime.
Add cooked beef and cook in a low flame doe 30 min. Keep stirring occasionally.
When you obtain a thick solution, add celery, cilantro and cook for some more time. Serve hot with sour cream and celery on top!

Unniyappam

2013-02-26T10:42:00.003-08:00

Traditional South Indian (Kerala) snack, prepared mainly with rice flour and bananas.

Total Time......5 hrs 40 min (Prep - 10 min, Cook- 30 min, Inactive-5 hrs)
Yield...............25 to 30 Unniyappams
Level..............Easy

Ingredients

1 cup Rice flour
1/2 cup All purpose flour(Maida)
3/4 cup melted Jaggery
2 over ripe Bananas
2 to 3 tbsp dry Coconut pieces
1/4 tsp Cardamom powder
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Sesame seeds
2 tbsp Ghee
1/4 tsp Salt

Directions

Fry coconut pieces in ghee and keep aside.
Strain melted jaggery and allow it to cool. (Melt jaggery chunk with 1 cup of water).
Mash bananas thoroughly. Mix with rice flour, melted jaggery, maida and salt.
Add cardamom powder, sesame seeds, fried coconut pieces and water (if needed) for perfect consistency(similar to idli batter).
Keep aside the batter for 5 to 6 hours.
Heat oil in an unniyappam pan. When oil is really hot, reduce the flame to medium and pour batter in each holes. Fry both sides till a golden brown colour is obtained.
Place fried unniyappams on tissue so that excess oil is absorbed. Serve hot!

Marbled Banana Nut Bread

2013-02-11T13:52:00.002-08:00

Cinnamon flavoured bread with banana, nuts & chocolaty marble designs.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups All purpose flour(Maida)
1/4 cup Wheat flour
2 large ripe bananas
7 tbsp Butter (room temperature)
2 Eggs
1 tbsp or more Milk
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 tsp Vanilla essence
2 tsp Cinnamon powder
1/4 cup Cocoa powder
3/4 tsp Baking powder
3/4 tsp Baking Soda
3/4 cup Sugar
1/4 tsp Salt

Directions

Take a mixing bowl, mash bananas and whisk egg, butter and sugar thouroughly.
Sieve maida, wheat flour, baking powder & baking soda together. Add to the above little by little and mix well.
Divide the batter in 2 separate bowls.
Make a solution of cocoa powder by microwaving it with 1/4 cup water for 30 sec.
Add the cocoa solution into 1 of the bowls and mix well.
Grease a bread pan with cooking spray and add the batter in the 2 bowls alternatively.
Using a skewer, slightly stir the batter to obtain the marbled design.
Preheat oven at 350 degrees and bake for 1 hour.
Insert a skewer in the middle of bread. If it comes out clean, then your bread is ready!

Pepper Fried rice and Pepper Chicken

2012-11-29T11:56:00.001-08:00

Black pepper flavoured rice and chicken for a perfect spicy meal!

Total Time......60 min (Prep - 10 min, Cook- 20 min, Inactive-30 min)

Yield...............4 to 6 servings
Level..............Easy

Ingredients for Pepper Chicken

2 cups Chicken pieces
1/4 cup Curd
1 tsp Lime juice
1 tbsp All purpose flour(Maida)
Puree of 2 Tomatoes
1/2 tsp Chilly powder
1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste
1 tbsp Pepper powder
2 cups sliced Onion
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
Salt as required
Cilantro

Directions:

Marinate chicken pieces with curd, lime juice, flour, chilly powder, pepper, turmeric and salt. Keep aside for 30 min.
Heat oil in a pan and fry the marinated chicken.
Take some oil in a pan & saute onion till golden brown.
Add ginger garlic paste, pepper and salt. Saute for sometime.
Mix in the tomato juice, fried chicken and cook for 5 min.
Add chopped cilantro and serve hot.

Ingredients for Pepper Fried rice

2 cups Rice
1 cup sliced carrots
3/4 cup Corn
2 tbsp Soy sauce
1 tbsp Black Pepper
1 cup sliced Onion
1/2 cup Green peas
1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste
Salt as required

Directions:

Cook rice and keep aside.
Saute Onion for 2 min. Add corn, peas, soy sauce, pepper and salt.
Mix cooked rice to it. Saute for sometime and serve hot with the pepper chicken!

