Eggplant Pasta

I make this simplest possible eggplant pasta which is immensely enjoyed by my family. I don't bother to peel off eggplant. I don't even salt it to remove the bitter juices as it's recommended in the traditional Italian cuisine. But if desired, you can most certainly peel the eggplant and/or salt it and drain the eggplant cubes before adding to the saucepan.

It does need lot more oil than my usual recipes. But eggplant seems to drink up the oil so more oil is needed for cooking it uniformly.

Eggplant Pasta
Ingredients

3 cups raw farfalle pasta, cook according to the package directions
salt to taste
1 tsp Italian seasoning

Tempering
1/4 cup Olive oil
3-5 garlic cloves, peeled & minced
1 red bell pepper, cored, diced
2 Italian eggplants, diced

Garnish
2 tbsp. minced Italian Parsley (Optional)

Method
1. Cook pasta according to the packet instructions.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a wide saucepan. Add garlic cloves. Sauté till they leave an aroma, making sure that they don't get burnt. Add bell pepper and sauté for 2 minutes.
3. Add eggplant pieces, preferably in a single layer.
4. Sauté till they are cooked.
5. Add salt to taste & Italian seasoning.
6. Now add drained pasta along with about 1/4 cup pasta water.
7. Incorporate pasta and eggplant.
8. Garnish with Italian parsley - if using.

Note -
1. You can peel eggplants before adding to the pot.
2. Italian eggplants are like Indian Bhurta type eggplants.



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Mushroom Stroganoff

I am going to blog some of Gudiya's favorite recipes. These recipes are not authentic but I have changed them to suit to our dietary preferences. I generally do not use chicken stock or cooking wine in our daily cooking. I used farfalle pasta for this recipe since it was available in the pantry.

Mushroom Stroganoff (serves 6 - 8)
Ingredients
20-25 baby portabella mushrooms, thinly sliced about 4 cups
1/4 cup finely chopped shallot
1 tbsp. + 2 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. all purpose flour
2 cups whole milk or half and half
salt to taste

4 cups raw farfalle pasta

Garnish
freshly crushed black pepper to garnish
1 tbsp. minced Italian parsley

Method
1. Cook pasta according to the package directions.
2. Heat 1 tbsp. butter in a wide saucepan.
3. Add shallots and sauté till soft.
4. Add mushrooms and sauté till they are wilted. Add salt.
5. Take mushrooms in one side of the pan. Add 2 tbsp. butter in the center of the saucepan. Add all purpose flour. Sauté till it is a shade darker.
6. Mix the mushrooms in the flour mixture.

7. Add milk or half and half. Keep whisking so there are no lumps.

8. Bring it to a gentle boil on low flame. The mixture will thicken a bit.
9. Add cooked pasta. Stir well.
10. Sprinkle some freshly ground black pepper for garnish.
11. Garnish with chopped Italian parsley -  if desired.

Note -
1. Let there be little moisture in the sauce. Do not make it too thick.

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Hasselback Potatoes

This is a fun baked potato recipe. You have to use a very good Chef's knife to slit the potatoes without actually cutting them into pieces.

Hasselback Potatoes - Serves 4
Ingredients
4 Idaho/Baking Potatoes, Scrubbed and slit as shown without actually cutting them
1 tbsp. oil

Cooking Spray such as Pam
Salt and Pepper

Method
1. Clean and scrub potatoes. Wipe them dry.
2. Using a sharp knife, make slits as if to cut into circles, but do not cut.
3. Apply oil to all the potatoes.
4. Preheat oven 450F
5. Using Cooking spray, grease a baking pan.
6. Place the potatoes on the pan.
7. Bake for about 45 minutes to hour, turning the potatoes every 20 minutes or so.
8. Sprinkle salt and pepper before serving.

Note -
1. If using any other potatoes, baking time may vary.



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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays!& Season's Blessings!

Double Chocolate Chip Muesli Cookies

I got this recipe from the packet of Bob's Mill's Muesli.

