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Showing posts from 2013

Mushrooms and Chicken Teriyaki

Teriyaki Mushrooms and Chicken Stir fried mushroom and chicken with teriyaki sauce makes a quick and simple meal. This is an easy stove top chicken teriyaki. You can use the sauce to grill or bake the chicken.Grilling enhances the flavor of this savory sweet sauce by giving a caramelized coating to the chicken. The quick stir fry method also tastes delicious. I tried the home made teriyaki sauce from Swathi's blog . She made with tofu,I used chicken and mushrooms instead. Ingredients  Chicken- thin strips- 1 lb Sliced mushrooms- 2 cup Onion cut into cubes- 1 medium Garlic- 2-3 cloves pepper powder- 1/2 tsp salt to taste For the sauce Soy Sauce-1/3 cup (I used Kikkoman Soy Sauce) 1/4 cup mirin ( Japanese Rice vinegar)  Palm Sugar-1 tbs  Black strap molasses- 1 tbs (or you can use dark brown sugar) Grated ginger- 1 tbs Minced garlic- 2 cloves Sesame oil- 1 tbs water/ chicken stock-2 tbs Toasted sesame seeds- 1 tsp Mix all the ingredients listed un

Chinese Almond Cookies

Chinese Almond Cookies Chinese Almond Cookies is rich, crisp tender and  buttery cookies. I first came across this recipe in Sherry Yard's Secrets of Baking . It was also part of the baking partners challenge. I could not try it then, but had saved the recipe. Since it is Christmas I decided to bake these cookies. The flavor of this cookie comes from Almond paste and almond extract. Almond paste is available in supermarkets. Amaretto, Italian liquor made of bitter almonds and apricots can also be used instead of almond extract. You can also add ½ cup of sliced toasted almonds to give the cookie more texture. Recipe Source: The Secrets of Baking-Simple Techniques for Sophisticated Desserts, Sherry Yard Ingredients All Purpose Flour- 2 1/2 cups Baking powder- 1 1/2 tsp Butter- cold unsalted- 6 oz./ 1 1/2 stick Sugar- 3/4 cup + 1 tbs for rolling Almond paste- 1/2 cup Orange zest- 1 tbs Almond extract- 1/2 tsp Egg- 1 large Egg white-1 Almonds- 1/3 for garnish De

Mughlai Chicken

Mughlai Chicken Today's dish is a Classic Indian dish and the tradition can be traced back to the Mughal period.This Chicken cooked in a creamy rich and aromatic sauce with exotic spices and nuts.The recipe is inspired from here .  It dish is time consuming,but really worth the effort. Try this you will love it! Ingredients To Marinate Chicken- 2 lb Ginger garlic paste-  1 1/2 tbs Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp Green chilly paste- 1 tsp Salt For the gravy Onion- 2 medium Ginger garlic paste- 1 tsp Green chilly paste- 1 tsp  Chilly powder- 1/3 tsp White pepper powder- 1/3 tsp Coriander powder- 3/4 tsp Nutmeg powder- a pinch Almonds- 1/3 cup Cashew nuts- 8-10 Yogurt- 3/4 cup Heavy cream- 1/3 cup Garam Masala- 1/2 tsp Cumin powder- 1/3 tsp oil For tempering Ghee - 2 tbs Cardamon-2 Black Cardamon- 2 Cinnamon stick-1 inch  peices-2 Aniseed- 2 Cloves- 3 Slivered Almonds- 2 tsp Raisins-  2 tsp Fried Onions and mint to garnish  Soak almonds in w

Bûche de Noël/Yule Log Cake~ Baking Partners Challenge

Bûche de Noël/Yule Log Cake  Baking partners challenge for this month is Christmas Cake.When  Swathi announced Bûche de Noël/Yule Log Cake I was really excited about the challenge.This month’s recipes are suggested by Tanushree of Ma Niche .There are 5 recipes she found out for us. Four of them are Yule cake, and fifth one is Nicaraguan Christmas cake. Every celebration is incomplete without a rich food tradition.Yule log as the name suggest is sweet roulade shaped and frosted to resemble a log. In France it is served during Christmas and Yule festival . The Yule festival is mid winter festival celebrated in Germany and the tradition extended even before the origin of Christianity. Later it become part of Christmas and the Yule log or the log cake become symbolic to ancient traditions and observance. This cake is delicious with a soft sponge roll, mocha flavor filling and a dark fudge frosting. The recipe source is from here Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Collection Ser