Fried Banana with Ice-cream

2012-11-11T14:55:00.002-08:00

Banana is coated with cinnamon flavoured flour and coconut batter, then it is deep fried in vegetable oil. I got inspired to try out this combo when I once had a similar dessert from a Thai restaurant :) The combination of coconut ice-cream scoops and fried bananas gives this dessert a very unique taste!

Total Time......15 min (Prep - 5 min, Cook- 10 min)
Yield...............5 to 6 servings
Level..............Easy

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour(Maida)
1 cup unsweetened Coconut flakes
4 large size ripe bananas
3/4 cup water
2 tbsp Salt
1 Egg
1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder
A pinch of salt
Vegetable oil
Hershey's chocolate syrup
Coconut ice-cream

Directions

Take a bowl and beat egg thoroughly. Add flour, coconut flakes, cinnamon powder, sugar, water and salt. Mix thoroughly.
Heat oil in a shallow pan. Then slice bananas and coat with the batter.
When oil is hot, fry the bananas till golden brown colour & place on a paper towel so that the excess oil is absorbed.
Serve with coconut ice-cream and Hershey's syrup!

Chicken Biryani

2012-11-06T12:02:00.002-08:00

Biryani is one among the most popular lunch/dinner item on the Indian menu, that brings the aromatic flavours of Indian spices! It can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian, and is made by preparing rice & masala(gravy) separately. And finally layering them brings the contrasting taste of the 'flavored rice' and the 'spicy masala'. The best way of eating Biryani is with Raita, Papadum and Lime Pickle!

Total Time......1 hr 30min (Prep - 15 min, Cook- 1 hr 15 min)

Yield...............4 to 5 servings
Level..............Intermediate

(I) Ingredients for the Rice

1 1/2 cup Basmati rice
3 to 4 Bay leaves
4 green Cardamoms
4 Cloves
1 medium sized Cinnamon
2 tbsp Ghee
Salt as required

Directions:

Wash the rice 3 to 4 times and drain the water. Take a vessel and fry rice in ghee for 5 to 10 min.
Boil 7 cups water. Add rice, bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, salt and cook for 15 min(without placing a lid on top).
When rice is fully cooked, drain the water through a colander. Remove all the spices and keep aside.

(II) Ingredients for the Chicken Masala

2 pounds Chicken pieces (leg and sliced breast pieces)
3 cups sliced Onion
2 Tomatoes
2 tbsp Tomato paste
2 tsp Ginger Garlic paste
3/4 tsp Cinnamon powder
3/4 tsp Cloves powder
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
5 green Cardamoms
1 tsp Garam masala
1 tsp Coriander powder
4 Bay leaves
3 tbsp Yogurt(Curd)
1/2 tsp Black pepper powder
2 tsp Chilly powder
1/2 cup chopped Coriander leaves (Cilantro)
5 tbsp Ghee
Salt as required

Directions

Take a pan and pour ghee. Saute onion with salt till you obtain a brown colour. Then add ginger garlic paste, tomatoes and saute for sometime.
Add cardamoms, cinnamon powder, cloves powder, garam masala, pepper powder, chilly powder, turmeric powder and bay leaves. Saute for 5 min.
Add 2 cups of water, chicken pieces, chopped cilantro and salt. Close the lid and cook for 15 min in low flame. (Stir occasionally)
Then mix in yogurt, tomato paste and cook for 5 more min or till you obtain a thick gravy. Take off the cardamom pods and bay leaves. Keep aside.

(III) Ingredients for the Raita

1 1/2 cups Curd
1/2 cup thinly sliced Onion
1/2 cup sliced Tomatoes
Salt as required

Directions

Mix onion with a pinch of salt.
Add tomato, curd and a pinch of salt into the above mix. Combine well and keep aside.

(IV) Other Ingredients

1/2 cup Raisins and Cashew nuts (fried in ghee)
4 boiled Eggs
Fried onions (1 cup sliced onion fried in ghee)
1/4 cup chopped Coriander leaves (Cilantro)
Papadums (fried in vegetable oil)
Lime Pickle

Layering

Take a shallow pan, spread little ghee and start layering as shown below:

Layer a) Rice
Layer b) Chicken masala, few Cashew nuts, few Raisins and chopped Cilantro
Layer c) Rice
Layer d) Chicken masala and eggs
Layer e) Rice

Keep in a low flame and let it cook for 10 to 15 min. When it is ready to serve, garnish with fried Onions, remaining Cashewnuts, Raisins and chopped Cilantro. Serve the delicious Biryani with Papadum, Lime Pickle and Raita!