I used two types of Chocolate Chips for this recipe.

Double Chocolate Chip Muesli Cookies
Ingredients
Cream
1/2 cup or 1 stick butter at room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

Sift
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

You will also need
1 cup Bob's Mill Muesli
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Method
1. Sift all purpose flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside.
2. Cream butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract.
3. Add egg and mix again.
4. Add dry flour mixture to the wet mixture.
5. Add muesli and both types of chocolate chips.
6. Preheat oven 375F.
7. Drop a spoonful of cookie mixture onto a greased baking tray.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
9. Cool the cookies on the cooling rack.

Note -
1. Use butter at the room temperature.
2. Above recipe yields about 1 1/2 dozen cookies.

Recipe Credit
Bob's Red Mill Muesli Cookies





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Chai Spiced Cookies

 

As mentioned last time, this was the second recipe I tried from Racheal Ray Magazine. It has a delicious "American Desi" flavor. It does not have "tea" but it has chai masala in it.

 

Chai Spiced Cookies

Ingredients

Cream

1 stick butter (at room temperature)

1/2 cup sugar

 

Add

1 egg yolk

seeds of 1/2 vanilla bean or 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

 

Mix in a separate bowl

1 cup all purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

1/4 tsp cardamom powder

1/4 tsp ginger powder

 

Garnish

2 tbsp. gold sanding sugar

 

Method

1. Preheat oven 350 F

2. Cream butter and sugar.

3. Add egg yolk, vanilla seeds or extract. Beat again.

4. Mix all purpose flour, salt and spices in a separate bowl.

5. Add dry mixture to the wet mixture to form a cookie dough.

6. Roll into a uniform cylinder. Wrap in a plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigetator for 1 hour.

7. Cut into 1/4" cookies.

8. Place onto a cookie sheet. Chill again for 15 minutes.

9. Sprinkle gold sanding sugar. Bake for 17-20 minutes.

10. Cool on the cooling racks.

 

 

Note -

1. You may frost the cookie depending on your choice.

 

Recipe Credit

http://www.rachaelraymag.com/

 

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Orange Marmalade Cookies

I was browsing Rachael Ray Magazine the other day. It featured some easy cookie recipes. I have tried Orange Cream cookies and Chai Spice cookies so far.

Instead of using orange zest, I used orange marmalade as it was handy.

Orange Marmalade Cookie - (1 dozen cookies)
Ingredients
Cream
1 stick butter (at room temperature)
1/2 cup sugar

1 egg yolk
2 tbsp. Orange Marmalade
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix in a separate bowl
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt

Method
1. Preheat oven 350F
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Add egg yolk, vanilla and orange marmalade. Mix again.
4. Mix all purpose flour and salt in a separate bowl.
5. Ad dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
6. Form a cookie dough.
7. Roll into a uniform cylinder. Wrap in a plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
8. Cut into 1/4" thick cookies. Place onto a cookie sheet.
9. Chill again for 15 minutes. Sprinkle little sugar on top.
10. Bake for 17-20 minutes.
11. Cool on the racks.

Note -
1. The original recipe uses 2 tsp. orange zest instead of orange marmalade.
2. The above recipe gave me 1 dozen cookies.

Recipe Credit -
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/

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Buckeye Bars

As we exchange cookies at work, we also exchange recipes. That's the part I look forward to the most. Today's recipe is one of the most popular "cookie" recipe.

Buckeye Bars
Ingredients
1 pack Brownie Mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Whisk
1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method
0. Preheat oven 350F
1. Line a rectangular baking pan with aluminum foil, making sure that the foil extends over the edges.
2. Grease the foil.
3. Mix eggs, oil and brownie mix.
4. Whisk condensed milk, peanut butter and vanilla extract. Set aside.
5. Spread half of the brownie mixture over the foil.
6. Spread peanut butter mixture on top uniformly.