Pomegranate Lemonade

Pomegranate lemonade is refreshing and healthy drink. The sweet and tart sweet pomegranate goes well with tangy  lemon .I used the Meyer lemons which is sweeter than regular lemons. Adjust sugar as per your taste. Ingredients Pomegranate juice- 3/4 cup Lemon juice- 3/4 cup Water- 4 cup Ice as  needed For the simple syrup Sugar- 3/4 cup Water - 3/4 cup Pinch of salt To make the simple syrup add sugar and water  into a sauce pan and bring it to rolling boil. Make sure the sugar is completely dissolved. Add a pinch of salt and allow to cool completely. Squeeze lemon juice and extract juice from the pomegranates (you  can also use store brought pomegranate juice). Mix this with water and the simple syrup. Use half of the simple syrup first and check. Adjust sweetness according to taste. Serve with ice cubes and mint leaves. Try this Hope you all enjoy!

Strawberry Upside-down Cake

Strawberry Upside Down Cake Strawberry upside down cake is fruity,rich and delicious dessert. I already posted a pineapple upside down cake and pear upside down cake which is more traditional. I love upside down cakes because they are simple and easy to make, yet tastes and looks exotic. Unlike pineapple upside down cake the strawberries does not retain much of its shape and become soft. But it makes the cake soft and tender and the cake absorbs the flavorful caramelized  strawberry syrup. Ingredients Strawberries- 1 1/2 cup (cut into half) Light Brown Sugar- 1/2 cup Cake flour- 2 cups Unsalted butter- 6 tbs Vegetable oil- 3 tbs Baking powder 1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda- 1 tsp Salt-1/3 tsp Granulated sugar 3/4 cup Eggs-2 Vanilla essence - 2 tsp First step is to prepare the cake pan. Heat 1/2 of the butter ( reserve the rest for the cake). Take an eight inch cake pan and pour butter into it and spread the brown sugar evenly. Arrange strawbe

Andhra Mango Pickle/ Aavakaya

Andhra Mango Pickle/ Aavakaya Today's recipe is a condiment - Aavakaya/Andhra mango pickle. I spend most of my childhood in Andhra and I love Andhra food. My mom still makes Andhra food and making avankaya during mango season is still a tradition at home. This pickle is towards the spicy side with lots of chilly powder that may sound scary. But believe me, chilly powder,salt and oil is the key ingredients,it adds taste and color and also serves as preservative. If carefully made,this pickle can be preserved for over a year. It is a great accompaniment with dal curry or with simple curd rice. Recipe source here Ingredients Mango cubes- 5 cup Chilly powder- 1 cup Mustard powder- 1 cup Salt -3/4 cup Roasted Methi/ fenugreek  powder- 1 tbs Gingerly Oil- 1 1/2cup Whole cloves of garlic- 5-8 Chana dal- 2 tsp (optional) Clean and wipe dry the mangoes. The mangoes selected for pickling should be firm in touch and sour Cut mangoes into cubes. If you have a sharp kn

Carrot and Walnut Slices/ Turkish Cezeriye

Carrot and Walnut Slices/ Turkish Cezeriye This is a traditional dessert popular in Turkey and Afghanistan. The name of the dish derives from the Arabic word,cezer,meaning carrots.In southern Turkey, cezeriye refers to all desserts prepared with carrots.This dish actually has a candy/ jelly like consistency. If you like a more jelly like texture process the carrots and walnuts using a food processor into the consistency you like. It is wonderful dessert with the taste of carrots, walnuts ( you can use nuts of your choice) and coconut. Serve it with a little whipped cream and it is a perfect dessert for any occasion. Recipe source: The Turkish Cookbook , Nur Ilkin and Sheilah Kaufman, Interlink Books, Massachusetts. Ingredients Coarsely grated carrots- 2 1/2 cup Sugar-3/4-1 cup Water- 3/4 cup+ 2 tbs Cornstarch- 1tbs Coarsely chopped walnuts or hazelnuts- 3/4 cup Lemon juice- 1/2 lemon Clove powder- a pinch (optional) Coconut- 1/4 cup (sweetened or unsweetened)

Pataqueta. Valencia’ Orchard Traditional Bread~ Baking Partners challenge

Pataqueta. Valencia’ Orchard traditional Bread  This months Baking partners challenge is a very traditional yeast bread. Since Thanks giving is coming up  Swathi suggested yet another bread. I am so excited for this months challenge and my heartfelt thanks to Marisa ( Thermofan) for suggesting this beautiful traditional Spanish bread. All of us get nostalgic when it comes to special recipes passed down through generations. I really appreciate Marisa's effort to trace an authentic recipe, took time to discuss with a local baker for the exact technique of making this bread and also sharing the tradition of her country with the group. She sent us a detailed step by step instruction with pictures which proved a helpful guide. Marisa say's that this bread is from Valencia, known at least since the Seventeenth Century. The Pataqueta , as the name suggests is shaped like a crescent Moon.This is the bread the inhabitants of the Valencia’s Orchard used to eat when they