Chicken Noodle Soup

2012-10-31T14:50:00.002-07:00

Chicken pieces simmered in Chicken Broth with tender Egg Noodles,

Carrots, Onion and Celery.

Total Time......35 min (Prep - 10 min, Cook- 25 min)

Yield...............2 to 3 servings
Level..............Easy

Ingredients

1 cup cooked & shredded Chicken
3/4 cup cooked Egg noodles
1/2 cup sliced Onion
1/2 cup sliced Carrot
1/2 cup chopped Celery
1 1/2 cups Chicken broth
1 tbsp chopped Cilantro
1 tsp Black pepper powder
2 tbsp Soy sauce
3/4 tbsp Cornflour
2 tbsp Butter
Salt as required

Directions

Melt butter in a medium sized cooking pot. Saute onion in a low flame.
Then add carrots, cooked chicken, chicken both, black pepper and salt. Cook in a low flame for 15 min.
Make a solution of cornflour in 1/2 cup water separately and add to the pot.
Stir in cooked noodles, soy sauce, celery, cilantro and cook for 5 more min. Serve hot on a chill day!

Sausage Sandwich

2012-10-19T11:25:00.001-07:00

Simple Sandwich made with grilled Beef Sausage, fresh Lettuce, pickled Cucumber, red Bell pepper and tomato Ketchup.

Total Time........13 min (Prep - 5 min, Cook- 8 min)

Yield..................4 servings
Level.................Easy

Ingredients

4 Sandwich Buns
4 Beef Sausages
1/2 cup chopped Cucumber Pickles
1/4 cup chopped Red Bell pepper(Capsicum)
1 tbsp Black pepper
Mayonnaise as required
Lettuce as required
Ketchup as required
Salt as required

Directions

Season sausage with pepper and salt. Grill them according to the package instructions.
Cut the sausages into 1/2 inch thick slices.
Spread mayonnaise and fill the bun with lettuce, sliced sausage, pickle, bell pepper and ketchup.

Beef stew

2012-10-07T15:04:00.002-07:00

Beef and vegetables cooked in aromatic spices, creamy coconut milk and served with Palappam (laced rice pancakes).

Total Time....25 min (Prep - 5 min, Cook- 20 min)

Yield..............3 to 4 servings

Level.............Easy

Ingredients

1 cup cubed Beef
1 cup thinly sliced Onion
1 cup cubed Potato
1/2 cup cubed Carrot
1/2 tsp Ginger garlic paste
2 Green chillies
1 Tomato
1/2 tsp Cloves powder
1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder
4 Cardamoms
1 tsp Black Pepper

1 cup Coconut milk
Salt as required
Oil as required
Curry leaves (optional)

Directions

Cook the beef in a pressure cooker with 1/4 tsp pepper and salt.

Take a pan & pour oil. When oil is hot, saute curry leaves, green chillies and crushed cardamoms. Add onion, ginger garlic paste & saute for few min.
Mix cooked beef, potato, carrot, cloves and cinnamon. Saute.

Then add 3/4 cup water, pepper, salt and close the lid. Cook for 10 min in medium flame.

Add chopped tomato and cook. Then reduce the heat, add coconut milk and simmer for about 5 minutes.

Serve this tasty dish with crispy laced Palappam for breakfast!

Note:

Palappam mix is available in Indian stores. Usually special 'appam pan' is used for making the laced appam but it can also be made like pancakes too. You can prepare perfectly by following the package instructions carefully. The main ingredients needed other than the palappam mix are coconut milk, yeast and sugar.
Beef can be replaced by chicken for making Chicken Stew :)

Chicken Pot Pie

2012-09-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

Chicken stew baked with a biscuit crust and served with salad.

Total Time....55 min (Prep - 10 min, Cook- 45 min)

Yield..............4 to 5 servings

Level.............Easy

Ingredients for the stew

1 Chicken breast
1/2 cup sliced Onion
1/2 cup sliced Potato
1/4 cup sliced Carrot
1/4 cup Green peas
1/4 cup Celery
2 Bay leaves
1 cup Chicken broth
3/4 tsp Black pepper
1 tbsp All purpose flour (Maida)
2 tbsp Butter
1/2 cup Milk
Salt as required
Oil as required

Ingredients for the biscuit crust

1 1/4 cup All purpose flour (Maida)
1 tsp Baking powder
1/2 cup Milk
1 1/2 tbsp Butter
1/4 tsp Salt
1 tbsp Oil
Egg white