7. Spread remaining brownie mixture evenly.
8. Bake for 30 minutes.
9. Let it cool in the pan. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and chill in the refrigerator for about 1/2 hour to firm up.
10. Using the foil, lift the cooled brownie onto the cutting board.
11. Cut into squares or rectangles - using a sharp knife.

Note -
1. You can also add chopped peanuts in the brownie batter.


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Chocolate-Walnut Fudge

Christmas baking has officially begun at Enjoy Indian Food. Today's recipe is done within 5 minutes. No kidding! I learned this incredibly easy recipe from my American friend at work, few years ago.

I admit, it takes 2 hours to set in the fridge, but it takes just 4 minutes to make it. Now, that's my kind of festive fuss-free fudge!!;-D


Chocolate-Walnut Fudge
Ingredients
1 cup chopped walnuts

3 cups or 18 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can or 14 oz sweetened condensed milk

1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking spray such as Pam

Method
1. Line 8 x 8 baking tray with Aluminum foil in such a way that it covers the edges.
2. Spray Pam over the foil.
3. Place chopped walnuts in a microwave safe pie plate. Microwave, uncovered for 3 minutes, stirring in between every 1 minute. Set aside.

4. Combine chocolate chips, condensed milk, salt and cinnamon powder in a microwave safe container. Microwave for 1 minute, uncovered. Stir well.

5. Stir in vanilla extract and walnut pieces.
6. Pour onto the greased baking tray. Spread evenly using a spatula.

7. Cover the tray  loosely with an aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 2 hours to set.

8. Take out by carefully lifting the edges of the aluminum foil. Place it on a chopping board. Using a very sharp knife - preferably  chef's knife - cut into squares or diamonds.

9. Enjoy!

Note -
1. You may substitute pecans for walnuts.

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Kharwas

I came across a unique product at our local Indian stores the other day. It is called "Junnu Powder". I am not familiar with this word but its description sounded like "Kharwas" - Indian milk pudding.

When I was growing up in Mumbai, we got our milk delivered in milk bags. But every once in a while, a milkman would show up with special milk for making kharwas called "cheek". Mom used to make delicious kharwas.

This Junnu powder that I discovered at our Indian stores looked just plain white milk powder. All you have to do is add sugar, milk and cardamom/nutmeg/saffron and steam for about 15 minutes. Chill the pudding before serving, for the best result. This pudding tasted just like real kharwas.

Kharwas
Indian Milk Pudding
Ingredients
1 packet Kamdhenu brand Junnu powder
3/4 cup sugar or per taste
2 cups milk (preferably whole milk or 2% milk)

Garnish
3-4 green cardamoms, peeled and crushed
A pinch of nutmeg powder, preferably freshly powdered
A pinch of saffron threads

Method
1. Mix milk, sugar and junnu powder so there are no lumps.
2. Stir in cardamom, nutmeg and saffron powders. Mix well.
3. Pour enough water in the pressure cooker. Let the pudding steam for about 15-20 minutes. Do not use weight.
4. Chill in the refrigerator.
5. Cut into diamonds or squares.

Note -
1. I used Kamdhenu brand Junnu powder.

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Lahsooni Kulcha

Mixed Koshimbeer, Kale-chhole, a lemon wedge & Lahsooni Kulcha

 

This was my zany kitchen experiment. As I was rolling basic kulcha, I noticed mom's delicious lasoon chutney. That's how this Mahrashtrian flavored Kulcha was born. ;-)

 

Lahsooni Kulcha

Ingredients

1 recipe basic Kulcha dough

Stuffing

Garlic Chutney, as needed

Ghee/butter for roasting -  if desired

Method

1. Make uniform balls of the kulcha dough.

3. Roll each kulcha dough into a small disc. Stuff spoonful of garlic chutney in the middle.

3. Bring all the ends together and roll into a thick roti/flatbread. Use flour for dredging.

4. Roast on a hot tawa till brown spots appear on both sides.

5. Brush with ghee/butter for better flavor.

Note -

1. I served this flatbread with Kale -Chhole.

 

 

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Mutter Kulcha

Raw Mango Pickle, Rajma & Mixed Kachumbar with Mutter Kulcha

While I was planning to make kulcha, and since I had already tried basic Kulcha, Onion Kulcha, Cheese Kulcha, Paneer Kulcha and of course, Aloo Kulcha, I was dying to make something different. I noticed some fresh green peas and I decided to make "Mutter Kulcha".