Spicy Chickpeas Snack- World Diabetes Day

Spicy Chickpeas Today is World Diabetes Day and Swathi of Zesty South Indian Kitchen has organized an event  and a group of bloggers are sharing diabetic friendly recipes. It is wonderful to be part of the group. Three members of my family are diabetic, my mom and my in laws. My in- laws today attended a camp, organized by medical center, to help diabetic patients. World Diabetes Day is observed all around the world, to bring better awareness to this  diseases, which if left undiagnosed or unregulated will lead to chronic life threatening situations like heart diseases, stroke, kidney failure and blindness. But a healthy life style,controlled diet and regular checkups has been an effective way in controlling diabetes and preventing serious situations. In recent years there is an alarming rise of diabetic patients around the globe and   researchers point out that the number of people living with diabetes may rise to 592 million by 2035. So  it is important to know more

Pistachio Cookies

Pistachio Cookies Rich and buttery cookies with the flavor and crunch of pistachios.I simply love this light green cookies which is a perfect tea time cookie.  As a variation to this you can use almond meal and a splash of Amaretto (Italian almond liqueur) to make flavorful almond cookies. Try this,you will surely love it. Ingredients All purpose flour-2 cups Baking powder- 2 tsp Salt- 1/2 tsp Sugar- 3/4 cup Egg- 1 egg + one egg white Pistachio instant pudding mix- 2 tsp (This is optional or you can add a few drops of permitted  green food color) Powdered pistachio- 1/2 cup ( use food processor to make a course meal) Cold Unsalted Butter- 1 stick Chopped pistachio- 1/3 cup Vanilla essence- 1 tsp Sift flours,baking powder, powdered pistachio,pudding mix and salt into a bowl. You can slightly toast pistachios and make a coarse powder using a food processor. Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer cream butter and sugar till it is pale yellow, smooth and lump fre

Cauliflower Pepper Fry

Cauliflower Pepper Fry Today's recipe is black pepper cauliflower fry. The sauce is flavorful with depth in flavor and the right amount of kick from the black pepper. When I tried this recipe I knew I would make this recipe again and again. It is perfect with fried rice. Try this,hope you will all enjoy! Ingredients Cauliflower- 1 head cut into bite- size florets Egg -2 Corn starch- 3 tbs flour- 1 tsp Salt- a pinch Onion- 1 medium Green onion chopped- 1 hand full Soya sauce- 1 1/2 tsp Dark soya sauce- 1 tsp Oyster sauce- 1/4 tsp Black pepper- 1 tsp sugar- 1/2 tsp Vegetable broth- 3 tbs Cut cauliflower into bite sized florets. Microwave in high for three minutes. Make a batter with eggs, corn starch, flour and a pinch of salt. Dip each florets in the batter and deep fry till golden brown and crispy. Drain into paper towel and keep aside. Heat two tsp of oil in a pan and saute onions till it is soft. Add the batter fried cauliflower

Corn Capsicum Masala

Corn Capsicum Masala A simple and perfect side dish for chapati or naan. Ingredient Corn kernels- 1 1/2 cup Capsicum- 1 large Onion- 1 medium Ginger garlic paste-1 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder- 1/3 tsp Chilly powder- 1 tsp Coriander powder- 1 tsp Tomato puree- 1/2 cup Coconut milk- 3/4 cup Meat masala- 1 tsp Coriander leaves chopped- a little Heat oil in a pan and add chopped onions and saute till golden. Add ginger and garlic paste and saute till the raw flavor disappears. Add tomato puree and allow it to cook for two to three minutes. When you see oil separating add turmeric powder, chilly powder, coriander powder and meat masala. Add capsicum and corn and mix well. Cover and cook for two to three minutes or till the corn and capsicum becomes soft. Finally add the coconut milk and simmer for a minute. Garnish with chopped coriander. Serve with chapathi or appam. Try this Hope you will all enjoy!