Directions

Preheat oven at 375 degrees C.
Take a shallow pan. Add water, potato, carrot, onion and cook with a closed lid.
Season chicken with oil, salt & back pepper. Bake for 25 to 30 min.
Take another shallow pan, add butter, flour & milk mixture, pepper and salt. Stir well until thick.
Take out the cooked chicken and preheat oven at 450 degrees F.
Add the cooked vegetables, pulled chicken, bay leaf, celery, green peas, amd chicken broth.
Cook in a low flame till you obtain a thick gravy & till everything mix well.
Then take a food processor & put all the ingredients for the biscuit crust and blend till you obtain a soft dough.
Make small balls and then flatten in round shapes(1 inch thick) to fit inside the ramekins. Leave little space when arranging so that there is space for the dough to rise.
Take ramekins and pour the vegetable stew. Place the round dough on top and brush with egg white
Bake for 10 to 15 min. Serve hot with salad!

HAPPY 1st ANNIVERSARY TO ''YUMMY DELIGHTS'' !!!

2012-09-16T08:57:00.003-07:00

I still can't believe that 1 year is over after I started blogging (Sep 15, 2011)! It was a thrilling experience to be in the Bloggers World :) I want to thank my family and friends for all the encouragement they have given me. I am really grateful to all my 223 blogger friends for their immense support through their lovely comments, awards and event participation!! Hubby was the one who gave me the confidence to start my own blog & criticized my cooking experiments :) My brother, sister & best friend were the ones who criticized in my food photographs, giving me the best suggestions and support to move forward with more perfection. And last but not the least I thank all my 926 Facebook fans for their support too :) Thanks a million to each and every one of you and I'm hoping that you all will keep on encouraging me :) Given below are some of the major happenings:

My first posts: Strawberry Smoothie and Sausage-Chicken Pizza
Most viewed recipes: Fruit Custard and Chicken Tikka Masala
Recipes with max. no. of comments: Carrot Cupcakes and Raspberry Jam Tarts
First 2 blogger friends: Faseela and Julie
First 2 awards by: Amy
First event: Valentine's Day Event

As part of my Blogoversary celebration, I made a special cupcake that I got inspired to make when I once had from ''Cupcake Royal'' :) It was so so YUM!! Eventhough I couldn't beat them, I've tried to make something similar ;) Hope you all will love this!!

Total Time....1 hr (Prep - 10 min, Cook- 35 min, Inactive-15 min)

Yield..............5 to 6 cupcakes

Level.............Easy

Ingredients for the Chocolate Cupcake

1 3/4 cup All purpose flour(Maida)
1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 1/4 cup Sugar
3/4 cup Cocoa powder
2 Eggs
1 cup Milk
1/2 cup Oil
2 tsp Vanilla essence
1/2 tsp Salt

Directions:

Preheat oven at degrees 350 degrees F(175 degrees C).
Sieve flour, baking powder and baking soda together.
Take a large bowl and mix butter and sugar thoroughly. Then add eggs and whisk.
Make a solution of cocoa powder and milk. Mix in this solution and flour alternatively.
Add vanilla essence, oil and salt. Mix everything thouroughly.
Bake for 15 to 20 min.

Ingredients for the Caramel Sauce

2 Egg Yolks
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
1/4 cup Butter
1/2 cup Water
1 tsp Vanilla essence

Directions:

Beat all ingredients and heat in a shallow pan & stir till it boils and become thick.
Allow it to cool.

Ingredients for the Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz Cream cheese
4 tbsp Butter
1/2 cup Caramel sauce (Prepare as shown above)
1 tsp Vanilla essence
3 1/2 to 4 cups Powdered sugar

Directions

Whisk butter and sugar well. Then mix in caramel sauce.
Add cream cheese, vanilla and whisk thoroughly.
Frost & decorate the cupcakes once they are completely cooled.

Rice Krispies Payasam

2012-08-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

Payasam is one of the unavoidable desserts of the South Indians, especially for Onam. I wanted a change from the usual traditional preparation with vermicelli, rice etc. Hence I gave a try with cereal ;) It came out perfect and yummy too!! I'm sure you are also gonna love this quick & simple dessert :) Hope all the Keralites had a great Onam with the fun celebrations and tasty Sadya :) Wishing everybody a very HAPPY ONAM !!