Mutter Kulcha
Green Peas Flatbread
Ingredients
1 recipe basic Kulcha dough

Stuffing
1 1/2 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
salt to taste
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp amchoor powder

Grind to fine paste
1 cup cilantro
3-4 cloves garlic
1" ginger, chopped
3-4 green chilies or per desired heat level.
2 tbsp. lemon juice
A pinch of sugar

Tempering
1 tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric powder

Ghee/butter for roasting -  if desired

Method
1.Heat oil in a wok/kadhai. Add cumin seeds, turmeric powder and green paste.
2. Saute for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add green peas. Cover with a lid. Place water. Let it cook till soft.
4. Add salt to taste, garam masala and amchoor powder. Mix well. Set aside to cool down completely.
4. After being cooled, mash lightly.
5. Make uniform balls of stuffing as well as kulcha dough.
6. Roll each kulcha dough into a small disc. Stuff green peas mixture in the middle.

4. Bring all the ends together and roll into a thick roti/flatbread. Use flour for dredging.

5. Roast on a hot tawa till brown spots appear on both sides.
6. Brush with ghee/butter for better flavor.

Note
1. Frozen green peas can be used. Thaw them and get rid of any excess water first.

Pea Pods from my kitchen garden

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Paneer Kulcha

 

We all love Paneer. So it was a no-brainer that this kulcha would be a hit in our family.

 

Paneer Kulcha

Ingredients
1 recipe basic Kulcha dough

Stuffing
1 1/2 cup grated paneer
salt to taste
2 tbsp. minced cilantro
2-3 green chilies, minced (as desired)
1/4 cup minced red onion
1 tsp chaat masala
A pinch of garam masala

Ghee/butter for roasting -  if desired

Method
1. Mix all the ingredients for stuffing.
2. Make uniform balls of the kulcha dough.
3. Roll each kulcha dough into a small disc. Stuff paneer mixture in the middle.

4. Bring all the ends together and roll into a thick roti/flatbread. Use flour for dredging.
5. Roast on a hot tawa till brown spots appear on both sides.
6. Brush with ghee/butter for better flavor.

Note -
1. Chaat masala has salt in it so adjust salt accordingly.





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Cheese Kulcha

This is my cheese lover daughter's most favorite kulcha. Serve it with warm Marinara sauce.

Cheese Kulcha
Ingredients
1 recipe basic Kulcha dough

Stuffing
1 cup grated cheese of your choice (I prefer a combination of mozzarella and cheddar)
2 tbsp. minced onion
2 tbsp. minced Italian parsley
1 tsp Italian seasoning

Ghee/butter for roasting -  if desired

Method
1. Mix onion, parsley, salt and grated cheese to make stuffing.
2. Make uniform balls of the kulcha dough.
3. Roll each kulcha dough into a small disc. Stuff cheese mixture in the middle.
4. Bring all the ends together and roll into a thick roti/flatbread. Use flour for dredging.
5. Roast on a hot tawa till brown spots appear on both sides.
6. Brush with ghee/butter for better flavor.

Note -
1. Serve with warm marinara sauce.
2. Cut it into wedges before serving.


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Aloo Kulcha

Kale-Paneer with Aloo Kulcha

I made this aloo kulcha by stuffing the basic kulcha dough with aloo paratha stuffing.