Hamantaschen

Hamantaschen Hamatashen is a  triangular pasty style cookie which is traditional to the Jews. It is served on the Jewish festival of Purim. Purim is a joyous festival and these buttery citrus flavored cookies are exchanged as gifts. I came to know more about Purim and this special cookie hamantaschen when my hubby's co- worker's Jessica and Teodora shared this recipe with a detailed diagram on how to shape the cookies. They also sent a list of filling suggestions which I am sure you will find interesting (It is listed below).  So today's recipe is a shared recipe from friends. Thanks Jessica and Teodora for this beautiful foolproof cookie recipe. Ingredients This recipe will make around 24 cookies. Sugar- 3/4 cup Shortening- 3/4 cup ( I used half butter and half shortening) Eggs-3 Orange Juice- 3/4 cup All purpose flour- 4 1/2 cup Baking powder- 3 tsp Salt- 1/2 tsp For the filling Dates chopped- 1/2 cup Orange marmalade- 1/2 cup Chopped walnut

Ginger Pumpkin Bread with Maple Brown Butter Icing

  Ginger Pumpkin Bread with Maple Brown Butter Icing Baking partners   challenge for this month is pumpkin bread. Fall is the perfect time to enjoy your favorite pumpkin recipes. And I’m so ready for all the delicious pumpkin treats. This month's baking challenge has a fall theme. These recipes are suggested by Tamy . There were two pumpkin bread recipes- a yeast bread and a quick bread. I selected the sweet non-yeast version of quick bread with maple brown butter icing. I wanted to try the brown butter glaze, and I am glad I took part in this challenge. The glaze beautifully coats the top and drips down the sides.  I bet pumpkin bread never looked better! One bite and you will be pleasantly surprised. It is the kind of dessert you need for the holidays to share with your family and friends. It tastes better the next day, and the flavors develop, and it turns buttery and moist. Do you love pumpkin bread? For me, it is a classic holiday treat, a cherished recipe for years. Wh

Cajun Chicken Jambalaya

Cajun Chicken Jambalaya Today's dish is a one pot meal, a Spanish inspired chicken and sausage Jambalaya. This is Cajun style jambalaya and is a versatile main course dish.I used Cajun sausage and spice mix which imparts a smoky flavor. You can also add shrimp to this dish. Try this,you will surely love it. Ingredients Chicken- 1 lb Rice- 2 cup (Use long grain rice or basmathi rice) Onion- 1 large Tomatoes- 2 medium ( or half can diced tomatoes) Garlic- 2-3 cloves Green bell pepper- 1  medium Celery chopped- 1/3 cup Jalapeno pepper- 1 Bay leaf-2 Tomato paste- 1 tbs Cajun sausage- 8 ounce Cajun spice-3/4 tsp Cayenne pepper- 1/2 tsp Pepper- a pinch  salt to taste Heat olive oil in a pan and add bay leaf. Add the chicken and stir fry for 3-4 minutes till it changes color and get slightly browned up. Add the cubes sausage and fry for another 2 minutes. Drain and keep aside. Discard excess oil from the sausage. In the same pan saute, garlic, jalapeno pepp

Apple Honey Cake

Apple Honey Cake Apple and honey cake is a simple no fuss cake, sweet and dense and is perfect fall dessert. You can also add nuts and raisins and serve it as a tea cake. I wanted to make it a little extra special, so I used a rich and dark chocolate ganache. Ingredients Cake flour- 3 cup Baking powder- 1 1/2 tsp Baking soda- 1/2 tsp Salt- 1/2 tsp Honey- 1 cup Apple sauce- 3/4 cup Egg- 3 Vegetable oil- 1/2 cup Cinnamon powder- 1/2 tsp Vanilla essence- 1 tsp For the frosting Dark chocolate- 4 ounce Heavy cream- 1/2 cup Pre heat oven to 350 degree F. Prepare cake tin. Grease and dust with flour and set aside. Mix oil and honey and apple sauce and set aside. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon powder and salt. In a large mixing bowl beat egg for three to four minutes in high speed till it is light and fluffy and doubles in volume. Add vanilla essence and half of the dry ingredients ( flour) and fold in. Add oil and honey mixture and the r

Spicy Almond Chicken- Easy Pan Fried Chicken

Spicy Almond Chicken-  Easy Pan Fried Chicken Chicken lovers will love this simple yet flavorful chicken with the enticing flavor of almonds, chilies, and spices. It is an easy pan-roasted chicken that is slightly crispy on the outside and soft and succulent inside. The toasted almonds add a delightful crunch. It goes well as a side dish for rice, but you can get creative and use it as a filling for wraps and sandwiches. It is one of my go-to recipes when my family craves chicken. There is no elaborate cooking and a perfect for lazy weekend meals. The best part is that it is easy, and you can make this delicious chicken in under 25 minutes! The chicken is well coated, with flavorful masala, and each bite will make you crave for more! It is aromatic, pan-roasted chicken that you can pan fry or baked in the oven.  The fried chicken is bursting with flavor-earthy spices, nuttiness of almonds, the tang from tomato paste and lemon adds a unique touch. The heat is from Kashmiri chili po