Total Time....1 hr 15 min (Prep - 5 min, Cook- 10 min, Inactive-1 hour)

Yield..............3 to 4 servings

Level.............Easy

Ingredients

3 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 1/2 cup Milk
4 tbsp Sugar
1/2 tsp Nutmeg powder
1 tsp Vanilla essence
1/4 Cup Raisins
1/4 cup Cashewnuts
3 tbsp Ghee

Directions:

Take a pan, pour ghee & fry cashewnut and raisins slightly.
Add the cereal, sugar and saute for 5 min.
Pour milk and stir. Then add vanilla essence and nutmeg powder. Stir for 5 min so that everything mixes well.
Allow it to cool and refrigerate for minimum 1 hour. If its too thick, mix more chilled milk & stir well before serving.

Chicken Fingers

2012-08-23T12:36:00.001-07:00

Chicken strips coated with herbed, cheesy & crispy mix. It goes perfect with tomato sauce, mayo,honey mustard dip etc. This is definitely a crunchy & tasty appetizer!!

Total Time....30 min (Prep - 10 min, Cook- 20 min)

Yield...............3 servings

Level..............Easy

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup Chicken strips
2 cups Crushed Corn flakes cereal

1/2 cup all-purpose Flour (Maida)
4 tbsp Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1/4 tsp dried Thyme
1/2 tsp Basil leaves

1 tsp black Pepper powder
1/4 cup Milk
1 Egg white
3 tbsp Butter
Salt as required

Directions:

Preheat oven at 375 degrees F. (about 190.56 degrees C)

Beat egg white with little water thoroughly and keep aside.
Make a mixture of crushed cornflakes, cheese & garlic powder. Keep aside.
Take a separate bowl and mix flour, milk, herbs, pepper and salt.

Dip the chicken strips first into the flour mixture, then into the egg mixture & then again into the flour mixture.
Finally coat evenly with corn flakes mix. Arrange on a baking pan and drizzle little butter.

Bake for 10 min. Turn the strips & bake for another 10 min.

Note: Same method can be used for preparing big chicken pieces. Increase the baking time to 50 to 55 min and serve hot with mashed potatoes :)

Tilapia Fish Curry

2012-08-18T10:39:00.001-07:00

Tilapia pieces and green peas, cooked in a thick and spicy coconut gravy! It goes perfect with rice, paratha, roti etc.
.

Ingredients:

3 Tilapia fish fillets
1 cup sliced Onion
1/2 cup Green Peas
1/2 cup Coconut milk
1 tsp Ginger-Garlic paste
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 1/2 tsp Red chilli powder
1 tsp Coriander powder
1 tsp Garam masala powder
3 tbsp Tomato sauce
2 tbsp Oil
Salt as required

Directions:

Clean the fish in water and lime juice(to reduce the smell) and marinate for 10 min with little red chilly powder, turmeric powder and salt.
Take a pan, pour oil & saute onion till golden brown.
Make a paste of 1/2 cup cooled sauteed onion and add back to the pan with ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, coriander powder, remaining red chilly powder & fry for sometime.
Now add the peas and tomato sauce to it. Stir for some time.
Then add coconut milk and 1/4 cup water, mix it well and allow it to boil.
When it will starts boiling, add the marinated fish and cook with the lid closed for 3 min.
Then open the lid & cook so that the fish is cooked perfectly and a thick gravy will be formed. Serve hot!

Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry

2012-08-13T14:52:00.000-07:00

Simple and healthy recipe with different types of stir fried veggies and chicken strips served over rice. Rice vinegar is the main ingredient that adds more flavour to this colourful meal!

Ingredients

2 cups Chicken strips
1 cup Chicken broth
1/2 cup Soy Sauce
6 tbsp Seasoned Rice Vinegar
2 tbsp Cornstarch
4 tbsp oriental Sesame Oil
1/4 cup Asparagus
1/4 cup sliced Carrots
1/4 cup sliced Grean Beans
1/2 cup chopped Cauliflower
1/2 cup sliced Yellow squash
1/2 cup chopped Celery
1/4 cup chopped Onions
1/4 cup chopped Mushroom
1 tsp Black Pepper
1/4 cup Water
2 cups Cooked rice
Sriracha hot Chilly sauce

Directions

Take a small bowl & mix together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, chicken broth, cornstarch and water.
Stir fry vegetables in a skillet until soft.
Add chicken and sesame oil. Stir fry for 3 to 5 min.
Stir in sauce (1) and cook until the chicken is cooked thoroughly.
Serve over rice & drizzle with soy sauce and chilly sauce.