Aloo Kulcha
Ingredients
1 recipe basic Kulcha dough

Stuffing
5-6 medium potatoes, boiled, peeled and mashed
salt to taste
1 tsp garam masala

Grind to fine paste
1 cup cilantro
3-4 cloves garlic
1" ginger, chopped
3-4 green chilies or per desired heat level.
2 tbsp. lemon juice
A pinch of sugar

Ghee/butter for roasting -  if desired

Method
1. Mix salt, garam masala and green paste with mashed potatoes and make a smooth stuffing dough.
2. Make uniform balls of stuffing as well as kulcha dough.
3. Roll each kulcha dough into a small disc. Stuff stuffing ball in the middle.
4. Bring all the ends together and roll into a thick roti/flatbread. Use flour for dredging.
5. Roast on a hot tawa till brown spots appear on both sides.
6. Brush with ghee/butter for better flavor.

Note -
1. Serve with raw mango pickle.


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Kulcha

 

I am celebrating Kulchas this week. You will get to see different Kulcha recipes here.

Basic Kulcha
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour or bread flour
1 1/2 cup Wheat Flour
1 cup yogurt
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp oil

Garnish
1 tbsp. Nigella seeds
and/or
2 tbsp. minced cilantro

Optional Garnish
Butter/Ghee

Method
1. Mix both flours with salt and baking powder.
2. Adding spoonful yogurt at a time, knead the dough. Use yogurt as needed.
3. Add oil and knead again till the dough no longer sticks to your hands.
4. Cover and let it rest for at least 1/2 hour.
5. Make uniform balls and roll into thick circles.
6. Sprinkle nigella seeds and cilantro - if using.
7. Roast on a hot tawa on both sides.
8. Brush little ghee/butter if desired.

Note-
1. I have made these kulchas by using entire whole wheat flour and without using all purpose flour.

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Murgima Kaaju - Cashew Chicken

Murgi ma Kaaju

Gudiya loves mild chicken curries. I had bookmarked this cashew chicken recipe from Hawkins Recipe booklet. If you don't have cashews, raw almonds work well too.

Murgi ma Kaaju
Cashew Chicken Curry
Ingredients
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized pieces

Grind
1 tbsp. paprika
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp. ginger-garlic paste
1 tbsp. water

Marinate chicken with -
Above red paste
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder

Grind
1/3 cup unsalted raw cashew or almonds
1/4 cup water

Tempering
1 tbsp. oil
1 tsp. sugar
1 cup minced onion

You will also need
salt to taste
1 tbsp. tomato ketchup

Method
1. Marinate chicken pieces with red paste. Refrigerate for about 1/2 hour.
2. Heat oil in a pressure cooker.
3. Add sugar. As it caramelizes, add onions and sauté till they are brown but not burnt.
4. Add marinated chicken along with the marinade. Sauté for 10 minutes.
5. Add cashew paste and 1 cup water. Bring to boil.
6. Close the lid and pressure cook for about 3 whistles.
7. Open the lid after the pressure drops. Add salt and ketchup.
8. Simmer till it has a thick gravy.

Note-
1. Raw almonds can be substituted for cashews.

Recipe credit -
http://www.hawkinscookers.com/8.1.receipe.aspx?rcp_cd=57


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Black Beans Pizza

 

This pizza is inspired by the recipe featured in WebMD. If you find Barbeque sauce too sweet, add a dash of Sriracha.

 

Black Beans Pizza

Ingredients

Mix

1 cup cooked black beans

1 cup yellow corn kernels

1/2 cup red bell peppers, diced

 

1 recipe pizza crust, readymade okay.

 

1/3 cup barbeque sauce                     

                          

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese             

Garnish

Avocado slices

Cilantro

 

Method

 1. Preheat oven to 400F

2. Spread some barbeque sauce over the prepared pizza crust.

3. Spoon black beans mixture.

4. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese.

5. Bake for about 7 minutes.

6. Garnish with avocado slices and cilantro before serving.

 

Note -

1. Barbeque sauce has a Smokey flavor and it's sweetish in taste.

 

Credits

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/smoky-corn-and-black-bean-pizza

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